1970
UNION ISOLATION FACILITY, ROOM 1859
2020
AUGUST 4TH
LATE NIGHT
Whaddaya think? This yacht handles like a dream, right?
This baby’s souped up, so we’ll reach Vladivostok in no ti-
What the heck are you doing?
Didn’t you hear what that guy said?
Of course, there will be people hunting you along the way.
Here’s hoping you both make it over there in one piece.
About how they’ll be hunting us the entire way there...
So what?
This is my boat! Come out and enjoy the ride!
No! I’m scared!
We could be attacked at any moment!
Quit bein’ a buzzkill. Even if that does happen, a little partying on deck ain’t gonna kill y-
Huh?
See, I told you!
Tch! Couldn’t even get one drink in, huh?
But man, they’re such lousy shots!
If they keep this up, it’ll be smooth sailing to Russia!
Are you kidding me? This boat’s sure to get blasted to pieces!
If that happens, we can blow outta here with your unluck!
My unluck doesn’t conveniently work like that!
It’s all about how you use it!
My Undead ability isn’t just about death prevention!
If I cut a part of my body nearly off and make it grow back in place...
...it becomes a weapon!
Parts Bullet Fist!
Y-You did it!
Does this mean we’re in the Union?
Say what? Weren’t you listenin’ to what that brat was sayin’?
We’ve gotta kill the person with the Emblem on ‘em.
Emblem?
Those two goons from the other day had gold marks on ‘em.
I’m guessing that’s the Emblem the ten members wear.
And I’ve got a clue as to who’s got them.
Three people off the top of my head, in fact.
First is the maker of this indestructible katana that I swiped.
They call ‘im “Unbreakable.”
Second is the engineer-like guy who experimented on me 50 years ago.
And third was the person who nabbed me 50 years ago.
A lady who can create invisible barriers.
Invisible barriers?
Back then, she packed my head into her invisible barrier.
I’m talkin’ real sturdy walls. I was in a tight spot, literally.
I may be Undead, but I’m not Unbeatable.
It’s gonna be a bad matchup if we’re up against that last lady.
I see... so even Zombie has people he’s weak against.
If we end up facing that woman, then...
But I don’t give a crap ‘bout any of that!
No matter who gets in our way, we’re gonna get ourselves to that lake...
...and kill the mark!
Nothing’s gonna keep us from our goal!
Besides, we’ll be able to make do with your unluck in a clutch.
Wha-
I told you that you can’t rely on my unluck!
That makes it even better.
Guess I’ll have to take the time to get a feel for your rules before things get hairy.
A feel? No way! You’re gonna go all perv on me!
Sure will.
So honest!
I’m telling you now- do that and your likability won’t change a bit!
Oh, I’m sure it will. you’re a pushover, after all.
It will not!
Tee hee!
Right. You just don’t change.
After all, you are...
...the only man in this world... that I was able to love!
- Huh? - Huh?
I know you’ll be fine, given how you never change.
You’ll make your way back to me!
NO.003 HOW TO USE MY UNLUCK
AUGUST 5TH
That was insane. The hell attacked us?
That’s an awful long trail of air bubbles.
Tch... little brat’s out cold, huh?
If she’s asphyxiating or in cardiac arrest, each minute docks her survival rate by ten percent.
Gotta book it!
Her legs are caught under the wreckage, huh? In that case...
I’ll wedge my arm stumps in here and grow ‘em back all at once!
Great. Now to get topside and... mm?
Good. Cough up all that junk.
Relax, deep breaths.
Huh? Wasn’t I pinned under the boat?
I’ll explain later. We’re about to get caught. Put your hands up.
Huh?
A-An enemy-
Undead! Do you intend to surrender?
You betcha!
Huh? Really?
No, dummy. I’m buying time!
For my little experiment.
This’ll likely help us figure out... whether your unluck can be controlled or not!
Of course it can’t be controlled!
That’s why I have issues in the first place!
You can’t control it at will. But I’ve got a hypothesis goin’.
Huh?
All your previous strokes of unluck were phenomena that utilized things around you.
But what about the lightning bolt from the haircut or the meteorite from the peck on the cheek?
Um, they used things from far away?
Yes!
You forcibly pulled in things from far away!
Why did those two things happen, you ask?
That’s because the haircut and the kiss are things you have great personal value for...
...and materials needed for strokes of unluck proportionate to those values weren’t nearby!
Oh, God, this is so embarrassing- it’s like he’s breaking down my views on romance.
So y’see...
For this one, I found a source that’ll produce a stroke of unluck proportionate to the value.
And if my hunch is right, it’s going to be one doozy of a...
Huh? “For this one”?
But you haven’t... wait!
Huh? Why is my bra pushed up?
CPR.
Your pushed-up melons were in the way. I moved them off to the side.
He saw them and touched them?
And... that’s all you did, right?
Hm? Heck no. You still weren’t coming to, so...
I did it.
Wha...?
Mouth to mouth.
N... N...
No!
Bingo!
And now it’s time for my special move!
Repair Boost!
Crimson Crescent Moon!
It’s a quick-draw slash that’s boosted by my arm’s repair powers.
A Japanese sword master taught me that ages ago.
I made sure not to cut up the cockpit.
This puppy’s ours.
Your arm... it’s...
I use it as a sheath. Quit your nitpickin’ or we’ll be here all day.
Oh?
How was that?
Seems all we gotta do is find a seed of unluck,
and get a grasp of the contact level suitable for triggering it. Then...
Your unluck won’t be accidents, but the best trump cards to turn things around!
Now we’ve got ourselves a new means of travel. Nice going!
N-No, I’m sure this is a fluke, too! I’m telling you, relying on me is a bad-
Oh, shaddup already. Everything went fine, so just roll with it!
All right, let’s book it to Baikal!
Vodka, here I come!
You changed the point of the trip!
Self-destructing in ten, nine, eight...
- seven, six… - Bad new!
...five, four, three...
Why’d the plane just explode like that?
They figured out we swiped their ride.
This isn’t the time to smile, okay? We’re falling!
No biggie! I’ve got another technique up my sleeve from my mercenary days!
We’re gonna stick a five-point landing!
Five-point landing?
First, the balls of your feet!
Next, the sides of your calves!
Then, your butt!
Back!
So many gross sounds!
Suck it!
Success.
I could’ve sworn you said, “Suck it,” at the end.
No, I said, “Success.”
Anyway, we landed.
Huh?
Be sure to watch your head. Our mark might be around.
Wow!
Welcome to Lake Baikal-the world’s deepest, clearest, and oldest freshwater lake.
Apparently, folks from the organization are gonna be here investigating a UMA.
Well, I guess this is a likely spot for a UMA to hide out, truth be told.
I-It’s huge and so pretty!
I guess there really is more to the world than just Japan!
Wuzzat?
This your first time overseas?
Uh-huh! I’ve always been a bit of a shut-in!
In that case, you should go do some sightseein’.
Huh?
Don’t worry. The Union won’t make a move with all these tourists around.
Operating in secret is more their style.
I’m gonna go track down my old war buds.
They’ll be sure to back us up when we need it.
We’ll each have to fly solo for a bit.
U-Um, wait a second!
What’s up?
About us joining the ten...
Who do you think we’ll have to take on this time?
I mean... what if they’re reasonable?
They’re dead meat.
Courtesy of me, so I can get in. The plan stays the same.
By the way, are there any foods you’re not keen on?
Wasabi...
All right, no problem, then. It’s settled!
The buddy I’m about to bring over runs a killer restaurant!
You gotta get a taste of their borscht or else this trip’s a wash!
I’ll go make some party reservations while I’m at it!
You’re on your own till then, kid.
You came all the way out to Russia.
Don’t waste it by being your usual timid self.
Have a good time!
It’s only been four days since I met Zombie, and now I’m in Russia?
That’s easier said than...
WHAT’S THIS? Смотри!
ARE YOU ALONE? ты что, один?
MAYBE YOU CAN HAVE TEA WITH US? может, выпьешь с нами чаю?
This is bonkers!
How could he be so inconsiderate?
I can’t have fun around people with this body!
Then again, if I hadn’t crossed paths with him, I’d be dead by now.
Hmm...
Huh?
Oh-ho?
Gah, busted!
Oh, a Japanese girl? Are you a yamato nadeshiko? Or a schoolgirl?
I-I’m Japanese.
Wow! The real deal!
Check out my clothes! Pretty Japanese schoolgirl-ish, right?
I love Japanese schoolgirl uniforms!
Um, sorry. I never went to high school, so I wouldn’t know.
Aww! But it seems like so much fun. Such a waste!
Ha, ha...
Oh, wow, it’s so pretty! Are these watercolors?
Oh, how did you know? Do you paint, too?
Well, you see, I don’t get out often-if at all. So I’ve dabbled in art here and there.
Not that I’m any good at it, though.
Whoa! Where’d this come from?
Then let’s paint together!
Huh?
Um, I’m actually waiting for someone.
Huh? Who is it? Your boyfriend?
That’s perfect, then! Why not surprise him with a painting? It’d be totes emosh!
Have a good time!
So hey, Lil’ Lucky?
Huh?
Which do you like more? Stuff that changes... or stuff that stays the same?
Huh? Wait, did you just call me “Li’l Lucky”?
Hee, hee!
You’ve got “Good Luck” written on your cap, so you’re Li’l Lucky!
Personally, I like stuff that doesn’t change...
...not tied down or swayed by anyone.
Isn’t it amazing for something to stay exactly the same?
That’s why I love art.
Because you can capture the ever-changing world...
...as a never-changing drawing just like we’re doing now.
So, Li’l Lucky, which do you like?
Uh... that’s a tough question. I guess I’m...
Would you mind if I thought about it for a bit?
Sure! Let’s take our time and have fun!
I’m done!
Really? Lemme see, lemme see!
Huh? U-Um...
You won’t laugh, will you?
I ended up adding a lot of stuff to it.
Oh, that’s no big deal! Art is all about freedom!
U-Um, I wouldn’t get too close to me if I were you.
Art has no right or wrong ans-
Um, so...
What are those sparkles around the moon?
Oh... they’re, um, well, uh...
There’s nothing up in space except for the moon and the sun, right?
I learned that in school!
Uh, yeah. Nothing at all.
Well, the moon looked awfully lonely up there, so I gave it some friends.
How thoughtful of you, Li’l Lucky.
You’re right, the night sky can get pretty lonely, after all.
Yes, it can.
Oh! By the way... about your question, about whether I like change or not...
I’ve got an answer.
Ooh!
For the longest time, I couldn’t change, and it was so hard on me that I wanted to die.
But four days ago, I met this really odd guy...
and it’s been crazy ever since! He groped me all over and locked me up on the day we met!
There’ve been explosions left and right, and next thing I know, I’m here in Russia!
And he never once took my ten years as a shut-in into consideration!
But... through all of that, he helped me change.
That’s why I think I was able to draw with you today.
It was so much fun.
I appreciate having someone who changes me... and changing.
What lovely words.
So young...
So green...
...and naive.
Despite being all those things...
Despite being all those things, your words still resonate with me.
Perhaps age has finally caught up to me.
The lake... is floating?
Oh, Andy! What is that?
The lake just suddenly rose up!
Crimson Crescent Moon!
You haven’t changed at all, Deady Dearest.
You’re going overboard with the makeup now, Gena!
Especially them crow’s feet!
TA-DA Hey, will ya look at that! A perfect five-point landing!
Now’s no time to gloat! Can she be the most troublesome-
Yup, the chick who nabbed my ass fifty years ago.
Send my beret. I’ll play with them until the scan is done.
The Boss briefed me.
You want to kill me and join the organization, right?
Well then, it looks like you’ll have to change me first.
Deady Dearest...
...and Li’l Lucky!
TO BE CONTINUED
PREVIEW
Is being unchanging a salvation? Is change a sin?
The girl’s bewilderment sinks below the lake’s waters.
Next episode of Undead Unluck, Episode 4- Do You Love the Change in Me? ‎
In search of the greatest death ever.