“Hey? Qinzi-jie, I think I just saw the legendary Hachishaku-sama.” Lin Ze dialed Qinzi’s phone, speaking in a flustered tone as soon as the call connected.
“What? At your place? Damn it! This is exactly what I was dealing with today. She escaped because the seal was broken. Lin Ze, you immediately take Kayako away and have Tsukino send you off. I’ll get there right away.” There was a chaotic sound coming from the other end of the line. Qinzi had people rushing towards the amusement park. “Don’t go near her or look at her. If you find a supermarket nearby, buy a bag of salt. She’s weak to salt, it has a temporary effect on her. This thing prefers kids, but she also tortures and kills adults. You and Kayako absolutely can’t get hurt!”
After hanging up the phone, Qinzi drove quickly towards the amusement park with a heavy heart. No one, not a single person, could get hurt! Qinzi couldn’t imagine the scene of Kayako being killed, with the curse directly descending upon the world. She also couldn’t imagine Kayako’s state of breakdown and madness if Lin Ze were to be torn to pieces by the creature.
“This stinky kid…what kind of ghost magnet is he? Everything runs towards him! Hurry, hurry, hurry!!!” On the way, Qinzi ran countless red lights, all roads were cleared for her by emergency services.
After calling Tsukino, Lin Ze returned to Kayako’s side, “It’s getting late, Qinzi-jie said someone would send us back. Let’s just end it here today.”
Kayako was a little reluctant, she really wished she could stay here forever, but she still nodded obediently and agreed.
Seeing her lingering glance, Lin Ze comforted her, “There will be plenty of opportunities to come out and play again in the future. How about next time we go hiking, see flowers, attend festivals, or even go on a trip for a few days during vacation?”
For every activity Lin Ze mentioned, Kayako’s eyes lit up, “Okay! We’ll go hiking, travel, and attend all sorts of festivals! For traveling, let’s go somewhere closer. Even if Lin Ze is rich, he can’t spend money recklessly!”
“Yes, yes, yes. I listen to Kayako. Kayako will definitely be a little housekeeper in the future, hahaha.”
Kayako took a last look at everything in the amusement park, then turned and followed Lin Ze without hesitation. She and Lin Ze had so many tomorrows, so many new sights. Everything here would become the most beautiful memories.
They found Tsukino’s car, Lin Ze briefly introduced the two, and they simply greeted each other before setting off.
The car stopped in front of Kayako’s house. Kayako’s excitement had subsided, she was a little timid again. She glanced at Tsukino who was checking his phone, and whispered to Lin Ze, “I was really happy today. Thank you, Lin Ze. I’m already quite good with the bicycle. I’ll come find you tomorrow morning… I… I’ll be thinking about Lin Ze.”
Kayako’s voice grew quieter and quieter. After finishing, she quickly ran out of the car. Lin Ze rolled down the window and called out to her. Kayako stopped running and turned around, “See you tomorrow, Kayako.”
“See you tomorrow, Lin Ze.”
The two smiled at each other.
The car continued towards Lin Ze’s home. Tsukino, who had been silent all the way, finally spoke, “I got the salt you needed, and I notified the higher-ups about this situation. You must be careful at home. Don’t go out at night.” He didn’t ask about Kayako. This was a special instruction from Ms. Qinzi, and although he didn’t understand why, he followed orders.
“Thanks, Tsukino-taicho.” Lin Ze took the salt and thanked him.
“Don’t call me Tsukino-taicho. I won’t be a captain anymore. Just call me Tsukino-san outside. Between us two, you can just call me brother.” Tsukino was his usual self, no airs at all, always trying to be brothers with Lin Ze, even though he was much older than him.
“Alright, brother.” It wouldn’t hurt to call him that. He’d need to ask this guy for favors later.
Lin Ze looked out the window idly, wondering what Qinzi was doing, if she had caught Hachishaku-sama.
The phone rang suddenly. Speak of the devil! Qinzi called, “Did you get home, Lin Ze?” There was a lot of noise on the other end of the line. “We got there, but she’s already gone. Be careful. Don’t go out at night after you get home.”
“Gone? Okay, I understand. I won’t go out at night. Besides, how likely is it that… Tsukino-niisan, pull over!”
Qinzi heard only half of his sentence, then there was Lin Ze’s sudden exclamation in the phone. “What’s wrong? Lin Ze? Lin Ze?” Qinzi was panicking, a bad feeling rising in her heart.
“Qinzi-jie, I saw Hachishaku-sama! She’s going to attack the kids in the park!”
“Lin Ze, don’t act rashly! Lin Ze?” The last part of his sentence was cut off. No matter how Qinzi called, she could no longer hear Lin Ze’s voice until Tsukino picked up the phone, “Ms. Qinzi, Lin Ze… Lin Ze… he grabbed the salt and ran out of the car towards the park. But I can’t see anything.”
“Send me the location, Tsukino. Only if Hachishaku wants to be seen can ordinary people see her. Lin Ze absolutely cannot get hurt! Even if we all die! Lin Ze must not get hurt!” Qinzi lost her composure. For the first time, she suddenly hoped Lin Ze’s character wouldn’t be so noble. She wished he was a vile, selfish person… but then again, how could someone like that save Kayako?
“I remember there’s a large hospital nearby, they have rescue helicopters. Go get one for me. Hurry!” Qinzi ordered her subordinates to go to the hospital, then she went to the monk who came with them, “Give me the artifact and all the statues of Jizo Bosatsu.”
The monk was puzzled but still handed them over quickly, “Aren’t we going together?”
“There’s not enough space on the medical helicopter for all of us. We need to call dozens of spiritual mediums to do a large-scale seal, and we don’t have time. I’ll go first and see if I can directly seal her. If not, I can at least temporarily suppress her until you arrive.” Qinzi took the black suitcase and her own backpack, then ran towards the open space. The helicopter was already in sight.
The monk couldn’t help but urge her from behind, “I’ve always thought the seal being broken was a bit too coincidental. I don’t know if the Jizo statues will be able to control her. You must be careful.”
Was Lin Ze scared? Of course, he was! But those kids playing on the slide were only four or five years old. Could he just watch them die? The blood flowing through his veins urged him to act, the kindness in his bones made him unable to stand by and do nothing.
Behind the toy slide, a tall woman stared intently at the children. She was beautiful with a voluptuous figure. But the expression on her face was chilling, her eyes like a predator’s, her tongue licking her lips as if she was salivating over a delicious meal.
She couldn’t hold back any longer, “Hideko, Hideko, come here… come with me.”
The little girl named Hideko suddenly became vacant-eyed. She walked step by step towards the slide.
“Hideko, where are you going?” The confused shouts of the other children didn’t wake her up. Hachishaku-sama’s pupils had turned into vertical slits, and her restless heart made her sharp claws leave deep scratches on the slide. She had been trapped for thirteen years… thirteen long years…
She had to take this child away, play with her, make her laugh, then… torture her! Kill her! Eat her!