Solo Cultivation in The Apocalypse

All it took for Kakashi to dispose of the gas masks was a flick of his finger. Since he was the creator, he had the final right of destroying his creation.

Just as they stepped out of the washrooms, he flicked his finger and made the gas masks disappear.

Everybody took off their face masks and dumped them in their pockets. It was Reon's advice– since shit could get out of hand if the Scientists report an attack (which they would report) and face masks from their side are found here (which would not happen).

Then Kyoryu proposed the only two options they had– Lair or Academy. Atama had called them anyway, and Hitori wanted to meet Akemi, too. So they all decided on going to the Academy.

All the way to the Castle's gates, Hitori kept wondering where Onogi was and where Tengoku was. Only if he could find them, this would be their end. But after the battle, everyone was tired and sent into the defensive state instead of the proactive, attacking state. Nobody bothered about finding Tengoku.

After entering the Castle, Hitori found his matter was suppressed successfully by Atama, and he wanted to thank him for that.

The academy was as busy as every day. Students were preparing for the day, others were laughing and hugging each other, some couples were walking hand in hand, and other girls were giggling as they walked.

Hitori felt nostalgic thinking about his time in the school. Although his school life did not have anything interesting, he wished he just had a time where it was his game and the bullies– that was way better than this life, he thought– but he knew it was not true.

If he had stuck to that old life, he would have never killed men at the age of seventeen, now that is progress in a wrong way, but still. He learned many things on the way– for example, how to enter the Science Prefecture illegally. How to set a plan to corner his enemy. And how to slip from a trap.

While he was immersed in his thoughts, Kakashi raised a question: "What are we going to tell him?"

Eya nodded. "Yeah.. and we need something to prove we really were attacked."

Kyo glanced at her. "Are you sure about telling him that? Atama-sensei might freak out and do something out of his mind."

"I suggest we tell him nothing about the battle and Tengoku," Akira said. And everyone agreed with him.

Finally, he stopped in front of the white door of Atama's office. Kakashi knocked and waited for Atama to open the door.

The guards around them were staring hard at them, but harder at Reon than them. She was not wearing a cloak, after all, and looked like a scientist. Hitori made sure her guns were not popping out, and she was good to go.

Atama opened the door and let us in without saying anything at the door. Kakashi led everyone inside. Atama checked outside once, then closed the door.

Hitori walked to the white table on that tiny elevated hill, then looked at Atama. Kyoryu and Atama hugged with a smile on their faces. Hitori wondered once again about their relationships.

Then Atama looked at Reon and Hitori. "How are you two? W-Why are you so tired? Did something happen?"

Although Hitori had not stated his opinion during the pre-arrival conversation, he had heard them. "No, we just…" He glanced behind and his eyes fell on a paper lying on the hill's surface. "We were worried about the homicide on lose. With Onogi over our heads, I think that homicide was specially sent for us," he said.

As soon as he finished, the color of Atama's face faded. He turned to Eya and Kakashi. "We need to talk," he said.

Eya gulped. "S-Sure. W-What do we need to talk about, Atama-sensei?"

"The homicide. Hanzai thinks he has the homicide's identity, but he is wrong."

Hitori leaned against the hill. H was not worried about the homicide or anything, as long as Aama was not talking about something related to him.

"Only I know the homicide's real identity," Akira completed.

The office was silent for a moment. To Hitori, that moment felt so long and uncomfortable, he started admiring the office's white shade.

"What do you want from us, Atama-sensei?" Kyo said. "Do you want us to find and kill the homicide? Or bring him to you?"

Hitori frowned. And if two elders were not talking, he would have said, 'Are you serious? Our lives are already at stake and you want to accept another challenge? What about Tengoku and Onogi?!'

Atama shook his head. "Well, yes, in one way, but no in another. I DO want you to kill him since the real reason behind killing people is to kill you all in the end. You, especially, Hitori." He lifted his finger at Hitori.

Hitori felt like scoffing. The old man was making things up. Why would a homicide want to kill Hitori? And if he wanted to kill Hitori, why would he waste time killing other people?

If Hitori had thought carefully at that time, he would have connected the dots himself and received the answer for him– but he was too tired to think that deep.

Eya glanced between Atama and Hitori. "W-What– who is this homicide? W-what is his identity?" she asked.

Atama lowered his finger and turned to Eya. "We all know him. We know the reason behind his killings, and we also know why he wants to kill Hitori."

"Yeah, alright," Kakashi said, irritated, "but who IS this person?"

"Tamashi. He has possessed Saiko Ningen's body and is now gathering as much as dark emotions as possible, and I bet he is sucking more energy than required."

That shocked Hitori. He tensed his leg and pushed himself away from the hill. His mouth hung slightly open and his heartbeat was racing. "F-From the Cultivation—"

"Yes, son, from the Cultivation World." Kyo had covered his face with his hand. "You were promoted to the second Realm due to your system, a cheat."

Atama walked across the office. "We do not know when he will strike, but whenever he does– it will be big. With the amount he is sucking, it will be big."