On The Run (Soukoku)

-Chapter 5-

Trudging through the dead leaves and twigs, the duo made their way through the dense forests. Chuuya didn't whether to be happy or sad that everybody thinks he's dea. He was on the run but it would be better to not have people think he's dead. Both dead or alive have it's pros and cons anyway. He just hoped that there won't be any search groups anymore. That would make it easier to run away and maybe come back later with reinforcements. However, that would be weird. Imagine everyone thinking you're dead and then you suddenly show up a few months later saying, "Nice to meet you all again. Did you miss me?" Some people may go hysterical and think you're a ghost. Overall, everyone will be more angry than sad that you faked your death.Chuuya's train of thoughts were broken as he was snapped back into reality when he heard Dazai shout next to him, "Chuuya, down!"

Meanwhile at the town Chuuya was from. 

"Father! Bad news!"Daisuke yelled even before reaching the town's gate. His father immediately asked what happened and after telling the whole story and his prediction, everyone sighed in exasperation. The crowd slowly dispersed with only Chuuya's parents, Daisuke and his father. "I guess the deal is off. Your son's dead. You won't get the money." Chuuya's parents were fuming and cursed out loud. Daisuke's father turned to his son and asked, worry lacing all his words, "Did the person who push Nakahara off the cliff wore a black hoodie and had bandages?" Daisuke tilted his head as he thought hard and he nodded, "The black hoodie, yes. However, the bandages,..I'm not so sure." Upon hearing that, Daisuke's father's eyes widened as he turned back to Chuuya's parents. "We're going on a man hunt until we make sure the person who pushed your son off the cliff is dead!"Chuuya's parents were confused on why they had to do that but still agreed. They may still get the money after all. However,  Chuuya's father spoke up, "Won't whoever who fell of the cliff be dead already. It's quite a fall. " The mother elbowed the husband frustratedly to shut him up. Faisuke's father repliednwith a serious look, "This man is a prodigy,  he may have survived,  even better,  with your son too! You may still get your money,  so hurry up!" The gold diggers immediately nodded and dahsed to the the townspeople hastily to spread the news.

Gathering most of their rifles, revolvers, knifes, katanas and even pitchforks, the townspeople set off in search of the mysterious person and hoped the best for Chuuya. They decided to head to the nearby town to ask about people's whereabouts and to see whther anyone entered their town. With enough supplies in hand, they were sure they would arrive to the next town safely. 

Back to Chuuya and Dazai--

"Chuuya, down! "Dazai shouted. Feeling confused,  Chuuya did as told and Dazai rushed forward, a dagger in hand, that's when Chuuya saw it. A boar but somethings not right. The boar seemed diferent from those that Chuuya saw from when he was young. It's eyes had a tint of red and it looked like it lost it's self-control. Chuuya only saw Dazai ran towards the boar without heaitation and slashed it's underneath ans like on cue, the boar jumped above Chuuya with Chuuya sitting motionless on the ground. With a Bang! The boar fell to the ground, bleeding out. When Chuuya turned back to see Dazai holding a gun. No wonder he was that confident. Lowering the gun, Dazai wiped the blood on his face. It wasn't his own blood,  it was the boar's. His smile returned as he glanced at Chuuya who was struggling to stand. He lended a hand and Chuuya took at thanked him. Dazai continued walking ahead,  not speaking about anything that happened before and hoped for Chuuya not to ask either. However, luck waa never on his side, "Hey! Is it me... Or did that boar seem different from normal? " Dazai sighed as his smile faded instantly. "That boar is different. It lost it's mind and went rampage. There's a chip in the boar's body which makes it go on a rampage. There are many here so be careful." With that, Dazai quickened his footsteps. "How do you kill it? "Chuuya continued,  worried that his life may be shortened because of a boar on rampage. Dazai stopped in his steps and pointed to the crook of his neck. "You either take out the chip on the neck or you physically kill it. The second one is harder to do because with the chip, it's physical strength is increased. For your information, any living thing which can move by its own can go rampage with a chip." Chuuya upon hearing the last sentence,  clicked his tongue in irritation. "No one is sure who is spreading the chip but i've killed 42 animals which went on rampage. Haven't met any humans yet though. I predict that whoever is spreading the chip is in the next town. So we need to be very cautious." Chuuya nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile,  the townspeople on a man hunt---

"Father! Shoot! Shoot it already! " Daisuke yelled,  terrified. The boar coming closer and closer. The townspeople all screaming and yelling. Some holding on tightly to their loved ones. The nurses and doctors checking on those bleeding out from the attack of the rampage boar. Three bullets shot, Daisuke's father killed the last rampage boar. Everyone cheered for him as they tried their best to carry on. They have came across 5 rampaged boars already. They escaped 2 and killed 3. Even Chuuya and Dazai were luckier than them. "Father, these boars are more violent than usual aren't they?" Daisuke commented as he saw the dead boar in the floor, it's blood still flowing out. "Must be the chips..." his father replied him with a sigh. Daisuke's father bend down and slowly slit the boars neck and as expected, a tiny green-blue chip dropped up,  covered in blood. The reddish tint disappeared from the boar's eyes. A frown appeared on Daisuke's father's face. Chuuya's father noticing that,  asked what happened but Daisuke's father waved his hand in assurance nothing happened.