“Clang!”
The sound of steel meeting steel reverberated through the air as Fang Li swiftly severed the connection between the two Hayajiro Trains with his katana.
“Dudududududud!”
The Aragane Station Hayajiro, accompanied by the lingering echo of its steam whistle, surged forward, putting distance between itself and the now severed Hunters’ Hayajiro.
“AaahAaahAaahAaahAaahAaahAaahAaahAaahAah!”
However, the colossal monster on the Hunters’ Hayajiro continued its relentless rampage, crushing through the roof and tearing apart compartments with its destructive fury.
It had transformed into a mindless creature consumed by the desire for annihilation, leaving nothing in its wake. It violently hurled the Hayajiro to the side, crashing onto the tracks, and continued its relentless pursuit.
In an instant, the Aragane Station Hayajiro, moving at incredible speed, found itself being pursued by a massive monster that was no smaller in size than the train they were on. The creature charged ferociously, seemingly driven by an insatiable hunger for its quarry.
“This… this can’t be real,” The group comprising Ikoma, Yomokawa Ayame, and Konochi Kurusu watched in disbelief as the scene unfolded before them.
The sight of the monster desperately chasing the Aragane Station Hayajiro, its speed matching and even surpassing that of the Aragane Station Hayajiro, was truly awe-inspiring.
No, it was more than that. The monster was undeniably faster than the Aragane Station Hayajiro, relentlessly closing the gap between them. It would only be a matter of time before it caught up.
“What… What kind of monster have you brought here?” Konochi Kurusu couldn’t help but shout at Fang Li, his voice filled with a mix of shock and frustration. “What in the world have you unleashed upon us?”
“I should be asking why you’re all still here,” Fang Li replied with a bitter smile. “Didn’t I tell you to sever the connection immediately when you heard the commotion on the Hunters’ Hayajiro?”
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that,” Ikoma’s voice lowered, his eyes filled with determination as he continued, “I can’t just abandon you. Ayame-Sama agrees with my decision as well.”
“Biba-Sama’s original target was me. I can’t let Fang Li-San take all the risks while I escape alone,” Yomokawa Ayame said, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and resolve. “Besides, I never anticipated the existence of such a monstrous creature.”
“You… You’re all hopeless fools,” Fang Li muttered, his face wearing an even more wry smile as he helplessly scratched his head.
“There’s no time for pointless words,” Konochi Kurusu interjected, his expression turning serious. “We need to find a way to escape from that monster. If we continue like this, it’s only a matter of time before it catches up to us!”
By that point, not only the people present but also everyone aboard the Aragane Station Hayajiro would become puppets under the monster’s control. It was uncertain whether they would even turn into Kabane or meet an even worse fate.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Ikoma and Yomokawa Ayame. Only Fang Li let out a sigh and handed Mumei, who was still in his arms, to Yomokawa Ayame.
“Ayame-Sama, may I ask you for a favor?” Fang Li looked directly at Yomokawa Ayame and spoke earnestly, “Please let Mumei stay on the Aragane Station Hayajiro and be your companion.”
“Eh?” Yomokawa Ayame was momentarily taken aback by the request.
“Although she may be naive and have her own way of doing things, she is not a dangerous individual or a villain. I hope you can accept her,” Fang Li shifted his gaze to Mumei’s motionless form and continued, “Moreover, her combat skills are exceptional. Having her on the Aragane Station Hayajiro would only bring you benefits. Please grant me this request.”
Fang Li’s words hung in the air, casting an ominous shadow over everyone’s hearts.
“Hey, Fang Li,” Ikoma couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer. “Could it be that…”
Meeting Ikoma’s gaze, Fang Li nodded and uttered a single line.
“I will stay behind and hold off that monster. Use this opportunity to escape as far as possible.”
“What?!” The shock in everyone’s voices was palpable.
“Don’t worry, I won’t die,” Fang Li’s words silenced them, albeit temporarily.
“Remember, I am a Wanderer, a Mysterious Being who has roamed the outside world for so long without meeting death’s embrace. If it’s just one person, I have a chance of survival. But if we continue like this, none of us will make it.”
Silence fell upon the group.
“But…” Yomokawa Ayame began to protest.
Fang Li promptly interrupted her.
“No more ‘buts.’ This is the only way. It’s a gamble for our lives. Which side are you willing to choose?”
Yomokawa Ayame fell silent, her gaze a mix of worry and conflict.
Ikoma and Konochi Kurusu, too, fell into silence. Ikoma’s face displayed a pained expression, while Konochi Kurusu closed his eyes, deep in thought.
With a chuckle, Fang Li looked at the concerned expressions on their faces and spoke up, breaking the tension. “Alright, I appreciate your concern, but no need to look like you’ve lost your parents. I’m not that easy to kill, so let’s part ways here.”
As he turned around, ready to take action, a sudden hand grabbed onto him, surprising Fang Li. He glanced back to see Mumei, lying in Yomokawa Ayame’s embrace, her eyes open and alert.
At that moment, Fang Li noticed something remarkable— the wound on Mumei’s abdomen was rapidly healing at an astonishing speed. As a Kabaneri, as long as her heart wasn’t pierced or her head destroyed, she could recover from severe injuries within a short period.
Realizing that Mumei’s injuries would soon be completely healed, she regained consciousness and clearly heard Fang Li’s words.
“Why?” Mumei’s voice was weak, but her gaze was fixed on Fang Li as she asked her second question. This time, her inquiry took a different form. “Why are you helping me?”
Finally, Mumei understood. Fang Li had been helping her all along. That was why he had chosen to stay and face Amatori Biba, accompanying everyone. Of course, Fang Li’s intention to help extended not only to her but also to Yomokawa Ayame and the others.
Mumei struggled to comprehend it. They had only met a few days ago, so why would he go to such lengths to help her?
“Don’t say it’s to repay a favor,” Mumei insisted, her words strained. “The favor you owed me was already repaid when you helped us stay on the Aragane Station Hayajiro.”
Fang Li’s gaze subtly changed, and he fell silent. After a moment, he turned around, taking hold of Mumei’s hand, his palm enveloping hers, and offered a faint smile.
That smile held a touch of helplessness, yet it also carried a sincerity that had been absent before.
“Actually, the reason I help you is very simple,” Fang Li’s voice resounded clearly. “It’s because I genuinely care about all of you.”
His words hung in the air, filling the silence that followed.
Mumei was stunned.
Yomokawa Ayame was stunned.
Ikoma was stunned.
Even Konochi Kurusu found himself equally taken aback.
But at that moment, Fang Li had spoken his truth— the true reason behind his actions.
…
