Chapter 182 Silence [6]

Chapter 182 Silence [6]

The emergency station wasn't far from where I was. I could practically see it from where I stood.

It was within a tall, black spiral that twisted towards the sky, starkly contrasting with the surrounding buildings. The structure's dark, glossy surface reflected the dim red light coming from the Crimson Shade, making it look like a shard of obsidian jutting into the sky.

It was hard to not take notice of such a building.

Rushing with all my might, I looked behind me to see several eaters glancing my way. I pursed my lips and continued to sprint.

Bang--!

"....!"

The building next to me shattered and a hand crept in my direction.

I felt my heart jump out of my chest at the sight of the hand. It was fast, and I just barely managed to avoid it by ducking down.

"Hiieeek--!"

Emerging from the building was an eater who twisted its head in the air to feel for any noise.

At the same time, I felt the sound of multiple rushed steps heading in my direction. It was likely that the eaters had been attracted by the noise.

I bit my lips and fiddled with my pocket. I only had one mana bomb left.

I couldn't just carelessly throw it.

.....I needed to make good use of it. After a little bit of thought, I put my hand away from my pocket and moved back while keeping my gaze on the eater who continuously tilted its head for any sound.

The wails of the other eaters grew near, but I kept my lips pursed and my heart steady.

"...."

In the silence, I continued to move back.

Every part of my body felt tense.

Licking my lips, I continued to move back. Silence completely took over my surroundings. Holding onto my shoe, I coiled the threads around it before eventually tossing it towards the distance.

Thud.

Without looking back, I rushed towards the emergency station.

I was just about to retrieve the thread when I felt a certain pain in my chest.

Something leaked from my nose. Wiping it, I could see that it was blood, and it was then that I realized that my thread had been snapped.

....Just like that, my shoe was gone.

'I'll really ask for reimbursement after this!'

I quite liked my shoes.

Turning the corner of the street, I finally managed to spot the entrance of the spiral.

But soon, my steps came to a halt.

"....."

I stood silently while catching my breath.

'.....This is troublesome.'

Standing right before the entrance of the spiral were over a dozen eaters, all looking around with their heads twitching.

I fiddled with the mana bomb in my pocket.

'Good thing I didn't waste it.'

Things would've been a lot more troublesome otherwise. Gathering my mana into the bomb, I turned around to throw it when I stopped.

"....!"

A face appeared right before me and I shuddered. With its eyes staring directly at me, its grotesque smile widened.

"Haaaa..."

My feet numbed, and its hot breath fell on me.

....I tried my best to keep my heart steady.

But it was hard.

Really hard.

Especially when its mouth opened, revealing a long, serpentine tongue that slithered out like a grotesque tendril. It extended impossibly far, snaking through the air slowly and steadily, heading directly towards where I stood.

"....."

Swallowing my saliva, I tossed the mana bomb in the eater's mouth and jumped back.

Thud.

Over a dozen gazes fell on me at that moment, but I didn't care. I turned towards where they were and directly rushed at them.

Tak. Tak.

I could hear the sound of my steps echo within the silence, and I felt my throat clamp up.

The eaters in front of me opened their mouths to scream, but just before they could, the sound of an explosion resounded.

Bang--!

Their heads twitched, and they rushed forward at incredible speeds.

I didn't stop.

I continued to run forward, while they ran directly at me.

I could feel their gaze on me as they rushed, and my heart pounded out of my chest.

I didn't let that affect me and continued.

Three meters...

Two meters...

"Tsk."

Clicking her tongue, Kiera sat down with a sullen expression.

With what was happening outside, it was hard for her to stir up some shit.

She felt a little disappointed at that fact.

Staring at the window outside, she suddenly heard a loudly blaring sound.

WHIIIII—

It appeared to come from the entire city, and the eaters outside the bunker appeared to go berserk.

She was surprised by the situation, and before she could even question what happened, a voice echoed from beside her.

".....It's probably Julien's doing."

Recognizing the voice, Kiera frowned. However, she pushed her feelings down and turned to look at Aoife.

Her expression changed a little when she saw the state of Aoife was in.

She looked rather haggard.

As if she hadn't slept for a few days.

"He's escaped."

That was all she said, and Kiera's focus shifted away from her well-being. Well, it didn't matter to her anyway.

".....That guy escaped?"

"Yes."

Aoife nodded.

"He's created quite a mess. All the post leaders are discussing sending a potential team out to get him back, but the situation turned like that so it has been postponed."

"Oh."

Kiera understood what she meant.

She could tell that there was chaos in the inner parts. She didn't really know why, but now she knew.

"So you think he's the one responsible for the sirens?"

"....Yes, most likely."

Aoife sat down next to her. She looked even more tired now, and Kiera tilted her head.

The scene looked a little familiar.

'Don't tell me...'

Slap—

"....!"

Aoife turned to look at her with wide eyes.

"What was that fo—"

Slap—!

Kiera slapped Aoife again while looking at her with an extremely serious expression. It almost looked like she was trying to help.

"You're showing the same symptoms as the others. You're about to turn into a screaming bitch. Let me fix you before it's too late."

"What...? Wait!"

Aoife raised her hand to block Kiera's slap.

She then glared at her.

"I'm not turning! I'm tired because I've been questioned by all the post-leaders due to what Julien did! I helped him out a little!"

"Ah."

Only then did Kiera understand as she awkwardly scratched the back of her head.

"....You should've said so sooner."

Aoife didn't respond to that.

She didn't know how to respond to that. How could she have known Kiera was going to slap her like that?

Clenching her teeth, she turned her head to look outside.

'I don't have the energy to fight her.'

It was all red, and quiet.

"Hmm?"

Looking in the distance, she spotted a faint silhouette approaching their direction.

It appeared to move nearer to them. Frowning, Aoife squinted her eyes to get a better look, and when she did, her eyes widened.

"What the..."

"Uh, what?"

Kiera similarly looked in the direction she was looking.

Her expression also changed.

"Uh...?"

It looked like Kiera also recognized the figure.

Aoife pursed her lips.

.....Why was he back?

And why did it seem like he was looking directly at her and Kiera?