Chapter Fifty-four: Mist
“This meeting today is to announce something of utmost importance for the fate of humanity.”
Director Zewei stood solemnly at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over the attendees who sat upright and attentive below. Clearing his throat, he declared with grave seriousness, “From this moment forward, TPC will officially begin research into the power of the Giant!”
His words sent a ripple of astonishment through the room.
“It’s about time!” someone agreed.
“The power of the Giant should be in human hands!”
“Humanity must master the power of the Giant!”
...
“So, the day has come at last...” Megumi Jujian laced her slender fingers together, her brows furrowing as she scanned the faces around her. Though she had long sensed this decision was inevitable, she was nonetheless shocked when TPC finally made it official—more so because it was Director Zewei, the man she respected most, who announced it himself.
“Director! The power of the Giant is not something humanity can control—not yet!” Suddenly, Megumi stood, disregarding the strange looks from her colleagues, and spoke out loudly.
“Captain Jujian, please calm yourself,” Director Zewei replied, his expression composed as he met her gaze. There was not a ripple of emotion in his dark eyes; his authority needed no display of anger.
...
Within a mountain shrouded in heavy mist, Daigu and Kuei’s No. 2 Jet had crashed due to a mysterious magnetic disturbance, leaving them stranded amid the fog. The surrounding forest lay in ruins, with the Feiyan No. 2 Jet toppled awkwardly atop the battered trees. All communication equipment was dead; there was no way to contact headquarters.
...
Today, Longze Yue had taken a half-day leave from Chiba Masao. It wasn’t out of laziness or a desire to rest, but rather because he wished to visit Meiko, the girl whose plight tugged at his heart—and, besides, he might soon have to depart.
“Azuma?” Meiko’s voice on the phone was tinged with surprise.
“Are you free this afternoon, Meiko?” Longze’s deep, magnetic voice was soothing to the ears.
“Yes, I’m free! Absolutely!” On the other end, Meiko sounded delighted.
“How about a hike in the mountains?” Longze suggested, noting that the snowfall had lessened considerably today. A walk in the mountains would be a perfect way to relax.
“Alright! I’ll go wherever you say!” Meiko’s laughter over the phone was bright and cheerful.
“I’ll wait for you downstairs at your place,” Longze replied, hanging up.
...
On that familiar street, Longze leaned against the weathered wall, a cigarette between his lips. The smoke he exhaled mingled with the falling snowflakes.
“Azuma!” At the sound, Longze turned to see Meiko’s familiar face approaching.
“You’re here.” He smiled warmly, his eyes narrowing with gentle affection.
“I took the day off just for you, Azuma!” Meiko tightened the gray scarf around her delicate neck, her beauty soft and touching.
...
Beneath the towering mountains, the snow blanketed everything in white, yet could not conceal the majesty and power of the landscape. Few people passed below, but their presence lent the mountain a breath of life and vitality.
Meiko clearly loved the freshness of nature. Like a woodland sprite, she skipped and danced along the snow-covered path, her laughter ringing out with youthful vigor and infectious joy.
A young woman in a yellow down jacket passed by them. Her hair was cut in a neat bob, her face delicately shaped; she was striking in her own way. The girl cast a melancholy glance at Longze and Meiko before turning her somber eyes forward and continuing on her way.
Longze, keenly perceptive, felt the weight of her gaze. He glanced at the girl’s sorrowful face and found her strangely familiar.
“Just my imagination?” he wondered, frowning and shaking his head. Perhaps he was simply exhausted from constantly pondering how to unmask those within TPC who coveted the Giant’s power.
Turning back to Meiko’s beaming face, Longze decided to let his worries go. This outing was for relaxation, and relax he would!
Though snow still fell, the mountain air was crisp and invigorating. Longze breathed deeply, filling his lungs with the refreshing air that cleared his mind.
“Azuma, the mountain air is so soothing!” Meiko exclaimed with a radiant smile, a few snowflakes clinging to her lustrous black hair.
“Yes, nothing is more comforting than the scent of nature!” Longze replied, his mood lifted by her laughter.
...
The two strolled leisurely along the edge of the forest, the tranquility of nature enveloping them. Amid the pristine snow, Meiko looked like a fairy descended to earth, breathtaking in her grace. The atmosphere was light, their conversation lively and easy.
As they wandered further without realizing it, a vast meteorite crater suddenly appeared before them.
“Azuma!” Meiko’s face went pale with fear, clearly startled.
Within the crater—large enough to swallow dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of people—stood a strange meteorite. It glowed eerily red and was entirely pink, appearing as though made up of countless grotesque, clustered lumps of flesh.
Up close, it was revolting—truly the stuff of nightmares for anyone with trypophobia.
“How disgusting!” Longze retched, his skin crawling at the sight. But he understood instantly what was happening. He now realized why the girl at the foot of the mountain had seemed so familiar.
In the original story, that girl would meet Kuei here in the misty mountain, and the two would go on to become lovers. In other words, she was Kuei’s future girlfriend.
The thought made Longze smile wryly. Who would have thought that the chubby, bumbling Kuei would one day win such a beautiful girlfriend?
But right now, they needed to get away from this place at once. That meteorite was a monster!
Without hesitation, Longze grabbed Meiko’s delicate, boneless hand and pulled her to retrace their steps at a run.
Meiko’s cheeks turned rosy as Longze took her hand, and she seemed to forget her fear entirely.
They had only gone a short distance when a dense, heavy fog began to spill rapidly through the mountains, as if a ravenous beast lurked within its depths, sending a chill through the soul.
A hiss—
The thick mist surged toward them.
Without a word, Longze hoisted Meiko over his shoulder, abandoning any pretense of gentlemanly behavior. Carrying her this way was far faster than holding hands or giving her a piggyback ride!
Meiko had not expected this at all. Before she could react, Longze, with his remarkable strength, was already sprinting a great distance away.
Longze was filled with regret.
“What possessed me to go hiking today? I must have lost my mind!” he thought bitterly as he ran, Meiko’s slight weight barely slowing his pace. She, on the other hand, seemed quite uncomfortable from being jostled about.