Mysterious stranger

Far worse, huh? He did not think much when he stepped out and saw the cold grey skies, nor did it surprise him when he saw that there were no houses. Or the amount of destruction and corpses. To think he would pay more attention to this case of human trafficking.

Just now, when he saw the girl and assessed the situation, he felt a single burst of anger.

"S-sorry." The girl was sobbing as she hesitantly removed her top. Haruka could see her trembling all over.

He frowned and draped his jacket around her. "It's fine; you don't have to do this." He quickly got the girl off his lap and pulled her behind him.

"Mister, are you sure you want to do that?" The one holding up the camera said.

"I am."

"Really? Think about it. You can do anything right now. There are no rules in a world like this. We are finally free. These girls who acted haughty and played games to get our attention? We can get them easily."

"What use is there saying that to a guy like him? Tsk, he probably had thousands of women lined up for him."

"What an eyesore." The man with ginger-colored hair walked over with a knife in his hands at the center. Soon he was standing directly in front of him. "Tell me, mister, do you have a partner?"

Haruka did not have to say anything since somebody whistled as they looked at his hand.

"Look, he has a ring."

"A married man, so I'm sure you have a pretty wife waiting for you at home even now?"

"Noguchi just scar his face. I am sure his wife would leave him, and then we can take her."

"Now, that is a nice plan."

At those words, he felt his gaze darken. What did they just say? What are they trying to do? He felt his body tremble due to the sudden intense burst of anger. Based on what they were about to do with this girl, what would happen to his wife is clear.

'I cannot allow them.' Haruka took a step forward with a menacing look in his eyes, and he felt a wave of dark energy surrounded his body.

"Hold on is this guy-"

"Shit, he is a hanyou-"

When he learned that he was also a hanyou like his wife, to say he was not curious was one thing. For some reason, he wanted to learn more. If he has the power to protect her, he wants to learn how to use it. So he frequently went to visit Nobuhiko, and their lessons began.

Nobuhiko said he ought to use it properly. 'But be very careful! It would be bad if you use too much and those people find you again.

Before he could so much do anything, though, a flash of white appeared before him. There stood a man with purple, white-colored hair weaning a white-colored cloak, his skin also looked white, and he had black diamond patterns across his neck.

Who is this? Why does he feel so nostalgic-

"Cover her eyes."

Haruka immediately did what the man said and covered the eyes of the woman behind him. In that second, the man shot his arms out, and soon the ginger-haired man's heart was on the ground. A stream of blood landed on the mysterious man's clothing. But it did not phase him.

The other guys immediately scrambled away without a second word. They even dropped the camera.

Despite the gruesome sight before him, he did not feel disgusted for some reason. He felt relieved.

Moreover, why does this man feel familiar? Haruka tried to recall whether he had seen him before but paused. There is no use in him doing that. Whenever he tried to focus on memory, it would immediately turn blurry, and he would forget right afterward.

It was almost like somebody was deliberately messing with his memories. Before he reunited with his wife, the 'torture' he went through. It was a sore subject for his wife, but he wants to recall it. He needs to know why he ended up in that situation.

The man walked over to the lifeless body and tapped his finger, causing the body to disintegrate. Haruka was impressed as he got rid of the blood traces on his clothes and the ground.

He waited until the man finished before removing his hands from the girl's face. She looked at the situation puzzled, but she seemed more relieved not to see those guys anymore.

Then again, people living in these times probably understand that it is better not to ask more questions.

"I will walk you to a safe area." The mysterious man offered.

"You will? Thank you so much."

If times were normal, the guy would offer to walk her home. But nobody wants their residents revealed to strangers. Although the girl thanked them both, Haruka could tell that she was still on her guard.

To his surprise, she turned to him. "Mister, you're married, right?"

"Uh yeah."

Her gaze softened. "Make sure you if you protect her, you also stay alive. It will be hard for her to go on if you are not by her side."

Haruka immediately understood her situation based on those words alone. This girl must have been married to. Did her husband protect her and die? Before he could answer, the mysterious man tossed something in his direction. Haruka caught it; it was a single slip of paper.

He simply nodded and watched the two leave. It was almost like Kiryu knew they were there and waited for the right time since he entered after a few minutes.

Kiryu's eyes twitched, annoyed. "It is one thing to babysit, Lila, but why do I have to do the same with you too."

"Sorry."

"So, did you find out?"

Haruka decided it would be better to keep quiet about the girl because it would mean mentioning that he drew attention to himself.

"No, I am afraid."

At those words, Kiryu patted his shoulder. "Don't mind it. Unfortunately, this is how the world works now. Even if we save them, they may die within the next few days because of the lack of food."

"But even if that is the case. I cannot leave them."

"You and Lila are alike." Kiryu sighed. "You are satisfied for now, right? Let us head back."

Haruka looked at the folded piece of paper when Kiryu was not looking.

It was a number, and there was a single sentence. 'If you need help.'

This trip did not go to waste after all.