The Shrine!
A flash of light!
The figures of Ayato and Yayoi appeared.
Teleportation magic?
Devil abilities are so convenient.
Yayoi's eyes sparkled.
She glanced around. "Where is this?"
"The servant quarters in this city."
Ayato briefly explained the situation. "You're on your own right now, so you might as well move here."
"Okay."
Yayoi nodded.
Tap, tap, tap.
Just then, hurried footsteps approached.
"Master!"
With a cheer, Seiko leaped and clung to Ayato.
Ayato gave her a head pat and said calmly, "Since you're all here, let me introduce a new member."
"This is Yayoi. She'll be living here from now on."
Looking at Yayoi, Momo and Miko had a flicker of surprise in their eyes.
It was her?
They remembered Yayoi.
It hadn't been long since Master handed out the flyers, and she had already come knocking.
"So cute."
Hana cheered and immediately pulled Yayoi into her arms, rubbing against her.
She... she was going to die...
Yayoi reached out for help, but was smothered.
Shizuka took a sip of beer and sighed, "Hana, she can't breathe."
"S-sorry."
Hana quickly let go and apologized. "I didn't mean to..."
"It's... it's fine."
Yayoi gasped for fresh air, looking at Hana with complex eyes.
She had almost...
Died in this way.
Instinctively...
She looked down at herself.
Damn it. No wonder Master had mocked her earlier.
"Alright, everyone, get to know each other."
Ayato clapped his hands. "Since we have time, let's take Yayoi to improve her strength."
"Seiko, do you know any famous spiritual locations? The more dangerous, the better."
"Let me think."
Seiko thought for a moment, then slapped her fist into her palm.
"Got it."
"How about the Old F Tunnel? It's a legendary S-Class spiritual location. It's said hundreds or thousands of people have disappeared there."
"Fine. Let's go there."
Ten-plus minutes later!
Ayato and the others descended from the sky.
"This place certainly seems like a cursed ground."
Shizuka crushed her beer bottle in her hand and couldn't help but comment, "Shouldn't there be someone to handle such a dangerous place?"
Seiko explained, "There are actually quite a few places like this. As long as they're in uninhabited areas, people usually don't bother. They're just too dangerous."
"Competent exorcists might not have the time, and those who come are just asking for death."
"So they just spread the word to keep people away."
Miko said with mixed feelings, "Then why do so many people still die?"
"Because some people love to court death."
Seiko said, "There are always some who don't know fear and come here for courage tests or something."
"If they die, they have no one to blame but themselves."
It was hard to judge those who had more guts than skill.
"Alright, let's go in."
Hearing Ayato's words, everyone began to move.
This time, the servants were all present.
Besides Yukino, all the servants in the city were here.
As soon as they stepped inside, everyone keenly felt an eerie aura wash over them.
Hana quickened her pace and stuck close behind Ayato.
She had zero combat experience.
This time, Ayato also intended to train her.
Soon.
Some scattered Cursed Spirits appeared ahead.
"I'll go."
Yayoi tried to move, but Ayato stopped her and instead pushed Hana forward.
"Your turn, Hana."
He smiled and said, "You've already developed your Balance Breaker, right? Let me see it."
Hana: "..."
She was completely dumbfounded.
With so many powerful people here...
He wanted her, the weakest, to go?
She wanted to object.
But the Cursed Spirits around them were getting closer and closer.
What should she do?
How do you fight?
Right.
Master said Balance Breaker.
And come to think of it, her ability was perfect for countering these Cursed Spirits.
Roar!
With a roar, the head of a crimson, ethereal-like dragon extended from her arm.
The next moment!
The dragon opened its gaping maw and swallowed all the Cursed Spirits.
"AAAAHHHH!"
Amidst piercing screams, the Cursed Spirits turned into specks of light and vanished completely.
At the same time.
The flow of spiritual energy within Hana visibly increased.
"..." xN
Seeing this, Seiko and the others all widened their eyes.
What was happening?