Shana's appearance had an overwhelming impact on the entire hall. Ousa didn't just freeze stiff—he instinctively clutched his chest and suddenly began coughing violently, as if he were suffering from a severe, incurable illness.
Seeing that, Shana merely raised an eyebrow slightly. She let out a soft laugh and took a few steps closer.
"Don't! Stop right there!"
Ousa shouted, raising a hand to block her.
So Shana stopped. She simply stood there, one hand on her hip in a seductive posture, as if she wasn't surprised at all to see him here.
Meanwhile, Ousa was breathing heavily, staring at her as if she were something that shouldn't exist.
"You… Impossible… How are you…?"
"Impossible?" Shana tilted her head and laughed. "So what you mean is—I was supposed to die somewhere in a forgotten corner, right?"
"No, I mean—!"
Ousa suddenly felt an intense pain in his chest. It carved deeper into his memory of the last time he had faced Shana. His anger, fear, and trauma all resurfaced. But when he lifted his head again—Shana wasn't radiating that terrifying aura.
In fact—There was nothing at all.
Strange.
He had become a ghoul. He should have been able to perceive her overwhelming aura easily—if anything, it should have been even more horrifying than before.
And yet—He saw nothing from her.
Why?
Had her power weakened?
Or… had she gained complete control over her own aura?
Her alluring scent was still there. It explained why she was the most infamous fox spirit to ever exist. For a brief moment, Ousa was even entranced by it—But the pain dragged him back to reality.
He forced himself to stand straight and looked at her with his sharp, blood-red eyes. Shana clicked her tongue in admiration.
"Oh, it's been a while. I didn't expect you to change this much. How should I put it… I won't ask why you've turned into… this mess. It's quite ugly."
Ousa glared at her in fury. How dare she call him ugly?
But he quickly suppressed his anger. Shana was no longer the little lover he once thought he could control. More than 2000 years had passed. Her nonchalant attitude now only made him… more wary of her.
This is bad…No matter how confident Ousa was in his strength—Against Shana, he knew he stood no chance.
Shana glanced at him, then at Mina, then around the entire hall.
"…It looks like this is a wedding? Kamakiri Ousa… you do realize Mina is your blood descendant, right? Do you know how wrong that is?"
Before she could finish, Ousa roared at her. His fury surged with a powerful force that made the curtains tremble violently.
"You say I'm wrong!? And what about what you did, Shigonami Shana!? I took you in! You could have become my queen, standing above all others! But what did you do!? You betrayed my trust! You cheated on me again and again! And then you killed me—for a mere servant BITCH!"
At his accusations, the smile on Shana's lips slowly faded. She spoke softly, her voice tinged with sadness.
"…Yes, I admit I was wrong back then. But didn't you torture and kill that girl? If you were truly angry at me, why did you blame an innocent person instead of confronting me directly?"
Ousa snorted coldly.
"…Perhaps I should have. Perhaps I should have hung your head instead of hers. Back then, the messenger of the goddess Ama told me to kill you—but I didn't. Because I loved you…"
But Shana only laughed.
"Loved?"
Ousa snapped irritably. "Is that funny to you?"
"…And I loved you too, Ousa. Very much…"
For a brief moment, Ousa froze. Something stirred within him. But the rage and the numbness of a ghoul quickly suppressed it.
"Shigonami Shana… this matter has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it. Otherwise, don't blame me."
Shana said nothing. She simply looked toward Mina. Their eyes met—like a silent exchange. Even Mina frowned slightly, as if trying to convey something. Shana nodded.
"…To be honest, my lord, I can't stay out of this."
Mina widened her eyes at Shana. But Shana continued, smiling gently.
"There's a human girl I met—someone who always meddles and helps others. She would definitely do the same. Even if it meant sacrificing her life, she would still choose to protect others."
Ousa suddenly felt irritated hearing her mention someone else.
"A human girl? What nonsense are you talking about, Shana?"
Just as he finished speaking—Loud footsteps echoed as a group rushed into the hall. In an instant, a large number of women in black suits appeared, standing before him—armed with guns and katanas. Each one was strikingly beautiful.
And clearly not ordinary.
Why!?
Ousa trembled with anger. Where had all the guards gone!? How did these women get in!?
But the ones who entered next shocked him even more.
Duyen, Yu, Nayeon, and Dao rushed in together. They froze in shock upon seeing Mina surrounded by a group of Maidens.
"MINA!" Duyen shouted.
Mina's face lit up instantly.
"DUYEN!"
She called out in return, her face breaking into a radiant, joyful smile. Even the Kamakiri side was stunned. It was the first time they had ever seen Mina look that happy. For someone? For that girl?
Miko struggled to sit up. She saw Mina's joyful expression directed at Duyen. There was no mistaking it.
That was the gaze of love.
"…So that's how it is…" Miko smiled faintly. "Mina… you've fallen in love too…"
Mina… I'm sorry…If only I had known sooner…I've made you suffer…
Miko thought bitterly.
But Ousa stared at Duyen in horror.
"You… you look familiar…"
Duyen also noticed him. She flinched slightly.
"…It's you…"
Her hand unconsciously moved to her shoulder. The terrifying pain from her past life still lingered there. Seeing that gesture, Ousa had no more doubts.
"…You… so you're still alive!"
Shana instinctively stepped in front of Duyen to shield her. But Ousa shook his head.
"…No, that's not right. Not exactly. Could it be… her next life? Does reincarnation truly exist?"
Then he burst into loud laughter, his voice echoing throughout the hall. Shana held Duyen behind her even more protectively.
Ousa shouted:
"FATE, ISN'T IT!? I never thought that after 2000 years, I would meet again the wife who dared betray me! And also… the reincarnation of your lover!"
Shana frowned. Her voice turned unusually serious.
"Kamakiri Ousa… can you not let go of old hatred?"
"Forget!?" Ousa roared. "Don't joke with me! I will never forget what you wretched women did to me! If fate has brought us together again—then even if I cannot defeat all of you… so be it. Come at me!"
After his roar—Nyoko's eyes suddenly glowed red unnaturally. Even the Maidens became strange—like they had been brainwashed long ago. No longer human. Not a trace of humanity remained. In terms of numbers, Ousa's side was now equal to Shana's group.
On Shana's side, they were already prepared to fight. Even Nayeon and Dao—who had no combat ability—took defensive stances despite their fear.
To save Mina—They were willing.
But Shana quickly raised a hand to stop them.
"Everyone, stay calm. He's right… this battle is not ours. It's best we do not interfere."
After her words, all the women paused.
But they remained on guard. Yu even stepped forward, shielding Duyen alongside Shana.
Ousa frowned in confusion. What was Shana planning?
"You're not going to attack? Are you joking with me? Then why did you come here!?"
Shana shrugged.
"To watch the show?"
"Watch the show!?"
Veins bulged on Ousa's forehead at her indifferent tone. She had become even more insolent than the last time he saw her. Was she saying she came here because she saw him as nothing more than entertainment?
Even if the gap in their power was like heaven and earth—
Shana simply continued:
"The one who will fight you, my lord… is not us."
Ousa frowned, feeling extremely confused. Then suddenly, he heard a very faint sound near him. When he turned his head to look behind—
Mina was already standing there, surrounded by the mutilated corpses of the Maidens.
"Huh?"
Ousa didn't even understand what had just happened when the next one to collapse was Nyoko. Her entire body looked as if it had been drained dry at some point, reverting into a shriveled, withered old form.
She tried to crawl toward Ousa, clinging to his leg—
But she died right after that.
"Huh?"
Ousa couldn't comprehend what was going on.He looked up—Mina was still standing there, showing no strange signs at all.
Could it be that they just… died on their own!? How could something so absurd even happen!?
Even Tomi was trembling. Unlike Ousa, she had witnessed what Mina had just done. It was so fast—and so horrifying—that she could barely stand.
"Impossible… How could she…"
Miko, on the other hand, struggled to stay upright as she looked at Mina. She also couldn't believe what she was seeing.
At that moment—Mina's crimson eyes glowed brightly.
There was no doubt anymore. She was no longer human.
---
Somewhere very far away—Standing atop a precarious tower—A man on the other side of the hemisphere stood there, his long black hair nearly brushing the ground, wearing a long black leather coat. In his hand, the apple he was holding rapidly withered, as he let out a hysterical laugh. His face was almost perfectly beautiful—an androgynous kind of beauty.
"Who would've thought, that idiot. I only had to tell him about the 'child of destiny,' and he not only believed it, he even dared to do that to his own grand child. I don't care whether she truly is one of the future Three Great Destined Ones. As long as he taints her, my plan is complete."
However, he didn't get to celebrate for long. A mist appeared from nowhere, surrounding him. He was startled.
"Impossible… Mist!? Don't tell me—!?"
But the person he feared did not fully appear. Their figure only faintly emerged behind the fog. He couldn't see clearly—But he knew exactly who it was.
"Brother…"
The voice from within the mist was soft and sweet like a girl's, even though the other called them "brother." He replied:
"Susanoo… your plan will not succeed."
Hearing that, Susanoo was extremely irritated, but he forced a smile. His green eyes glowed sharply.
"What do you mean, Brother? I don't have any plan at all. It's been so long since we last met—and this is how you greet me? If I'm not mistaken, Ama is somewhere nearby too. If she really cares that much, why does she only hide behind and manipulate those humans? I know your kind of hypocrites all too well."
Susanoo's voice was full of mockery and bitterness. Luna fell silent for a moment after hearing that. Then she continued:
"Mina… has reached Mother's throne and has begun the ascension process."
Susanoo's eyes widened.
"Ascension… she has already…!?"
But then he quickly shook his head.
"Impossible!? She reached Yomi!? How could a mere human get there!? Don't tell me… you all—"
Luna remained silent. Susanoo roared. His green pupils revealed slit-like serpent eyes, and his fangs emerged.
"WHAT DID YOU ALL DO!?"
---
Back at the Kamakiri estate—Ousa stood frozen in shock at Mina's glowing red eyes. There was no doubt anymore.
She was a demon! But how!? Why!? By what means!?
Shana, however, simply laughed, making Ousa flinch.
"Kamakiri Ousa. Looks like your wedding won't be happening after all."
Ousa glanced between Shana and Mina.
"Don't tell me… this has something to do with you!? Why would Mina become like this!?"
Shana shrugged.
"Don't ask me, I don't know anything. But what I do know is… watch your back."
The moment she finished speaking—A chill ran down Ousa's spine. He immediately leapt away. From the spot where he had been standing—
A razor-sharp biological blade extended from Mina's arm and slashed down with terrifying speed. Even then, he hadn't completely avoided it. The blade had sliced off—
Part of his elbow.
"Huh!?"
Ousa was horrified. From the wound, black smoke rose. And since he was merely a ghoul, he couldn't regenerate instantly.
While he was still processing—Mina's slashes came in like a storm!
"Huh!? Wait—!"
Ousa roared. He used all his strength and cultivation to dodge Mina's deadly attacks. But she was too fast.
No—
Faster than him.
How could a person, in such a short time, surpass a demon who had cultivated for 2000 years!?
Ousa barely had time to breathe, let alone counterattack. All he could do was dodge—Again and again.
Duyen watched the battle, unable to hide her concern for Mina. She wanted to rush in to help—But Shana grabbed her hand tightly.
Then Shana shouted cheerfully
"Hey! You cold-faced one! Hey, hey!"
Mina flinched slightly. That brief pause gave Ousa the chance to throw a fast punch at her. Fortunately, Mina reacted quickly, dodging and leaping back. She shot Shana an annoyed glare.
"You shameless, indecent fox! Are you tired of living!? How dare you distract me!?"
Shana grinned, clearly amused.
"Listen, Mina. I know you're enjoying this fight… but go easy a bit. You know what I mean."
Mina was annoyed, but she seemed to understand. She reluctantly agreed, her expression still displeased.
"Got it…"
Ousa, seeing this, was furious.
"You're chatting at a time like this!? Are you looking down on me!?"
Mina turned to look at him. Her face was cold—almost bored.
"…So I just shouldn't kill you too quickly, is that it?"
Hearing that directly from her mouth made Ousa feel a chill. But he gritted his teeth.
"…I don't care how you became a demon. But don't be so arrogant."
As he finished speaking, he stretched out his hand. Immediately, columns of black smoke rose from the surrounding corpses and from everywhere, rushing toward him. His skin darkened, becoming hazy and indistinct, shrouded in thick black smoke. His eyes glowed blood-red.
"Don't forget—I've cultivated for 2000 years!"
Yet Mina showed no surprise. She even smiled faintly.
"Good… now this is getting interesting…"