Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 83

　Blood sprayed through the air. A figure crumpled to the ground. The dying monster cackled with glee. I witnessed it all.

　Powerless, I watched the gruesome scene unfold before me.

　"!! You *#&@!!"

　I understood everything, and simultaneously lashed out at the youkai weasel, punching with all my might driven by anger.

　But the youkai, with their partially charred body, easily slipped through my impulsive attack. In fact, my attack was so rash that it made it even easier to avoid.

　Still, I had fulfilled the minimum requirement of separating the youkai from the girls.

　"Tamaki!! Take Iruka and run away... D*mn it, is it impossible!?"

　I'm about to shout at the main character who has just appeared here recklessly, but I take it back immediately.

　"Eh... ah... auhh...?"

　Tamaki was clearly shaken and confused, and my words didn't reach her. She only held her fallen friend and shielded her. She even didn't notice the red streaks on her cheeks or the dark stain spreading across her white robe.

　Even if she had heard me, she wouldn't have been able to follow my words. After all, she saw Iruka's stomach spilling out its contents. It was impossible to stuff them back inside her and it was too dangerous for an amateur to try.

　...And I had no time to go to her either.

　Because while my attention was diverted, I could hear the excitement in the weasel's voice. "Haha, there's an opening!!" and the weasel lunged forward. I quickly blocked their attack, feeling the force of their sickle against my arm. "Tch, you deadbeat!!?" I sneered in response, frustrated by the weasel's persistent attacks.

　Despite their injuries, the weasel moved with a feral speed. This guy was clearly aiming for a mutual kill. "D*mn it! Can you just die quietly!?" I taunted. Seriously, this guy is troublesome...!!

　"Kukuku... No, no, it's too lonely to go on a journey of death alone, isn't it!?" The weasel's words dripped with sarcasm. "They say it's better to have company on a journey and kindness in the world!!"

　In response, I gritted my teeth at its insolence. "What kindness...!"

　We exchange taunts in response to each other's abuse, and our blows clashed, the sound of metal ringing through the forest. The weasel's sickle and my claws intersected, sending sparks flying. I glanced behind the weasel and saw the wounded wolf retreating. Meanwhile, the remaining small fry youkai were closing in on us.

　I know what they want. The exorcists will be here soon anyway. Even if they try to escape, they will only be captured and destroyed if they run away all at once. So, they must have decided to let the "Okuri-okami" escape as bait, while leaving decoys and guards in the village.