Though the figure was indistinct, comparing it to Fushimi Kyo's build made the answer unmistakable.
"Madam…"
Kanae's voice trembled.
"Are you saying… the one confronting the Owl was that man?"
As ghouls, they understood better than anyone what the One-Eyed Owl represented.
In the ghoul world, that existence was practically synonymous with invincibility.
And yet
That man had stood against it.
"If that's the case…"
Kanae staggered back several steps.
"Then his strength would at least rival an SSS-class ghoul."
"SSS-class…"
The thought alone made his legs go weak.
"Sister Matsumae and the others… they're doomed."
"And if Young Master finds out…"
Kanae felt a wave of dread wash over him.
Tsukiyama Shuu's mind was already unstable
if he learned of Matsumae's death, he would completely lose control.
To him, Matsumae was no different from an actual elder sister.
"That's why," Tsukiyama Karren said calmly,
"you are not to tell him anything about Matsumae for now."
"And don't be too pessimistic."
"Perhaps our judgment is wrong… perhaps Matsumae will return alive."
"Tonight, you will stay in the castle."
"We wait for news tomorrow."
With that, she turned, placed her coffee cup on the table, and left the hall.
"Haah…"
A deep sigh escaped her lips.
She knew better than anyone
Matsumae had no chance of surviving.
The only reason she had stopped Kanae was to prevent him from throwing his life away and leading the enemy straight back to the Tsukiyama family.
The family was powerful, yes
but compared to that man, their strength still fell tragically short.
"Fushimi Kyo…"
"I will not let you go."
The man's voice was saturated with savage killing intent.
On the rooftop of a nearby building, Fushimi Kyo remained on watch until midnight.
No one came.
It wasn't until one in the morning that a wandering vagrant accidentally passed by the small building and stumbled upon the bloody scene inside.
Terrified out of his wits, the man screamed and ran straight to the nearest police station.
Watching the police cordon off the area layer by layer, sealing it tight with caution tape, Fushimi Kyo shook his head.
"Looks like my plan of waiting for the rabbit to come knocking has failed."
"But after killing so many of your people…"
"You won't just swallow this quietly, will you?"
"I'll be waiting for you to keep sending assassins after me."
"And sooner or later
I'll come knocking on your door."
Casting one last cold glance at the small building,
Fushimi Kyo's figure flickered
and vanished from the rooftop.
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