The Village
Silence tightened.
That faint step—
Gone.
But the presence remained.
Hiroto Stands Still
Eyes focused.
Breathing steady.
"…There," he repeats.
All Eyes Shift
Goro doesn't question it.
Kenzaku doesn't speak.
Akari adjusts her stance.
Another Sound
—creak—
A door.
Slightly opening.
The Enemy Appears
A figure steps out.
Slow.
Unstable.
Head lowered.
Not Normal
Clothes torn.
Movements… off.
Like a puppet with loose strings.
Yui Whispers
"…What is that…?"
Watcher
"…Corrupted."
The Air Changes Instantly
Hostile now.
The Figure Lifts Its Head
Eyes—
Empty.
Then—
It lunges.
FAST
Too fast for its appearance.
Hiroto Moves
But not like before.
No panic.
No rush.
Step
Side.
The Attack Misses
Barely.
Control Holds
Hiroto turns—
Watches.
Not chasing.
Kenzaku Observing
Silent.
Focused.
The Enemy Attacks Again
Wild.
Uncontrolled.
Hiroto Waits
A fraction—
Then moves.
Cleaner this time.
Avoid.
Turn.
He Doesn't Strike Yet
Just… reading.
Goro Watches Closely
Not stepping in.
Third Attack
More aggressive.
More chaotic.
Hiroto Sees It
The pattern.
Or lack of it.
He Moves First
Not reacting—
Acting.
Step In
Close the distance.
Blade Drawn
Smooth.
Single Strike
Clean.
Precise.
Contact
—slash—
The figure freezes.
Then—
Drops.
Silence
No movement.
No second attack.
Yui Breathes Out
"…That was fast…"
Akari Watches Hiroto
Closely.
Hiroto Doesn't Relax Yet
Still watching.
Still focused.
Kenzaku Speaks
"…Good."
A pause.
"…You didn't rush the finish."
Goro Adds
"…You controlled the fight."
Hiroto Finally Lowers His Blade
Breathing steady.
"…Yeah…"
But his eyes shift.
Something's Wrong
"…That wasn't normal."
Goro Nods
"…No."
Watcher Speaks
"…Not alone."
Tension Returns
Akari tightens her grip.
"…There's more?"
Answer Comes Immediately
—CRASH—
A building door bursts open.
Another figure.
Then—
Another.
Multiple Enemies
Same empty eyes.
Same unstable movement.
The Village Isn't Empty
It's infected.
The Enforcer Grins
"…Now this is better."
Goro Steps Forward Slightly
"…Hold position."
Hiroto Tightens His Grip
But this time—
No fear.
No hesitation.
Final Line
As the enemies begin to surround them—
Kenzaku's voice cuts in:
"…Don't lose control now."
Hiroto's eyes sharpen.
"…I won't."
To be continued…