Chapter 57 - Sewer Strategy and Catastrophic Plans
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The sewer reeked like someone boiled old socks, rotten eggs, and a dash of dead rat into a cursed soup. Ryuuji gagged dramatically every five steps, clutching his nose with both hands.
"I deserve a raise," he coughed. "No, I deserve a new career."
"Charm my foot," Mira snapped. "If you whine one more time, I'm leaving you here as sewer decoration."
"Joke's on you, I'd be the most handsome decoration in history." Ryuuji stumbled over a puddle, yelped, and nearly fell face-first into the sludge. "I think something grabbed my ankle!"
"It's called water," Tora deadpanned, barely looking up from his wrist computer.
"Water doesn't usually wiggle," Ryuuji muttered.
Hotaru ignored them, eyes scanning every shadow. "Sai, these tunnels — how much do you remember?"
Sai wiped his dirty hands on his pants, then sketched a quick map onto the damp wall. "This place is a maze, and half of it's caved in. Shiro and I used to hide here as kids, but even we avoided certain parts."
Mira leaned closer, eyebrow raised. "Certain parts?"
"We called them the 'Meat Grinder.'" Sai's tone was casual, but his face was tense.
Ryuuji froze mid-step. "You couldn't have mentioned that before we walked into this glorified toilet?"
"We're avoiding that section," Hotaru cut in. "Stick to the plan."
But Kuro suddenly arched his back, fur bristling. He hissed into the darkness, eyes locked on something they couldn't see.
"Great. Cat's predicting death again," Tora groaned. "Always a fun sign."
Without warning, a metallic clang rang out. Behind them, a manhole cover slammed shut. Ahead, another dropped into place. They were sealed in.
"Trap number two," Hotaru muttered. "Shiro's getting predictable."
A drone descended from the ceiling, blades whirring, a glowing red eye locked onto them.
"HELLO, LOVELY FUGITIVES!" it chirped in a disturbingly cheerful tone. "WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SLICED OR DICED?"
"I vote neither!" Ryuuji snatched up a rusty pipe and hurled it at the drone. It bounced off harmlessly.
"Well, that did nothing," Mira sighed.
"Stand back." Hotaru stepped forward, sword flashing in the dim light. One smooth arc and the drone split in two, sparks showering the tunnel.
"I'm both terrified and impressed," Ryuuji muttered. "Mostly terrified."
"No time for flirting," Mira yanked him forward by his collar. "We need an exit plan."
They found an old maintenance alcove — rusted tools scattered everywhere, graffiti from long-gone gangs covering the walls. Sai knelt down, tracing their options in the grime.
"Route A gets us out faster," Sai said. "But Shiro's expecting that. Route B's slower but more hidden."
"Route C?" Mira asked.
Sai hesitated. "…Meat Grinder."
Ryuuji raised a shaky hand. "As team coward, I vote Route B."
"B it is," Hotaru said. "Tora, send a decoy signal toward Route A — make Shiro think we took the bait."
"Already on it," Tora grinned, fingers flying over his wrist screen.
They moved fast, but the silence was unnerving. Even Ryuuji stayed quiet, which was a rare miracle. Kuro led the way, tail twitching like a furry radar.
"Why isn't Shiro sending more drones?" Mira asked.
"Because he's saving something worse," Sai said.
Then Ryuuji tripped over something sharp. He picked it up — a small dagger, crusted with dried blood.
"That's…not comforting," he said.
Sai's face darkened. "That's Shiro's knife. He always left them behind as warnings."
"So he's not just watching us," Hotaru said, voice low. "He's already here."
The weight of that truth pressed down on all of them. For a few beats, no one spoke.
Then Hotaru broke the silence. "New plan. We stop running."
"Wait, what?" Ryuuji's voice cracked. "You mean fight him?"
"No." Hotaru's eyes narrowed. "I mean we hunt him down."
Mira grinned. "Finally."
"You people are insane," Ryuuji groaned. "And yet, here I am."
Kuro gave a sharp meow, his eyes shining in the dark like two tiny flames.
"Guess we're all crazy together," Sai said, leading them deeper into the tunnel.
Unbeknownst to them, a hidden camera blinked red, broadcasting every move to Shiro's private screen.
"Come find me," Shiro whispered, his grin cold. "This time, I won't hold back."
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End of Chapter 57
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