She could theoretically open a gap directly inside a person's body, but compared to "stationary space," the human body was in constant motion. Unless she made close contact, she couldn't achieve it. Moreover, her power wasn't omnipotent; at the very least, she couldn't open a gap directly within that armor-like blood aura of Lancer.
'A strange man, but... does he think he can escape like this? Isn't that a bit too naive?'
Indeed, although Lancer was charging toward her, she didn't believe he intended to truly fight her. In her eyes, this was nothing more than a simple "feint." The goal of attacking her was surely to create an opportunity for his own escape; she had seen plenty of his kind before.
Even for her, it was impossible to instantaneously open gaps on all sides of Lancer large enough to envelop him. However, she could use gaps to bait him into continuously approaching her.
As for whether it was too dangerous?
She wasn't worried at all. After all, her surroundings were filled with gaps; if he actually dared to get close, she would simply "eat" him.
In truth, the reason she hadn't immediately severed Lancer right hand was that she had been nearby when Lancer fought Ibuki Suika. She knew perfectly well that his right arm was no ordinary limb.
Yes, she had been present when Lancer fought the Oni.
She had guessed the trouble her words would cause from the very beginning, but she hadn't pointed it out—or rather, that was one of her objectives.
Unlike the communicative Kappa and Tengu clans, the Oni were a group of battle maniacs. From the time she had dealt with the Oni King two generations ago, she knew their temperament. Such unstable factors were highly likely to interfere with her plans.
In that case, it was better to simply thin their numbers in advance. Perhaps if they were beaten badly enough, they would learn to be obedient... on second thought, their brains didn't even have those kinds of circuits.
As for the humans who died in the process?
What did that have to do with her, a merry "Youkai Sage"?
Although her plans aided human rule to some extent, it was merely an incidental byproduct. Her starting point had never changed; she didn't care at all about the lives or deaths of those ordinary people.
Even so, she couldn't truly let the Oni clan go extinct. Thus, surveillance was the best choice. To avoid discovery, she chose to spectate from a distance. Regarding Lancer eventual victory, beyond her surprise, she felt more certain of her own theory—the things she had seen were indeed real.
As for him finding the Tengu and starting to dig for news about her, she didn't care in the slightest. Over the past millennium, countless humans, youkai, and even gods had tried similar things.
However, what she hadn't expected was that while she was merely planning to pass the time by observing the man, she discovered an "anomaly" about him.
The feeling was incredibly strange, perhaps the first time she had encountered it. To use a metaphor: it was as if he existed there, but like a cube stuffed into a space full of spheres—he was clearly there, yet utterly out of place with his surroundings.
This strange sensation could only be barely perceived because of her ability to manipulate gaps; ordinary people couldn't possibly notice.
After nearly a day of observation, she confirmed he was not like her—not a "youkai"—and she had to admit an option she had initially dismissed.
'He is not a person of this world.'
Most people's reaction to this news would be panic—an "otherworlder" appearing nearby? The first thought would be: is he an invader?
But she felt incredibly excited, because she felt she had found the final "puzzle piece."
In recent centuries, "gods" had rarely manifested. According to the information she gathered, it seemed their leaders no longer looked upon this land with favor. The reason was that, just as youkai grew stronger at a slower and slower rate, the gods encountered similar problems, so they simply chose to leave.
But she didn't do that, because she had been pondering one thing.
Why was she a Gap Youkai?
As the only Gap Youkai in the world, she sometimes saw strange images within the gaps. In those strange images, humans completely ruled this land, and they possessed weapons capable of destroying Great Youkai. Even more terrifyingly, the number of these weapons was sufficient to destroy all of humanity and the vast majority of living organisms.
She felt that her birth and her knowledge of these "futures" were meant for the purpose of extending the future of youkai.
Destroying humanity? She couldn't do it. If the youkai had the strength to do so, they wouldn't have waited until today. In that case, she would provide the youkai with a final place of refuge.
And this "visitor from another world" before her might be able to help her find what she wanted!
Whether it was moving the youkai to another world or some other method...
'I must take him!'
Though she wore a smile, she had made up her mind to seize Lancer and then squeeze every secret from his body!
Looking at Lancer charging toward her, she felt no fear; she even showed a slight smile. At this moment, she was even more convinced of her assessment—the man had no spear in his hand.
She was already prepared: when this man retreated from the gaps blocking his path, she would open a gap directly behind him. Once he was on her turf, wouldn't she be able to do whatever she wanted with him?
The fist drew closer, and everything seemed to follow her prediction, except—
Snap!
A strange sound of shattering rang out clearly. Yukari Yakumo, previously full of confidence, suddenly had a bad premonition. Then, she saw flames erupting from the right fist that had almost reached her.
Flames?
Wasn't this man's specialty manipulating frost?
And even more incredibly, the fist that had been aimed at her suddenly changed direction, striking the edge of the "gap."
What was he trying to do?
Yukari didn't know, but she soon found out.
BOOM!!!
Accompanied by a massive explosion, the "gap" in front of her was actually destroyed?
'!!!'
Yukari hadn't expected this man to find the weakness in her ability.
True, with Lancer current strength, he was a long way from being able to shatter space itself. But what if his target wasn't the space, but the "anomaly" upon the space?
'I was right!'
Looking at his right fist advancing through the burning flames, an excited expression appeared on Lancer face.