At Osaka Central Park, Minamiya Chiya sat casually on a bench, a bottle of soda in hand as he looked out over the lush, seemingly peaceful greenery.
"The demonic aura isn't dense yet… that Wood Spirit is probably still hiding in its 'nest.'"
"That makes it a bit tricky to make a move."
With his Daoist Heavenly Eye activated, he observed the faint, threadlike traces of demonic energy drifting through the park.
A so-called "nest" was essentially a gap between the human world and the demon realm.
As long as a yokai remained hidden within that spatial seam, most exorcists had no way of dealing with it unless they had special tools, formation techniques, or overwhelming strength.
This time, however, Chiya had run into a cautious opponent… and one that was stronger than him by an entire tier.
After confirming that there was no immediate opportunity to strike, he dispelled his Heavenly Eye and casually found a spot at the edge of the park to sit and rest.
He wasn't in a hurry.
The weekly mission gave him three full days, and not even half a day had passed yet.
If the Wood Spirit refused to come out, then he would eventually force his way in.
Recently, his earth, fire, and wood techniques had improved. This was the perfect chance to test them.
Just as he sat down, before he could even take another sip, something in his pocket began to tremble.
"Oh right… almost forgot about you."
He took out the black orb.
Just like before, it was pitch black.
The moment it sensed Chiya's presence again, the struggling inside it stopped immediately.
Mizuhara Rei could see the outside world from within the orb.
And right now, seeing Chiya staring at her with that faint, almost amused smile…
Her entire being trembled.
That smile…
Yesterday, he had smiled like that right before killing the monk.
Now it was her turn, wasn't it?
She didn't want to die.
Not yet.
"Master… please spare me. I swear I'll never harm anyone again."
Her face formed on the surface of the orb.
Still grotesque.
Half writhing black insects, half a patchwork of pale, corrupted human skin.
Her human disguise had been burned away the day before. Without new victims, this was her true form.
A reminder of what she was.
A malevolent spirit.
And the price of becoming one.
Not all yokai were evil.
Some were kind, even protective of humans.
But such beings were rare.
Extremely rare.
And in a scenario like the "Hyakki Yagyo" event unfolding in Osaka, Chiya doubted even one benevolent entity would appear.
"You think I'd believe that?" Chiya said coldly.
"Judging by your soul… you've killed at least fifty people. Probably more."
"You've tasted the benefits of human flesh and souls. Do you really think you can just stop?"
"Do you even believe that yourself?"
His words struck her silent.
Because they were true.
She had killed far more than fifty.
Nearly a hundred.
And flayed the skin of countless young girls to maintain her human form.
If she were released…
Of course she would continue killing.
It was the only way for a wandering spirit like her to grow stronger.
Otherwise, relying on absorbing ambient energy would take decades, even centuries, for minimal progress.
After a long silence, she tried again.
"What if I give you information?"
"Information about other yokai."
"I'll leave your territory. I won't harm ordinary people anymore. I'll target criminals, scum…"
She grasped at survival, offering what she thought was a valuable trade.
The information she referred to was about her former partner.
The bird yokai who had used her for years.
Chiya looked at her, intrigued, but said nothing.
Under his gaze, she broke first.
"The bird yokai is called Itsumade Forty-Six."
"He's from Kyoto. Part of a major yokai clan."
"He'll come to my old school building on the first of next month."
"We've been… involved for three years."
"He's strong. A Great Ghost-class entity. Specializes in fire and is extremely fast."
As she spoke, there was a hint of reluctance in her tone.
After all, that yokai had taught her about the world of demons and cultivation.
And shared a relationship with her for years.
But in the face of death…
She chose herself.
"Hmm. Itsumade Forty-Six…"
Chiya narrowed his eyes.
He recognized the name.
A descendant, perhaps, of the legendary Itsumade from the Hyakki Yagyo myths.
A creature said to have a human face, serpent-like body, and massive wings capable of spewing fire.
A symbol of plague and famine.
Interesting.
"See? That yokai is far more valuable than me," Mizuhara Rei pressed eagerly. "Let me go, and you lose nothing."
Chiya chuckled.
"Who said killing you has no value?"
"To me, every yokai in Japan is fair game."
"Whether I kill them or not… that's entirely up to me."
He had gotten what he wanted.
The information.
There was no reason to spare her.
A malicious spirit like her…
Was better off erased.
"What?!"
Her face twisted in fury
But before she could scream, a blazing red light ignited.
Yang Fire.
A natural bane to evil spirits.
The flames engulfed the orb, burning her soul directly.
Chiya watched without a hint of hesitation.
Exorcism was not just a title.
It was action.
[Host has slain a Mid-tier Ghost (Water/Wood attributes)!]
[Obtained Water and Wood attribute fragments!]
[Kill 20 evil spirits to unlock the title: "Bane of Malicious Souls"!]
[Note: Titles grant special bonuses. Equip to view details.]
Chiya's eyes flickered slightly.
Then he exhaled, calm as ever.
Another one down.
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Oh, you like the story? Wow, who knew. Go ahead, drop a review and throw some power stones maybe I'll be motivated to keep going.