After the sports festival ended that day, the Supernatural Society held an internal meeting in their clubroom.
"A large number of evil spirits from the Reverse World have come to the real world?"
Though dressed in her gym clothes, Rio Futaba—who had successfully avoided the awkwardness of participating in the sports festival—furrowed her brows at Tamamo-no-Mae's report.
"Are they... making a desperate gamble?"
Rio couldn't quite understand.
Compared to the real world, the Reverse World was the evil spirits' home turf.
The thick black mist shrouding the entire city would amplify their power to some extent.
Only the most twisted, bloodthirsty, utterly irrational evil spirits—the kind Tamamo-no-Mae saw as equivalent to human lunatics—would choose to cross through a Gate into the real world, solely to spread more death and suffering.
The supernatural incidents previously dealt with by the Supernatural Society - whether at Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten, the abandoned building of Yukinoshita Construction, or when Ye Xing and Light Yagami jointly eradicated the Black Dragon Society - all shared a common origin.
The evil spirits behind these events didn't emerge from the Reverse World. They were entities already existing in our world that grew more powerful and distorted after being influenced by the Gate.
Rio Futaba couldn't comprehend it.
What possible motivation could drive these evil spirits to leave their natural habitats and manifest in the human world?
"I think there are two possibilities," offered Miko Yotsuya, the experienced exorcist, presenting her analysis.
"First, they might be acting under the orders of a major demon like Tamamo-no-Mae, specifically targeting those of us who've visited the Reverse World and left traces of our Qi there."
"Second..."
Here, Miko glanced at Ye Xing lounging carelessly on the sofa and sighed slightly before continuing.
"Perhaps... they're simply acting on survival instinct, forced to fight back."
"Huh?"
Mai Sakurajima looked puzzled at Miko's analysis.
"Survival instinct? Fighting back? But we're the ones being victimised by evil spirits, aren't we?"
Rio Futaba pressed her lips together, wearing the same complicated expression as Miko, and spoke slowly.
"Normally, yes. The power disparity is so great that humans even have a protective mechanism - as long as we don't observe them, we won't be harmed."
"But..."
Both women's gazes turned towards Ye Xing as they spoke in unison.
"The food chain has gained a new apex predator above the evil spirits."
Facing their stares, Ye Xing remained sprawled on the sofa with an air of complete indifference.
Several seconds passed before he seemed to notice.
"Eh? Are you talking about me?"
"Who else would we be talking about?"
Rio sighed.
She didn't believe for a second that Ye Xing could be genuinely unaware.
His feigned ignorance...
Was clearly another activation of his passive skill.
Passive Skill: Never Take Responsibility - When sensing impending blame, immediately feigns ignorance to derail the conversation.
Combined with his True Protagonist's Aura of Reduced Intelligence, creating an absolute defence of perpetual moral high ground.
"Don't you have any self-awareness? How many evil spirits have you devoured since discovering the Reverse World?"
Faced with Rio's question, Ye Xing spread his hands and replied nonchalantly.
"Not that many. Maybe ten or twenty thousand?"
Rio was speechless.
"Ten or twenty thousand!? You've eaten so many they're getting desperate! Of course, they'd come looking for trouble!"
"Ah, there you're mistaken."
Ye Xing countered with complete seriousness.
"I'm actually doing good deeds here."
Miko looked confused.
"Good deeds?"
"Obviously."
Ye Xing spoke as if stating the most natural thing in the world.
"Think about it - by devouring so many evil spirits, I'm reducing population density in the Reverse World. That means lower property prices, achieving the ideal where every spirit can own a car and a home. Isn't that the ultimate act of charity?"
Miko blinked, murmuring to herself.
"Huh... when you put it that way, it does make some sense..."
"There's no such logic."
Rio Futaba sighed helplessly, rubbing her temples.
"Evil spirits don't need to buy houses or cars. You've clearly been infected by abstract thinking."
Well, she was an exorcist after all.
Being a bit abnormal was... normal.
Hina Amano rested her cheek on one hand and mused aloud.
"But based on what you've told me, according to the principle that what can't be observed can't harm you, the only ones really in danger would be Ye Xing, Futaba-san and Miko Yotsuya, right?"
"That's not the case."
As the chief strategic intelligence analyst of the Supernatural Society, Rio Futaba's reasoning never faltered - unless it involved emotional matters. This time was no exception.
"During my awakening, the enemy I encountered was a twisted monster born from the fusion of an evil spirit and a human."
"Such creatures might be similar to us psychics."
"If we're humans who can wield spiritual power to fight the supernatural..."
"Then these beings are monsters that use human flesh to evade the restrictions of the observation principle."
"So even ordinary people who can't observe might encounter such entities. We must never let our guard down."
At this point, Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses and sighed slightly.
"After all, there are simply too few psychics. If only we could awaken a fourth member..."
For a moment.
Everyone's gaze in the room turned to Yui Yuigahama, who was playing with the hem of her clothes, her head bowed.
"Eh?"
Feeling the collective stare, Yui blinked in surprise.
"Wait... Mai-senpai could potentially awaken Soul Materialisation, too, right? Why is everyone counting on just me?"
Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya first glanced at Mai Sakurajima, then exchanged looks.
No words were needed for their perfect mutual understanding.
Judging by the impression Mai Sakurajima gave... it seemed unlikely she'd awaken Soul Materialisation.
This former national idol senpai was too perfect.
Just as humans need intense lingering attachments to become evil spirits after death...
The awakening of psychics also requires tremendously strong convictions.
Miko Yotsuya's case went without saying.
Her past had been far too miserable.
Rio Futaba was also suppressing her inner self, an old-hand psychiatric patient on the verge of multiple personality disorder.
As for Ye Xing...
Perhaps it would be more productive to discuss which aspects of him could be considered normal.
Now, here's a question for everyone:
Ye Xing, the innate abstract saint; Miko Yotsuya, the autistic and expressionless girl; Rio Futaba, the multiple personality disorder patient; and Mai Sakurajima, the flawless beauty.
Please identify the one among these four options whose vibe doesn't match the others.
In comparison, Yui Yuigahama had joined the club much earlier.
After spending so much time together, Rio Futaba and Miko Yotsuya had begun to sense something vaguely.
This cheerful, lively, and innocent Dango-classmate—her true inner self wasn't quite like that.
At this moment, Miko noticed the faint traces of panic and worry in Hina Amano's eyes and offered a comforting smile.
"Actually, there's no need to be so afraid. Even though there are only three psychics, Ye Xing is very strong."
"Besides, we also have contracts with Hachishaku-sama and that golden Goat-Headed Deity."
"Even if we do encounter evil spirits, there's no need to worry."
Even now, Miko was still terrified of those grotesque, horrifying evil spirits.
But her fear wasn't like that of a normal person.
The more fear she felt in her heart, the more she wanted to eradicate those evil spirits.
The best way to overcome fear was to face it head-on.
"That's about it."
Ye Xing wrapped up his explanation, then turned to the members in the room with a smile.
"Oh, and one last layer of insurance."
"Sign a contract with me. Then, if you ever encounter a powerful enemy you can't handle, you can summon me to your side using the contract's power."
Hearing this, Rio frowned slightly, though she didn't voice her thoughts.
With her intellect, anything Tamamo-no-Mae could figure out, she naturally could as well.
Humans couldn't form contracts with other humans.
Only beings of the same nature as evil spirits could grow stronger by devouring them.
Deep down, Rio had long suspected the truth.
But she didn't care.
Did it matter whether Ye Xing leaned more towards humanity or evil spirits?
Rio found it irrelevant.
Even if he was an evil spirit, as long as he was the Ye Xing she loved, it didn't matter.
After everyone had signed the contract with Ye Xing, Rio adjusted her glasses and spoke calmly.
"You doing something like this... truly surprises me."
Ye Xing chuckled.
"Something like what?"
"Well..."
Rio parted her lips slightly, her eyes flickering with something unreadable.
"You said what you pursue is freedom—unbound by anything."
"But this contract is essentially shackling yourself for our protection."
"That's the complete opposite of what you desire."
Faced with Rio's argument, Ye Xing merely smiled carelessly and replied offhandedly,
"You're mistaken about that."
"If I refrain from doing what I want just because I'm chasing some ideal of absolute, unshackled freedom... wouldn't that be another form of bondage?"
"You could say the true freedom I pursue is the ability to do whatever I want."
"Moreover..."
At this point, Ye Xing stood up, looking at Mai Sakurajima, Kazusa Touma, Yui Yuigahama, Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, and Hina Amano seated in his living room.
"All six of you are very important people to me."
As these words fell.
The six girls exchanged glances, their faces flushing with embarrassment.
After more than ten seconds of silence, Mai Sakurajima finally bit her silver teeth lightly and spoke.
"You..."
"Daring to say such things to six people at once."
"Playboy!"
Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses, her expression slightly displeased as she added.
"How despicable, Ye Xing."
Hina Amano was at a complete loss.
She was involved in this, too?
She had thought she'd joined a mysterious high school club dedicated to protecting Kyoto City.
But now it seemed...
This was a brutal battlefield of love!!!
...
After all members of the Supernatural Society had left, only Ye Xing remained in his home.
Only one person remained.
But there was still one spirit present.
"Little Hachi."
Hachishaku-sama was curled up on the sofa, holding a box of milk and sipping it timidly, appearing utterly submissive.
"Yes, boss."
Hachishaku-sama's daily life now was extremely happy.
Normally, evil spirits couldn't touch physical objects, let alone eat food.
But things touched by psychics were different.
Hachishaku-sama's current daily job was patrolling Kyoto City while the Supernatural Society members were at school, searching for signs of powerful evil spirits or Gates.
After school, she would follow Miko Yotsuya or Rio Futaba home to freeload meals.
She'd essentially landed a cushy government job.
Ye Xing sat beside Hachishaku-sama, patted her shoulder, and softly spoke words that startled her.
"You've become a bit weak lately."
"I... I'm sorry, boss."
Hachishaku-sama trembled in fear, nearly spilling her milk, and quickly stood up.
"I... I'll work harder from now on, please don't lay me off!"
Ye Xing shook his head with an amused smile.
"Lay off? Where did you learn that term? Don't worry, our Supernatural Society doesn't fire employees."
Hachishaku-sama thought to herself that that was exactly what she feared.
If she were simply fired, she'd at most return to being a wandering ghost.
But if Master Ye Xing truly considered her useless, wouldn't he eat her to avoid waste?
The mere thought sent chills down her spine.
"Since your strength isn't keeping up..."
Under Hachishaku-sama's terrified gaze, Ye Xing smiled and continued.
"Let's just increase your strength then."
"I have a method."
"I'm essentially the amalgamation of thousands of evil spirits. By consuming my blood, you can grow stronger."
"What do you think?"
Hearing this proposal, Hachishaku-sama first froze in shock, then suddenly knelt on the ground, pleading pitifully.
"Please spare me! I wouldn't dare do such a thing even with ten thousand lives to spare!"
Hachishaku-sama had personally witnessed what happened when that golden Goat-Headed Deity attempted to devour Ye Xing.
She had a very clear understanding of her own capabilities, possessing strong self-awareness.
Hachishaku-sama's power was absolutely no match for that golden Goat-Headed Deity.
After devouring Ye Xing's blood, the other had been reduced to such a state of agony.
If she were to devour it herself, wouldn't she explode on the spot?
Besides...
Hachishaku-sama was timid—she was terrified of Ye Xing.
For her to devour him?
That would be turning the natural order upside down—unthinkable, absolutely unthinkable.
"Look at you, so scared."
Ye Xing chuckled mockingly as he watched the cowering Hachishaku-sama, whose courage was inversely proportional to her size.
However...
As an evil spirit, recklessly devouring his blood did indeed carry the risk of bodily destruction.
In that case...
There was only one solution left.
"Hachishaku."
Ye Xing walked up to the kneeling Hachishaku-sama, looking down at her delicate face—pale and tender, filled with fear and pitiful charm—and smiled.
"Do you like drinking milk?"
Hachishaku-sama nodded with naive innocence.
"Mmm... I do. But why do you ask?"
Soon, she understood why.
Ye Xing's physical constitution was extraordinary, and sometimes, it was hard to fully satisfy him.
But Hachishaku-sama, being an evil spirit, clearly had some skills of her own.
For a while, it was impossible to tell who had the upper hand.
Ye Xing roughly grabbed Hachishaku-sama's waterfall-like, silky black hair.
The latter only let out occasional soft whimpers, obedient as a pet, allowing him to manipulate her as he pleased.
An hour later.
"B-Boss..."
Hachishaku-sama panted lightly, her jade-white skin now glistening with fine beads of sweat. Yet, due to her nature as an evil spirit, her skin still retained a cool touch.
"I... I really can't drink anymore."
"Can't drink?"
Ye Xing showed no mercy.
"Then we'll switch to another place. Same thing."
This scene truly lived up to the saying:
Forcing things beyond their natural pace.
During this process of enhancing Hachishaku-sama's power, Ye Xing confirmed two things.
First.
Evil spirits indeed have much greater endurance than humans.
If it were Rio Futaba or Haruno Yukinoshita, they'd probably be exhausted by now, sleeping like infants.
Second.
This Hachishaku-sama wasn't pretending to be innocent.
Those adult anime were all lies.
She'd never done this sort of thing before.
To protect Kyoto's future, and for the safety of the Supernatural Society members...
Kyoto's top exorcist made a resolute, righteous sacrifice tonight, filling Hachishaku-sama to capacity.
...
Friday, after the sports festival.
"Ah, Ye Xing, look at this."
Shizuka Hiratsuka sat in the teacher's office, gazing at the three certificates on her desk, congratulating Class 1-A's Ye Xing for breaking three school records. She looked ready to float away with joy.
"Ahhh, so satisfying."
How satisfied was Hiratsuka?
Her current actions said it all.
She'd even lit a cigarette right there in the office.
Taking a deep drag, she laughed.
"Hmph, let's see who dares call me a connection hire at Sobu High School now."
Ye Xing rolled his eyes and couldn't help retorting.
"Aren't you?"
"I used to be."
Hiratsuka beamed, patting his shoulder.
"After becoming your homeroom teacher, I stopped being one. The best student deserves the best teacher, after all."
Ye Xing waved dismissively.
"Whatever. I'm heading out then—got things to do today."
"OK, stay safe."
"Your smug face is disgusting, Shizu-chan."
"Hehe."