[83] The Evil of Return

When Kaoru arrived at the infirmary, he immediately sensed the tension in the room. Everyone was already waiting for him, their expressions varied. Asuka looked annoyed, her arms crossed over her chest, while Shiranui seemed a little anxious, with Yukikaze standing beside her, her face showing an evaluative gaze. Yatsu merely sighed deeply, while Asagi, who rarely showed emotion, remained calm, though there was a clear sense of respect in her eyes.

"Finally, Kaoru," Asuka's voice broke the silence, her tone filled with tension. "Where have you been? Do you know how worried we were?" She stepped closer, her face a mix of anger and concern.

"Hmm?" Asuka moved even closer, so close that her large chest pressed against Kaoru's stomach. "You say you were getting some fresh air? Then why do I smell another woman on you?" Her tone was soft, but the threat in her voice was unmistakable.

Kaoru immediately panicked, feeling his heart almost leap out of his chest. "W-Wait, Asuka! Listen to me! I really was just getting some fresh air! I'm not lying!" He stammered, worried that Asuka might actually go full yandere on him.

Asuka narrowed her eyes as if weighing Kaoru's words before finally giving a thin smile. "Hmph, if that's the case, then good!" she said, though it was clear she wasn't entirely satisfied.

After a bit of heated back-and-forth between the couple, the atmosphere in the room lightened, though two other women quietly felt a twinge of jealousy watching their closeness.

As things started to settle, Asagi stepped forward, her eyes filled with deep gratitude. "Ah, Asagi-san. Long time no see," Kaoru greeted in a calmer tone, trying to balance the conversation after the previous tension.

"Yes, it's been a while, Kaoru-san," Asagi replied with a polite nod. She appeared much more at ease now compared to the last time Kaoru had seen her when the issue with Kousuke still weighed on everyone's minds.

Asagi then bowed gracefully, following the Japanese tradition that conveyed respect and thanks. "Thank you so much, Kaoru-san. Thanks to your help, Kousuke has returned to his normal self."

Kaoru waved his hand dismissively, trying to downplay the formal gesture. "Ah, it's nothing. Honestly, I did it because Asuka was whining like a little kid, and I couldn't stand to see her like that," he said with a playful glance at Asuka, who immediately shot him a sharp look.

"Kaoru! Don't make excuses like that!" Asuka pinched his stomach hard, making Kaoru wince a little. "Ow! Asuka, I was just kidding!"

Everyone in the room chuckled, including Asagi, who seemed relieved after expressing her gratitude. The moment highlighted the importance of the relationships between the characters while bringing some light-hearted humor amid the underlying tensions.

"Even so, I want to offer my thanks. If you ever need anything or as repayment, let me know. I wouldn't mind doing something... adult when you want it," Asagi stood up with a serious expression, her eyes intently watching Kaoru. There was a deep undertone to her words that made the atmosphere slightly tense.

Kaoru was stunned for a moment, trying to process Asagi's meaning. "Ahahaha~, if that's the case, I might not survive," he replied with an awkward laugh, attempting to shift the focus away from the intensity of Asagi's statement.

However, beside him, Asuka shot a sharp look at Kaoru, her expression signaling her displeasure with the direction the conversation had taken. "You better watch your words, Kaoru. Asagi can be quite... seductive when she wants to be," she warned, though there was a mischievous smile on her lips.

Asagi merely smiled lightly, seemingly enjoying the attention. "Oh, don't worry, Asuka. I'm just teasing. Kaoru has enough on his plate with his own affairs," she said, though there was a subtle challenge in her tone.

Kaoru scratched his head, feeling caught between two very different women. "Yeah, yeah, I'll think about the offer," he said, trying to ease the tension, but he felt like he was walking on the edge of a cliff.

Asuka hissed softly, "Just remember, I'll always be watching." She showed no signs of backing down, her sharp gaze still focused on Kaoru, making him feel even more pressured.

"By the way," Yatsu interrupted the awkward situation, trying to divert everyone's attention. "Your energy recovery is quite fast, Kaoru. I thought it would take at least a week."

Kaoru nodded with a smile. "Ah, don't worry. I'm fine for now, but to fully recharge my energy, I'll need just one day of rest." He looked around at his friends, feeling content with how things were.

Yatsu frowned, looking a bit disappointed. "Ah, I see…" She seemed to have expected something more from Kaoru's recovery.

Light conversation followed, filling the room with laughter and banter. However, the warm atmosphere soon cooled as Asagi excused herself. "I have to go now. There are some things I need to take care of," she said, waving before leaving the room.

After Asagi left, Yatsu continued, "Oh, right, I received news from the village elders. They said you all are welcome to stay in the village. They'll take care of you, especially you, Kaoru, as a tourist."

Kaoru looked surprised and excited. "Oh, that sounds interesting!"

Yatsu nodded. "In that case, Yukikaze will be your guide."

"Me?" Yukikaze pointed to herself, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Of course, who else?" Yatsu replied in a casual tone.

Yukikaze sighed, trying to hide her embarrassment. She was a well-known troublemaker at the Gosha Academy, often skipping classes just to play FPS-themed online games in the school's infirmary. "Alright, fine..." she muttered.

Then, they all left the infirmary building. Yatsu sighed deeply and returned to her work as a doctor.

Meanwhile, in America, in the basement of the Nomad corporation building, a secret bio-weapon research lab buzzed with activity. A middle-aged man with dark grey hair and grey eyes was busy typing away at a keyboard in front of a computer. His name was Kiryuu Sabato, known as the Devil Scientist.

Behind him, a large, bold man watched anxiously. His hands were massive, with long fingers that looked ready to grasp anything. He was Fürst, an executive member of Nomad. When Edwin Black wasn't present, Fürst acted as the interim leader and was deeply loyal to Edwin Black.

"Can't you hurry it up, Kiryuu?" Fürst asked, his voice laced with impatience.

"Tch, be patient, old man. It's not easy cracking this code!" Kiryuu snapped, clearly annoyed by Fürst's constant pressure.

In front of them was an incubation tube, and inside it lay a man who resembled Edwin Black but in a younger version. His face appeared peaceful, as though he was in a deep hibernation.

"I can't believe someone managed to kill my master, Edwin," Fürst said, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Ah, I didn't expect it either. The boss is known as an immortal vampire. He's a daywalker; silver and sunlight can't kill him," Kiryuu replied without taking his eyes off the computer screen.

"I even prepared a combined army of considerable size to attack the village of Gohsa. But my master was slain by an unknown figure," Fürst's voice was filled with frustration, reflecting his desperation in facing the situation.

"Shh! He's not dead; he's going to be reborn in his new body!" Kiryuu exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement as he finally cracked the code on the computer screen. At that moment, the man inside the incubation tube suddenly opened his eyes, which gleamed with a mysterious light.

Fürst was taken aback, watching the transformation. "Are you sure this is safe?" he asked, though his tone showed more curiosity than fear.

"Of course! With the technology we have, we'll bring the boss back with new powers. This is the start of something much bigger!" Kiryuu replied confidently, proud of his breakthrough.

Meanwhile, inside the tube, the young man began to move slowly, his gaze revealing the presence of a power that had yet to fully awaken. Someone with the potential to change everything—a new Edwin Black, ready to conquer the world.

As the tension filled the room, Kiryuu and Fürst prepared to witness the rebirth of their master. A bigger battle was likely on the horizon, and they knew they had to be ready for whatever was coming next.