"Ye... Mask!"
Seeing Ye Xing suddenly appear at this critical moment, Mai Sakurajima was so excited that she nearly doxxed Kyoto's number one eroge shooter in front of over two hundred bystanders.
"You've worked hard these past few days."
Hearing Ye Xing's words spoken with a hint of laughter, Rio Futaba breathed a sigh of relief, crossed her arms over her chest, and snorted coldly.
"Hmph, that's more like something a human would say."
Compared to the excitement and joy of Mai Sakurajima, Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, and Light Yagami upon seeing Ye Xing's appearance, Hannya and Shuten-dōji's reactions were completely opposite - their bodies even began to tremble.
They claimed not to be afraid...
But how could they not be?
If they weren't terrified to the extreme, lacking even the courage to face him in direct combat, the arrogant and conceited Shuten-dōji wouldn't have gone to such lengths to set a trap, insisting on trapping Ye Xing in the Reverse World.
He knew very well that the other's power was completely on a different level from the other psychics in the Supernatural Society!
Shuten-dōji and Hannya exchanged a glance and, without any hesitation, immediately flashed into the crowd of people crouching with their hands over their heads.
Hannya's target was a little girl.
Shuten-dōji chose the little girl's mother.
They simultaneously took a human hostage. Shuten-dōji pressed his long sword against the young mother's neck and, staring at Ye Xing, who had transformed into Mask and still carried heavy dark energy residue from slaughtering so many evil spirits, threatened viciously.
"Take one more step and I'll kill this woman, along with all these humans!"
"Heh."
Facing Shuten-dōji's threat, a white smiling pattern appeared on Ye Xing's pure black mask.
"You trying to scare your daddy?"
Immediately after, without even looking at Shuten-dōji, Hannya, or the hostages in the two evil spirits' hands, Ye Xing turned his gaze toward Light Yagami standing nearby.
"What are you doing here?"
"Your companion... this one..."
Light Yagami pointed at Miko Yotsuya standing there, remained silent for a few seconds, then finally answered with a smile.
"I didn't bother remembering her name. Anyway, I've learned about what's been happening in Kyoto recently. I came specifically to bring you back from the Reverse World."
At this point, Light Yagami shook his head with a wry smile.
"But it seems my help isn't needed at all."
After their previous joint operation in Tokyo, Miko Yotsuya had come to understand Light Yagami's personality. Regarding his not remembering her name, she didn't find it particularly surprising or offensive.
Light Yagami was just that kind of person.
In his eyes, probably only Ye Xing counted as a companion.
For people like them who possessed similar abilities, if not for Ye Xing, Light Yagami probably wouldn't even give them a second glance.
Miko Yotsuya had figured it out.
Light Yagami wasn't homosexual.
He simply only acknowledged Ye Xing; that was all.
That's precisely why, when Miko Yotsuya contacted the other party, she didn't mention Kyoto being in danger or evil spirits running rampant, killing people, because she knew the other party wouldn't care.
But merely mentioning Ye Xing's name was enough to make Light Yagami immediately agree to come to Kyoto to help search for traces of evil spirits and bring Ye Xing back from the Reverse World.
Meanwhile, the Supernatural Society's external temporary operative Kira, who had remained in Tokyo outside of Shuten-dōji and Hannya's plans, was the most crucial trump card in Rio Futaba's strategy.
Though it appeared now that wouldn't be necessary.
"Is that so?"
Ye Xing nodded noncommittally, then looked at Rio Futaba with a light laugh.
"Contact Chief Yagami and have him come up to rescue the hostages. This credit should go to my sworn brother Soichiro."
Hearing this, Light Yagami couldn't help but roll his eyes.
You bastard, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?
Yagami, Chief, and you specifically mentioned Soichiro - saying the full name with title, making sure I know you're talking about my father as your sworn brother.
Then what does that make me?
Your nephew?
"Alright, I understand."
In this incident, Soichiro Yagami had indeed been very helpful, especially during the power station repairs. Rio Futaba also felt this credit should go to him, since if Chief Yagami could get promoted or something, the Supernatural Society's future operations in Kyoto would become much smoother.
"Chief Yagami, please come up to rescue the hostages."
Seeing these people completely disregard his threats, Shuten-dōji's eyes bulged with rage as he roared ferociously.
"Shut up! Didn't you hear me!? If anyone dares to come up, I'll use my demon sword Muramasa to kill everyone here, one by one!"
"Hehe."
When it came to provoking evil spirits, Ye Xing was truly in his element, his talent maxed out.
Looking at the long sword in Shuten-dōji's hand, his eyes held mockery.
"Bragging here, are you? If that broken blade of yours is Muramasa, then the one at my waist must be Dōjigiri Yasutsuna."
"Oh, right, which 'dōji' does Dōjigiri Yasutsuna cut again? I forgot, remind me?"
Knowing Ye Xing's style, Miko Yotsuya played along perfectly.
"It cuts Shuten-dōji - meaning this red-faced monster here."
"Oh, that's how it is~"
Ye Xing drew out his words with a sarcastic tone, watching Shuten-dōji's already red face darken with anger before smiling.
"Getting angry now, getting angry~ Someone's overheating~ Little Clown Dōji~"
"You...!"
Shuten-dōji was indeed about to lose it.
Although he wasn't the real Shuten-dōji, from his own perspective, he was the genuine article.
The story of Dōjigiri Yasutsuna was something Shuten-dōji considered the greatest humiliation of his life.
Under such insults, Shuten-dōji, already temperamentally irritable by nature, completely lost his reason.
"You can only enjoy your verbal victory for now."
"Let me tell you this - during this time I've been hiding in Kyoto, the thousands of evil spirits I've subdued are all currently inside this Kyoto Tower."
Shuten-dōji sneered viciously, the blade in his hand slicing across the young mother's neck. He extended his tongue, licking the blood flowing from her wound, wearing an expression of utter satisfaction.
"Now tell me, how do you plan to save all these weak humans while surrounded by me, Hannya, and thousands of powerful evil spirits? Hmm? Hero Mask?"
"Amusing. Do you really take me for a hero?"
The smile in Ye Xing's eyes gradually faded, his tone flat as he spoke.
"All your forces are gathered here? Excellent. I'm pleased."
"Remember—you are the challengers here."
"Domain Expansion."
The hem of Ye Xing's black coat billowed like raging flames as he murmured softly.
"Demon-Slaying Divine Purification."
The moment they sensed the surge in spiritual power, both Shuten-dōji and Hannya's expressions shifted. Without hesitation, they tightened their grip on the hostages they held in their arms—
Wait.
Shuten-dōji and Hannya glanced down, only to discover that the humans they had been holding hostage had inexplicably vanished.
Not only the little girl and her mother.
Even the over two hundred hostages originally in the vast hall had disappeared without a trace.
"This… this…"
Shuten-dōji and Hannya exchanged alarmed looks, utterly baffled by what had just occurred.
Why had those humans who were just here suddenly vanished without a trace?
What exactly had happened?
"Can't comprehend it?"
Observing the bewildered Shuten-dōji and Hannya, along with the hundreds of evil spirits gathered in the hall, Ye Xing spoke in a calm tone.
"This is my Domain. All non-worldly entities have been trapped within it, including my companions."
"The range covers Kyoto Tower."
"Escaping is simple—you have two choices."
"Hide, and hope I can't find you before my power runs out."
"Or try to kill me."
"Of course..."
Ye Xing slowly approached Hannya and Shuten-dōji, with strands of pitch-black spiritual power resembling flames emerging from his pure black mask.
"You only have the power to choose. From the moment I returned to this world, your fate was already sealed."
Listening to Ye Xing's words and watching Hannya and Shuten-dōji instinctively retreat as he drew closer, Miko Yotsuya, Rio Futaba, and Mai Sakurajima all shared the same thought.
He's back.
Everything's back.
After several battles without Ye Xing, they had nearly forgotten what it felt like to exorcise alongside him.
This familiar feeling...
It wasn't until they had retreated several metres that Shuten-dōji realised...
He had actually stepped back!?
Since his birth in the Reverse World, he had never been defeated...
Yet he retreated before a mere human?
Shuten-dōji knew some of Ye Xing's abilities and had even sent his subordinate evil spirits to observe the other's battles from the shadows.
He knew the other was strong—the strongest among Kyoto's exorcists.
But only now did Shuten-dōji finally feel that suffocating sense of dangerous pressure when becoming Ye Xing's target.
"Kill him!"
Watching Shuten-dōji issue the command to the surrounding evil spirits before fleeing in panic with Hannya towards the stairwell, Ye Xing shook his head and said with slight regret.
"It seems you've made your choice. But the outcome won't change because of it."
Seeing this scene, both Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya felt somewhat conflicted.
They finally realised where they, as exorcists, differed from Ye Xing.
Rationally speaking, Hannya and Shuten-dōji should have joined the hundreds of evil spirits in a coordinated attack. Ye Xing had forcibly torn open a rift in the Reverse World using his soul's true form, which must have consumed considerable spiritual power.
Moreover, he himself had stated that this Domain, called Demon-Slaying Divine Purification, would dissolve if he were killed or his power were exhausted.
Couldn't Hannya and Shuten-dōji understand this?
Although they possessed all the vicious tendencies of evil spirits, they clearly weren't that foolish.
Without even needing to attempt killing Ye Xing, Miko knew how astonishing the spiritual power consumption must be to maintain such a Domain.
If Hannya and Shuten-dōji had simply stalled for time, the scales of victory would have gradually tipped in their favour.
But...
Knowing what to do and daring to do it were two different concepts.
Even without having fought him before, it was clear that Hannya and Shuten-dōji...
Feared Ye Xing.
This was indeed his unique talent.
"Should we pursue them?"
Hearing Light Yagami's question, Ye Xing looked at the hundreds of evil spirits emitting black Qi closing in from all directions and simply shook his head.
"No need to rush. Including those two, all the evil spirits within this Kyoto Tower will be eliminated. It's merely a matter of sequence."
"Alright, your city, your rules."
Mai Sakurajima suddenly approached at that moment, lifted her foot, and stepped down on Ye Xing's foot.
Unexpectedly...
This time, she didn't miss.
Mai Sakurajima's beautiful eyes beneath her mask narrowed slightly as she let out a soft hum.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
Ye Xing replied with a laugh.
"Well, since I've been away for so long, I'll reward you."
"Shouldn't I be the one rewarding you?"
"You're turning things upside down."
"Hmph, we'll talk about your matters when we get home."
Hearing Mai Sakurajima's words, Ye Xing chuckled and teased.
"I think you're feeling aroused."
Mai Sakurajima's breath hitched upon hearing this. Fortunately, she was wearing her mask; otherwise, her flushed face would have been visible.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
After saying this, Mai Sakurajima fell silent for a moment before speaking quietly.
"Anyway, I'm just glad you returned safely."
"Wake up."
Rio Futaba walked over and snapped her fingers in front of Mai Sakurajima, who resembled a virtuous wife finally welcoming her husband home after many years.
"It's not time for idol drama scenes yet. This is the horror segment."
"Horror?"
Though Miko Yotsuya appeared quite calm, her golden eyes revealed a joyous, amused expression.
"Now that Ye Xing is back, they should be the ones feeling fear."
"Indeed."
Looking at the hundreds of grotesquely shaped evil spirits that had surrounded them, Ye Xing slowly stepped forward.
"Though I'm not hungry right now..."
"I don't mind having a snack either."
...
Five minutes later, in the ground-floor hall of Kyoto Tower.
"What... is this..."
Shuten-dōji tried to leave through the main entrance but found himself completely unable to do so.
It wasn't that there was any obstruction outside.
He simply couldn't take a step forward, couldn't accomplish it.
"Damn... that guy... actually hid such an ability..."
Shuten-dōji gritted his teeth, his crimson demon mask appearing even more ferocious.
He realised that despite all his lengthy preparations, even suppressing his killing desire for humans for so long, he had still been outmanoeuvred in the end.
Shuten-dōji had no idea that the exorcist named Ye Xing possessed such bizarre, seal-like abilities.
Moreover, the other's true soul form possessed the power to forcibly tear open the barrier between the Reverse World and the real world.
Ye Xing had first torn open the Reverse World, then used such a large-scale Domain capable of covering the entire Kyoto Tower - he must have expended enormous amounts of spiritual power.
Perhaps... victory was possible.
Shuten-dōji and Hannya exchanged glances, and the two high-level evil spirits simultaneously reached a decision.
"All of you, head to the top floor and hunt down those psychics!"
After Shuten-dōji issued the command, thousands of evil spirits surged into the stairwell like a black tide.
The words he had spoken in anger earlier were no lie.
The evil spirits gathered inside Kyoto Tower today were the last remaining forces of Shuten-dōji and Hannya.
During this period, no Gates had appeared, meaning they couldn't obtain powerful evil spirits from the Reverse World to command as reinforcements.
As for the evil spirits in the real world?
Don't be ridiculous.
Unless they were extremely special existences, even putting them before Miko Yotsuya would be pure suicide, let alone before Ye Xing.
Shuten-dōji and Hannya didn't place their hopes on these evil spirits - even those from the Reverse World - causing any effective damage to Ye Xing and the psychics around him through sheer numbers.
They only wanted to buy time.
According to the report from the Ushikubi-no-Onna, that human girl with golden-yellow eyes had also used an ability called Domain Expansion. Although this ability was powerful, its consumption of spiritual power was equally terrifying.
Delay.
Just keep delaying.
Even though Ye Xing had torn through the space of the Reverse World, even though Ye Xing had expanded his Domain, carrying double negative buffs...
Shuten-dōji and Hannya still lacked the courage to face him head-on in his current state.
They needed one more insurance policy... complete depletion of his spiritual power.
...
Forty minutes later, Kyoto Tower, top floor.
The luxurious hall, which originally offered an unobstructed view of Kyoto through its floor-to-ceiling windows, was now in complete disarray.
Black smoke, reminiscent of a fire scene, filled the area.
"What... a difficult... battle."
Light Yagami was bent over, supporting himself with both hands on his knees, breathing heavily. Even the red Great Tengu mask on his face had begun to flicker in and out of existence due to excessive spiritual power consumption.
In contrast, the three girls - Miko Yotsuya, Rio Futaba, and Mai Sakurajima - though they had fought thousands of evil spirits for over forty minutes, weren't as exhausted as he was. Though they had exhausted all their spiritual power, they could at least still stand properly.
This was unavoidable.
Although Light Yagami had high talent in Soul Materialisation, even managing to form spiritual armour after just hearing Ye Xing explain the principles for the first time, his physical fitness was ultimately that of an ordinary person.
"Reaching the limit."
Ye Xing, who had contributed the most in battle while maintaining Domain Expansion throughout, also began to show flickering in his black coat and mask.
This was similar to how Ultraman would flash warning lights when running out of energy.
"Ye... Ye Xing..."
Seeing Ye Xing walk to the floor-to-ceiling window that had been damaged by Shuten-dōji earlier - the one with a huge gap where someone had been thrown down - and watching his black coat fluttering in the wind, Miko Yotsuya forced herself to speak.
"In this condition, dealing with those two who haven't lost any power at all... is too dangerous."
Rio Futaba also nodded, panting slightly as she agreed.
"Hina, Hachishaku-sama, and Dango are still guarding outside. Release your Domain and let them..."
"Let them stop Shuten-dōji and Hannya?"
Ye Xing shook his head and said softly.
"With the combined strength of Hachishaku-sama, Hina Amano and Dango, they might stand a chance if facing Shuten-dōji and Hannya head-on in direct combat. But if those two are determined to flee, there's no way the three of them could stop them."
"A permanent solution, to completely resolve the opponent here, after all..."
At this point, Ye Xing turned to face Miko Yotsuya, Mai Sakurajima, and Rio Futaba, smiling as he said.
"Next week, there's a fireworks festival in Kyoto. I still want to see you all in yukata, so I must clear all obstacles before then."
Immediately after, Ye Xing glanced at Light Yagami standing there and deliberately emphasised.
"Oh, right, you're not invited. Don't come looking for me in a yukata later - I really couldn't handle that."
Light Yagami shook his head with a wry smile.
"You... you're always so abstract."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"That wasn't a compliment..."
Ye Xing didn't say anything more, just murmured.
"Domain..."
"Release."
...
Meanwhile, Hannya and Shuten-dōji, who were hiding in the first-floor lobby, suddenly felt a strange spiritual power fluctuation in the air.
The next moment, appearing before their eyes were the caution tape cordoning off Kyoto Tower, police officers maintaining order outside, bystanders, and the TV crew responsible for the live broadcast.
"The Domain... It's really been released!"
Both Shuten-dōji and Hannya showed excited expressions upon seeing this.
But then Hannya hesitated and lowered her voice.
"If even he can't maintain the Domain anymore... it means his spiritual power has bottomed out. We can't miss this opportunity."
Hearing this, Shuten-dōji placed his hand on the sword hilt at his waist, but ultimately shook his head, recalling Ye Xing's black mask with lingering fear.
"The opportunity... indeed shouldn't be missed... but..."
Shuten-dōji and Hannya looked out at the crowd, feeling indecisive.
Just a few meters forward, leaving Kyoto Tower - even with all the armed police officers outside, as high-level evil spirits, they could quickly escape.
But having finally caught the exorcist at his weakest moment, should they just watch this opportunity slip through their fingers?
Just as Shuten-dōji and Hannya were hesitating, a loud noise suddenly came from outside Kyoto Tower.
BOOM!
Even the ground trembled with the sound, as if about to trigger an earthquake.
In that instant, not only Shuten-dōji and Hannya inside Kyoto Tower, but also the police officers outside, the TV live reporters and photographers, and the bystanders all looked toward the direction of the sound.
And in the billowing dust, what Shuten-dōji and Hannya saw first was a pair of eyes filled with madness and pleasure hidden beneath a black mask.
"Finally reached the end. Only you two remain, the main course I've been anticipating."