-Vol 5: A New Life-

-Wiped-off from the map(1)-

“Why are you looking at me like that? Did you think I lied that time?” Kenshin felt annoyed by this, despite there are valid reasons for their distrusting.

“AH! I am sorry. We believe you, no problem. It's just that…okay nevermind. We should do something about the appearance of the monster in Yonezawa.” Yuki changed the subject. Even Aoi and Suguro fake coughed to hide their embarrassment. Kenshin gave them all a stern glare before sighing.

“You know, if that monster really came out of the dungeon, the same way this faceless giant came out, I am pretty sure its strength would be unimaginable. It's better if we call all the powerful hunters above 150 to assemble as soon as possible.” Kenshin adopted a very serious face and fiddled with his phone to find news about the huge monster attacking the town.

Soon he found a short video taken from someone’s phone, showing a vivid image of how dangerous and huge the monster was. It actually looks a bit like a black panther species with spurs all over its back. Also, red rune-like markings crawling like they were alive over its legs. The image was taken from quite far, as only these things were visible. The brief video ends with a huge tornado coming the cameraman’s way, blowing away everything.

After watching the video for a few more times, Kenshin finally kept the phone back in his pocket and started to contemplate about the creature. Currently, that creature was rampaging in Yonezawa. That place would sooner or later run out of people keep it at bay, then it might keep its sight to somewhere else.

‘Whatever happens, I must never allow it to step a foot towards Mito.’ Kenshin vowed in his heart as they all left the room together.

Aoi left with her team, she asked Kenshin to follow her, but he declined, saying that he had his own means of transport. Kenshin wanted to use Burrow or simply run, which was faster than Aoi’s helicopter. Amidst this, Kenshin called Joy’s phone.

“Hey, man Kenshin, where are you?” Joy picked up the phone and asked.

“DCB branch office Mito, you?”

“We are just about to reach there. you know what’s happening at Yonezawa, right?” Joy’s voice came from the other side.

“Yeah. We are going there as soon as you guys reach here.” After that, Kenshin canceled the call and waited for them to arrive. Yuki had already run off to her office to do the important work of gathering powerful hunters. Suguro had gone to send some help and also do some preventive measures, in case of the monster head for Mito.

15 minutes later…

“Hey, Kenshin!!” finally Joy and Chiba arrived. They looked worried and flustrated, especially Joy, who instantly came to Kenshin’s side and inspected him from all sides. Kenshin felt creeped out by this.

“What?” he couldn’t help but ask as he saw teary Chiba and weird Joy.

“You are alright, right, Kenshin?” Chiba came first while teary-eyed. She stepped closer to Kenshin and looked at him in the eye. Looking at her teary round eyes, even Kenshin felt a little guilty for reasons unknown.

“What can happen to me? Eh! Why are you guys like this?” Kenshin couldn’t understand them at all and was puzzled at their weird behaviors. He looked at Joy, who was also frowning and asked him with his eyes.

“Eh! Well, don’t you remember anything? You know, during your awakening process and all?” Joy asked, hesitant on how much he should reveal to Kenshin in this public area. Before coming here, he had told everything that happened during his visit to the dungeon, including the little episode of Kenshin attacking him. As expected, Chiba instantly became emotional and even started to cry, making Joy hurry so that they could reach Mito.

“Awakening? I don’t…did something happened? Wait! Joy, why are you there in the first place? That place was in ruins and ashes when I came to my senses.” Kenshin could instantly realize that he had lost control and had confronted by Joy during that time. Which the baldy later revealed to Chiba.

“I am sorry Kenshin, I am not strong enough to help you at all. I am…just weak…I can only see you getting attacked and do nothing else…I am sorry…” she cried while wiping away her tears with her closed fist. It seems what happened with Kenshin as well as the thing Joy revealed, they both had an emotional effect on the poor girl.

Kenshin and Joy’s eyes softened as they looked at the girl softly. Kenshin smiled and rubbed the girl’s head. Chiba looked at him with her tearstained eyes in confusion. Flashing her a bright smile, Kenshin said, “Get stronger then. Get stronger until the day comes when you can fight together with us. Don’t worry, until you catch up, we will just walk slowly. You don’t have to hasty, just take your time, and walk one step at a time.”

“That’s right. Don’t worry, we all are weak once upon a time. Just take your time. Besides, we are here to help you.” Joy also quipped in, feeling jealous because he was left out of the group. He jumped into the group and hugged them all. Coincidentally because of this Chiba, was profoundly pushed into Kenshin’s chest.

“Shit! Gorilla, let us go. You will press us to sandwich.” Kenshin shouted and tried to reprimand Joy, but the later was too excited to listen anything.

Several minutes later,

“Okay, Chiba, you can stay here and observe the situation at Yonezawa. Joy and I are going to join the fight.” Kenshin said and started to stretch.

“See you soon, Chiba.” Joy said and also prepared himself.

“You guys, what are you gonna do?” Chiba asked, weirded out by their behaviors. ‘If they are going to another town, why are they stretching like they are preparing for a marathon?’ she thought while seeing them stretch in the middle of the road.

“We run!” Kenshin answered.

“To Yonezawa?”

“Yes.” Joy said, while bending backward.

“You guys, have you gone mad or something? Why would you run all the way to Yonezawa while running? Why can't you take a train or something?” Chiba shouted, but both guys tuned her out.

“Hehe! Lets race Joy, the winner gets to obey the loser’s one wish.” Kenshin smirked, showing his 32 teeth.

“Really? Then I want to borrow your car for 3 days and 3 nights. In fact, give me the keys now.” Joy laughed and extended his hands towards Kenshin.

“Bullshit! You haven’t won yet. Besides, I won’t give my car even if I lose, so forget about it. Last time you took it, I have found a discarded bra behind my seat.” Kenshin raged at the embarrassing incident. That time, he couldn’t endure the look on Mrs. Yui’s face when Ellie pulled out that discarded piece of underwear from his car. She was still not talking with him normally, giving Kenshin endless anxiety.

“What? Don’t slander a gentleman with these lies. I have never done such things.” Joy defended himself, but that blush on his face gave him away.

“Shut up! I don’t want to hear your excuses. Damn! I am still too embarrassed to face Mrs. Yui. As a punishment, I am getting 2 seconds head-start.” Kenshin said, and before Joy could utter a protest, he had already taken off towards the direction of Yonezawa.

“Shit! Kenshin, you bastard cheater!!” Joy shouted indignantly and ran after Kenshin. The two’s silhouette soon vanished from Chiba’s field of view. She smiled despite herself at the two guy’s childish bickerings.

“Funny, ain't they?” a voice was heard, startling the poor girl. Turning around, she found its none other than Mrs. Yuki, the lady who made their party official as well as Kenshin’s supposed girlfriend.