Chapter 15: Leaving the School Bus

Takashi Komuro quickly realized that he seemed to be the one who didn't belong in this group.

He looked around and found that everyone held different attitudes toward Lin Yi's actions, but no one seemed to treat him as a true heretic.

Saeko Busujima merely gave Lin Yi a faint glance before returning to her task of wiping her white camphor wood sword.

There was no great surprise or dissatisfaction in her eyes, as if she were accustomed to Lin Yi's decisiveness.

Saya Takagi and Go Inaga also understood the impact Shido Koichi's behavior would have on the team; though they remained silent, their eyes betrayed their recognition and support for Lin Yi.

Rei Miyamoto, on the other hand, looked as if she wanted to kill Shido Koichi with her own hands. Her eyes were filled with such rage and hatred toward him that she would never dream of stopping Lin Yi's actions.

"Takashi, sit down."

Rei Miyamoto's voice was like a morning bell or an evening drum, pulling Takashi Komuro from his endless confusion and disorientation back to the cruel reality.

He slumped into his chair in a daze, gasping for air as if he had just surfaced from the depths of the ocean, desperately searching for a rhythm to his breathing.

The air inside the carriage was deathly silent, so heavy it felt suffocating.

Outside the window, the sea of fire consuming the town burned fiercely under the night sky, the flames illuminating the bloodstains scattered across the streets—a desolate sight.

The students who had originally supported Shido Koichi were now sitting obediently in their seats. The arrogance and insolence they had previously displayed were gone, replaced by terror and unease.

Shido Koichi's death had brought them a massive shock; they had never imagined that the leader who once seemed omnipotent in their eyes would die so easily at Lin Yi's hands.

No one spoke inside the carriage; there were only occasional low sobs and trembling breaths.

Rei Miyamoto gazed out the window, an inexplicable sadness welling up in her heart.

The streets she once knew had become so strange and terrifying.

She couldn't help but think of the times she used to stroll along these streets with her family and friends; those warm and happy memories now felt so distant and blurred.

Seeing that the surrounding students kept their heads down and did not dare to look at him, Lin Yi simply pulled the previously dropped White Treasure Chest from his personal space. He also wanted to see what was hidden inside.

【White Treasure Chest: Open? Yes/No】

Lin Yi chose to open it. The chest in his hands opened silently, without a burst of brilliant light or even a sound.

【You have opened a White Treasure Chest and obtained the following items:】 【Dead Body Virus Immunity Potion】 【Infected Gland】 【100 Paradise Coins】

Whether obtaining three items counted as a "bountiful harvest" was something Lin Yi wasn't sure, but with this [Dead Body Virus Immunity Potion], he could finally set aside his worries and devote himself fully to the fight.

To him, this potion was undoubtedly a life-saving treasure.

【Dead Body Virus Immunity Potion】 Origin: Highschool of the Dead Quality: White Type: Single-use item Effect: Becomes effective immediately upon consumption; duration is one month. Rating: 3 (Item rating is the same as equipment rating. 1–10; the higher the rating, the higher the value.) Description: An experimental product manufactured in a Japanese biochemical laboratory. Current stocks are extremely rare, and only a very few people know of its existence.

Lin Yi carefully read the description of the [Dead Body Virus Immunity Potion] in his hand, and the corners of his mouth gradually curled upward into a smile that was hard to hide.

The greatest threat in this world was nothing more than the Dead Body Virus carried by those infected.

They silently devoured the life around them.

Once he could become immune to the spread of the infected's virus, the difficulty of this world would plummet.

As for the [Infected Gland], Lin Yi held it in his hand. Its surface was a dark red, covered in strange patterns that looked exceptionally disgusting. It seemed to be some kind of medicinal material, though he had no idea what kind of potion would require such a thing.

Lin Yi gently shook the pale green liquid in his hand—the [Dead Body Virus Immunity Potion] he had just obtained from the white treasure chest.

After unscrewing the cap, a strange odor wafted toward him.

Despite the odd smell, Lin Yi did not hesitate; he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The pale green liquid flowed down his throat, bringing a cool and peculiar sensation.

After drinking the potion, Lin Yi did not feel any obvious changes.

Once he confirmed the potion was finished, Lin Yi tossed the empty bottle out the window and closed his eyes to rest.

Following the coastal road, the group finally left the city and merged onto the highway.

However, they soon discovered that the highway was clogged with cars everywhere, and the bridge crossing the river was completely blocked.

Shizuka Kurikawa helplessly turned off the engine, knowing it was the only thing she could do for now.

She hoped to extend the school bus's mileage by reducing fuel consumption so they could continue moving when necessary.

"How much further to your friend's apartment?"

"Not far. After this stretch of road, it's about 3 kilometers away."

Shizuka Kurikawa recalled the location of Nanjou Kaori's apartment and realized they were almost there.

"Get off."

Through the bus window, Lin Yi's gaze fell upon the endless stream of traffic following behind the bus.

He then picked up the Black Abyss Sword without hesitation, preparing to leave the bus that was trapped on the bridge.

Seeing Lin Yi's decisive action, the other team members also began to make their choices.

Shizuka Kurikawa looked at Lin Yi as he stepped off the bus with a bewildered expression, as if she hadn't yet recovered from the recent shock.

Her eyes were filled with confusion and incomprehension, as if asking, "Are we really leaving this bus?"

Saeko Busujima and Go Inaga understood Lin Yi's intention and followed him off the bus.

Saya Takagi and Kota Hirano also made the same choice.

Seeing that the two hadn't reacted yet, Rei Miyamoto grabbed Takashi Komuro and Shizuka Kurikawa's arm and left the school bus as well.

The other students remained silently on the bus.

They had just experienced a hellish terror and despair; without the silver-tongued Shido Koichi, they lacked the confidence and courage to face the world outside.

In their eyes, Lin Yi was a murderer; they did not believe he could lead them toward the hope of survival.

Therefore, they chose to stay on the bus, continuing to wait for an unknown fate.

After getting off, the cars were lined up so closely that they formed a steel barrier; walking through such a crowded stream of traffic was exceptionally difficult.

"Let's get out of this hellhole quickly. It probably won't be long before this place falls," Lin Yi's voice carried a hint of urgency.