CHAPTER 12.
Scene Shift — The Meeting Room
A quiet meeting room.
Four people sit together around a low table.
The room's design isn't like traditional Japanese meeting rooms — no tatami mats, no sliding doors, no hanging scrolls.
Just a clean, modern, and serious atmosphere, heavy with tension.
First Person (calmly): (MR. Naruhito)
"This isn't just the first time in Japan's history — it's the first time in the history of the entire world that something like this has happened.
Good thing there were a few warriors already stationed in Tohoku. They handled the situation before it spread.
If they hadn't been there, those curses could've spread across the entire city like a plague."
Second Person (calmly): (MR. Fushimi)
"Yes. But now… the general public knows about the curses.
The secret we've been hiding for hundreds of years — it's finally out.
TV, newspapers, social media — it's everywhere, spreading like wildfire.
People are asking what these things are… and rumors are flying everywhere."
Third Person (calmly): (MR. Yamato)
"Whatever the case, one thing's clear — everything is happening exactly the way our predecessors warned us in the old prophecies.
And that curse attack in Tohoku — the strongest one among them — it was just a human-based curse. A lower-tier one.
And even fighting that caused so much destruction."
Fourth Person (calmly): (MR. Kaoru)
"If that was just a human-based curse… then we're far from ready for what's coming.
There's always been a boundary between humans and curses — day belongs to us, night to them.
As long as no human provokes a curse, they stay away. That balance has kept the peace."
Third Person (grimly):
"Not anymore.
It doesn't look like there'll ever be peace between humans and curses again.
In the past few years alone, they've attacked multiple places…
These are signs — signs of the end."
---
Scene Shift — Kaito, Mahi, and Ryan
Inside a moving car, gliding smoothly down the empty highway.
Kaito's at the wheel.
Mahi sits beside him in the passenger seat.
Ryan is in the back — his hands and legs tied.
For a moment, there's silence.
Then Ryan stirs. His eyes open slowly, adjusting to the dim light inside.
He sits up, confused, looking around.
Kaito drives calmly. Mahi glances back.
Ryan (quiet but calm):
"Where are you taking me?"
Mahi (piercing gaze):
"Oh, so you're finally awake."
Ryan:
"I asked — where are we going?"
Mahi:
"To the airport. We're heading back to Tokyo."
Kaito:
"Don't worry — we're not going to hurt you.
But until you calm down and cooperate, you'll have to come with us to our association."
Mahi:
"By the way… do you even remember what you did back there?"
Ryan (calmly):
"Yes. I was conscious."
Kaito (surprised):
"You mean… you killed that curse while you were fully aware?"
Ryan (still calm):
"Yes.
Where's that girl — Manami? Is she safe?"
Mahi:
"She's safe. She's back with her parents."
Ryan leans his head back slightly, closing his eyes in quiet relief.
Ryan (softly):
"Thank God…"
---
Scene Shift — Outside the Airport
The car pulls up to the drop-off zone.
Engines hum, announcements echo in the distance.
Mahi, Kaito, and Ryan step out together.
Car Driver:
"Take care, and have a safe trip!"
He waves once before getting back into the car and driving away.
Kaito grips Ryan's arm firmly — his wrists still bound with rope.
Ryan:
"Untie me. Let me go."
Kaito:
"If I untie you, you'll just run away."
Ryan:
"I won't run.
And even if I did — where would I go?"
Kaito studies him silently. There's something steady, almost honest, in Ryan's tone.
Kaito:
"Mahi… cut the rope."
Mahi (hesitant):
"But—?"
Kaito (firmly):
"I said, cut it."
Mahi sighs and cuts the rope.
Ryan rubs his wrists, the rope burns still visible.
Kaito steps closer, looking him dead in the eyes.
Kaito (coldly):
"Don't even think about running.
If you do… I'll kill you myself."
Ryan stays quiet. He doesn't argue.
The three walk into the airport together.
---
Scene Shift — Airport Ticket Counter
Mahi stands at the counter.
Kaito and Ryan wait behind her, blending into the busy crowd.
Mahi:
"Three tickets, please."
She collects the tickets and walks back.
Mahi:
"Let's go, Kaito."
All three move toward the boarding gate.
Ryan follows silently behind them.
As they walk, Mahi glances at Kaito.
Mahi:
"Hey… do you remember that?"
Kaito:
"Remember what?"
Mahi:
"Back in the mall — that one curse.
The one with those glowing curse eyes.
The others weren't attacking it at all."
Kaito (nodding slowly):
"Yeah… I remember."
Mahi:
"Its aura was heavy… terrifying.
And it smiled at us before disappearing.
That thing wasn't a normal human…
and it wasn't one of us either."
Kaito:
"Yeah. Whatever it was, it's something new.
One thing's certain — it's not on our side.
But whatever this means… we'll find out soon enough."
Ryan listens silently behind them, his expression unreadable.
---
Scene Shift — The Hidden and Strongest Warrior: AYAZAKI
A dark room.
Lights completely off.
An alarm blares — loud and sharp.
Someone is sleeping on the bed. We don't see his face. Only the faint light from the clock flickers beside him.
A hand reaches out, taps the alarm, and shuts it off.
Camera angle shifts — only up to his legs.
He steps out of bed, stretches, and walks toward the bathroom.
Steam fills the room as the shower runs.
The camera stays behind him.
His face remains hidden in shadow.
THANKS FOR READ MY NOVEL＼(^^)／
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