Meanwhile, New City, Station Park.
Tap tap tap tap!
Hurried footsteps and ragged breathing came from around the corner of a narrow path. Two graceful figures supported each other as they stumbled desperately toward the bright, open area ahead.
"Crack!"
But in their haste, one of them misstepped. Her heel snapped, followed by the crisp sound of bone slipping out of place, echoing through the silent night.
A black-haired, red-eyed office worker in an OL suit, with a left-side ponytail draped over one shoulder, collapsed to the ground. She clutched her swollen ankle and groaned, cold sweat pouring down her forehead.
"Quick! They're—they're coming after us!"
The other woman, brown-haired and brown-eyed, dressed in a black nun's habit, gritted her teeth and trembled as she doubled back. She hurriedly bent down, pulled up her fallen companion, and half-carried the burden with the twisted ankle forward without daring to stop.
Bang bang bang bang!
But whatever they feared came true. Before they had gone more than a few steps, the streetlights behind them began bursting one after another, as though affected by some unknown force. The encroaching darkness crept closer inch by inch.
This was bad!
The brown-haired nun looked back in terror at the darkness less than ten meters away, her face turning deathly pale.
"Leave me! Go on without me. If you can, please take care of my daughter. Tell her that I love—"
Seeing how dire the situation was, the stumbling office worker's eyes filled with resolve as she sorrowfully delivered her final request.
"Shut up!"
Before this working mother could finish planting her death flag, the frantic nun beside her interrupted her.
"I'm not even married! Why should I raise your kid?!"
"Bang!"
Another streetlight exploded. Only three remained behind them.
"W-wait... now, now isn't the time