Chapter Thirty-Four: Death, Drawing Near! (9/9)

Izumi Akazawa’s mind was in turmoil. Liu Mengchao had left without a word right before her eyes.

But then... a tiny, quiet voice suddenly echoed within her heart.

"If he really were the dead one, would you kill him?"

*Plop.*

Rainwater struck Izumi Akazawa’s face, sliding down her porcelain-like skin before falling into the dirt, much like the girl’s heart at that moment, sinking deeper and deeper.

"No," Izumi Akazawa shook her head. She would never believe that the extra person was Liu Mengchao.

"I seem to be a special person. The curse of Class 3-3 has no effect on me. So, for all these years, I have been observing the curse of Class 3-3, trying to find a way to resolve it."

These words were spoken by Mr. Chibiki in her ear on the afternoon of the first day of school, while she was hiding in the library, crying.

"You are a student of this year’s Class 3-3. I knew your brother; he was a very good person. Your hair color is identical."

Back then, she had looked up at Mr. Chibiki as he emerged from the dark shadows, and for the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope.

"What your brother could not complete, you will finish when the time comes. Help your classmates survive the curse this year."

Thinking of this, her brother’s face and the words of Tatsuji Chibiki began to cycle through Izumi Akazawa’s mind, unceasingly, tighter and faster, drilling into her consciousness.

"Nobunaga said you are a strong girl. So don’t cry here. Show your strongest side to your classmates. At least, I will help you."

"Ho... how... can you help..."

*Splash, splash.*

Izumi Akazawa ran swiftly through the rain, the water splashing and falling beneath her feet, mirroring her restless and uneasy heart.

"Perhaps this year will be different. Perhaps I can find a way to solve the curse. After twenty-six years, living at the very heart of the curse, I might no longer be affected by it."

"Then will you tell me who the extra person is this year?"

Damn it! Damn it!

Why did she ask that back then? Izumi Akazawa felt her vision blurring completely; the path ahead began to waver and fade.

"It is possible that I might truly discover something. It seems I remember last year’s events more and more clearly." Chibiki’s words were like a curse, and now was the time for them to take effect.

"Lies! It’s all lies!"

Izumi Akazawa ran faster and faster, and the rain grew heavier with her.

The rain filled the sky like a curtain, enveloping and drowning the lonely, helpless girl. She ran in despair, crying because she refused to believe what she had heard.

While some were helpless, others sneered in the rain—not because of the sudden cold, but because of the deed they were about to commit.

"Are you ready?"

Tao Yunchuan turned his head to look at Long Xiang, who was in the driver's seat. Although being a hacker sounded cool, Tao Yunchuan had to admit he couldn't drive, nor did he have the skill to steal a car like Long Xiang did.

If he hadn't received that letter and opened the envelope, he would never have come to this damn world! However, thankfully, this world was coming to an end soon.

Tao Yunchuan subconsciously rubbed his thigh, trying to soothe his nervous heart.

"Don't be nervous. We'll see plenty more dead people in the future. As long as we are in this world, we have no choice but to kill. To kill many people." Long Xiang carelessly opened his collar and laughed. "Killing is actually quite fast, and after a while, you'll get addicted to it."

As he spoke, he flicked a switch on the right side of the steering wheel.

*Click, click.*

The windshield wipers began to move.

Tao Yunchuan’s vision cleared, but he couldn't see very far; the rain was simply too heavy. Fortunately, Izumi Akazawa had red hair, which was as clear a marker as one could ask for.

As long as he killed her, he would survive!

"She's here!"

Tao Yunchuan cried out in excitement. As if struck by electricity, he sat up straight, staring fixedly at the figure at the street corner.

Izumi Akazawa.

"Perfect timing!" Long Xiang shouted excitedly, slamming his right foot down on the accelerator.

*Rumble.*

The engine roared to life instantly. Amidst the noisy rain, it sounded like a trapped beast grinding its sharp teeth.

The people in the car were watching the street scene, unaware that they had already become a scene in the eyes of others.

"What if Izumi Akazawa dies?"

"She won't die," Old Snake seemed quite confident.

"How can you be so sure? If those two idiots really hit and kill her, it doesn't matter if they get erased, but what about us? How are we supposed to kill Liu Mengchao?" Zhen Qianting grew anxious.

"I told you, she won't." In Old Snake’s eyes, a proud light flickered. Yes, pride. Because this morning, he had made contact with a different kind of person.

A person who would allow him to escape this world.

The list of last year’s deaths was still in Old Snake’s pocket, completely soaked through by the rain. But just like the rainwater that had permeated the list, the words of that person had completely permeated Old Snake’s brain.

"The next one to die will be Junta Nakao. Cause of death: hit by a car."

"What do I need to do?"

"As long as you are the only one left, I will resurrect you, and then you can leave this world!"

A promise—a promise that must be trusted. Old Snake repeated it to himself over and over in his heart.

Although he was a liar, sometimes he had to trust someone.

Someone he had to trust, otherwise, he would only face death!

*Boom!*

The car lurched forward.

Long Xiang switched on the headlights. Like ghost fire from a grave, they suddenly illuminated the surroundings.

Izumi Akazawa was right ahead!

The tires spun wildly!