Chapter Fifteen: The Transformation of Takashi Komuro

“Daddy!~~~” The little girl’s wail pierced the night, unbearably shrill. Hearing her cry, Hao Ren turned toward the source of the sound. A child was sprawled over an adult’s body, sobbing uncontrollably, while the corpses nearby, lured by the cry, were closing in on her.

“Task list has been updated. Please check it yourself.”

“In light of player 73950 contracting with three key female characters in the first scenario, subsequent plot progression has become impossible. The main quest’s final stage will now be forcibly activated. Complete it to exit the game scenario.”

“A VIP viewer from the Deksis System has added the impression ‘QB’ to player 73950. Once 500 VIP viewers endorse this impression, player 73950 will receive the title ‘QB Ambassador.’ Current progress: 1/500.”

Main Quest: Final Stage Activated—Protect the story character ‘Siri Alice’ and escort her to the Takagi residence. Reward: Random activation of a professional skill. Failure: Random loss of a talent skill. If Siri Alice dies or is infected, the quest fails. (Quest status: incomplete)

The main quest was classic: rescue the little girl. Even if it weren’t a quest, Hao Ren would have done it anyway; after all, little girls (with their rare flat chests) were a precious resource—though, admittedly, that was a crime. Not that Hao Ren considered himself obsessed with lolis; in his own words: “This is universal love!”

But seeing that viewer impression left Hao Ren feeling exasperated. Still, since contracting magical girls was not so different from transforming into a Kenpfer, he resigned himself to it. What Hao Ren truly admired was that the name “QB” had even spread to alien star systems—surely Urobuchi Gen could die with no regrets now. Or perhaps the alien viewer who added this impression was a fan of “Magical Girl Madoka”—the term “QB” was rather niche, after all. Would anyone outside Blue Star’s culture even understand it?

Hao Ren’s guess was partly right: the viewer who added the impression was indeed an anime otaku from Blue Star. The Deksis System was now at peace, and technology had advanced to the point where all non-intellectual labor was performed by machines. With so much free time and little spiritual sustenance, the people there had turned to the abundant two-dimensional and three-dimensional fantasies from Blue Star. Blue Star had become the Deksis System’s main source of entertainment, and this game was a commercial project by a Deksis conglomerate—a bit like us turning novels into games.

Back to the scenario.

Beside Hao Ren, Hirano Kouta hefted his sniper rifle and fired without any warning. One after another, the corpses surrounding the little girl were shot through the head.

With a gun he’d never even practiced with, Hirano displayed nearly flawless accuracy—truly a genius with firearms, if one overlooked his frequent twitching.

“Nice shot, Hirano. I’m going to save that girl,” Komuro said to Miyamoto as he pulled on his jacket.

“Then, I’ll go with you…” Miyamoto, newly wed, was clearly unwilling to be separated.

“No need, you wait here. I’ll go on the bike.” Komuro patted her shoulder reassuringly.

Thanks to their enhanced attributes and the transformative abilities of the four contracted girls, Hao Ren’s group had little to fear from sudden danger—one could simply unleash a skill to force their way through. What worried Hao Ren most was Komuro; one could never be too careful.

“Komuro, be careful,” Hao Ren said sincerely.

“Thanks, I’ll take your blessing,” Komuro replied, a bit surprised.

The motorcycle’s engine roared to life. As Komuro tore off, he drew the attention of all the corpses. On the second floor, Hirano began sniping, providing expert cover for Komuro and the girl.

Having finished gathering food and water, Hao Ren’s group waited inside the Humvee. Once Hirano signaled, they’d rush to support Komuro.

With Hirano’s expert cover, Komuro weaved through the horde on his motorcycle, barely making it to the little girl’s side.

From above, Hirano flashed a signal with his flashlight, indicating that Komuro had reached the girl.

“Dr. Marikawa, start the car,” Hao Ren said, adjusting his shotgun with nervous hands—it was his first time holding a real gun.

The military Humvee was truly formidable; the scattered corpses on the road were no obstacle at all.

“Komuro and the girl have to make it,” Hao Ren prayed silently as they sped ahead. “If they die, I’ll lose my talent skill.” His motives were, admittedly, less than pure.

“Oh, look!” Hirano exclaimed, pointing ahead. Komuro was standing atop a wall with the girl on his back and a dog cradled in his arms, having evaded the encircling corpses.

With his sharpened vision, Hao Ren noticed something amiss—Komuro’s face was twisted in terror and despair, an expression Hao Ren had never seen on him before. Something must have happened.

With the Humvee plowing through and Hirano clearing the way, they quickly reached Komuro.

He leapt into the already crowded vehicle, setting down the girl and the dog without a hint of relief.

The little girl, sensible for her age, did not cry again, and the dog, remarkably intelligent, stayed silent as well.

Miyamoto clung tightly to Komuro, who seemed utterly drained and did not respond. The others thought little of it, but Hao Ren, ever observant, caught sight of blood on Komuro’s wrist, which he kept hidden. It was too dark to tell the color—was it a bite? He couldn’t be sure.

The Humvee crushed corpses under its wheels and soon left the densest part of the horde behind. By the time they reached the upper reaches of the Obetsu River, dawn had broken.

A long night had passed. Dr. Marikawa, having napped briefly after their escape, was still alert enough to drive. Hirano, ever shameless, was teaching the little girl mercenary war songs through the sunroof. Hao Ren, sleepless all night, had even provided his lap as a pillow for both Saeko and Takagi. Miyamoto slept peacefully against Komuro. At Hao Ren’s subtle prompting, Ryougi kept a careful eye on Komuro, who had been silently staring out the window. As for Ishii, he was best ignored.

If Komuro had been bitten, he should have turned by now. With no change, was Hao Ren mistaken?

The Humvee forded the river with ease—an amphibious vehicle, to Hao Ren’s surprise. He roused the others and everyone got out to regroup.

Komuro slipped away alone, clutching his chest as if in pain.

Worried about her lover, Miyamoto hurried after him. Unexpectedly, Komuro pushed her away, shocking everyone, Hao Ren included.

Miyamoto was stunned at first, then threw herself at him again.

This time, Komuro did not resist but instead held her tightly.

“Ah, just a lovers’ quarrel—fighting one moment, making up the next,” Hirano joked at the scene.

Something’s wrong. Something’s very wrong, Hao Ren thought, increasingly tense.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!” The little dog, now named Jiku by Hirano, suddenly began barking furiously in their direction.

“Ah!!!!” Suddenly, Miyamoto let out a piercing scream—Komuro had bitten through her carotid artery. Blood spurted out in torrents.