Chapter 52: On An Adventure

There was no need to whitewash his story since Tris would hear about it from her sister sooner or later (assuming that the party managed to make it to the Scarlet Blood Stronghold and she was still alive). He tried to make the story as concise as possible, starting from when he was accidentally hunted by 'Hunters' who were out to capture and sell Hybrids, up to the point where he bought her sister from the auction after a couple of twists and turns with the head of the auction.

Of course, Kazuichi didn't leave out how they separated, including his heroic last stand against the nest of Aberrants, which he defeated alone. Tris had a hard time believing what she had just said, but then again, she knew that Kazuichi had the gall to stand up against a dozen Hybrids by himself, so there was no way he was that weak.

"So that's why you were traveling alone. Are you trying to get back home?" Tris asked. Based on what he said, Tris could more or less guess what his goal was.

"Well, that was the initial plan... but I still need to accomplish things before doing that. Additionally, it's not like my residence is near here. It would take weeks or months before I return... and I'm not particularly good at directions, so that it might take me longer." Kazuichi responded. "How about you? What are your plans after reuniting with your younger sister? Are you going to travel together? Or are you planning on staying in the" Scarlet Blood Stronghold?

"Honestly, I'm not sure. We might stay in the Scarlet Blood Stronghold if it's a decent enough stronghold. But if not, we'll probably find another stronghold for us." Tris continued. Her only objective was to keep her sister safe. If what Kazuichi told her was true and her sister was alive, then she'll do everything she could in her power to keep her safe.

...

Scarlet Blood Stronghold.

Located on the city's outskirts, this stronghold had become one of the few famous strongholds ever to be established. As it had a vast grass plain on one end and the edge of the city on the other, it had become one of the most impenetrable strongholds in the vicinity.

This particular stronghold overlooks at least three shelters and a few smaller ones. Its strength was said to rival the White Mist Stronghold, which is currently the safest stronghold— or so that's how the rumors go.

That's why everyone wanted to migrate to central Japan, where the White Mist Stronghold is, and Scarlet Blood Stronghold is just a second option.

"Why do we have to do this every day?" A man in his early twenties heaved a sigh after strapping a bomb on one of the cars.

"Because if we don't, countless lives will be lost." The other man with him was also strapping bombs here and there. Together, they've strapped a total of twelve bombs. They needed to strap twelve more all around the Scarlet Blood Stronghold before they could retire for the day.

"And why are you even complaining? It's not like we do this every day. We have shifts, remember?" The other man continued. And then he remembered that the man with him was punished for a petty crime. That's why he had been strapping bombs for five days, while his partners were always replaced since they have shifts.

"Still... It would've been better if I were a scout... or a scavenger. At least I can roam around the city and have an adventure or something." The man mumbled to himself after carefully handling another bomb from his bag.

"You? A scout? Bro, you won't even survive a minute out there. Your uninfected ass would die before you could even take a hundred steps." The other man wanted to smack the living daylights out of him.

"Fortunately for you, our leader didn't punish you to your death. Instead, he gave you a job to increase the security of our stronghold. Instead of being disrespected due to what you did, you were even given a chance to redeem yourself. You Should be grateful."

"I'd rather be sent outside than stay in that cramped place of a shelter. There is plenty of space here. Why do we need to lie down and huddle like sardines every night? You get what I mean?"

"What are you talking about? If the head hears you—" The other man stopped short as an infected started rushing towards them. It was all too sudden that he froze in place. Fear overcame him instantly, and he helplessly stared at the infected with his pupils dilating in sheer terror.

"What are you freezing up for?" The first man asked as he grabbed the shovel on his back and swung it with all his might. His aim was on point, and the blade of the shovel cleanly cut through the infected's neck like butter. They watched as the infected's head flipped in mid-air, still wearing the same expression of open jaws and bared fangs.

Petrol-colored blood spurted out of the infected's neck while its head rolled to the ground, letting out a weak airy moan as it died. The man balanced his shovel on his shoulder. "See, that wasn't that hard, right?"

However, the other man was still wearing the same horrified expression, his countenance white as a sheet. He shakily pointed his finger behind the first man. "W-watch out!" He warned.

As someone who hailed from the Scarlet Blood Stronghold, he was trained not to raise his voice even in the face of trauma. But he couldn't help but let out a whisper because he was about to pee himself in fear.

Right behind the first man was a Hybrid, running with his center of gravity forward. He seemed to be crouching due to how low he was running and how fast he accelerated. Judging from his outward features, the Hybrid appeared to be the speedy type, a Hound.

"Watch out!" The second man exclaimed, almost shouting at his partner.

Then another man appeared, crashing into the Hybrid as if that was a normal thing to do. "Are you all right, you guys?" Kazuichi asked before the Hybrid targeting the two men could recover.