Chapter 20: The Pierced Heart
"Driver, please drive faster, I'm in a hurry."
"Sorry, there are a lot of traffic lights on this road. This is already the fastest I can go." The driver was slowly driving the car while listening to the broadcast.
Seeing this, Shinichi Izumi was quite angered by the driver's attitude. Just as he was about to argue, Xia Shang pressed down on his shoulder. "If you can get us there within an hour," Xia Shang said, "I'll give you fifty thousand Japanese Yen. And for every ten minutes you shave off that time, I'll add another ten thousand."
The Middle-aged Driver, wearing glasses, narrowed his eyes, reached out and turned off the broadcast. He then turned his head to look at Xia Shang and said, "Are you sure?"
Xia Shang took out his wallet and opened it for the driver to see. Inside was a thick wad of cash.
"I like to pay with cash."
"Alright, buckle up! Back in the day, this uncle was known as Mt. Akina's Speedster!" The Middle-aged Driver flipped his black-rimmed glasses to the side and straightened his posture. As he stomped the accelerator pedal to the floor, a powerful G-force slammed Xia Shang and Shinichi Izumi back into their seats.
At this moment, the blue and white taxi on the road transformed into a blue lightning bolt, weaving wildly and frenetically through the traffic.
Meanwhile, the scenery outside the car window blurred past.
"To be able to burst out with such great potential all of a sudden, is that driver also a special existence among humans?" Migi, who had turned into a small eyeball, leaned close to Shinichi Izumi's ear and asked doubtfully.
"No, he's just doing it for the money." Shinichi Izumi thought back to the speed from earlier, then looked at the current breakneck pace, and immediately replied irritably.
I have to say, this driver definitely has some serious skills. To be able to drive with such unstoppable momentum through the surging traffic of Tokyo, he truly lives up to the title of Mt. Akina's Speedster.
"Emergency announcement: A taxi on the road ahead is severely speeding. Please intercept and stop it immediately. The taxi's license plate number is..."
"Traffic police are catching up."
Shinichi Izumi suddenly noticed that, at some point, three police motorcycles flashing red and blue lights had appeared behind the car.
"What are you panicking about? The mountain road is just ahead. Is it possible they can still catch me?" The driver's posture at this moment was exactly like a race car driver. He even had time to light a cigarette he held in his mouth. "Sorry, if you mind, I won't smoke."
"It's fine, you smoke."
Seeing the number of motorcycles behind them increasing, Xia Shang couldn't help but worry for the driver. Would the money he'd given be enough to cover the fine? The driver, as if sensing Xia Shang's concern, narrowed his eyes, reached down, and pulled out a bunch of wires. "When the time comes, I'll just snip these wires and say the brakes failed. Won't get fined much."
After hearing this, Xia Shang really wanted to give the driver a thumbs-up. Wow, that's seriously impressive.
More than ten minutes later.
The driver gradually lifted his foot off the accelerator, performed a beautiful drift, and calmly stopped the car with a face full of composure. He then looked at his watch: "Twenty-three minutes in total."
"Here's the fare." Xia Shang originally wasn't prone to car sickness, but this time, just after getting out of the car, his stomach couldn't help but churn violently.
Shinichi Izumi beside him was even worse off, he could barely walk steadily.
"Can you still walk?" Xia Shang asked.
Shinichi Izumi stood in place and rested for a few minutes, only then did he recover. "Let's go."
As for the driver, he had already been surrounded by four police motorcycles. He stood beside the traffic police, nodding and bowing, completely lacking the speedster aura from just moments ago. He kept repeating, "Sumimasen, Sumimasen, the car broke down, I really didn't do it on purpose."
"Truly dedicated, I suggest Japan should crown him the God of Taxis."
While Xia Shang was remarking, Migi on Shinichi Izumi's right hand seemed to sense something. "Shinichi Izumi," Migi suddenly spoke, "there are kindred brainwaves nearby, about 400 meters away from us. He's carrying killing intent and seems about to make a move."
"What! There really is a Parasyte nearby."
Shinichi Izumi didn't have time to thank Xia Shang. He followed the direction Migi pointed and ran with all his might. He kept silently repeating in his mind that he must stop that guy.
"Shinichi Izumi, the other party has noticed you approaching, his speed has also increased." Migi reminded Shinichi Izumi.
As for Xia Shang, he followed behind him. Because his body had not been strengthened by a Parasyte, his speed couldn't compare to Shinichi Izumi's.
At this time, facing the sea, Shinichi's father and Nobuko Izumi were standing beside the Cliff, admiring the deep red, blood-like sunset glow. They seemed completely unaware that a figure was constantly approaching them.
"This sunset glow is really beautiful," Nobuko Izumi exclaimed.
Shinichi's Father beside her also nodded and said, "That's right, it was worth it to take a taxi specifically to come here."
"Just don't know what that kid Shinichi Izumi is up to, suddenly asking for our location."
"Maybe he wants to rush over and then give us a surprise," Nobuko Izumi smiled happily.
Shinichi's Father also smiled along. "It seems that while you haven't forgotten Shinichi Izumi, he's also thinking of you."
Suddenly! A gust of foul wind struck.
Immediately after, Shinichi Izumi roared, "Mother, quickly get out of the way!"
After hearing Shinichi Izumi's voice, Nobuko Izumi subconsciously turned her head to look behind her, but didn't expect a tentacle to suddenly appear in front of her. At this critical moment, fortunately, Shinichi's Father reached out and pulled his wife.
Causing the blade that was originally aimed at her neck to strike Nobuko Izumi's left hand.
Squelch! As the sharp blade sliced through.
Nobuko Izumi's slender arm was directly severed, and a large stream of blood gushed out.
Seeing its attack missed, the Parasyte, unwilling to give up, continued to manipulate its tentacles, stabbing towards Nobuko Izumi's neck.
At this moment, neither Shinichi's Father nor Nobuko Izumi had time to react.
Only to see Shinichi Izumi leap with all his might, standing in front of the two people. He faced his mother and spread his arms. As his heart was pierced by the blade, Shinichi Izumi looked gently at his mother and said softly, "Fortunately... fortunately I made it in time."
"Shinichi Izumi!" Meanwhile, Xia Shang, who arrived a step late, witnessed this scene with his own eyes! The Parasyte looked at Xia Shang, whose hand was deformed, and abandoned the idea of fighting him. The body it was currently parasitizing could not support it continuing the attack, so it jumped off the Cliff without hesitation.
By the time Xia Shang reached the edge of the Cliff and looked down, the other party's figure had already disappeared.
"Really decisive, it seems its intelligence is not weaker than that of ordinary humans."
He turned his head. Shinichi Izumi at this moment was slumped on Nobuko Izumi's body, and his life signs were gradually disappearing.
"Quickly take Shinichi Izumi to the Hospital." Nobuko Izumi, ignoring her own injuries, forcibly enduring the pain, took out her mobile phone. One could see her tears constantly dripping onto the mobile phone, causing her to repeatedly dial the wrong emergency number.
Nobuko Izumi's eyes were red with anxiety, and she kept saying, "Shinichi Izumi, hold on a little longer, hold on a little longer."
(end of chapter)