The Crisis World XX

Chap. 69: Heading to the House of Iraya

He was dragging his weakened body as it approached his friend's body which gradually turned pale along with blood that continued to flow profusely from the wound on his neck.

Although his gaze was blurry and his body continued to feel a chill from the blood that was spewing out heavily from his own wound, it did not stop him from reaching for his friend's body.

Behind his friend, vaguely seen the legs of people standing holding Katana which on the blade there is a trace of someone's blood. He could not see his face clearly, as he had no energy to look up.

What he currently prioritized was however, with the rest of his energy he had to reach the body of his friend. But he was no longer strong, his body was spitting out too much blood. He could only take his friend's hand. He said the last words before he was unconscious.

"Remain .. Hasuki .. san."

**

Herlin then opened his eyes. He is currently lying on a hospital bed. He sat down slowly and looked around. There is a green curtain covering the surrounding plus an infusion attached to the vein indicates that someone took him to the hospital when he was unconscious.

He moved his body slightly and tried to get out of bed. But suddenly he felt a pain in his left waist. He then checked behind the patient's green shirt and found that the bandage encircled his entire abdomen and that there was still a small amount of blood coming from behind the bandage.

After seeing his wound, he then remembered something. The reason he was injured and the reason he could be lying in a hospital bed right now. He only remembers that his school was attacked by the Ayakashi Corp Assassins and tried to kidnap Iraya.

And he also recalled Hasuki-san who was attacked by Nimis back then.

Not caring about the pain in his wound, he then got off his bed and opened the curtain. And next to his bed was another bed containing many people he knew.

"Senpai?"

Besides Mei-senpai lying on her bed, there was also Tooru Hira, Takushi Kudou, and also Michi-chan who was sitting beside Mei-senpai.

"Herlin-chan?! Are you aware?! What about your wounds?!"

"I-I'm fine."

Senpai looks so worried about Herlin's condition. Because when it was found, Herlin's wound was very deep like it was pierced by something. Seeing him now able to walk already made him a little relieved, but still still worried.

"Herlin-san, you can't move much just yet. Your wounds will open again."

"He's right, Ririsaka-san. Your injuries are so severe and you just woke up after two days of unconsciousness."

"Two days?"

He found out that he had been sleeping for two days. So during those two days, he had missed many events and also still did not know how Iraya was doing.

"How is it …?"

"What?"

"What about Iraya? Is he here? Then Hasuki-san .. her wound was very severe and she lost a lot of blood. How about—"

The atmosphere became quiet. No one answered Herlin's question and preferred silence. They all lowered their heads and showed a moody expression.

"Nee, why don't you answer me …?"

All of them no one dared to answer, as if it was a bad sign for Herlin who knew nothing. Then after a moment of silence, Mei-senpai then recounted what happened to Herlin.

"When I came to my senses, Iraya was taken by them. I had a fight with the blond man, but I was easily defeated."

"The blond guy?"

He remembered that man. He is the leader of Assassin Ayakashi Corp., Astaroth. Herlin then realizes that Mei-senpai lost to him. You could say for now, only Oita-san could rival her strength.

"Then about Hasuki-san …."

Hira then continues the explanation made by Mei-senpai.

"… His life cannot be saved."

Herlin widened his eyes. Although he did not overreact like crying or shouting, but everyone knew how deep the sadness he felt.

Herlin clenched his hand, then bit his lip until it bled. Though he already knew that there was no more chance to save him, but still he felt a sadness that made his heart hurt.

"He-Herlin-san ..., are you okay?"

Herlin realized that his friends saw his expression earlier. He then stopped clenching his hands and wiped the blood on his lips. And he had a calm expression as usual again.

"I'm fine, Michi-chan."

"Are you sure?"

"Nn, but I have something I need to do. So excuse me first."

Herlin then left the room. Although there was still an infusion attached to his arm, he did not care about it and kept walking. But suddenly he is stopped by Mei-senpai.

"Wait for Herlin-chan, under such circumstances where are you going?"

"I want to meet Oita-san and draw up a counterattack."

"Tu-Wait a minute!"

Mei-senpai quickly got down from her bed which then held Herlin's hand and held her back who wanted to leave.

"I said wait a minute."

"Take it off, Senpai."

"I won't let go until you're calm."

"We don't have much time left. And also we don't know what happened to Iraya there."

"Then in your current condition do you think you can help a lot?"

"A-Annu …."

Herlin and Mei-senpai simultaneously looked towards Michi-chan who called out to them. The two of them debated until they forgot that there were three people who had seen them from earlier.

"Bi-Can the two of you calm down a bit? Although I know that you are in a state of emergency, but mom-isn't arguing even a waste of time?"

Herlin and Senpai understood that. So the two of them became calmer and stopped that insignificant debate. Senpai also removed his grasp from Herlin's arm.

"You're right. I'm sorry, Herlin-chan."

"me too. I'm sorry for making you guys anxious, too."

Herlin then looks because of Michi-chan. He also wanted to thank her for winning this situation.

"Thank you, Michi-chan."

"A-Ah, no. I just ... help a little ...," said Michi-chan, whose voice shrank with embarrassment.

"So what is this? Why was Iraya kidnapped? Are you going to tell us, Ririsaka-san?" ask Hira.

"Actually as much as possible I want ordinary people not to get involved in this matter. But because they've done so far to our friends. What can I do …."

Before explaining it, Herlin had time to confirm it once again with a sharp gaze and whether they were already convinced by this.

"Do you really want to know?"

"I've made my resolve. Please tell me, Ririsaka-san."

"Me too, it's about my friend. I don't want to be silent without knowing anything" said Kudou.

"I'm too."

"Michi-chan, you don't have to push yourself. Your actions earlier that have made us calm have been very—"

"I said I wanted to know too!"

"Eh? Michi-chan?"

"I always felt that Herlin-san was very far from my reach. Even though I've gotten your bio and a lot of other information, I somehow still feel far away from you. It turned out that my feelings were right, if there was something Herlin-san was hiding. Therefore, I don't want to feel left behind by you anymore, Herlin-san."

"Micho-chan …. All right if that's what you want."

Herlin then began to explain from the very beginning that he, Iraya, and Mei-senpai were not ordinary humans.

"I, Iraya, and Mei-senpai were actually no ordinary humans. We call ourselves Exception."

"Exception …?"

"You saw it for yourself, didn't you? Is someone spouting fire into the classroom?"

"On that ..., it's true."

The three of them re-imagined the unpleasant incident. Those bad memories made them all pale and tremble.

"Mei-senpai and I can also do such a thing. Mei-senpai could let out a gust of wind as her ability. While I can use the power of ESPer."

Ctiik…

Mei-senpai snapped her fingers and a gentle gust of wind suddenly shot toward them. Makes their hair a little fluttering.

"This is an example if you don't believe" said Mei-senpai.

"A real wind …."

"It's completely original."

"Do you believe now that I'm not just talking?"

"Nn, now I believe. But what does that have to do with their abduction of Iraya?"

Herlin lowered his face as if harboring a feeling of guilt. He clenched his hands tightly again. But he kept telling them.

"If that's the case, they're after Iraya because she has what really belongs to someone else in her body."

"In his body? Does he have anything valuable in his body?"

"That's …."

Herlin had a hard time explaining it to people who had no idea of the world at all. But suddenly he found suitable words to describe Cecilia to them.

"He has a 'ghost' in him. But it wasn't an ordinary 'ghost', because that 'ghost' could give someone power."

"'ghost'?"

"Call that, because the reality is similar. Although I haven't seen it in person, anyway."

"And that 'ghost' is being targeted by them. 'The 'ghost' accidentally entered Iraya's body, so he also chased after Iraya. Do you understand now?"

"Even though I still don't know why Iraya could have such a creature inside her, but in general I've understood."

"Then I have to go now."

"But your wound …."

"Just calm down Senpai, I'm calmer now. I won't do anything sloppy."

"Geez, you're really a troublesome underclassman."

"I'm sorry about that."

"Then go ..., and call me if you want to counterattack."

"good. I'll go first."

Without waiting for an answer from Senpai, Herlin left the room. He did not forget to pull out the infusion that was on his arm and then ran towards the Haiiro Cafe.

When Herlin was gone, Mei-senpai with the others had a little chat.

"W-Is Herlin-san going to be okay, huh?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine."

"Re-really?"

"Hopefully so."

"Your senpai is making me uneasy …!"

"Ahaha .. calm down, just calm down. Because he'll be fine."

**

Herlin who was still wearing the green patient shirt kept running and rushed towards the Haiiro Cafe. He did not care about his injuries that were still very painful at this time.

And after a moment of running, he then reached the door of Haiiro Cafe and opened it hurriedly until the people inside the Cafe were confused to see him.

Herlin who stood while panting at the door of the Cafe then realized its existence by Yuuki-san who was serving customers there. He then approached her.

"Herlin-chan?! You're all right?! What's going on?!"

"Oita-san ... is Oita-san here?! Akh—!"

Herlin then looked at the wound on his left waist. Blood suddenly pierced through the patient's green shirt which indicates that the wound was open again due to a lot of moving earlier.

Seeing a lot of blood piercing through her clothes, Yuuki-san immediately brought her inside and re-covered the wound earlier with a bandage. Although it does not cover it too much, but at least it can reduce the blood that comes out while reducing the pain.

After that, Yuuki-san again invited Herlin who had been a little calmer.

"Yosh's. It's done."

"Thank you, Yuuki-san. What's Oita-san—"

"He was in his room. You can meet him there."

As if already knowing Herlin's question, Yuuki-san immediately pointed out that Oita-san was in the room as usual. Herlin goes inside and meets Oita-san.

"You still can't move much, Herlin-chan."

As Herlin went inside, the first words of concern were issued by Oita-san on Herlin's condition.

"I'm fine, Oita-san. My wounds have begun to heal and only the recovery process remains."

"Oh so? If you say it's okay, then fine. So is there any business until you come here in that condition?"

"Let's work out Iraya's rescue strategy now."

"Can't."

"What does it mean you can't?!"

"We can't attack him in a hurry. Otherwise, even we will be destroyed."

"But don't we have a pact with Red Flame?! We can ask for his help like on the previous mission, right?"

"Unfortunately it's not that easy. Red Flame also has its own busyness, moreover he is the largest organization in Japan. It won't be easy to ask for his help without setting the schedule in advance."

"It can't be …."

Herlin bowed limp and held back his anger by biting his lips. Oita-san who noticed that came up to him and then hugged him and stroked his head.

"O-Oita-san?"

"You remind me of Iraya when she's panicking like this too. He was then and you are now really similar."

Herlin squeezes Oita-san's clothes out of being annoyed by her own incompetence. He felt that he was very weak and could not protect those around him.

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Maybe you have to be patient a little longer. Because I'm working on it."

"So you're saying that I should just sit there and wait?"

"No, I never said that. There's one task only you can do."

"Tasks?"

"Yes, but this task is not easy."

"What's that?"

"You should go to Iraya's house and think of the right reasons to explain why Iraya hasn't been home for three days."

"Home ... Iraya …?"

After hearing the task given by Oita-san, Herlin suddenly recalled as she asked Iraya's parents for permission to go to the tournament. He also remembers the warm touch given by his mother Iraya which reminds him of his childhood.

Now he had to think of a reason why Iraya hadn't come home lately.

"How, can you?"

Herlin actually did not know the reason he had to give her, but if this was all he could do for now then he would.

"Alright, I'll go to Iraya's house."

"Good then."

Herlin then walked out of the room. When he came out, Oita-san picked up the smartphone on her desk and muttered something.

"Well .., time to work."

Meanwhile Herlin meets Yuuki-san who is welcoming customers who came as she wants to get out of the Cafe.

"Herlin-chan, where do you want to go?*

"I want to go to Iraya's house, I have to tell her mother why she hasn't been home for a few days."

Yuuki-san who heard that put on a surprised expression that Herlin realized. But Herlin did not know why Yuuki-san had such an expression.

"What's wrong, Yuuki-san?"

"It's okay. You better go home and get changed before you go to Iraya's house."

Herlin looked at his clothes that he was currently wearing. He forgot that he was wearing a hospital patient's shirt. Moreover, there was a trace of blood on his left waist.

"You're right. Then I go first, Yuuki-san."

"Good way."

**

Meanwhile in an old building that almost collapsed. A place that looks like an old church that burned down and left only the skeletons of the building.

In the middle of the building, there was a person sitting on a chair with his hands and feet tied to a rope. With his mouth covered with plaster made him unable to scream for help.

Let alone screaming for help, just want to eat it feels very difficult and must be fed. The man was surrounded by several people who looked like they had kidnapped him and were waiting for a ransom.

And the unlucky fellow was me.

"Mhh …."

"Be quiet, you just ate. Don't whine for more food" says Nimis.

They think I'm hungry. I was lamenting my very unlucky life. Even I who wanted to sigh resigned could not do it.

But I'm confused as to what they're actually going to do. They fed me and did not torture me like most prisoners. What are they thinking, anyway? That doesn't mean I want to be tortured. I'm not a masochist either. But I just feel awkward.

As I was thinking, Caramel suddenly came near me. He approached me at a very close distance, even our noses were almost touching. He looked at my iris and then commented.

"Iraya-kun, since when is your iris orange?"

"Mhh .. mmhhh .. hhmm …."

'I just had contact lenses. Hows it? Nice, right?' I wanted to talk like that. But since my mouth was closed, all that came out was Nezuko's voice.

"Ehehe .. I don't understand what you're saying."

"Don't get close to him, Caramel. You could've been kissed by him" said Ardenter.

"Hehehe .. if that's the hell I don't matter."

You're warning the wrong people, oi! It should be me you should commemorate that! But for a few days of being here and seeing them, I became aware of some of their habits.

First was Nimis who always snapped or spoke harshly with Caramel. It seemed like he really hated and disliked Caramel.

Then the second is the proximity of Ardenter with Nimis. They were both very close, like lovers. But I feel like Ardenter is scared of Nimis. He always obeyed what Nimis said.

Then the third. I looked at one person who was mysterious to me. His name is Delta, he changed his mask because his mask was destroyed in my attack. He never spoke at all. I'm even confused she's a girl or a boy. But my guess is he's a bearded om-om.

The last one is the leader. He used to be called the boss here, but I'm sure that's not his real name. After bringing me here, when I woke up I never saw him again. Is he doing anything?

Tiiing…

"Hn? From boss?"

Suddenly the Caramel smartphone went off. Then he lifted it up. He stayed away from me to talk. From what he said that the one who called him was the boss.

"Hello …. Ms, everything is under control …. All right, I'll get the others to prepare …. Fine …. Dah~ …."

After Caramel hung up, he told his friends to get ready to welcome the boss. Will something happen later? I don't know what he was talking about. Caramel then looked at me and approached me with a smirk on her face.

"Wait a minute, Iraya-kun."

After that he came out of the building along with the other Assassin members leaving me alone inside here. It looks like something is going to happen to me. I gulped dry because I had imagined that nothing would happen to me.

"May I be well" I murmured.

Seriate