Inspector Inoue's wailing stopped abruptly.
The expression on his face froze in utter terror and unwillingness.
The next moment, his tear-filled eyes lost their light completely...
Inspector Inoue's body slumped to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.
Violent convulsions swept through his entire body, as though countless invisible venomous snakes were savagely gnawing at his nerves.
Painful, breathy sounds escaped his throat, and white foam spilled uncontrollably from the corners of his mouth...
Just like that, he became the newest and most lowly sacrifice in the abyss of nightmares.
Crossing Dream glanced in disgust at the twitching body at his feet, as though he had merely kicked aside an irritating speck of dust.
He raised his head again and spread his arms, embracing the cold crescent moon blurred somewhat by the city's neon lights. That sickly, expectant flush returned to his face.
"Enmu... you slowpoke..."
He whispered into the void as though calling to a lover, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Your buffet... is about to begin~~~~ I can already smell... that fragrance of fear fermented to its utmost..."
"What an... unforgettable aftertaste~~~ Hehehehe..." He extended his scarlet tongue and licked his pale fingers with excruciating slowness and sensuality.
He seemed to be savoring that invisible delicacy, his eyes filled with boundless anticipation for the coming feast.
At the major train stations-
East Station, West Station, South Station...
One hour...
Three hours...
Six hours...
Six hours passed in a flash amid silent devouring and frenzied nightmares.
"Look! What... what's wrong with that train?!"
A station attendant on duty pointed in terror at a train on the platform that should have been empty for maintenance.
The train's steel shell writhed violently like melting wax.
Dark red, pulsing flesh and fascia sprouted wildly from the cracks and spread.
Eyeballs