Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 141

 In the past few days, the youkai had sensed the increasing commotion in the "Doku Noroi Fuka Hayashi" or the Silent Curse Deep Forest. Especially, a few days ago, the sweet and fragrant aroma had lured youkai from all over the forest, and most of them never returned alive.

 As a result of this massacre, a power vacuum had emerged in the deep forest. Although "Doku Noroi Fuka Hayashi" was still vast, it was densely populated with youkai. In reality, it was a place where youkai constantly preyed on each other, a harsh and ruthless cycle of survival.

 The number of youkai eliminated by Onitsuki's princess had exceeded five thousand, mostly consisting of small youkai and young youkai. However, there were also hundreds of medium youkai and several great youkai among them. With their demise, what would happen next was evident: the flow would continue.

 As the "Silent Curse Deep Forest" became an empty zone rather than an unpopulated one, youkai from the surrounding crowded areas flowed in. First, low-tier youkai, defeated in fierce competition, followed by high-tier youkai trying to expand their territory in the vacant zone.

 Medium youkai, who had escaped from their usual habitats, ventured into this unfamiliar territory. Along the way, they devoured several small youkai and selected their new nests.

 They were in high spirits. They had not survived in the primeval forest for nothing. Even in the deepest parts of the forest, they had lived in fear, always on guard against being preyed upon. Now, they delighted in the role reversal as predators.

 '...!!?'

 Suddenly, they sensed a scent. Their senses, far sharper than those of humans, captured it. They instinctively ran toward it; it was almost a reflex. Even as medium youkai, they couldn't resist the temptation.

 They ran and ran, killing low-tier youkai who had also been drawn by the scent along the way. They found it: a bamboo water flask.

 They hadn't survived in the primeval forest for nothing. They remained vigilant, not only around the open flask but also in its vicinity, checking for traps or ambushes. It seemed there were no problems.

 Slowly but surely, the youkai closed in, observing the bamboo flask. They saw what was inside, extended their tongues, and began licking. They let their saliva flow while deftly moving their long tongues like whips over the surface of the liquid inside.

 Suddenly, they erupted in screams of surprise and awe. It was nectar. What an intense spiritual energy! It was like the taste of blood flowing from a great youkai they had savored decades ago, even sweeter! They couldn't believe such a magnificent thing existed in this world!

 It was akin to a drug. Once they tasted it, they could never forget. They took another sip, then another, each time immersing their tongues in the divine nectar. With each taste, they were enveloped in ecstasy, sighing in bliss, growling, and stupefied, surrendering themselves to happiness.

 'Roarrrr!'

 Then came a roar. The first intruder had appeared—a fellow medium youkai. Its large eyeballs swiveled around, and its gaze landed on what was there. It sensed what lay ahead. The first medium youkai to arrive was infuriated, not just by the intrusion but also by the blatant violation of its right to exclusively enjoy this divine feast.

 'Grrrrrrr!'

 It hissed and glared at the intruder, vying for control. Neither would yield; it was unthinkable. Before they could clash, a great youkai emerged from the side, determined to snatch the nectar away. It crushed the small youkai that had tried to steal the feast, causing chaos.

 Crunch, thump, thump. The great youkai, having tasted the appetizer, looked toward the main course—the bamboo flask. Its gaze shifted to the medium youkai, then back to the great youkai.