663,

Without sparing a thought for how everyone behind her would keep up, Onigashima had already vanished from sight. Thankfully, Yuna reacted at once and immediately gave Little Dragon her instructions.

“Little Dragon, take everyone and follow me.”

“Understood.”

With that, Yuna flew out through the window too, and Cyclone’s group began tracking Feng’er.

It was the middle of the night, and no one was lingering in the streets.

Especially after the battle with the Great Dragon, Kakarl’s streets were even quieter at night.

That was probably for the best. Cyclone didn’t want to disturb anyone with so many people chasing a single baby corpse ghoul—or have something strange suddenly jump out at them along the way.

But the whole pursuit turned out nothing like Cyclone had imagined.

Feng’er’s laughter did occasionally drift over from all directions. But if you listened closely, the bell’s sound always came from a single direction, moving at a steady, unhurried pace.

Perhaps this was how nature kept things in balance. To make up for its lack of speed, the baby corpse ghoul had the ability to cast illusions.

But with the bell’s help, tracking Feng’er became brutally simple. The illusions had no effect at all.

That was the value of experience. With enough preparation, everything went smoothly.

Onigashima moved slowly ahead, while Yuna watched from the rooftop of a building, keeping out of sight.

Farther back, Little Dragon led the others as they followed Yuna.

“This is…”

Halfway there, Elyse noticed something.

Every place they passed was somewhere Cyclone had taken Elyse to visit that day.

For once, as she wondered whether this was fate or coincidence, Yuna sent a signal to Little Dragon.

Little Dragon saw it and told Cyclone,

“Looks like she wants us to catch up.”

Cyclone held Elyse close, and the two exchanged a nod.

They were both ready. Cyclone led Elyse to the very front, just behind Onigashima.

It was a small plaza, with a large tree in the middle and a bench on each of its four sides.

Small stone bricks bordered the central area. It was the only place with soil to nourish the tree, and Onigashima stood before it.

Cyclone stepped forward. Without turning around, Onigashima began to speak.

“The next part is important. One of you needs to hold Feng’er and take him to the place where his life began—the place where he died.”

The steps were simple enough, but the task itself was almost unimaginable.

Because the one they had to hold was no longer a dead baby. He was a monster.

A monster with twisted, swollen flesh. Though his basic shape was still that of a baby, his entire body was covered in mutated clumps of blood. Feng’er was no longer a human baby. He was a true monster.

Feng’er crawled out from behind the tree. The moment Cyclone and Elyse saw him, they were shocked by his revolting appearance.

He let out a faint monster’s cry, like a small beast cornered with nowhere left to run, fighting back with all its might.

At that moment, Onigashima took out a small knife.

“No! Don’t hurt Feng’er!”

Onigashima ignored Elyse’s cry and brandished the knife.

Once he had a firm grip on the knife, Onigashima reached out with his other hand.

The knife wasn’t meant for Feng’er. He was going to use it on himself.

Onigashima drew an inverted triangle in blood on the palm of his hand, then held the symbol out toward Feng’er.

The monster’s cries abruptly stopped. Feng’er, the monster, suddenly fell completely silent.

Onigashima made his move, then spoke to Cyclone and Elyse.

“Who’s doing it? Once you decide, you can’t change your mind!”

Cyclone had already made up his mind. He would become Elyse’s shield and protect her.

Cyclone took a step forward, but Elyse grabbed him.

“Honey… I want to…”

Elyse wanted to stay by Feng’er’s side with her own hands, right to the very end.

“It’s okay, honey. Stay with me.”

Cyclone supported Elyse as she struggled to stand.

“I’ll complete this ritual with you.”

With unwavering resolve, Cyclone placed Elyse’s hand on the hem of his clothes, letting her hold on tight.

In that moment, Cyclone led Elyse toward Feng’er, carrying his own guilt with him.