Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 87

The cold wind blows as the silence is being filled by the sounds of the dancing leaves. His long tied hair softly swayed with the chilly breeze that's been passing by every tree of the forest. His feet that are covered with socks and are wearing some flip-flops casually walked on the dried leaves of the path. Producing some crunching sounds as he do so.

The wind blew once more, making his kimono sway to the side. The tip of his katana is almost reaching the ground as he holds its hilt with his right hand. His grip isn't tight nor loose. Just enough to keep the blade in hand.

With the sound of the wind, the low humming sound of a soft melody played. A kind smile appeared on his closed lips as the memories of his daughter played in his mind as he listens to the familiar melody that his daughter always sings with a smile on her lips. It's a song that left a mark on his heart a very long time ago. A melody that hasn't been forgotten.

All men looked at one direction when they heard someone humming a gentle song in the dark. They took their stance as they firmly hold their swords. The slow melody kept on getting louder, approaching them every second. They squinted their eyes when they saw a man walk out from the dark path that's leading to the town. He casually walked to them, continuously humming that song while wearing a stoic expression.

They watched him as he walks pass them with a sword in hand. They were waiting for the strange man to do something but he just leisurely walked pass them as if he's taking a walk in a park. They gritted their teeth and they looked at their backs to finally react to the man but their eyes widen as they vomit blood. They all fell down on the ground as they watch the back of the humming man. They never saw him swing his sword or even raise it an inch.

Ero walked to the door of the modern structure. The thick metal doors of the research facility were sliced into pieces at nahulog ang mga ito sa baldosadong sahig. Kaswal siyang pumasok sa pasilidad habang patuloy pa rin ang kaniyang himig. Walang tunog ng mga yapak ang maririnig habang siya'y naglalakad sa maliwanag na pasilyo.

"There's an intruder!"

Mula sa dulo ng pasilyo ay nagsidatingan ang mga tumatakbong lalaki. Tumigil ang mga ito noong ilang metro na lamang ang kanilang pagitan sa lalaking pumasok sa kanilang pasilidad ng walang pahintulot. Ngunit hindi tumigil ang lalaki sa paglalakad at hindi nagbago ang stoic na ekspresyon nito habang lagpas ang tingin nito sa kanila.

One man gritted his teeth out of irritation, "You bastard..!" tumakbo siya dito at kaniyang iwinasiwas ang hawak na espada sa estranghero. Ngunit nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata noong biglang nawala ang lalaki bago pa lumandas ang kaniyang espada sa balat nito.

Ero appeared behind their group and he continued walking like nothing happened. Like he didn't decapitated them in a single second. Blood came flowing out of their necks and their heads rolled on the tiled floor with their eyes wide opened. They just lost their lives without even witnessing how.

Tumunog ang isang alarm at sound system. The victims that are being held captive was confused when a monotonous voice kept on resonating in the whole establishment.

Intruder has been detected. Gate 01 has been breached by an unidentified subject. Current location: H03. The target is now approaching--

Napatili na lamang ang ilang mga kababaihan noong biglang bumagsak ang bakal na pinto sa sahig. Gumawa ito ng malakas na tunog na umalingawngaw sa buong silid.

Sa pintuan ay nakita nila ang isang lalaki na nakatingin sa kanila. He faced the side but his eyes remained on them, "Move. Free the other civilians and go through the front gate," he then looked forward, "Prioritize the senior citizens, the children, and those who are unable to move. Now, go."