After telling Fumino some of his current situation, she fell into a dazed state, mumbling, "I must be dreaming…" and so on.
Rei Ao initially intended to comfort her, having seen how stunned she was, but after the chat group reminder, he abandoned that plan.
[Ding! Shizuka Marikawa has initiated a trade request!]
[Trade Content: Rescue her friend, Rika Minami!]
[Ding! Please choose your trade conditions!]
A trade from Shizuka Marikawa?
He knew who Rika Minami was: Shizuka's good friend, her best buddy.
Either Rika was in danger, or she'd been bitten by a zombie—these were the only two possibilities Rei Ao could think of.
But the timing of this trade was perfect. Since Fumino had already fallen into a state of disbelieving everything, why not show her what's real?
[Ding! You have selected a sub-group and granted access to: Fumino Furuhashi!]
"What's this?"
Seeing the strange prompt, the emptiness in Fumino's eyes regained some brightness.
"You don't need to ask too many questions. Whatever pops up in a bit, just agree to it. I'll take you to see another world."
"Another… world?"
Sure enough, she quickly received an alert about "traveling together."
[Ding! Trade begins!]
[Trade Partner]: Shizuka Marikawa]
[Trade Content]: Rescue her friend, Rika Minami!
[Trade Conditions]: "Unlimited body usage rights"
[Duration: 24 hours]
Rei Ao didn't ask any more questions and directly proceeded with the trade.
As for Fumino, he sent her the request to accompany him. Whether she joined was up to her.
"!!!"
Rei Ao's body abruptly vanished, snapping Fumino completely out of her daze.
On one hand, her mind was flooded with knowledge of the "trade chat group"; on the other, an on-screen request popped up.
"… …"
Fumino bit her lip gently.
She chose to follow.
She wanted to see what sort of other world Rizu had experienced.
…
Night was quiet.
Beeep—!!
A siren pierced the night sky.
In an instant, the military base was thrown into unimaginable chaos.
At first, there were only scattered gunshots.
But the crisis spread and exploded at terrifying speed.
Rika Minami, who had been sleeping, woke to find the situation uncontrollable—zombies had broken through and bitten their way into the perimeter!
"Ahh!!!"
"Ratatat!"
"Boom boom boom!"
Outside, screams, gunfire, and explosions tangled together, while fires blazed everywhere, lighting up the night.
Rika reacted immediately: she quickly put on her gear and grabbed her automatic rifle.
She understood that just waiting meant certain death—she had to save herself.
But before she headed out, there was one more thing to do.
She took out her satellite phone.
…
Meanwhile, at the villa of Saeko and the others:
Saya Takagi, who had been sleeping, was woken by a familiar beeping.
She grabbed the satellite phone on the stand beside her, glanced at it, and jumped up, running to Shizuka Marikawa's room.
Without hesitation, Saya shook her awake.
"Mmm, Rei Ao-kun, please don't mind me, no matter how intense it gets, I'm not afraid…"
"???"
Saya had only intended to wake her, but never expected such words in Shizuka's half-asleep mumbling. Then she glanced at the hand under Shizuka's nightie.
"… …"
Saya immediately realized what this woman had been dreaming about and felt anger surge within her.
Your thoughts in the day reflect your dreams at night—there was no doubt what Shizuka-sensei was thinking about all day long.
Smack!
Vexed, she gave Shizuka's rear a light spank.
"Sensei, your friend Rika Minami is calling on the satellite phone. And here you are, still sleeping."
"Hmm?"
Shizuka wriggled, blinking her sleepy eyes open.
"Saya? Why… Why isn't it Rei Ao-kun?"
"Pfft."
Saya rolled her eyes.
"Sensei, you were having a spring dream. Quit babbling—your friend's on the phone. Answer it."
Too lazy to explain, she thrust the phone into her hand.
"Rika?"
"Shizuka?"
"Ah, it's me—sorry, I was asleep."
"It's okay. Listen—the military base here is about to fall. Don't come. Stay far away, and… please survive… Nngh—"
Click—!
The call ended.
Boom!
It was as if a thunderbolt struck Shizuka's ears. She was instantly wide awake.
"Rika? Rika!!!"
No matter how she called out, there was no answer. Seeing her suddenly panicked, Saya asked, "Sensei, what happened?"
"Rika's in trouble! She said the military base's been overrun!"
Shizuka leaped out of bed, not even bothering to dress properly as she dashed outside.
"Eh?"
Saya, realizing the gravity, turned pale. "Wait!" She hurried after her out the door. Meanwhile, Saeko, Rei, and the others heard the commotion and came out of their rooms. Seeing Saya grab Shizuka's arm, she called out, "Sensei, calm down! At this rate, we won't get there in time!"
"But Rika's there!"
"What happened?" Yuriko stepped forward to steady Shizuka, asking.
"Rika… She just called. She said the military base is going to fall…"
Those resolute farewell words made Shizuka's heart clench, her voice already choked with sobs.
Hearing that, Busujima Saeko wore a grave expression. "So the zombies have broken through there too?"
"I have to go save her!" Shizuka was in chaos.
Saya: "Sensei's not thinking straight—someone help me talk sense into her!"
Rei Miyamoto cautioned seriously, "Sensei, we're too far from the base. Even if it were me and Saeko, we can't get there in half an hour—so what can you do?"
"I… I…"
Doused by that cold reality, Shizuka slumped helplessly to the floor, eyes unfocused.
Yes. Even those like Saeko, with their superhuman ability, couldn't manage it—how could she, a normal person, do anything?
Even so… she wouldn't give up. She still had one thing she could do.
She opened the chat group, and without hesitation sent Rei Ao a trade request. She could only entrust everything to him.
"Rei Ao-kun… please… help me…"
She prayed Rei Ao would see the request soon and respond.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Please Check my Other Fanfic!
"Freelance in the Ninja World" and "Speedrunning Naruto to the Top"
Both Naruto Fanfic!
Also you can read more in Patreon!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 190+ Chapters Ahead of Others!