Chapter 110.3

Chapter 110.3

[Part 3/5]

Taking the fabric stained with blood, I pleaded further. Although I intended to attempt the dangerous youkai transformation alone, even if it meant the risk of failure, I wanted to increase the success rate.

"...That was an unpleasant way to put it, huh? There's no point in refusing in this situation. There's no choice, is there?"

"Well, I mean... you're right. There really isn't any other option. Sorry. It's an order, cooperate."

Izayoi grumbled unhappily but agreed once he realized it was a valid point. I apologized and gave him the order to cooperate, explaining the plan.

So, shall we set it up?

* * *

It happened at the moment the fourth shikigami was crushed. The hare shikigami, torn apart by the Blue Dragon Sword, released a massive cloud of smoke.

It was the smoke bomb I had prepared within the shikigami.

'What?! This is...!'

The giant frog youkai sensed something different and became alert. It detected the scent of human blood within the smoke. The fresh aroma of blood as a youkai excited it slightly, but it immediately cut off the approaching presence from behind!

'No, this is not it!!'

The torn paper doll of a simple shikigami returned to being a piece of paper. The only thing fluttering around was the blood-stained bandage that had been inserted into it.

'Oh... this way!?'

The frog youkai spat out its tongue at the figure leaping from above. However, the figure it pierced turned out to be another shikigami, torn to shreds, with scraps of cloth and talismans floating down.

'What?!'

As the figure with no scent of blood jumped from the side, the frog instinctively punched it, thinking it was the real threat. But it was wrong; it was just an ordinary shikigami without blood on it.

'Grrr!? You cunning bastard!'

The frog youkai retaliated, swelling its belly and mouth as if it was going to burst. Then, it expelled a massive breath.

The gust of wind-like breath blew away the smoke screen instantly. Its vision cleared, and the frog spotted a Hannya-masked man trying to hide among the piles of treasure. He noticed me.

"D*mn it!"

'I've seen you...!!'

The frog youkai leaped forward immediately. I quickly changed direction to dodge it. The frog passed through where I had been standing and dove into the piles of coins, sending them flying into the air as it approached me.

(I've lured it in! Now...)

I glanced around, searching for an opportunity to execute my plan. However...

'You're taking your eyes off me, huh?!'

"...!!?"

A muffled roar echoed a moment later. At the same time, the frog that had approached me swung the Blue Dragon Sword horizontally. I bent my knees and narrowly avoided the strike. I used that moment to slip into the frog's bosom.

'I'll give it back!!'

"...!!?"

From its wide-open mouth, the frog retaliated with crystals and large coins. The slime-covered projectiles were shot with bullet-like speed. I managed to block some with the Dagger (tantō) I had thrown earlier, while others I dodged. However, this was all within the frog's expected range of action.

'(#°Д°) Lick lick, it's coming!'

"What?! Gguaah!!?"

I failed to respond quickly to the White Spider's warning. A thick, peach-colored tongue struck me from the side, sending me flying despite my efforts to avoid a piercing attack. It was fortunate that it wasn't a stab. Otherwise, I could have ended up like Hidden Group.

However, even that was more than enough to deal with.

"Ugh... gah!!?"

Struggling to regain my shaken vision and consciousness, I tried to get up. But the frog's slippery arms prevented me from doing so. Its webbed arm gripped me, and its large frog-like eyes stared at me, narrowing slightly with interest.

'You won't be able to escape, huh? Mmm?'

"I wonder about that!?"

'(・`ω・ ́) Come on!!'

I quickly formed the seal, and two large crow shikigami sprang out from the pile of treasures behind me, their claws ready to attack the frog's eyes. At the same time, Asakuma's servant, who had been hidden as an ambush, also aimed a blade from another direction. This ambush attack was just as I had planned...!!

'That's why I'm telling you it's naive!!'

The flung tongue entangled both Great Crows. The moment the frog twisted its neck towards the Asakuma's servant, the servant is blown away as it is struck, and the Shikigami disappears in a cloud of white smoke. The ambush failed.

'ε=( o`ω′)ノDarn!!'

(Too noisy. D*mn, this isn't working either!!)

I felt the shock of White Spider's disappointment flooding into my mind. I hadn't expected much from this plan either, but I couldn't hide my disappointment.

"Gghh...!!?"

The frog's tightening grip increased, and I let out a pained scream. The frog breathed deeply, visible white breath, and pressed harder.

'Fuhahhahhahha!! With this, it's a true checkmate, you humans... Ugh!!?'

Suddenly, the frog groaned and released its hold on the servant it had been holding. It clutched its abdomen, bewildered.

'Th-this is... what on earth!!?'

"Finally got you, huh?"

The Great Toad muttered in confusion, while I fell face-first into the pile of coins, muttered sarcastically. Slowly, I got back on my feet and looked at the startled frog with a smug expression. Finally, my plan had hit the mark.

'B-Blarghhhh!!?'

The frog vomited with a groan, spewing out vomit, stomach acid, and a reddish-black "stomach."