Metsuen was channeling Ryoku through his veins to increase his speed.
Since all his focus was directed toward that goal, it was heightened—though he still couldn't release it outside his body.
He had asked Heinrich where his two followers lived, then released his mouth.
— Me–Metsuen… They never stopped searching for you… They were too scared of what might happen if people found out we were behind your disappearance… They're probably on their way back to the village now that it's night… Heinrich stammered, his voice trembling.
Metsuen immediately turned back, dashing into the forest at full speed.
A minute later, he spotted two figures talking near a path. He came to a sudden halt.
His gaze darkened, heavy with a chilling hatred.
The two boys recognized him… But why was he carrying Heinrich?
Suddenly, Metsuen hurled Heinrich's body violently at one of them. The boy was sent flying, Heinrich rolling several meters without even realizing what had happened.
***
— Did you enjoy ganging up on me like cowards?
I walked forward slowly, each word ringing like a sentence.
— The power of numbers must have given you wings… Tonight, you'll pay for that disgrace. And I swear, it won't be with just a few scratches.
Rage had taken hold of me.
I moved toward the boy still standing, his eyes frozen in fear.
He looked like prey watching its predator approach—slow, unstoppable.
Panicking, he lunged at me.
— AAAAAAH! he screamed, throwing a punch.
But I saw his attack in slow motion. He wasn't slow—my perception had changed, now that Ryoku flowed within me.
I ducked, grabbed his collar with one hand, and slammed him into the ground with a dull thud.
A sinister crack accompanied the impact. The boy collapsed, unconscious.
I kicked him in the ribs to get him out of my way.
I then turned to Heinrich and his last follower, who were struggling to get back on their feet.
— Metsuen, please… let us go… If it's because of what we did earlier, we were just teasing you! No one should get hurt over something like that… We're brothers, after all… Heinrich panted, barely able to breathe.
— Ahahahahah… ahahahahaha… Brother ? I laughed, louder and louder, almost uncontrollably. — You dare call me that? Have you ever thought of me as a brother? You really love spouting nonsense… You seem to forget the way you've always treated me.
My laughter stopped abruptly.
— I won't turn back. Your fate is sealed, Heinrich.
Heinrich stared at me, desperate. His nearly lifeless eyes seemed to finally grasp the truth.
His companion beside him no longer resisted. He had already accepted his fate.
I felt Ryoku explode within me. My body grew even lighter. I stepped forward… and instantly appeared before them.
Before they could react, I grabbed their heads and slammed them together, amplifying the impact with Ryoku concentrated in my veins.
The moment they connected, their pupils widened… then vanished.
Both collapsed, but I held Heinrich up by the hair.
I wasn't finished with him yet.
I enhanced the strength in my hands using the Original Ryoku.
One by one, I shattered the most vital parts of his body: both arms, then both legs.
I let him fall to the ground, he was nothing more than a broken puppet now.
I thought of everything he had done to me.
I really wanted to kill him.
But I held back.
— Consider yourself lucky… I won't give Anne the burden of burying her son.
I turned my back to the path. I left Fangan behind.
I was heading to Gatsuen.
I thought I had no regrets.
But…
I wish I had… said goodbye to Anne.
And thanked her.
As I disappeared into the forest, silent tears streamed down my face.