Chapter 228: The Man Like a Living Corpse
Surviving against those inhuman lunatics had drained her to the core. Comfort and safety had become distant dreams. The rich aroma of food tugged at her hunger, but her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Hayato, the restless presence beside her.
"Tonight, I must treat myself to a good meal," she silently vowed.
Taking a deep breath, Usagi finally spoke, "Hayato, I need to take care of something. You stay here and behave yourself, alright?"
At her words, Hayato immediately became alert, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. "Where are you going? I'm coming too!"
Usagi had expected this reaction. She furrowed her brows and sighed, feigning helplessness. "It's a place for girls. What would you even do there? Just stay put and don't cause trouble."
Hearing the phrase "a place for girls," Hayato's expression stiffened. He scratched the back of his head, mumbling complaints under his breath before finally squatting down like a scolded child. "Fine… but you better come back soon!"
Usagi almost laughed at his reaction but suppressed it to avoid exposing her ruse. Turning swiftly, she walked away, relieved that Hayato had actually listened for once. He remained still, crouching like a sulking kid.
Leaning against a wall after a few steps, Usagi exhaled slowly. The weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter. Hayato's constant presence had kept her nerves taut, fearing he would drag her into more trouble at any moment.
Now free from his watch, she walked towards the hot springs, hoping for a brief respite. The past days had left her exhausted beyond measure; even something as simple as a warm meal or a good night's sleep felt like a luxury.
The mist from the hot springs enveloped the air, forming a delicate veil that separated her from the outside world. Choosing a secluded spot, she swiftly undressed and immersed herself in the warm embrace of the water. The instant heat seeped into her skin, an indescribable relief washed over her.
Her slender frame relaxed, and her pale skin took on a faint rosy hue in the steam. Droplets of water traced elegant lines down her shoulders before disappearing beneath the surface. She leaned back against the rocks, eyes fluttering shut as the warmth wrapped around her, dissolving the fatigue and tension clinging to her body.
For the first time in a long while, her thoughts drifted peacefully, untangled from the chaos of survival. The dangers and horrors she had faced momentarily faded, leaving only the quiet bliss of the moment. A soft sigh escaped her lips, a small smile forming. This fleeting peace was something she had almost forgotten.
Feeling her strength slowly return, Usagi sat up and wiped the droplets from her face, casually tying her damp twin tails back in place. As she slipped into her coat, she cast a final glance at the mist-shrouded hot spring, a silent gratitude in her heart before she disappeared into the night.
Returning to the bustling marketplace, she blended into the crowd, swiftly snatching a few snacks from the stalls as she passed. Her hands were full, yet she still bit into a steaming takoyaki, savoring the warmth that spread through her.
"Should I bring something back for Hayato?" she mused between bites. Annoying as he was, she didn't want him to go hungry.
But the unease lingering in her heart did not dissipate. Raising her head, she gazed at the towering skyscrapers of Sonia City. Its dazzling prosperity clashed starkly with her current fugitive state. The looming threat of bounty hunters and the Watchers remained a suffocating shadow over her.
Determined to make good use of this brief respite, Usagi ventured into the city's hidden corners, searching for a safe refuge—somewhere she could disappear when necessary.
Leaving behind the vibrant streets, she stepped into an abandoned construction site. Unfinished steel frameworks loomed above, while scattered equipment lay forgotten. Cracked walls bore the marks of time, and weeds sprouted through the fissures in the pavement, adding an eerie desolation to the place.
She moved with caution, her steps light. Yet, no matter how careful she was, the crunch of gravel beneath her feet sounded painfully loud in the silence.
"No one should be here… right?" Usagi murmured, scanning her surroundings.
Just as she was about to leave and reunite with Hayato, a flicker of movement caught her attention.
From within the depths of the darkened scaffolding, a pair of eyes ignited like ghostly embers.
Red and pale, intertwining in an unnatural glow. They fixed upon her with an eerie stillness, devoid of sound or motion, yet radiating an overwhelming sense of oppression.
A cold shiver raced down Usagi's spine. Her throat tightened, and her heart pounded violently against her ribs. She instinctively stepped back, only to kick against a loose steel pipe. The sharp clang shattered the silence.
The eyes twitched ever so slightly, and a hint of savage intent flickered within them.
Usagi held her breath, fingers tightening around her twin blades. The man emerging from the shadows was tall and gaunt, his figure exuding a chilling presence. His crimson gaze flickered ominously, as if peering straight into her soul. Attacking might be an option, but his slow, deliberate steps betrayed no urgency, only a calculated patience that unsettled her further.
With an air of ghostly calm, he stepped forward, exuding a bone-chilling aura. Each movement seemed stretched out, as if savoring her unease. Usagi instinctively retreated, every fiber of her being screaming caution.
"Who are you?" she demanded, forcing her voice to remain steady. Yet, the tautness in her tone betrayed her wariness.
As the dim light revealed more of his face beneath his hood, her breath hitched.
His skin was deathly pale, stretched tightly over sharp cheekbones, lifeless as if submerged in icy water. The hollowed features were eerily well-defined, yet utterly devoid of warmth. He was a walking corpse.
But it was his eyes that sent a true chill through her. Crimson pupils against lifeless white sclera, an unnerving contrast that made it painful to look directly at him. Even with most of his face concealed beneath a dark hood and mask, the little that was visible was more than enough to invoke dread.
Usagi's spine locked with tension, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. She had seen many terrifying beings before, but this man—he was something else entirely.
Something utterly inhuman.