Hayato and I are walking again.
I checked the time; it was 3 AM.
People say 3:00 AM is the devil's hour, but I don't believe that.
We need to protect this cat until the sun is up. That means there's still more than two hours left.
The forest is getting darker and darker. I can barely see things that are three meters away.
But then Hayato shouted, "Itsuki, I can't walk anymore; my legs are hurting."
"But Hayato, we need to keep changing our location or we will be attacked."
"I just can't walk. Just two minutes of rest, please."
"Sighh... Fine..."
"Then you should better find out a place and rest. I will check around for potential threats."
"Uhh. Itsuki, chill out. We are already very far away."
Then Hayato sat, leaning against a tree, and closed his eyes.
To be honest, it's usual to be tired. But I didn't think someone would come to hunt the cat. In my opinion, 20 echo points isn't enough for a whole night of sleep.
Then I remembered something.
I quickly sat beside Hayato and checked my tablet. There was written:
Secret task completed. 10 echo points have been credited to your account. You will get 10 echo points for every person you kill.
"What the..."
What kind of task is this?
That means Renji was first in the leaderboard because he had killed many people.
"Oii~~"
"Itsuki, why are you staring at the tablet with wide eyes?"
"Nothing... I am just seeing the leaderboard."
"Ohh. You should get some rest too."
"I will take rest tomorrow; you shouldn't worry about me."
"I see... You are a night owl."
"I guess I am. Aren't I?"
Then Hayato closed his eyes. Maybe he is trying to sleep.
He is still holding the cat.
The cat's eyes are also closed. Maybe it is also sleeping.
(An unusually large smile of Itsuki)
To be honest, this secret task seems very fun...
"Oi~Oi~Oi~Oi"
I turned left.
There was a whole group of students. There were maybe 10 of them.
"Why are you guys here?" I shouted.
The guy who was in front of them all shouted, "Isn't that obvious? We are here to complete the task. Give us the cat."
"No."
"Do you want to fight with us?"
"I don't want to fight. Because you all will die if I fight."
"Huh! So you have so much attitude. You are going to die if you don't give us the cat."
"Why are you guys fighting for 20 points?"
"We are not fighting for the points. If the cat doesn't die until morning, all the students will receive a 70-point penalty."
"A penalty, huh?"
"Then I guess I don't have any choice."
"Be ready to die, fella."
"What's with that attitude? We have more people; you can't kill us alone."
"I can easily defeat you. Because you will need more people than that."
I was still sitting. Then finally, I put down my tablet and stood up.
Then I pulled the knife from my pocket.
"So you have a knife?"
"Then this fight must be fair. Guys, pull out your knives."
"Why are you guys staring? Attack him and get the cat."
Then finally, all the students ran towards me.
They were pretty skilled than the monkey before.
But they can't win against me.
Then the first blow came. He swung the knife, but I easily dodged that and attacked him with my knife. But looks like he also dodged.
Their leader was still standing.
Then I heard noise from my back. I quickly turned left. There was another student attacking.
They are cooperating very well.
But suddenly, a blow came, and my face got a little cut.
It wasn't that big. I can easily bear this pain.
"Oi~"
"Do you still want to fight? You can't win against us."
"From now on, I will use 15% of my power."
"Huh!! Do you think shouting can make your power increase?"
I didn't say a single thing.
But I instantly ran towards one of their members and tore my knife straight into his stomach.
"Ahhhhh!!!!!"
I quickly pulled it back.
He was still screaming in pain, but I didn't care.
The leader said something that I didn't hear.
Then I instantly attacked another member of their group.
I shouted, "So that's all of your power?"
All the students became terrified after the kill.
"Forgive us... Don't kill us, please."
"Hey, why are you guys begging him for mercy?" the leader shouted.
"You have to understand: they can't win against me."
"Then why shouldn't we fight?"
"Hmm. Then I will fight."
"Are you sure? You will die, you know."
"I don't care."
His bloodlust was visible in his eyes.
And the other students were watching eagerly for the fight.
Then finally, I ran towards him...