Global Disaster: I Will Slay Gods In This Second Chance!-Chapter 71: Akihito’s Regret

Kasuragi, Tsumogui.

At the entrance of the town, two high school students, one boy and one girl, stood apprehensively.

Surrounding them was an abandoned, destroyed town, shrouded by pale, gray mist that drifted like the devil’s whisper.

As soon as Akihito set foot inside, he was startled, blinking rapidly.

He swept his gaze around him, then his pupils instantly dilated, noticing something terrible.

"...!"

Aside from Ayase, everyone with them had disappeared.

Akihito instinctively bit his lips, preventing himself from crying out in shock.

"..."

His hands clenched tightly, but a moment later, he loosened up, taking a long, deep breath.

’It’s alright... I just need to follow the captain’s advice.’

Akihito thought as he shifted his gaze, glancing at Ayase.

But this time, he almost couldn’t stop himself from crying out in surprise.

’Huh?!’

Ayase was extremely close to him, her gaze lowered while her hand held the fabric of his uniform quietly.

When he saw her fidget uncomfortably, he immediately closed his mouth and stared straight ahead.

Perhaps Ayase didn’t notice her own actions, but her hold onto his uniform only became tighter as time passed.

’Focus, Akihito. Focus!’

Akihito screamed at himself internally. But even as he said that, it took him half a minute to regain his composure.

He glanced at Ayase, then spoke slowly:

"We’ve been separated from the others..."

"..."

Ayase nodded mutely.

"It’s unlucky, but you ended up stuck with me," Akihito said, rubbing his cheeks nervously. "Still, I’ll do my best, Ayase-san. Don’t worry about me holding you back!"

Ayase raised her head, instinctively frowning. But seeing his resolute eyes, she momentarily froze.

For a brief moment, she felt the panic and anxiety in her heart settle down.

"... Okay."

Ayase said quietly, perking her head.

Akihito smiled brightly, making Ayase feel somewhat embarrassed.

Since they weren’t going to achieve anything by standing around, he proposed a plan.

"Let’s go deeper?" He asked carefully.

Ayase’s ears twitched, but after a small pause, she nodded hesitantly.

"... Sure."

Seeing that, Akihito couldn’t help but recall his first meeting with Ayase.

’I never thought Ayase-san would be this afraid...’

Truth to be told, he found her extremely beautiful, but at the same time, he pitied her.

While others might be intimidated by her emotionless expression, he only saw a deeply hurt person inside her empty gaze.

But he didn’t want to assume that straight away, so he kept observing.

Now, Akihito could confirm a guess he kept to himself.

’Deep inside, she’s just an ordinary high school girl...’

That thought comforted him slightly.

Marching steadily, the two of them delved deeper into the town.

But with the mist shrouding most of the town, it was hard to tell if they were actually moving towards something, or if they were just running around in circles.

Considering the nature of this place, it was very much possible.

After a while, Akihito suddenly stopped.

Ayase was startled, stopping behind him.

She glanced at him, her brows furrowing.

Akihito’s expression subtly changed, turning into a deep frown.

He felt a pull that was luring him deeper into the mist.

He didn’t pay attention to it at first, but when it grew stronger and stronger the deeper they went, his expression changed.

Were they really walking here because of their decision, or was it because they were already being controlled?

Akihito tried his best not to show his thoughts to Ayase, but his deep frown had already exposed him.

"... Is there something wrong?"

Ayase asked in a low tone, shifting her gaze in concern.

Akihito hesitated for a moment.

Seeing his hesitation, Ayase frowned.

"It’s okay, you can tell me."

Her voice was cold, demanding almost.

Considering how close she was sticking to him, it almost felt absurd that she was assuming such a commanding tone.

But Akihito didn’t mind, chuckling quietly.

"I don’t know, but I’ve been feeling something calling me deeper in the mist. I thought it was just my imagination, but now... I don’t think so," He spoke honestly, glancing at her. "How about you?"

Ayase was startled, but then frowned at his question.

She glanced at him hesitantly, as if she was considering something.

But after a brief pause, she shook her head.

"... No."

Akihito fell silent, then muttered.

"I see."

Ayase also fell silent.

"Something is indeed wrong, but I didn’t expect it to be me."

Akihito smiled awkwardly, rubbing his cheeks.

If the two of them could feel it, then the wrongness was from the town itself, and that would’ve comforted him slightly.

Since it was just him, then whatever was calling him... it was probably just for him.

Akihito felt his heart quicken, but as if sensing his anxiousness, the hand that was holding onto his uniform suddenly moved to his arm.

He turned his gaze, seeing Ayase with her eyes cast downwards, afraid to meet his eye.

Yet, she murmured, loud enough for his ears to feel ticklish.

"... I won’t leave you."

Hearing that, Akihito felt his heart skip a beat, his ears turning red. At least, his fear had definitely settled down.

After a brief pause, he replied in a shaky tone.

"I didn’t think you would, Ayase-san, we’re a team after all... haha..."

Ayase glanced at him, confused.

But she still nodded.

"Yeah."

Hearing that, Akihito was slightly disappointed for some reason. But he quickly brushed away such pointless thoughts.

But thinking about it in another way, at least, it was only he who was feeling this way and not Ayase.

"Alright, let’s go."

Akihito nodded, but then he added.

"But if things get dangerous, and it’s impossible for both of us to survive, make sure you run, okay? Save yourself."

"That..."

Ayase hesitated, but seeing Akihito’s strong expression, she perked her head.

"Okay, but that won’t happen. My talent is A-rank."

She comforted him, unwittingly exposing her talent.

"You..."

Akihito widened his eyes in surprise. But seeing Ayase’s confused expression, he couldn’t help but laugh.

"Forget it! Let’s go!"

"Mhm."

Ayase nodded and followed him a step behind.

Perhaps it was because they were already deep, but they quickly arrived at where the pull came from.

Akihito and Ayase stopped, their gazes fixed on a small house.

Ayase was silent, slightly bewildered.

But Akihito’s expression was in disbelief, recognizing the house.

"Why is it here... ?"

He muttered, unable to take his eyes away.

He couldn’t be mistaken.

That’s his house.

Creak...

At that moment, the door of the house opened, revealing a middle-aged woman with faint age marks on her face.

When she saw Akihito and Ayase, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Mom."

Akihito murmured.