Chapter 23: (Physical) Exorcism

“Could it be that they fled out of fear of my power?”
“Or perhaps to seek help from others?”
“No matter. That person said that by doing this, I could merge with the building itself.”
“They cannot kill me.”
“And this place will become famous throughout the world, forever remembered by people.”
“This is it, this is...”
“The ultimate art.”
So thought the lingering consciousness of the evil spirit that was once Tetsu井口.

The vengeful spirits around him scattered, pouring out of the villa, attempting to pursue Qiao Qiao.

But Qiao Qiao and Ariko Asano hadn't actually gone far.

After running out of the yard, Qiao Qiao stopped.

Ariko Asano was panting heavily.

She hadn’t expected Qiao Qiao to escape so decisively.

“Why did we run? Shouldn’t you be able to handle that guy easily?” she asked.

From her senses, Qiao Qiao’s spiritual power would struggle against ninety-nine vengeful spirits. But if he focused and found an opportunity to destroy the evil spirit of Tetsu井口, victory was still possible.

Yet Qiao Qiao had chosen to flee.

“This isn’t running away,” Qiao Qiao said, gazing at the villa shrouded in shadows.

“It’s a tactical retreat.”

“?”

Ariko Asano didn’t understand.

Was there really a difference?

Thinking it through, escape was indeed a sound strategy. Staying inside that villa risked being entangled by evil spirits and drained of spiritual power.

Still, Asano thought—

Qiao Qiao’s actions were exceedingly cautious.

With this in mind, she took out her phone and dialed her father.

“...Hello, Dad, it’s me. Something’s wrong with the commission. Yes, here’s what happened...”

She explained the situation briefly.

“Could you bring the people from the shrine over? Yes, and call Uncle Tachibana, and Grandma Chiyo, and maybe Grandpa Tsuchimikado as well. Just to be safe, I think we should ask Cousin Kawakami…”

Ariko Asano rattled off a string of names with practiced ease.

Why was she so skilled at this? How many times had this shrine maiden called for her family’s help?

Qiao Qiao, curious and envious, thought: truly worthy of being an apprentice priestess at Atsuta Shrine—when faced with a crisis she couldn’t handle, she could summon her family and allies.

Qiao Qiao, meanwhile, could only rely on himself.

That was the difference.

He envied her deeply.

After hanging up, Ariko Asano noticed Qiao Qiao’s gaze.

Her cheeks flushed slightly.

“I just think it’s safer with more people.”

After all, according to Tetsu井口, this was an event involving ninety-nine deaths