While everyone rested in the boys' section, Leon quietly woke up. Without making a sound, he slipped out of the room and stepped into the corridor. After a brief pause, he made his way up the stairs to the upper floor.
Reaching the top, he pushed open the door leading to the terrace.
A cool breeze brushed against his face.
Leon raised his hand and looked at the ring. Gently touching it, he activated it. The metallic liquid flowed out, forming spinning discs—like a vortex. He slid his hand into it, feeling that same cold sensation crawl up his arm.
Moments later, his fingers brushed against something solid.
A book.
He pulled it out.
"The Manual of Blood… seriously?" he muttered.
He tossed it aside and tried again.
"The Manual of Lightning…"
Leon's eyebrow twitched.
"Aaaargh! You stupid Doc, can't you arrange your damn manuals properly?!"
Grinding his teeth, he reached into the vortex once more.
Finally—
"The Manual of Fire."
A hard-covered book landed in his hand.
"Now we're talking…"
He flipped it open.
The first page read:
To awaken the fire within your body, you must first introduce a molecular atom into your system.
Attached to the page was a pen-like injector.
Leon stared at it for a moment.
"Yeah… this doesn't look dangerous at all."
Without overthinking, he pressed it against his arm and injected it.
A sharp sting shot through his body.
"Shit—!"
He clenched his teeth as warmth began spreading through his veins.
The next instructions followed:
Feel the molecule. Fuse it with your DNA. Ignite the fire within your palm.
Leon closed his eyes, trying to focus.
Again and again, he tried.
And failed.
"Come on… work, damn it…"
He tried once more.
And again.
And again.
Then—
A sudden warmth surged through his entire body.
His eyes snapped open.
"…There it is."
Excited, he raised his palm and imagined a small fireball forming.
Nothing happened.
"…You've gotta be kidding me."
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Then a thought struck him.
"What if…"
He smirked slightly.
"Fire Ball."
A faint spark flickered—
Then suddenly, a blazing orb of fire formed in his palm.
"Whoa—!"
The flames danced wildly, casting an orange glow on his face.
A grin spread across his lips.
"Now that's more like it."
He moved his hand, guiding the fireball forward, then slammed it against the wall.
Thud.
The fire dispersed instantly.
No damage.
Not even a scratch.
Leon stared at the wall.
"…Seriously?"
His excitement dropped a notch.
"Man… all that hype for nothing…"
Feeling mentally drained, he turned toward the door. But just before stepping out, he glanced back at the wall and gave a faint smile.
"Still… kinda cool."
As soon as he opened the door—
John suddenly appeared right in front of him.
Leon flinched back.
"Oh my gosh, man! Why do you appear outta nowhere like that? You tryna be a ghost or what?!"
John raised an eyebrow.
"Funny. I was about to ask you the same thing. What the hell are you doing up here?"
Leon scratched his head, avoiding eye contact.
"Uh… just polishing my… my techniques."
John smirked.
"Yeah? 'Techniques,' huh? Sure."
He turned around.
"Come on. Let's check that monster's cocoon."
They made their way to the classroom where the girls were resting.
As they opened the door, a few girls woke up, their eyes filled with fear.
Leon raised his hand slightly.
"Relax. Don't freak out. We're just here to check the cocoon."
They walked closer.
Both of them froze.
The cocoon had changed.
Dark veins, once invisible, now pulsed visibly across its surface.
"...That's not good," John muttered.
Without wasting a second, they rushed to Miss Sunita.
"Miss Sunita! Miss Sunita, wake up—please, call the police again!"
Her eyes fluttered open. Still groggy, she handed them her phone.
Leon quickly dialed 100.
The call connected.
A different voice answered.
"Sir, this is a state emergency line. If you are a survivor, state your location immediately."
Leon quickly explained everything—the zombies, the cocoon, the situation.
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"Stay away from the creature. A response team has been dispatched. Do not engage."
The call ended.
John stepped closer.
"What did they say?"
Leon exhaled.
"They've sent a team to rescue us."
"When will they reach?"
Leon shook his head.
"No idea."
A heavy silence filled the room.
John turned to the teacher.
"Ma'am… how long will the food last?"
She thought for a moment.
"At most… two days."
Leon's expression hardened.
"That's not enough. We don't know when that thing will evolve."
He looked around at everyone.
"We're leaving. Now."
They quickly packed whatever food they could carry and prepared to move.
As they stepped into the corridor, zombies began appearing from different directions.
Leon and John didn't hesitate.
They cut them down one by one.
Suddenly—
A scream echoed.
Leon turned sharply.
A girl.
A zombie lunged at her—
"NO—!"
Leon sprinted toward her, but—
Too late.
The zombie had already bitten her.
Tears streamed down her face.
Leon shoved the zombie away and swung his axe, crushing its skull.
John rushed in and dragged the girl back into the classroom.
She fainted from fear.
Leon stood there, trembling.
His grip on the axe tightened.
"…I have to…"
With shaking hands, he raised the axe—
And brought it down.
Blood splattered.
Silence.
Leon froze.
Guilt washed over him.
A hand rested on his shoulder.
John.
"Don't beat yourself up."
Leon didn't look at him.
"I just… killed her."
John sighed.
"The world's already gone to hell, man. It's not about right or wrong anymore—it's about survival."
Leon clenched his fists.
"Still… I need time to process this."
John gave a faint smile.
"Good thing we've got plenty of time… if we stay alive."
Leon let out a small, dry chuckle.
They continued moving.
As they reached the pavement, Leon suddenly stopped.
Zombies roamed everywhere.
"…Too many," he muttered.
Then—
An idea.
He ran back to the principal's office and played the same tape again—this time at a higher volume.
Moments later, the horde began shifting toward the sound.
Leon returned.
"Path's clear. Let's move."
They searched for vehicle keys.
After some effort, they found the key to a small bus.
Everyone squeezed in.
The engine roared to life.
They drove out of the school.
After a short distance—
A terrifying roar echoed behind them.
Naina's voice trembled.
"I… I think that thing just evolved…"
Leon let out a dry laugh.
"Yeah… looks like we left right on time."
On their way, they came across a supermarket.
Leon signaled to stop.
He and John entered quickly.
Using the ring, Leon stored almost everything inside—leaving only a few items outside to avoid suspicion.
John stared at him.
"Man… that ring is seriously broken."
Leon smirked.
"Yeah… and I'm not complaining."