Chapter 274: The Aka Family’s Heirloom Necklace

Day after day, Usagi tirelessly asked every passerby the same question.

"Uncle, do you know where Setia is?"

She had repeated this line countless times. Most people would just shake their heads and walk away, some even waving her off impatiently. But this time, one of the men stopped, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Setia? Yeah, I know."

Usagi's eyes lit up instantly, her whole body ignited by the flame of hope.

"Really? Uncle, do you really know where Setia is?!" she pressed eagerly, her voice trembling with excitement.

The man's smile deepened, his tone lowering to a mysterious whisper. "Of course I know. Setia, huh… Come on, follow us. We'll take you to her."

Without hesitation, Usagi nodded. Her smile was brighter than the sun. Finally! Someone finally knew about Setia! Her efforts hadn't been in vain. Her persistence had finally paid off!

She followed the four men along the winding, rugged mountain path. Her steps were light, as if every step lifted her heart higher. Her smile was as soft as the moonlight, her eyes curving into thin crescents filled with pure anticipation. Finally, someone said they knew where Setia was. That rare, precious happiness radiated from her like a gentle glow.

The men were smiling too — but not with warmth. Their smiles were laced with suppressed vulgarity and greed, like predators eyeing prey about to stumble into their trap. Their dark eyes brimmed with possessiveness and malice.

Behind them, a tall figure in a mascot costume silently followed. His steps were steady, neither fast nor slow, and beneath the costume, cold, murderous intent gleamed in his hidden gaze.

Hayado had never let his guard down. He didn't believe that a bunch of thugs crawling out of some ravine would genuinely know where "Setia" was — much less lead Usagi there out of kindness.

And sure enough, his sharp ears caught the low murmur of their conversation — quiet whispers laced with sinister undertones:

"Such a pretty little thing… she'll fetch a good price, won't she?""Why sell her right away? Might as well have some fun first…"

Hayado's eyes darkened, the killing intent beneath his mask sharpening to a deadly edge. His fingers brushed the concealed blade hidden in his sleeve, his knuckles whitening. These bastards didn't deserve to live. But he didn't strike immediately. He waited, letting them dig their own graves.

The men must have sensed something. Their smiles stiffened as they exchanged glances. One of them turned back toward Usagi, putting on a fake, gentle smile.

"Little girl, we have some business to take care of. Just wait here for a bit, okay? Don't wander off."

Usagi blinked, showing no suspicion. She obediently sat down on a protruding rock by the path, placing her hands neatly on her lap, her smile soft and trusting. Her eyes still shimmered with hope — the hope of finding Setia.

The men slipped behind the cliffside. Their false smiles vanished, replaced by chilling vigilance. They stared at the figure that had been following them.

"You've been following us for a while," one of them growled. "What do you want?"

No response.

Only the sound of fabric tearing — the thick mascot costume splitting apart, revealing a flash of cold steel beneath.

In an instant, Hayado lunged forward, his dagger slicing through the air, aiming directly for one man's throat!

The man's eyes widened in shock. His hands flew to his neck as blood spurted from the precise slash. A muffled gurgle escaped his throat as he collapsed like a puppet with cut strings.

The other three froze for a split second before rage erupted. A burly man charged at Hayado, swinging a heavy fist, while another yanked a dagger from his belt.

But Hayado was faster. As the fist came toward him, he pushed off the ground, twisting midair like a shadow. His dagger flashed through the dim light — a thin line of crimson opened along the burly man's neck.

The man's eyes widened. His mouth gaped open in a silent scream as blood sprayed from his severed artery. He staggered backward, his body collapsing with a heavy thud.

The tall man beside him barely had time to process the horror before Hayado's dagger slit his throat with surgical precision. He dropped to his knees, hands clutching his neck, his breath reduced to a faint, pitiful rasp before his body stilled.

The last man's hand trembled as he raised his dagger. But Hayado's blade had already pierced his heart.

The man's pupils contracted. His lips parted as if to speak, but all that emerged was a faint "guh" before he sank to the ground, lifeless.

Suddenly—

A glint of steel flashed.

A gun barrel emerged from the shadows.

Bang!

The gunshot roared through the air. The bullet grazed Hayado's arm, drawing a sharp line of blood.

Damn it — an ambush?!

Hayado leaped into the shadows, his gaze cold and sharp as he scanned his surroundings. Finally, he spotted the sniper concealed on a distant cliffside — nearly impossible to detect if not for the glint of the gun's barrel.

The sniper prepared for a second shot, but Hayado's dagger was already flying through the air.

A flash of silver — the dagger embedded itself squarely in the sniper's forehead. The man's finger twitched on the trigger, but his body slumped and fell silently into the darkness.

The mountain fell into silence. Blood soaked into the earth.

Hayado exhaled slowly, cradling his bleeding arm as he approached the rock where Usagi still sat. She raised her head, her soft gaze meeting his bloodied figure.

Her smile hadn't faded. She looked as if nothing had happened.

"You couldn't… let me be happy for just a little longer?" she whispered, her voice soft as a night breeze over a lake.

Hayado stiffened.

"You knew?" he asked, frowning.

Usagi smiled faintly. "Of course. You think I'm that naive?"

She had known it was a lie. She had known all along. But she had chosen to believe in that fragile sliver of hope — even if it was false.

Hayado fell silent.

Usagi laughed softly. Her slender fingers brushed the delicate feather pendant hanging from her neck. She unclasped the necklace and placed it into Hayado's hand.

"Consider it… a token of gratitude. For your company, for your help."

Hayado stared at the small feather-shaped pendant swaying in his palm. It felt heavier than it should.

"This… is important to you, isn't it?"

"It's a proof of my family's legacy," Usagi said lightly. "But I didn't find Setia… so it doesn't matter anymore."

Hayado hesitated for a moment, then closed his fingers around the pendant.

"I'll keep it safe for you. And when I find Setia… I'll return it to you."

Usagi smiled wryly. "You should worry about yourself first. If it weren't for me, you'd be dead by that sniper's bullet."

Hayado froze.

"You… saved me?"

Usagi's eyes glinted mischievously. "Of course. You're welcome."

Hayado's face reddened slightly. He had thought Usagi was naive — only to realize he was the fool.

Usagi's gaze fell upon the necklace in his hand. Her voice softened to a whisper.

"…Thank you."

Hayado watched her quiet smile. The sunlight caught the pale contours of her face, casting a faint shadow beneath her lashes. His heart tightened.

He said nothing more — only gripping the pendant tightly as the breeze carried away the lingering scent of blood.