Chapter 279: A Heart Torn Apart by Silence

Akari's figure shot through the night, his tattered clothes marked with the traces of battle, stained with blood. Yet his body was unharmed—he wasn't even scratched. His pocket held the soft wool fibers of a map of Astraea, evidently taken from the soldiers. But there was no joy in his expression. He walked silently toward Hayado's lifeless body, his gaze complicated and quiet, the previous madness in his eyes replaced by a void-like abyss.

Usagi knelt by Hayado's body, gently caressing his cold face, tears flowing unchecked. The sound of Akari's footsteps reached her ears, and she slowly lifted her head. Her eyes were filled with coldness and accusation.

"Now you show up? What's the point?" Her voice was cold, like a blade stabbing into Akari's heart.

Akari remained silent, his face expressionless.

Just then, Kanto and Lixy arrived, breathless. They had clearly survived the explosion, though Kanto's hair was scorched and curled from the heat.

Kanto stood at a distance, frowning at the scene before him. He didn't dare to speak, afraid to shatter the oppressive silence.

Usagi slowly laid Hayado's body on the soft grass with the tenderness of handling a precious treasure. Then she stood up, her heavy steps bringing her closer to Akari. Each step felt like a hammer striking his heart.

"Was it fun?" Usagi's voice was low, trembling with suppressed rage and sorrow. "Toying with people as they died—was it fun for you?"

Akari remained silent, his lowered gaze betraying a silent torment.

Without warning, Usagi's hand shot out. A crisp slap echoed through the quiet night. Akari's face turned to the side, but he didn't react. His expression remained as calm as ever, his eyes devoid of emotion.

Kanto took a step forward, intending to stop Usagi. But when he saw the tears streaming down her face, he stopped and lowered his head in silence.

Usagi's anger surged uncontrollably. She glared at Akari, her voice sharp and trembling. "Talking to your dead sister while people were dying—did that make you happy?"

"Didn't you always have a flawless plan?! Say something now!"

"Call your sister! Call Akane out!!"

Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!

Blow after blow, Usagi slapped Akari's face, her pain and rage splattering with each strike. Her hand grew red from the force, but Akari didn't resist or evade. He simply stood there, motionless.

"Say something! SAY SOMETHING!!" Usagi screamed, grabbing Akari by the collar. Her voice was raw with despair, as if blaming him for everything that had happened.

Akari finally moved. He lifted his hand and gently removed Usagi's grasp from his collar. His voice was cold and heavy, weighed down by something unspeakable.

"There won't be a next time... I'm done playing."

Everyone froze. Usagi stopped crying, her trembling fingers loosening their hold on his collar.

The night breeze swept past them, carrying the scent of grass and leaves. But it couldn't carry away the scars left behind—it couldn't erase the pain etched into their hearts.

Kanto's composure finally shattered. He raised his gun toward the sky and pulled the trigger repeatedly. The deafening sound of gunfire mixed with his anguished screams as they tore through the night.

"AAAAHHHHHHHH!!! SUDO YUYOU!!! If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been too late!!!"

His face twisted with rage and pain, his hands gripping the gun so tightly that it seemed ready to break. Kanto had always been confident and composed—but now he was unrecognizable.

Akari's gaze sharpened slightly. His tone grew serious.

"Who… is he?"

Kanto's breathing was ragged. He lowered his gun and turned to Akari, teeth gritted. "Orange eyes… A madman. And…" He hesitated, as if organizing his thoughts. "I suspect his ability is… time."

"Time?" Akari frowned, his gaze sharpening.

Kanto nodded. His voice was cold and certain. "Yes. Time. It sounds insane, but that guy's very existence is insane. The only reason I escaped was because of that suspicion."

Akari fell into deep silence, his dark gaze scanning the horizon as if deciphering the hidden meaning behind those words. Kanto was still breathing heavily, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination.

"Orange eyes… If it's really time…" Akari muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with wariness and dread.

The night fell into a suffocating stillness. The breeze stirred the grass and scattered fallen leaves, taking away the remnants of rage and madness—but it couldn't erase the lingering shock and fear etched into their souls.