Chapter 20
Inside an old, dimly lit dungeon cell, Kasumi lay sprawled across the pink veil he had stolen from that gothic lady he'd met earlier. His expression was calm, almost indifferent, as if the cold, damp air of the cell didn't bother him.
Across from him, Shishiba stood with his back against the wall, his sharp glare fixed on Kasumi. The tension between them hung thick in the stale air, neither of them speaking, their silence speaking louder than words.
"You know," Kasumi finally said, shifting his position to meet Shishiba's glare with a tired expression"glaring at me like that isn't going to help us get out of here."
Shishiba sighed, rubbing his temples as if Kasumi's lackadaisical attitude was giving him a headache. The sound of heavy footsteps interrupted them, and both turned toward the cell gate.
A guard appeared, his smirk twisted with sadistic glee. Without a word, he tossed a bottle into the cell. The clang echoed in the confined space as it rolled to a stop between them.
Kasumi raised an eyebrow as he picked up the bottle, turning it over in his hands with a grimace. "Oil? Seriously? We're not that close," he muttered, tossing it toward the bars with a flick of his wrist. The bottle hit the metal and bounced back onto the floor with a dull thud.
"Why don't you keep it? I hear the guards get pretty lonely" he added with a smirk he taking the bottle and throwing it again only for it to bounce back at him again.
The guard cackled, his laughter sinister "Energetic little rats, aren't you? I hope you keep that spirit till tomorrow."
Shishiba's eyes narrowed. "What happens tomorrow?"
"Oh, you don't know?" The guard's grin widened. "Our lord has... peculiar tastes. He gets his thrills from watching people impaled. You brats are the main event tomorrow. Congrats on the spotlight!"
Shishiba's jaw tightened, his fists clenching as the guard continued, "I'm generous, though. That oil's a gift. Rub it on your—"
CRACK.
The guard's sentence was cut short as Shishiba grabbed his collar and slammed his head into the bars, rendering him unconscious in one swift move. The man slumped to the floor, his smirk replaced with unconscious drool.
"Plan's changed," Shishiba growled, turning back toward Kasumi. "We can't stay here another minute. We need to—"
Shishiba froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening in disbelief. Kasumi stood in the middle of the cell, stark naked and drenched head to toe in the oil , atleast he was wearing a Jean
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Shishiba roared, his voice echoing off the walls.
Kasumi didn't bother answering. Instead, he lowered himself into a runner's stance, his eyes locked on the narrow gap between the bars.
"That won't work! Your build is too—"
Before Shishiba could finish, Kasumi was already sprinting toward the bars.
...
"I DID IT!" Kasumi's triumphant voice rang out, but the scene was less victorious than he'd hoped. The oil had helped him slide through the bars—well, partially. His lower body was free, but his head was now firmly stuck between two metal bars.
Shishiba pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning in frustration. "You idiot..."
"Uh... can you help me out here?" Kasumi muttered, struggling to pull his head free but to no avail.
"What's with all that noise over there?!" a shout came from the other side of the dungeon. "Hugass, you better not be messing around with the prisoners again!"
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridor, and Kasumi's struggles grew more frantic as he realized the commotion had drawn attention.
"Do something!" Kasumi yelled, his voice edged with urgency as he glanced at Shishiba.
Shishiba, unfazed, raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you want me to do?" he asked, his tone flat.
"I don't know... something!" Kasumi snapped
"Alright, don't hate me," Shishiba muttered, stepping closer to Kasumi. Without warning, he raised his leg and delivered a swift kick to Kasumi's head.
"GAH! Ouch—hey! Stop, you fucker!" Kasumi shouted as Shishiba kept kicking, each strike forcing Kasumi's head closer to slipping out of the bars.
With a final, forceful kick, Kasumi's head popped free. He stumbled back, clutching the top of his head in pain. "What the hell is wrong with you?! That hurt!"
Shishiba smirked "And yet, you're free now. You're welcome."
Kasumi rubbed his head, glaring at the person in front of him.
Swoosh!
The sudden sound of something cutting through the air made him turn instinctively. A spear hurtled toward his face with deadly precision. Kasumi shifted just enough to avoid the weapon, feeling the sharp edge graze past him.
His eyes darted toward the source, narrowing as he spotted a group of guards charging toward him, their weapons glinting under the dim light.
He shifted into a defensive stance, muscles tensing as the guards charged toward him.
When they were mere inches away—
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
Their bodies crumpled to the ground in unison lifeless and unmoving. Some had their heads visibly dented, others embedded into the earth itself from the sheer force of the blows.
Kasumi smirked, his eyes glinting with satisfaction as he stepped over the guards' bodies. "Hmm... not bad," he muttered, the aftermath of Keizo's relentless training evident in his precise handiwork.
"Sorry to interrupt your moment, but are you done?" Shishiba's voice cut through, his tone flat. He stood a few paces away, arms crossed, looking at Kasumi with a bored expression. "Mind opening the door for me while you're at it?"
________
As Shishiba and Kasumi walked out of the dungeon, Shishiba gave Kasumi a once-over and scowled. "Cover yourself, man. Seriously."
"Nope," Kasumi replied, shaking his head stubbornly. "I'm doing this for a reason."
"A reas—" Shishiba began but stopped as Kasumi froze mid-step.
At the other end of the palace corridor stood the woman who had helped treat Mumon earlier. This time, however, she held two chained spears, her posture radiating murderous intent. The shift in her demeanor was unmistakable—she had been a spy all along.
"I knew something was off about you," Kasumi said, his voice cold as his eyes locked onto hers. "But to think you were working for that man..."
The woman hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I... I apologize," she said softly. "But I have no other choice. If I don't—"
"Kasumi, leave," Shishiba cut her off, stepping forward with resolve. "I'll take care of her."
Kasumi frowned, his confusion evident. "What? "
Shishiba's expression darkened, his focus never leaving the woman. "I've fought someone who used a weapon like hers before. Trust me, this will be quick."
Kasumi paused for a moment, glancing at the woman before walking past her. "Before I go, what's your name?" he asked, his voice casual.
"Makie"