Return Before the Apocalypse: The Countdown Only I Remember

Chapter 10 - The Warning Beneath the Skin

“Still too far from what I need.”

Kil looked at the fallen knife and sighed. His Telekinesis was stronger than at his previous awakening, but still painfully limited.

Even so, the heaviest object he could control was a knife. His maximum range was one meter around his body. It still consumed a great deal of energy, too.

He reached for the fallen knife with his hand this time.

He had once used the talent at a level this body could not sustain. Still, the same power had awakened again. He closed his fingers around the hilt.

It suggested another possibility:

other people might awaken their old talents again, too.

“For now, I'll hide my innate talent and focus on developing myself.”

He forced himself upright. The breakthrough had strengthened his body as well as awakened his talent. He had taken his first step beyond ordinary human limits, though his evolution was not yet complete.

Against the creatures he remembered, that was barely a beginning.

“I'd better check on Axel.”

Still dizzy, Kil made his way to the roof. Axel lay flat on his back, eyes open, the cloth still clamped between his teeth. Tears and snot streaked his face. At least he was conscious.

Axel spat out the cloth and spoke.

“Is that you, Kil?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you just watching? Can't you help me? I can't move my body at all!”

Instead of helping, Kil found somewhere to sit and asked,

“Do you feel any other changes, Axel?”

“Getting faster and stronger?”

“No. Anything different? Can you see farther, for example?”

“No.”

Kil let out a breath. He had known fewer than a thousand people with awakened talents in his previous life; he had no right to expect one for Axel.

Talents did offer advantages, of course, but that did not mean people without them could never surpass those who had them. There were still two other ways to increase human strength in this cruel world.

“Could you stop looking at me like that, Kil?”

“Oh. Sorry.”

Kil looked at him again. He had not spoken, and he knew how to watch someone without betraying his intent. Axel should not have noticed so quickly.

“Don't tell me…”

Kil's hand tightened. One possibility occurred to him, too unlikely to accept without a test.

“Then let's test it.”

He closed his eyes and recalled the comrades he had lost. When he opened them, he pictured their killer in Axel's place and let that murderous intent sharpen his gaze.

Axel sprang upright, all his complaints about being unable to move forgotten. He searched the roof, then spotted Kil staring at him and let out a breath.

“You really scared me, Kil! Look, I've got goose bumps!”

Axel held out an arm, the fine hairs standing on end. He tried to smile, but kept watching Kil's face.

“You're too trusting, Axel.”

Kil smiled despite himself. So that was it.

“That really is Danger Sense!”

As its name suggested, the talent let its owner detect nearby danger, especially anything that threatened their life.

Kil clearly remembered a man named Vance who had possessed it. He was famous as a scout, venturing ahead into unexplored areas, leading the advance, and earning the admiration of many.

Along with several abilities he had obtained through special methods, his awakened talent was the reason he had been so powerful.

Vance had called it one of humanity's best talents, even if it offered little direct power in a fight. It had warned him away from death again and again.

Kil looked at his oblivious friend. He had been prepared for Axel to awaken nothing, or at most something ordinary. Danger Sense had never entered his calculations.

“Looks like I still underestimated you, Axel.”

“What? Don't you always underestimate me, Kil?”

“Pfft.”

Kil turned toward their supplies before Axel could press him.

“Eat up. We're leaving soon.”

“Going hunting?” Axel asked dismissively.

“Don't get cocky, Axel. What we're fighting this time is different.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It's not one of the ordinary ones. I'll show you when we find it.”

Axel watched him prepare the fire and their food, waiting for more. Kil kept working.

“You could try explaining before we get there.”

***

Late that evening.

“Why don't we hunt during the day, Kil? They're weak then, aren't they?”

“That would make fighting easier, of course. But don't we need rest?

“Would you sleep soundly in the dark, knowing a zombie might be leaning in to kiss your neck?”

“Stop making me picture horrible things like that!”

Axel protested as the two walked well away from their base, leaving the upscale residential district.

Their appearance had changed. The house's previous owner had been wealthy, with plenty of expensive, well-made clothes. Even after the worlds merged, some still looked good once washed, though most had become fragile and damaged.

Kil himself was rather puzzled as to why metals and certain other objects had suddenly rusted or aged, while other materials were fine. It felt as if the world had deliberately stripped humanity of the weapons it relied on and told people to find another way to survive.

As though it had a will of its own.

He quickly shook his head at the absurd thought.

Besides their clothes, both men carried backpacks. Kil had a katana at each hip and a short knife at the back of his waist. He also carried the spear he used most often.

Axel carried his pack, a shield in his left hand, and two swords at his left hip. One sword was a spare in case the other broke or slipped from his grip.

As they followed the narrow streets, more buildings came into view. The upscale residential district was spacious and far from the office buildings and densely populated neighborhoods.

They kept walking. Having broken through the first limit, neither felt particularly tired after the long journey, even with several weapons and a pack.

Then they heard the sounds of fighting in the distance.

“Other survivors!”

Both had the same thought.

Axel brightened. Kil slowed, his gaze narrowing toward the sound.

Another group, this close already.