Chapter 189: Deceptive Perception of the Five Senses

The ruins were suffused with the acrid stench of charred remains, and the air hung heavy, as if the atmosphere itself had been forged from molten iron. Riyugi crouched beside a shattered wall, her fingers pressed to the rubble-strewn ground. Yet, the anguish in her heart sent tremors through her body. Silent tears traced her cheeks, falling into her palms as if peeling away layers of her soul, exposing its raw, bleeding depths.

At the brink of being overwhelmed by despair, a glimmer of cold light reflected off the six-sided crystal pendant resting against her chest. Riyugi instinctively raised her head as her abilities unfolded, sharpening the blurred edges of her perception. The contours of the world snapped into vivid focus, each detail etched with uncanny clarity.

In the distance, people fled through the ruins, terror and despair etched into their faces. Shouts reverberated through the air, each cry striking her ears like shards of glass.

"Watcher! Save us—please!"

"Why won't the Watcher act against these monsters?!"

"A child as an evil spirit? Imagine the horrors when they grow up!"

Riyugi froze, her pupils dilating. The chaotic scene before her was suffused with fear and hostility. The frantic steps of the crowd suggested they were pursued by something far worse than their immediate reality.

Before she could process the scene further, a faint crackle of electricity drew her attention. Turning sharply, her gaze landed on a partially buried, defunct television set. Its screen flickered faintly, an eerie glow breaking through the oppressive gloom.

Hesitant, Riyugi moved closer. Brushing away the thick layer of dust, the faint outline of an image materialized on the screen like a window into another world. A broadcast played—a news segment.

The figure of Shingin appeared on the screen, distorted and grotesque, accompanied by a chilling voiceover:

"Shingin—a dangerous entity. He wreaks havoc across cities, leaving destruction and bloodshed in his wake."

The camera shifted to scenes of the Watchers, framed as gallant protectors escorting civilians from the devastation "caused by Shingin's atrocities."

Riyugi's heart pounded as her mind reeled. "What... is this?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

The footage changed again, this time portraying Yahageshii as an indiscriminate murderer, his image consumed in ghostly flames. A Watcher was shown attempting to reason with him, pleading for peace while shielding bystanders. But the narrative cast Yahageshii as unyielding, bent on destruction.

Next came Ryuosho's depiction. Accused of murdering his friend and his friend's mother, Biyu, the broadcast showed him roaring in rage. The final sequence depicted Shingin kneeling amidst chaos, seemingly taking Ryuosho's life with his own hands. The fabricated scenes were stitched together seamlessly, painting Shingin and his allies as irredeemable villains.

Riyugi's hands clenched into fists, her nails biting into her palms. Her breath quickened as fury and sorrow overwhelmed her. "No… this can't be real. It's all lies…" she muttered, her voice a fragile wisp beneath the weight of her disbelief.

Suddenly, an explosion resounded from the distance, sending a shockwave rippling through the ruins. Vibrant tendrils of violet and yellow energy surged skyward, warping the air with oppressive heat. Riyugi spun toward the source, her eyes narrowing with determination.

Her tears had dried, replaced by an unyielding resolve. "I will uncover the truth. No matter what it takes."

With renewed purpose, she dashed toward the rising energy. The rubble crumbled beneath her swift strides, her silhouette growing faint against the backdrop of the setting sun. The pulsating light was not just a battlefield—it was a beacon guiding her to the answers she sought.

The epicenter of the energy roared with chaos. The ground beneath Shingin trembled as he clutched Ryuosho's limp body, his voice a guttural wail of despair that seemed to shake the very heavens. The air around him twisted with suffocating heat, every breath laden with agony.

Nearby, Ryuosho's battered form staggered forward, clutching his lifeless arm, its ethereal glow fading. His eyes widened in disbelief as he surveyed the scene. "The earth… it's mourning?"

Then, his gaze fell upon a figure consumed by Yahageshii's translucent flames. A Watcher disintegrated into nothingness, their very soul obliterated. The sight froze Ryuosho in his tracks, cold sweat streaming down his face. His voice caught in his throat, trembling with fear and dread.

Behind him, the sound of deliberate, rhythmic footsteps approached. A woman emerged, her elegant figure exuding a chilling aura of control. Her flowing garments brushed against the rubble as if untouched by the surrounding chaos. A wry smile played on her lips.

"To achieve my goals while eliminating him? Truly ingenious of me," she mused. Her tone was light, mocking. "Don't you agree, Watcher 18? Or should I call you 'Shapeshifter' instead?"

Ryuosho—no, the Watcher 18 known as Shapeshifter—grimaced, gripping his wounded arm. "Watcher 19, are you still so confident this is within your control?"

Watcher 19's gaze was imperious. "Control? Naturally. Do you think I make mistakes?" Her words were laced with amused disdain.

As the two exchanged barbs, a frail figure stepped through the swirling energy. It was Yuko, her steps faltering, her pallor ghostly. Despite her exhaustion, her eyes burned with sharp resolve. Fixing her glare on Watcher 19, her voice cut through the tension.

"Fourfold Illusion… A Forbidden Art of layered deception. Who are you, and where did you learn it?"

Yuko's accusation struck like a blade, shattering the tenuous calm. Watcher 19's playful smirk faltered as her gaze darkened. The battlefield fell silent, the echoes of Yuko's demand reverberating amidst the ruins. Shadows lengthened, heralding the storm yet to come.