Chapter 30: Mold, Shadow, and the Green Scent
When the carriage veered off the narrow path and into the forest, the air grew visibly heavier. The wheels sank into the mud with wet squelching sounds, while the wind hissed through piles of rotten leaves. The moon hid behind thick clouds, as if it refused to shine on this place.
Kaito held the reins loosely, yet with full control. His eyes pierced the darkness.
Haruto silently turned his quiri cards between his fingers, instinctively scanning his surroundings at every faint sound.
Sora had folded the map—too quiet. Far too quiet.
Daichi broke the silence.
Daichi:
"If someone said 'we're not getting out of here alive,' I wouldn't even be surprised."
Sora (side-eyeing him):
"Keep that bad energy to yourself."
Haruto (swallowing):
"…But admit it, this doesn't feel like a normal place."
The carriage stopped.
Ahead of them, leaning against the slope of the hill, stood the abandoned wasabi shop. Its roof had collapsed, its sign hanging by a single rope. The wooden walls were swollen with moisture, and a sharp, burning green root scent seeped from the cracks.
Kaito stepped down from the carriage.
Kaito:
"This is it."
Daichi looked around, wrinkling his nose.
Daichi:
"This place…?
Yeah, this is one of those 'places you don't visit if you want to live.'"
Sora:
"Don't you dare call this romantic."
Daichi (grinning):
"I was just about to."
Kaito pushed the door open.
The door let out a long, complaining creak, as if it had been waiting years for someone to touch it.
The inside wasn't pitch black, but dim. Broken shelves, toppled barrels, dried wasabi fibers scattered across the floor… Every step made a faint crack.
Haruto stepped forward and slipped.
Haruto:
"—Whoa!"
Just before he fell, Kaito grabbed his arm.
They froze for a brief moment.
Kaito (low voice):
"Careful."
Haruto (embarrassed):
"…Thanks."
Daichi didn't miss it.
Daichi:
"Look at that. Reflexes sharp even in the dark."
Sora covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Sora:
"Are you trying to lighten the mood, or are you just mocking him?"
Daichi:
"Both."
For a brief moment, laughter echoed.
Then—
Tap.
A clear sound came from the back room.
Kaito's hand froze mid-air.
Everyone went silent.
Kaito (whispering):
"Did you hear that?"
Sora nodded.
Sora:
"Yeah.
That wasn't the wind."
The back door was half open. Wind slipped through the gap, lifting wasabi dust into the air. In the thin moonlight, the dust shimmered greenish, almost like an illusion.
Haruto clenched his cards.
Haruto:
"Someone's here."
Footsteps followed.
Slow. Measured. Unhurried.
A shadow appeared at the doorway.
A long cloak.
Head slightly tilted.
The face wasn't fully visible—but the eyes were far too clear.
The woman took a step forward. The wooden floor groaned.
Woman:
"You're late."
Sora reacted instinctively.
Sora:
"Our sense of time is a bit off.
Apologies?"
The woman didn't even look at her.
Her gaze passed over Haruto's cards, paused on Daichi's stance…
Then locked onto Kaito.
Haruto felt his cards tremble.
Haruto (quietly):
"Kaito…"
Kaito didn't respond.
The corner of the woman's lips lifted—barely. This wasn't a smile.
It was superiority.
Woman:
"Everyone who comes here is looking for something…
Or someone."
Daichi (carefully):
"We're just here to ask questions."
Her eyes caught the moonlight.
The look wasn't inviting.
Nor openly hostile.
It was a challenge.
And in that moment, it felt as if an invisible hand slammed the shop's doors shut.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Haruto grinned slyly.
Haruto:Look at that!
Sora and Daichi look at each other.
Daichi What a classic move! sora gu At that moment, the serious voice of the akaion was heard.
Kaito: Did you forget what you were going to say, Haruto? Stop playing and tell me!
Haruto had a serious expression on his face.
Haruto:biz iki kisisyi arıyoruz san ve ren Haruto: We're looking for two people, San and Ren.Everyone knows the poet and then
Sora: Wait a minute, isn't the kiss sent here Ren? Didn't we leave it for last?
Daichi (surprised): Is it the last one?
Kaito seriously
Kaito:off You fools
The girl laughed
Woman: Hahaha, oh you're so funny, but unfortunately I'm forbidden from telling you these things....