Chapter 11 - Duel
After defeating Leighton, Erwin stood over the broken body of his former leader, the blood still warm beneath his boots. He raised his voice, sharp and commanding.
"All of you, gather. Now."
The remaining survivors scrambled, forming a loose half-circle around him in the dimly lit school hallway. No one dared to speak. Erwin’s eyes, cold and unreadable, swept over each face.
"I want to know," he began, voice low and dangerous, "has anyone else awakened powers... like Leighton? Like me?"
Silence. Not a single hand moved. Not a single breath was dared.
Erwin chuckled darkly. "I see. That’s fine. If I were in your shoes, I’d keep my mouth shut too."
He took a step forward. The group instinctively leaned back.
"But let me make this very clear," he continued. "If I find out any of you are hiding a skill, I won’t hesitate. I’ll kill you on the spot... and feed your corpse to the zombies."
His words were laced with casual cruelty.
The tension cracked when three hesitant hands slowly rose.
Erwin smiled.