Chapter 90: The Simple and Brutal Way to Draw Out Monsters
Kouya and the shrine maiden moved through the misty estate side by side, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth. Behind them, the catgirl melted into the shadows, her golden eyes glowing faintly before she vanished completely from sight. The night wind carried the faint scent of pine and soil, brushing past their faces as the two advanced deeper toward the villa.
It didn't take long for the signs of chaos to reveal themselves. A massive tree had collapsed across the road, roots jutting up like the ribs of a giant beast. Branches were splintered, the earth around them torn apart, claw marks gouged deep into the ground as if something had been dragged through with inhuman strength. The air still carried the faint, metallic tang of blood.
"When I arrived at dusk, I asked the client to accompany me to the gate," the shrine maiden explained quietly, her tone calm but tired. "But before we even reached the front, several demons emerged from the shadows. One—a wild boar demon—rammed through the road and toppled this tree, sealing the exit completely."
Her voice faded as they stepped closer to the fallen tree. Kouya knelt, brushing his fingers over one of the claw marks. The grooves were deep, the edges still sharp. Whatever made them wasn't small. The strength behind each strike was monstrous.
They left the site behind and continued toward the main building. When they entered the villa's grand hall, the contrast was almost jarring. The interior was elegant—a perfect balance between traditional Japanese architecture and modern luxury. Wooden pillars stood beside glass walls; tatami mats met marble floors. Gold-trimmed lanterns cast a warm glow that couldn't drive away the heaviness in the air.
Dozens of guards patrolled the perimeter. They gripped their batons tightly, every small noise making them flinch. Fear hung thick in the room.
On the large leather sofa sat the client's family. In the center, an elderly man with a square jaw and calm eyes, his white hair slicked neatly back. His posture was rigid, every movement disciplined, like a soldier even in old age.
Beside him were a middle-aged couple. The man wore a suit and glasses, his expression tense but courteous; the woman sat close to him, graceful and composed, though her hands trembled slightly as she held a small girl in her lap.
The girl couldn't have been older than eight. Her cheeks were pale, and her eyes, wide with fear, darted toward every shadow. She looked as if she hadn't slept in days.
The shrine maiden and Kouya's arrival drew all eyes. The man in glasses immediately rose and hurried over. "You must be Kouya-kun! I'm Takeda Koji. It's a relief you came."
He extended a hand with a polite bow, his manner respectful despite Kouya's youth. Clearly, Hirata Sachiko had spoken highly of him.
After a brief greeting, the pleasantries ended. The tension in the room demanded answers.
"Have you found any way to stop this?" Koji asked, his voice betraying both hope and fear.
The shrine maiden looked at Kouya. Seeing he had no intention of speaking, she sighed and took the lead. "Mr. Takeda, may I ask—have you made any enemies recently? Perhaps someone in your business dealings who might hold a grudge?"
Koji frowned. "You think my competitors hired these… things?"
"It's only a theory," she replied evenly. "Onmyoji capable of commanding demons are rare, but not impossible. Until we uncover the truth, every option must remain open."
Koji was silent for a long moment. Then he exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "Business is never clean. I've stepped on toes, sure—but I've never resorted to shady tactics, never hurt anyone's family. I swear it."
"Then it's likely not human interference," the shrine maiden murmured. Her eyes drifted toward the ceiling, as if sensing something above. "If it's not a curse born of hate, then something else drew these creatures here. And that means they're after something—or someone specific."
The woman on the sofa clutched her daughter tightly, whispering, "Please… please help us. We can't lose her… Ai's just a child."
The shrine maiden's tone softened. "Don't worry, Mrs. Takeda. That's why we're here. But first, we must know who the monsters want."
Koji swallowed hard. "And how do you plan to find that out?"
"Simple," she said. "You'll each try leaving the estate one by one. Whoever draws a reaction… is the target. We'll be nearby, ensuring your safety."
Kouya leaned against a column, arms crossed. He didn't comment. Monsters, ghosts, curses—it was all the same to him. They died just as easily.
But he'd learned better than to show his strength openly. People wanted saviors, not reminders of what they feared. So he stayed silent, letting the shrine maiden speak while he watched.
Koji, ever the decisive businessman, nodded after a moment's thought. "All right. We'll do it."
The group moved out under the dim lanterns, accompanied by a handful of trembling guards. The air grew colder as they approached the blocked road. The smell of damp bark and rotting wood filled their noses.
Koji stood first, straightening his tie as if facing a boardroom meeting. "I'll go. Please… keep the others safe."
He stepped past the fallen tree.
Nothing happened.
He turned back, eyes wide. "I made it? I'm safe?"
"It seems so," the shrine maiden said calmly. "The spirits aren't after you."
Koji exhaled in relief, though his hands were still shaking. His wife followed, clutching Ai's hand tightly. The little girl trembled as they crossed the threshold—but again, no reaction.
Silence.
Then, all eyes turned toward the old man.
Takeda Kazuya rose from the sofa with measured grace. His face was pale but steady. "I'll go next."
The shrine maiden nodded. "Be careful. We'll stay close."
"Thank you both."
He took his first step—and the night itself seemed to hold its breath.
When he crossed the fallen tree, the wind shifted sharply.
A split second later—
A sharp whistle cut through the darkness.
BOOM!
A massive rock exploded against the ground before them, scattering dirt and debris into the air. The impact left a smoking crater just a few steps ahead.
Gasps erupted from the guards. The little girl screamed and buried her face in her mother's chest.
Kazuya stood frozen. The shrine maiden's eyes narrowed, and Kouya's hand slid casually into his pocket, unfazed.
"So that's how it is," Kouya muttered.
Koji was pale. "No! It can't be! My father's done nothing wrong! He retired years ago—he's hardly spoken to anyone outside the family! Why him?"
"Many things attract demons," the shrine maiden replied softly. "A grudge. A relic. A curse carried unknowingly. Or perhaps something from his past. We'll need to ask him."
"Father?" Koji turned to Kazuya desperately.
The old man took a deep breath, his expression unreadable. "I don't know why. I've done nothing to deserve this. Koji… take your wife and daughter. Leave me here."
"Never!" Koji shouted. "I won't abandon you!"
He turned and bowed deeply to Kouya and the shrine maiden. "Please—protect him! I'll pay you another ten million yen if you keep him alive!"
The shrine maiden frowned faintly. "If we don't uncover the cause, even driving them away won't help. They'll return."
The hall fell into silence, broken only by the faint rustling of trees.
Then Kouya spoke.
"If we can't figure out why they're coming… why not just ask them?"
Everyone turned to him, eyes wide with disbelief.
"A-Ask… the monsters?" Koji stammered.
Kouya shrugged. "Sure. Saves time."
He stepped forward, his shadow stretching long under the moonlight. His voice rang out across the forest, sharp and commanding. "Hey! You hiding out there! Come on out! I'm asking nicely once. You got the guts to answer?"
His words rolled through the trees like a thunderclap, a strange vibration echoing in the still air. The wind stirred. The leaves trembled.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. Even the shrine maiden's lips quirked faintly, remembering the last time Kouya had used that same ridiculous yet effective method.
Koji, nervous, tried to intervene. "M-Maybe we should check the cameras again instead—"
He didn't get the chance.
From the darkness came a shrill, rasping caw.
"Answer? Fine! You wanted an answer, didn't you? Who's afraid of who?! Our boss fears nothing!"