Stranger Danger

“Something doesn’t feel right about this fog…”

The ancient, abandoned city was dark and desolate. There were no signs of life anywhere, and it was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. The fine mist draped over the city only added to the bleakness of the atmosphere.

However, the deeper they ventured into the city, the thicker the mist became. Eventually, it had grown into a thick fog that prevented even the sharpest eyes from seeing anything beyond several inches.

Dancer tried probing her surroundings for a bit before saying, “This fog is blocking my spiritual senses.”

“Are you sure our prey is inside this city, Dream Master?” Slaughterer turned back to look at Dream Master.

“I’m sure,” Dream Master replied affirmatively while touching his forehead.

“Okay. Watch me.” Slaughterer cracked his neck loudly before taking a step forward. Then, he threw a devastating punch.

Whoosh!

Space shook, and an astral wind blew. His powerful fist force collapsed all the buildings within tens of meters around him, and his astral wind scattered the surrounding dust and fog like a violent tsunami. Everything within tens of meters of the group became as clear as day.

Slaughterer withdrew his fist and smiled proudly at his handiwork. Unfortunately, they had only taken a few steps when the fog rolled right back in and reset all his progress.

“Allow me.”

Dancer smiled and flicked a single water bead into the sky. When it broke, it transformed into a drizzle that encompassed the entire city.

The drizzle was soft, soothing, and imbued with some sort of purifying power. The coldness and the fog within the ancient city slowly dissipated as if cleansed by the drizzle, and the withered brambles and plants on the ground actually started growing roots and sprouts. What was once a cold, dead city in ashes now felt like it was facing a new dawn.

For a moment, it looked like Dancer had done what Slaughterer had failed to do. However, the fog rolled back in as soon as the rain was finished.

“Huh? I can't believe it. My Rain Prayer isn’t working on this fog.” Dancer sounded very puzzled.

Her Rain Prayer could purify all sorts of evils and yin existences and scatter the wind and fog. It was especially effective against anomalous fog like this one. And yet, it had failed to work its magic this time.

“That’s troubling. Be on your guard, everyone,” Dream Master warned.

His companions did not really take his warning to heart though. They were all supremely confident in their strength.

“Hey Dream Master! Where the hell is he?”

Slaughterer was the most impatient and rash of the group. Knowing that the thief who stole Nanke was just ahead of them, he had rushed ahead without waiting for his companion. He was certain that they could keep up with him.

Unfortunately, he was unable to locate anyone or any signs of life despite walking for a long time. Eventually, he lost his cool and looked back to ask Dream Master regarding the thief’s latest location.

It was then he noticed that his companions were nowhere to be found.

“Where the hell did they go? Dream Master? Dream Master! Dancer! Dancer…”

Slaughterer yelled a couple of times, but he did not hear a reply from anyone.

“Screw it. I’ll go alone. Locating the thief is our first priority anyway.”

Slaughterer let out a savage laugh before resuming his journey.

On the other side, Dream Master, Earth Walker and Dancer also realized Slaughterer had gone missing after they rounded a corner. It should have been impossible for them to miss such a big, loud man, and yet they had.

“Slaughterer’s gone missing.”

Dancer turned to Dream Master for instructions after calling out to Slaughterer to no avail.

“I can go look for him,” Earth Walker suggested.

“It’s fine. I’ll do it myself.” Dream Master smiled and touched his forehead. Illusory butterflies immediately flew into the open and danced around him, their forms gradually solidifying over time.

“Go.”

Dream Master waved, and the butterflies scattered in every direction. However, his smile stiffened, and a “Huh?” escaped his lips just a moment later.

“What’s wrong?” Dancer asked.

“I just lost contact with my Dream Butterflies.” Dream Master said slowly, “I was careless. This strange fog isn’t the only strange phenomenon in this city. Something’s wrong with the city itself.”

“Should we worry about Slaughterer’s safety?” Dancer asked worriedly.

“It should be fine. Something’s definitely off about the city, but I haven’t detected any danger when I came.” Dream Master hummed. “Besides, even if the unknown dangers of this city prove too much for Slaughterer, he is more than capable of keeping himself alive.”

“Right now, our first priority is to retrieve Nanke. The longer we take, the higher the chances that something may go awry. We can always find Slaughterer after we’ve completed our objective.”

“Very well.” Dancer nodded. Earth Walker had no objections to offer either.

“Let’s go. Try not to stray too far from the group. You don’t want to get lost like Slaughterer,” Dream Master instructed before they resumed their journey.

……

“Dammit, just where the hell am I?!”

Slaughterer was currently standing atop a broken wall. He was wearing an ugly snarl.

He was certain that he would locate the thief who stole Nanke in no time. When that happened, he would rip him from limb to limb and quell the impatience and frustration boiling inside his heart.

However, reality was a cruel mistress. Despite searching around the area for over an incense stick, forget the thief, he couldn’t even locate his own companions.

That would’ve been fine if he had run into a couple of Strangers at least. After all, he could’ve used them as his punching bags. However, the city seemed to be completely empty. He couldn’t find a single living thing that he could vent his frustrations on at all.

Worse still, he seemed to have lost his way. More accurately, he discovered that he was unable to leave the city no matter which direction he was traveling.

“Graaaaaaahhhh!!!”

Slaughterer let out an angry roar and punched a wall beside him, sending bricks and stones flying everywhere. Everything was in a dilapidated state to begin with, so the punch threatened to collapse the entire wall. Slaughterer was just starting though. As if he had gone crazy, he punched the wall again and again until it finally collapsed with a loud rumble.

“Hah… hah…”

Slaughterer stared at the collapsed wall for a moment. It was only then the red glow in his eyes slowly receded.

“Are you done venting yet? If you are, then let’s go!”

Suddenly, a voice erupted from somewhere. Slaughterer turned around and saw Earth Walker leaning against a building and watching him coldly.

“Earth Walker? How did you find me?” Slaughterer couldn’t help but feel a spark of joy when he saw Earth Walker. Although the man was someone he disliked, it was still better than having no one in this heavens forsaken place.

Earth Walker replied coldly, “How can I not while you were throwing such a tantrum? C’mon.”

The man then turned away and started walking.

“Where are we going?” Slaughterer hurriedly caught up to him.

“Outside,” Earth Walker said succinctly.

“We’re not searching for Nanke anymore?” Slaughterer asked in confusion.

“We already found it,” Earth Walker replied.

“You found it?” Slaughterer blurted before growing terribly anxious. “How did you find Nanke so quickly? And where is the thief who stole Nanke? Did you kill him yet?”

“Nah. We know you want him for yourself,” Earth Walker answered.

“Hahaha! Good, good!” Slaughterer let out a vicious laugh. “I’m going to skin him, break his bones, rip out his tendons, remove his marrows, and light his soul on fire. I’m going to treat him to the Five Cruel Punishments of our Eight Legions of Devas and Nagas and make him wish he was dead!”

“Oh, I can’t wait! Stop dilly-dallying and let’s go!”

Slaughterer urged and ran past Earth Walker, expecting the man to pick up the pace as well.

“If you insist, then I’ll send you to the other side right now!”

Behind Slaughterer, Earth Walker’s lips suddenly curled into a disdainful smile.

“What did you say?”

Alarm and panic suddenly welled in Slaughterer’s heart as he looked behind him. He immediately saw a fantastical, crimson light shining so bright that it illuminated even the darkest depths of his soul.

The spring wind and fine rain had arrived to blow a human soul away from this world.