"Is the Cursed Spirit on the street this time?"
Kagura looked at the caution tape and the veil in the sky, her expression filled with confusion.
"It's probably just another Cursed Spirit that wandered in from somewhere."
Yomi did not find it strange.
Recently, for unknown reasons, many Cursed Spirits had abandoned their original dwelling places and moved toward the city. She had already seen this many times.
"Be careful, Yomi."
Noriyuki stood with his hands in his pockets, his expression somewhat grave.
"All the Kudagitsune I sent out have lost contact."
Kudagitsune are small fox Shikigami that resemble weasels. Although they cannot be summoned in large numbers like Rabbit Escape, if they are continuously infused with Cursed Energy and nurtured over time, their numbers will gradually increase. Therefore, there is no need to worry about non-combat-oriented Kudagitsune being completely destroyed and becoming impossible to resummon.
Kudagitsune are playful and cute, with nimble bodies, capable of moving quickly by manipulating wind.
Although their direct combat ability is not strong, they excel at gathering intelligence and avoiding danger.
Because of this, Noriyuki became extremely cautious after losing contact with his Kudagitsune.
To be able to prevent Shikigami that specialize in escaping from getting away, this alone was enough to show how dangerous the Cursed Spirit ahead was.
"Did the Kudagitsune send back any information?"
Hearing this, Yomi's relaxed smile also became serious.
"They did send some information, but…"
Noriyuki hesitated, because the information sent back by the Kudagitsune was somewhat strange.
"They were killed by Kudagitsune."
"Kudagitsune?"
Yomi was slightly surprised.
She had never heard of a Kudagitsune-type Cursed Spirit.
In Japan's legends, Kudagitsune had always been familiars and companions of onmyoji. They were not only positive figures, but also very cute.
"It's probably some kind of Jujutsu. You need to be careful."
Noriyuki warned her, his tone filled with concern.
"Okay, I understand. Don't worry."
Seeing her fiancé's worried expression, Yomi smiled confidently and waved the Shishiou in her hand at him.
With that, Yomi and Kagura stepped into the veil.
Yomi actually did not want Kagura, who was closer to her than a real sister, to take risks. However, she knew Kagura would have to face this sooner or later.
At least for now, she could protect her and allow her to grow as much as possible in a relatively safe situation.
The two kept their hands on their sword hilts as they walked, ready to draw and fight at any moment.
"Strange. There aren't any Cursed Spirits at all?"
Kagura spoke with confusion.
The next moment, cold sweat broke out across her body as countless voices identical to her own echoed around her.
"Strange. There aren't any Cursed Spirits at all?"
"Strange. There aren't any Cursed Spirits at all?"
…An echo?
Yomi immediately stepped in front of Kagura and lowered herself into an iaijutsu stance.
The sound was coming from all directions. The attack could come from anywhere.
Under Yomi's vigilant gaze, the Cursed Spirit did not ambush them. Instead, it openly appeared before the two.
This is Yamabiko?
Yamabiko, also known as the Valley Echo.
It originated from ancient people's fear of echoes in mountain valleys.
In the past, people did not understand how echoes worked. Those who lived near large mountains often encountered voices rebounding through the mountains and valleys.
People who did not understand the cause believed it was a yokai called Yamabiko.
One could easily imagine the scene.
In the mountains, vision is blocked by trees. People who climbed mountains in groups to gather herbs or vegetables often spread out to increase efficiency.
They would occasionally shout to confirm each other's positions.
At that moment, countless voices answering from all directions would suddenly appear.
For people who did not understand echoes, it was enough to make cold sweat pour down their backs.
Yomi immediately rushed forward and delivered an iaijutsu slash toward the Yamabiko Cursed Spirit's waist.
Before Shishiou could strike, the Yamabiko's form suddenly rippled.
Clang.
Shishiou collided with another Shishiou.
To Yomi's surprise, a figure identical to herself appeared in front of her.
She instantly suppressed her shock and swung her sword again with full force.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
Both sides' movements were completely identical.
It was like looking into a mirror.
Although the situation was troublesome, Yomi did not panic.
Kagura had already used the parked vehicles as cover and silently moved behind the Cursed Spirit.
Whoosh.
Kagura infused Cursed Energy into her katana and slashed at the Cursed Spirit impersonating Yomi.
Clang.
A figure identical to Kagura blocked her blade.
"So that's it. It's the echo of Cursed Energy."
The Cursed Spirit Kagura only appeared after Kagura infused Cursed Energy into her sword.
Both Yomi and Kagura used swift and deadly sword techniques, with almost no prolonged clashes or contests of strength.
Soon, the area was filled with countless flashes of blades.
This won't work. I need to create some distance and then summon Ranguren to completely suppress it with a wide-range roar.
However, before Yomi could retreat, countless Yomis and Kaguras appeared around them.
Valley echoes were never just a single sound.
"What should we do, Sister Yomi?"
The two stood back to back, vigilantly watching their surroundings.
"Kagura."
"Yes."
Kagura immediately straightened up.
In her eyes, Sister Yomi was just as reliable as their mother, someone who could solve any problem.
"Don't cut me, okay?"
Yomi stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Huh?"
The unexpected response made Kagura freeze in surprise.
Just as Yomi was about to look for an opening to lead Kagura out of the encirclement, a massive shadow suddenly covered an area hundreds of meters wide.
This was the range of the Yamabiko Cursed Spirit's Cursed Energy.
"What is this?"
The sudden change made Yomi tense. She pulled Kagura onto the roof of a nearby car.
In the next moment, the Cursed Spirit Yomis and Kaguras were dragged into the shadows by Shikigami.
Within a radius of several hundred meters, an enormous amount of Cursed Energy surged.
Countless Cursed Spirits identical to the Shikigami in the shadows emerged.
"Heh. A Grade 1 Cursed Spirit wants to compete with me in Cursed Energy?"
Standing on the rooftop, Eichi scoffed, the Ten Shadows Treasure Wheel rotating above his head.
"Mada mada da ne."
In just a few seconds, the Cursed Spirit Shikigami began to flicker as their Cursed Energy ran dry.
Finally, countless Cursed Spirits vanished, leaving only the black-and-white main body behind.
The Yamabiko struggled desperately, but it was quickly devoured by the Shikigami emerging from the shadows.
Seeing the Cursed Spirit completely exorcised, Yomi let out a quiet sigh of relief.
If it had only been the two of them, even if they won, they would probably have been injured.
Shoko was not here.
Recovering from injuries would have been extremely troublesome.
"This person…"
Yomi looked at the figure on the rooftop and felt a sense of familiarity.
Eichi lightly landed in front of the two.
Once he was closer, Yomi finally recognized him.
He was indeed the honored guest her father had mentioned.
This was the first time Yomi had personally witnessed the power of a Special Grade.
A Grade 1 Cursed Spirit that would have required immense effort and likely injury for her to defeat was resolved by him with a single move.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)