TBETW Chapter 28

Chapter 28 – Wrong Person

Main Story 2, Chapter 6, Part 1

Novel Title: 獣はかくして囚われる (The Beasts are Ensnared This Way)

Author：風結子 沙野 (Fuyuko Sano)

Illustrator：小山田 あみ (Oyamada Ami)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 鹿倉 陣也 (Kagura Jinya -MC) & ゼロ (Zero -ML)

*Please read at freenovels.net, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Itou’s car entered the underground parking lot of the ‘Invincible Castle’.

Kagura, who had been looking out the backseat window, spoke in a low voice, complimenting Itou.

“I see. Good choice.”

As a location for meeting Toono Ryouji, it was ideal. Inside the ‘Invincible Castle’, it would be easy to hide and dispose of any body… Kagura was prepared to be one of those bodies tonight. However, he would definitely take Toono with him.

“Does Toono know I’m coming?”

“No, I haven’t told him. However, with Li Azhar’s cooperation, Renjou should be kept in a separate room for now.”

Kagura slightly furrowed his brows.

Indeed, Li Azhar had referred to Toono as a mere pawn, saying he would dispose of him once he was no longer useful. Kagura had also told Li Azhar that if he deemed Toono unnecessary, he could allow Kagura to kill him.

So, Li Azhar must be aware of what it would mean to have Kagura meet Toono alone tonight, without any special rules like in Macau during the last supper.

But what kind of change of heart would cause Li Azhar to cut Toono off at this moment?

“That question is meaningless. These things are as fluid as sand.”

Kagura shook his head at the inner debate.

There was no point in trying to read what the casino king’s war strategist was thinking.

―――I’ll just make sure to seize this opportunity.

With that resolve, Kagura touched the folding knife hidden in his inner pocket, under his jacket.

“Here’s the mask and invitation card.”

Kagura used the Zorro mask given to him by Itou to cover his eyes and wrapped the device around his wrist.

“What’s the rank of the invitation card?”

“It’s for the SS-rank VIP room, as Li Azhar said. The location is Toono Ryouji’s private room.”

Kagura and Itou took the direct elevator from the underground parking lot and got off on the 11th floor.

Kagura stared at the Sanskrit letters glowing under black light on the door of Toono’s private room.

“Kaan. This is the symbol for the destroyer god Shiva.”

Itou whispered and continued.

“The symbol for Shungo-sama is Kilik. It represents Amitabha Buddha, who guides people to the Pure Land.”

Kagura scanned the hallway with his gaze.

Zero, who also possessed an SS-rank card, likely had a room on this floor. He had kept Kagura at a distance, never bringing him to his private room.

―――I wonder what the symbol for Zero was…

It was probably something Kagura would never know now.

The door to Kaan opened.

Kagura took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Itou entered the room with him and closed the door.

The room was dark, with no lights on. But there was a presence of someone.

Kagura squinted into the darkness.

He could make out the outline of a person sitting on the sofa, just barely visible in the dim light.

―――Toono?

Just as Kagura reached for the inner pocket of his jacket, intending to deal with the situation quickly in the darkness, he heard a faint voice.

“Sh… Shungo-sama!?”

At the same time, the ceiling lights flickered on.

As Kagura’s eyes adjusted to the increasing brightness, the room appeared in shades of black and deep purple. The walls, floor, and ceiling were black, while the curtains and sofas were a deep purple. A black marble low table was placed in the center of the U-shaped sofa arrangement, and hanging above it was a lotus seed-shaped light fixture. The many lights embedded within it resembled surgical lamps or the compound eyes of an insect.

At the far end of the sofa, facing directly toward Kagura, sat… Kiriyama Shungo.

“What is this about?” Kagura shot a glare at Itou from the corner of his eye. Itou’s lips were now purple, as though he were in shock or cyanotic.

It seemed that the presence of Kiriyama here was completely unexpected for him as well.

―――Li Azhar’s involvement?

Li Azhar, who had been approached by Itou about tonight’s events, must have pretended to cooperate while secretly keeping track of everything, eventually leaking the information to Kiriyama.

Kagura had considered the possibility that Kiriyama might sense what was going on. But now the prey had been hidden, and with murder in his heart, Kagura crossed the room, grabbing Kiriyama by the chest.

“Where have you taken Toono?”

Kagura questioned in a low voice. But Kiriyama, without uncrossing his legs, glanced at Itou, not Kagura.

With a glance, Itou seemed to spring into action, reaching out to grab Kagura’s arm and twist it behind his back. Kagura quickly pivoted, twisting his body to pull his arm free, and delivered a palm strike to Itou’s throat. But Itou swiftly jumped back, reducing the damage, and as Kagura lost his balance and leaned forward, Itou tried to grab his arm again.

Kagura headbutted Itou, causing blood to spurt from his nose, but Itou remained steadfast.

―――He’s quite capable.

This shadowy man had likely honed every skill necessary to serve Kiriyama Shungo.

When Itou swung both hands, a knife appeared in his grip, his technique reminding Kagura of Haiiro’s style.

“It would be best if Shungo-sama wait at the top floor,” Itou said.

Kiriyama uncrossed his legs, leaning forward, and asked in a flat tone.

“When did I ever permit you to kill that man?”

Immediately, Itou’s lips turned an even darker shade of purple, his teeth grinding.

He had said he had served Kiriyama since childhood, meaning he’d been thoroughly trained.

But to become a completely obedient machine, Itou’s feelings for Kiriyama were far too intense.

“I will rid you of the blemishes to Shungo-sama’s reputation tonight,” Itou said.

Kagura’s lips trembled at those words.

―――Blemishes…?

Kagura muttered with a gravelly voice.

“What are you planning to do to Zero?”

Itou didn’t answer the question. Instead, he gave a faint smile and lunged at Kagura. 

Avoiding the two knives in Itou’s hands, Kagura felt a strange, boiling sensation in his body as though his blood had frozen.

No matter how hard he punched or kicked, it felt like he wasn’t doing any real damage. While wearing down his spirit, Itou would strike at any opening with his knives.

The cuts weren’t heavy or sharp, but the way he fought was sticky and unpleasant.

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*Translator’s Note: Kiriyama, you really confused me. -K

Next update: 2025.12.14

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