"Takehito, today the clan has assigned us a mission to Nagatoro River. There have been reports from locals that a man-eating water monster has appeared there. After breakfast, we will depart at 9 o'clock..."

I felt a hand patting my shoulder.

"Takehito."

"Oh, right. The water monster, yeah," I replied, a bit flustered.

Yang scanned me from head to toe with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Are you okay? You look like you've been in a daze since yesterday. What happened?"

I scratched my head, trying to avoid Yang's gaze by turning my face away, pretending to adjust my clothes.

"Nothing much, I just had a nightmare."

Yang looked at me for a moment longer before walking away.

"Okay. So after breakfast in the dining room, come to the Armory. I'll give you a few things you need for self-defense."

I sighed and headed to the cafeteria. I had steamed buns and Lanzhou noodles. Although the food looked delicious, I could hardly taste anything due to my numbed sense of taste. My mind was no longer on the food. I quickly swallowed my breakfast and went to the place Yang had arranged.

"Since this will be your first mission, it's better to be well-prepared. We don't want to lose our partner on the first day of the mission. Here, put this on," Yang said, handing me a fish-scale armor that looked like what soldiers wore in ancient times.

I followed his instructions and, after a bit of fumbling, managed to put the armor on. It looked quite ridiculous, I thought. But if it kept me safe, then it was all fine by me.

"What's wrong?" I noticed Yang still staring at me.

"Nothing," he turned away, a few coughs escaping his mouth, "Just that you look a bit like you're made of clay."

Saying that, Yang tossed me a small bronze dagger, "This is for self-defense, in case you get attacked unexpectedly."

I looked at the dagger. This would be my first weapon. Its blade could fold in, and when I pressed the latch on the side, the blade would spring out. I tucked it into my pocket.

"I have everything I need now. Let's go."

We climbed into the sleek, black limousine, resembling the one I had used to get here. "This will be my first mission," I thought. A feeling of excitement mixed with anxiety welled up in my chest, making it hard to breathe. Feeling the knife pressing against my right pocket, I tried to reassure myself.

"According to our sources, the creature at the river has left traces of the Hyakkiyakou youkai. They say it could be a Kappa, Yamawaro, Wanyūdō, or Nure-onna. But even so, there's a possibility it could be another youkai or something beyond the Hyakkiyakou."

"Yang," I spoke up. "Do you think I can do this? This..."

"That depends on you," Yang replied.

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"Huh?" I looked at Yang, surprised by the answer that didn't match what I had imagined.

"Whether you can or not doesn't depend on me. If you think you can do it, then even if I say you can't, you'll still believe you can. And vice versa."

The car pulled over, slowly stopping next to what looked like a small forest.

"Don't ask others if you can do it. That will make you rely on their beliefs and lose trust in yourself."

With that, Yang jumped out of the car. I hesitated for a moment, then jumped out after him.

Yang spoke to the two escorts.

"Jack, Violet, please request for permission and set up a boundary around this river and lake area."

The two guards bowed in obedience and left.

As we crossed through the small forest of mixed green and red leaves, we approached the bank of the Nagatoro River. A cool breeze carried the scent of damp earth and dry grass, surrounding us. The clear water rippled gently, continuously lapping at the shore. A low wooden fence separated the riverbank from where we stood.

Yang took a yellow piece of paper, covered in strange symbols, from his pocket and tossed it inside the wooden fence. As soon as it hit the ground, the paper burst into flames, turning to ash in an instant.

"Anything dwelling beneath this river has claimed the river as its territory. Intruders will be punished."

I looked down at the clear water reflecting the white clouds in the sky. Is there really a monster down there? It seemed rather peaceful compared to the lairs of youkai in my imagination.

"Takehito. You go first."

"Me? Are you sure it won't snap me in half the moment I step in?"

"Don't worry, you're well-equipped. Besides, if you stand behind, it'll be easier for me to support you."

I swallowed hard, lifting my foot to step over the fence. The wet ground beneath my feet felt soft, as if it would throw me off balance if I wasn't careful. I slowly crept to the water's edge, peering down warily.

"Yang, I don't see anything!"

Yang pondered for a moment, then stepped back into the forest, leaving me in a state of panic.

"What are you doing? Are you leaving me here alone?"

"No, I'm just giving it some space. It might sense my presence, which is why it's not showing itself."

I turned back to the water, feeling a bitter irony within me. So it was because I was too weak that I was being used as bait.

After about ten seconds, the surface of the water, which had been rippling, suddenly became suspiciously calm. I continued to stare at the river, ready to jump aside if something unexpected burst forth. My anxious heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest. All sounds and the wind seemed to come to a halt.

Then, a head emerged from the middle of the river.

"A head...?"

I barely had time to think that before the head swiftly cut through the water, darting toward me like a wild beast spotting its prey. I rolled to the side to avoid it.

The head revealed itself to be that of a gigantic snake with the face of a woman.

"STAY...AWAY...FROM...MY...RIVER!"

The snake-headed woman hissed fiercely, then slithered toward me at a terrifying speed. Its sharp fangs and forked tongue filled me with dread.

"YANG? WHAT THE HELL SHOULD I DO ABOUT THIS CREEPY SHIT?!"

Turning around, I saw Yang casually perched on a branch, observing everything from a distance with a surprisingly calm expression.

"You tell me."

"HUH? I know you're a funny guy Yang, but it's not that great of a timing to pull a joke to my face at this moment. Come and help me out!"

Yang crossed his arms and replied firmly.

"Takehito. Stop relying on others. You need to find confidence in yourself."