The Daily Life of the Demon King

After breakfast, Alex brought up the topic of leaving the city. The girls immediately started packing their things, rolling up mattresses, and getting ready to head out to greet the others. Alex believed today was the perfect day to depart—without unnecessary obstacles.

The two zombie hordes that had arrived in the city the day before had significantly thinned out after the explosions at the Takagi estate and the airport grounds. He understood that the horde had been brought here not only as part of an experiment in controlling zombies but also to obtain the Marker shard that Koko was transporting.

Heading to the briefing room, Alex and his group were the first to arrive.

"That's pretty unusual," Rei noted, looking around. "We usually arrive last when everyone's already gathered."

"Probably because of last night's horde. Many people stayed up half the night, afraid of another attack," Kiriko suggested, sitting down next to Rei.

"And don't forget that Alex rescued people from the airport yesterday, and later, those same people helped unload supplies," Yuriko reminded them as she took a seat.

The girls nodded in agreement and settled into their places. Alex leaned back in his chair, watching the others with a relaxed expression. The only thing left to do was load the supplies and leave peacefully. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that things wouldn't go so smoothly. Something was bound to happen.

Brunhilde noticed the change in his expression and gently patted his knee. Alex raised an eyebrow at her, but from the look on her face, he realized that she, too, sensed something was off. He simply shook his head, signaling her not to dwell on it for now. Brunhilde gave a silent nod, acknowledging his decision.

Meanwhile, Alex noticed Rika getting along well with Rebecca. From their conversation, he gathered that Rebecca was showing off her custom-made sniper rifle, and Rika eagerly suggested testing it out. Saya, seeing her mother chatting with Koko, didn't know what to do with herself and eventually asked Alex for his phone to continue studying gadget-making. Without hesitation, he handed her the device.

After a while, the room started filling up with people. As they woke up, they headed straight to the briefing.

"Didn't expect to see you here first," Takashi said in surprise as he entered. "You're usually the last one to arrive."

"Better watch your mouth, or should I get my belt?" Alex raised an amused eyebrow.

Takashi immediately fell silent, fully aware that Alex wasn't just joking. His mother, Namie, smiled slightly and gestured for her son to come over. Takashi sighed, noticing that she had been spending more time with Alex's group lately. He couldn't help but wonder if this man might once again become his stepfather. Suppressing his irritation, he sat next to his mother, trying to start a conversation with her.

Once the room was completely filled with people, all eyes turned to Alex, waiting for his usual morning greeting.

"I see you all got some sleep. That's good," he started with a slight smile. "Congratulations on another morning in Zombieland. Today is the day we leave this city and head for Okinawa. I understand that for some of you, this is difficult to accept. Some of you see this place as your home, your country. But let's be honest—there are no more countries, no more borders. There's only us and the walking dead. And I think everyone here understands that."

Alex's words made some people lower their heads—they knew that, in time, any country would fall to the onslaught of the undead. But no one wanted to admit it. Koko, however, remained indifferent. The concept of "country" had never meant much to her—she had been born on a cargo ship as it sailed across the ocean.

But no matter how much people wanted to deny Alex's truth, arguing against the obvious was pointless.

"So, what's the plan, kid?" Lehm broke the silence, lighting a cigarette. "I get that you want to reach Okinawa and borrow a ship there, but how exactly are we getting there? It's an island, and getting to it isn't that simple."

"It's simple," Alex replied, scanning the gathered people. "A few kilometers from the city, there's a dock. We'll take a vessel from there. Of course, the journey will take some time, but we'll have the opportunity to stop in nearby cities to restock our supplies. And... it will increase our chances of finding survivors."

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"But I want to remind you: our enemy isn't just the walking dead but also other people. You've all seen how they act in situations like this. If you encounter survivors, don't trust them right away. There are children in our group, and none of you want to put them in danger."

The people nodded silently, fully understanding the gravity of his warning. They had already heard the stories of those who had been rescued—stories about raiders, murderers, and those who had completely lost their moral compass.

Alex continued the briefing, assigning tasks. He repeatedly emphasized that the priority was the safety of the group. Once the meeting ended, everyone dispersed to prepare supplies for transport. However, the feeling of unease never left him. With each passing minute, it only grew stronger.

Yuriko went to help Kyoko compile a list of provisions and equipment. Alex and the "troublemaker trio" swiftly carried crates outside, loading them into trucks and a bus. They worked quickly and efficiently—everyone was eager to leave the city as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Rebecca stepped outside the perimeter to clear the road by moving abandoned cars.

"Where do you think you're going, greenie? Got nothing better to do?" Saya called out as soon as she noticed Rebecca heading off.

"Didn't ask for your opinion, pinkie," Rebecca smirked. "Gotta move some cars out of the way."

Their exchange was overheard by those still loading supplies. Most just shook their heads, well aware of how strong Rebecca was. But those unfamiliar with her were surprised—how was this petite girl planning to move vehicles? Even Koko grew interested and decided to watch.

Approaching them, Koko gave Rebecca a thoughtful look.

"And how exactly are you planning to do that?" she asked with genuine curiosity.

"Heh, watch and learn, silver!" Rebecca grinned widely.

She made her way toward the gate, while Saya let out a deep sigh and followed. Naturally, Koko couldn't resist going as well—purely out of curiosity, of course. And definitely not because she wanted to avoid carrying heavy crates. No, Koko was definitely not avoiding hard work.

Valmet, who had been carrying crates of ammunition, noticed her boss leaving the safe zone. Grabbing her rifle, she quickly hurried after her.

"Koko, you shouldn't be going out there—it's dangerous!" she said sternly, catching up.

"Dangerous? In what way, one-eye?" Rebecca snorted, lacing her hands behind her head. "There are barely any zombies left. What's got you so nervous this morning? Didn't get enough sleep?"

"I didn't ask for your opinion on whether it's dangerous or not!" Valmet snapped irritably. "And who the hell are you calling one-eye, you green-haired gremlin?!"

Rebecca's eyes narrowed.

"What'd you just say, Cyclops?" Her hand drifted toward her pistol. "You think just because this silver-haired brat keeps clinging to Alex, I won't put another hole in you? Or take out your last eye?"

Rebecca and Valmet locked eyes, neither willing to back down. The tension between them thickened, but Saya simply let out a weary sigh and reminded Rebecca why they had even stepped outside the bank's perimeter in the first place. Rebecca clicked her tongue in annoyance, shot Valmet a glare, and gestured with her fingers: "I'm watching you."

Koko glanced at Valmet but didn't blame her for her short temper.

"Sorry, Koko," Valmet said with a hint of guilt.

"Don't worry about it," Koko simply smiled, not giving it much importance.

Catching up to Rebecca and Saya, they continued on. Reaching the nearest car, Rebecca stopped, assessing the situation. Koko and Valmet watched with interest, wondering how she was going to move the vehicle. Without hesitation, Rebecca delivered a powerful kick to the side of the car. The metal dented from the impact, and the car suddenly shifted to the side, leaving a trail on the asphalt.

Koko and Valmet exchanged surprised glances, while Rebecca simply grinned smugly.

"Are you also a martial arts master, like Alex?" Koko asked with obvious curiosity.

She couldn't imagine how so much strength could be hidden in such a petite body to simply kick a car and make it move.

"Hah! No way. I'm too lazy for that kind of thing," Rebecca smirked. "I prefer shooting, not throwing punches. My sweetie loves beating up idiots, I just shoot them."

Koko gave her a skeptical look, stepped closer, and tried to feel her muscles.

"What do you think you're doing, pervert?!" Rebecca protested, swatting her hand away.

"Only my sweetie can touch me," she added, stepping back a pace.

Koko's curiosity only grew. How could such a small girl possess such incredible strength? Seeing Koko's confusion, Saya answered instead of Rebecca:

"Her muscles are denser than an average person's. That's the secret."

Koko nodded, finally satisfied with the explanation. However, Valmet, on the other hand, began to wonder—could she handle Rebecca in a fight? She hadn't seen her in action yet and couldn't give a clear answer.

Noticing how easily Saya shared this kind of information, Koko concluded that maybe she'd be able to learn more about Alex as well. Saya, seeing nothing special about it, calmly began telling everything she knew.

While Koko was asking questions and Valmet was thinking about Rebecca's strength, Rebecca had already moved to another car and kicked it aside with clear enjoyment, clearing the road. She admitted to herself that the feeling of just kicking a car and making it move was surprisingly refreshing.

Meanwhile, Alex continued to carry supplies, loading the transport. He hadn't even noticed how much they'd managed to collect over these days. Finishing with another box, he lit a cigarette, planning to take a short break and think about the situation.

Looking around, he realized he couldn't see his gremlin. However, the answer to his question came quickly—the metallic sound from a distance made it clear that Rebecca was moving cars.

Alex just smirked. He understood that this wasn't just work for her—she was clearly having fun.

But as soon as he finished his cigarette, Rika ran up to him, her face full of concern.

"What's wrong? Why do you look like that?" Alex asked, noticing her tense expression.

"They called from the shelter in Tokyo... They're asking for support," Rika said, visibly nervous. "I don't know what to do..."

Alex paused for a moment, but answered quickly and without hesitation:

"Gather everyone who knows how to handle weapons. We need to discuss the situation urgently and make a decision."

He felt that there was no time for contemplation.

Rika nodded and began gathering everyone. Alex stepped out of the iron gates and whistled, catching the attention of Rebecca, Koko, Saya, and Valmet. The girls turned at the sound, saw that he was calling them, and hurried over with curiosity, waiting for an explanation.

"The shelter in Tokyo requested assistance from Rika's group," Alex said briefly.

They all exchanged silent glances, then nodded and followed him back.

Outside, everyone had gathered, waiting only for Alex.

"The situation is as follows," he began, looking over the group. "The shelter in Tokyo requested support. I have no doubt that many of you don't want to leave your fellow countrymen to certain death—and I understand that. But I'll say this upfront: we can't send the whole squad. We can't leave this place unprotected."

"What's your plan?" Toadji asked, adjusting his glasses. "Are we heading to help, or are we taking the chance to leave the city? This is the perfect time to go."

"I can't give a definitive answer until I hear the details," Alex shook his head, then turned to Rika. "Tell us what's going on."

Rika sighed and began explaining:

"They've already lost their first line of defense. The commander, who asked for reinforcements, said they're being cornered. Their weapons aren't piercing some of the mutants. They don't have time to rest between waves—they fend off one, and another comes immediately, with even more zombies."

Alex furrowed his brow. Such methodical pressure didn't seem like a coincidence. It was as if someone was deliberately sending waves of the dead to attack the shelter.

Looking at the others, he understood that most had already decided to go help. Then his gaze landed on Koko, waiting for her opinion.

"If you're going, then I am too," she shrugged.

Alex nodded and turned to Brunhilde and Rebecca.

"What do you think?"

"I think we should go," Brunhilde replied. "You've said it yourself—people need to stick together. And for you, it's no big deal. Maybe we'll learn something useful."

"I'm all for it! What's the difference where we shoot zombies? Maybe we'll come across a new mutant," Rebecca grinned.

"Alright, it's settled then. We gather up and head out," Alex concluded. "We won't take a large group—someone needs to stay behind to guard here. The others, let everyone know our departure is postponed by a day. For those coming, we'll help however we can."

The group nodded and began preparing.

Alex's team included Koko and her entourage, as well as Saeko, Rei, Saya, Kiriko, and Yuriko. The other girls also wanted to go, but he selected only those who would be useful in combat. They were joined by a few officers who had been following Rika.

Rebecca approached Rika and handed her a sniper rifle:

"Here, take it, it'll come in handy. But if you break my baby, I'll make you regret it."

Rika accepted the weapon with respect, giving it a slight shake in her hands.

"Whoa, it's heavy... Don't worry, I'll take good care of it, like my own eye."

Alex just smirked as he tightened his gear strap. Time was running out.

GIR, MIMI, and Stitch also rushed out, preparing to head for the shelter. Koko, standing next to Alex, watched as the trio of troublemakers sped forward with their weapons. She was particularly intrigued by Stitch, who was holding a machine gun above his head.

The appearance of the strange blue creature with such a formidable weapon surprised those who hadn't yet learned what kind of animal it was. However, those who were already used to the presence of GIR, MIMI, and Stitch didn't show any signs of concern. They'd seen the trio playing with children before, so they didn't consider them dangerous. But the newcomers, seeing Stitch with a machine gun, clearly tensed up.

"I was going to ask yesterday, what's with this blue dog that looks so… strange?" Koko said, pointing at Stitch.

Alex just smirked and raised a finger.

"First, a little instruction. Number one: Don't call these three strange or dogs. Number two: Don't steal their sweets, snacks, or game consoles. And most importantly—don't piss them off."

"And if I do piss them off?" Koko asked, her interest piqued.

"Nothing fatal... but they're very mischievous. Imagine waking up in the morning, all tied up and thrown outside. At heart, they're good, but their pranks can be cruel. However, if they accept you as a 'mom,' you're safe. In fact, they'll even share their sweets with you. You can see for yourself… look," Alex pointed toward the trio.

Koko followed his gesture and saw Shizuka hugging GIR, MIMI, and Stitch, one by one. She immediately understood what Alex meant. The truth was, she had asked about Stitch because she thought he was cute but didn't know how to approach and pet him. She was especially impressed by how pleased Stitch looked while carrying his weapon.

Alex told her a bit more about the trio of troublemakers, but Koko only asked about Stitch. The more she listened, the more she wanted to hug this blue "dog."

When preparations were complete, Alex instructed Koko to get in the car with her people. The girl puffed up but complied. Alex himself mounted the motorcycle, with Rebecca and Brunhilde beside him. GIR, MIMI, and Stitch took positions behind machine guns in the vehicles.

"Let's move quickly!" Alex warned. "Keep an eye out during the ride, and whatever you do, don't stop!"

The ride was tense. It was hard to make their way to the shelter due to the endless flow of zombies. After fighting through yet another wave, they finally reached their destination.

Alex slammed on the brakes and surveyed the situation. A zombie Tank was battering the main gates of the shelter. With its massive hands, it angrily struck the metal gates, shaking them with every blow.

"What's the plan, kid?" Lehm asked over the radio. "By the looks of the situation at the gates, we won't be able to get in through the main entrance without being noticed."

"I think we should go around and try another entrance," Alex replied, assessing the situation. "But if we attack from the rear, there's a risk we could get caught between two fronts."

"Do you have something up your sleeve to help us get inside?" Saya asked over the general channel.

"Rika, get in touch with the shelter commander and find out if there's an alternate entrance. If not, we'll improvise," Alex instructed.

"I'm on it," Rika replied and began contacting the commander.

While they waited for her response, Alex continued to survey the area. Using the stadium as a shelter had been a foolish decision. Its walls weren't designed to hold back such massive waves of the undead. They were holding for now, but sooner or later, they would fall—and when that happened, there would be no fixing it.

At this stage, the defenders could still hold out for some time, but the mutated zombies were a whole different threat. One Tank would be enough to break through the walls if given enough time.

"I found an entrance on the other side!" Rika announced. "The commander says there are zombies there too, but far fewer than at the main gates."

"Great, let's head there," Alex commanded.

The vehicles surged forward, bypassing the hordes of undead. There was no time left for second thoughts.

Once they reached the location Rika had mentioned, Alex stopped nearby and surveyed the area. Zombies were wandering in front of the shelter's entrance. He waved his hand, signaling GIR, MIMI, and Stitch to open fire. The hail of gunfire tore through the zombie horde, and when the last corpse fell to the ground, the group moved toward the entrance.

Inside, they were met by the defense commander—a man whose face reflected both relief and tension. Apparently, he hadn't fully believed that reinforcements would make it in time. While the others discussed the situation, Alex stayed to the side, continuing to assess the situation.

"We won't last long," the commander sighed heavily. "These bastards have practically broken through the gates, and we don't have enough people to hold them back."

Alex nodded, understanding that there was no time for long deliberations. The question wasn't whether the undead would break through, but when it would happen.

"Brunhilde, take over coordination. Becca, Stitch, have some fun, but no destruction. GIR, MIMI, you're with me—we'll take the vanguard," he said, issuing orders.

"You're going to stand at the front again?" Saya asked, stepping closer.

"It'll be easier that way. You stay close to Yuriko and follow her instructions. I know you're a genius, but there's plenty you can learn from her," Alex patted Saya on the head, making it clear there was no point in arguing.

Yuriko nodded affirmatively. Unlike her daughter, she didn't object, but her eyes showed concern.

Saeko was about to join Alex, but he motioned for her to stay back.

The commander froze, taken aback, when Alex began giving orders. However, Brunhilde quickly took the initiative. She silently surveyed the positions, assessed the situation, and started issuing commands. Those who tried to object were immediately met with her icy gaze and, without words, got to work.

Alex, making sure everything was going according to plan, headed to his motorcycle, opened the weapons compartment, and pulled out his power sword. Then, alongside GIR and MIMI, he stood in front of the iron gates, which were already beginning to bend under the blows from outside.

"Has he lost his mind?!" one of the soldiers exclaimed, watching as Alex and the two robo-dogs lined up, preparing for the attack.

"You'd better worry about yourself," Saya coldly replied, adjusting her glasses. "He's the strongest here. Without him, you won't hold the defense."

"What did you say, little one?!" The female soldier spun around sharply, but her comrades quickly grabbed her by the shoulders, preventing her from rushing forward.

Yuriko merely smiled, watching her daughter. She was glad that Saya trusted Alex so much, but the anxiety didn't leave her—fighting such a horde face to face was far too risky.

Their thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected gesture from GIR and MIMI. Both knelt on one knee. To everyone's surprise, Stitch also knelt, firmly gripping his machine gun.

Brunhilde and Rebecca exchanged a glance and sighed heavily.

"What are they doing? Why did those three suddenly kneel?" asked Koko, confused about what was happening.

"It's their ritual," Brunhilde replied tiredly, covering her face with her hand. "They always do this before a fight. So get used to it, it will keep happening."

"Wait... Is this somehow related to that strange obsession you mentioned?" Rei recalled their recent conversation.

"Exactly," Brunhilde said briefly, not wanting to delve into further explanations.

An intense silence hung in the air. A menacing hum could be heard from behind the gates—the horde of the undead was about to break through. Alex gripped the hilt of his sword and slowly exhaled, preparing for battle.

"Well then," he muttered, grinning. "Let's begin."

The actions of GIR, MIMI, and Stitch puzzled everyone present. Soldiers anxiously watched the trio, trying to figure out what kind of ritual they were performing before the fight and why it was happening now. Even those who had known the three for a long time couldn't suppress their curiosity. But Brunhilde didn't rush to explain—she understood that no matter how much she tried to explain what was happening, most wouldn't understand.

The answer to their silent question came instantly—Alex's voice, like thunder, reverberated through the shelter, making everyone flinch.

"What is your duty?" he asked loudly, not turning around, his gaze fixed on the bending iron gates.

"To serve the Emperor's Will!" came the powerful voices of GIR, MIMI, and Stitch.

A chill ran down the spines of many. They hadn't expected Alex to speak in such a voice—low, authoritative, full of strength. These words were unfamiliar to them, but somehow, they felt something tighten inside, awakening a long-forgotten resolve.

"What is the Emperor's Will?" Alex continued.

"That we fight and die!" came the loud response from his battle companions. But this time, others joined in—among the soldiers, there were those who knew the battle cry.

Those who hadn't joined in the chant stared in astonishment at their comrades. What was that? How did they know those words? But when they met their gaze, they saw only serious, determined faces.

"What is Death?" Alex spoke again.

"It is our Duty!" came the chorus from GIR, MIMI, Stitch… and now even more voices joined in.

Alex listened, and with each passing second, his suspicions grew stronger. Among these people were those who knew these words. He was not alone.

A brief silence followed. Then—an explosion.

The iron gates couldn't withstand the force; they were smashed by the creature resembling a tank, and in the next moment, the wave of zombies poured inside, intent on tearing apart every living being.

Alex activated his power sword, and GIR and MIMI armed themselves. They didn't retreat. They waited for the horde to come closer.

"Fire!" came Brunhilde's sharp command.

And the battle began.

At Brunhilde's order, the air was filled with the deafening sound of gunfire. The soldiers opened fire, pouring lead into the zombie horde, preventing them from advancing further.

Alex, GIR, and MIMI didn't waste time and charged forward. Alex made a lightning-fast dash towards the Tank, and his blade, gleaming in the air, sliced the massive zombie in half. To avoid crossing the line of fire, he moved carefully, staying out of the marksmen's way but remaining in the thick of the battle, eliminating anyone trying to break through.

Not far from him, an explosion rang out among the crowd of zombies, scattering the creatures in all directions. Alex turned and saw Rebecca standing on top of a car with a grenade launcher in her hands. She grinned and, noticing his gaze, winked at him.

Giving her a thumbs-up, Alex noticed a hunter leaping too far—right at the nearest soldier. Without hesitation, he threw his sword, and the zombie was cleaved in two before it could reach its victim.

Alex looked around and, finding no weapon, grabbed the nearest zombie by the leg and slammed it into another with all his strength, using it as an improvised club.

"Handsome, your sword!" Rebecca shouted, throwing him the katana.

"Thanks!" Alex replied, skillfully catching the Murasama.

Securing the katana to his waist, he placed his hand on the activation mechanism of the sheath. With a swift motion, the blade shot out of the sheath and into his hands. It happened so fast that the surrounding zombies didn't even have time to react—their bodies shattered into pieces, staining the ground with bloody patterns.

The soldiers who witnessed this couldn't help but hold their breath.

Alex quickly assessed the situation and noticed the fighters starting to lose ground—the zombies were too many.

Swiftly returning the katana to its sheath, he vanished and reappeared at the front line, right in front of the soldiers battling.

Saya and Yuriko didn't even flinch—Alex's tricks didn't surprise them, but the other soldiers…

"What the…?!" one of the female soldiers gasped.

"Just the usual: 'Table Turnover,'" Alex grinned, lowering his hands to the ground.

His fingers dug into the stone with force, and with ease, as though picking up a feather, he ripped a massive stone slab out of the earth.

Pulling his fist back, he struck it with force. The stone shattered, and the sharp fragments flew like shrapnel, piercing the zombie ranks.

Clearing a path, Alex turned around and gave a thumbs-up to Saya and Yuriko.

Saya, arms crossed, gave a satisfied grunt, while Yuriko simply smiled and nodded.

Seeing the situation under control, Alex drew his katana and rushed to another part of the defense line, helping where the mutants were causing the most trouble.

His figure flickered through the battle like a ghost, leaving behind only the severed bodies of enemies.

To be continued…

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