The team returned to a small, safe location in the middle of the dark city, where they decided to take a break after the terrifying fight. The atmosphere was heavy, but Taiko and Hiro Shin, as usual, quickly broke the silence.
Taiko (smiling as he extended his hand toward Hiro):
"I think I won with the most. How many did you cut?"
Hiro Shin (replying confidently):
"Huh! If I hadn't weakened them for you, you'd be their food by now!"
The two of them laughed loudly, while the rest of the team just smiled.
Meanwhile, Saya approached Kaito with her curious eyes:
Saya (staring at his arm):
"Your body... How did your wounds regenerate? That's not normal."
But before she could finish, Hana grabbed her from behind and pulled her along:
Hana (with a sly smile):
"Leave him alone. This isn't the time for experiments, scientist."
Kaito didn't comment, just gave a sideways glance, then calmly walked over to Tsuki, who was sitting far away bandaging a wound on her shoulder.
Kaito (in a low voice, sitting next to her):
"Let me finish."
Tsuki froze for a moment, then silently handed him the bandage. His hands were strangely steady, as if he'd done this before.
Tsuki (timidly, averting his gaze):
"Thank you..."
Kaito (whispering, tugging at the bandage):
"I... am the reason for this."
Tsuki raised her eyes to him, but before she could say anything, Hiro-shin's voice boomed:
"Kaitooo! Stop playing doctor and come on! We're having a man talk!"
Kaito turned away with a blank stare, but Taiko added with a laugh:
"He wants to know the secret of your silver hair!"
Everyone sat around a small fire or something, bringing out some dry food. Haeru Shin continued to play with Kaito, touching his hair once, trying to pull up his shirt sleeve again, until he received a light slap from Taeko, accompanied by a loud laugh: "Leave him alone before he rips your head off with a look!"
Tsuki smiled faintly as she watched the scene, while Hana and Saya whispered about the strange phenomena they had witnessed.
The calm that pervaded the moment was fragile, like a temporary peace before the approaching storm.
After a rest, the group stood quietly, each mentally preparing to continue. The dark city before them was like an endless maze, with cracked walls, piled-up rubble, and elevated bridges spanning a dark abyss with no visible bottom.
The lights from the bracelets they carried cast long shadows that shifted with each step, while the dim lights hanging on the distant walls looked like dying stars, fading with every moment.
They now knew the monsters' weaknesses, which gave them relative confidence, but caution remained the order of the day. Any faint sound was enough to unsettle them.
Taiko (in a low voice, watching the darkness):
"I hate this silence... Usually, silence means we're being watched."
Hairu Shin tried to ease the tension with a faint smile, but his steps were hesitant.
Minamoto, meanwhile, continued forward, his gaze steady, his hand on the chain dangling from his shoulder, his eyes shifting with every movement in the shadows.
Kaito, as usual, walked quietly, his eyes scanning the ancient walls as if something were trying to regain his memory.
And suddenly
The sound of breathing... gentle, weak, but clear.
Everyone stopped for a moment, their eyes darting in every direction. Echoes filtered through the stone passageways as if someone were watching them closely.
Tsuki (whispering, raising her spear):
"Who's there?!"
Minamoto illuminated the perimeter with his energy bracelet, but the shadows danced eerily.
The sound drew closer... as if from behind one of the nearby walls.
They moved cautiously, assuming a defensive stance, until they found themselves in front of a half-ruined stone house.
The sound came from inside.
Taiko motioned for everyone to slow down, taking a slow step toward the dark entrance, but before he stepped inside
Kaito's eyes flickered for a moment, as if he sensed something strange.
And from within the darkness...
A pair of luminous eyes of a pale blue suddenly appeared, shining in the darkness, followed by a cold exhalation, as if death itself were breathing there.
The last sentence of the chapter:
"It wasn't a monster... but something else they hadn't yet known a name for."
End of chapter.