Anime Crossover: Post-Apocalyptic Survival, My Stand is the World

"Yukino, you are our 'eyes,' responsible for correcting the route according to the map."

"Senior Shiyu, you are our 'brain,' responsible for observing and recording all the abnormal situations we encounter, especially the monster's behavior patterns."

He clearly assigned the tasks in just a few words.

Yukino Yukinoshita looked at him with a complicated expression.

Although she was still bothered by his arbitrary actions last night, reason told her that this man's arrangement was indeed the best solution under the current circumstances.

She took out the map covered with various markings from her backpack and handed it to Su Chen.

"This is the best route I've planned based on the available intelligence. The red areas are absolutely off-limits, and the yellow areas require vigilance. However, intelligence is limited, and unexpected events could occur at any time."

"I understand." Su Chen took it, didn't even look at it, and stuffed it directly into his pocket.

This action caused Yukino's brows to furrow almost imperceptibly.

Does this mean they don't trust her work?

Su Chen seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled: "I've already memorized the map. Yukino, you just need to trust your judgment, and then trust me."

"..."

This matter-of-fact tone, brimming with powerful confidence, left Yukino Yukinoshita momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

"Well then, Eriri," Su Chen said, finally looking at the blonde twin-tailed girl who had stayed behind, "the task of guarding the house is entrusted to you. If you encounter any danger that you can't handle..."

"So, so what?" Eriri asked nervously.

"...then he shouted 'Help!'"

"Huh?! Can't you say something reasonable?!"

"I'm talking about the most reliable one." Su Chen's expression was serious. "As long as you call, no matter where I am, I'll come back immediately. Got it?"

This promise, which sounded like a love confession, made Eriri's face flush red instantly. She could only lower her head and hum in a barely audible voice.

"Okay, let's go."

Su Chen waved his hand and pushed open the stadium door first, stepping into the desolate city as the sun rose.

……

"Squeak-"

The door of an abandoned car on the side of the road swayed back and forth in the wind, making a teeth-grinding sound.

The streets were empty.

Everywhere you look, there are congealed, blackened bloodstains, and newspapers and leaflets being blown around by the wind.

For the first time, the four-person team stepped outside the boundaries of Soubu High School.

The intense, overwhelming apocalyptic scene instantly put the three girls on edge.

Yui Yuigahama was even more frightened, following closely behind Su Chen, her hand gripping the fire axe so tightly it was almost dripping wet.

"Take it easy."

Su Chen's voice broke the oppressive silence.

"The more tense you are, the stronger the 'negative emotions' you release, and the more likely you are to attract those things."

His words caused Yukino and Utaha to slightly shift their gazes.

This coincides with Shi Yu's prediction last night.

This man seems to know many secrets that they don't.

"Then, what should I do?" Yui was almost in tears. "I can't control myself!"

“It’s simple,” Su Chen said without turning his head. “Think of something happy. For example, once we get to the TV station and find a backup power source, we can watch your favorite idol drama.”

"Huh? How did you know I like watching idol dramas..."

“Or,” Su Chen’s tone suddenly became somewhat playful, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over Yukino and Utaha beside him, “think about how to allocate rooms after we settle down. After all, our team is severely imbalanced in terms of women.”

These words caused Yukino and Utaha to pause slightly in their steps.

Room assignment?

What do you mean?

What... what rude thing is he thinking?!

Both women blushed with embarrassment and annoyance.

The tension and fear they felt were indeed somewhat alleviated by this sudden and unconventional topic.

Just then, Su Chen, who was walking at the front, suddenly stopped.

"Shhh."

He made a silencing gesture.

The girls immediately held their breath.

Not far ahead, at the entrance of an alley, a [Black Mud Monster] was slowly wandering out.

This was the first time they had observed this monster so closely without the obstruction of glass and walls.

The shapeless, mud-like body and the silent, twisting writhing movements brought a strong sense of physical discomfort.

Yui was so startled she almost screamed, but Yukino quickly covered her mouth.

Yukino and Utaha also subconsciously leaned closer to Su Chen's back.

However, Su Chen made no move.

He stood there quietly, as if observing an ant by the roadside.

"Look clearly."

His voice was low, yet it reached the ears of the three girls clearly.

"Its movement patterns, its turning speed, its reaction to changes in light and shadow..."

"This is information that could save your lives."

Under his guidance, Yukino and Utaha suppressed their fear and nausea and began to observe carefully.

They discovered that although the creature looked terrifying, it was indeed very slow-moving and seemed to be subconsciously avoiding areas exposed to direct sunlight.

So... this is why he made us come along?

On-site teaching?

Just when they thought the monster would simply stroll past them at a leisurely pace—

A change occurred.

The black mud monster seemed to have suddenly smelled something delicious. It abruptly changed direction and charged towards the location where the four were hiding!

"We've been found out!" Yukino's heart jumped into her throat.

Su Chen remained motionless, without even frowning.

"Don't panic."

As he spoke, he slowly raised his right hand.

However, before he could make a move—

"boom!"

A muffled gunshot rang out abruptly from a second-floor window across the street!

A single bullet, with pinpoint accuracy, struck the core of the black mud monster!

The monster's body stiffened, then quickly dissolved and disintegrated like a punctured balloon.

"?!"

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

There were other survivors? And... guns?!

For the first time, Su Chen's brows furrowed truly.

His gaze, like that of the sharpest eagle, instantly locked onto the dark window from which the gunshots were coming.

His "Triple Rebirth" spiritual awareness was frantically issuing warnings.

There……

There exists an extremely dangerous entity, filled with violence and madness!

That's not a monster.

But it's even more dangerous than monsters!

Just then, in his perception, the previously empty crossroads ahead suddenly swarmed with hundreds of monsters from the shadows all around!

As if they had received some kind of command, or as if they had been attracted by the gunshots, they formed a terrifying, black wave that completely blocked all the four people's paths of advancement and retreat!

Monster Tide!

"Oh no!" Yukino's face turned deathly pale instantly. "We're surrounded!"

Chapter Thirteen: The First Monster Tide

black.

Like a tidal wave, it is pure black, capable of swallowing all light.

From all directions of the crossroads, countless Black Mud Monsters and Shadow Monsters are constantly emerging from the shadows of the city.

They came together to form a chilling, black wave.

"...You must be joking."

As Yui Yuigahama gazed at the scene before her, which resembled a painting of hell, the fire axe in her hand fell to the ground with a loud clatter. The sound was particularly jarring in the deathly silence that had been taken over by monsters.

Her legs were shaking so badly they looked like they were powered by motors, and she could barely stand.

For the first time, Kasumigaoka Utaha's face turned completely bloodless.

She can calmly analyze a monster, and even muster the courage to face a monster's death threat.

But... what about a hundred?

The dark mass in front of us, roughly estimated, already exceeds three digits!

This is a desperate number that could instantly overwhelm even a small army!

"Back off!"

Yukino Yukinoshita's voice became somewhat shrill due to extreme tension.

She grabbed Yui, who was almost paralyzed with fear, and instinctively reached for Su Chen's sleeve with her other hand.

"We must retreat back into the alley we just came from! Using the narrow terrain, we might still have a fighting chance!"

She made her judgment in an instant.

This is the only correct, textbook-perfect tactical choice for ordinary people when faced with this situation.

however--

She caught nothing.

Su Chen, without anyone noticing, had already taken two steps forward, creating a small distance between herself and the three of them.

His back remained upright and serene.

The horde of monsters before him, which could plunge anyone into despair, seemed to him nothing more than a flock of troublesome ducks on a country ridge.

"That's too late."

Su Chen's voice came calmly, but it made Yukino's heart sink.

"See that? Among that swarm of black mud, there are a few different kinds of guys."

He raised his hand and pointed to several specific locations within the monster horde.

Yukino and Utaha followed the direction he pointed, suppressing their fear as they looked closely.