Chapter 38: The Leader (One)

On the way back, I scattered my Performance Points.

After yesterday’s mess, I was given three levels. All night I had to think about where to send them.

And yet he threw everything into dexterity again. So far the best option at the moment. Although there was a temptation to leave everything, but it’s still better not to risk it…

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Statistics

Shirayuki

Level 48 (0)

Prana – 660

Strength – 55

Dexterity – 7->87

Endurance – 66

Intelligence – 150

Wisdom – 150

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Time was flying fast.

When he returned, he managed to have breakfast with everyone, get compliments for cooking and dodge Shizuki’s playful hands.

Also, everyone was glad that Yuriko, though suspiciously fast, recovered.

They wondered, “How?”. The victim herself simply kept silent and spread her hands to the sides.

In general, our team was as normal as possible. Although it is worth noting that most of all, yesterday’s events touched exactly Sai, which is logical.

The death of the father and mother on the verge of death.

This greatly affected the girl. It made me grow up and realize that it’s worth cherishing every second spent with loved ones.

It made me realize that death is now waiting at every step.

It made me realize that there can be only one price for a mistake, and that is human life.

Not that it wasn’t clear before… But you know… Until you’re scalded yourself, you won’t take it to the end.

When Saya saw her recovered mother, she burst into tears like a child and hugged her tightly.

Looking at this, I experienced a whole palette of emotions. Both positive and negative.

From the third person

The door to the room of our heroes abruptly opened. Soichiro’s men appeared on the threshold. Although, probably, Yuriko’s subordinates already. Everyone was sleepy and rumpled, but as soon as they saw Yuriko, everyone quickly cheered up.

– Yuriko-sama! Have you really recovered?! they said in surprise when they saw her.

– I will live. What is Hasegawa’s situation? Yuriko asked, looking like the most important of the dummies.

– Bad, Yuriko-sama. Yesterday’s losses hit people’s morale hard. There have been suicide attempts and sexual assaults. Walking in the rain has had a bad effect on us, there are people who are ill. There is very little transported food. There are almost no medications. The nights are cold, and we don’t have warm clothes, light and blankets. There’s not even any firewood. Gasoline is also running out. – not without sadness he enumerated.

– “Oh… it seems I voluntarily signed up on emotions, to clean up all this shit.” – despondent, Shiro thought while listening to the report.

– I see. Have you studied the territory of the port? Yuriko asked with a frown.

— no. We’ve been waiting for your command. Hasegawa said awkwardly.

– All right, gather all the people. There is an announcement. – she said impotently.

– Good! We’ll be right there! Hasegawa and his gang quickly ran out.

In less than an hour, all the people were gathered in the pseudo-square.

There was talk and whispers everywhere.

– And why did they drive us here? –

– Yes, wait a minute, something important will happen, for sure. –

– Yeah. Yesterday, Takagi was… now without him, how? –

– We’ll find out right now. –

– And I was only able to fall asleep after this nightmare. –

– Couldn’t sleep, Kimura? –

– Yes. It is worth closing your eyelids, as immediately before your eyes, this meat grinder unfolds anew. –

– It was cold last night. If this continues, we will die of diseases faster. –

– Yeah. Or you’ll just turn into one of them. You just have to get sick and that’s it. You’re one of them. –

– Listen, did you hear Ogawa sneezing today? –

– Yes, I heard. I’ll probably sleep away from him. –

– Hey! I heard everything! I repeat it for the hundredth time! It’s an allergy! –

– Yes. / Of course. – they answered him.

– You’re burning! With such friends and enemies is not necessary! –

The conversations died down at the moment when Yuriko and Shiro climbed the hill. Everyone fixed their expectant eyes on them.

Yuriko began to speak – I will not be sprayed and immediately get to the point. Yesterday, my husband and our leader, Takagi Soichiro, died in battle protecting all of us. This is a very big loss, but still we cannot afford to stop, otherwise death awaits us. Many of you, as well as my husband’s subordinates, think that I should continue his work. Unfortunately, I can’t do that. she spoke with sadness in a firm tone.

After what was said, the people became agitated. Many felt fear. The fear of being left without a leader that will lead them.

– How so! –

– Don’t joke Yuriko-sama! Who if not you! –

– Don’t leave us, please! –

Most of the people voiced their indignation, while the other frowned at the woman.

At such moments, people are like sheep looking for their shepherd and are ready to run “naked”, if only he would protect them from wolves and feed them.

– Please calm down! It’s true that I won’t pull this position, but I know who can. And for this you have been gathered here. Here he is! Yuki Shiro. It is to him that I am handing over this position. She said, pointing at Shiro.

Everyone looked at our hero, after which everyone expressed their opinion. As a rule, in the form of a scream.

– Yes, he’s still a schoolboy! Don’t joke, Yuriko-sama! –

– What kind of leader is he? The sucker is ordinary. Even I will be better than him. –

– And what? Not bad! Yes, a little young, but have you seen how strong he is?! –

Everyone’s reaction was different. But the negativity prevailed.

Seeing what was happening, Shiro said loudly, but indifferently, “To be honest, I myself am not eager to be a leader and be responsible for your lives. Therefore, let the one who believes that he can become the head in this difficult time come up here. Someone who can solve all the problems, protect the people and lead this camp to prosperity. I repeat, the one who thinks he can do it, come up here and I will immediately hand over this position. –

In fact, Shiro was partly, slightly hoping that someone would rise.

But time passed. All those who boasted became quiet.

– Well, there are no takers. And… we’re at a dead end. Let’s do this. We will hold a mini vote. We give everyone a piece of paper, and you vote for me or for Yuriko. Everything is simple. –

The chance of Yuriko winning was high. At least that’s what the hero thought.

But he was disappointed. As a result of the vote, seventy percent voted for him. The rest are for Yuriko.

Everyone saw Shiro’s valor and strength, and this is the main thing for them now. Let him be a schoolboy, but it didn’t hurt to mow the creatures like grass. And everyone could notice that the guy is clearly unusual. It feels like there’s something magical about him…

Shiro’s team looked at him with interest, Yuriko with amusement, and the people with expectation.

For ten seconds our hero digested the situation. Let him expect and prepare for it. It’s still a little hard to accept that now you’re responsible for dozens of lives. For dozens of people who trusted you.

– So. It turns out that now I have become a leader. I have no experience in this field, but I will do my best to make sure that each of you dies of old age surrounded by family, and not in the teeth of zombies. However, I am alone, and there are many of you. Without your help and support, I am unlikely to be able to save all of you. So please… help me, save you.” he said in a soulful voice when he gathered his thoughts. Although he didn’t know if he would be with these people until the end, but still… Pathos, there is pathos.

It was quiet for a while, then everything exploded with shouts and ovations.

As it is clear, the speech was positively received by the people.

– Let’s help! I personally will gnaw the throats of these creatures to the last! –

– yes! Where are you without us! Let’s not let the monsters taste our flesh! –

– Shiro-sama, I want children from you! The effeminate guy shouted. –

Those present easily accepted Shiro, although they were outraged only recently. How much did they sink into despair?

And although most of the people already wanted to be led by Shiro. There were also dissatisfied with this. If the fanatics were only happy, then the whiners were extremely indignant.

– Are you crazy or something!? How can you support HIM?! He’s a maniac! –

– Nonsense! I will never listen to some brat! –

– People! Wake up! He’s a criminal! If he becomes the leader, then we will turn into bandits too! Into his thugs! –

The cries of the dissatisfied contrasted sharply with the shouts of approval, therefore they were quickly noticed.

In fact, normal people, who, though with difficulty, but accepted the realities of the new world, are already extremely tired of these jerks. And yet no one found in themselves the thoughts to throw the idiots out of the group, because this is certain death.

So they decided to watch in silence as events unfolded. Besides, everyone was wondering how the new leader would respond to this. After all, this is his first, so to speak, test.

Shiro calmly looked at the bunch of dissatisfied and thought.

– Well, what are you looking at, huh? Thought no one would tell you anything, since he has now become the main big shot!? – wailed the main one among them, who had a boyish haircut and an impudent muzzle.

Everyone focused their eyes on Shiro, waiting for his answer.