Kiyohime's tail whipped towards the standing Ushikubi-no-Onna like a lash, moving so fast it even created a sound of tearing through the air.
"So fast..."
Just as the Ushikubi-no-Onna tried to dodge, she felt someone firmly grab her shoulder.
Yui Yuigahama had seized her shoulder with one hand, completely disregarding the blood staining the other's clothes, staring directly into the Ushikubi-no-Onna's eyes that streamed with bloody tears. Her voice was no longer gentle and sweet as usual, but filled with intense killing intent.
"Don't even think about escaping."
Thump!
Kiyohime's massive serpent tail struck the Ushikubi-no-Onna's abdomen, and with a dull sound, her body began flying backwards.
However...
Since Yui had grabbed the Ushikubi-no-Onna, she wouldn't let her escape easily.
"Get back here!"
Thanks to her enhanced physical abilities, Yui's fair fingers had deeply pierced into the Ushikubi-no-Onna's shoulder, gripping the other's body like a bowling ball before swinging it around and smashing it directly onto the ground.
She stepped on the Ushikubi-no-Onna's chest, looking down at the other's eyes from above, her voice devoid of any emotion as she coldly stated.
"Give him back... give my Ye Xing... back to me!"
Witnessing this scene, Shoko Makinohara, Menma, and Hachishaku-sama in the distance were all dumbfounded.
Was this still the same Yui Yuigahama?
Was this still the same... usually gentle girl who worked hard to mediate the club's atmosphere, wore a sweet smile, created various culinary delights, and played the funny woman character?
Compared to the Ushikubi-no-Onna lying on the ground, howling and struggling...
The current Yui Yuigahama and the Kiyohime behind her seemed more like the so-called evil spirits!
"Give him back!"
Kiyohime's tone was even more frenzied than Yui's, her face twisted and fierce, almost pressing against the Ushikubi-no-Onna's face.
"Give Ye Xing... back to me!"
Hachishaku-sama knew that the so-called soul's true form was actually the manifestation of the user's true inner self.
The key point was that she had never known, and couldn't even have imagined without witnessing it herself, that Yui Yuigahama's true inner self could be so terrifying!
The Ushikubi-no-Onna struggled, letting out a piercing roar into the surrounding darkness.
"Come out, kill them!!!"
After the Ushikubi-no-Onna shouted these words, pairs of eerie eyes with various colours but all emitting distorted and ferocious glows emerged from the previously calm darkness of the abandoned building.
"They're all evil spirits..."
Seeing nearly a hundred evil spirits materialise from the darkness, Hachishaku-sama furrowed her brow and her form swelled again to nearly three metres tall, shielding Shoko Makinohara and Menma by her side.
"Dango, come back first!"
Despite Hachishaku-sama's words, Yui Yuigahama seemed completely deaf to them, her hands gripping the Ushikubi-no-Onna's shoulders so tightly that her fingers pierced the other's flesh like barbed hooks, making it impossible for the Ushikubi-no-Onna to break free.
"Give it back... give it back!"
Kiyohime's voice gradually merged with Yui Yuigahama's voice.
And it wasn't just their voices that were merging.
While fighting the evil spirits and protecting Menma and Shoko Makinohara, Hachishaku-sama watched as the tall form of Kiyohime gradually disappeared, while the hair tie holding Yui Yuigahama's signature bun suddenly snapped, causing her peach-pink hair to cascade down.
Behind her, a serpentine tail illusion appeared, seemingly connected to her body yet maintaining an elusive distance.
"That is..."
With her extensive combat experience, Hachishaku-sama immediately recognised that Yui Yuigahama had merged with her soul's true form, Kiyohime.
This was truly beyond her expectations.
After all, before today's battle began, Yui Yuigahama couldn't even separate her Soul Materialisation power to form spiritual armour like Ye Xing, Rio Futaba, Miko Yotsuya, and Mai Sakurajima had, which enhanced their physical abilities and defences.
Yet now, she had skipped an entire stage and completed the fusion with her soul's true form.
Was it because Yui Yuigahama possessed exceptional talent?
Probably not.
Yui Yuigahama didn't have Miko Yotsuya's extraordinary mental fortitude, nor Rio Futaba's outstanding intellect.
Her gentle, considerate nature and sweet smile couldn't harm evil spirits.
If there was any area where she showed remarkable talent...
It was probably only in cooking, right?
The reason Yui Yuigahama could skip a stage and directly complete the fusion with her soul's true form, Kiyohime, was likely because the Ushikubi-no-Onna's provocation had ignited the anger and hatred within her heart.
Why did you...
Have to go and provoke our classmate Dango?
"Sister Dango, watch out!"
Seeing several evil spirits lunging towards Yui Yuigahama, Shoko Makinohara's expression changed, and she quickly called out a warning.
Yui Yuigahama showed no reaction, her fingers still deeply embedded in the Ushikubi-no-Onna's flesh, her eyes fixed on the other's face.
The serpent-tail illusion behind her swept out, knocking away those evil spirits.
But the next moment.
Several more evil spirits pounced forward, opening their mouths to viciously bite into the serpent tail.
Just watching this made Hachishaku-sama involuntarily gasp.
Among the members of the Supernatural Society, no one understood better than her what unbearable agony it felt like to have one's body torn apart and devoured.
Not to mention Ye Xing - even Hachishaku-sama had been bitten by evil spirits during the battle just hours earlier.
Yet Yui Yuigahama's expression remained perfectly calm, without even a flicker in her eyes.
Then she did something that shocked everyone present.
"Hiss!"
Yui Yuigahama lowered her head and directly sank her teeth into the neck of the Ushikubi-no-Onna, viciously tearing away a chunk of flesh.
Unlike Ye Xing, she didn't possess the constitution to devour evil spirits and enhance her power.
Yui Yuigahama spat out the torn flesh, her eyes filled with intense hatred as she slightly lowered her head to stare directly at the Ushikubi-no-Onna's terrified face, speaking softly.
"Give him back... otherwise, I'll tear you to pieces bit by bit. Give him back!"
The Ushikubi-no-Onna clutched her mutilated neck, listening to Yui Yuigahama's words while staring into those eyes filled with such intense hatred that they seemed ready to devour her alive. For the first time since her creation, she understood what true fear meant.
This human girl...
Was she insane!?
The Ushikubi-no-Onna could sense that this peach-pink-haired girl before her was far weaker in power compared to that golden-eyed girl wielding the spiritual sword.
Yet...
Compared to the powerful and composed Miko Yotsuya, it was Yui Yuigahama - currently almost insane, not even caring about her own soul being torn apart, single-mindedly wanting to rip her to pieces - who truly frightened the Ushikubi-no-Onna.
Just then, a clear, melodious bell rang out.
"Break free, Suzuhiko-hime."
Like a demonic sound piercing the ears, all the evil spirits froze in place upon hearing the bell chime, their once ferocious, terrifying faces now blank and dazed.
Mai Sakurajima walked up slowly from the stairwell, casually waved her hand, and gave an order to Suzuhiko-hime behind her, who was wearing a pale pink gauze dress and moving with graceful elegance.
"Begin."
"Understood."
Suzuhiko-hime swayed her paper umbrella, causing the cherry blossom patterns on its surface to drift down and transform into real cherry blossoms, scattering throughout the area.
After about ten seconds, when the petals dissipated, nearly a hundred evil spirits had already turned into black smoke, vanishing into nothingness along with the beautiful cherry blossoms.
While Mai Sakurajima had effortlessly eliminated nearly a hundred evil spirits, making her appear stronger than Miko Yotsuya, this was far from the truth.
On one hand, during the battle at the power station where the Ushikubi-no-Onna had surrounded Miko Yotsuya, all the powerful evil spirits under her command had been completely eradicated. Those left in this abandoned building were merely weak, hastily gathered misfits from the real world.
On the other hand, Mai Sakurajima's soul manifestation, Suzuhiko-hime, specialised in control and area attacks, which was the exact opposite of Miko Yotsuya's combat style, which excelled in small-scale battles against powerful evil spirits.
Additionally, this time, the Ushikubi-no-Onna was being restrained by Yui Yuigahama and couldn't protect herself. Otherwise, given her power level, she wouldn't have been completely immobilised by Suzuhiko-hime like the ordinary evil spirits.
At most, she would have been briefly dazed before being able to override the control placed on the evil spirits through commands, restoring their awareness.
It was the combination of all these factors that allowed Mai Sakurajima to resolve this battle in the most ideal and effortless manner.
"Shoko, Menma, are you both alright?"
Hearing Mai Sakurajima's question, Shoko Makinohara and Menma, though still showing traces of lingering fear on their faces, nodded in response.
"Sister Mai, we're fine, thanks to Sister Hachishaku-sama."
"That's good, as long as you're not injured."
Mai Sakurajima smiled and nodded, then noticed Yui Yuigahama not far away. With one hand gripping the Ushikubi-no-Onna's neck, pinning her against the hard wall, and the other hand plunged into her abdomen, Yui listened to the Ushikubi-no-Onna's painful wails without any change in expression, a snake tail illusion visible behind her. Mai couldn't help but feel surprised.
"Has Dango... mastered the technique of merging with her soul manifestation?"
Mai thought to herself that even she didn't have complete confidence in seamlessly merging with Suzuhiko-hime during battle yet.
She never expected Yui Yuigahama to surpass her and master this ability first.
"Hmm..."
Hachishaku-sama's expression seemed somewhat complicated as she lowered her voice.
"Dango's condition doesn't seem quite right... Let's go check on her."
"Alright."
When Mai Sakurajima, Hachishaku-sama, Shoko Makinohara, and Menma approached, they could hear Yui Yuigahama softly murmuring something.
The resentment and hatred in her words seemed to make the surrounding air temperature drop significantly.
"Give him back to me... Give Ye Xing... back to me..."
As Yui Yuigahama spoke, the hand she had plunged into the Ushikubi-no-Onna's abdomen continued to move, slowly and methodically crushing the other's internal organs.
Such agony was unimaginable to ordinary people—a torment akin to hell itself.
The Ushikubi-no-Onna now felt profound regret.
Had she not possessed a human body and remained in her original state as an evil spirit, she would never have experienced such excruciating pain.
"Dango."
Seeing Yui Yuigahama's expression, Mai Sakurajima felt her heart sink.
The risk of merging with a soul's true form was the influence of negative emotions.
Clearly, Yui Yuigahama wasn't prepared yet and was already on the verge of losing control.
"Dango, snap out of it."
Mai Sakurajima cautiously reached out, placing a hand on Yui Yuigahama's shoulder and speaking softly.
"We still have things to do."
"Hmm, you're right."
To Mai Sakurajima's surprise, Yui Yuigahama—who appeared to be losing control—didn't argue at all. She simply nodded in agreement.
Then, Yui Yuigahama withdrew her hand from the Ushikubi-no-Onna's abdomen. The serpent tail illusion behind her suddenly burst into blazing flames, completely enveloping the Ushikubi-no-Onna's body.
Amidst the Ushikubi-no-Onna's agonised screams as she burned and struggled in the flames, Yui Yuigahama turned around, revealing her usual ditzy, adorable smile.
"When Ye Xing returns, we must make sure to clean up these pests properly. We can't disappoint him."
Watching the Ushikubi-no-Onna's body char black and gradually dissipate into smoke and dust, then observing Yui Yuigahama walking ahead with light, cheerful steps—humming happily and radiating bright, lively energy—Mai Sakurajima, Shoko Makinohara, Hachishaku-sama, and Menma all felt complex emotions stirring within them.
Yui Yuigahama...
Hadn't lost control at all.
She was simply showing her truest self. Anyone—human or evil spirit—who dared attempt to harm Ye Xing would experience the sensation of being consumed by hatred in the most brutal way possible.
Was this yandere?
In a sense, yes—though without the possessiveness, a loyal dog-type yandere who didn't oppose a harem.
...
Meanwhile, in Yukino Yukinoshita's apartment.
"How unlucky."
Haruno Yukinoshita sat on the sofa, speaking in a lazy, relaxed tone despite the complete darkness in the living room.
"I never expected to encounter both a blackout and an earthquake just after arriving in Kyoto this afternoon. My luck really isn't great."
Hearing her sister's amused tone, Yukino Yukinoshita tried to maintain her composure, but being in the darkness made her voice tremble slightly despite her efforts.
"Why... exactly did you come to Kyoto?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Haruno smiled, her lips curving as she replied in a charming, gentle voice.
"To date my little boyfriend, your future brother-in-law, of course. I haven't seen him since summer break started."
Yukino Yukinoshita's expression turned complicated at this, and she murmured,
"This situation is too strange. Could it be..."
"Isn't it obvious? It must be the work of evil spirits."
Hearing Haruno Yukinoshita say this with a light laugh, Yukino Yukinoshita's face grew even more troubled. She couldn't help but tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, steadying herself before speaking.
"You... you're not scared at all?"
"What's there to be afraid of? Are you really that scared?"
Yukino Yukinoshita frowned slightly at these words and let out a light hum.
"Hmph, it's just a power outage and a minor earthquake. Nothing to be afraid of."
"You're still so stubborn, little Yukino."
Haruno smiled, stood up and walked over. Ignoring Yukino's slight resistance, she pulled her into an embrace, stroking Yukino Yukinoshita's long hair as she spoke gently.
"There there, big sister will protect you."
"Hmph, who needs your protection? I'm not a child anymore."
"In my heart, you'll always be my adorable little sister who loves to act tough."
"You're not a psychic. Even if something really happened, you wouldn't be able to protect me, would you?"
Haruno Yukinoshita remained silent for a few seconds before replying with a smile.
"A sister's desire to protect her younger sister carries powerful strength. Don't underestimate me."
Just as Yukino Yukinoshita was about to respond, strange sounds began coming from outside the apartment door.
It sounded like...
Something was being dragged.
"That's..."
"Shh."
Haruno made a silencing gesture, quietly stood up and walked to the apartment door. She peered through the peephole to look outside.
The scene that met her eyes made her pupils contract in shock.
The originally clean, tidy corridor of the high-end apartment building was now covered in thick, sticky blood.
A strange figure - tall, dressed in ragged linen clothing, with pitch-black skin and hair covering its face - was pacing back and forth in the corridor.
Haruno's gaze drifted downward, and she saw something being dragged in the figure's hand, sliding along the floor.
Due to the dim lighting, it took her a while to clearly make out what it actually was.
The upper half of a human body.
Blood flowing from the severed waist of the corpse was the source that had completely stained the corridor floor into a crimson river.
Though horrified, Haruno maintained her composure without making a single sound. She simply turned around, walked back to Yukino Yukinoshita, lowered her voice and told her what she had seen.
After hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita also felt deep fear.
"This..."
Yukino Yukinoshita took deep breaths, forcibly maintaining her calm as she walked to the window and looked up at the sky outside.
Though dark clouds covered the bright moon, what shone through wasn't red light but the usual pure white radiance.
"It's not the Reverse World..."
As an internal member of the Supernatural Society, Yukino Yukinoshita had memorised all important intelligence. Though she had never personally entered the Reverse World, she knew its most typical characteristics were drifting masses of black fog and a red moon in the sky.
Since she and Haruno hadn't entered the Reverse World but could still see that evil spirit-like creature, it meant the being wasn't the type that had merged with a Gate, but rather one occupying a human body that could ignore the laws of observation.
Just as Yukino Yukinoshita was thinking about what to do, a sudden knocking sound interrupted her thoughts.
Tap tap tap tap.
At first, it was just a light knocking.
But when it sounded again, it was like someone was pounding on the door.
Bang bang bang bang!
Yukino Yukinoshita stared at the security door of the apartment, her entire body feeling as if it had been plunged into an icy abyss. Her thoughts came to a complete standstill at that moment.