“Looks like you're at the end of your rope lad…” Said Daitengu.
“...Can you... help me…?” Ryohei asked, his voice barely above a whisper. His pleading eyes met Daitengu, but the old yokai’s expression didn’t soften.
Daitengu had already seen this coming. Of course, Ryohei would beg for help eventually. It was only natural. But Daitengu was a yokai with no human feelings and grew up in a dog-eat-dog world, he failed to understand pity.
No,” Daitengu replied coldly. “This is the only help you’ll get from me. Don’t expect more, you brat.”
Ryohei’s heart ached, as he heard it. Well, that is to be expected, he was just an entertainment for him. He had no real reason to help him… his expression turns sour as he had no other alternative to escape.
The words hit Ryohei like a blow. His heart sank, but deep down, he wasn’t surprised. To Daitengu, he was nothing more than a fleeting source of amusement. There was no real reason for him to help Ryohei. His expression turned grim as he realized he had no alternatives to escape.
“I’m sorry…” Shun said softly from behind him, “I should’ve held on longer…”
Ryohei turned to Shun, shaking his head. “No, it’s not your fault. It’s mine. I should’ve come sooner… I let you suffer through all of that… I’m so sorry.”
“No, it's not your fault… It's my fault, I should’ve come sooner. I let you suffer through all that... I am very sorry…”
A heavy silence settled over them until Daitengu spoke again, his tone sharper now.
“Listen to me lad, in this one-on-one match you’re not bound to go there unless your name is called. If you want to survive, your best chance is to consume them and recover as much as possible.”
As he pointed at the two yokai besides Ryohei. The Kawauso trembled violently, tears welling in its wide, terrified eyes, while the Koropokkuru stood still with her innocent expression, as she remained calm and didn't understand the dire situation, she's in.
----------------------------------------
‘Me? Consuming… them? But…’
I froze, staring at them. Kawauso was trembling, its small body quivered, and its wide, terrified eyes bore into mine as if begging for mercy.
I could feel my heart pounding like a war drum. My stomach churned at the thought.
‘They’re just like me… Dragged here against their will. Powerless to change their fate. And forced to go along with this cruel current…’
The Koropokkuru tugged lightly at his trousers, her tiny face filled with curiosity, a painful reminder of his little sisters back home.
How could I?
“I…” My voice cracked. The words wouldn’t come out. I clenched my fists so tightly my nails bit into my palms.
Daitengu’s voice rang out again, cold and impatient. “What are you waiting for? Just get it over with.”
My body refused to move. My legs felt like they were made of lead, rooting me in place as I stared at the two yokai. But the thought alone made me want to vomit. These weren’t just yokai—they were living, breathing beings. They had their own fears, their will to survive… they're just like humans.
I gritted my teeth, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. But I shut it and wipe my eyes. After a deep breath, my mind was at ease, I decided which path I would take…
This was for survival…
It was for them, and for me as well…
“No…”
Daitengu twitched at my answer, “What did you say? Brat?”
“I said no, I will not consume them…”
Daitengu tried to hold his laughter, his expression twisted into a mocking grin. “Pffft, then what are you going to do with them?”
“...I'll spare them… and release them.”
Daitengu asked in a sarcastic way, “Release? them?”
Daitengu’s laughter erupted, loud and scornful, “Hahaha! You naive moron, you'd rather save them than save your life!?”
I remain silent as I stare at him without flinching. I stood tall, as my eyes filled with quiet determination.
Daitengu clicked his tongue, as his mood soured. “Fine then, if you're so eager to die, then go ahead and die, brat.”
He turned away and spread his wings, as he flapped away, leaving a storm of dust behind.
“... Are you fine with this?” asked Shun.
“...Yeah, to him I was just an entertainment to him, no matter how much I suck up to him, he won't help me… and even if I do what he said, there's no guarantee that I’d survive my next fight.”
Shun stood there in silence, furrowed his brow, confused. “But wouldn’t recovering at least give you a better chance? Have you given up?”
“...No, I haven't given up yet.”
“Then why? Why take such a risk?”
I stood there, trying to pick the appropriate word for him to understand.
“Because I'm a human.” Shun failed to understand him. “Human? What does that have to do with anything?” Seeing his confused face I continued.
“Humans have this thing they call Compassion; it is the feeling that makes us humans want to help others who suffered."
“Seems like a hassle to me…” Shun Muttered
When I heard him, I couldn't help but smile. “Then what were you doing back then? You tried to help me, even though it nearly cost you everything. What was that for?”
Shun's eyes widened in surprise, as if he didn't expect to be asked like that.
“That was… uh…” He was lost for words, I walked closer and bumped my fist onto his chest, “That is also compassion, I don't know what you went through, you're a half human. Being raised as a Yokai doesn't necessarily make you numb to human feelings.”
Kawauso held my leg and cried, screaming his thanks and gratitude. Koropokkuru, who doesn't understand what's going on, was doing the same thing and hugged my leg.
Witnessing that scene made me warm inside, and I believe Shun, who also witnessed that, felt something from it…
----------------------------------------
Daitengu was displeased, and as soon as he left, he made his way back to his clan's gathering.
“Finally, you decided to show up, huh?” said a yokai, flying closer towards Daintegu. He has a crow-like face and human -like body, and he wears haori similar to the one Daitengu wears. Daitengu's expression deteriorated once he saw him.
“What, I can’t go anywhere on my own now?” Said Daitengu, protesting his decision.
“Not that, you ARE the clan's leader, what were you thinking, goofing around by yourself. You’re setting a bad example for future leaders.”
“Hah! Not my problem, it’s a you problem that you haven’t found anyone good enough to replace me, it looks like I’ll be the leader for another hundred or two.” Daitengu laughed sarcastically.
“And perhaps it would be good that during your reign, you actually do some real work.”
“Since when does the General of the Kotengu faction have the authority to tell the clan leader what to do?”
“Funny, the last time I remember you, you’re just a troublemaker from the third rate Karasu team. Look at you now, flaunting your authority.”
Both of them were silent as they stared at each other, then laughter erupted. They appear to be friends from old times. Daitengu chats some more with him while drinking, as he relief his frustration from before.
"How are you doing? How's the trip to the South going?" Ask Daitengu, curious.
"Screw you, I'm on my day off and you force me to do this crap, I need refreshment... Gimme that!"
As he snatched the drink from Daitengu's hand and drank it, his bird beak made it harder for him to drink.
*Sigh...
"When will you wear your crimson mask and ascend, you'll be even more powerful."
"And turn into a red long nosed ugly like you? No thanks!" Karasu Tengu grinned as he threw that insult.
"Why you, bird brain!" They hustle around, creating dust as they fight, even though both of them are elderly yokai, they fought like a kid.
Both of them laughed again and continued their conversation... Until they got interrupted by someone.
“Hey, I have advanced to the third round.” Said Yoruka, Daitengu congratulated her, “Oh yeah, congratulations.” She glared at him before giving him a piece of her mind.
“You better keep your promise. Once I win the whole thing, you’ll give me that item. ”
Daitengu sighs and agrees,“Alright alright, a deal is a deal. I’ll give it to you once you win.”
Yoruka leaves them without a word of farewell.
“That little lass definitely lacks some manners,” Said Daitengu as he narrowed his eyes.
“Considering what you did to his father… that’s not a surprise.”
After that they continued their conversation until he was interrupted by yet another person, “Lord Daitengu… someone is here to see you...”
*Sighed
“Who was it? Tell him I’m busy.” Said Daitengu, unbothered by a sudden request without any heads-up.”
“It’s one of the participants, Kamaitachi, that made a fuss in the first round.”
Daitengu froze, he grinned as he rose and asked where he was.
“Well, what are you here for, lad. Did you finally realize your mistake and come to apologize? You oughta listen to me more.”
Ryohei eyebrows twitched as he listened to him. “No... I’m not.”
Daitengu was irritated as he turned and was about to leave.
“Please wait, I want to make a deal.” Ryohei lowered his head to the ground, prostrating before him. He was desperate.
Daitengu clicked his tongue, as he had seen tons of Yokai that did the same thing. Prostrating while begging for help to save their lives. As soon as they are saved, they forget their gratitude. “Don’t bother asking, brat. I’ve already told you; I won’t save you.”
“Not me… for those two…”
Daitengu was confused, his eyebrow raised as he waited.
“...If the off chance that I died tonight… My opponents are most likely to consume me, and even if I’ve already pardoned them both, my opponent will find another way to claim both of them as his, but if you were the one who’s in charge of them, he’d think twice before he was trying to oppose you. So please… just until Hyakki Yagyo ends, you can release them afterward.”
Daitengu snicker, “You’re a fool.” Daitengu had said, his tone dripping with disdain. “Do you really think you can win with that mess of a body? You’re awfully arrogant, you can just shut up and do as I say, and you might win against your opponent. Yet you decided to ditch your own well being for those two weaklings? What’s the point of such nobility when it leads to your own death?”
Ryohei had stood firm, his gaze unwavering. “Even if I die, I won’t abandon them... They’re just like me, an innocent yokai that got accidentally dragged here against their own will.”
“What a foolish take, I can’t understand your line of thinking!”
“That’s fine… you don’t have to. That’s what makes us different, as a yokai you might see it as a preposterous act… but for me, as human. I see that as the right thing to do, so please… just this once.
Daitengu scoffed at him, “Hah, you humans are good with words. But you forgot one thing… Why should I do that? A deal is between something of equal value, you have nothing that you can offer me.”
“Actually, I do… I’ll entertain you one last time, I have no intention of losing, but even if I’d lose… I’ll fight till the end… Aren't you entertained when watching me fight? Don’t worry, no matter how dire or strong my opponent is, I’ll make sure the crowd gets their entertainment... and so will you.”
Daitengu had tilted his head, studying me with an expression somewhere between amusement and irritation. “You’re an odd one, lad.”
The quiet atmosphere grows as it’s getting intense, Ryohei stares at him as he waits for Daitengu's decision.
“Sure, whatever brat. It’s not like it cost me anything, be sure to tell Mujina lad to bring the two of them over here.”
Hearing that made him felt relieved as his eyes felt watery from gratitude, Ryohei bowed once again and thanked Daitengu.
“Thank you, sir,…” then he turned and left.
Daitengu sighed, he returned to his friend and restarted their conversation. “Where were we?" Then his expression suddenly got serious. “Then? What about the thing I asked for?”
Karasu Tengu who was jolly and joking with him instantly follows, “Yes I did, I got everything you wanted to know.”
“And the result is?”
“Positive, there’s someone scheming behind this current Hyakki Yagyo, purposely targeting the heir and representative of each clan that might be the black horse on this Hyakki Yagyo. As a result, many non-battle yokai got dragged into tonight's Hyakki Yagyo.
“And the casualty?”
“Their target that we have confirmed to be dead was… Young master of the Tanuki Clan, Heir of the Hebi Clan, and the heir of Inugami Clan.”
Some of the victims that got dragged into Hyakki Yagyo are, Kodama the tree spirit yokai, Kawauso the river otter yokai, Gyokuto the jade rabbit yokai, Koropokkuru the Ainu tribe spirit and...”
Daitengu sighed, as if knowing the next part was. “A Human.”
“Excuse me?” Said Karasu tengu, as he didn’t understand what Daitengu meant.
“A human was also one of its victims.”
“.... Don’t joke around, I’m being serious here. You set the rules not to joke during serious talk.”
“I am not joking either… I wish I was; I met him a moment ago.”
“But… how?”
Daitengu sighed as he explained his encounter.
Karasu tengu was astonished, but he knew Daitengu well enough that he was not someone who made something up.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Such thing possible?” Said Karasu Tengu, bewildered by Daitengu findings.
“Keep your voice down, this sort of information will be deemed dangerous for those who greed for power.”
“You have my words…”
“Well then… Do you know what their purpose is? I assume it's not just to win Hyakki Yagyo, as their method was extreme and excessive if their purpose was just to cut the number of strong participants and win the Hyakki Yagyo.”
“I believe it's for publicity.”
“That’s it? Why now? Why not the previous Hyakki Yagyo or far before that.”
“It is precisely because of the participants of tonight Hyakki Yagyo. In the current Hyakki Yagyo has each heir, representative or the genius from each of the five out of six greatest yokai clans gathered.”
Karasu tengu continued as he sipped his drink. “First is the Heir of the previous Oni clan's leader, then there’s Okuri Inu who became representative of the Ookami clan though they’ve already lost. There’s also the young Jorogumo who caught the attention of Madame Jorogumo. Shi, the Kitsune who got appointed as the future leader of the Kitsune clan, and Yoruka, the outstanding genius from our clan that will most likely be a prominent figure of our clan in the future.
“Yeah, I know that trivial thing, so skip to the point.” Said Daitengu, irritated by his roundabout talk.
“Well, what would happen if a participant from one of the greatest clans managed to beat the others? They would be deemed the strongest and most prominent out of all, since the power balance between us was stalemate for over a hundred years, it's not surprising that someone wanted to break the balance and start a war.”
“Are you implying the perpetrators were one of the six great clans!?”
“Not implying, I do have proof… I interrogated some of the yokai that were tasked to hunt down the young miss from Gyokuto, the jade rabbit clan.”
So, which one was it…
“The Oni clan.” Karasu Tengu said confidently.
----------------------------------------
“Please use this sir, this is everything I have, use them to recover.”
Kawauso provided me with the basket he was carrying that was full of spiritual herbs.
As I saw the so-called spiritual herbs, it's appearance doesn't seems all that different from a wild ginseng, leek and wild grass roots.
But shun convinced me that it was pretty good stuff for recovering, I trusted them as I ate all of it raw, the taste is… let's just say interesting. Definitely way better than raw meat.
I focused on recovering as Nurarihyon called the participants one by one, Mikoshi Nyudo against Shi, Wanyudo against Yoruka, each and every one of them surrendered. As they realize the power difference between them.
Then the third comes my turn...
“Third match, Kamaitachi against… Young master of the Oni Clan, you have a few minutes to prepare yourself, if you’re ready head to the center immediately.”
When he heard it, Shun's heart skips a beat, he taps on my shoulder who was leaning against a tree, resting. I opened my eyes and rose, my body still hurt a little, but I had no choice.
“Well then, this might be a farewell… let’s meet in the next life.” as I try to crack a joke, but none of them understand.
“Goodbye.” As I turned around and headed towards the center, like a prey that heads to a lion den on its own.”
Not long before the round start, on the edge of the forest on the opposing side, an Oni was eating a meat drum as he laughed. a Female oni appeared behind him as she stroked his head.
“Are you enjoying yourself? have you recovered?” Her appearance is similar to oni, she has red skin, but her figure is more slender than muscular, she has a long claw as weapon, a Kijo is what people often call her.
“Yes mother, last fight was just a stress relief for me, my opponents are a coward that didn’t even try to fight back. It didn't hurt in any way.” Said the oni to the Kijo who appears to be his mother.
Kijo grinned as a vile smile appeared on her face, “Good, the plan has been progressing well so far… I have set up the stage for you my child, now… all you have to do is go out there and wreck everything in your way.”
“Do we really need to keep a secret from him? Even if he’s like that, he's the current head, he might have some use.”
Her face turned cynical as her eyes narrowed, “Don’t ever mention that again… he was just a block head with nothing but brawns, even if he knew, he’d just reject them. Don’t bother with him and focus on gaining all the glory.”
“Alright… aside from that, Mother… today is my coming of age, and I have some other request…” As his hands slid on her arms, down to her waist and her bottom, his eyes glanced around her body with interest.
Kijo giggles as she moves his hands away, “Of course you can, but not me. I’m your mother.”
Getting rejected, he pulls his hands away and hugs her from behind, “But so far I haven’t found any other woman that is as fine as you…”
“How about I kidnap some human woman for you?” said Kijo, asking her son.
But the young oni immediately backs away, as if displeased with her suggestion. “Don’t joke around mother, it may have been a tempting offer for other Oni, but not me. Humans are just livestock, and for me who was destined to become the supreme ruler of Oni, you wouldn’t want your son to do it with mere livestock wouldn’t you?”
“Well, that is true… how about the girls from the great clan? You can pick, either the Jorogumo girl, or the Kitsune girl, or even the Half Tengu girl. We can kidnap one and force her to bear your child, how about it?”
Oni widened his eyes in shock, but without doubt that he was interested in her idea, “But wouldn’t it be difficult? It might lead to war between clans.”
“That is fine, war was inevitable. All we have to do is frame someone to start the war, and we will be the one doing the finishing touches. It is possible but it might take a while, so you have to be patient.” As Kijo smirks, a loud voice vibrates in the sky. Announcing, the young Oni turns to fight.
“Well then, it is my turn.” as he waved his hands and disappeared towards the center.
----------------------------------------
The crowd went wild as they saw the Oni that entered the ring, then I started walking closer.
Ryohei’s breathing is unsteady as he gets closer and closer, his towering figure getting bigger and more intimidating.
His palms sweated, imagining what would happen with him in this fight. The oni came and laughed.
“Haha, look who we have here. How was your friend?”
“Worse than ever, thanks to you,” The oni laughs, not long after, Nurarihyon comes closer and announces the beginning of the round.
“Both participants ready?” Ryohei nodded while Oni just grinning the whole time, “Round 3 of Festival of Blood, start!”
As soon as he started the match Ryohei dashed forward as he called for his Kamaitachi, “Raisen, Hikage!” both turn into a sickle as I circle him towards his back.
As he starts formulating a plan in his mind, ‘Having a head on confrontation with him might be a bad idea, I’ll attack him from the back!’
The oni just stood there, yawning. As Ryohei strengthens his grip and slashes the oni’s back.
‘!’
Ryohei felt a strong resistance, the wounds from his cut were too shallow. As if trying to cut a block of steel with a knife, refusing to believe that result, he did another barrage of slashes with all his strength, but all the wounds the oni receives are like papercut, it heals almost instantly.
“Guh!” Ryohei felt a painful sting contracted on his whole arm, he didn’t fully recover as his muscle and tendon screamed in pain, everytime he strengthened his grip, he felt tremendous pain all over his body. Preventing him from using his whole strength. Even holding a weapon was taxing for his arm.
He turned his head, and saw Oni swinging his hand, but Ryohei jumped instinctively, distancing himself away from his opponent.
“Are you done? It tickles.”
Ryohei growled in frustration, for him this is a fight for survival, but for the oni… this is just fooling around.
“You’re really annoying,” as the oni swung his hand, trying to slap Ryohei away, but he managed to evade it… almost.
His shoulder got caught by the back of his hand, in that instant I got blown away, I spun midair until I crashed into the hard ground. He immediately got up and locked my eyes on him, refusing to let him go out of his sight.
The crowd roared as the Oni's laughter echoed through the arena, mocking Ryohei’s futile slashes. Daitengu sat in the spectator's seat, one leg crossed over the other, watching with disinterest.
“Pathetic,” he thought as he observed Ryohei’s desperate attempts to land a meaningful blow. He was barely standing, his movements sluggish and uneven. Every attack looked more like an act of defiance than a true strike.
He leapt toward the Oni. His sickles flashed, aiming for the soft spots—behind the knees, under the arms—but every blow seemed to bounce off the Oni’s hardened skin.
Oni lets out a deafening roar and the bloodlust aura that terrorizes anyone who gets caught in it, Ryohei stands still as he is frozen in fear, then he starts trembling.
“That’s your limit brat… this is the end.” Daitengu closed his eyes and turned away, refusing to watch the rest of the match. And then…
“GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
Blood dripped from his hand where he had stabbed himself with his own sickle to steady his trembling grip. The pain sharpened his focus, pushing back the fear that overwhelmed him.
The Daitengu twitched, turning his gaze back towards Ryohei. His wings rustled as a wide grin spread across his face. “Still trying, are you? Foolish.”
The Oni roared, swinging its massive fist. Ryohei ducked at the last second, sliding between its legs and his sickle managed to land a shallow cut on his thighs.
Blood trickled—it was barely a scratch—but it was enough to make the Oni pause.
“Hah!” Daitengu barked a short laugh. “He’s barely doing any damage, but he’s not giving up. Idiot.”
But as the fight wore on, Daitengu found himself on his feet, his hands gripping the railing. Ryohei’s determination burned like a wildfire. Even when he was thrown across the arena, crashing into the ground with a sickening thud, he got up again.
----------------------------------------
*Sigh
“Disappointing, I’ll just end this soon.” Said the young oni as he released a wave of aura, the same particular aura that made Shun frozen in fear, but for Ryohei who never experienced it, it was overwhelming pressure.
The aura was overwhelming to the point it shakes the surroundings terrain.
My heart rate increases, as breathing starting to get heavier,
My throat feels dry, and my eyes feel watery…
My body trembles from the bloodlust he lets out, as if I’m a prey right in front of a Lion that was ready to eat me…
I’m scared… I’m scared.. I’m scared.
The oni looked amused as he saw the expression on Ryohei’s face. “Hahaha! Look at you, trembling just because of this. I can’t believe you survived till now.”
My mind was muddled with so many things that happened, but then a thought came across my mind… Since when did I have a weak mindset? Talking as if I was going to lose and die here like a stray dog.
Only now that I realized my will to survive has become dull.
Screw this place! Screw my opponent, I don’t care anymore. Even if I hate to break every bone in my body or use every teeth I have in order to rip his neck!
‘I AM GOING TO WIN AND RETURN HOME!’
I noticed that my hands were trembling, almost dropping my weapon, i clutched it and stab the palm of my other hand with it, then I screamed my lungs out, until my voice was hoarse and gone.
“GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
‘Move faster! Think Quicker! Find every weak spot he has!’
Without thinking, I let my body move with instinct, my body was screaming in pain as I stretched my muscles, but I didn't care… it’s do or die moment for me, so I mustered all my strength.
I managed to avoid every single attack that Oni launched, with a swift slash, I countered his attack and launched several slashes towards his torso, leg and foot. Although the wound was deeper than before, it still heals in a matter of seconds.
‘I can’t go on like this, Daitengu said that yokai recovery will prioritize more severe parts to heal, then I have to change my attack priority!’. I accelerated again around him as I kept finding an opportunity to attack while evading the oni’s incoming attack. The oni is getting irritated by all my pestering.
I grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it right at his face while evading. The oni screamed, then I took my chance to attack him in several areas. First, I try slashing his Inner knee, just like what I did to cripple Okuri inu, but as expected, it barely did any damage, as he was muscular and was hard to cut, let alone made him unable to walk, I can’t even make him lose some balance with this.
Okuri Inu’s power, Night Stalker is out of question… What else can I use?
I distanced myself and approach him in zig zag movement, easily evading every brute swing he launched, his powerful punch came but I slide towards his side, jump and slashed his neck area, that also barely did any damage, when I was about to jump back to create some distance, he turned around and snag my weapon. With my weapon on his grip, I decided to let Raisen and Hikage go, use his arm as a steppingstone and transform my finger into a sickle.
*Slash
In a swift motion, a horizontal cut was made and slashed both of his eyes.
“Gaaaaaaaaah!” the oni screamed as he covered his eyes, I took Raised and Hikage and run to the opposite side, planning my next attack.
With this he can’t…
‘!’
Ini charged toward me at alarming speed, as his giant hand swept towards me, I threw my weight back, bending his body into an almost impossible arch. His hand hissed the air just inches above my chest. Even though I completely evaded it, his swing was so powerful that I still got blown away by the wind.
*Boom!
I got thrown away and crashed into the edge of the barrier that separates the arena and the audience.
“Haha! even without looking I can still find you through sound, Weasel!”
I wiped my bleeding forehead and planned my next attack.
Even when I disrupt his sight, he can still pinpoint my location by hearing my step. What should I do next?
I dashed forward with full speed, circling around him to confuse him. The oni jumped and stomped the ground, it created a tremor that made me lose my footing, I slipped and fell down, tumbling on the ground.
“There!” Without a delay he charged straight at me, I instinctively rolled to the left and barely managed to avoid his charge, he kept going straight and bodied the barrier, the barrier shook as a small crack appeared on it. He screamed in pain as his shoulder got hurt.
I ran straight at him and aimed his ear hole, but he evaded it. His eyes had already recovered as we met eye to eye, we both didn’t miss this opportunity to attack.
“GRAAAAAAAH!!”
“RAAAAAAAAAH!!”
Both of us screamed, with my other hand gripping Hikage, I made the same Horizontal cut on his eyes. This time it's more severe than last time, as I use Hikage.
He swung his right arm at me, the pain in his shoulder from crashing into the barrier still hurts, maybe because of that wound and his awkward punching posture was the reason his power decreased significantly and the reason I am still fine after taking a head on hit.
I flew towards the other edge of the barrier and slammed against it. “HAHAHA, you felt that one did you!” mocked the oni.
Come on, get up, get up, get up… that is what keeps replaying in my mind, forcing me to rise up fast and take the chance where he’s still blind. My attempt to attack his ear failed, I need to think of another way.
I rise up and start sprinting again, he charges towards the direction I am running, then I jump. Arch my body and inhale as much air as I could, and then….
‘FUCK YOUUUUUUUUUU!!’
Oni screamed; this is the loudest scream he did so far. Daitengu stood up as his face was astonished in disbelief. Other audience questioned what just happened.
“What’s wrong with him? Did Kamaitachi have a mental type of attack?”
“How should I know! this is the first time I saw Kamaitachi in Hyakki Yagyo!”
Others may not have known it, but Daitengu recognized it. As he was the one who taught him that.
‘He used Spiritual communication to attack!’ without realizing he started clutching his hand as the fight went on.
Oni screamed as he held his head, holding against the echoing voice that’s in his head. During that time, I stride around, slashing his body here and there while also keeping up my mental pressure.
‘Aren’t you an Oni!? One of the strongest yokai clans! Why are you struggling against weasels? Oh, I get it, it's because you’re weak!’
‘Why is your top half naked? Are you trying to show off your nipples!?’
‘Hey, nice Haircut! Did your mom give it to you!?’
His face bulged with anger as he screamed, “GRAAAAAAAAH!! I’LL KILL YOU!!!!”
With all that pressure, I managed to stab and slash all the soft spots in his body, stab his ear holes, stab the soft spot on his chin, piercing through his tongue and going straight to his mouth ceiling. Slashes his armpit, and the back of his knee.
As he was distracted with my continuous pestering and I also utilized my ability to ride the wind, as I mixed my step between the ground and the air, making him unable to track me anymore, I ricochet around him, jumping around at high speed while releasing a storm of slashes upon passing by. The oni screamed in pain, all he could do was swing wildly around him.
But that was a humiliating sight, the audience's grimace as they saw the sight of the Oni, one of the great yokai clan, struggling against a Kamaitachi, and resorting to wildly swinging around his fist and hoping it landed on him.
I finally noticed something, the wound on his body had slowed down. His healing prioritized on healing his eyes, and that’s why the recovery of his whole body has stagnated.
‘This is not enough; I need a more devastating attack to force his recovery to stagnate even longer...’
Pondering his next target, his vision falls to one area. At this point Ryohei doesn’t care if he was called a coward, there’s no such thing as a dirty fight in a life-or-death fight. He ready his sickle and moved, aiming a straight thrust towards his crotch.
*Dom!
His attack was completely stopped, the Oni’s hand grabbed Ryohei’s hand. Ryohei was shocked, he wasn’t supposed to be able to see yet!
And then his eyes met, to his shock, Oni focused all his healing power towards one eye, and left the other one, his anger rising as a bulge formed in his face.
“Where do you think you’re aiming!”
With a powerful swing, he slammed Ryohei.
*Boom!
Ryohei bounced back from the shock and oni mustered up his arm and delivered a straight blow towards Ryohei’s stomach.
Ryohei's eyes widened as he coughed blood and was sent flying towards the arena barrier.
*Boom!
Another explosion happened as Ryohei crashed. As dust slowly subsided, the oni saw Ryohei’s body lying on the ground. He chuckles.. And then slowly turns into laughter.
“Huhuhu… HUAHAHAHA! What’s wrong!? Come on! Stand up!” Said Oni, mockingly. But Ryohei didn’t response at all,
One direct hit—that was all it took to shatter his entire rib cage.
The Oni stepped closer, its heavy footsteps echoing through the arena. “You gave me quite the hard time for a mere weakling,” it growled, a cruel smirk spreading across its face. “Don’t worry… I won’t kill you right away. I’ll toy with you until I’ve burned off all this anger.”
Grabbing Ryohei by the leg, the Oni lifted him effortlessly. Its grin widened, but then—
*Shlurk!
With the last ounce of his strength, Ryohei drove his sickle into Oni's eye.
The Oni howled in rage, slamming Ryohei against the wall with a powerful swipe. Dazed and battered, Ryohei crumpled to the ground.
Fueled by fury, the Oni seized his leg again, smashing him into the ground repeatedly. Each impact sent shockwaves through the arena as blood splattered everywhere, painting the walls and floor crimson.
Raisen and Hikage, his loyal weasel companions, reverted to their Kamaitachi forms and launched themselves at the Oni. Their attacks were swift and desperate, but the Oni swatted them away like flies. Unbothered, it continued its savage assault, ragdolling Ryohei’s limp body to quench its anger.
When it finally stopped, the Oni flung Ryohei across the arena. His body hit the ground with a sickening thud.
Pain radiated through every fiber of Ryohei’s being. He couldn’t feel his limbs anymore; his body was completely numb. His breaths came shallow and ragged, his pulse faint, each beat slower than the last.
Blurry vision reduced the world around him to indistinct shapes. He could barely make out the Oni looming over him, its massive hand wrapping around his head. It lifted him, showing his battered, lifeless form to the audience.
The crowd erupted in cheers and jeers, their excitement growing at the sight of his suffering. But Ryohei didn’t care about their taunts or laughter. His mind drifted elsewhere, to the only thing that mattered—his family.
He thought of his mother’s sorrowful face.
His father’s tired, desperate eyes
And his little sister, Ruri, cried as she waited at home, clutching her crayons and wondering why her brother hadn’t come back.
Tears began to flow, unbidden, tracing lines down his bloodied face.
“Hm?” The Oni noticed and paused, a sadistic grin spreading across its face.
“HEY LOOK GUYS! HE'S CRYING!!"
The crowd erupted in laughter, their cruel mockery ringing in his ears.
Each laugh was a dagger, twisting in the little hope he had left.
But Ryohei didn’t care about them anymore
His tears weren’t for their amusement.
They were for his family.
The family he might never see again…