The situation with Mai Sakurajima had been just a brief interlude.
Hozuki Nozomi let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head before turning around and heading back to his room. His attention now returned to sothing far more curious—the mysterious treasure chest nestled quietly in his room, its aura brimming with anticipation.
He hadn't used it yet today.
Every ti Nozomi chose not to interact with the chest, Frieren, his ever-curious elf companion, would conduct her experints with it. She had discovered that they had at least three chances a day to insert random items and receive so sort of reward in return.
Sotis it spat out strange items—like glowing potions. There were potions that replenished mana, others that were body rejuvenating potions. While Nozomi had no use for these personally, they were invaluable to Frieren's research.
Despite her usual lazy and whimsical deanor, once Frieren was in research mode, she beca a completely different person—focused, intense, and unshakably determined. Elven concentration far outstripped that of humans. Her experints, while chaotic, were yielding incredible insights.
Nozomi's gaze landed on the chest. He rembered the last ti a mimic had appeared, devouring his soda and cup noodles. This ti, with half a bottle of Frieren's custom mana drink still sitting on the table, he decided to throw it in.
As the chest closed, a radiant golden light flashed from within.
Nozomi's eyes lit up.
Having interacted with this chest daily, he'd already learned a few things: red and golden glows signaled excellent rewards.
[Ding! The treasure chest has received a reward.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Hozuki Nozomi. You have received the reward: Angel's Blessing.]
"Eh?" Nozomi blinked. "Angel's Blessing again…?"
He couldn't help but smirk. The last ti he got an Angel's Blessing, it was an enchanted pair of panties. Was he about to receive another bizarre celestial undergarnt?
As he opened the chest, however, he was surprised—it wasn't panties this ti.
It was a bra.
"…Yabai."
He checked its stats imdiately.
[Item: Angel's Blessing (Bra Version)]
Description: "Angels that grow too fast often find their… assets breaking free of mortal constraints. Blessed by the heavens, this bra is enchanted to be ultra-resilient and comfortably stretchable."
Sacred Effect: Wards off evil. Any malevolent or cursed being will flee upon sensing its holy presence.
Nozomi was floored.
"Seriously? A sacred anti-youkai bra?"
If the last pair of panties belonged to Gabriel, then maybe—just maybe—this belonged to her buxom best friend, Raphael.
Nozomi tossed the bra into his drawer with a shrug. He'd figure out who to gift it to later. Its warding effect might co in handy. Maybe Yotsuya-san?
Two more tries remained.
The second reward was a fox mask. Simple, decorative. Maybe for a festival?
The third one, however, sparked real excitent.
50 blank ofuda (talisman) papers.
When Nozomi channeled the draconic mana that flowed through him into the paper, fiery patterns appeared. Intrigued, he threw one at a flowerbed outside.
FWOOOSH!
The talisman ignited into black flas, exploding like a mini fireball.
Nozomi's eyes sparkled.
"Majide?! Remote explosive talismans? This is insane!"
He tucked the rest away for future use.
After his shower, just as he was preparing to 'visit' Shiina Mahiru for a bit of quality ti, his phone buzzed.
Caller: Yotsuya Miko.
"Hmm?" he answered.
"Moshi moshi... Nozomi-san, tasukete…!"
Her voice trembled.
"I encountered a... really big one this ti. A yokai… it's so scary!"
He imdiately sat upright.
Of course. Yotsuya Miko's spirit sight let her see things ordinary people couldn't—and that often led to horrifying encounters.
"Where are you now? I don't even know your address."
"I'm... at ho. Please... co quick. It's near my mom."
Her voice cracked. She was clearly holding back tears.
"My mom got sick yesterday… I think it wants to take her away."
"…Alright. Hold on, I'm coming."
"Hontō ni? Thank you…!"
She gave him her address, and without hesitation, Hozuki Nozomi hung up, stuffed the anti-youkai bra and several talismans into his bag, then caught the next taxi.
An hour later, Nozomi stood at the front door of Yotsuya Miko's house.
He stepped out of the taxi, the faint spiritual pressure lingering in the air sending a subtle chill down his spine. The darkness clung to the neighborhood like an ominous curtain.
He tapped his phone and dialed her.
"Yotsuya-san, I'm outside."
"Okay! I'm coming!" she replied quickly.
The door creaked open monts later, revealing Yotsuya Miko in her pajamas, eyes wide with tension and sleep deprivation. Before he could say anything, she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the genkan.
("Genkan" (玄関) is a Japanese term that refers to the entrance area of a ho, typically where shoes are removed before entering the main living space. It serves as a transitional space between the outside and inside of the house.)
"My mom's room is on the first floor. She's been sick since yesterday... but I think it's not just illness. That thing... it's doing sothing to her." Her voice trembled, thick with dread. "I can't do anything. I can only see it—and it's terrifying."
Seeing her like this, Nozomi instinctively reached out and gently patted her head.
"Daijoubu. I'm here now. We'll take care of it, ne."
"Un... Arigatou..."
She led him silently to the bedroom. As she opened the sliding door just a crack, the atmosphere turned suffocating. Nozomi stepped in behind her.
Yotsuya's mother lay on the futon, sweat glistening on her pale forehead, her brows furrowed in pain.
And then—
He saw it.
A monstrous figure hunched beside the bed. Its body was shrouded in thick, swirling black miasma. The head—a grotesque fusion of bone and sinew—sported glowing red eyes and a tongue that slithered grotesquely from its mouth.
[Ding! High-level yokai detected. Spirit Eye activated. Spirit Eye Special Attack is fully charged.]
[Ding! One-ti use of Spirit Eye Special Attack available. Would you like to activate it now?]
Nozomi clicked his tongue softly.
"Not yet. Let's get a better read on this freak."
He took another step forward, analyzing the flow of its aura.
The yokai noticed their presence. With a growl, it turned—and in a flash, it lunged.
"Stay behind !" Nozomi commanded.
Miko didn't hesitate, clinging to the back of his shirt.
With a sharp inhale, Nozomi activated the Spirit Eye's attack.
A blinding white light erupted from his gaze.
"Bankai!"
The light lanced out and struck the beast directly in the chest.
"GUAAAAAH!!"
The yokai scread, its body thrown back into the corner of the room. The miasma receded slightly, revealing more of its grotesque form.
But it wasn't done.
It roared again, baring sharp, blood-stained fangs, and lunged once more.
Nozomi grimaced. "Alright. Let's turn up the heat."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the talisman papers. With a flick of draconic mana, it ignited.
"Karyuu Fuda!"
WHOOSH!
The talisman launched like a fireball and exploded on contact with the yokai.
It screeched, writhing in agony as the black flas consud its form. Bones cracked. The skull-like mask on its face splintered.
And then—
A human figure fell to the ground, shrieking.
"ITTAIIII! That burns!"
Nozomi's eyes widened. Miko froze.
"...Otousan?!"
Yotsuya Miko's voice cracked with disbelief.
The man on the floor was indeed familiar. The flas flickered out as Nozomi quickly dispelled the spell.
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