Chapter 42 – An Experimental Pitstop

Mito shoots back in shock when the creature's eyeball shoots to his hand. Before either of us can react, it burrows beneath his skin where nothing can touch it. Understandably, Mito freaks out and tries to smack his arm as it climbs up under his skin. It makes its way to his neck, his face, and ultimately his eyeball. I'm powerless to do anything but watch.

Mito covers his eyeball with his hand and screams in pain as his organic eyeball is replaced with the Shapeshifting treasure.

Adachi: "Mito! Calm down and breathe. This treasure could be dangerous, so cut off all your midst flow to be safe. We need to get you back to the dojo. Shiki will know what to do."

Mito continues covering his eye with his hand and occasionally winces in pain as we walk out of Hell's Arena. We find the collar master with her throat slit when we reach the surface. I'm shocked and turn to Mito for an explanation. He silently shakes his head to indicate that he isn't responsible for this. We just lost our evidence, damn it. Not only that, but Lord Gishie's whereabouts are unknown, and he's likely preparing to burn the trail of evidence he's left behind. We need to act quickly, or this mission will utterly fail.

We arrive at the dojo soon after, finding Kina in the infirmary.

Kina: "What the hell happened?"

Adachi: "I don't have time to give all the details. Mito's left eye has been replaced with a very dangerous treasure, and I'm in pretty rough shape. Our witness was killed while we were... occupied."

While I talk, Kina is lying Mito down in one of the infirmary beds. She hands him something to drink that I assume will put him to sleep for a while.

Adachi: "I have to go before Lord Gishie covers his tracks. Tell the others-"

Before I have a chance to slip out of the room, Kina grabs my arm.

Kina: "Oh no, you don't! You're too busted up to go out there!"

Adachi: "I have to do it anyways. I can't let this all be for nothing."

Kina looks frustrated but sympathetic.

Kina: "Fine, but drink this first."

She hands me a small bottle of glistening liquid which resembles the resin of Dodona seeds.

Kina: "This is a prototype of something I've been working on, but it has multiple times the effectiveness of a Dodona seed. It'll multiply your healing factor for the next few hours as well. Though I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, so it may not work..."

I chug the contents of the bottle and toss it back to Kina.

Adachi: "Thanks, Kina! You're a great doctor."

I dash out the door with a destination in mind. If I've lost my element of surprise, I may as well go to the manor's front door.