Looking at the talisman glowing faintly in the palm of her hand, Umaru froze on the spot, her entire body stiff with disbelief.
Her mind instantly replayed a memory from a year ago—her brother's lazy yet playful voice echoing in her ears.
"Oi, Umaru, this talisman was made by your amazing big brother himself," Gojo Satoru had said with a grin, waving it in front of her face. "Don't ask what kind of paper or ink is used —it's top class! So you'd better carry it everywhere you go. Whether you're shopping, going to school, or even sneaking out for snacks, keep it with you. If danger ever comes, this thing will protect you. Hehe… see? Your brother's thoughtful, right?"
Back then, Umaru had only rolled her eyes. But now—staring at the barrier shining around them, shielding everyone from the monstrous Kegare—her lips trembled as she whispered to herself.
"…Brother…"
Her chest ached.
Her brother… he definitely wasn't just some ordinary man.
"Little girl… you are…"
The voice pulled her back. A female Onmyoji, injured and leaning against another, gazed at Umaru with wide, shaken eyes. The talisman's power was unmistakable—the barrier covering them all was radiating from that single charm in the girl's hand.
But looking at Umaru's expression, it was clear she didn't even understand its true power.
"I… I don't know why it became like this," Umaru whispered, biting her lip and shaking her head.
Though she had already suspected her brother's secret identity, she refused to say that the talisman came from him.
The female Onmyoji didn't press further.
At thirty years old, she had enough experience to know when someone wasn't lying. The girl truly didn't understand—but she must know who gave it to her. Still… was it worth forcing the truth? Especially when whoever had created this charm might be an Onmyoji far beyond their level?
And more importantly—the fact remained. This small girl's talisman had just saved all of their lives.
Outside the barrier, hideous Kegare slammed against the light, screeching in fury. The air reeked of miasma and blood, yet despite their fear, everyone inside felt their lungs ease for the first time. Relief spread through the group like a fragile flame.
Every eye turned to Umaru. Or rather—toward the talisman in her trembling hand.
"Umaru… that amulet, it's not…"
The familiar voice made her flinch—
Kirara Hoshino, her closest friend, rushed toward her, burgundy eyes flicking nervously between Umaru's face and the talisman. Her lips parted as if to ask, but the words caught in her throat.
As Umaru's best friend, Kirara knew exactly who had given her the charm. But no one—had expected it to wield such terrifying power.
Umaru, catching her friend's gaze, only shook her head in confusion.
Her expression seemed to say: "I don't know either."
"This amulet… was it given by your brother?"
The sudden whisper at her ear startled her. She turned, only to find Shirakawa Shiroha, leaning close with curious eyes.
Umaru nearly dropped the talisman in shock.
"Eh?! How do you know?"
Shiroha smirked mischievously, sticking out her tongue.
"Just a lucky guess. Didn't think I'd be right~. Don't worry, I won't tell."
Her tone was playful, but her eyes lingered on the glowing charm with a mixture of awe and unease.
Gojo-sensei… just what are you hiding?
Before Umaru could respond—
ROOOAAAR!!
The barrier shook violently. The horrific screeches of Kegare echoed all around, shaking the hearts of those who had begun to relax.
Countless filthy monsters battered the glowing walls, trying to break through with tooth, claw, and miasma.
Everyone nerve tensed again.
Hands pressed together. Silent prayers whispered to God.
Onmyoji tried to focus, bandaging wounds and calming the civilians, though their own faces were pale.
Still—the aura radiating from the talisman's barrier was so overwhelming that they knew even a true snake-level Kegare would struggle to pierce it.
They just had to hold out. Help would come.
Or so they thought—
BOOM. BOOM.
The sound of massive footsteps silenced even the Kegare's shrieks. The miasma parted as an enormous figure emerged from the haze.
A giant Kegare, towering over fifty meters, clad in blood-red Sengoku-era samurai armor, its body covered in glowing curse seals.
The survivors gaped in horror.
"That… that's…"
"What a monster!"
"Is this their king…?"
"Look! The other Kegare moved aside for it…!"
Fear spread like wildfire. Even the Onmyoji stiffened, their faces losing all color. The suffocating energy radiating from the creature left no doubt—this was a true snake-level Kegare at its peak.
The barrier flickered.
People's breaths quickened.
And then—
Two voices suddenly rang out.
"Ohhh~ Sengoku Samurai, huh? Pretty stylish. I kinda want that armor. Imagine me cosplaying in it—though this one's way too big. Hahaha!"
"…Oi, Gojo. Didn't you notice? That Kegare looks ready to start jumping."
"Jump? Please."
"Seriously… I can't get along with you."
"Of course not. You're a middle-aged divorcé, while I'm eternally Twenty. We're on different levels~."
"…You… really deserve a punch."
"Yeah, but you can't beat me."
"You—!"
"You. Can't. Beat. Me."
"…Tch."
The voices echoed casually, as if mocking the life-or-death tension around them.
The crowd froze, black lines practically forming over their heads. Who the hell was bantering at a time like this?!
But two people recognized those voices instantly.
Umaru. And Kirara.
Their eyes widened.
"…That's—"
"…Onii-chan…!"
The voice belonged to Gojo Satoru.
...
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