"This is truly… this hunting ground, it's truly… wonderful! Splendid!"
In the shadows of the distant forest, a figure crouched on a tree, his eyes gleaming with a bloody light, staring at the silent village. He could smell the scent of people inside…
There were old people and children. Although he utterly loathed the flesh and blood of the elderly, children…
Hehehehe…
He loved these lambs the most!
As a ghost, if he didn't do something, what would become of him?!
So, taking advantage of the night, the figure leaped high, running through the trees, heading towards that silent village…
At this moment, Fang Wuwei had already arrived at the previously bustling village, preparing to take Ikenouchi Maki back first, then observe her reaction and character upon returning home to see if she was worthy of his full instruction. But he quickly discovered…
His grandma's, where did that person run off to?! Why did the radar show her in another place??
Damn it, don't let me catch you… what's the meaning of not staying in a perfectly safe spot and running off to grind monsters?!
Helpless, Fang Wuwei could only continue his journey with a dark expression…
————This is a fearful dividing line————
Late at night, profound silence should naturally be the main theme of the night.
However, in Ikenouchi Maki's opinion, it was too quiet… she was scared.
Ever since she heard rumors of ghosts nearby from Akita, she truly couldn't sleep now—she wasn't like these children, who thought it was just a lie to coax them to sleep. She had seen ghosts with her own eyes and almost died by their hands, how could she not be afraid?
Moreover, her master's life and death were currently unknown…Waaah…
She really regretted running out like this…
Ikenouchi Maki was currently staying at Akita's home. The warm and hospitable Akita had given Ikenouchi Maki the bed usually reserved for her daughter when she returned, but the thick bedding could not warm her frightened, cold heart, nor could it give her any sense of security.
At the present, she could only huddle in a corner, covering her head with a quilt and trembling, which at least gave her a little sense of security…
"Child… what's wrong? Are you afraid of the dark?"
Just then, she heard an old, familiar voice. It was Akita.
"Akita… why aren't you asleep yet! Hurry back, or else there will be…"
In her surprise, Ikenouchi Maki forgot her fear, threw off the quilt, and stood up, wanting to take Akita back to her bed to rest. It was already very late, and Akita was still walking outside. She was truly afraid of her being discovered by a ghost…
"Good child, Akita is not afraid."
Akita smiled and interrupted Ikenouchi Maki, patting Ikenouchi Maki's lowered head, slowly pressing her back onto the bed, wrapping her in the quilt, and telling her to sleep soundly…
"Child… thank you for coming. Besides every New Year, no one ever comes here anymore… even during New Year, some of our children don't return.
My daughter took my grandson, who was staying with me, the year before last. She didn't come back last year either, so I've been alone… Thank you for coming to keep me company, good child."
Akita stroked Ikenouchi Maki's hair, her face filled with melancholy and longing. When her daughter took her grandson away a few years ago, she completely… completely had no intention of taking her along… Rather, it was the same for all the elderly in the village; they had been abandoned by their own children…
This village would eventually meet its end, perhaps in five years, perhaps in ten years, perhaps twenty years… One day, this small village would no longer have people living in it.
The land where her ancestors had lived for generations would also return to nature and disappear. At that time…
The old woman sighed heavily, removed her hand from Ikenouchi Maki, leaving behind an extinguished oil lamp and a fire starter.
"Child, don't be shy, just treat this place as your own home… If you're afraid of the dark, then light the lamp. We have plenty of oil here."
"Understood, Akita… You should also go to sleep quickly, it's already so late."
"Old people sleep less… I slept too long this morning, so I'm a bit awake now. I'm going outside for a walk, to get some fresh air."
Upon hearing this, Ikenouchi Maki truly couldn't sit still. She climbed up and held the old woman's hand, preventing her from going out. Are you kidding me, what if she really encountered a ghost?
"Child, I know what you're afraid of. That ghost is actually fake. When I was little, my elders also often told me there were ghosts and wouldn't let us go out… But I've lived here for most of my life, and I'm already half in the grave, and I've never seen any so-called ghosts. It's just used to trick children."
Feeling the worry and anxiety contained in Ikenouchi Maki's actions and emotions, Akita smiled sincerely. Although this child was a bit naive, she was still a good child who worried about others and thought of them.
As for the "master" she mentioned, Akita wondered who that person was, and how could they let such an innocent child go out alone?
The old woman put on an old coat and was about to head outside. Behind her, Maki gritted her teeth and decided…
"Akita… the night is so beautiful tonight, and I also need to go out to replenish my nighttime energy… but I'm struggling in this unfamiliar territory and need someone to lead the way…"
Although Ikenouchi Maki's face was pale when she said this, and her words were all things Akita didn't understand, Akita understood the deep meaning within—
She didn't feel at ease leaving her alone and wanted to go out with her.
What a good child!
Akita's smile instantly filled her aged face. With someone to accompany her, why not?
"Child, it's cold outside, go put on more clothes."
"No, no, no… it's fine, Akita… Akita, please wait for me."
"Hahaha, child, you're trembling from the cold. Hurry and put on more clothes."
Was I cold?! I was scared!
Ikenouchi Maki completely regretted it. Knowing the danger and still going out was purely seeking death and not caring about her life.
But… but I can't… I can't let Akita go out alone.
Although she was afraid, Ikenouchi Maki was even more afraid that if danger came, she wouldn't be able to protect others.
Gradually, Ikenouchi Maki stopped trembling. She seemed to have gained some resolve.
What was the purpose of her gaining power?
Stepping out of the house, Ikenouchi Maki shivered as the somewhat cold wind blew against her. Looking at the high moon in the sky, she pondered this question so deeply for the first time.
If I truly become strong, what should I do?
"Big sister!"
Just as Ikenouchi Maki was lost in thought, several childish voices sounded from behind her. She turned around and saw the children emerging from the bushes.
Children, they were full of energy, secretly running out to play every night. It was their agreed time, and tonight was no exception.
When they saw that the big sister from the morning had also snuck out, they were overjoyed! The big sister had arrived late, and their grandpas and grandmas had already called them home, so they couldn't play much longer. Now it was great; they could have the big sister tell them the scary story of immortal despair again!
But when they emerged from the grass, they saw Akita not far from Ikenouchi Maki, and instantly, their faces turned pale with fright, and they turned and ran.
It's bait! Run!
"All of you, come back!!"
Akita behind them suddenly let out a loud roar, unlike her old age.
"Akita…"
"Not sleeping late at night! What are you doing! Didn't I tell you that ghosts come out at night?!"
Akita was extremely angry about these children running around late at night, and from the looks of it, it wasn't the first time!
"All of you, come out!"
With Akita's angry roar, several more children, big and small, boys and girls, came out from the bushes behind, all looking dejected.
"Didn't I tell you! No going out at night! What if you get eaten by a ghost?! Why are you still disobedient!"
"…Akita and big sister are clearly also going out in the middle of the night…"
The children dared not talk back, only muttering a few complaints softly. Akita was hard of hearing and didn't catch it, but Ikenouchi Maki did, though she found it hard to scold them.
She was actually quite angry. Others might not know, but she, who knew that ghosts truly existed in this world, was somewhat furious about the children running around in the middle of the night.
Oh, what? Was she also running around?
…That's different.
Ikenouchi Maki sighed, looking at Akita scolding the children in front of her, then looked up at the sky…
And saw a strange figure and a pair of blood-red eyes gleaming from the treetops directly above them, staring at them, with a deep craving for food and slaughter in their eyes.