This was a real mess—a scenario no one would want to think about. Not only did the Demon Hunter Association know about the child of the anti-prophecy, but they'd surely spread that knowledge like wildfire—priests, exorcists, until even the angels got wind of it.
"I'm always one step ahead! Always one step ahead!" the receptionist barked with a twisted grin. "We're gonna win this war and make this world demon-free again!"
Sarushima's voice dripped with sarcasm, mocking his confidence. "Well, kudos to you for making the first move. Thanks to your efforts, every hunter out there will be gunning for Okumura-kun now." Her hand shifted, a red blade materializing in her grasp. It wasn't like steel—more like a thick, crimson fluid, molding itself into the shape of a sword.
The Sarushima clan was infamous—bloodsucking fiends who wielded their own blood, as well as their enemies', turning it into weapons. They could twist it into any form—a sword, a spear, even a gun—whatever suited their needs.
"Oi, oi… This is bad, huh? The Sarushima clan, no less?" The receptionist's smirk faltered, a nervous twitch pulling at his lips. "Well, looks like I'm fucked, but I'm not going down without a fight!"
He yanked out his crossbow, aiming it straight at Sarushima. The arrow shot forward, whistling through the air. But with a single fluid motion, she shifted her blood blade into a shield, deflecting the arrow effortlessly, before reshaping it back into a lethal edge.
"Just as I thought…" the receptionist muttered, sweat dripping down his face. "Guess my only chance is to make a run for it."
"You think you can escape?"
"Well, can't blame a guy for trying, can you?"
Desperation in his eyes, he sprinted, loosing arrows as he went, but Sarushima barely even flinched, her blood-crafted shield swatting them away like annoying flies.
"You're dead," she hissed, her figure blurring as she dashed towards him. She moved like a bullet train—blindingly fast. Before he could even register her approach, her blade sliced clean through his neck. His head flew, trailing a crimson arc, before crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. Blood poured from the gaping stump, painting the floor red as his body collapsed. Sarushima absorbed the blood back into her blade and turned on her heel, hurrying back to the room.
"Okumura-kun, we need to move. Now. You're in serious danger."
"R-Right!"
Okumura didn't hesitate. Everything he'd overheard left him with no choice—sticking close to Sarushima seemed like his only shot at survival.
They threw on their clothes, haphazardly straightening them before rushing out of the love motel, their footsteps pounding against the pavement.
"It looks like they haven't caught up yet. Let's head over there, Okumura-kun," Sarushima said, gesturing toward a shadowy alley.
They ran, putting as much distance as possible between them and the motel. After a while, once they'd reached a safe distance, Sarushima pulled out her phone and made a call.
"Get to my location and bring me back to the manor. We're in deep trouble. Yes, I'll send you the coordinates," she said urgently into the phone.
She hung up and turned to Okumura, her expression serious.
"Okumura-kun, I'm sorry, but you have to stay with me now. Your life's about to get a whole lot more dangerous, now that the Demon Hunter Association knows you exist."
"S-Stay with you? F-For how long?"
"We don't know. Maybe forever. The angels won't just let you roam free or build bonds with us. They'll stop at nothing to kill you."
With that harsh truth laid bare, Okumura knew he had no other choice. Sticking with Sarushima was the only way to survive.
Before long, a sleek black car pulled up beside them. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a woman with neatly styled black hair, glasses perched on her nose. Her face was cool, expressionless. Okumura couldn't see much beyond her sharp gaze, but she wore a crisp maid uniform.
"Yuuna-sama," she addressed Sarushima. "I've come to pick you up."
"Thanks, Aria," Sarushima replied, then turned to Okumura. "Let's go, Okumura-kun. I've already informed Hina and the others. We're heading to the Sarushima estate."
"O-Okay..." Okumura stammered, slipping into the backseat alongside Sarushima. Aria started the engine, and the car purred as it sped off.
I have no clue what's happening, Okumura thought, staring out at the blur of city lights through the window. Even though I've been through all of this, it's moving too fast… But… the President will protect me.
That thought brought a deep sense of shame, even as he clung to the gratitude he felt. He couldn't deny how weak he was—being rescued, yet again. Not just once, but twice. As a man, that reality stung deep. He'd always been teased for looking too soft, too delicate, but he was a man, damn it. And he wanted to prove that. Yet, he kept playing the damsel in distress.
I need to change. I can't be a burden to Saonji-san or the President anymore. I don't want to spend my life being saved.
Determination flared in his chest, stronger than before. He had to get stronger—somehow, some way. He didn't know how yet, but he'd find a way.
It was his pride as a man. He couldn't let himself rely on others forever. He had to toughen up, even if he'd been just a regular guy until yesterday. Now, knowing about this war between heaven and hell, knowing that he was being hunted—he had to step up. He had to fight back.
So he wouldn't always need saving.
Okumura clenched his fists, sealing his resolve.
After a few more minutes, the car came to a smooth stop. Okumura looked out the tinted window, eyes widening as the mansion came into view. It loomed large, casting a shadow that swallowed the driveway, with towering pillars and intricately carved stonework that made it look both ancient and imposing.
"We're here," Sarushima announced, slipping out of the car with an easy grace. "Come on, Okumura-kun."
He followed Sarushima and the maid up the long, winding staircase that led to the mansion's entrance. The sheer number of steps made his legs burn, but the grandeur of the place was hard to ignore.