Chapter 212: The Gallows at the Brink of Madness
Hayato watched as Usagi's frail arm fell limply by her side, his gaze akin to admiring a delicate treasure. He muttered something under his breath, then hoisted her onto his back. Usagi's face pressed against his shoulder, her shallow breaths warm against his skin. Her body heat seeped through his clothes, prompting a twisted smile of satisfaction to creep across Hayato's face. He took off his rabbit-patterned coat and wrapped them tightly together, clinging to her like a madman unwilling to let go.
"I won't let you fall, Usagi," he murmured hoarsely, his voice full of deranged tenderness.
Suddenly, the sharp sound of rushing air tore through the silence—"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Dozens of figures descended rapidly from the sky, landing on the rocky ground with heavy thuds. Clad in battle gear, they surrounded Hayato in a tight circle. At the forefront of the group stood two particularly striking figures—Shiji and Rinro.
Shiji's gaze immediately locked onto Usagi slumped on Hayato's back. Her face was pale as paper, her frail state a heartbreaking sight. A deep fury darkened Shiji's eyes, his anger surging like a tidal wave. His fists clenched tightly, teeth grinding with enough force to shatter.
"Hand over Usagi!" Shiji roared, his voice trembling with unrestrained rage and anguish.
At his words, Hayato's sneer vanished. Slowly, he lifted his head, his expression growing eerie and sinister. His pupils dilated unnaturally, and a crazed smile twisted his lips. His voice was low and trembling, like a long-suppressed beast finally unleashing its roar. "Usagi is mine! She's my treasure and will never leave me!"
Shiji's eyes turned steely, clearly unwilling to waste more words on this madman. He unsheathed his twin blades with a sharp metallic ring, launching himself toward Hayato like an arrow loosed from its bow. The blades gleamed coldly in the moonlight, their edges mercilessly sharp.
Rinro also drew his dual pistols, aiming at Hayato's head and heart. His fingers tightened on the triggers, ready to fire at any moment. The others formed a defensive stance, their weapons trained on Hayato. The air grew thick with the tension of impending violence.
Hayato, however, remained unfazed. His smile widened into a grotesque grin, his gaze defiant and frenzied. Hugging Usagi tightly, he took a small step back, as though calculating his escape route.
"Come on," Hayato whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling with excitement. "Anyone who dares to touch my Usagi will regret it!"
With a roar, Shiji charged, his fury blazing like an inferno. The wind howled as it whipped around him, creating a swirling vortex. He was like a god of war, descending with unparalleled momentum. His twin blades, glowing with lethal intent, slashed down with devastating force.
The blades cut through the air with a sharp whistle, their power so immense that the surrounding trees lost their leaves, which were swept into the storm. The impact left a deep, jagged crack in the ground, sending debris flying in all directions. The scene was apocalyptic.
Yet, the center of the crack was empty—Hayato had vanished without a trace.
Shiji quickly retracted his blades, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Cold sweat trickled down his temple. He knew all too well the eerie and swift movements of Hayato, whose ghost-like speed made him nearly impossible to track.
"Stay alert, Shiji! Over there!" Rinro called out, his voice urgent as his pistols locked onto their target. Hayato moved like a panther, crouched low and darting through the battlefield with inhuman agility. Exploiting the wind's currents, he adjusted his speed and trajectory with uncanny precision, fully commanding the terrain.
"Damn it…" Rinro cursed under his breath. Shooting was no longer an option.
Hayato seemed to meld with the wind, slipping through the encirclement in mere moments. Before anyone could react, he appeared behind one of the combatants.
The sound of a dagger slicing through the air broke the tension. In an instant, the blade plunged into the combatant's chest, piercing his heart with unerring accuracy. The force was so great that the hilt embedded itself deep within his flesh, ripping apart the heart in a grisly display. Blood sprayed like a fountain, the dagger falling to the ground along with the faint warmth of the man's lifeless body.
The victim froze, terror etched on his face. He didn't even have time to scream before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Meanwhile, Hayato's other hand had already prepared another dagger. He hurled it with precision at another man who had noticed his presence. The blade gleamed as it flew through the air. Though the man managed to dodge, Hayato's relentless aggression left no room for respite.
Hayato leaped with the ferocity of a beast, his powerful limbs propelling him forward. In the blink of an eye, he was on the man's shoulders, exuding an aura of unrelenting menace.
The man swung his sword in desperation, trying to strike Hayato. But Hayato's grin was that of a demon. He lunged forward, sinking his teeth into the man's eye with a sickening crunch.
"Squish—"
The grotesque sound of bursting flesh echoed as blood spurted out, painting Hayato's face crimson. The man screamed in agony, thrashing wildly. Yet Hayato clung to him like a predator devouring its prey. With a vicious jerk, he tore off a chunk of flesh.
The scream abruptly stopped. Hayato's dagger flashed, slitting the man's throat with surgical precision. Blood gushed out like a torrent, soaking Hayato's figure. He leaped off the corpse with feline grace, spitting out the remains of the eye with a deranged chuckle.
"Tch, delicious," Hayato muttered, his voice tinged with madness. His gaze burned with fanatical intensity.
Shiji witnessed the carnage from afar, his chest heaving with rage. His grip on the twin blades tightened until his knuckles turned white. He glared at Hayato, his face a storm of fury and disgust.
"Hayato!" Shiji roared, his voice resonating with unbridled wrath. Wind swirled around him, roaring like an unstoppable tempest. He vowed to end the lunatic before him, no matter the cost.
"I will end you myself!"
Before the last word left his lips, Shiji's twin blades descended like thunderbolts, radiating lethal intent. His every strike carried the weight of his burning hatred. The winds grew fiercer, threatening to engulf Hayato entirely.