71 Night Mission

Apparently, Ayaka was half-expecting Kazuichi and Tris to join the group. After all, they weren't the type to turn a blind eye if someone were in a bind or, in this case, potential trouble. To the two of them, this decision was automatic, and it wasn't anything new.

"We can have dinner another time. It will give me relief if you go with the group, knowing that the two of you are quite well-versed in dealing with Aberrants." Ayaka pointed out, even though she only meant Kazuichi.

"Thank you, Ayaka. It would bother me to no end if they were to go without me. I couldn't just turn a blind eye since most of them are uninfected." Kazuichi continued.

On the other hand, Tris actually preferred staying and having dinner with Ayaka. However, after seeing the five-year-old Amaya, she was compelled to go with the group. She was well aware that it would make her feel embarrassed if she were to stay while the group went out.

"Well then," With a slight nod, Kazuichi and the group turned around, walking out of the drawbridge, which had already been brought down by the two nightguards stationed on both each of its sides.

"Wait, Kazuichi," Ayaka called out just before they got out of the Scarlet Blood Stronghold. Just like last time, she handed Kazuichi a paper bag. "You might need this. I hope you won't have to use it. But if you really have to, then please use it. You don't have to worry about how hard it was for me to acquire something like that."

Kazuichi balanced the bag on his palm, and his eyes widened. He knew exactly what was inside the paper bag, and she was surprised that Ayaka had more of it in her possession.

While the group sauntered out of the stronghold, Kazuichi turned around. He then stooped and leaned his body beside Ayaka before he addressed her. Based on his expression, it was clear that he was genuinely surprised at what Ayaka gave him. The others couldn't see what was going on though since they continued walking out of there.

"Where did you get this? How... how do you still have more of this?" Kazuichi whispered. Since he wasn't sure whether the people around them were aware of the contents of the paper bag, he decided to lower his voice so he wouldn't induce unnecessary panic.

"Oh please, Kazuichi. You've been wandering outside for more than two weeks now. You know how I obtained that... right... ? Or you weren't asking about my acquisition at all..." Ayaka trailed off, playfully winking at Kazuichi before giving him a quick peck on the cheeks. "Off you go, Kazuichi; the Aberrants don't have all day."

Kazuichi leaned in more, almost as if he was kissing Ayaka on the side of her neck. As for Ayaka, she flinched as she felt Kazuichi's breath on her neck. She didn't move away from him, though. For her, she was supposed to be the one doing the teasing, not Kazuichi.

"I know. Of course, I know how to get them. But how did you get something so high quality? Don't tell me... you..." Kazuichi hissed. If his assumptions were correct, that means the danger level of the outside world had just increased by twofold or more. If such a high-quality existed, that meant there was something more dangerous out there besides Aberrants.

"If you want me to answer your questions... then get rid of the Aberrants as fast as possible. We can talk as soon as you get back." Ayaka responded, patting Kazuichi on the shoulder as if she was expressing her farewell to her lover.

"We'll be back real quick. I hope you have answers to all my questions." Kazuichi heaved a sigh."Also... don't put yourself in trouble. An entire stronghold is dependent on you. I'm just saying this as a reminder." Kazuichi returned, curling his arm around Ayaka's back and giving her a hug before he rejoined the group.

"Take care out there, Kazuichi. Take care out there, everyone." Ayaka muttered under her breath as the drawbridge was slowly brought up.

...

It was half an hour before midnight, and the atmosphere had cooled to the point where everyone was shivering as they trudged through the almost barren forest right outside the territory of the Scarlet Blood Stronghold. The blowing breeze was light and gentle, but the frigid air gave everyone goosebumps. Even Amaya, who was snugly wearing a thick hoodie, was shivering in the cold while surrounded by the group. It's as if they were a huddle of penguins waddling through the ice.

Oddly enough, Kazuichi didn't feel cold at all. He was brimming with energy— or so that's what everyone perceived since he didn't show everyone that he experienced the cold as well. He was shivering inside, but he pushed himself to act normally while walking with the group.

"I know it's a late welcome, but it's good to have you back, Kazuichi-san." Izanagi Sano greeted. He had the urge to call Kazuichi by his first name, but he felt like he was overstepping his boundaries, so he added the 'san' at the end.

"Just Kazuichi. Kazuichi is fine." Kazuichi reminded him. "I'm relieved that you were able to get to the Scarlet Blood Stronghold. There were countless moments where I thought that you failed midway. When Tris and I were heading to the stronghold, I was even unsure whether everyone made it or not."

"To be honest, going here was pretty tough, but thanks to the hybrid blood in us and Amaya's Canary skill, we were able to survive. We barely met hordes, and even when we did, they were far enough, and we easily steered clear of them."

While Kazuichi and Sano were catching up with the past two weeks (and even reached the point where they talked about Kazuichi's weird actions, which led to plenty of misunderstandings), the group finally made it to the next city over where the supposed nest of Aberrants was located.

The leader of the group raised his hand, and everyone stopped to a halt. "We're here... don't let your guard do—"

Before he could finish what he was saying, Kazuichi covered his mouth. Kazuichi then beckoned for everyone to pay attention, all the while reminding them to stay quiet. With his free hand, he proceeded to point up, and what they saw almost made them shit their pants.

"What on actual—" Sano almost let out a bad word, but he stopped after seeing Tris cover her younger sister's ears.

Right there, in the middle of the city, was a huge monster. It was around five or six stories tall, and by the looks of it, it didn't seem like the friendly kind.