As night fell, the two arrived in front of the hotel.
Because of the murder that occurred last night, the area around the equestrian statue at the hotel entrance was still cordoned off with No Entry barriers.
Looking closely, one could see a large amount of fresh red on the statue's upright spear, with more red on the statue's body and base.
It had not rained yesterday, and the blood had already begun turning black due to the temperature.
These visible traces alone were enough to show how gruesome the murder here had been.
Even without getting closer, Sakuya and Isumi could see an almost transparent soul with a gaping hole in its chest.
Reddish substances were still seeping from the hole in that soul's chest.
"A malevolent spirit beginning its transformation."
The moment Isumi saw that soul, she understood that it had already begun to transform into a malevolent spirit.
"Isumi, did you not say that ordinary souls would not become malevolent spirits?"
"Hmm, that only applies to ordinary souls. People who harbor extraordinary obsession and resentment before death often break the rule that ordinary souls cannot become malevolent spirits."
"Therefore, love, hatred, and obsession become powerful driving forces."
Isumi explained in detail.
"The hatred of being murdered is also one of the driving forces for becoming a malevolent spirit."
"Clearly, this victim harbored intense hatred, which is why the residual soul has begun to show anomalies."
Then Isumi took an amulet from her kimono sleeve.
If such a soul completed its transformation, things would become very troublesome.
It could still be handled, but it would be much more difficult than now.
Just as Isumi was about to act, Sakuya stopped her.
"The Police are still watching nearby."
She pointed to the Police patrolling close by.
Since a major murder had occurred here yesterday, even though the case had been solved and the culprit arrested with the help of a high school detective, it did not mean the Police's work was over.
The day before yesterday, there had been a murder in the forest. Yesterday morning, the culprit was caught. Then last night, a very heinous murder occurred in Izu's largest five-star hotel.
Two consecutive murders within a single day meant the Izu Police had no choice but to take it seriously.
"Isumi, can you set up a barrier, one that blocks people's sight?"
"It requires some preparation."
Isumi temporarily set aside her plan to deal with the residual soul quickly. Setting up a barrier within a certain range to block others' sight, or even block entry, was possible, but it would take time.
"Then let us take a little more time to handle it."
Sakuya immediately decided on the method.
"Unless absolutely necessary, we do not need to draw attention to ourselves."
"But…"
Isumi understood this method could reduce trouble, but she also noticed that the residual soul was already beginning to transform into a malevolent spirit.
It was nighttime, which would accelerate the transformation, and the speed was still increasing.
"Do not worry."
Sakuya offered a calming word, then raised a metallic-looking amulet in her hand.
"The amulet Ren made can help at critical moments."
She always carried the amulet Ren had given her. In this situation, it could be of great use.
If Isumi was too slow, her amulet could create an opening for Isumi to act on the residual soul.
"Understood."
Seeing the amulet, Isumi immediately began preparing the barrier.
She took out another amulet from her sleeve, and her spiritual power quickly constructed a barrier around the statue to block surrounding sight.
Because this was an operation in public, setting up the barrier took some time.
Sakuya kept watch on the surroundings.
Due to the fence and the fact that yesterday's murder was not a secret, no pedestrians approached the statue on their own.
With almost no interference, Isumi completed the sight-blocking barrier.
"It is done."
Her gaze locked onto the incomplete soul beside the statue.
A large amount of red substance was already emerging from the chest of that incomplete soul, and it was rapidly transforming into a malevolent spirit.
However, it was still some distance from completing the transformation.
Isumi pulled out an amulet and flung it at the soul.
Infused with purification, the spiritual power carried the amulet and affixed it to the soul's chest.
The pure white spiritual power, symbolizing purification, instantly dispelled the red substance from the incomplete part of the soul's chest.
The previously unconscious soul suddenly seemed to regain rationality, its crimson eyes staring fixedly at a certain spot in the surrounding crowd.
That gaze was not directed at Isumi, but at the direction of the woman who had killed him.
Even though that woman had already been taken away by the Police, the resentment still allowed the soul to pinpoint her location.
However, the resentment did not spread outward. The amulet on its chest had already completely dispelled the soul's hatred.
That consciousness vanished instantly, along with the soul itself.
"Whew. It went even smoother than expected."
Isumi let out a sigh of relief, wiping the fine sweat from her forehead.
That soul had been one step away from transforming immediately. If it had completed the transformation, it would have become troublesome.
"How was it?"
"Very smooth."
Glancing at the surroundings, Isumi nodded slightly.
"The hatred of being murdered prompted the soul's rapid transformation, which is why it almost became a malevolent spirit."
"So malevolent spirits actually transform gradually."
It was Sakuya's first time seeing such a scene.
Thanks to the temporary ability to see ghosts that Isumi had given her, she had also seen the red substance appearing in the missing part of the man's soul.
"A soul's transformation into a malevolent spirit requires time."
"Normally, it should persist for a while, transforming through intense hatred and affecting its surroundings. This man's soul transformed too quickly."
"However, I think this phenomenon also involves external stimuli."
(To be continued.)