(Narration)
The rain hadn't stopped.
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But the chaos…
Was fading.
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Haruto walked silently.
A few steps behind Adryn.
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His body still felt heavy.
His mind… even heavier.
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And in front of him—
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Adryn walked casually.
Hands in his pockets.
Talking.
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"…and then he really thought that was a good idea. Imagine trying to negotiate with a devil like that—"
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A pause.
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"Honestly, some people just lack common sense."
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Haruto blinked.
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"…What?"
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Adryn didn't answer.
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Because at that exact moment—
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A devil lunged from the side.
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Fast.
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Violent.
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Aimed straight at Haruto.
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Before Haruto could even react—
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Adryn raised a single finger.
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Without looking.
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A slight flick.
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And—
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The devil's body twisted mid-air.
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Compressed.
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Then—
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Gone.
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Erased.
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Adryn continued walking.
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"…Anyway, as I was saying—"
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Haruto stopped for a second.
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"…Did you just…"
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No answer.
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Another devil appeared.
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This time from behind.
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Adryn didn't even turn.
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He pointed slightly.
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The air warped.
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And the devil collapsed instantly.
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Haruto's eyes widened.
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"…What is this…?"
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He followed again.
Slower this time.
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Watching.
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Trying to understand.
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But he couldn't.
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The Subordinate
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A figure suddenly appeared in front of them.
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Kneeling.
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"Sir Adryn."
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Adryn stopped.
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"Hmm?"
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"The situation is under control."
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A pause.
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"You've already wiped out more than half of the devils in this area."
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Silence.
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Haruto froze.
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"…Half?"
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His gaze shifted toward Adryn.
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Who looked completely unbothered.
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"Oh. Is that so?"
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The subordinate nodded.
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"Yes, sir."
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Then—
His eyes moved.
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Toward Haruto.
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A brief pause.
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"…And who is he?"
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Adryn glanced back.
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Then answered casually.
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"My student."
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A small pause.
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"Starting today."
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The subordinate's expression changed.
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Slightly surprised.
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"…Understood."
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He stood up.
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Then turned.
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"…I'll report ahead."
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And disappeared.
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Murmuring quietly—
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"A student…?"
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Realization
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Haruto stood still.
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His mind racing.
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"…Student…"
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He looked at Adryn again.
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Now differently.
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Not just as someone strong.
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But as something else.
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Someone far above him.
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"…I need to know…"
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His voice was low.
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"…What kind of power is that…?"
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Adryn glanced at him briefly.
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"You'll learn."
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And continued walking.
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The Destination
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"…Where are we going?"
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Haruto asked.
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Adryn answered without hesitation.
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"To the Exorcists."
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Haruto repeated quietly—
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"…Exorcists…"
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The word felt distant.
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Unreal.
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But also—
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Like the only place left for him.
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The Truth
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Adryn slowed down slightly.
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Then asked—
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"What's your clause?"
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Haruto hesitated.
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But answered.
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"…Every time I use its power…"
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A pause.
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"I lose a memory."
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Adryn's expression changed.
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Slightly serious now.
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"And the devil?"
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Haruto looked forward.
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"…Crimson Devil."
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Silence.
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Adryn stopped walking.
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"…Say that again."
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"…Crimson Devil."
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A pause.
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A longer one.
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"…You're telling me…"
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Adryn turned toward him.
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"…you're hosting that thing?"
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Haruto nodded slowly.
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"I think… it's trapped inside me."
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Adryn exhaled.
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"…That's insane."
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He looked away for a moment.
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"…Do you even know what that devil is?"
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Haruto shook his head.
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Adryn spoke.
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Calm.
But heavy.
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"That devil…"
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"…once wiped out an entire district in Tokyo."
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Haruto froze.
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"…What?"
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"Using its Terrain."
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A pause.
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"It wasn't a fight."
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"It was destruction."
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"It erased everything."
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Silence.
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"And you…"
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Adryn looked at him again.
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"…are carrying it."
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Haruto's throat tightened.
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"…Then I…"
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"…I used that power…"
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Adryn cut him off.
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"Relax."
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A pause.
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"Your clause only activates…"
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"…when you expand the Terrain."
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Haruto blinked.
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"…So…"
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"If you don't use it—"
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"You won't lose anything."
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Silence.
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"…Really?"
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Adryn nodded slightly.
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"And I'll make sure…"
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"…you don't have to use it."
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A small pause.
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"I'll teach you how to control its power."
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"Without opening that Terrain."
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Haruto's eyes widened.
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"…That means…"
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"…I won't lose my memories?"
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Adryn gave a small smile.
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"Exactly."
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Silence.
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Then—
For the first time—
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Haruto smiled.
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"…Okay."
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A quiet answer.
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But filled with relief.
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The World
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"…Where are the Exorcists exactly?"
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Haruto asked.
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Adryn answered casually—
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"Tokyo Department."
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A pause.
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"There's also Kyoto."
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"But Tokyo handles most of Japan."
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"Bigger force."
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"More problems."
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Haruto nodded slowly.
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Trying to process everything.
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"…When will we reach there?"
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Adryn stopped walking.
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Then looked at him.
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"…Now."
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Before Haruto could react—
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Adryn grabbed him.
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And the world—
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Disappeared.
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Speed
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Everything blurred.
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The rain.
The buildings.
The streets.
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All gone.
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Replaced by nothing.
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Movement beyond comprehension.
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Faster than thought.
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Faster than fear.
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And then—
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It stopped.
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Abruptly.
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Haruto stumbled forward.
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Trying to regain balance.
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His eyes widened.
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In front of him—
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A massive structure.
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Standing tall.
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Silent.
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Dominant.
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Tokyo Department of Exorcists
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Haruto took a breath.
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"…So this is…"
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Adryn walked past him.
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"…Yeah."
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A small pause.
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"Your new life."
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And without looking back—
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He stepped inside.