Solo Cultivation in The Apocalypse

Hitori had only one objective: To stop Tengoku from attacking the house. He wanted to save his home no matter what, he was not just going to let a hitman take it from him.

He suggested that they teleport, but Akira rejected the idea. "We need to reduce the use of teleportation to save our mana," he said.

Eya and Kakashi agreed to his idea. "Especially you, Hitori-san. He might not look like it, but he has great control over his mana," Eya said, pointing at Akira.

Hitori glanced at him and remembered the time when he managed to teleport out of the courtyard. He thought in his mind, Of course, he has.

He nodded as he climbed down the bridge.

Akira stopped halfway through climbing down the bridge, he had a doubt. "Are we sure about the Vr-cade?" he asked.

"You still want proof, buddy?" Kakashi glared at him.

"The enchantment and all is fine, Kakashi, but what if the attack on the house was a red herring?"

"A what?"

"A false—"

"I know that. Give me an explanation."

"He is not attacking the Guardian anymore, is he?" he asked, Kakashi shook his head. "Okay, imagine we went to the house—"

"We ARE going to the house." Hitori stopped at the bottom and glanced up at him.

"We are at the house, imagine, what if Tengoku comes to the Vr-cade? I know the enchantment can handle a lot of force, but they are scientists."

That sent Kakashi into deep thought. He started to wonder what all ways Tengoku could come up with to enter the Vr-cade, but he could make sense to not a single one.

But Eya passed a tap on his shoulder and walked past him. She stopped by Akira and said, "The Vr-cade was already attacked. Maybe he is waiting for the reinforcements or… us."

Hitori was listening to the conversation, but he was staring at the evening path in front of him. "We have to reach before it gets dark." He looked at the sky, thirty minutes since sundown, he guessed. During the start of April, the sun will set at around seven.

"And what disadvantage will the dark bring to us?" Kakashi asked, annoyed by the difficult thought Akira had put him into.

He remained silent for a while, then said, "We have an hour before the sun sets." He took off walking.

"Hitori-san!" Eya shouted, she wanted them to go together, but Akira left behind Hitori, too. She sighed and looked at Kakashi, he shrugged.

"Teenagers and brothers." They followed Hitori and Akira to the house.

It was unpleasantly calm, not a single leaf of the tree was moving. Akira and Hitori went to take a peek. They had formed a plan, by the way.

Akira wanted to greet Tengoku, then show him Hitori. But Hitori had a different plan– he wanted to throw a curse at him as soon as he saw him. They both rejected their plans and decided to use the adults.

Hitori took a peek from the woos followed by Akira. No one, only the lone house, and the grass in front of it. The chopped wood was missing and so was any proof of Tengoku's arrival.

"You boys, go first. If shit goes wrong, we will step in."

"Why can't we just attack?"

"At whom? Do you see any jackshit out there? Just show him you are present, he will attack you, and we will counter him," Kakashi explained.

Hitori was unconvinced. He thought just rushing into the house will be easy and right. But then realized that Tengoku is a scientist. The moment he opens the door, he will be blasted into pieces.

Hitori nodded. Akira stood by his side on his confirmation. Eya stepped forward and coerced him with a defense shield. They were ready to go.

Kakashi checked the area one more time, then gave them a thumbs up.

Hitori and Akira, walking at the same pace, crossed Eya, then crossed Kakashi, and turned around the corner. They exposed themselves to the enemy hiding in the woods– only he was not.

Kakashi pushed himself back and hid against a tree with Eya by his side. He raised his arm and tried to connect with the Guardian. He stared at his forearm, but nothing appeared. He clicked his tongue and threw his arm down.

Eya studied his actions, then asked, "What is the problem?"

"Tengoku," he said, raising his head, "I can not sense him in the woods."

"Nothing?" She suddenly thought about the man hanging behind the house, the one Kakashi could not sense either.

"No, nothing. The same as the haunter behind the house. I can sense nothing, but he was hanging by the vines. Is this some shit the scientist can do?"

"What makes you sure that man is a scientist?" she asked, then changed the topic. "Try again. If Tengoku is in the woods, he will show up. He will show up even if he is eaten, right?"

Kakashi looked at her, nodded, and looked at his forearm again.

She shrugged. "I will look out for the boys." She got off the cover and took Kakashi's place. She glanced at the brothers heading to the middle of the area, still safe.

Kakashi waited like that for another minute, then gave up. "Do you think he is hiding in the house? Somehow got inside?"

Eya's eyes widened when she saw a vine reach out toward Akira. "Oh, shit! Undo the spell!"

He frowned. "Why?"

"Akira!" she grunted.

"Oh, shit." He closed his eyes and chanted the required incantation to allow Akira to walk free near the house. He sighed and opened his eyes. "Done." He rolled his eyes.

Eya went back to take a look, and yes, the vine was heading back. Saved by a few seconds or so. "No." She turned to Kakashi. "Tengoku can't enter the house."

He nodded and concluded. "That proves it… Tengoku is nowhere in the house. He left." That was a bold statement, but you bet he could prove his statement.