Chapter 98 (3)

Chapter 98 (3)

[Part 3/4]

Iruka's attacks, which create shockwaves and vibrations that affect a wide area, including the ground, are not something we can use. Even Iruka herself struggled to execute a fourth attack due to severe coughing and spitting blood after firing three shots rapidly. Moreover, I had already used up the flashbomb that could make connected shadows disappear during the previous blow. It would be unrealistic for me to send an attack from high above and then strike.

So, this was just a bluff. It was an act to warn Kamui that he was no longer invincible and to lead him to voluntarily retreat.

"..."

Kamui and I, along with Iruka, silently glared at each other, trying to intimidate one another. We take defensive positions and observed each other, not missing a single gaze or subtle movement.

"...Wait, what?! Hey, this is bad!"

And then, Iruka shouted as if she had noticed something. I, too, realized it immediately afterward—the anomaly. However, it was too late.

*Thunderous roar shook the very air"

Immediately after, it crashed between us and Kamui.

Yes, somehow, not only had the blizzard that obstructed our vision ceased, but even a single snowflake stopped falling. The clear surroundings allowed me to clearly see the scene of the monster screaming, spewing blood splatters around.

Namahage, whose arm had been severed, somehow managed to stand up and tried to retreat with an unsteady gait. Then, an old woman leaped at him with agile movements like a monkey and struck his face with a wide smile.

"Sh*t, seriously...!!?"

Being hit in the face, Namahage couldn't support himself due to his missing arm and fell backward toward us. I grabbed Iruka's hand and hastily escaped from the spot. There was no other choice but to run away. Staying there would only result in being crushed.

"!?"

In that moment, I glanced quickly. Kamui, who had a confident smile aimed at me, was suddenly interrupted. He disappeared into the darkness. He managed to escape. Although the retreat went as planned, I couldn't help but express my annoyance.

'Don't lose focus! Let's hide for now!'

"I... know!"

Answering the words of the old man perched on my shoulder, I and Iruka were pulled down into the shadow of a large tree. Taking a moment to catch my breath, I peeked through the gap in the tree to assess the situation once again.

It happened right after that. Yamanba was tearing Namahage's throat apart...

* * *

I had a certain degree of expectation regarding the clash between Namahage and Yamanba. I anticipated that the latter would have the advantage with a probability of about 60:40. This view was based on the official setting I had read in my past life.

The reason Namahage was feared by many exorcists was due to his ability. Appearing in blizzards and frightening children... yes, "children."

After a moment of hesitation, I gather my resolve and make the request. Regardless, I couldn't leave Yamanba alone.

'Understood. I'll restart it now. Buy some time... They're coming, aren't they?'

"Wha...!?"

The old man's hummingbird that responded to my request issues a warning before entering a dormant state. Shortly after, Iruka, and finally, I notice the approaching presence.

Perhaps as a result of the intense battle with Namahage, several Yamanba offsprings that were likely "birthed" appear to have found us hidden behind fallen trees and eagerly hunger for us. Now they are approaching us aggressively, ready to attack.

"I'll take care of this!"

In place of me, who lacks a weapon, Iruka intercepts the charging locusts, tearing them apart with her claws and delivering a blow to the mantis's head. With the spinning decapitated mantis, she kicks it away, crushing the following insects in one motion.

And then, a leaping Yamanba arrives, blowing away her own children without a care.

"Oh, crap..."

"Iruka! Get down...!!"

I narrowly evade the strike of the intruding Yamanba's fist by pushing Iruka down behind me. A gust of wind blows over the snow-covered plain just above my head. Despite the cold, sweat bursts out from my entire body in an instant. If my head had been even slightly raised, it would have been blown away as well. In fact, some of the surrounding youkai have been partially obliterated by the shockwave.

And there, Yamanba raises her arm and gazes at us, smiling. A smile that reveals nothing about what she's thinking. I hastily pull Iruka's arm to help her to her feet. However, it's too late...!!

"I knew we needed it after all, you brat!! Take this!!"

Yamanba shouts angrily and curses, while someone else yells at the same time. I quickly turn to look behind Yamanba and see Hikorokurō, who has stabbed the monster's leg with a sword. I am amazed and my eyes widen in surprise.

"What the...!? Gah!! But more importantly, run...!"

"Uoooh!!?"

It happened right after I issued the warning. A massive centipede emerged from the wound that Hikorokurō had inflicted. Transformation of the wound, childbirth, Yamanba's power!!

"You d*mn monster...!! Die! Die!! Guaaah!!?"

Hikorokurō desperately slashes at the newly formed centipede's head. But immediately, Yamanba, along with her angry voice, blows Hikorokurō and the newborn centipede behind her, along with the snow on the ground, violently away. Hikorokurō's figure disappears in an instant, swallowed by the swirling snow and dust.

"Let's go...!!"

Seizing the opportunity, Iruka stands up and pulls me, sprinting to put distance between us and Yamanba. We desperately navigate through the gaps between Yamanba's attacking offspring. However, their numbers are overwhelming...!!