Volume 4 Chapter 10 Demon World Outer Realm： Mount Ontake Annihilation War I： R.A.A.T Destruction
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Early February, a new moon night.
In Osaka’s Suita City, at the Kazuramichi family’s main residence, in a room with a hibachi, Naoshi, the acting head of the family, and Ako, his deputy, sat across from each other at the table.
Already that night, Naoshi’s formal oni ritual was performed by Kurikoma, while Ako took on the role of deputy, and Yoshiya headed to the site to deal with the ayakashi.
Naoshi, leaning on his propped-up knees, seemed to be dozing off, breathing quietly.
Across from him, Ako was busy with a notebook PC and a smartphone connected by a charging cable, both placed on the table.
”──────”
Naoshi lifted his face, his eyes resting on a photo of himself stuck to the back of the notebook PC, and he wore a disgusted expression.
Then he opened his mouth.
”Ako-chan…”
Some of the most exceptional exorcists have an ability that can only be described as a bug’s notice, allowing them to sense the presence of ayakashi.
Ako, his stepsister, nodded in agreement.
”It seems to be in Hyogo.”
”Keep me posted.”
Naoshi closed his eyes again, appearing relaxed, but in reality, he was on high alert.
Just like, or perhaps even more so, than during the Shizugatake incident.
As Ako returned to scrutinizing information from various locations, a piece of news caught her eye.
”Naoshi-step-brother.”
”Yes?”
”There are signs of a great Youkai appearance near Mount Mitake… likely a Tsuchigumo.”
”Tsuchigumo?”
It was an existence that had been spoken of since ancient times, similar to oni and tengu.
In the past, some had rebelled against those in power, only to be branded with the ‘wolf’s nature, owl’s affection’.
Originally, many of them were supposed to be what was known as ‘tsuchigumo’, a term for local strongmen.
But whether history was twisted or the facts were distorted in history books, no one knew.
In any case, in today’s Reiwa era, the name Tsuchigumo referred only to the ayakashi, a giant spider incarnation, and a clear enemy of mankind.
They were ayakashi, unruly beings dwelling over there, and nothing more.
”Well, ain’t that a fine mess.”
The most dangerous thing about them is that they’re ayakashi that form packs.
And not just any pack, but a well-organized, dangerous group with a unified purpose.
When a pack led by 2 Great Youkai appeared in the Kyushu Chubu mountains ten years ago, they caused immense damage to the local exorcists.
”It seems the Touin family will handle the response with the Bureau of Onmyō’s rapid response unit.”
”Got it. Let ’em know I’m game if they need a hand.”
”Yes.”
The location, Tamba Sasayama, is the base of the Touin family.
It’s only natural for their family to take charge of the initial response.
However, with the appearance of a Great Youkai, the assistance of a first-class exorcist is indispensable.
Given the geographical location of Hyogo, there’s a chance that my friend Kanbe Yuzura and I might be called upon as well.
”I’m headin’ out to stretch my legs. Holler if somethin’ comes up.”
”Yes.”
But 20 minutes later, when Naoshi returned to the room, emitting a faint steam from his body, Ako’s situation remained unchanged.
”Any updates?”
”Yes, the Tsuchigumo has been confirmed. One Great Youkai and at least 2 Intermediate Youkai. It’s quite a large pack.”
”Sounds rough.”
”However, there’s still no request for cooperation from step-brother.”
For a moment, Naoshi froze, unable to comprehend what he had just heard.
”They think they can handle that bunch with just Yuzura and a second-class exorcist?”
”Probably, that’s what it seems like…”
Ako’s voice also carried a hint of bewilderment.
The two families of Hyogo have the achievement of repelling a Great Youkai, a yokai fox, during the Kansai disturbance last fall.
Considering the Bureau of Onmyō’s rapid response unit has been successful in their operations, primarily against Intermediate Youkai, it’s not completely reckless.
Still, there doesn’t seem to be a rational reason to not utilize Kansai’s strongest exorcists when they’re available.
Especially when there’s no need to rely on first-class exorcists from Nara or Wakayama, bypassing Osaka, given that Mibu Itsuki often faces difficulties during the new moon phase.
”Don’t overthink it, old-timer.”
Naoshi’s mind was filled with the image of the head of the Touin family.
Among the 8 Kansai families, Naoshi had maintained a leading position through his political maneuvering and status.
But as the Kazuramichi family regained its influence, his methods were becoming less effective.
Naoshi himself was aware of this, which was likely why he had agreed to cooperate with the establishment of the Bureau of Onmyō’s Rapid Response Exorcist Unit.
Naoshi had little interest in politics, but he wasn’t oblivious to the political situation.
However, all of this was secondary to their primary duty as exorcists.
Ashina Itoko would undoubtedly rise to the rank of first-class exorcist, but that time had not yet come.
The team members were still lacking in experience to be truly elite.
If the Touin family was trying to give them a chance to shine, it was a risky move.
”Ako-chan, could ya check in with the district commander again? I dunno if I can sit this one out.”
”Yes.”
The night of the new moon was like a battlefield for those involved in the exorcist business.
If each family communicated freely, it could lead to more confusion.
That’s why Naoshi waited.
But the unsettling feeling in his chest only grew stronger.
He picked up his phone and stared at Kanbe Yuzura’s name.
”──────”
His prolonged discomfort was concerning.
But in the end, he decided to trust in his friend’s power and judgment.
──If I needed help, I’d ask for it.
The fact that he didn’t ask meant he didn’t need it.
However, what Naoshi knew about Kanbe Yuzura was that he wasn’t at Mount Osore that night, and it had been hours since then.
* * *
’──────…’
With a scream mixed with static, he learned that another person had fallen.
An hour and a bit since the operation began, the Bureau of Onmyō’s Ready Anti-Ayakashi Team was already in a dire situation.
Leaving behind the second team, which was still short of its full complement of 12, and the 5 members of the second team for backup, the first team, led by Ashina Itoko and consisting of 12 members, along with ten elite members from the Touin family of Hyogo, headed for Mount Osore.
Waiting for them was an army of countless tiny spiders and giant Intermediate Youkai spiders, each the size of a cow.
The squad, forming a triangle with Itoko at the apex, fought bravely against the swarm, their countless red eyes gleaming like a tsunami.
However, the ayakashi horde seemed endless, emerging from all directions, including Intermediate Youkai among them.
After defeating hundreds of small spiders and 3 Intermediate Youkai, the Team realized that an equal number of Intermediate Youkai remained.
They decided to retreat while engaging the enemy.
They were already aware that a Great Youkai was among the opponents, so it was only natural for a first-rate exorcist to be dispatched.
Any exorcist would consider that a sensible decision.
Whether it was the nephew of the head of the Kanbe family or the strongest in Kansai, Osaka, having such powerful allies boosted the squad’s morale, even in their dire situation.
Itoko’s valiant efforts as the rear guard further lifted their spirits.
”Yaaaahhhh!”
Itoko fought valiantly, her beauty and body stained with the fluid of the ayakashi, even without her cap.
Her actions inspired the squad more than any words could.
Yet fatigue and injuries gradually took their toll.
One fell, then 2, and as they retreated to help their fallen comrades, the spider horde they thought they had crushed began to surround them from behind, expanding like a broken wave.
”Captain!”
”Ashina-dono!”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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