Chapter 7: The Hunter in the Dark
Haru's POV
That cold feeling doesn't go away. It lingers, like invisible eyes following every move.
Haru: "…Aina, don't look back. Just act normal."
She freezes for a second, then grips her stuffed toy tighter.
Aina: "…Is it them again?"
Haru: "Yeah. Someone's watching."
We return to the mansion quietly, but the sensation follows us like a shadow that won't disappear.
---
Nightfall – The Mansion
The candles flicker strangely. The silence is too heavy. Even the wind outside feels muted.
Aina sits at the table, pretending to eat, but her hands tremble.
Aina: "…Haru, I don't like this. It feels… wrong."
Haru: "I know."
I let the shadow coil around my hand again. The control is still unstable, but I have no choice.
Suddenly—
thnk!
A knife whistles past my face and buries itself into the wall.
Voice (low, calm): "…Impressive. You noticed me."
From the corner of the room, a figure steps out of the shadows itself. A man in dark clothes, his eyes cold, his presence sharp like a blade.
Aina: "An… assassin."
Assassin: "Correct. Orders are simple—take the goddess girl, kill the boy if necessary."
I step in front of Aina without thinking.
Haru: "If you want her, you'll have to get through me."
Assassin: "…Then die quickly."
He moves.
---
The Fight
shhk!
The assassin is fast—faster than anything I've fought. His blade grazes my arm before I can react.
Haru: "Tch—!"
I summon the shadow, trying to form another dagger, but it wavers.
Assassin: "Sloppy. You can't control it."
He lunges for Aina.
Aina: "Haru!"
clash!
I intercept him just in time, shadow hardening into a shield. The impact rattles through my body.
Haru: "…Maybe I can't control it. But it's enough to protect her!"
For the first time, the shadow responds to my feelings, thickening into a wall between the assassin and Aina.
The assassin pauses, his expression shifting slightly.
Assassin: "…Interesting. You're syncing with it already."
Then, he vanishes into the darkness.
Haru: "…What—? Where did he go?"
His voice echoes from everywhere at once:
Assassin: "We'll meet again. Next time, I'll test whether you can protect her for real."
The air grows quiet again. He's gone.
---
Aftermath
I collapse onto the chair, breathing hard.
Aina rushes to me, her eyes wet.
Aina: "…Haru, you're bleeding!"
Haru: "…I'm fine. More importantly, are you safe?"
She nods, but her hands won't stop shaking.
I reach out and squeeze her hand.
Haru: "He'll come back. We need to be ready."
Aina: "…Then I'll train with you. If we're going to survive, I won't let you fight alone."
Her determination shines even through her fear.
I smile despite the blood on my arm.
Haru: "Good. Then tomorrow, we start together."
---
Meanwhile – The Assassin's Report
Assassin kneels before the hooded figure again.
Assassin: "…The boy's synchronization with the horns is faster than predicted."
Hooded Figure: "Excellent. Let him grow stronger. The more he bonds with the horns, the more delicious his despair will be when we rip them away."
The assassin smiles faintly in the dark.
---
End of Chapter 7