33. Yaksha
Yoyogi Mountain, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. A mountain south of Meiji Shrine, geographically positioned between Shibuya and Shinjuku, it had long been a famous spot frequented by countless people. It was also known as a sacred peak housing the Fire Shrine, where it was said that a shogun had once come in person during the shogunate era to pray for peace.
Roarrr!
Any yokai that appeared near the mountain burst into flames the moment it set foot there. The mountain was enveloped in an aura of demon-breaking energy that incinerated all impurities. At the epicenter of that energy stood the shrine's sanctuary atop the peak.
And in that sanctuary was a single shrine maiden.
"I humbly beseech you, Hinokagutsuchi no Kami."
She was a shrine maiden who had entered the realm of the gods less than half a year ago. Yet despite that, she was the most blessed among all living shrine maidens—and the one with the greatest divine favor. The fire god adored her. And when the city fell into chaos, she was righteous and devoted enough to offer rites without hesitation.
"Mother of Fire, who has existed since the dawn of time, hand of purification that burns away all unclean beings."
The fire shrine maiden, Ichinose Hotaru, gazed at the altar containing the eternal flame. The flickering light chased away the shadows from her resolute face. This morning, she had wondered why the shrine's head priest had summoned her—only to learn that calamity had struck in the dead of night.
The so-called Hyakki Yagyo.
The priest had said that without a reliable tip-off, the disaster would have been far worse. Even now, feeling the yokai rampaging at the mountain's base, Hotaru closed her eyes. She had never learned how to hunt monsters herself, so all she could do was give her absolute best.
"For eons, you have lit the beacon of destruction and purification for humanity. I revere you, and revere you again."
The fire shrine maiden, Ichinose Hotaru, bowed deeply before the altar and chanted to the god.
"Please bestow your blessings upon this land."
She offered the demon-breaking rite.
"Hm?"
The spirit vein—about two hours after leaving Karakura High School's location in Minato Ward, heading northeast toward Tokyo. Having cleared the yokai from Chiyoda, Chuo, and Koto Wards, I was just entering Taito Ward.
Roarrr!
The lowly yokai I'd been about to incinerate burst into flames first. I tilted my head, sensing the magical flames I'd scattered suddenly intensify.
I paused and planted my foot on the ground. Sure enough, waves of potent spiritual energy were spreading far and wide.
'Worth leaving the shrine maiden there after all.'
It was relatively close to the sacred mountain, so the effect was strong—but even so, it was enough to slow the yokai advance and suppress the rabble. Pleased, I nodded and withdrew the magic I'd been scattering to kill the yokai. I had plenty of power left for now, but it was wise to conserve some for unforeseen events.
"Gotta leave some for Hotaru to purify later, right?"
Each one she cleansed while wandering the city would help her grow. Ever the thoughtful one, I decided to leave the lowly yokai alone from here on out whenever possible. Her playtime might shrink, and she'd get tired, but it was all for my friend Hotaru!
"Alrighty then!"
With that cheerful resolve, I entered Taito Ward. It wasn't Shibuya or Shinjuku, but as a central district, plenty of people were still out late on the streets.
"That guy has no idea she has three boyfriends, huh?"
"Hehe, for real, it's hilarious!"
A group of blonde gal girls with heavy makeup passed by, and I caught something unfortunate.
'Yikes.'
At least it wasn't eight legs like an octopus. I offered a silent prayer for the gal's boyfriend(s)—whichever of the three might go into shock upon learning the truth—and swung the dagger hidden in my sleeve.
Squeeeal!
The leech yokai, which specialized in clinging to humans, writhed on the ground as its body was severed. She might be someone else's mortal enemy, but that was their business. I saved her first.
Crunch!
I stabbed a dagger into its twitching forehead for good measure, then strode briskly into the city alleys. Even during a Hyakki Yagyo, yokai loved the dark—it was unchanging. Every back alley had clusters of horrific yokai or couples up to lewd deeds.
"Oh ho."
On any other day, I'd have leisurely spectated either show, but tonight was busy. Swallowing my tears, I swiftly exorcised them and moved on. After clearing the western streets, I detoured into Ueno Park midway.
Famous for cherry blossoms and designated Japan's first public park, it held immense value. The flowers were long gone from the trees, but the night view was serene.
Here, I sensed a fairly strong pulse of energy. A bit further, and—
Boom!
A colossal crashing sound echoed as something collapsed. I saw a yokai giant enough to be called a titan smashing the park's museum.
A mere building wouldn't matter, but this was the Tokyo National Museum, housing 87 national treasures. One wing was already crumbling.
"Hold on, you! Do you even know what you're destroying?!"
National treasures flying away! I blurted it out in shock, but then...
'It's not my country anyway, right?'
If the possession didn't lift in the future, it might become mine eventually—but not now. So, no big deal? Reaffirming my identity, I grinned at the giant.
"It'll get rebuilt anyway, so smash away."
If it were our country's treasures crumbling before my eyes, it'd hurt—but with only my lower half Japanese, I was fine.
But perhaps the yokai couldn't grasp my profound mindset. The giant, relentlessly pounding the museum, scowled with its stubborn face.
—Human, you're weird.
A rare specimen: an Oni. After patrolling five wards, I'd finally encountered one. Among the tens of thousands in the Hyakki Yagyo, there were only five or six—precious, but I'd found it later than expected.
'Usually, spirit veins draw them to Karakura High or Minato Ward.'
They were scarce tonight. Still, better late than never. Oni were tough for regular exorcists, so better I handled them all.
—Human, have you gone mad?
Mistaking my constant grin for insanity, the giant tilted its head.
"Sigh, when you ask like that, my service-oriented spirit compels me to kindly answer even a yokai I'm about to exorcise."
Delighted, I drew my sword with a grin and personally enlightened it.
"I'm perfectly sane."
Moved by my confident reply? The giant hesitated, then smashed the museum again.
—No, humans are all mad!
Oh dear, dumber than Kenichi. '...More importantly.'
When it struck the museum just now, I heard a "Eek!" My finely honed magic sense confirmed it: people inside. Not civilians—exorcists. Low-rank shamans whose presence vanished under the Oni's yokai energy.
Their leader was either dead or had misjudged the threat; only two remained visible. Normally, magic sense would reveal all, but the giant's immense power blurred my view.
—Human, did fear drive you insane?!
Low IQ meant extreme physical power, it seemed.
"Hm, no helping it then."
If it blocked my sight, just clear it first.
Boom!
I kicked off the ground, leaping straight to the giant's head in an instant.
—Wha—?
Its eyes widened in circles; I slammed my foot into its forehead.
Kabooooom!
The giant's head snapped back grotesquely.
"Eek!"
Through the museum's shattered roof loomed a grotesquely massive human head. Every time the giant's hand slammed down, shaman Suiichiro let out a shrill scream.
"Kyaaah!"
...Pathetic. This wasn't why he'd become a shaman. He felt that gloom, but survival was far more urgent. Suiichiro dove across the floor, dodging debris from each strike.
"Eeeek!"
"Damn it! Where's the backup?!"
His senior, with more composure, had called home base, but aid felt worlds away.
...Am I really dying here?
'I don't wanna die.'
Tears streamed like waterfalls at the bitter reality—when
Kabooooom!
The giant's head suddenly jerked back like a bowstring. Someone seemed to hover midair. As Suiichiro gaped at the unexpected turn, his senior shaman's jaw dropped too.
"...That person!"
Usually so composed, the senior's reaction puzzled Suiichiro.
"You know them?"
The senior's face twisted in belated terror. The eyes of the man he'd thought would die gracefully trembled violently. Swallowing hard, the senior finally answered.
"...The White Night Yaksha!"
The human monster who slayed yokai.