The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

The temporary camp bustled with activity.

Fire Moth personnel were busy settling the displaced masses and organizing their evacuation. Although Lee had gone to confront the Herrscher of Thunder, and everyone had faith in her, Nagazora City was no longer habitable for ordinary humans.

The pervasive, high concentration of Honkai energy would erode the human body. Unless one possessed an absurdly high resistance to Honkai energy like Lee, even if they could endure this environment for a while, they would eventually succumb, transforming into a zombie or dying outright.

Fire Moth would transfer these people to their shelters, temporarily providing them with basic necessities.

According to Fire Moth's previous policy, victims of Honkai disasters would be briefly observed at the shelter, then sign non-disclosure agreements before leaving. Those with higher aptitudes and an interest in joining Fire Moth would be recruited.

But the current situation…

Ato, observing the densely packed camp and the continuous influx of survivors, couldn't help but wonder if Fire Moth's shelters could accommodate so many people.

Although the 1st and 2nd Herrschers had caused considerable damage, they had appeared in areas far from densely populated cities, limiting the impact of the accompanying Honkai eruptions. The 3rd Herrscher, however, had emerged directly in the center of a metropolis with millions of inhabitants, instantly transforming the entire city into an inferno.

Fire Moth had never encountered such a situation before, and Ato doubted their capacity to handle this massive influx of refugees.

"You'll leave with this group." Ato turned to Kevin behind him, gesturing towards the approaching convoy of vehicles. "Don't worry about anything else—oh, and take this."

As if remembering something, Ato grabbed a piece of paper, scribbled down his number, and handed it to Kevin. "This is how you can reach me. If anything comes up, you can contact me—assuming I'm still alive, hahaha!"

Clapping Kevin on the shoulder good-naturedly, Ato laughed. "Being able to escape with so many of your classmates… You seem like a promising young man. I'll see if I can pull you into our squad!"

Although the blue-haired man before him seemed quite enthusiastic, Kevin had his own priorities. "Um, could I ask which squad Lee is in?"

"…Oh, I see~" Ato narrowed his eyes slightly. He was a father himself; Kevin's little crush was hardly a secret—though the boy wasn't exactly trying to hide it either.

"Your phrasing is a bit off. It should be which squad is hers—but as luck would have it, our squad just so happens to be hers."

Kevin wanted to ask more, but the transport vehicles had arrived. Ato simply patted him, urging him to leave.

"See you at the Fire Moth recruitment trials, kid."

Amidst the throng of people, Kevin boarded a vehicle heading away from Nagazora City, watching as the city, now resembling a scene from a post-apocalyptic film, gradually receded into the distance.

"Our hero sure is popular." Watching the departing vehicle, Ato smiled wryly. "It's a good thing I'm married. Otherwise, I might be chasing after her like these youngsters."

"But with this, half of her task is complete…"

Thinking of what Lee had asked him to do, Ato furrowed his brow, rubbing his temples in distress. "The other half… there's nothing I can do…"

"Squad Leader, the screening is complete." Just then, a Fire Moth member ran up to Ato. "All infected individuals have been isolated. There are a lot of them, and some are already transforming into zombies… What are our next instructions?"

"…" Ato fell silent. According to standard procedure, those with milder symptoms should be quarantined and observed. Some might survive the infection. But that was only possible with sufficient manpower, and currently…

Looking at the orders displayed on his communicator, Ato could only sigh. "Prioritize the evacuation of healthy civilians. As for the infected… tell them to wait in line, and don't let them enter the evacuation zone. If they want to leave, let them."

Simply put, deceive them into staying and waiting for death. The only reason they weren't being driven away outright was to avoid a riot fueled by despair.

The priority was to protect those who were certain to survive, not those with a sliver of a chance. Regardless of Ato's personal feelings about the order, all he could do was follow it.

…No, perhaps there was one more thing he could do.

With that thought, Ato strode quickly towards his tent, where Su sat inside. His expression was pained, his entire right arm covered in purple veins, some even spreading to his neck.

"How are you feeling?"

"Terrible…" Su managed a weak smile. "Is this a zombie virus?"

"Not exactly, but you can think of it that way." Ato sighed. "If you're not feeling any better, then I'm afraid there's no chance."

Having been infected to this extent meant his body could no longer fight off the Honkai on its own. That slim chance of survival no longer existed for Su.

The reason for his condition was simple. The girl Su had protected, who had been bitten by a zombie, had transformed mid-evacuation and attacked the closest person to her: Su. It happened so fast that no one had time to react, not even Kevin, who had been clearing the way ahead.

Though they had luckily encountered Ato's rescue team soon after, Su had already been infected.

"…This must be fate." Su's gaze drifted for a moment, then he spoke with a newfound acceptance. "How's Kevin?"

"He just boarded the transport." Ato hesitated. "All infected personnel in the camp are being quarantined, and you're no exception… But I can tell you, going there is practically a death sentence."

With so many infected gathered in one place, if even one transformed into a zombie, the scene would instantly become a bloodbath. And since these people were essentially zombie-in-waiting, in the worst-case scenario, Fire Moth might have to perform a "purge."

"If you still want to try, you can return to Nagazora City. There's a… small chance you could overcome the infection and survive."

"…I understand." Su struggled to his feet, thanking Ato. The man had done his best to help him, but there seemed to be nothing more he could do in this situation. "I think I'll keep struggling for a little while longer."

Watching Su limp towards the exit, Ato slipped a handgun into his pocket. "Only one bullet."

"Thank you." Su's smile was bitter.

At least, I can die with dignity, right?