The Middle-Aged Shut-In and the Apocalypse - Chapter 3

 The Gates of Hell

Now then, let me summarize the trending topics that happened while I was playing hermit. "Hell Gates" have opened across the Earth. According to religious leaders, they are portals connected to the afterlife. According to the doomers, it’s the Apocalypse—the end of the world.

Inside these gates are monsters called "Freaks" (Invasive Species). When these monsters emerge onto the surface, that area becomes "Contaminated." There seem to be certain rules or restrictions regarding where these gates appear. At least, that’s the estimation based on observations. Specifically, they are limited to "territories" governed by a certain size of human population. To put it in simpler terms, using the United States as an example: One gate was confirmed for every state. That was just the initial phase; as the regional contamination expanded, the number of gates supposedly increased. Huh. Impressive. It sounds like the whole world is in total chaos. I don't get it. It seems a bit too large-scale for an April Fool’s joke.

The situation in Japan was a bit unique. It’s believed that a gate opened in every one of the 47 prefectures. It’s like the Warring States period all over again. Several prefectures are already in a state of total collapse. Completely "Contaminated." Goblins, zombies... what is all this? Some kind of new prank? By the way, one of those collapsed prefectures happens to be right here. Oh, so the prefectural borders are closed? News to me. I’m shocked. There are danger levels for contamination, and this place was officially designated as the "Worst Rank." Well, that explains it. In other words, that hole that appeared in my vegetable garden must be one of those "Hell Gates." No, really—I fell into it while I was harvesting my first successful crop of edamame. What kind of coincidence is that? I want someone to empathize with how I felt, considering I was just about to settle in for a beer.

Based on the "Contamination Area Summary Thread" online, it was likely a secondary gate known as a "Twig." Apparently, humans who pass through a gate have a high probability of dying instantly. On the flip side, those who manage to reach the other side gain special abilities. Such people are called "Outsiders" (Transgressors).

“Like I give a damn,” I grumbled to myself.

I had a hell of a time in that cave inside the hole. I was attacked by rotting humans and skeletons. I fought them off with the hoe I was holding. Special abilities? Not my problem. After taking down about ten zombies and skeletons, I reached a room at the far end. I reached out for a crystal that was sitting there all meaningfully, and the next thing I knew, I was back in my garden. The hole at my feet was gone, and I was just standing on the dirt. I probably "dived"—or rather, fell—right as it manifested. I don't understand it, and I just want my edamame back.

---

For the time being, I took a bath and went to bed that day. I was unusually exhausted and sleepy.

“...I’m hungry.”

It was evening when I woke up. Even in a life untethered by time, this was the first time I’d ever overslept this much. I cooked some rice, took a block of boar meat out of the fridge, and made yakiniku. After devouring enough for about five people, I fell asleep again.

“I slept well...”

I felt like I’d been asleep for about three days, but I felt incredibly refreshed. To give you an idea of how refreshed: for the first time in years, I had "morning wood." Amazing. I feel like I’m back in my teens. Anyway, while the rice was cooking, I decided to take a quick bath. The man reflected in the full-length mirror was—shockingly enough—still maintaining his erection. Am I some kind of pervert? No, wait.

“What... is this?”

The flabby "middle-aged man fat" was gone, replaced by a lean, muscular physique. I don't understand. And my face—didn't I look about ten years younger? I mean, I’m still an ossan, but... The fact that my hairline has made a comeback is pure justice. As for the "old man smell," well, I can't really tell myself. Is this it? Is this that "special ability" thing? Dammit. I guess I have to forgive the universe for the edamame incident.

Jokes aside. My hair has grown out a bit, and something has definitely changed in my body. Maybe I’m just exhausted from the surprise, but I’m being remarkably calm. Well, people always did call me a cold-blooded bastard with shallow emotions. After my morning bath, I ate my fill and grabbed a glass of whiskey, planning to do some research online.

Chime-chime.

That’s when the trap went off. Hm. The one I set at the entrance is a bear trap. Technically, catching bears with traps is prohibited. But listen, they just come at you like it's nothing. In that case, I’ll take them down and eat them. Obviously. If anyone has a complaint, they’re welcome to come and pick up the carcass. I grabbed my hatchet, some rope, and a butchering knife and headed outside.

“That’s a big one.”

I didn't know what it was at first, but a high school girl was caught in the trap. Well, she’s wearing a school uniform, so I assume she’s a student. I reached out to get closer, but she was pinned down, growling and groaning at me. Her clothes weren't disheveled, and I couldn't see any external injuries. However, her complexion was as pale as a corpse.

“Um... are you capable of speech?”

“Uuu... uuu... uoooh...”

She was groaning in a cute voice, but it was pure horror. Is she in a delirium from eating poisonous mushrooms? Did she narrowly escape a kidnapping vehicle and is now in shock? Or...

“By any chance... are you a zombie?”

The gate that appeared in this prefecture apparently spawned "Undead" type Freaks. The high school girl groaning "uu-uoo" was fallen over, her right leg snared by the wire. She looked a bit pitiful, so I decided to capture her. First, I gagged her with a towel, tied her wrists together, and bound her ankles the same way. Only then did I release the wire trap. Visually, I look like a sex offender, but I’ll have to be forgiven. If you get bitten by a zombie, you become a zombie—or so they say.

The girl must have been wandering outside for a while. Her hair was messy and her uniform was grimy. She’s probably a girl from the village. It seems the village has been contaminated, too. She twisted her body and struggled clumsily, but her eyes were murky and stagnant. I carried her into the house and did a quick physical check.

“Ah. Her heart isn't beating.”

No body temperature, either. She was chilly to the touch. There were small wounds on her limbs, but they were barely more than scratches. Her pupils were unnaturally dilated, and she didn't even blink. To all appearances, her life functions had ceased—so how was she moving? She’s the kind of undead monster you see in movies and games, but her existence is utterly unnatural. I would think she’d need some kind of energy just to move. Still, it’s a shame for a girl to be so dirty. I wiped off the grime, combed her hair, and laid her down on the floor.

What exactly am I supposed to do with this? I’m more bewildered than if I’d caught a bear.

“Maybe I should check the net...”

I mean, is it possible the surrounding area is actually, truly wiped out?

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