"This is it," Kussaku said, pointing at his trailer. They trudged through the mud that had formed from the melted snow. Kussaku stopped next to the trailer, pointing at the tunnel in the distance. "It was down there."

"We can't just waltz in, though," Seijū pointed out. "You said you'd try and figure out what that thing is, but...How exactly do you plan on doing that?" Kussaku stood there in thought, scratching his head.

"That's a good question," Kussaku admitted. At that moment, they heard a crunch behind them. They whirled around. A man stood there with a serious, almost distant expression on his face. Seijū sighed in relief.

"Uh, hello...? Do you happen to know what happened here?" Seijū asked innocently. The man simply stared.

"Humans...?" he murmured in a monotone voice. Kussaku gasped, grabbing Seijū by the shoulder.

"Seijū! That's not a human! It's one of them!" Kussaku exclaimed, pulling Seijū back. Seijū stumbled behind the trailer just as the man's face began to twist in a spiral pattern. What the—! Seijū began to panic in fear.

"What was that?!" Seijū exclaimed.

"One of them! Run!" Kussaku gasped, sprinting to the right. Seijū followed without hesitation, sprinting away. However, a second person cut them off. She wore the same facial expression. Another one! Her face quickly morphed, and she prepared to slash at them. Kussaku dove out of the way, rolling downhill through the mud. Seijū followed, sliding down. Mud obscured his vision, although he could still see that thing standing behind him. Kussaku slid to a stop, catching Seijū.

They looked around; they had reached a dead end, save for the tunnel that burrowed into and under the mountain. They suddenly heard something behind them. One of them had followed them down to the tunnel. Damn it, it's following us! Seijū stepped back into the tunnel; Kussaku pushed him in. Seijū turned around, heart pumping...just as blood splattered onto his face.

...No! Seijū gasped in horror. Kussaku looked at him, eyes wide. He then looked down at the blade that had pierced his chest. He looked back up at Seijū. This can't be happening...! Kussaku opened his mouth to speak, but coughed out blood. This...This can't be real...! The blade retracted from Kussaku's body, which collapsed on the ground, limp. Seijū screamed, panicked. The monster swung its blade at Seijū, who ducked towards his brother at the last moment. Kussaku...! Come on, get up, Kussaku! GET UP! The blade sliced the bottom of Seijū's bangs, exposing part of his left cheek. Please...Kussaku, don't leave me...! Seijū looked at Kussaku's emotionless face for a moment before coming to his senses.

Seijū whirled around and sprinted down the dark tunnel, tears streaming down his face. Kussaku...That thing killed Kussaku...! He felt something prick his back, but hardly noticed it; his senses had dulled. He just kept running. I...I won't let it get away with this...! But I...I can't kill it...! He nearly tripped over what seemed to be a coat. He entered a large open space, where he noticed one lone gas lamp in the corner. It was a hot spring...and a dead end. Corpses were littered all over the floor. He tried to find another way, but failed. Damn it, there's no way out! He turned around, his back pressed against the wall. The monster entered the room, its head twisted beyond recognition. It's blades swung through the air. Seijū swallowed nervously. Kussaku...I'll see you soon, don't worry...

Suddenly, something splashed out of the spring. What the hell?! Scalding water sprayed everywhere. A lanky humanoid figure, wearing only pants, had leapt out of the water, landing on its feet in front of Seijū. The monster paused.

"What are you doing?" it questioned calmly.

"I am curious as to how human emotion operates. I wish to keep this one alive for the purpose of observation," the newcomer explained, just as calmly. Another one...?! Seijū trembled in fear. The monster scoffed.

"There is no reason for any of us to be interested in emo...wait."

A pause.

"Your human brain is still intact? Your parasyte was a failure, then," the monster deduced. Parasyte? Is...is that what they're called? The newcomer shook his head.

"I wouldn't say that," he objected.

"If your human brain is intact, there is no reason you should be kept alive." Instantly, his blades sped into action...and were countered by other blades. Both of the newcomer's arms had extended into blades. The two of them instantly engaged into a rapid fight, their blades whirling all over the place. They're fighting! Seijū quickly tried to think. I need to get out of here...! But...but the only way out is through that hallway...! I need to get there, somehow! However, before Seijū could do anything, he heard a screech. He turned to look at the source; the monster had been decapitated! The decapitated head slowly crawled towards them, but was quickly chopped in half by the newcomer. He retracted his blades back into arms, turning towards Seijū.

"Hello," he said nonchalantly. Now! Seijū screamed, taking this as an opportunity to escape. He sprinted towards the exit, but the tunnel was suddenly blocked off by a mass of flesh. Ack! He turned around again; the newcomer had extended his arm to block the exit. "You shouldn't leave just yet."

"W-what are you?!" Seijū screamed out, shaking. The newcomer looked at him with a perplexed look.

"What am I...? Oh, you mean who! I'm Yūjin! Arms confuse you?" the newcomer introduced himself casually. "I'm not a parasyte, don't worry. I'm human, like you."

"H-HUMAN?! You have the gall to call yourself human?!" Seijū yelled, enraged. "You things, you...PARASYTES killed my brother!"

"Your brother...? ...Hey, you're bleeding." ...What...? Seijū became conscious of blood soaking on his back, being absorbed by his jacket. Damn it, he's not lying! But...I have to ignore it! Seijū swung his fist at Yūjin, who evaded it easily. "Please don't."

"Or what?! You'll kill me too?!" Seijū countered. Yūjin shook his head.

"No. A parasyte may have killed your brother. That thing I just killed is a parasyte. Me? I'm a special case. You could say I'm a human with parasytes in my body," Yūjin explained.

"Why should I believe you...?!" Seijū argued. That's impossible! Only a parasyte could do...that...with its arm!

"Shouldn't my emotion be enough?!" Yūjin exclaimed suddenly, agitated. Emotion...? ...Now that he mentions it...he does seem more emotional than the other ones... Yūjin breathed deeply. "I can explain this whole concept some other time, but right now I need to get you out of here."

"Why do you care about me...?" Seijū inquired. It doesn't make sense. Yūjin smiled.

"Because you're human." Because I'm...human...I'm...human...! Yūjin retracted his hand from the exit. "I'll lead. Let's go."

Yūjin walked down the tunnel. I might as well follow him. Seijū reluctantly followed him into the tunnel. They walked down the tunnel until making it back to the entrance. Seijū paused in front of Kussaku's body. Kussaku...That parasyte just...slaughtered you! I...I can't leave you here...! Refusing to abandon his brother, he threw the body over his shoulder. I'm taking you with me! Yūjin looked at him.

"That's your brother?" Seijū nodded solemnly. "...I'm sorry."

I don't need your sym...Wait. At that moment, Seijū noticed another 'parasyte' walking towards them.

"Yūjin, over there," he said, pointing at it. Before the parasyte could react, Yūjin had already sliced through it. Whoa! That...That was fast! Yūjin trudged uphill towards the light; Seijū followed suit.