Takumi Suzuki had just returned to his position and was about to move forward when he suddenly noticed the talisman in his hand growing hot.
His heart lurched, and he stopped in his tracks.
After confirming that he was not imagining it, he called softly to Oshima Masao ahead and Koji Hosokawa, who was walking slowly behind him.
At the same time, he took out his [Sealing Talisman], activated it, and gripped it tightly.
He scanned his surroundings, repeatedly looking into the dark corners of the alleys, trying to find whatever was making the talisman heat up.
But even as the talisman in his hand grew hotter and hotter, he still could not see where the problem lay.
"Big Bear, Koji, get over here!"
Hearing his voice, Oshima Masao quickened his pace again.
As he approached, the talisman in his hand also became scalding hot.
By the time he reached Takumi Suzuki, his talisman had actually burst into flames.
And it was not just his. Takumi Suzuki's talisman had caught fire too.
Alarmed, Oshima Masao hurriedly took out his own Sealing Talisman and activated it.
Once he reached Takumi Suzuki, he pressed back-to-back with him and Koji Hosokawa, each facing a different direction.
"Where the hell is that thing?"
"I don't know. Our protective talismans have already burned up on their own, so it must be very close. Don't let your guard down."
As Takumi Suzuki spoke, he watched the surrounding alleys with unwavering focus.
Yet they remained at this stalemate for five or six minutes, and nothing appeared.
Despite themselves, doubt began to creep into both men's minds.
"Could that thing have left because there are too many of us?"
Oshima Masao spoke up.
But without their protective talismans, they had no way to tell whether it had already