Kusamonogatari

Volume 1 Chapter 4

Chapter 4:Marked by death?

We passed by a military base and reached a village that supports them. There were rice fields that stretch all the way to the horizon before entering the village. They were planting various crops and reared poultry at a scale incomparable to Sike Mura. It's been a long time since i last bathed, Pekora told me that I smell and rushed me to clean myself up. Just when I thought that she's kind, I saw my reflection in the mirror...My face was scribbled and signed by her probably during my nap. After i went out, she was waiting outside with a smug look. With a small height difference, she stood on her toes to size herself up further.

"How was it, did you like it? pe↗ko pe↘ ko pe↙ko pe↖ko pe↗ko.."[Pekora]

"Very funny..." [Edge]

I managed to restrain my anger, and I decided to have a walk around the village. The village's buildings are similar to Sike Mura, the uncanny thing is that the beast folks here are doing the same thing villagers of Sike Mura did in daylight. They were huddling together in their homes with different expressions. The only different thing is that the outer walls of the village are made out of wood instead of the purple blocks.

Night came and we sat together and ate a good meal at last. After this, we'll be going back to rations, everyone except Pekora.I decided to ask Miko about the difference and similarities i found in this village.

"Mikochi, why are the villagers all huddled together in their homes and never greeted us? "

"Mm? Oh that's becaus-"[ELITE Miko]

"It's because of what she did!! HA↘HA↗HA↘HA↗HA↘" [Pekora]

"OF COURSE NOT!!! FAQ!!!" [ELITE Miko]

"There you finally said it! HA↘HA↗HA↘HA↗HA↘, we have a kid here did you forgot?" [Pekora]

"YABE !!"[ELITE Miko]

Miko is exhaling very quickly when facing the predicament. Then suddenly she stops and looks at me.

"Okay listen Edge, FAQ means I love you and nothing else ok? "[Elite miko]

I was expecting her to answer Pekora's allegation but it seems that FAQ is a word more important than her reputation. Maybe it means a lot to express love using the word?

"Back to your question *cough cough*, it's because they believe someone would die. For death has come to this village. They simply hope to spend their last with their loved ones. " [ELITE Miko]

I looked towards Calli, she seemed unperturbed by that statement and just continued drinking. This made me remember what Miko said when we first met.

"Is that why you think we are going to kill her?"[ELITE Miko]

"I'm sorry, I know it has been ages since that ever happened but when it comes to her I just couldn't sit still."[ELITE Miko]

"It's fine, it's part of the job."[Calli]

The topic swerved into an apology, but it did answer my first question.

"Mikochi, why are the walls here different from the dark purplish blocks at Sike Mura?" [Edge]

"Ohh now we're talking, wooden walls are cheap to repair and build while able to defend monster attacks to a certain degree." [ELITE Miko]

"And the purple walls are called obsidian, and they are used to defend against a certain pesky rabbit."[ELITE Miko]

Miko and I looked at the dissatisfied Pekora.

"Pekora's TNT Cannon will burst through that wall of yours one day peko! "[Pekora]

"Your TNT can't destroy my walls, you should realize that already you idiot. Pu~kusu~kusu~kusu."[ELITE Miko]

Miko seemingly won the argument and I went ahead to question her ability.

"Mikochi, what's your ability?" [Edge]

"The one everyone already knows, for instance, I could predict the future."[ELITE Miko]

"EH!! How? Can you show me?" [Edge]

I was excited to know that she may be able to read my future.

"Well, I can't show it but I can tell you that you do have a death flag."[Elite Miko]

"What?" [Edge]

"You're going to die. But don't panic, it might be because of the mark." [ELITE Miko]

"What? What mark?[Edge]

"Calli..."[Elite Miko]

Miko seemingly touched a subject that she thinks needed Calli's approval.

"I gave you a mark, it helps uh.. warding off things." [Calli]

"It stinks" [Pekora]

"You see, it's working already." [Calli]

"Do you smell it too Miko?" [Edge]

"No, I smell nothing but I could feel it." [ELITE Miko]

I feel conflicted but I'm guessing that Calli is trying to help me by putting the mark on me.

"So I'm not going to die?" [Edge]

"Not if she's around peko." [Pekora]

"Ok, thanks I guess." [Edge]

"Oh, you're welcomed." [Calli]

I figured I had already asked all my questions, thus I excused myself from the table.

"Thanks for the meal, good night everyone." [Edgelord]

"You sure you don't want to stay up a little bit longer Edge?" [Calli]

I'm surprised that Calli was the one to ask me to stay with them longer. I already achieved my objective so I guess there's no harm in listening to their conversations.

"Don't mind if I do then." [Edge]

Miko talked about how she went from a shrine maiden into a dragon slayer and pekora chimed in saying Miko killed the dragon with her fists. Miko was embarrassed by what pekora said, then Pekora properly introduced herself as Usada Pekora, the princess of Pekoland. She rebuilt pekoland on the Human continent Clover where we came from. Famous for its unethical businesses, construction, and technological research explained by Miko. What makes it scary for me is that she didn't even try to defend against any allegations Miko made. It was entertaining to listen to their stories and I kept going even though I was really tired. I laid the upper half of my body on the table and kept listening to the story of how Miko burnt down her house until I finally fell asleep.

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