They could finally escape that endless fear.
Even describing it to outsiders couldn't convey the feeling; they had to labor for those devils constantly, and the result of their labor was merely that the exceptionally good ones would be kept for continuous work.
Those who refused to cooperate with the devils would be quickly eaten, and then all others would see how they, transformed into Ghouls, were tormented, begged for mercy, and regretted their defiance.
As for those who cooperated, if they didn't do well enough, couldn't learn, or were slow, they would also be quickly consumed.
The most terrifying thing was that even after they became Ghouls, they still had to continue laboring until the day they starved, because not laboring would lead to torture and death, while laboring, at least, offered the quick release of a pierced heart.
And even cooperation, or even excellent performance, was useless, because this level of labor was simply unbearable for humans; after one or two months, their bodies would inevitably break down, and that's when they would be served on the dining table.
Because they weren't worth wasting medicine on, and to prevent them from dying naturally or becoming sickly before being eaten, they would naturally be quickly dealt with.
What nauseated them most were the expressions of those villagers; despite sucking their blood, they still feigned reluctance, covering their heads and eyes with red cloth, stuffing their mouths, and only exposing their clean necks, while those things would sit together, drinking and making merry, as they gnawed on their necks.
And they would even lose that segment of memory, leaving only a deep, abiding fear in their hearts.
Fortunately, it seemed all of this was coming to an end today.
...
On the other side of the mountain.
A group of old men held their phones in terror.
"Quick! Gather everyone! As many as possible!"
They had already received news that Mount Amato had completely fallen, and now the rioting ingredients and the two monsters were heading towards them through the underground tunnel connecting the two mountains.
Their voices were hysterical; previously, they didn't care because they were all minor issues, whether a village was burned down or people kept appearing on the mountain.
If worst came to worst, they could just move at night; the scale was already so large that even if all the ingredients were gone, they could just get more. The important thing was that the matters here couldn't be exposed.
However, as they tried to cover things up, they suddenly realized, damn it! How did the fire spread to them?!
"You bastard, didn't you say nothing would happen?"
An old man angrily grabbed the lapel of an old man dressed in a kimono.
The person being dragged was none other than Yamada Yasuo, the old man who had conversed with Jingxin by the pond, and theoretically the local boss here, the land owner of both mountains.
However, he didn't indulge the man, grabbing his hand to make him let go.
"Shut up! Qi Ren has already reached Mount Senmai! They will stop those guys! You all calm down! I just need you to call some people to help! After all, there are too many rioting people, and our people here might not be able to handle it! As long as we can stall until night, we can move!"
Looking at the chaotic hall, Yamada Yasuo explained with effort.
That's right, the people here were the powerful figures he had drawn in during his rise to power, many of whom had already moved into the mountains for body sculpting as they aged, though they only realized they had been tricked after moving in.
But by then, they were already on the pirate ship, so they could only comply.
Some might wonder why there were so many people when it was only 2014.
This brings up the issue of Japan's elderly in power, or the aging of its government. In Japan, a place where even schools, supposedly ivory towers of equality, have a bizarre senior-junior system, unless one has no connections, younger people simply don't get to control social resources.
Coupled with Japan's severe aging population, this means that most politicians, heads of civil service, company presidents, and even some mid-level managers are old farts.
This is also why, during the previous pandemic, many elderly people died in Japan, and young people were popping champagne, feeling pleased!
And now, these old folks, feeling their lives threatened, also showed a tremendous will to survive.
"I'm calling a helicopter! I'm not playing along with you guys anymore!"
"Shut up! It's all your fault! If you had called people from other cities earlier, how could this have happened!"
"Forget it! When Yamada said it, didn't you all say not to bother, that it was just two people and what could go wrong?"
Watching the several old ghosts causing a ruckus, Yamada roared, interrupting their quarrel.
"Enough!"
As he spoke, he heavily struck his cane.
"I've always emphasized not making a big deal out of things for our own sake!
Don't you think about it, making a big fuss outside New Township is fine, but our situation here cannot be discovered. Just one! If just one untrustworthy person spreads the word about what's happening here to the higher-ups, what do you think will happen to us?
They will monopolize this opportunity themselves and then silence us, the insiders! That's why I've always said to be bold when catching people, because those are minor issues. As long as those people still desire immortality, they will inevitably protect us! But what if the true situation here is understood? And to speak frankly, even if we survive, will we still have our current status? Who will be in charge then, me, the richest man in New Village, or you, the former president of Hogeta Heavy Industries? Or you, the former managing director of Sakura Bank before its acquisition?"
As Yamada said this, the noisy hall finally quieted down, and everyone looked at him.
He waved his hand.
"Helicopters cannot be called; it's too big of a movement. I already got scolded for telling them not to report the fire! I contacted the Kaigen-gumi from Matsubushi; they will arrive in 3 hours to surround the village, and only the Kaigen-gumi do we have absolute control over. The people you call only need to guard the perimeter and prevent extra people from mixing in.
I had Qi Ren deal with the escaped fodder down the mountain first, to prevent them from running off, and that's also the reason. Don't you think, if even one fodder is caught by those who are not our people and questioned about our specific situation, we will end up as I just described!
Now, we just need to wait. This riot won't last long. As soon as those yakuza arrive down the mountain with their gear, these people will only think about running. By night, it will be our home ground again. We just need to lock the doors and wait!
Just three hours, and we here will be as steady as Mount Tai!"
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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