Returning to the van, the mbers of the 13th Demon Hunter Squad were finally able to relax their minds.
Although they didn’t go through any grueling, brutal battle, the trial was arguably worse than that.
After slaying the Tier II Demon-class monster ruling in Tsumogui, Zold led them once more to kill all the remaining Tier I Demon-class monsters.
Witnessing how effortlessly he killed each one, the mbers of the 13th Demon Hunter Squad both felt a sense of awe and apprehension towards their captain.
Inside the van, Ayase felt drowsy, her head falling as she slumped against Akihito’s shoulder, sleeping soundly.
Feeling her silky blue hair touch his skin, Akihito was startled awake.
He quickly turned his head, panicked.
"...!"
But upon seeing her peaceful expression, he froze.
After a brief pause, Akihito gently moved her head away, then let Ayase’s head fall on his lap.
Bump.
Ayase slept soundly, unaware of his actions.
Akihito took his demon hunter coat and laid it over Ayase’s body, covering her from the wind.
Ayase suddenly moved, snuggling closer to his body.
While Akihito felt embarrassed, a satisfied smile erged from his face.
"Pervert."
Hearing that, Akihito was startled, his cheeks reddening. He raised his head and saw that everyone was staring at them.
"... She’s tired."
He muttered, averting his eyes.
This ti, he didn’t try to reason out of it, resigning to his fate.
Seiji and Namita let out knowing hums, the forr smiling like a gossipy old woman.
But after teasing him once, they let it go, after all, even they were exhausted on this mission.
Seeing everyone’s tired expression, Zold allowed the mbers to sleep in the van for the ti being.
"We’ll return ho later tonight. For now, take so rest."
He said.
Everyone nodded quietly and then closed their eyes.
Zold was about to stand up, but at that mont, his phone suddenly rang in his pocket.
Ring...
He imdiately took it out, silencing the phone’s volu.
After a quick glance, he saw that it was Nagito who was calling him.
Zold raised his brows. He swept his gaze to the van before stepping outside.
Click!
He closed the van’s door and felt the chilling air of the countryside brush against his body.
"..."
After finding a peaceful spot, Zold answered the call.
"What is it this ti?" He asked calmly.
But from the other side of the phone...
[Zold.]
Nagito’s voice was heavy, causing Zold to frown deeply.
He didn’t say anything, letting Nagito explain.
But Nagito’s next words imdiately silenced him, causing a crack to his indifferent expression.
[Muramasa was stolen.]
"..."
Zold closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
[I didn’t...]
Nagito’s voice seed anxious, completely unlike the calmness he usually exuded.
"Nagito."
But Zold’s sharp voice coldly cut him off, anger evident in his tone.
"Have you forgotten our deal?"
[No, of course not.]
Nagito imdiately denied.
"Then, what do you an Muramasa is stolen?"
Zold repeated his words, his voice as cold as the wind around him.
[... I’ll figure out a way.]
Nagito said with difficulty.
"I’ll give you a week, Nagito."
Zold said seriously.
"In a week, if I still don’t have Muramasa in my hands, the deal is off."
Nagito was silent for a mont, then answered.
[Understood.]
"Get to it."
Zold dropped the call, the cold expression in his face turning indifferent.
It was unknown if he was truly angry or just pretending to be.
After he ascended to the Vital Spark stage, he began making preparations for his ascension to the next stage, the Blazing Life stage.
In the Vital Spark stage, there were four sub-stages: early, middle, high, and peak.
To ascend to the Blazing Life stage, one must acquire Origins, upgraded versions of skills similar to domain skills.
To ascend further in the Vital Spark stage, an awakener needed to form four Origins, one for each sub-stage.
Zold’s plan for his first and second Origin required Spirit Orbs that were exclusively in Nihono.
Thus, as early as the Global Summit, he already made a deal with Nagito.
In exchange for protecting Nihono during the Second Era Ending Calamity, Nagito must provide him with the Spirit Orbs he needed.
So of the Spirit Orbs were Nihono’s exclusive property, such as the sword of Muramasa.
The sword of Muramasa would later be possessed by the Demonic Spirit of Killing, making it one of the strongest demonic artifacts in the Second Era Ending Calamity.
Nagito was already negotiating with its owners, and Zold was supposed to receive it soon...
However, sothing went wrong at a crucial mont.
’The fish has taken the bait.’
Zold glanced at the sky, obscured by the mist of Tsumogui.
His eyes were calm and distant, utterly indifferent, as if everything was according to his expectations.
Soon, the moon rose.
In the evening, Akihito slowly woke up, feeling sothing soft on his head.
He opened his eyes, seeing a pretty woman around his age looking at him quietly.
’A dream?’
Akihito blinked again, but the pretty woman was still there.
Then, he blinked again just to make sure...
"What are you doing?"
Ayase suddenly asked, staring at him confusedly.
"Ah... Huh?"
Akihito smiled but couldn’t answer, unable to process the reality in front of him.
Ayase suddenly chuckled, shaking her head.
"You’re awake."
She said softly, causing an electrifying feeling in Akihito’s mind.
"...!"
Akihito was imdiately startled awake, his back straightening up.
He glanced at Ayase, then slightly below her, where he could see her knees, which he used as pillows.
Akihito’s brain froze for a mont.
’... I thought I was the one giving her a lap pillow. How did it change?! Was I mistaken?!’
Seeing his confusion, Ayase clarified.
"I woke up an hour ago."
"I just thought of repaying the favor. Thank you."
As if she had done nothing strange, she gave a quiet smile.
"... Yeah," Akihito cleared his throat, rubbing his cheeks nervously. Unable to look her in the eye, he looked downwards.
He quickly added. "Thank you, too."
"I’m glad."
Ayase nodded, her lips curving to a bright smile.
Then, they suddenly heard noises...
"It seems the lovebirds are awake."
"Kids these days, having no proprietary..."
"Seiji, you sound like a bitter old man. I an, not like. You are one."
"I’m definitely bitter, but not old!"
On the front seat, Seiji was in the driver’s seat, watching them through the interior mirror.
anwhile, Namita was on their left, looking at them expressionlessly. But the words coming out of his mouth were definitely unserious.
Before the two of them could defend themselves, the door to the van opened.
Schk!
They imdiately turn their gazes over, seeing their captain stand with an indifferent expression.
"Since all of you are awake, let’s go."
Zold said calmly, causing the van to fall silent.
Seiji imdiately shut up. He nodded slightly and flicked his wrist, starting the engine.
Chk!
Brmm...
On the right, Akihito and Ayase exchanged glances and closed their mouths, keeping their thoughts to themselves.
They sat down on the right side quietly.
Perhaps he knew or not, but Zold didn’t seem to care at all.
He went to the front seat, sitting beside Seijie.
"Let’s go."
He ordered calmly, leaving no room for objections.
Seiji nodded slightly, feeling slightly apprehensive.
Zold seed to be... colder than usual.
Soon, the van started moving.
Brmm...
Everyone couldn’t tell why, but they felt an ominous feeling rise in them.
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