Chapter 197: BUG and CHEAT Ability Users

At the crack of dawn, the old iron door of the warehouse creaked open. Shingin was the first to step inside, followed closely by Myouto, Seiki, and Gen. Dust danced in the shafts of sunlight filtering through, giving the air a hazy, dreamlike quality. Inside, three others were already waiting.

In the corner stood Lixy, her sharp, cropped hair exposing a pale forehead. Though her appearance was sweet and delicate, her gaze carried a cold detachment, creating a natural barrier that kept others at a distance.

"Yo, Lixy, you're here early," Myouto greeted casually, hands tucked in his pockets, his steps light as if he owned the place.

Lixy only nodded slightly in response, saying nothing.

On the other side, Touto stood upright, dressed simply but neatly. His unassuming appearance exuded reliability.

"Morning, Touto," Shingin called out with a smile.

"Morning," Touto replied in a steady, sincere voice.

Near the window, Shina leaned against the wall, wrapped in a light knit cardigan. She seemed fragile and ethereal, like a breeze might scatter her at any moment.

"Shina, are you feeling better today?" Shingin asked with concern.

Shina offered a faint smile and nodded. "Better, thank you," she replied softly, her voice as gentle as a whisper.

Despite their vastly different personalities, one thing united this group—music. It was their shared passion, the reason they often gathered in this warehouse to play and sing together.

That day was no different, and the warehouse soon filled with laughter and noise.

After a few songs, everyone set their instruments aside and sprawled on the floor to rest.

"How about hitting the market today?" Gen suggested, his tone brimming with eager anticipation.

"Again?" Seiki frowned, lazily holding a cigarette between his lips. "Last time, we nearly drove the shopkeepers insane."

"Who cares? One of them even gave us a spoon as a reward last time!" Myouto laughed heartily, slapping Gen on the shoulder. "Let's go. I've got plenty of time."

Lixy cast them a frosty glance but didn't comment. Touto and Shina exchanged a look before silently standing up, tacitly agreeing to the plan.

The market was lively as always, but this mischievous group was notorious for causing chaos.

In archery games, every arrow they fired hit the bullseye, drawing cheers from the crowd. At the goldfish scooping stall, they nearly emptied the tank, leaving the owner slack-jawed. When tossing rings, they swept nearly every prize off the table, forcing the vendor to shake his head in exasperation.

"You lot better not come back next time!" the vendor said with a wry smile as he watched them leave, their hands full of prizes.

But for these kids, the real fun was just beginning.

That evening, they prepared a special surprise.

As dusk fell, they gathered in a secluded forest, a serene haven untouched by the outside world. The air was thick with the scent of grass, and fireflies floated gently among the trees, casting a magical glow.

Kuhina's eyes sparkled with delight as she was led to the clearing. "Is this... for me?"

"Of course! Who else? Seiki?" Myouto teased, grinning.

Seiki rolled his eyes but didn't retort.

"Happy birthday, Kuhina," Shingin said, handing her a pair of sleek headphones.

Almost simultaneously, Myouto, Seiki, Gen, and the others presented their own headphones.

"You all got me headphones?" Kuhina was momentarily stunned but soon smiled radiantly. "Thank you, everyone. This is the best birthday gift I've ever received. Let's treat them as symbols of our friendship!"

Standing on a boulder, Myouto spread his arms like a king addressing his subjects. "From today on, I'm your leader! Your safety is my responsibility!"

Shingin clapped and even whistled. "Alright! All hail Myouto, our great leader!"

But Gen and Seiki weren't impressed.

"Who'd listen to you?" Seiki scoffed, cigarette still dangling from his lips.

"Yeah, count me out," Gen smirked, arms crossed in mock disdain.

Unfazed, Myouto grinned and rubbed his nose smugly. "Doesn't matter if you agree—I'm still the boss!"

Amid the laughter and banter, Kuhina covered her mouth, her eyes glistening with tears. She felt like the luckiest person in the world, surrounded by friends who would always have her back.

But their idyllic world was shattered in an instant.

The night sky darkened abruptly, and the air grew heavy with an oppressive force. From the depths of the forest, two sinister figures emerged.

Under the fractured sky, Watcher 09 hovered midair, a far cry from his usual composed demeanor. He looked disheveled, his stubbled face and unkempt appearance exuding weariness. But his eyes burned with a bloodthirsty madness, sharp and predatory, like a blade eager to tear its prey apart.

Beside him was Watcher 10, grotesque and twisted. His form was an unsettling blend of frog and octopus, with elongated limbs and writhing tentacles dripping with a viscous, unsettling sheen. His bulbous eyes gleamed with deranged excitement, as if relishing the hunt that was about to begin.

"Time to harvest some BUGs," Watcher 10 cackled, his raspy voice filled with glee. His tentacles lashed out, launching a barrage of needle-like projectiles.

"Run!" Gen shouted, raising his hand. A translucent barrier shimmered into existence, halting the deadly onslaught.

The battle for survival had begun.