Mountain Granny

"You child! Where on earth have you been? You worried me to death!"

Mountain Granny had just stepped out of her house with a basket on her arm when she spotted the disheveled figure standing not far away.

Though he wore a black hoodie with the hood up, Mountain Granny recognized him at a glance.

She tossed aside her basket and hurried over.

Her mouth scolded him, but her hands tightly gripped Nagai's arm as she anxiously checked him for injuries.

Feeling such fervent, genuine concern, something soft within Nagai was stirred. His eyes reddened in an instant, shimmering with tears.

Half a month ago, after Bai Xing planted the Fruit Core inside him, he had ultimately chosen to step forward to save innocent people.

Unfortunately, history had a habit of repeating itself.

When he was exhausted and had completely lost the ability to resist, the government-affiliated SAT unit came for him.

Not to commend his bravery, but to contain him once again!

When Tozaki Yuu discovered that Nagai Kei possessed the same abilities as Sato, Nagai Kei's value to him increased immensely.

He needed to find a way to deal with Sato through Nagai Kei!

What awaited Nagai was even harsher confinement and increasingly brutal live experiments!

No one mentioned his contribution during the "Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Airliner Attack Incident." It was as though he had no human rights at all, as though nothing he did could change his status as an economic animal.

Unfortunately, although Tozaki Yuu had taken him seriously enough, he had still miscalculated.

He had failed to understand the unique nature of the Magnetic Field Rotation system.

And he had underestimated Nagai Kei's potential.

Just six days later, Nagai Kei escaped the research facility again.

In truth, he had been capable of escaping much earlier.

But that would inevitably have led to serious clashes with the facility's guards, and people would have died.

Perhaps a dog could not stop eating shit, or perhaps this was simply Nagai's nature.

Even now, though hatred existed in his heart, he only directed it at this vague, intangible world and his own bad luck.

Not at any specific person or group.

So he still adhered to his principles. Only once he was certain he could escape without taking anyone's life did he make his move and flee the research facility.

After getting out, Nagai felt even more lost.

The world was vast, yet for a time, he could not find anywhere to settle.

As for Mountain Granny's place, he had not initially returned.

Because he was now wanted by the government.

Just like Sato.

Simply because he was an Ajin!

Afraid of bringing trouble to Mountain Granny, he chose to stay away.

Yet reason ultimately could not overcome the weakness in his heart. As he wandered aimlessly, the instinct to seek warmth drove him back here without him even realizing it.

"Granny, I'm a wanted criminal. I'm an Ajin!"

As Mountain Granny tried to pull him inside to clean up his filthy body properly,

Nagai did not move. Instead, he laid bare his soft heart, hoping for some affirmation, some comfort for himself.

All one could say was that he truly deserved to be the protagonist. If anyone else acted like this, they would probably have been screwed over long ago.

But Nagai got what he wanted.

Mountain Granny sighed. "I know, I know. But to me, you're just like my grandson. Even that awkward personality of yours is exactly the same. Sigh! Don't think so much about it. Come back inside with me and take a nice hot bath. Look at you! The smell coming off you is enough to stink someone to death!"

Back inside Mountain Granny's little house, Nagai felt even the fear in his heart settle considerably.

That evening, after filling his stomach, he began exploring his newly acquired abilities.

He spread open his palm. Fine arcs of electricity constantly flashed between his ten fingers, linking together in a strange, dazzling display.

"It seems... it's not as simple as merely controlling electromagnetic force."

During his time at the research facility, Nagai had not gained nothing.

At the very least, his control and understanding of his new abilities had improved considerably.

Bai Xing's image resurfaced in his mind. Who exactly is he? What is he trying to accomplish by doing all this?

Complicated things gave him a headache. After thinking for a long time without reaching an answer, he could only bury his head in the sand.

The next day.

"Stop cooping yourself up at home. Young people should get more exercise. Come on, go dig wild vegetables with me!"

Mountain Granny's kind smile always had a soothing effect.

Nagai had not wanted to go, but he still agreed.

After getting dressed, he carried a basket and left with Mountain Granny.

They arrived in the wilderness and picked a spot.

"Be careful. The roots of these wild vegetables can be eaten too."

"Got it."

Bored out of his mind, Nagai used a small hoe to dig as Granny had taught him.

The two chatted while digging wild vegetables, and time gradually passed.

Mountain Granny stood up and said, "I'll go home and get some water and snacks. Don't you dare slack off."

But as soon as Granny left, Nagai tossed aside the small hoe and lay down on the soft grass.

Warm sunlight poured over him, and he stretched lazily.

"Do not... slack off."

A voice that sounded as if it came from a radio rang beside his ear.

Nagai turned his head and saw Little Black.

Impatiently, he said, "I know. I'm just taking a break. You don't need to act like my supervisor, do you?"

For some reason, after that mysterious man calling himself Bai Xing shared the power known as Magnetic Field Rotation with him,

as that power took root and grew within him, Little Black also seemed to be growing.

Not only had its strength in every respect increased noticeably, but its intelligence had risen quite a bit too.

It could even communicate now.

Its personality was just rather awkward.

Bang!

The moment he finished speaking, Little Black grabbed Nagai by the ankle and lifted him up.

Then it viciously slammed him into the ground and repeated, "Do not... slack off."

A shallow crater appeared in the ground, but it could not harm Nagai.

He brushed the dirt off himself and stood up in annoyance. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Though he said that, Nagai resumed working.

But ten minutes passed, then another ten minutes.

Mountain Granny still had not returned.

A faintly bad feeling rose in Nagai's heart.

He hurriedly tossed down the small hoe and rushed toward the house.

Sure enough, as he approached, he heard a burst of commotion.

A large crowd of villagers had flooded into the courtyard, shouting nonstop.

Mountain Granny was doing everything she could to stop them, but to little effect.

"Your grandson died long ago! That isn't your grandson at all—he has to be an Ajin!"

"That's right! You actually dared to shelter an Ajin? How could our village have a human traitor like you!"

"Hand over the Ajin now, or don't blame us for getting rough!"

"Bastard, don't get in my way!"

When Nagai heard the word "Ajin," his instinctive reaction was to hide.

But then he saw a bearded man viciously shove Mountain Granny to the ground.

Immediately afterward, countless villagers rushed into the house, searching everywhere in an attempt to find the hidden Nagai.

In just a short time, they turned both the house and courtyard into a complete mess.

Nagai could no longer stay hidden!

He leaped out and shouted, drawing everyone's attention.

Then he called to Mountain Granny, "You never expected this, did you? I lied to you! I'm not your grandson at all! I'm Nagai Kei, and I'm an Ajin! Hahaha!"

Then he shouted at the villagers, "Didn't you want to catch me? Then come on!"

He immediately turned and ran.

How could the villagers let him go?

Gripping all kinds of farming tools, they chased after him.

The once-lively courtyard was instantly left with only Mountain Granny, half-sitting on the ground.

She looked in the direction Nagai had fled, her eyes full of heartache.

"Nagai..."