Setting aside those Yōkai who were merely massive in size with minor supernatural abilities but lacked sapience, all the Yōkai Sū ěr had discovered thus far seemed a bit too "simple-minded"—at least in his eyes.
Even this snake demon, who had already mastered the arts of shapeshifting and seduction, was categorized as "simple." However, in a way, Sū ěr could understand the creature's logic—after all, even a snake demon knew that to succeed in seduction, one had to transform into someone of the same species as the target and make them beautiful.
He imagined that when she seduced those little people, she probably transformed into the most beautiful image an "earth spider" could conceive... fortunately, she had some sense and didn't try to seduce Sū ěr in that form, or he doubted he would have listened past the first sentence.
The mere thought was a nightmare.
Sū ěr swept two fingers through the air like a blade, and the ground in the field behind the bamboo hut split open. He casually tossed the snake carcass and the compressed sphere of flesh into the massive fissure. The falling corpses kicked up a bit of dust, revealing other remains where the flesh had already been corroded away, leaving only bleached bones half-buried in the soil.
As Sū ěr fingers traced back along the same path, the giant trench in the field zipped shut. Even the seams where the earth met showed no sign of being freshly overturned.
Whether it was the lush vegetables growing on the surface or the flowers and herbs he had gathered to make Think happy, the splitting of the earth had no effect on them. It was as if they had never moved from the start.
"Ah, getting hit on by these idiotic Yōkai is getting a bit boring... Can't we get some Yōkai with normal reasoning skills to chat with?" Sū ěr leaned over to sniff an orange flower, then sighed and continued, "I'm starting to feel a bit of the struggle Think once faced."
[There are many differences, right? At least she was driven to the point of suicide by the loneliness of having no one to talk to, but you always have me by your side~]
"Yeah... fortunately, I have you," Sū ěr murmured softly, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"—My apologies for the intrusion, but... who exactly are you talking to?"
A voice suddenly rang out from behind Sū ěr. Without a doubt, it was a female voice. Like the snake demon from before, it carried an eerie, supernatural quality, but it was far more vibrant. It possessed the spark of true intelligence.
Spinning around with lightning speed, Sū ěr stared coldly at the woman standing a short distance behind him. From her flawless features alone, it was clear she wasn't human. She had a tall stature, long golden hair, and wore a purple robe of a single, solid color, devoid of any unnecessary patterns.
"My curiosity is getting the better of me. So, would you mind answering?" The blonde woman... Yōkai... the female Yōkai smiled faintly, pressing for an answer as if she hadn't noticed Sū ěr wary gaze.
"Heh. We aren't kin, and this is but our first meeting. To brazenly ask such a question without even introducing yourself... what do you think?" Sū ěr sneered, speaking with measured deliberation.
"Ah~, it seems that is indeed the case~" The blonde Yōkai feigned a look of sudden realization, covering her mouth with one hand in mock surprise.
Rather than her staged astonishment, what made Sū ěr feel more uneasy was the fact that she seemingly fully understood his words—that meant that among some Yōkai, there existed a higher level of social interaction beyond mere instinct. Even elements of civilization, like etiquette and rules, were present.
Let's call them High Yōkai for now.
"My name is Yakumo Yukari. At present, I am but an insignificant Gap Yōkai [Kūkan Yōkai]," the blonde woman introduced herself with a faint smile, unaware of Sū ěr fleeting thoughts. However, Sū ěr keenly caught the emphasis in her words.
"At present?"
"Indeed, only at present—" the blonde woman repeated briefly. Then, her expression turned solemn, all traces of her smile vanishing. With an arrogance that her words couldn't—and didn't intend to—hide, she declared: "In the future, I shall quell all strife between Yōkai, crush the foolish delusions of those deities, and carve out a kingdom upon this boundless land where only Yōkai can exist."
"..."
The sheer volume of information was so immense that Sū ěr didn't know what to say for a moment.
What's with this? This grand declaration?
Is there some urgent, major event happening in the world of High Yōkai that I haven't touched yet?
Yōkai, gods... so, from the sounds of it, there's conflict even among High Yōkai?
But I've lived here for months and haven't seen any signs of war.
The atmosphere everywhere has been perfectly peaceful.
"...Ah, um, impressive. Very impressive." Faced with the blonde Yōkai... Yakumo Yukari... oppressive gaze, Sū ěr felt it would be awkward to say nothing after hearing such a stirring manifesto. So, he offered some stiff praise.
"I wish you every success. Good luck." It was as if he were offering New Year's greetings to a neighbor; he even cupped his hands in a polite gesture.
If Yakumo Yukari truly realized everything she said, then her self-description of being an "insignificant Yōkai" really was just for the present. If nothing else, that aura alone made Sū ěr feel that this female Yōkai had quite the presence—By the way, what is a 'Gap'? Never heard of it.
Although throwing out her grand ambitions during a first meeting seemed exceptionally abrupt, Sū ěr could understand why Yakumo Yukari acted this way.
To unite people around you and make them move in the same direction, a leader must lay out their goals and ambitions openly. They cannot fear showing them to others or be ashamed to speak of them. Only by raising such a banner will like-minded individuals seek them out and gather around the leader.
However, Sū ěr felt it didn't have much to do with him.
He was human, not a Yōkai. Why should he get excited about Yōkai business?
Furthermore, the other implications in Yakumo Yukari words were quite interesting. Based on her unreservedly calling herself a Yōkai, this world might be even closer to his original world than he first thought.
Yōkai?
And gods?
What kind of deities are they?
Sū ěr curiosity was piqued.