Hearing Rikka Sakuragawa's description, Ye Xing merely gave a noncommittal nod, appearing completely unsurprised as he responded flatly.
"Mm, I understand."
"You... don't seem... surprised to hear about future disasters?"
"That's right..."
Looking down at the barely breathing Rikka Sakuragawa on the ground, Ye Xing showed a faint smile and spoke softly.
"Though I don't know where this Fool's Journey ends, just you and Izanami are far from being my final trial."
"I see..."
Rikka Sakuragawa's expression turned somewhat bitter. Finally, she just let out a long sigh, looking at Ye Xing, who stood silently beside her, staring intently at her face. With all her remaining strength, she forced out a faint smile and whispered.
"I've said what I wanted to say. Why are you still watching me? Could it be... you feel reluctant to let me go, too?"
"Don't overthink it."
Without hesitation, Ye Xing waved his hand dismissively, giving an answer that surprised the Supernatural Society members yet perfectly aligned with his character - utterly predictable in its reasoning.
"I want to watch your body turn to ashes with my own eyes. Throughout this process, I won't look away for even a moment, just in case something goes wrong. I won't feel at ease until you're completely and utterly dead."
"I see..."
Rikka Sakuragawa's eyes gradually lost their light as she mustered her final strength to squeeze out one last sentence.
"After I die... scatter my ashes into the sea..."
"No."
Ye Xing refused mercilessly and firmly.
"After you die, I'll use spiritual flames to completely burn any remaining ashes from your body into nothingness. Simply scattering your ashes could allow you to revive again. When doing something, one must be thorough."
Rikka Sakuragawa paused for a moment, looking at Ye Xing's face, which showed no trace of pity as he watched her quietly. She let out a soft laugh.
"Indeed... this is... the proper attitude of a victor..."
As the final word left her lips, Rikka Sakuragawa's eyes completely lost their light, her body slowly transforming into pale purple particles as fine as sand.
"Hmph."
Black flames rose from the ground, enveloping the pale purple sand that Rikka Sakuragawa's body had become, forming a spherical shape that completely contained it. The flames persisted for nearly a minute before finally vanishing.
And under the burning of the spiritual flames, the pale purple sand had been completely reduced to nothingness, without a single grain remaining.
"Finally over."
Hearing Light Yagami's words, Ye Xing merely said flatly.
"Yes, this marks the end of the first year."
Just then, Light Yagami noticed Ye Xing's body sway slightly and quickly reached out to support his arm, frowning slightly.
"Are you injured?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Ye Xing rolled his eyes, using one hand to lean on Light Yagami's shoulder to support himself. In a tone that made Light Yagami want to laugh despite himself, he complained.
"Bloody hell, this Izanami was really something in a fight. She actually broke through my defences, even at full power, and went for my heart. Now I've truly 'dedicated my heart'."
Light Yagami shook his head with a smile, sounding somewhat resigned.
"So, if you'd just waited for us to come help from the beginning, it wouldn't have come to this."
Ye Xing looked utterly exasperated.
"Was that my choice? Should I have tried to negotiate with her first, sat down for a chilled Coca-Cola, played a few rounds of Gomoku, and waited for you all to arrive?"
Light Yagami shook his head with a wry smile, thinking that was indeed true.
Even if Ye Xing had been willing to wait, Izanami probably wouldn't have been.
Moreover, if he hadn't consumed Izanami's power and forced her to withdraw the grey mist that covered all of Hitogashima Island - which could completely block even Hyakume's vision and perception of spiritual fluctuations - the others probably wouldn't have been able to reach this place so easily.
"Eh?"
Suddenly, Light Yagami realised something was different and asked curiously.
"This time when I support you, why aren't you saying I have orientation issues and telling someone else to help you instead?"
"Heh, Little Light, that's where you're being naive."
Ye Xing wore an expression of utmost seriousness. Even when facing the powerful Izanami, he had never been this earnest. Lowering his voice to Light Yagami, he said:
"Look, there are so many people here. I only have two arms—even if we count my legs, that's only four limbs to carry four people. Adding the torso makes five. It's not enough to go around, truly insufficient. Rather than leaving such a powder keg situation that could spark conflict, it's better to let none of them support me and have you—the only other male present—do it. That's the correct answer. There's real wisdom in this, just learn from it, little brother."
Light Yagami was momentarily stunned by these words, then showed a resigned expression and sighed.
"I probably won't need these techniques. You should keep them for yourself."
Just then, footsteps echoed from the cave entrance behind them.
Everyone immediately turned to see none other than Ginjiro Nezu, Hizuru Minakata, and the Kofune sisters—these four individuals who had assisted Ye Xing during the numerous time reversals and were aware of the truth.
"Hizuru... is that Hizuru...?"
The eyeless, charred infant lying on the ground seemed to sense something, emitting sounds resembling sobs.
"Hizuru... it hurts... I'm in so much pain..."
"Haine..."
Looking at Haine lying on the ground, so drastically different from her memories and reduced to such a pitiful state, Hizuru Minakata's eyes revealed traces of compassion. But then she took a deep breath and raised the large hammer in her hands.
"Let me send you off personally."
"Wait a moment."
Rio Futaba stopped Hizuru Minakata from swinging down the hammer, instead turning to look at Shadow Mio and Shadow Ushio behind Mio Kofune and Ushio Kofune. Taking her glasses from her lab coat pocket and putting them back on, she spoke slowly:
"As agreed, you protected the residents of Hitogashima Island and provided us with assistance. Now it's time for our side to fulfil our promise."
Rio Futaba approached Shadow Ushio and Shadow Mio, adjusted her glasses, and said softly:
"According to information provided by Ye Xing, shadows are special creatures that survive by copying human information as sustenance. Apart from the requirements of needing to devour human bodies to acquire taste, and the limitation of having to kill and replace their originals within seven days, there's actually no inherent reason why shadows and humans must be enemies."
"No... to put it another way, is it possible that from the very beginning, shadows had a way to coexist with humans? Like Ryunosuke and Ms Hizuru Minakata—this state of coexistence might actually be the normal one."
Shadow Mio frowned upon hearing this and rebutted:
"But there has never been—"
Before she could finish, Rio Futaba already knew what she wanted to say and raised her hand to interrupt:
"It's precisely because shadows kill their originals that this path of coexistence between shadows and humans has been cut off."
"Feeding on information, hiding in a two-dimensional plane different from humans, able to take over the body when necessary..."
At this point, Rio paused briefly before looking at Shadow Ushio and Shadow Mio.
"You shadows... should be able to merge with your originals, coexisting with them in a manner similar to our soul's true form."
Upon hearing this, Ushio Kofune couldn't contain herself and quickly asked.
"So how exactly do we do that?"
"Hmm..."
Rio Futaba thought for a moment before giving an answer that left both the real Kofune sisters and their shadow counterparts feeling somewhat confused.
"When you realise you can do it, you should be able to do it."
"Uh..."
Ushio Kofune and Shadow Ushio exchanged glances, both laughing awkwardly simultaneously.
"Well... we don't understand."
Before the real Mio Kofune could speak, Shadow Mio spoke bluntly.
"Are you idiots? Don't you get it? It means once we know we can do this, we possess the ability to do so. It's an idealist perspective."
"Yes, that's exactly it."
Rio Futaba nodded first, then added.
"Of course, it also depends on whether you yourselves have such a willingness. If your hearts resist doing this, then it won't be possible."
Mio Kofune and Shadow Mio exchanged glances, speaking in unison.
"Of course we want to coexist."
Meanwhile, Shadow Mio walked up to Mio Kofune and, looking at her slightly timid expression, spoke expressionlessly.
"If you don't wish for me to continue existing, I can disappear right now. The decision is in your hands."
"I..."
Mio Kofune pressed her lips together, hesitating for a few seconds before finally nodding.
"I hope... you can continue to exist. I also hope... I can protect everyone."
"That's good then."
Shadow Ushio and Shadow Mio exchanged glances, then each pressed their palms against their original counterparts, Ushio and Mio.
Their bodies transformed into a mass of shadow, gradually merging with the Kofune sisters'.
Ushio Kofune and Mio Kofune could clearly feel that their shadows had merged with themselves. Though they couldn't hear the shadows' voices for now, this seemed to be because they were in a dormant state - they could awaken them anytime they wished.
"If that's the case, then wouldn't Ryunosuke also..."
Hearing Hizuru Minakata's question, Rio Futaba shook her head.
"Unfortunately, your brother Ryunosuke Minakata probably cannot continue existing like Ushio and Mio. After all, Ryunosuke's original body died long ago. What exists within your consciousness is merely Ryunosuke's shadow."
"I see..."
Complex emotions flashed in Hizuru Minakata's eyes as she looked at Rio Futaba standing there. The usually expressionless woman actually showed a rare hint of a smile.
"At first, I thought Ye Xing was just joking when he said he knew someone very similar to me."
Then Hizuru added something that nearly made Rio Futaba jump with anger.
"Just a bit shorter."
After speaking, Hizuru walked up to Haine, looking at her childhood friend, who had also become her brother's murderer. Seeing her in this state, she couldn't help but sigh softly.
"Haine actually had a kind side to her, too."
"Yes, that's true."
Ye Xing nodded, first agreeing with Hizuru's view before adding,
"But she was foolish enough to be manipulated by Masahito Karikiri and committed so many heinous crimes. Even if she had a kind side, that's no reason for her to escape punishment. Whether gods, humans, or evil spirits, everyone must pay for their actions."
"You're right."
Hizuru raised the large hammer in her hands high, her black-gloved hands tightening around the wooden handle as she spoke softly,
"Goodbye, Haine."
BANG!
After the loud noise, Haine's body began to dissipate. From the sparkling light emerged not painful moans, but the voice of that childhood friend from Hizuru's memories.
"Thank you... Hizuru..."
Watching black flames surge from the ground to burn and consume Haine's body, before Hizuru could even catch her breath, she suddenly heard a woman's voice in her mind.
[Have you finally accomplished your lifelong wish?]
"Who's there?"
Seeing Hizuru's startled expression as she looked around despite no audible sound, the members of the Supernatural Society immediately understood - this was the precursor to the awakening of her Soul Materialisation.
After all, they had all been through this themselves.
[After fulfilling your lifelong pursuit and eliminating both your brother's killer and your childhood friend, where will you go from here?]
"I..."
Hearing the question in her mind, Hizuru's eyes showed a momentary look of confusion. But after a few seconds, clarity returned as she silently removed her black gloves, gazing at those beautiful, slender hands that bore burn scars from that incident years ago, her eyes revealing determination.
"I... I will carry Ryunosuke's will, continue living, and keep upholding my beliefs."
[Very well, it seems you have made your resolution.]
[Then let me now become the power that upholds your conviction.]
[Here, call forth your true name.]
Hizuru Minakata closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her violet pupils shone with spiritual power as she spoke each word clearly.
"Here, I call forth my true name."
"Follow your heart, Momiji!"
As Hizuru Minakata's words fell, a woman appeared behind her - her figure wrapped in garments formed from crimson maple leaves, with a graceful silhouette somewhat resembling her own features, long black hair adorned with a single crimson maple leaf.
"She has awakened..."
Witnessing this scene, Mai Sakurajima moved closer to Ye Xing and poked him on the shoulder, whispering in a low voice.
"Just as I thought. Although you act like a pervert, you actually wanted the Kofune sisters and this Miss Hizuru Minakata to become our allies, right?"
"No."
Ye Xing shook his head with complete sincerity.
"Mainly perversion, with that as a secondary consideration."
"Damn you, you're not even trying to hide it now? I give you an excuse, and you won't take it?"
"The problem is..."
Ye Xing gazed at Hizuru Minakata's heaving chest as she panted heavily from the exertion of using Soul Materialisation for the first time.
"They're just too big."
...
Later that evening, at the seaside of Hitogashima Island.
Seeing Ye Xing silently gazing at the sea, Mai Sakurajima couldn't help but ask curiously.
"What are you thinking about?"
Ye Xing didn't respond immediately, but slowly raised his hand to point at the endless sea before them, speaking softly.
"Beyond the sea lies our enemy."
Mai Sakurajima: "...That direction you're pointing at is Japan."
Without changing his expression, Ye Xing pointed in another direction.
"Then beyond that sea lies our enemy."
"That's China."
"What about this way?"
"What? Is Japan's business not enough for you now? You want to go abroad for exorcism? They don't believe in that over there; they believe in God."
"Heh, I'll taste what God is like sooner or later."
"You should really calm down for a while."
Seeing that Ye Xing still had the energy to joke around, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief - at least it proved his injuries weren't too serious.
Just then, Miko Yotsuya suddenly noticed Hyakume, her soul's true form, who had been missing since the battle ended, walking over from the distant beach.
"Hey, why are you wandering off like that?"
Hearing Miko's question, Hyakume smiled and approached her, opening her hand as if to show off.
"Look, what's this?"
Everyone looked closely - in Hyakume's hand were two eyeballs emitting an eerie red glow.
"Whoa."
Ye Xing couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Impressive, Miko. You've even developed an auto-loot function for your soul's true form. I have to admit, I completely forgot about the equipment drop process after battles."
"Heh."
Hyakume sneered twice, her tone meaningful.
"If you actually cared about me and Miko, you probably wouldn't have forgotten about this, would you?"
Hearing this, Ye Xing's expression changed as he refuted with righteous indignation.
"Little Hyakume, show some conscience when you speak. I got that Slaughter Demon eye from my good buddy Slaughter Demon himself, so don't go saying things like that."
"Got it? Didn't you steal it?"
"Hey, we've reached a consensus now, so let's not bring up past unpleasantness."
"Hmph."
Hyakume installed one of Haine's eyes into herself, but just as she was about to install the other, the red eyeball suddenly flew out on its own and merged directly into Ushio Kofune's left eye.
"This... this..."
Ushio Kofune covered her eye socket, looking somewhat panicked. When she opened her eyes again, everyone saw that one of her originally sea-blue eyes had turned red.
"My eye!!!"
The one who screamed this wasn't Ushio Kofune, whose eye colour had changed, but Hyakume.
With an utterly devastated expression, she said with tearless sobs.
"Do you have any idea how long I searched in that cave to find these eyes..."
"She... she... this foreign girl is stealing my equipment!!!"