CH 111.5

Overwhelmed by the repulsive and indescribable sensations, Tamaki's entire body was under assault. The constant stimuli made it difficult for her to think straight, and she could only resist frantically. Naturally, it was futile. It only wasted her physical energy. Shishimai was in a similar situation, struggling more fiercely than Tamaki, but her body's freedom was gradually being restricted by the countless encroaching tentacles.

"Fire talisman, water talisman, metal talisman... the effects are still weak, huh?"

Meanwhile, the only one free from capture, Botan, continued to employ various means against the viscous youkai in front of her, guarded by the bear youkai. From fire flames to surging water currents and even imbuing her sword that become Tsukumokami with spiritual energy, she tried everything, but they seemed to have little effect on the monsters.

"How about this? Wood talisman... Tch, it will become rotten, huh?"

Summoning with Wood technique, she used seeds of genetically modified plants. After absorbing moisture and youkai energy, the plants were programmed to grow and eventually self-destruct. Unfortunately, the one she implanted in the creature's body rotted away while still in its growth phase. It appeared the creature's bodily fluids were not composed of suitable water.

'Kukukukuku!!'

Amid Botan's futile efforts, the mummy king, the summoner, mocked her. Botan wasn't bothered by it and calmly observed the creature's characteristics.

(Their physical resistance and adaptability are quite high. However...)

She glanced at Tamaki and the others struggling. Seeing them squirming and screaming, Botan narrowed her eyes.

(They (the tentacles) haven't eaten yet. It's due to orders. And it seems like... they're playing.)

The muumy hadn't explicitly ordered them to play, but their command to neutralize the enemies probably allowed them to interpret their actions in their own way. That would indicate they possess enough intelligence to interpret orders flexibly. If that's the case...

"…Go."

After observing the movements of the viscous youkai, Botan gave a command to the simplified Tsukumokami sword floating in the air. With a forceful charge, the floating sword impaled itself into the creature's body, exploding from within.

'Clip-clop!?'

With a scream, half of the creature's body scattered, and it began to collapse into a shapeless mass. The brain core that had been created within the creature to grant it flexible intelligence turned out to be its weakness, as it was meant to be nearly invincible. After spending countless years creating it, having it destroyed reduced the youkai to nothing more than an ordinary being. While not killed, being rendered thoughtless was enough for Botan at the moment.

"Good. Now, only the remaining ones...!!?"

Botan grinned at the results she finally achieved. However, it was a moment of carelessness. A shadow enveloped her, and a sixth entity descended from the ceiling, trying to pounce on her. Botan's reaction was delayed, even with her command to the sword.

'Grrrrr!!'

The bear youkai pushed away the viscous entity, which was trying to cover Botan entirely with its body. They both fell to the ground, entangled in a struggle. The fight was evenly matched, but that also meant there was no one to protect her.

"…!!?"

Botan hurriedly attempted to use her talismans to dispel the remaining creatures, but it was too late. The remaining entities began to move in unison. They quickly intercepted the talismans before Botan could activate them, and countless tentacles closed in on her.

"Don't... don't touch me!!"

As the tentacles touched her, Botan was reminded of the wriggling bugs within her and raised her voice in agitation. However, it was a mistake. The excitement of the host caused the bugs inside her to react violently, causing intense pain and making her vomit in response. She weakened and lost the ability to resist, allowing the tentacles to bind her and start toying with her frail body. Meanwhile, the king from a safe distance glanced at this scene with a cold smirk.

"No, stop... don't touch me..."

With saliva drooling from her mouth and her consciousness barely holding on, Botan continued to mutter. However, deep down, she knew there was no hope for survival. Thus...

"Ah... Ugh..."

She caught a glimpse of the still-resisting bear. Unfortunately, that alone wouldn't be enough to devour her corpse. In that case, she had no other choice. She would execute the next best plan: a self-destructive tactic that would involve the creatures around her.

"…!!"

In a way, it was a traditional and honorable end for exorcists. However, Botan's movements halted. Her breath became heavy. Though she knew this would be her last decision, she hesitated.

"I will d—!!?"

She seemed to have realized something about what she was about to do. The viscous entities tightened their grip around her and coiled around her body even more, trying to twist their tentacles inside her mouth. Botan felt despair, realizing that her hesitation was preventing her from even taking her final action.

(I... I...!!?)

Various emotions and memories flashed through her mind like a carousel. What had gone wrong? How did she end up like this? Why...

(Why am I... here...?)

It was her last thought before sinking into despair and losing consciousness.

Thud!!

'Clip!?'

'Clip-clop!!?'

Nothing happened.

"Huh...?"

Suddenly, Botan noticed that the relentless assault of the tentacles had stopped. Struggling to hold onto her fading consciousness, she recognized what was happening.

The golden tome stored in the library was shining brightly, illuminating the entire room.

"What's...?"

Botan, as well as the room's owner, the mummy king, were clearly taken aback. It seemed that even for the mummy, this was an unprecedented sight.

'Clip!?'

Even more pronounced were the reactions of the viscous creatures, their numerous eye-like organs quivering. It was as if they sensed something, something that unsettled them.

Then, seemingly disregarding the creatures' reactions, the golden tome levitated out of the shelf, untied its band, and opened up. Immediately afterward, a familiar voice echoed from within the book.

...It was the voice of a man whom Botan knew well, a man always accompanied by a string of troubles.

'Clip-clop-clip-clop-clip=clop!!!!?'

"AAAAAHHHHH!!!? Are you kidding me, you aliens, aaargh!!!?"

A moment later, a barrel-like creature covered in damaged wings and sprouting flower-like patterns emerged from the book. Hanging from its side was black-robed Hannya mask man.

Everyone in the room, who had been present before the intrusion, was left dumbfounded. The mummy king, in particular, showed the most obvious sign of negligence.

'Clip-clop!!?'

"Ugh...!!?"

Without hesitation, the creature attached to the Hannya mask plunged into the viscous youkai that had captured Botan, sending it flying. Freed from the tentacles' grasp, Botan immediately released a talisman, destroying the brain core of the creature holding Tamaki and rendering it powerless.

'Clip-clop-clip-clop!!?'

'Wooouououou!!?!!?'

At the same time, the failed squid-like creature that had been careening into walls and changing direction was now turning towards the Chaos Mummy. The mummy tried to flee, but it was too late. The squid charged forward, slamming the chaos mummy into the walls.

A cacophony of deafening noise, violent tremors, and explosive sounds filled the room. Dust filled the air, and the remaining controlled viscous creatures cried out in eerie, metallic voices, becoming disoriented.

After surveying the chaotic scene, Botan got up, brushed off her clothes, and turned her expressionless face toward the figure that emerged from the dust. She spoke with a calm and composed tone.

"...Once again, you've brought quite a troublesome creature along. Is this your hobby?"

"Unfortunately, gathering things is not my ability."

The ragged servant, whose entire body was in tatters, responded to Botan with an incomprehensible theory.