Empty streets like a ghost town, the sound of broken windows and falling construction materials were still remnants of the earthquake. The avenues of Saitama were completely different from the other regions of Tokyo.
Only a few Trins wandered slowly. Apparently, many people hadn't turned into skeletons or been consumed by their sins; they had hidden inside their homes to avoid being killed.
"This place is creepy, feels like we're in a horror movie," Kate said with a frightened voice.
"We shouldn't be in too much danger here, we're already getting close to Ashi's condominium," I said, speeding up the motorcycle. "He's definitely alive, he wouldn't die because of emotions. Although he's always been a bit proud," I added suspiciously.
"By the way, Jin, what's that wooden staff?" she asked, noticing it glimmered occasionally.
"It's a gift I received recently. I think it might be useful for something," I replied while dodging the Trins.
After a long road and a steep ramp, we arrived at the entrance of the small condominium hidden in the big city. I parked the motorcycle and put the key in my pocket, covering it with a mat on the ground to avoid theft.
"The gate is reaaally tall, maybe jumping over it isn't such a good idea," Kate said, before being interrupted by the sound of one of the metal doors falling.
I used the wooden staff to knock it down, hitting the side of the basement and toppling it from the base.
"I told you it could be useful!" I said, laughing as we entered the condominium.
"That works too," she said, leaving a bench she had grabbed in place. "Nice job, Jin!"
Most of the houses were well-preserved, showing little evidence of Trins. Ashi lived on a dead-end street, and his residence was modern and relatively expensive, as everything in the area was.
In his garage, a two-seater sports car sat, all lights off and everything neatly arranged.
"You forgot to mention your friend is rich," Kate joked, impressed by the car. "A LeLarri like that must be expensive, did you know?"
"I can't even imagine the price of things in the world of the wealthy. I was just a worker earning slightly more than minimum wage," I replied, pressing the doorbell and sitting in a nearby hammock.
It took about five minutes; time passed quickly while I chatted with Kate.
"Your Japanese is really good, you even sound like a native speaker," she said, drinking a bottle of apple juice. "How and why did you learn it so well?"
"When I was younger, a girl moved into the house next door, and I never managed to have a conversation with her," she replied, a little emotional, looking at the floor. "It took me a long time to learn… until she moved back to Japan. That's why I've been studying this language since I was nine, to have the chance to meet her again and talk to her," she concluded.
The sound of the main door opening interrupted our conversation, and I could only see a red glimmer through the crack. The creaking of the wood created a tense atmosphere, accentuated by the shadow of whoever was behind it.
Finally, the door opened completely: it was Ashi.
"Ashi! It's been so long since we last saw each other!" I said excitedly, getting up from the hammock.
"Jin! I knew you were alive!" he said, running to hug me. "Sorry if I'm a bit sweaty, I've been training every day even after all this madness."
"I see you've kept your physique. It can't be easy maintaining a body like that," I replied, shaking his hand.
Ashi was wearing gym clothes, running shoes, and had the top part of his hair tied with a white band. His physique was enviable: all muscles perfectly defined and large, a result of years of effort.
"And who's this with you? Don't tell me she's your girlfriend," he asked, putting his hands on my shoulder.
"Her name is Kate… and shut your mouth, I met her today," I said, keeping a stern expression but still playful.
Kate stepped forward and extended her right hand to Ashi.
"I hope we get along!" she said, smiling.
"Same here. You can call me Ashi or Shi," he replied, shaking her hand.
At that moment, a fairly strong Trin approached the house.
"Let's not stay outside, come in," Ashi ordered, opening the door again. "Better that these bizarre creatures don't see us."
"I don't feel like attracting its attention," I said, grabbing my backpack. "Come on, Kate."
We entered and barricaded the door with several wooden stakes, along with some boards and metal chairs.
The house was spacious and technologically equipped, with the kitchen, living room, and dining room connected. All windows were covered and locked, traps set everywhere, and cameras installed on the walls.
"The first floor is just a security system I set up today. All my stuff is on the upper floors," Ashi explained as we went up the stairs.
"Impressive!" Kate exclaimed. "How did you manage to set up so many cameras?"
"I had already bought some to prevent burglars, but I realized the problem isn't humans anymore—it's these strange creatures," he replied.
The second floor consisted of a wide hallway divided into four doors, two of which were bedrooms with suites, one bathroom, and an office. At the end of the hallway was a gym with sophisticated equipment.
Indeed, Ashi was quite wealthy.
His fortune had been made in just two years, when he began working for the regional communication company and became a director.
We entered the office, Ashi turned on the air conditioning, and we sat on chairs and beanbags.
"I know you, Jin," Ashi said, opening his notebook. "You didn't come here just to see if I was alive, did you?"
"Straight to the point," I replied. "I need your urgent help. Do you still have access to the city monitoring room at the company where you worked?" I asked, picking up a book from the shelf.
"I have the key, but the building was probably closed off by the morning shift," he replied, opening a drawer in his desk.
He removed some notebooks and sheets from the drawer, along with a revolver from a compartment below.
"What are you going to do with that?" I asked, noticing the set of keys in his hand.
"It's a bit hard to explain… I kind of need to do something to save people," I said innocently, taking the TV remote. "The communication systems are down. Maybe there's a transmission if we turn it back on."
Kate's thoughts were conflicted; she doubted the plan and imagined how much danger they would face.
"Are you sure it's worth the risk?" Kate asked, adjusting her legs. "Other people might already be doing this—police or firefighters…"
"Well, if we do nothing, eventually we'll die," I replied, looking into her eyes. "Better to take a risk than wait."
Ashi reloaded his revolver and prepared a small bag to store ammunition.
"I'm in," Ashi said, cleaning the revolver with a black cloth.
"Seems like I'm surrounded by crazy people… if I separate from you, I might end up dead," Kate muttered, sighing.
"So, what's the plan?" she asked, unwrapping a piece of gum.
"Well… I haven't thought much about it yet," I admitted, laughing lightly.
"Seriously?" they both said simultaneously.
"But don't worry!" I said enthusiastically. "We'll get there and get inside easily. Plus, we'll be a team of Trin hunters and recruit more people to help us."
"Already playing 'Rangers,' huh?" Ashi laughed.
But reality was different: the entire building and its interior were filled with Trins.
We had just arrived, leaving only after gathering weapons and essential items for Ashi's mission.
Kate had been scared since we got on the motorcycle. Upon arrival, her thoughts froze, and the urge to run was strong.
That's when I realized something.
I can read people's feelings, knowing if they're about to turn into Trins or not.
Or… I can even use this against the Trins themselves to find their weaknesses.
"Kate, calm down," I said, placing my hand on her right shoulder. "We've made it this far. There's nothing to fear."
"Y-yeah," she replied, still frightened but slightly calmer.
Some weak Trins approached: four yellow, two orange, five green, and one red. Their color was marked by a scar around their eyes.
"Ashi, don't waste ammo on them," I said loudly. "Grab the machete and get ready to move!"
"Understood, Captain!" he replied. I actually liked that title.
Deep down, I felt uneasy killing beings that were once human. But I had to eliminate them to protect the rest.
I grabbed my knife and ran at the creatures, striking vital points with ease.
I cut many at the neck, aiming for veins and arteries, killing most quickly.
However, all the yellow ones survived, their wounds regenerating, murmuring phrases like, "Just kill me," and crying.
Their crying stopped as soon as they were cut, shifting expressions from pain to pleasure.
I named them Sadness.
"What a hellish creature!" Ashi said, dodging the attacks of the red one. "It's like a rabid dog!"
The red one I called Rage. Its strength was extraordinary compared to a human.
I grabbed the wooden staff Omega gave me and smashed the head of one Sadness Trin on the ground.
"It won't be easy to crush their heads every time; I need a better way…" I sighed.
While focusing on the fight, I felt the same sadness the Trins had experienced as humans. I fell to my knees, immobilized.
The wooden staff in my hand began to glow painfully bright. I regained awareness and movement.
However, one Trin was already in front of me, hitting me on the head with a piece of iron.
"Trying to do to me what you did to your friend, you bastard?" I said, trying to recover as blood dripped.
I struck its chest with the staff, piercing it.
After killing it, I began seeing the weaknesses of each Trin as a number. But I had no idea what the numbers meant.
Still, I could better understand how these beings functioned. Sadness could be defeated where there were no scars; the wrist and neck were already marked areas.
I ran at the last remaining Trin and pierced its belly with a single strike of the staff, eliminating it and allowing us to enter the building.
The timer in the sky indicated thirty-two hours remaining.