Mocking laughter echoed through the space. 'Where? Where are you? Come out!' It proclaimed with a persistent tone.
Naturally, there was no way they would willingly reveal themselves to their pursuer. The pursuer, well aware of this, taunted them. Taunted them to torment their prey, to satisfy their sadistic desires.
"Huff... huff... huff... D*mn it, who is that? How long are they going to keep chasing us!?"
The chase had gone on for an indeterminable amount of time. Exhausted, the group of five hid in one of the many rooms, in a closet. They huddled together, enduring their fear. The designated leader of the group, a young boy burdened with the name "Izayoi," spoke his thoughts. Recalling the events that led them here.
They had been relentlessly fleeing from countless black creatures under the cover of the dark night sky. And in their attempt to hide in a warehouse they stumbled upon, they unintentionally shifted to the next room. After that, it happened immediately afterward.
An endless labyrinthine palace-like space. Composed of countless rooms and corridors, yet without a single window or a room with a view of the garden, they found themselves lost there. And they encountered it. They were being chased. The chase felt like it would never end. They ran and ran, but couldn't find a way out.
'Kekekeke! Little ones, where are you hiding? Could it be here?'
A voice that wouldn't give up. Immediately after, the sound of a sliding door or a paper screen being opened could be heard. Instinctively, everyone grew fearful. The source of the sound didn't seem far away.
"D*mn it... They're getting closer."
"N-No... I don't want to die!"
"Idiot, don't raise your voice... I don't wanna die here either. We'll definitely survive."
Ignoring the whispers of their companions, the group leader, the boy who has been given the name "Izayoi" by the Onitsuki family, pondered their options. He was desperate and trying hard to come up with a plan. What should they do now? What do they need to do?
(If we can just deceive them like this, it'll be fine. But...)
He glanced at his trembling companions in the corner of the closet. No, it wouldn't work. He couldn't rely on them.
Their spiritual power, though existent, was weak, and if there were any combat experience among them, it would be only his. The remaining members, who had been burdened with menial tasks, would simply be killed off one by one. They had no choice but to prepare themselves. Now, he placed his hand on the wakizashi hanging from his waist and held it firmly.
'Kekekeke! Where are you, little ones?'
"...!!"
A sound of a sliding door being forcefully opened nearby. Izayoi involuntarily shrank his shoulders. His gaze turned towards his companions. Their tear-filled eyes widened and they held their hands over their mouth. Izayoi himself broke into a cold sweat. The sweat trickled down his cheeks.
Rattling sounds followed, most likely the opening of nearby sliding doors at random. Footsteps closing in. It was over. There was no hope. Everyone in the closet despaired. They prepared themselves.
'...They're not here, huh?'
Uttering those words in a tone of deep disappointment, the pursuer muttered. And immediately, the sense of presence and the sound of footsteps that had approached so closely began to recede with a desolate air. Yet, everyone remained silent. In silence. Vigilant.
"...We're safe?"
"Take care not to let your guard down. But more importantly, we can't hide here forever. We need to figure out how to get out..."
Right after that conversation. The sound of creaking filled the air. The closet opened slightly. Everyone's voices caught in their throats as they turned their heads. And they realized. The door was opening, revealing a small gap. Light spilled in from the outside.
'Hyahahaha!! Hey, little brats!! Hide-and-seek is over!'
And there, peering out from the opening, was a doll with an eerie grin on its face...
"Hey, good job leading the way."
'Ah? ...Ggh!!?'
The words were spun together in a way that seemed to lead nowhere. At the same time, the dolls were kicked forcefully from the side by a surge of spiritual power, spinning and colliding with the wall. The sight was somewhat comical, and the kids stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing.
"Well, the game of hide-and-seek is over. Let's get going."
Yun-shoku, one of the Onitsuki family's servants, said as he appeared before them, his face covered with a Hannya mask. The black-clad figure wielded a short spear and carried a magatama.
* * *
After finding Kashiwagi's remains in the 'Tatari-bito no Ma (Space of the Vengeful Spirits)' I quickly understood what needed to be done. Since Kashiwagi, who had been patrolling the border, had been captured by the "Mayoiga," it was overly optimistic to assume that none of my subordinates had been captured.
We had already shared such actions as part of our training. As I searched for the remains, I inevitably found them. I discovered a notebook among Kashiwagi's bloodied belongings.
Kashiwagi seemed to have written down everything. He documented that he, along with the five new people, were captured. They went through seven rooms, discovered a few dead bodies, and ended up in this room called 'Tatari-bito no Ma.' Kashiwagi acted as a distraction to help the newcomers escape, probably moving to the next room in the process, and... Many peasants and townspeople were illiterate. As his handwriting became more shaky, fear had likely overtaken his bodies.
Nevertheless, since Kashiwagi had fulfilled his duty, it was my duty as his superior and comrade to do the same. Following the instructions in the notebook, I headed to a warehouse on the outskirts of the village. And I shifted to the "Hito-oibito no ma (The Room of the Pursuer)."
The one I had kicked away earlier was what they called a "Cursed Doll." It was an ordinary Japanese doll, infused with vengeful spirits and curses that spread misfortune. It was like those dolls with hair that grows on their own. The one I had kicked away contained a human soul. A criminal, a fraudster practicing forbidden sorcery, who had transferred their soul into the doll just before their death and became a minion wandering in this "Mayoiga." They had a setting where they would attack intruders with a knife, attempting to seize their bodies... It sounded familiar, didn't it?
"Fortunately, it's low-level and not a true youkai in the strictest sense. Thanks to that, this one can be useful too."
After glancing at the magatama in my hand, I returned it to my pocket. The magatama was limited in its effectiveness against youkai with heightened senses and the sixth sense. But the opponent was originally human. Moreover, the vessel was a doll without sensory organs. Its effect was more than enough.
'You!! How dare you interfere with me?!'
The cursed doll, which had been slammed against the wall, took on a demonic expression. It suddenly stood up as if being manipulated by strings from above, making eerie movements, and quickly approached me, its joints creaking. It attacked with a knife in its hand and lunged at me.
"Here we go."
'Ngghh.'
The doll comes at me and I quickly swipe it with my foot. Then, I quickly picked up the knife and grabbed the doll by its collar as it flailed about.
'L-let go!! ...You insolent brat! Take this!!'
The doll, with a face filled with hatred, opens its mouth wide. At the same time, I casually dodge several needles that are shot at me. Yeah, I knew that technique. For now, I strike it in the face, causing it to collapse unconscious. And...
'Igyagyagyagyaaaaaaahhhhhh!!?'
While pressing the doll's face against the wall, I drag it along. Unpleasant sounds, like nails on a chalkboard, resonate with its screams. My destination is a corner of this room where an abandoned chest lies.
"Goodbye."
I unilaterally declare and toss the repulsive doll into the empty chest. I close the lid and place some objects on top. I attach a note that reads "Dangerous vengeful spirit, do not open" and paste it. That should do it. The sound of pounding on the chest and the voice of curses may echo, but there's no need to worry.
"...Won't it break?"
"It will possess another doll instead."
I answer the newcomer's question matter-of-factly. It's better than having it move around and find another vessel.
"Well, then... Are there no vacancies? Excellent."
Ignoring the noisy commotion coming from the chest behind me, I proclaim. It seems that everyone, including the eldest... what was the assigned name, Izayoi? Yoiyami, Imachi, Fumimachi, Konomi, all of them were safe. They belonged to a bandit group after all. Although I had prepared for the worst, thinking that most of them would be eaten or scattered.
"...What about that watchdog? Is he here? Is he injured?"
"He entrusted you all to me. We're short on time, let's go."
In response to my answer, at least the leader seemed to understand the meaning behind it, momentarily stiffening his body. He stiffened, but... clever. He stayed silent, not causing anxiety among his comrades. He might live long.
(Well, well, for now, let's head to the kitchen I saw along the way. It should be a safe zone from here...)
