There was an uproar after Shig excused himself, but he didn’t bother listening in to what it was. Instead, he really cooked rice for everyone.

More than an hour later, the blood transfusion for both patients was done, and Kazuichi couldn’t feel any better. He was dizzy, and the loss of blood just added to his discomfort. He felt light-headed, and no amount of food helped him.

"Once again, thank you so much. I’m glad that I waited in the middle of the city." Shig exhaled. His younger sister was already feeling better, and her injuries were slowly healing thanks to her normalized regeneration.

Suzu also bowed her head and thanked Kazuichi on her bed. Although she tried so hard to sit down and bow her head towards Kazuichi, she just couldn’t do it. Then again, Kazuichi wouldn’t want her to overextend, that’s why he assured her that her thanks were more than enough.

"After this, are you taking a stop somewhere else? I mean, there aren’t any notable places here, but I’d be careful when crossing the Yamanashi Prefecture. The four strongholds wouldn’t sit still if strangers stumbled upon their territory." Shig began.

"Yeah, but with our team, I’m sure we’ll be safe," Kazuichi said, putting his confidence in his group. There would be two Dements and a Hound on their team, not to mention the Canary which dealt with the mindless infected. Even if they were to encounter an Abberant’s nest, they’d be fine.

"But knowing that North Yamanashi Stronghold Leader, I’m sure they were bound to attack you sooner than later. I’d be careful around the northern part, or just your entire travel as a whole. That guy’s bad news, I’m sure he’d be willing to target you even if you were in another territory." Shig lightly warned them.

And he was right on the money. Currently, Hinokami was planning an assault on their shelter, just because he felt like attacking them for vengeance. He knew exactly where the shelter was, and he and his Hybrids marched toward the shelter without sparing another thought.

"Also, here," Shig then grabbed a small piece of paper and wrote something there. He then handed it to Kazuichi. On it was written ’rice’ and an address. Kazuichi instantly knew what it was, and he put the paper in his pocket as if it were a treasured possession. "That’s it. And don’t let anyone know about it." Shig smiled.

...

Another couple of hours passed, and thanks to a short shut-eye, Kazuichi felt a little better. There was still a hint of light-headedness, but Kazuichi knew that it wouldn’t impede his movements anymore.

They were ready to go.

"Are you going? Why don’t you stay for an hour or two? We can have another meal before you go." Shig insisted.

"We can’t impose on you too much. You’ve already done so much for us." Kazuichi let out. Besides, it was almost sunset. If they didn’t leave now, then they were bound to stay for the night.

...

Meanwhile, right outside the shelter,

There were at least twenty Hybrids, walking towards the shelter intending to take it down and trampling it with their feet. Of course, it was obvious that Hinokami was behind it, considering that some of the Hybrids who were present were his bodyguards.

Adding to that, Hinokami was personally there as well, albeit the warnings from his subordinates that he should stay in the stronghold and guard it with the others. It was obvious that some of the stronghold leaders were gunning to take over the North Yamanashi Stronghold, but he brushed it off as mere hearsays from his subordinates.

Despite the warnings and the clear signs of danger, Hinokami still went with his ’army’ just so he could personally witness Kazuichi’s death and the fall of the shelter where Shig and Suzu resided. To him, it would be the absolute spectacle and he would enjoy it to the fullest after the embarrassment he endured during the auction.

Some of his subordinates told him that he shouldn’t make the Scarlet Blood Stronghold his enemy (Ayaka belonged to Kazuichi’s group after all) and some also advised that he should leave a couple of his strong Hybrids in the stronghold just in case someone tried to intrude.

There was also the clear result of his surprise attack on Kazuichi during the auction’s break time. Not a single Hybrid of his own came back after the confrontation, and he still ignored all that. In short, his judgment was clouded at the moment, and he was on a steady streak of bad decisions.

There was a saying that pride comes before downfall but no one knows how loud pride could get especially before that downfall transpired.

And Hinokami was almost there, just on the edge of the cliff before he plunged right into the tempestuous seas. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Sir, I really think we shouldn’t do this. There are innocent people in this strongh— "

Before one of the timid Hybrids voiced out his opinion, another Hybrid slapped him right across the face, catching him surprised. He looked at him, wondering why he had to go through such an embarrassment, but the Hybrid didn’t say anything. As for Hinokami, he just nodded his head as if this was how it should be.

Meanwhile, the entrance security was already given the heads up the moment the group arrived. They didn’t hesitate to send one of them in, just so he could warn the others about what was going on.

As for the entrance guard which was left behind, he didn’t bother going out to address the group. In a flash, he locked himself inside the wired fence before even talking to them. "Yes, how may I help you?"

"I’d say this only once. Open your gates, or we’ll ransack the entire shelter." Hinokami openly threatened as he raised his voice at the entrance guard.

In an instant, the entrance guard knew that the North Yamanashi Stronghold Leader and his group of Hybrids were here to cause trouble. He was left with no choice as he grabbed something from his storage.

"Then allow me," The entrance guard said, before pulling a fully loaded submachine gun and firing it at the group.