At that point, Kazuichi couldn’t care less about the preparations they had done in the shelter. He couldn’t care less whether the Hybrid Mountain Stronghold or the Scarlet Blood Stronghold would help him out. This was his vengeance... this was his alone.

Kazuichi knelt done as he saw the mangled remains of his friend, rotting in broad daylight as flies hovered overhead. The mindless Hybrids he felled couldn’t even compare to the single body that lay motionless on the ground.

This was his friend... Kaito... whom he had bonded and hunted together the past couple of weeks. He was like a brother to him, an invaluable brother that ate with him and drank blood with him.

Rage filled his eyes as it turned bloodshot. He screamed like a Hybrid, indifferent about the attention he was getting from the Aberrants and Omegas nearby. This was his way of mourning for his fallen comrade. This was his way of expressing his sentiment, of expressing the threat that he was.

As he did so, a stray tear fell from his eyes, and he sniffled. Kazuichi returned to his senses and grabbed Kaito’s body. Although there were only a little bit of flesh left on the bones that framed his body, Kazuichi didn’t want him to rot in the open air.

If any, the least he could do was give him a proper burial.

"I’m sorry, Kaito." Kazuichi let out as he walked towards a nearby overhanging cliff.

Activating his Blood Art, Kazuichi started digging, letting his emotions turn primal as he continuously unearthed the earth. It didn’t take long before he dug a hole deep enough for Kaito’s body.

Slowly as he could, so as not to damage the remaining parts of Kaito, he lifted and lowered the body into the pit before burying it. He then walked towards a nearby tree and punched it to oblivion. A single shard of wood fell, and he continued punching it until it resembled a headstone.

With much force, he stuck it into the ground and knelt in front of it. He had done it, he had given his friend a proper burial.

But it wasn’t enough, his rage was still seeping out of his every being. Wiping another stray tear from his cheeks, he stood up, determined to exact vengeance upon the cause of his friend’s death.

— — —

Meanwhile,

Arisu paced back and forth Kazuichi’s place, wondering why Kazuichi hasn’t returned yet. Most of the time, Kazuichi would be back for dinner after a successful time. Of course, there were times when he’d be late, and today was probably one of those days...

And yet, somehow, Arisu felt like something was a little bit off. She had a bad feeling about Kazuichi not coming home yet.

Creak~

The door to the house slowly opened, and in came Lea, who had just finished her training. It was time for dinner, and she expected to invite Kazuichi to eat with her.

"He’s not yet here?" Lea asked, looking around for any sign of Kazuichi, only to find Arisu in the middle of the room, pacing back and forth. At first glance, she didn’t even notice that Arisu was right in front of her.

"No, not yet. I’m having a bad feeling about this." Arisu concernedly commented as she stopped pacing back and forth... that didn’t stop her from fidgeting, however.

"I’m sure he’s all right. He’s probably enjoying his solitude. I’m sure it could get a bit suffocating staying here in the stronghold with so many residents." Lea assured her, although she felt a little anxious about Kazuichi’s absence herself.

A part of them wanted to go outside and look for Kazuichi, but they knew that Kazuichi wouldn’t like it if they put themselves in unnecessary danger. Besides, Kazuichi did tell them that he had plans with Kaito. The two of them were the strongest Hybrids back in the Hybrid Mountain Stronghold during the training camp.

"I’m sure he’s all right." Arisu regurgitated what Lea said as she heaved an exhale. "Yeah, you’re probably right. Let’s get some dinner." Arisu said as she beckoned Lea to join her.

"Yeah,"

— — —

It didn’t take long before Kazuichi reached the clearing where he once saw the gathering of the mindless Hybrids. As usual, remnants of their presence was right there.

The absence of zombies, the destruction left on the scene, as well as a couple of dead bodies here and there proved that they’ve been on this place before. And judging from these fresh marks, it was safe to assume that they haven’t gone that far just yet.

"All right, I guess it’s time to prepare some things." Kazuichi said to himself as he slowed down his pace, still tracing the plethora of footprints left behind by the straggling mindless Hybrids.

Kazuichi’s preparation wasn’t all that fancy. The first thing he accomplished was polishing and sharpening his daggers to pinpoint precision, to the point where even a Hybrid would be cut like butter, cleanly in half, if he were to deliver a powerful slice.

On top of that, he also wrapped some clothes on his fist, putting a deer’s jawbone underneath it, just to give his punches an extra punch, or so the saying goes. He also decided to leave most of his things on that place, so he wouldn’t be dragged by the weight when he engages the mindless Hybrids in a brawl.

Lastly, he absorbed copious amounts of meteorite ores to compensate for his Hybrid abilities. He knew he’d be using his Blood Arts and Hybrid powers, so taking in more meteorites wouldn’t hurt. If it were any other regular days, he’d have a hard time controlling his strength, as well as his sanity.

But at present, those things could be thrown out the window. He was there to kill every mindless Hybrid in the group, and he fully intended to accomplish it.

"Now, here we go." Kazuichi let out as his eyes crackled. Without reprieve, he started rushing forward, clouded with the vengeance that overwhelmed him.