The narrow alleyways of Kyoto twisted like veins in the heart of the ancient city, dark and winding, the air thick with humidity. As Osborn and his team made their way through the labyrinth of streets, the address scribbled on the piece of paper felt like it was pulling him deeper into the unknown. The mask, the mystery, everything was coming together, but there was an unease that sat heavy in his chest.
Mari walked beside him, her steps light but quick, eyes darting around as she adjusted to the unfamiliar environment. Aya, on the other hand, kept her usual composed demeanor, though Osborn could sense the tension in her posture. The streets felt quieter than usual, as though the town itself was holding its breath.
They turned a corner, and as they walked further down the alley, something shifted in the air. The hairs on the back of Osborn's neck stood up. He wasn't sure what it was—maybe the strange silence that had settled around them, or the faint rustling that echoed from deeper in the alley. But something wasn't right.
Just as they neared the next intersection, a figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking their path.
The man was tall, with an unnerving presence. His clothes were dark, and the most chilling part—his face was obscured by a Tengu mask, identical to the one Osborn had seen in the images and research. The mask was intricately carved, its red, fierce features glaring at them through darkened eyes, making it look alive.
Mari gasped, instinctively clutching Osborn's arm, her voice trembling. "Os... Osborn, w-what… is this?"
The figure didn't move, but the air around him seemed to grow colder, more oppressive. The alleyway felt smaller, and Osborn instinctively stepped in front of Mari, his muscles tensing, ready for whatever might come next.
The man spoke, his voice low, but sharp, carrying an edge of warning. "調査を続けるな... これ以上進むことはない... お前たちが探しているものは,お前たちの手に負えない."
("Do not continue your investigation… Do not go further… What you are searching for is beyond your control.")
Mari's breath caught in her throat. She stared at the man, fear apparent in her wide eyes. She struggled to translate, her voice faltering. "H-h-he says... s-s-stay... stay away from the investigation... th-th-what you're looking for is... b-beyond your control..." She stuttered, her words trembling as she looked between Osborn and the man.
Aya, standing a little to the side, looked equally unsettled. Her hand gripped her bag tightly as she tried to maintain her composure, but even she couldn't mask the fear in her eyes. She whispered in a near inaudible voice, "こ...この人は...?"
("Wh... who is this person...?")
Osborn kept his gaze locked on the man, trying to make sense of the situation. His heart raced, but he didn't back down. He wasn't one to easily be intimidated. "Why are you following us?" he asked, his voice firm.
The man tilted his head, his eyes hidden behind the mask, but Osborn could feel the intensity of his gaze. "お前たちは足を踏み入れてはいけない場所に足を踏み入れようとしている."
("You are stepping into a place you should not be.")
Mari flinched at the words, the fear evident in her eyes as she translated, her voice shaking. "H-h-he says... we're... we're trying to go to a place we shouldn't..."
The silence between them grew thick, suffocating. The man's presence felt like an immovable force, standing between them and the truth. Osborn felt the pressure, the weight of his words pressing against him, but he wasn't ready to turn back. Not yet.
Before Osborn could say anything more, the man lifted his hand, motioning for them to stop. "お前たちの調査は無駄だ."
("Your investigation is futile.")
The tension in the air was almost unbearable. Osborn's instincts screamed at him to move, to act, but something told him to hold back, that this was a warning he should not ignore. Just as quickly as he had appeared, the man began to retreat into the shadows, his footsteps silent on the cobblestones.
Osborn took a step forward, but before he could react, the man had vanished into the darkness, as if swallowed by the alley itself.
Mari's breath came out in a shaky exhale. She clutched her chest, her voice trembling as she translated. "He... h-he's gone… he just... disappeared…" She paused, her hands shaking slightly, before looking up at Osborn. "W-what... what was that?"
Aya stood still for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she nodded slowly, the fear not entirely gone from her eyes. "あれは... ただの警告だと思う."
("That was… just a warning, I think.")
Osborn didn't reply immediately. He stood there, staring into the alleyway where the man had disappeared, his mind racing. The chilling feeling lingered, a bitter taste left in his mouth. There was something familiar about the man's voice, something he couldn't place. It was as though he had heard it before, but the memory was just beyond his reach.
He shook his head, trying to focus. They had to keep moving. They couldn't let fear stop them now. He looked back at Mari and Aya, forcing a calmness he didn't feel. "Let's keep going," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
They continued walking, but the weight of the encounter remained heavy on their shoulders. The Tengu mask loomed in his thoughts. It wasn't just a symbol of the mystery; it was now a direct warning, one that Osborn couldn't afford to ignore.
As they reached the address, Osborn couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The man's words echoed in his mind, and he knew the investigation had just taken a much darker turn.