Chapter 45 Zanku the Beheader
The moonlight appears to be the perfect silver silk cover for the breezy surface of the streets. As it's incomparable effulgence overtakes the stony ground, the rectangular tile reflects an unfit sense of metal into the atmosphere. The obsidian firmament is nothing more than a large curtain covering the sleepless earth.
In this chilly night, it is natural for people to achieve warmth by embracing each other, but that is not the objective of the unseen duo in the ally next to the main road.
Feeling the movement of the brown-haired girl calming down to her normal standards, the Black Reaper gradually relaxes his grip on her body. Seeing that Seryu is completely having her focus on the actions of the shadowed man, Hei removes his hands from her mouth and her waist to fix his dislocated glasses back to its original position.
For Seryu, the world around her seems to completely freeze in place as she pours all of her focus into this potential threat. Hei can tell, without manipulating molecules, that the girl's breathing patterns are becoming more uniformed as the figure approaches. It is only a person's natural reaction to unknown danger.
As the blood of the unfortunate victim slowly stains the silver ground with its dark marks, the sight of a hand rubbing against a separated human head quickly takes over the previously unclear figure when the moonlight uncovers the fearful character.
"Joy! Joy! Joy!"
Seemingly savoring the feeling of human skin, the mysterious man excitingly nodes at his gruesome creation.
When the street lights overcome the barrier of darkness, they gradually unravel that undetermined figure of dread for the young fighter of justice.
From the rising blond hair on the temples of his face to the awkward device similar to that of a pair of headphones, the image of his whole body is quite unusual when comparing it to that of a normal adult – especially the two blades from the sides of his arms and the large green eye in the middle of his forehead.
Seryu immediately frowns at the first second of seeing this man, realizing that this is the infamous murderer, Zanku the Beheader, whom the Imperial Police is trying to eliminate since his very first crime earlier this month. This man was once the executioner of the empire, but then followed the path of criminals when he went crazy over all the killings he made – his natural instinct of unlimited bloodlust brought him into a murderer of innocents. Of course, the Imperial Police also recognized the Teigu that Zanku is using to accomplish his crimes while getting away unscratched every time – the Spectator.
This Teigu is the definition of mind-reading. Zanku does not use it other than his purpose of hunting down his victims and succeeding in combat situations; however, for the empire, this Teigu is a perfect way of rooting out spies and acquiring information through interrogation.
"Perfect opportunity – how can I let this one slide away?" Speaking to herself, Seryu swiftly pulls out the T-shaped staff-like weapon from her side, and aims it right at the head of the executioner.
SWIFT.
BANG!
"Dodged…" Looking at the dispersing dust in the air, Seryu lets the feeling of her weaponing contacting the ground reassure her failed ambush attempt.
At the same time, landing safely on the ground a few meters from his previous position, Zanku quickly activates his blades from his sleeves, and smiles at the brown-haired girl.
"Oh, what do we have here? Let me guess… one of the partners of those imperial policemen I killed? Oh, you are becoming furious! Perfect! You want to kill me with your little Teigu by your side? How convenient." Nodding thoughtfully at Seryu, Zanku lets out a devilish smile, exposing his white teeth to the girl.
"Oh? Another rat? Are you here? Or are you over there?"
"Telepathy."
Walking out of the shadows, Hei involuntarily fixes his glasses upon receiving the looks of the fighting pair on the street.
"Hei, this does not concern you! Let the Imperial Police handle this! Go and cover yourself!" Speaking seriously at the undercover Black Reaper, Seryu subconsciously stands in front of Zanku, and readies her weapon to activate her Teigu. Feeling guilty of accusing the man who might have just saved her life, she is willing to take on this battle as a way of appreciation to Hei.
"How dare you attack the Imperial Police! Koro!"
ROAR!
Upon the beginning of its activation, the small toy dog suddenly evolves into something that has the combined height of four regular adults, showing off its incredible muscular limbs and its terrifying teeth to the executioner.
"What a surprise! Such incredible body and such incredible strength… come, and show me more pleasure!" Sliding out his metal blades from his sleeves, Zanku disgustingly takes a lick at the remaining blood, and nods at the sight of the giant biological Teigu.
"Koro! Let justice be served!"
ROAR!
That terrifying mouth is enough to swallow alive at least three people at once.
Zanku, your fight has begun.