From the day she was born,
Natsume Reiko was a little different from her peers.
She was born able to see things that ordinary people couldn't.
And due to the death of both her parents, she could only live with relatives.
Reiko, who was already unwelcome, also had a habit of speaking nonsense.
She always said she could see Yokai, and sometimes she would talk to herself.
The adults, unable to bear the torment, regarded her as a jinx.
All her relatives disliked Reiko immensely.
She was tossed back and forth like a ball by her relatives.
From childhood, she never had a stable environment.
After entering high school, her relatives even urged her to
finish her studies quickly, find a job, and learn to be self-reliant!
If it was like this at home, at school, she was even more alone!
She had no friends... she couldn't fit into any circle... the only thing that gave her peace was that she had met a good teacher.
That homeroom teacher always put on a stern demeanor.
But in reality, she was gentler than anyone else, like an angel.
The girl respected her... because this was the only care the lonely girl could receive.
Later... Reiko, unable to live harmoniously with humans,
to vent her stress, forcibly challenged every Yokai she met to a duel.
She possessed powerful Yokai energy, defeating her opponents almost by torture.
To make the defeated Yokai uphold their promise to be her friends,
Reiko made them write their names on white paper.
Gradually... Reiko defeated more and more Yokai... and these papers with names written on them became the Book of Friends.
The friends and happiness Reiko longed for in the human world,
eventually blossomed miraculously among the Yokai.
Though bittersweet, it was her happiness.
Until today... Reiko's happiness was cruelly trampled.
She was furious, having always backed down, but this time she didn't want to run!
She wanted to become a hero challenging destiny, even if it meant being an enemy to the whole world!
..."It seems... you are the culprit, aren't you!"
"Why... did you do this!"
Reiko raised the tree branch in her hand, like a hero raising a sword of salvation.
Her gaze was fearless, looking up at the powerful enemy in the sky!
And her actions scared the Mountain God beside her so much that she immediately collapsed to the ground.
A misunderstanding!
A huge misunderstanding!
This one in the sky was not the old Master from last night!
Reiko inadvertently offended a God she shouldn't have provoked!
...Reiko's questioning also attracted the attention of the White-Faced Golden-Haired Nine-Tailed Fox.
A dazzling light flashed, and the giant Nine-Tailed Fox transformed into human form.
A stunning beauty in a blue robe floated in the sky with a smile.
"Hehehe..."
"To still maintain sanity under my pressure."
"You arrogant little brat, what is your name?"
The terrifying Fox Spirit floated above the shrine, asking the girl her name.
"Natsume Reiko!"
Reiko said with a firm expression, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Natsume... Reiko..."
That terrifying Fox Spirit, upon hearing this name,
touched her chin, as if contemplating something.
"Heh..."
"So... you are Natsume Reiko."
"Fate, truly wonderful beyond words..."
The Fox Spirit revealed a profound smile, her captivating eyes narrowing into charming crescent moons.
She looked down at Reiko, her beautiful eyes shifting, plotting some wicked scheme.
"Gulp..."
Reiko swallowed with difficulty, soothing her dry throat.
Her Yokai energy was not on the same level as the opponent's at all!
It was like the light of a mere firefly facing the bright moon in the sky!
A Great Yokai like this only needed to gently blow a breath of Yokai energy,
and the entire back mountain would be turned into a hell of corpses strewn everywhere!
...The atmosphere was as heavy as shackles.
It oppressed everyone, all the Yokai, making them breathless.
As the leader of this land, the Mountain God finally stepped forward!
"M-Master!"
"May I ask what brings you here, what are your commands?"
"Whatever your command, we will do our best to fulfill it!"
The Mountain God respectfully knelt on the ground, fawning and flattering.
At the same time... she also signaled with her eyes for Reiko to quickly kneel, so as not to anger this Master!
"Dispense with the formalities..."
"I am here for only one thing..."
"My Master will be camping in the back mountain tonight."
"I want all of you Yokai to do your utmost to please him."
"But there is one point, you must not let him perceive this matter."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
The Fox Spirit floating in mid-air commanded with authority.
"Understood!"
"This humble god understands!"
"This humble god is perfectly clear about your command, Master!"
The Mountain God rubbed her hands, kneeling on the ground, fawning and smiling obsequiously.
"Heh... you're quite sensible..."
"If you do well, I will spare her life..."
"Otherwise, all the Yokai on this mountain will be buried with her!"
The Fox Spirit in the sky used her vast magical power to transmit her voice into the mind of every single Yokai!
That fierce command was like demonic music entering their ears!
Making all the Yokai cry out, clutching their heads, letting out mournful wails!
This was a very direct threat, warning the Yokai not to attempt to escape!
The Yokai who heard this voice had already been marked!
Even if they fled to the ends of the earth, they could still be crushed to dust!
At once... the Yokai had no other thoughts, to survive, they could only obediently accept their fate!
...Somewhere... a group of Yokai were holding a small meeting... "I've recently been watching a girl, her family runs a fishing tackle shop!"
A wriggling alien Yokai raised its hand and told its companions.
"I know where the slaughterhouse is, there should be top-grade Wagyu beef there!"
A woman eight feet tall also brainstormed.
"I know the location of the orchard, the fruits there are said to be very delicious!"
A woman wearing a mask also offered a suggestion.
"What else?"
"Is there anything else we need to prepare?"
"All of you think, what else is essential for camping!"
The panicked Yokai, in order to survive, put aside their grievances and gathered to discuss.
Suddenly... a giant floating head thought of someone... "Let's ask Reiko!"
"She's also human, so she should know what to prepare."
The giant-headed Yokai thought of Reiko, whom he had just seen, and suggested.
"That's right!"
"Reiko! We still have Reiko!"
"We're saved! We won't be annihilated!"