Chapter 111

April 17th.

Early in the morning, Lin Ye received a text message from Nanase Koi.

Last night, an injury victim bitten by a dog arrived at the Chiba Municipal Hospital emergency department.

The victim had been bitten the previous night and had received rabies immunoglobulin at a nearby hospital; compared to the vaccine, the immunoglobulin acts faster and provides better protection against the rabies virus.

However, in the middle of the night, the victim's family noticed something was wrong with their condition, so they called for an ambulance. They were eventually sent to Chiba Municipal Hospital, but the result... the rescue failed, and the victim died. The hospital ultimately concluded the cause of death was the rabies virus.

Lin Ye replied to Nanase Koi, telling her to be wary of dogs and to minimize contact with them.

"Based on the age Koi mentioned, it matches the middle-aged man from last night. I'm now eighty percent sure this is related to the supernatural."

He had only asked Koi to have the nurse keep an eye on 'rabies patients' as a shot in the dark; after all, there are many hospitals in Chiba, yet they still managed to cross paths.

It was hard to tell if it was just luck, or if Chiba itself had some connection to the supernatural, such that anyone who went to a hospital would end up at Chiba Municipal Hospital!

After school,

Lin Ye arrived at the Service Club. Yuigahama Yui had arrived even earlier than him; this was quite fast for her.

"Since everyone is here, let's head out!"

"Wait a moment, I have something to say."

Both girls looked at Lin Ye.

"Let me go on today's search alone!"

"Why?"

"That won't do. How can we let Lin go alone! If we find Sable, and it's just Lin, Sable might not listen obediently."

"There are wild dogs attacking people nearby; it's a bit dangerous. A friend of mine at the hospital told me someone died last night from a rabies outbreak."

"Eh! That... no way! Could it be that middle-aged man from last night?"

Yuigahama Yui thought of that immediately.

"That's impossible," Yukinoshita said, refuting the idea. "From the time of a dog bite to the onset of rabies, it generally takes at least seven days. If you receive immunoglobulin in time, you'll basically be fine. These two people cannot be the same person."

"It's very likely to be the same person. My friend said it was a middle-aged man, and that he had received the immunoglobulin last night, but after returning home, his condition became abnormal, his family sent him to the hospital, and finally... he died."

Yukinoshita Yukino pursed her lips in thought.

"So, let me handle the search over there today. Just leave it to me."

"No, I can't let Lin face danger alone. I'm going too."

Yuigahama Yui blocked Lin Ye's path.

"As the Service Club president, it's impossible for me not to go. This is our club's commission. Since when do club members charge to the front lines while I, the president, stay in the rear?"

"Aren't generals supposed to be in the rear?"

"I am Yukinoshita Yukino."

"I'm a prospective member."

"You are a full member now."

Yukinoshita Yukino provided the explanation.

Lin Ye realized that the two girls were determined to go today; even if he refused, they would go on their own.

"I have one condition."

"Speak."

"Change your clothes. Short skirts aren't suitable. Wear protective gear around your ankles; that way, even if a dog does attack, it can provide some protection. I'll provide the gear."

So far, all the victims had been bitten on the ankles.

Yukinoshita Yukino was surprised by Lin Ye's caution, but she didn't refuse.

"Fine."

Yukinoshita Yukino agreed, and Yuigahama Yui had even less reason to refuse.

"We'll meet at the Chiba Shopping Mall in one hour, at 4:40 PM."

The three left Sobu High and parted ways at the station.

However, Lin Ye had already made preparations; after parting with the girls, he immediately turned and headed to the Chiba Shopping Mall ahead of time.

He had already prepared the clothes.

He wanted to take advantage of this hour to eliminate the lurking supernatural vicious dog.

"Just because it only appears at night doesn't mean it won't show up during the day."

Lin Ye put on his gloves, having made basic preparations.

But when he walked out of the mall restroom, he saw the cold, long-haired girl standing there quietly. Her gaze was cast toward him, calm as a lake, yet containing a faint trace of vitality.

"President Yukinoshita, you changed so quickly?"

"Hm?"

Changed so quickly?

She hadn't changed at all.

"Lin, do you think it's appropriate for you to try and sneak off alone?"

"I was just waiting around here anyway, so I thought I'd start looking."

"Together."

Two words, expressing Yukinoshita Yukino's determination.

Lin Ye knew refusal was useless. If it were just Yukinoshita, it would be easier for him to protect her. If Yuigahama Yui were also there, and both fell into danger, he might not be able to rescue them in time.

"Fine, let's go. Here, take this."

Lin Ye took the ankle guards out of his backpack. The guards were reinforced with metal, providing higher protection.

As for whether they could withstand the biting of a supernatural dog, that was an unknown.

It was better than nothing.

Having something is better than having nothing.

"I'm going to buy clothes."

A young lady is different indeed.

Only then did Lin Ye realize that Yukinoshita Yukino hadn't changed clothes at all.

After all, in his eyes, Yukinoshita always looked the same.

Ten minutes later,

Yukinoshita finished paying and changed into a black casual outfit. Looking into the clothing store mirror, she saw Yukinoshita Yukino's current attire.

The black sportswear was loose, and the girl's long hair was tied into a single ponytail, giving her an overall lively air amidst her coldness.

"Let's go."

"Mm."

The two quickly arrived and began searching the vicinity.

They searched twice with no results.

"Let's go over there and rest for a while."

"Mm."

*Swish!*

A figure darted quickly into the alley ahead.

Lin Ye and Yukinoshita exchanged a glance and followed quickly, running inside.

At the corner ahead, a dark yellow dog ran to the end and turned to run to the other side.

"It's a dachshund. I couldn't see the color of the collar."

"Let's go."

Lin Ye and Yukino had only run a few steps before they stopped.

Ahead, a large dog appeared.

A Tosa Inu, eyes ferocious, baring its teeth, drooling, with a hint of dark red.

Lin Ye blocked Yukinoshita's front.

"You get out first."

He pulled out the stick he had prepared in his backpack.

Today, he would use this dog-beating stick to teach this supernatural dog a lesson.

Yukinoshita Yukino did not hesitate. She couldn't even handle a normal dog—she didn't even dare to touch one, let alone face such a fierce breed, which was likely already a rabid dog.