Chapter 90: The Simple and Brutal Way to Draw Out Monsters119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB24TufeotW
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7vFtkR1xB
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCsftSG7sD
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpDyMPxfIP
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMI1BfRDnm
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjmNlSoI5S
Dozens of guards patrolled the perimeter. They gripped their batons tightly, every small noise making them flinch. Fear hung thick in the room.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxIGJrLY4W
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oBdkZSCjv
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcfYQxZNwR
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23leDNV0tx
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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaKXp6AXlP
He extended a hand with a polite bow, his manner respectful despite Kouya’s youth. Clearly, Hirata Sachiko had spoken highly of him.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5pdIJCevU
After a brief greeting, the pleasantries ended. The tension in the room demanded answers.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOdxErCX8T
"Have you found any way to stop this?" Koji asked, his voice betraying both hope and fear.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOhNqxu8Vr
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?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD16Qry6dz
Koji frowned. "You think my competitors hired these… things?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMmQ557aZq
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YOZMZuNSJ
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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhfjFU5A7a
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pXt9Mopz5
The woman on the sofa clutched her daughter tightly, whispering, "Please… please help us. We can’t lose her… Ai’s just a child."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zqhMVTxsK
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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRniQ66GrwL
Koji swallowed hard. "And how do you plan to find that out?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxZ57z2Wck
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYArCf2XWyj
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOd8B5lpBS
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl6gLOr9wu
Koji, ever the decisive businessman, nodded after a moment’s thought. "All right. We’ll do it."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76B8DC9TI9
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjdH9lC267
Koji stood first, straightening his tie as if facing a boardroom meeting. "I’ll go. Please… keep the others safe."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY87nSRKHrk
He stepped past the fallen tree.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnklCExqdl
Nothing happened.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZCiOQQE24
He turned back, eyes wide. "I made it? I’m safe?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd5I8wlKzm
"It seems so," the shrine maiden said calmly. "The spirits aren’t after you."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k9f6mqPzT
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHih0OMuaAU
Silence.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DrsWo02aG
Then, all eyes turned toward the old man.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfoPmXzTRS
Takeda Kazuya rose from the sofa with measured grace. His face was pale but steady. "I’ll go next."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPKosQVs7T
The shrine maiden nodded. "Be careful. We’ll stay close."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Pr3ReG0K
"Thank you both."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbBaNH8msv
He took his first step—and the night itself seemed to hold its breath.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4R9vMd6uq
When he crossed the fallen tree, the wind shifted sharply.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbIRhzCYc2
A split second later—119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8E6f2T35F
A sharp whistle cut through the darkness.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aYkwTOqyY
BOOM!119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrt08j3qCX
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMTXPIkPxM
Gasps erupted from the guards. The little girl screamed and buried her face in her mother’s chest.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5l3LNnVKl
Kazuya stood frozen. The shrine maiden’s eyes narrowed, and Kouya’s hand slid casually into his pocket, unfazed.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OSJh8L5N7
"So that’s how it is," Kouya muttered.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJXycgahuc
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?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKRr1mshxn
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYSJvGCjgH
"Father?" Koji turned to Kazuya desperately.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP6Yyvp3V8
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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6IaESWFM7
"Never!" Koji shouted. "I won’t abandon you!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt36osEOgIQ
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!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdxf30gVUi
The shrine maiden frowned faintly. "If we don’t uncover the cause, even driving them away won’t help. They’ll return."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuhFfX6605
The hall fell into silence, broken only by the faint rustling of trees.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNITri4FBD5
Then Kouya spoke.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYazPUVcfQ
"If we can’t figure out why they’re coming… why not just ask them?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjUPjcX8j6
Everyone turned to him, eyes wide with disbelief.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGrxTioLd4
"A-Ask… the monsters?" Koji stammered.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtKTbsxx3N
Kouya shrugged. "Sure. Saves time."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5wApcZodC
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?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdwcQJHUnB
His words rolled through the trees like a thunderclap, a strange vibration echoing in the still air. The wind stirred. The leaves trembled.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9cLBkPsc7
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagP9yjiyhw
Koji, nervous, tried to intervene. "M-Maybe we should check the cameras again instead—"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnbE8sKgI1
He didn’t get the chance.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X3WVsWxm3
From the darkness came a shrill, rasping caw.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTIvP4YMx9
"Answer? Fine! You wanted an answer, didn’t you? Who’s afraid of who?! Our boss fears nothing!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydjCaBVfSW
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