Guldrin’s Gluttony: Family Bound by Speed & Food

(Bonus Chapter Due to Power Stones, Thank You to all who support my work! Special Thanks to all who have given me reviews. Thank you, your support keeps me going.)

As the days turned into weeks, the warehouse district began to transform under their tireless efforts. What had once been a cluster of forgotten and decaying structures now held the framework of a fortified safe haven. Shiro and Guldrin poured every ounce of their energy and resources into the project, the looming specter of the outbreak driving them forward.

The first priority was securing the perimeter. Guldrin, drawing on skills learned from his adoptive parents and years of practical ingenuity, along with his past life memories, rigged a network of traps and defenses around the warehouse. Barbed wire coiled along the tops of fences, trip alarms were set with fishing lines and empty cans, and heavy steel doors were reinforced with custom locks. Kill boxes, slits built into the wall with half-inch sliding doors, pitfalls, and much more were implemented and Guldrin could envision each use in full detail.

Shiro took a more technological approach, installing motion-detecting cameras and sensors she bought in bulk online. The feed connected directly to her laptop, giving them constant surveillance should they have power.

"You think this will keep out zombies?" Guldrin asked one evening, inspecting her setup as they worked under the dim glow of portable lights.

"It's not just for zombies," Shiro replied, tightening the bolts on a camera mount. "Desperate humans can be just as dangerous. Maybe even worse."

Guldrin nodded grimly. He had no illusions about the chaos that would follow the outbreak. He was glad to see that she understood this fact and wasn't planning to be a bleeding heart. "Good thinking. We can't allow people to take advantage of us, no one should know what we have until we can trust them wholeheartedly."

Their next challenge was building a stockpile of essentials. Shiro's fake persona's bank accounts swelled with ill-gotten funds, and they funneled it into bulk purchases of non-perishable food, bottled water, and medical supplies. Stacks of canned goods lined the warehouse walls, while crates of first-aid kits, antibiotics, and even surgical tools filled a designated corner.

She of course didn't forget to order many exotic animal meats for Guldrin to consume; she believed if he was going to have a secret power, they would be fools to not utilize it. So over these months, Guldrin had been consuming tons of food to increase his stats and gain skills. Though he only gained one skill, and it was from a lump of tiger meat, "Predator's Instinct." The skill description was blank, but Shiro said he held a dangerous aura now, as if being stared at by a predator.

"We're going to need more than this," Shiro remarked one night, surveying their inventory. "What happens if we take in survivors? Or if this thing drags on longer than we think?" She had already used the basement area as a botanical garden. They converted a section of the underground warehouse into a fully functioning makeshift botanical garden. Using the fertile soil Guldrin had been storing and transferring from his inventory, they set up planters and grow lights. Shiro ordered seeds for fast-growing crops like lettuce, beans, potatoes, and many other growable foods.

"If we start running out, then we expand," Guldrin said simply. "There's no shortage of space here. We just need to keep the supply lines running while we still can. Isn't that why we bought all three warehouses? As of now, all we have filled is one, the others have just been fortified."

Shiro nodded and made a mental note as they both checked on the garden "Not exactly gourmet," Guldrin said, examining the first sprouts.

"But it's sustainable," Shiro countered. "And when the canned food runs out, we'll be glad we started this now."

The weapons stockpile grew slowly but steadily. Guldrin's insistence on discretion meant dealing with small-time dealers and making multiple transactions to avoid raising suspicion. Japan doesn't allow for purchases of guns, so they had to be careful and acquire one at a time, frequently dealing with the same person when they get more. 

He didn't know where each gun came from, but neither did he care, they needed weapons, and the seller wanted to move his product, a win-win for both sides. Over time, their arsenal expanded to include a variety of firearms, bows, crossbows, and even melee weapons like machetes, knives, and crowbars.

They spent hours practicing in an abandoned part of the warehouse district and the surrounding forests, learning the ins and outs of each weapon. Shiro's aim improved dramatically, though she still struggled with the recoil of larger guns. It was surprisingly easy to juggle the cops' attention with the help of Shiro and her wonderfully useful hacking skills; early alarms and other contingencies, and they were gone before the cops arrived each time.

"You've got the accuracy," Guldrin said, adjusting her grip on a shotgun. "Now you just need to stop flinching every time you fire."

"Easy for you to say," Shiro grumbled, rubbing her shoulder. "You're built like a tank."

Guldrin chuckled as he lit a cigar; yes, he couldn't knock the habit, but instead of normal cigars, he had been indulging in more unique options. The world of cigars had truly expanded as of this year, so he had to try each one. To Shiro's dismay and Emily's amusement, Guldrin had taken a shine to Cannabis, he said it eased his mental fatigue and helped him cope with his memories. 

The black market dealers were more than happy to provide multiple pounds of imported product for Guldrin, who of course tipped well. By now, he had a massive stash of different strains and types. It looked like a smoke shop by the end, with papers, lighters, blunt wraps, bowls, pipes, and his favorite, a metal cigar he could fill with whatever product he wished to consume.

While survival was their priority, they didn't neglect comfort entirely. Shiro converted one of the smaller off-shoot warehouses into living quarters, complete with beds, a kitchenette, and a small entertainment area. She even rigged up a solar-powered generator to keep the lights and electronics running. To Guldrin's bewilderment, Shiro insisted on creating a Faraday room, she didn't explain why but said it would hella useful.

"You really think we'll have time to watch movies when the world's ending?" Guldrin teased as she set up a projector and looked at the pile of movies Shiro had accumulated.

"Hey, even apocalypse survivors deserve a little downtime," Shiro shot back. "Besides, morale is important. If we don't keep our spirits up, what's the point of surviving?" She huffed and glared at him, "You have your vices and I have mine. I need entertainment, games, and movies are a must. Think if I took your cigars or weed from you?"

Guldrin looked appalled and defensively held his blunt in his hand away from her. "Mine." She chuckled but didn't speak anymore as he lit his blunt and smoked, while he finished setting up the projector.

Three months in, their safe haven was nearing completion. The warehouse had become a fortress, stocked with enough supplies to last them for months if not years. But as they stood on the rooftop one clear night, gazing up at a spectacular meteor shower, a sense of unease settled over them.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Shiro said, leaning against the railing.

"Yeah," Guldrin replied, his eyes fixed on the streaks of light cutting across the sky. "But it feels... ominous. Like the calm before the storm."

Shiro nodded, her expression somber. "We're as ready as we can be. But no matter how much we prepare, there's no way to predict what's coming. The manga or anime never showed how the outbreak happened, and something is telling me this shower is related… Emily did say it was a crossover world… Maybe the start will be different." Emily, hearing her name, meowed and pawed at a fish she was given as they watched the shower.

They stood in silence for a long time, watching the meteors blaze across the heavens. It was a rare moment of peace in their otherwise relentless lives. But even as they enjoyed the beauty of the night, the weight of the future pressed down on them.

The following morning broke with an eerie stillness that neither Guldrin nor Shiro could ignore. The air felt heavy, charged with a tension they couldn't quite place. Guldrin woke early, as was his habit, and stood on the warehouse rooftop with a steaming mug of coffee in one hand and a cigar in the other. The city sprawled out before him, quiet but alive with an undercurrent of dread. His heightened instincts, perhaps due to "Predator's Instinct," prickled with unease.

Emily joined him on the roof, gracefully leaping onto the railing beside him. "What do you think, Em?" he murmured, scratching her ears. "Are we ready for this?"

She let out a low meow, her tail flicking as if to say, 'As ready as we'll ever be.' Guldrin smiled faintly. Emily's presence was a grounding force in the chaos.

By the time Shiro joined them, the sun was well beyond peaking behind the horizon, casting a pale, washed-out light over the city. She held her tablet, scrolling through news reports with a grim expression. "It's starting," she said, her voice tight.

"Define 'starting,'" Guldrin replied, turning to face her.

"Unexplained incidents all over the globe. People are acting strange and aggressive. First responders are overwhelmed in certain areas. They're calling it mass hysteria, but you and I both know what this really is." She glanced up at him, her eyes wide but resolute.

He nodded. "Zombies."

"Probably or worse," Shiro added. "Some of these reports mention people with... enhancements. Strength, speed, even mutations. It's not just a virus, it's something more." Her fingers danced across the screen, pulling up footage of a man with bloodshot eyes lifting a car with inhuman ease before attacking a group of bystanders.

"Enhanced zombies?" Guldrin muttered, his mind racing. "That's new. It explains the meteors, though. Whatever's causing this isn't just biological. It's-"

"Alien, magical, or some mix of both," Shiro finished for him. She closed the tablet with a snap and looked at him. "What's the plan?"

Guldrin exhaled a long plume of smoke, his eyes narrowing. "We stick to the plan for now. Lock down the warehouse, close everything tight, and head to school. You wanted to save the main cast, well, excluding Takashi, but everyone else. And if I am honest, Saeko has intrigued me, something about her screams murderous intent. She would make a great ally, so we can't let her die, and the nurse would be indispensable. Since the government isn't making any announcements, school should continue as normal with no one the wiser."

"You…" Shiro was exasperated, "You just want to save them because of their useless fat." She touched her own budding chest and felt lacking, "I am still growing…" She muttered to herself, and they set off to do their work before school, the catalyst of everything.

Morning preparation in the fortified warehouse was systematic yet laced with urgency. The world teetered on the edge of collapse, and neither Shiro nor Guldrin wanted to waste a moment. Breakfast was a quick affair, consisting of eggs, bacon, gravy, and biscuits. Guldrin rolled his latest experimental cigar, this time infused with an exotic herb from his stash that promised heightened focus.

"I hope this school day doesn't derail us too much," Guldrin muttered between puffs as he adjusted the straps on his gear-filled backpack. "Kinda feels counterproductive when we know what's coming."

Shiro gave him a sidelong glance. "It's not about the school. It's about gathering resources, and people. You said so yourself. If the main cast dies, it's a massive loss. Saeko's skill, Rei's leadership instincts, Saya's brains, and yes..." she hesitated, "...even Shizuka the school nurse's questionable usefulness. If… If she died, Rika would never join us… So her useless fat will need to come as well."

Guldrin smirked. "You're jealous."

"Of course not!" Shiro snapped, her cheeks turning a deep red. "I'm just saying we need to think strategically!" She couldn't help but touch her chest and frown, 'I AM STILL GROWING!' She huffed internally.

Emily purred loudly, clearly enjoying the banter as she swatted at Guldrin's shoelaces.

"Alright, alright," Guldrin relented, grabbing his pre-packed survival kit. "Let's head out. The sooner we're there, the sooner we can ensure this group doesn't get themselves killed." Seeing her still concerned, he pats her head, "Come on Shiro, nothing will change looking at them… And for what it matters, I think you are wonderful how you are." His cheeks reddened a little, but he quickly left, expecting her to follow behind him. What he didn't see was the possessive glint in her eyes and the confident smile that overtook her face. 'I am perfect, hehe,' She grabbed her bag and followed behind after activating the obscene amount of traps and alarms around the warehouse.

The school grounds were deceptively peaceful, the kind of normalcy that felt surreal given the circumstances. Students laughed and chatted, oblivious to the reports of chaos beginning to seep into the world.

Guldrin leaned against a tree in the courtyard, observing everyone with sharp, calculating eyes. His heightened instincts painted a vivid picture, micro-expressions, subtle movements, even the faint changes in people's auras, yes he could feel their aura from his 'Predator's Instinct'. A few students felt off, their aggression barely restrained, but they weren't immediate threats. Not yet.

Shiro approached, her tablet tucked under one arm. "News is spreading fast," she whispered. "It's only a matter of time before this place erupts."

"Good," Guldrin replied. "That means we can rally them while they're still here. Time to get to work."

The day's first hurdle came in the form of Rei Miyamoto, who stood arguing with her boyfriend, Hisashi. Guldrin observed the scene from a distance, assessing her demeanor. Strong-willed, sharp-eyed, and already aware of the growing tension in the air. Rei was a natural leader, though her reliance on Hisashi could be a liability.

"Should we intervene?" Shiro asked, standing beside him.

"Not yet," Guldrin replied. "We don't want to come off as meddling strangers. Let's wait for the right moment. Let Hisashi die, Takashi will kill him when he turns, and then hopefully we can pull Rei to our side."

Shiro nodded, "Brutal and heartless, but the right choice."

As they moved through the school, they encountered Takashi Komuro, aimlessly wandering the halls with a sullen expression. Shiro sighed audibly. "He's supposed to be the protagonist of this world, and yet he looks like he's waiting for the apocalypse to slap him awake."

"Maybe it will," Guldrin said with a grin. "Let's keep him in the loop. He's the glue that'll hold the others together, for now, even if he doesn't know it yet. Let him gather the female cast, then we can take them after having a heated exchange with him over our uncaring methods."

Their encounter with Saeko was both unsettling and thrilling. She stood in the dojo, practicing her Kendo with a fluidity that was almost supernatural. Each swing of her bokken was precise, controlled, and deadly. Guldrin's instincts buzzed as he watched her movements, there was a primal energy about her that resonated with his own newfound predatory instincts.

"You've been watching for a while," Saeko said without turning, her voice calm but laced with amusement.

"Couldn't help it," Guldrin admitted, stepping into the dojo. "Your technique is... mesmerizing." Shiro rolled her eyes, clearly unhappy about his interest in Saeko.

Saeko finally looked at him, her violet eyes glinting. "And what does Toretto-kun want with me?" She had seen the two of them before but never interacted with them. She felt like they existed but never clicked with anyone, so she found this situation weird and unexpected.

"What, can't I observe the school Kendo captain?" He chuckled but Shiro ended it with a well-placed elbow in his ribs, "Focus," Guldrin nodded and looked Saeko, "Just, stay safe Busujima, things are about to change." He left this cryptic message and exited the room, not knowing what kind of effect it had on her.

"Weird guy, cute though, but I am a monster, he wouldn't want anything to do with me." She huffed and continued her practice as she watched them leave.

The outbreak hit during the lunch hour. The first signs were subtle, students collapsing in the hallways, their skin pale and their eyes vacant. Then came the screams, the chaos, and the blood. Within minutes, the school descended into pandemonium.

"ATTENTION! ALL STUDENTS AND FACULTY! ALL STUDENTS AND FACULTY! THERE HAS BEEN AN INCIDENT ON CAMPUS. FACULTY, PLEASE LEAD THE STUDENTS THROUGH EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY! I REPEAT- *SLAM* WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU- ARGHHHHHHH! *STATIC*"

Unlike the chaos that erupted in the classroom, Guldrin and Shiro were ready, opening their backpacks, they slipped on their pre-packed gear, their movements smooth and practiced. Emily, perched on Shiro's shoulder, hissed at the rising tide of the undead they had spotted as they exited the classroom, leaving their annoying arguing classmates to fend for themselves. Callus? Maybe, but no one can know how people will react in times of crisis, and if they survive, then maybe they can join them, but till then, every person for themselves.

"Stick to the plan," Shiro said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. "Get the main cast, secure an exit, and regroup at the warehouse. If that isn't possible for whatever reason, make sure as many survive till the roads are clear enough to get to the warehouse."

They moved swiftly, cutting through the chaos with precision. Guldrin wielded his combat knife with deadly efficiency, his enhanced instincts allowing him to anticipate each zombie's movement. Shiro covered him from a distance with her bow, each arrow finding its mark with chilling accuracy. While it may seem weird to have smuggled in a bow, it was foldable and compact, so it wasn't hard to get it into the school.

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