Among the one thousand ranked exorcists on the national roster, Yamato Kuuka—thanks to her spiritual power rivaling B-rank, and combat strength assessed at B+—was placed at Rank 368. Her official title on the list was:
"Demon-Slaying Sword Shrine Maiden."
As for Ren Kuroda, his ranking was significantly higher.
After all, he had slain a B-rank yokai with a single strike and had single-handedly defeated the A-rank kamaitachi.
His position on the list stood at Rank 135, and his title remained unchanged from before—
"The Redeemer."
Rank 135 might not sound particularly impressive at first glance, but one had to understand what that actually meant.
Everyone ranked within the top three hundred was either a long-famous powerhouse or an elderly veteran who had survived countless life-and-death battles.
And Ren?
He wasn't even twenty years old yet.
The moment the so-called "Exorcist Ranking" was released, it was immediately embraced by the public.
Ordinary people needed spiritual anchors—figures to look up to—and those on the list became their ideals and aspirations.
For exorcists themselves, money had long since lost its meaning. What they sought was reputation.
There wasn't a single exorcist who didn't dream of leaving their name in history. For people like them, the temptation of fame was nearly irresistible.
And so, in order to rise on the ranking, exorcists across the country began throwing themselves into yokai extermination with renewed fervor, hoping to improve their positions.
It had to be said—the big shots who came up with this idea played it masterfully.
Not only did it stabilize public morale, but it also ignited a competitive drive among exorcists.
Once the ranking appeared, those listed naturally became the objects of admiration for the general public.
Especially the top-ranked exorcists—their popularity rivaled that of national idols from before the world changed.
Although Ren Kuroda and Yamato Kuuka weren't ranked particularly high, they had one overwhelming advantage—
They were young.
Compared to worshipping a bunch of middle-aged men and elderly veterans, the young, attractive, and powerful Ren and Kuuka naturally drew far more attention.
At first, as they walked down the street, they didn't attract much notice.
After all, shrine maiden outfits had become something of a trend lately.
But the moment someone realized that the shrine maiden walking down the street not only wore miko robes—but looked exactly like the "Demon-Slaying Sword Shrine Maiden" from the rankings—
Things instantly spiraled out of control.
Once Yamato Kuuka's identity was exposed, Ren, walking beside her, was doomed to be dragged into it as well.
In no time at all, the entire street erupted.
Word spread like wildfire—one person told ten, ten told a hundred—and soon the street was packed so tightly it was impossible to move.
Then, atop a nearby wall—
The two people everyone was desperately searching for appeared without warning.
Ren stood there, arms full of shopping bags, glaring at Yamato Kuuka with an expression filled with grievance.
"If you were going to go out," he complained,"couldn't you have changed into something normal?"
Yamato Kuuka was already famous enough.
Wearing such an eye-catching shrine maiden outfit on top of that—it would've been a miracle if she wasn't recognized.
"I am a shrine maiden," Kuuka replied coolly."So isn't shrine maiden clothing my normal outfit?"
Ren fell silent.
Because… she wasn't wrong.
For a shrine maiden, miko robes were normal clothing.
"…Then what do we do now?" Ren sighed."Your fans have blocked the entire street. And judging by the crowd, more people are still coming.The popularity of a beautiful sword shrine maiden is terrifying."
Looking at the swelling crowd below, Ren couldn't help clicking his tongue—and tossing in a teasing remark.
"I heard 'The Redeemer' showed up around here. Why can't I see him?""Yeah! I even brought a signing board. The people from the shelters said Ren Kuroda isn't just strong—he's handsome and super gentle too!"
In the packed crowd, excited girls shoved their way forward, whispering animatedly among themselves.
Hearing that, Yamato Kuuka shot Ren a sideways glance—her meaning obvious.
"…Fine," Ren said awkwardly, looking up at the sky."Even if some of them are here for me, that's still not my fault.If you hadn't gone around advertising yourself in shrine maiden clothes, I wouldn't have been recognized either."
After all, judging by the crowd, over seventy percent were women.
"Use the Teleportation Talisman," Kuuka said decisively."I'll tell you the exact direction and distance to the Yamato estate. Control your spiritual output properly.And if you screw it up like last time—I'll kill you."
Given the situation below, teleportation was their only option.
Ren patted his chest confidently.
"No problem. Absolutely no problem this time."
Other spells, he wouldn't dare make guarantees about.
But this one?
After the last incident—where he accidentally saw everything and was forced to agree to three conditions—
Including this whole ridiculous situation—
Ren had devoted serious effort to mastering the Teleportation Talisman.
This time, there would be no mistakes.
Absolutely none.
—
"By concealed paths and inverted heavens,Let east become west, let north become south.Confound the minds of those who pursue,Seal all nine roads, vanish without trace.With the Northern Dipper as guide,Traverse a thousand li in a single step—By law divine, be done at once!"
The incantation flowed smoothly from both their lips.
At the same instant, a glowing formation bloomed beneath their feet, enveloping them—
And in the next heartbeat, both figures vanished.
—
In front of the Yamato family estate, a spell circle suddenly appeared on the ground.
A heartbeat later, Yamato Kuuka's slender figure emerged from it.
Almost immediately, two Yamato clan members dressed in shrine attire rushed over upon recognizing her.
"So it's the young lady!" one exclaimed happily."But why did you use a spell to travel this time?Luckily, you're of Yamato blood—otherwise the barrier's backlash could've been dangerous."
The two clan members were clearly delighted to see her return. After all, they'd heard plenty about her recent exploits—she'd brought great honor to the Yamato family.
But Kuuka showed no sign of joy.
Instead, her expression tightened with urgency.
"…The barrier is active?" she asked."Then what happens if someone who isn't from the Yamato family uses a teleportation spell and collides with it?"
Though puzzled by the question, the two clan members answered honestly.
"If a non-Yamato attempts to force their way through with a spell, and they're lucky, they might just be randomly displaced nearby.If they're unlucky… the barrier's counterattack could seriously injure them."
Hearing this—and realizing Ren hadn't appeared beside her—
Kuuka instantly understood.
Ren had definitely crashed into the Yamato barrier.
She had no time to chat.
Pushing past the two clan members, she rushed into the estate.
She needed to find her father immediately and mobilize the clan to locate Ren.
The Yamato family had always possessed a barrier—Kuuka knew that.
What she didn't understand was why a barrier that was usually dormant had suddenly been activated.
Maintaining a large-scale barrier consumed enormous spiritual resources.
Unless the clan was facing a major threat, it shouldn't have been active.
What she didn't know was that the barrier had been up for several days already.
With yokai roaming everywhere, the Yamato family—renowned for blessings, purification, and support techniques—was dangerously lacking in raw combat power.
Without the barrier, the family head couldn't guarantee the safety of the clan.
After much hesitation, he'd chosen to activate it.
And with the world's spiritual energy now far denser than before, maintaining the barrier consumed far less energy than it once had.
Besides—
With the constant influx of wounded exorcists seeking treatment, the Yamato family had been earning a fortune.
They could afford the cost.
—
In a room thick with steam and mist—
Ren Kuroda appeared out of thin air.
He had followed Yamato Kuuka's directions and distance precisely while casting the teleportation spell.
But halfway through the transfer, it felt as though he'd slammed into an invisible wall.
The result—
A less-than-perfect teleport.
"…Why does every single time I use this spell, something goes wrong?" Ren muttered."This should still be the Yamato estate… right?"
Dense fog obscured his vision.
The sound of dripping water echoed around him.
Combined with the humid air—
Ren came to a dreadful conclusion.
"…This is… probably a bathroom."
Every time.
Every. Single. Time.
Teleportation always somehow led to a bathroom.
Ren stared blankly, seriously wondering whether he'd mispronounced the incantation and accidentally turned the Teleportation Talisman into a Bath-Teleportation Talisman.
Realizing he'd materialized inside someone else's bathroom, Ren carefully began backing away—
When his sharp senses suddenly detected a surge of spiritual energy in the air.
"You've got some nerve," a furious female voice rang out through the steam."Breaking into the Yamato estate to spy like this!Which exorcist family raised a shameless wretch like you?!"
At the very moment Ren tried to slip away—
A hand infused with spiritual power slashed through the steam, sending a blade of energy screaming toward him.
The mist split apart—
And Ren finally saw his attacker.
A beautiful woman in her thirties, black hair tied in an elegant married style.
Her impressive figure was wrapped only in a white bath towel—
And her right hand was still extended, having just unleashed a spiritual blade strike straight at him.