Chapter 89: The Tricky Request131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjkTMc16bo
"H-Hero!" Takanashi Rikka’s trembling voice came from the other end of the line, small and hesitant. "I… I want to sleep at your place tonight... I can’t sleep alone..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHDbeYUdFf
What did you just say?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2JF1QQsBe
Sleep at my place?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mNeAtuMGh
Absolutely not! Not happening!131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGz0NNa6oB
"No." Kouya cut her off immediately, his tone sharp and absolute.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSUb7xDRrN
"B-But… I’m all by myself… and every time I close my eyes, I feel like that dark creature will suddenly crawl out from under the bed… or the closet… or even the toilet!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrHaS3wLmj
Unbelievable!131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsIL4n0qK5
That guy was just a biker! A driver! His only “crime” was walking his dog at night! You think he’s got the free time to crawl out of your toilet to grab you?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYziUCXVtg
Under the bed, fine. Closet, maybe. But the toilet?! What kind of twisted horror movie logic is that? Do you think he’s some unspeakable, tentacled creature from the depths?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z8u3I9KF3
Kouya pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. "Gabriel lives right next door. If you’re that scared, go sleep at her place."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQKzxDzOZN
"O-Okay..." Rikka’s voice fell, small and disappointed. "B-But… I’m too scared to go alone... it’s dark... and creepy..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUVRe49KhY
Kouya groaned, dragging a hand down his face. He stood, slipped on his shoes, and walked down the hall to Gabriel’s door. The faint sound of clicking keys and digital explosions leaked through the wall.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l6utdaOVM
Of course. Gaming. She was probably mid-boss fight.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg3LriLnDg
He rang the doorbell.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn5HMMv1L7
After a few seconds, the door cracked open. Gabriel appeared, bleary-eyed and disheveled, her long blonde hair messy, her T-shirt collar slightly stretched, pajama shorts loose on her slender frame. Her bare feet padded lightly on the wooden floor.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkncx5Dcbd3
Her eyes—lifeless, ringed with light shadows—narrowed in suspicion. "What do you want?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeph3wuHP7Z
Kouya took a breath and explained the situation clearly, his voice steady.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T8KpOvsM9
"Ugh… such a hassle..." Gabriel groaned, rubbing her temples. "Fine, fine, bring her here. But if she bothered me while I’m playing, I’m kicking her out."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdLbo4hQLs
Kouya gave a faint nod. As expected.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB98vqQbpD7
This lazy angel might have fallen into the abyss of gaming, but under that pile of energy drinks and crumbs, she still had a decent heart. Occasionally.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgyRnRCs34
Then Gabriel’s tired expression shifted into a mischievous grin. "But since I’m helping you, you owe me one. Don’t forget."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2oXvBfEe0
"..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9kvolKiPl
Scratch that. You’re not a lazy angel—you’re a cunning devil with Wi-Fi.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHxFKlK7v0
…131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJlKErDk5S
After finally settling Rikka’s little crisis, Kouya returned to his room, stretching his neck. Just as he sat down, his phone buzzed again.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoYgdjXWRq
The caller ID: Shrine Maiden.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQfsfBwOt0
He frowned slightly and answered. "Yeah?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75Knp77hcV
"Hello? Kou-kun?" came the familiar gentle voice, laced with hesitation. "Sorry to call so late, but… there’s a problem."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXdWWAYFeX
"A problem?" Kouya leaned back lazily. "What kind?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAzKH4ZWM7
"It’s… tricky. The job we took today turned out to be more complicated than expected." Her tone was careful, each word chosen. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "The client increased the payment. If we complete it, it’s twenty million yen (130,000$)."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4R4hLbgZ7
Kouya blinked once. That number had his attention.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcng5EiMfBL
Twenty million. Enough to live comfortably for a while. His last payout had already been half-spent—food, rent, and a few “incidentals.” Twenty million would give him another stretch of quiet, peaceful living.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbN1A04OLQ
He thought a moment before replying. "Where?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrxpU9EECZ
"No need. I’ll send someone to pick you up," she said quickly, sounding relieved.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76C5uUJ3K6
"Fine," he answered.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kldRCatd7
…131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DnOacMP4l
Twenty minutes later, the deep hum of an engine echoed outside. A sleek black sedan glided to a halt beneath the streetlamp.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o6GPtEhLh
The door opened, and a small figure jumped out. Cat ears twitched under the dim light as she waved enthusiastically. "Hurry up, nya!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFqMMwF83s
Kouya raised an eyebrow. "You again?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5iSAmeNGJ
"Big Sister sent me, nya! She said you’d probably get lost, nya!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2FYmjFIY0
He got in, and the suited driver wordlessly restarted the car. The sedan slipped through the city, headlights slicing the darkness like a blade.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLsTFXUDUI
The night outside was quiet—too quiet. Buildings thinned, replaced by trees and winding roads.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH3tUAHRYw
"Big Sister’s hurt, nya!" the catgirl blurted suddenly, tail drooping. "I was worried you wouldn’t come, nya..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7BoTT4hNz
Kouya’s gaze sharpened. "Explain."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSM3yLfqRc
Rina’s small hands fidgeted with the hem of her jacket. "Nya doesn’t know all the details. Big Sister took the commission herself, nya. I just fight the bad guys, nya!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4UnldsSED
He snorted softly. "You? Fight? You’d probably be the first one to run."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe6n3cYtuf
Rina’s face turned red. "D-Don’t look down on me, nya!" She raised her tiny hands, fingers curled like claws. "See? I’m fierce, nya!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYumt9MdO8
Fierce? Not even close. With her round face and twitching ears, she looked like a plush toy trying to be scary.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE2BVkB6Ja
Kouya stared blankly. "Do you want me to trim your claws for you?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pUWRO75Ff
Rina puffed her cheeks, pouting. "You’re bullying me, nya!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpIzpcIfVV
"Keep talking and I’ll pull your tail."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0j3gsXgij
"Nooo, nya!" she yelped, clutching her backside protectively.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2cclntI3q
Their playful bickering filled the car, easing the tension.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uaBj45Zl1
The driver stayed silent the whole ride, focused entirely on the road. His professionalism bordered on eerie—no music, no chatter, just the steady hum of the engine as the city gave way to forest.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rXoUjhNZm
Finally, the sedan slowed and stopped. The driver stepped out, opened the door, and said quietly, "We’ve arrived, Mr. Kouya."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM2dcsegGz
Kouya exited and looked up.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3BZA2TLWG
The estate was massive, nestled halfway up a low mountain. Lanterns lined the winding path, their glow soft and pale. Modern stonework fused with traditional wooden beams and paper screens, creating an elegant, haunting beauty.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ld1vkLo1R
The night air smelled of pine and damp earth. Somewhere in the distance, water trickled from a mountain spring.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ4x3XE30B
The moon was bright, silver light spilling over every surface. The leaves shimmered faintly in the wind.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAMBcacVbK
And yet—no sound of birds. No insects. Nothing but the whisper of the breeze.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHTNk930KG
The silence pressed down like a weight. The mansion, bathed in moonlight, stood still and watchful, as if something ancient lingered within its walls.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ932zx5pUOk
"You’re here," the shrine maiden said, approaching from the entrance. Her robes fluttered faintly in the night air, her expression both relieved and weary.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88p8Gjoq4Y
Kouya’s sharp eyes immediately noticed the faint stain of dried blood on her sleeve. "You’re hurt?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7RGq7UTTq
"It’s fine," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just a small wound."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZClNZK4BD9
He didn’t believe her but didn’t press the issue. She turned and began leading him through the courtyard as she spoke.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh4O6a2v6U
"The client’s a wealthy man, a collector of rare artifacts. Lately, strange things have been happening here—his guard dogs died mysteriously, the birds in the aviary as well. Food from the kitchen disappears overnight, as if devoured by invisible hands."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLSlZnnkLd
"At first, he thought it was theft. So he hired more guards, even installed motion sensors. But the more he did, the worse it got."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZNs7wosgm
Kouya’s brows furrowed slightly. "And?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvotaLrZ7Be
"He placed cameras around the estate. What he saw terrified him—distorted shadows slipping through the halls. Every time they appeared, the video signal glitched. The shapes didn’t look human at all."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8pL9eTCOe
"How predictable." Kouya’s voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "Let me guess—he tried calling an exorcist."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5alKbAkMIN
She nodded. "Yes. An onmyoji. But the man ran away the same night, leaving behind his tools and wards."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjxIVlqbuc
Desperation flickered in her voice as she continued. "The client contacted everyone he could. Finally, through Hirata Sachiko, he reached out to us at Chiba Shrine. He’s paying twenty million yen for the job."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIknkNDAxmT
Kouya listened silently, his gaze scanning the quiet courtyard. The air here felt heavy, thick with something unseen.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xOhOp1obi
After a moment, he asked, "Why hasn’t the client just left?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflvQnItSHM
The shrine maiden hesitated. Her eyes darkened. "Because he can’t."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz9bTHqNUF
Kouya frowned. "Can’t?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNovPImEBJi
"Yes. The family can’t leave the property. The servants, drivers, guards—they can go freely. But every time the family tries, something happens. Tires explode, engines die, trees fall and block the road. Every time. As if something wants them trapped here."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYvGg6qmUx
1234 copyright protection127ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMUpUE53dt 尼

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