The city didn't feel alive.
It moved.
People walked.
Voices filled the streets.
But none of it felt real.
It felt…
Tense.
Like something invisible stretched across everything.
Tight.
Ready to snap.
Groups gathered across the streets.
Small ones.
Large ones.
Weapons in hand.
Improvised.
Stolen.
Earned.
Eyes restless.
Constantly scanning.
Watching.
Waiting.
For night.
Because everyone knew—
When night came—
Everything would begin again.
Rishiro stood still.
Hands in his pockets.
Looking ahead.
Unmoving.
Unbothered.
Like the tension didn't reach him.
Maru glanced around.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Too crowded."
Daichi shifted the axe on his shoulder.
The weight familiar now.
"…Too noisy."
Hikari adjusted her glasses slowly.
Her gaze moved from group to group.
Analyzing.
"…Too unstable."
A small pause.
Rishiro spoke.
"…Too predictable."
Silence followed.
Then—
Footsteps.
Measured.
Confident.
A familiar voice cut through the air.
"Well, well."
Kenta stepped into view.
His group followed behind him.
Organized.
Structured.
Controlled.
Yumi stood beside him.
Quiet.
Watching.
Always watching.
Kenta's eyes locked onto Rishiro immediately.
A smirk formed.
"…You really did it."
A pause.
"…You made quite a mess."
The air grew heavier.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
"Some of my men didn't return."
His voice didn't rise.
Didn't accuse.
But the meaning—
Was clear.
He tilted his head slightly.
"…And the resources I sent."
Rishiro glanced at him once.
Barely.
"…Then don't send them."
Silence.
Immediate.
Kenta's smile twitched slightly.
Just for a moment.
"…Still acting like that, huh."
Daichi frowned.
"…Wait."
He looked between them.
Hikari's gaze shifted toward Rishiro.
"…What is he talking about?"
Maru's grip tightened.
Her eyes sharpened.
"…You didn't…"
Kenta sighed.
Like it was all boring.
"Relax."
"It was just a joke."
"…A joke?" Daichi stepped forward.
His voice edged with anger.
"You tried to kill him."
Kenta shrugged.
"He's alive."
A small pause.
"…So what's the issue?"
Hikari's voice turned sharp.
Cold.
"That's not a joke."
Maru's eyes hardened.
Her stance shifted slightly.
"…You're messed up."
Kenta waved it off casually.
Like it didn't matter.
"I didn't really want him dead."
A pause.
His smile returned.
Slightly sharper.
"…Just testing."
"…Enough."
Rishiro spoke.
And everything—
Stopped.
The noise.
The movement.
The tension.
All of it—
Paused.
He looked at Kenta.
A faint grin formed.
"…Next time."
A pause.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…there won't be a single one returning."
Silence.
Heavy.
Cold.
"…So be careful."
A mocking edge slipped into his tone.
For a second—
Kenta didn't respond.
Didn't smile.
Didn't speak.
Then—
He laughed.
"…You're insane."
"…Maybe."
Footsteps approached from the side.
Slower.
Hesitant.
"…Sir… Liar."
The words spread instantly.
Everyone paused.
Three teenagers stood there.
Nervous.
Tired.
But determined.
The boy stepped forward slightly.
"…You saved us."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it carried.
"That oni… we would've died."
A small pause.
"I'm Akira."
"…Mina."
"…Ryo."
They bowed slightly.
Respectful.
Grateful.
"…Thank you, Sir Liar."
A ripple passed through the nearby crowd.
Quiet.
But fast.
The name spread again.
Liar.
But this time—
It didn't sound like doubt.
It sounded like recognition.
Akira hesitated.
Then spoke again.
"…Can we join you?"
"Just until this event ends."
"There's only three of us now."
Daichi scratched the back of his head.
"…You sure?"
"We won't slow you down."
Silence.
All eyes turned—
To Rishiro.
He looked at them for a moment.
Measuring.
Thinking.
Then—
"…Do whatever you want."
They blinked.
Caught off guard.
"…Ask them."
He tilted his head slightly toward Maru, Daichi, and Hikari.
"…Not me."
A small pause.
"…I'm not a leader."
Akira nodded slowly.
"…Understood."
Something shifted.
Subtle.
But real.
Then—
The air changed.
Again.
Cold.
Heavy.
Wrong.
People slowly looked up.
"…He's back…"
High above—
A figure stood.
Elegant.
Relaxed.
Smiling.
Nurarihyon.
Watching everything below like it was entertainment.
"…My, my."
His voice spread across the city.
Soft.
But unavoidable.
"…Preparing already?"
No one moved.
No one spoke.
His gaze moved slowly across the gathered survivors.
Then—
Stopped.
On Rishiro.
A slow grin formed.
Interested.
"…Let me see."
A small pause.
"…how long you last."
Silence.
Absolute.
Rishiro looked up.
Still.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Then—
He smiled.
Not forced.
Not fake.
Genuine.
"…Finally."
A pause.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…this might get interesting."
The wind passed through the city.
Cold.
Carrying tension.
Carrying fear.
Carrying anticipation.
Because this—
Wasn't just preparation anymore.
This—
Was the beginning of something much bigger.
End of Chapter 31