Leaving the changing room, Akira and Kana moved toward the second-floor broadcast room. Akira carried his rotary spear and metal bat, while Kana gripped her hammer, trailing close behind. The rest in the changing room had restored a touch of color to her face, but the school's oppressive night air pressed down on them relentlessly.
As they climbed the stairs and reached the second-floor corridor, Akira's sensors picked up a faint tremor. "Hostiles detected. Multiple entities, approximately twenty meters away. Approaching."
Kana tightened her grip on the hammer, her voice taut. "Again…"
"Affirmative. We break through to the broadcast room. Stay behind me."
Akira readied his spear and advanced.
Rounding a corner, two grotesque creatures emerged. One was clad in heavy armor, its claws gouging the floor. The other was a slender horror, its body lined with razor-sharp spines.
Akira charged the armored creature, activating his spear's rotary tip. The drill bored through its shell, sending shards flying. He followed with a crushing swing of the bat, smashing its head in a single blow.
The spined creature lunged, but Akira hurled an explosive, sparking his blade to ignite it. The blast roared, obliterating the creature and scorching the wall.
"Threats neutralized. We proceed," he said, glancing at Kana.
She nodded, and they hurried onward.
The broadcast room door came into view—just as a rustling sounded above.
Something skittered across the ceiling.
A panel gave way, and a lanky creature with razor claws dropped down.
"Additional hostile detected. Engaging," Akira said, slashing its claws with his spear and crushing its head with the bat. Black ichor sprayed, sizzling as it ate into the floor.
"Temporary safety secured. Entering the broadcast room."
They dove inside, and Akira barricaded the door with a desk. The room was lined with microphones, speakers, and a control panel, the air thick with dust.
Kana caught her breath, scanning the space. "Think we can reach someone from here? Maybe get help?"
"Agreed. We'll attempt external contact using the communication system."
Akira approached the control panel and flipped a switch. Static crackled from the speakers, and the microphone's light flickered on.
He leaned in, voice steady. "This is New Moon Town High School, Night Security Officer Akira. Anomaly in progress. Requesting response. Can you hear me?"
At first, only static answered.
Kana watched him, her face tight with tension. "Is anyone out there…?"
Akira adjusted the frequency and tried again. "This is New Moon Town High School. Emergency situation. Requesting external assistance. Respond."
Through the static, a faint voice broke through. "…We hear you… This is… police… Describe… situation…"
It was fractured but unmistakably human.
Kana's eyes lit up. "It worked! Help's coming, Akira!"
"Connection unstable. Transmitting details," Akira said, leaning closer to the mic. "Anomaly within the school. Numerous hostile entities present. Space is sealed, escape impossible. Request immediate assistance."
The voice crackled back. "…Understood… Pinpointing location… Backup en route… but arrival will… take time… Hold out…"
The signal cut off, leaving only static.
Kana's shoulders slumped. "It'll take a while… But someone's coming. That's hope, right?"
"Correct. We must survive until assistance arrives. We'll fortify the broadcast room and strategize for holding out."
Akira inspected the panel's wiring, exploring the potential for a sonic attack using the speakers.
Then, a thud shook the door.
The barricade groaned as something pounded against it.
"Hostiles detected again. Multiple entities approaching. Preparing for combat," Akira said, gripping his spear.
Kana clutched her hammer, bracing as the door shuddered under growing pressure.