Chapter 6

The distant sky had already taken on the glittering glow of neon lights, and the flow of people on the streets gradually increased.

Niino Li and Minazawa Yuu quickened their pace, heading toward the location Bigura Sa'u had reported on LINE.

Unfortunately, he didn't even know how to ride the train, and couldn't understand the location the other person described.

As a transmigrator, failing to fully adapt and blend into the surroundings was truly shameful.

"Aren't you that legendary shut-in? That place is barely a few hundred meters from your house—even if you get lost every day, you should know it by now."

Minazawa Yuu moved lightly, hands in her pockets, utterly unfazed by the enormous black backpack on her shoulders.

Its size even exceeded the width of her head.

Given how many secrets she carried, Niino Li didn't bother asking; he simply fixed his gaze on the style of her sneakers, afraid he'd lose her at the next corner.

Besides, he didn't want to relive the scene at the drink shop.

Day one of missing Sawa Sonoko.

After crossing two roads, they finally found Okura Sa'u at the entrance to Matsuse Shopping Street.

"Niino-kun! I'm so glad you came!" Okura Sa'u lunged toward Niino Li with trembling excitement, his exaggerated gesture drawing glances from nearby stylish men and women.

"Okura-kun, calm down first—could you repeat what happened yesterday and just now?" Minazawa Yuu's bright eyes slowly drifted, her chin slightly lifted.

This girl seemed to possess an inexplicable magnetism that unconsciously drew people in.

Okura Sa'u's breathing steadied, his expression grew calm, and then he clearly recounted the events.

Niino Li glanced at Minazawa Yuu in surprise but said nothing more.

After fully retelling everything, Okura Sa'u let out a long breath.

"So the Mantis Ghost has possessed him, and is now tracking him by his scent?" Niino Li turned to look at the bustling street to his left.

Nightlife had just begun, entering its second peak of foot traffic.

"Correct. Insects never easily let go of their prey. He's lucky—if it were a fully materialized Mantis, he'd be dead already."

"Do you have a way to deal with it?" Niino Li's gaze grew heavy; he couldn't guarantee his current strength could handle a Mantis enlarged to that size.

"I… I do, but it takes time to prepare. Isn't it too late now?" Minazawa Yuu adjusted the hair by her ear, then spread her hands and added: "He's probably salivating and staring at Okura-kun right now."

"We've got time! I'll take Okura to Inotori Park to lure the Mantis away—then I leave it to you!" Remembering the direction sign he'd seen at a crosswalk earlier, Niino Li suddenly had an idea.

If raw power won't work, then endure a few bites—

Feed it to death!

"Huh? Do I have to go too?" Okura Sa'u stole a glance at Minazawa Yuu's odd outfit and instantly snapped awake at Niino Li's words.

"Let's go." Before he could react further, Niino Li grabbed his collar and sprinted off.

Leaving Minazawa Yuu standing there, utterly bewildered.

"I'm not very good at exorcising Ghost Spirits..."

The wind howled past his ears, accompanied by the startled cries of pedestrians dodging aside—Okura Sa'u wanted to beg Niino Li to slow down several times, but seeing his grim expression, he swallowed the words.

What sound does a torn accordion make?

Okura Sa'u's face flushed crimson, his lungs burning as if he were a sardine stuffed in a can, tossed back and forth on a transport truck—and worse, he had to run on the conveyor belt himself.

"Niino-kun… I can't go on. Let's rest a bit."

"Then let's slow down." Niino Li glanced at the streetlights casting pools of light on the ground and replied with slight regret.

Since they needed to deal with the Mantis, he naturally wanted to return to the small grove from a few days ago—

It still held lingering resentment, had little human presence, and was ideal for resolving the matter.