"Well, well, that was the last one. It sure eat it up enthusiastically, without a care for other people's feelings."
I grumbled as I stood up from the hill in the grassy field where I had been hiding. It was a painful expense, but there was no helping it.
The ability of the "Kubinashi" Mystic Eyes could be neutralized by using the matagama. The problem was that dealing with youkai creatures even without their Mystic Eyes was not an easy task. If they could find us through means other than sight, what would happen? Our group had individuals who were not skilled in combat. Joining hands and hiding with the magatama would not only compromise our mobility but also put us at a high risk of being crushed together.
On the other hand, attempting to eliminate them beforehand would be fruitless, as we wouldn't be able to catch up to them. At worst, we might get kicked in the back and suffer severe injuries. A regular horse's kick can be deadly, not to mention the strike of a youkai horse. The hypnosis from the low-grade curse-tool, the "Enchanted Summoning Bell," only attracted mischievous creatures. Once I deactivated it, the horse would immediately regain its sanity and retaliate. Apart from certain exorcists, regular humans should never forget that they are physically inferior to youkai.
The "Asebi (Pieris japonica)" is a poisonous plant, as its name suggests, and causes horses to become intoxicated because of toxic substance called "Asebochin". I had ground up the dried-up "Asebi" found in the "Hoshimono no Ma (The Drying Room)" and mixed it with several other poisons and "Migawari Shari (substitute cremation)." It was a poisoned bait. As the name and legend of "Asebi" suggested, its effect was outstanding.
"So, that's that. Stop right there."
The headless horse fell to the grass, twitching and rigid. I stabbed a dagger into its artery, causing the horse to shudder violently and dark red blood to flow profusely from the wound. The emotionless and methodical process felt like draining the blood from livestock.
"Even I get tired of getting used to this kind of thing."
'(＾▽＾) What a joke! Such a fake thing'
"Sorry, but I don't understand what you're saying here."
In response to the incomprehensible declaration echoing in my mind, I tapped the sealed insect cage hanging from my waist and shoved it in. The spider-headed creature's thoughts were beyond my comprehension.
"Now then. Hey! It's over! Come out!"
After confirming that the headless horse had completely passed away, I deactivated the effect of the amulet and shouted loudly towards the far end of the grassland. Shortly after, about ten figures emerged from the bushes.
"Let's move on to the next room quickly. We don't have much time!"
* * *
In the discussion that followed in the "Hoshimono no Ma," it seemed that opinions among the people present were divided in response to my provocative declaration. In particular, the bandit and two laborers strongly opposed it. Their attitude hinted at the severe experiences they had endured before their arrival.
Nevertheless, the decision was ultimately made to escape the "Mayoiga" together for three reasons. First, the specialized combat group consisting of servants and the Hidden Group supported the idea. Second, the fact that this space could soon be destroyed, potentially sending everyone inside flying, forcefully pushed them forward.
And the third reason was...
"Whoaaa! What a sneaky moves!!"
Amidst the countless debris, discarded tools, and ninety-nine deities, I shouted while pushing through, chasing after it. Over a thousand living specks, discarded items, and ninety-nine deities obstructed me as I pursued.
The "Magu no Ma", room of cursed object, a space of about thirty tatami mats, was overflowing with countless ninety-nine deities. There was only one way to escape this room: finding the key to the next room and capturing a living key.
"Where are you hiding? I know your tricks!"
Pushing aside umbrellas, slamming lanterns against the walls, crushing sake cups, I kicked a Daruma doll with my enhanced leg strength, treating it like a soccer ball. I shot it towards a chest of drawers.
'...!!?'
The Daruma doll, shattered upon impact, and the crashing chest of drawers knocked over surrounding objects. I ended up riding on top of them, grabbing the sliding doors of the chest of drawers as if undressing and throwing them.
But it wasn't inside the sliding doors. It was hidden deep inside the chest of drawers. The key with wings panicked, trying to fly away, but I grabbed hold of it before it could—'( •̀ω•́ ) Hahahaha! Where do you think you are going!'—So noisy.
"And now, like this!"
I hurled the sliding doors towards the dressing table and folding screens that were closing in on me.
"Hey, catch it!"
"R-Roger!"
I threw the key towards the servant leader of Sakuama's group, who was waiting at the entrance of the room. '( •̀ω•́ ) A key that cannot fly is just an ordinary key!'—Isn't it weird that a key is flying?!
"Alright, go, go, gooo!"
With the servant leader of Sakuama's group at the forefront, everyone who had been waiting at the entrance of the room started running. The ninety-nine deities who had been chasing after me and gathering in one corner of the room just a moment ago hastily tried to turn back, but I kicked them away and threw them aside.
"Hurry up! They're coming together!"
"I know! Damn it, this one! Stop struggling!"
Gonzo urged us as we reached the next door. Sakuama's servant leader retorted. At this point, the key was desperately twisting and turning, trying to prevent itself from being inserted into the keyhole.
"Hit it against something! Give it a shock and make it faint!"
I kicked away the nearby pots and umbrellas that were coming at us and shouted. Following my words, Sakuama's servant repeatedly slammed the struggling key against the metal part of the handle. The key immediately quieted down like a dying fish.
"Ugh... Get in, go in! Alright, it's in!"
Sakuama's servant inserted the extended key into the keyhole, turned the handle with a click, and opened the door. A sense of relief filled the air among the survivors who followed behind him. But...
"Hurry, get in!"
The moment the door opened, the atmosphere of the ninety-nine deities changed drastically. I was aware of it. I knew that this room ahead was the real deal.
'...!!!!'
'!!!!'
'!!'
The raging ninety-nine deities visibly became more ferocious. Cabinet doors and cupboards opened, and blades flew out like funnels. Ropes crawled like snakes. Plates and teacups aimed for our heads, launching suicide attacks. The nature of their rampage had changed. They weren't just acting to harass, prank, or cause minor injuries anymore. The ninety-nine deities were clearly moving to kill us.
"Ugh...!? Everyone, quickly get inside! Get in!"
Sakuama's servant leader also noticed the anomaly and immediately urged everyone. Several people intercepted the attacking ninety-nine deities while others hurriedly moved to the other side of the door for safety. I pushed through the miscellaneous beings obstructing my path and swiftly attempted to escape from this place.
'...!'
Three Tatami mats sprouted legs and jumped up three at a time. Needles extended from the gaps . This one...!
"Oh no!"
In the face of the simultaneous barrage of living sewing needles, I pulled in the approaching futon that was trying to suffocate me and used it as a shield.
'...!!?'
The countless needles turned the once intact futon into a thousand shattered pieces. I used the convulsing futon as a shield and charged forward. In response, the three tatami mats lined up and rushed towards me.
"What, are you the Three Musketeers or something!?"
While pressing the futon, I used it as cover and leaped, clearing the falling first tatami mat, using the second as a foothold. As the third one jumped at me, I swung my Teguruma, slicing it apart.
"(゜ロ゜) You stepped onto the tatami mat!!?"
"Are you really saying that!?"
As I made the retort, I bypassed the assault of the Tatami Trio. There was nothing blocking the door in front of me. With a sense of victory, I sprinted at full speed.
"Huh!? Whoa!? That's too noisy!?"
I briefly glanced behind me, driven by an unpleasant fluttering sound. Approaching me are nails, needles, knives, saws, and various other things with legs and wings. I couldn't help but let out a scream. I pushed my running speed, which was already reaching its limit, even further.
"Hurry up...!"
"I know—'(°ロ°) Your footing!!'—Wait, huh!?"
The white spider shouted. I had no time to react or respond. I was quickly entangled by rough ropes, and I tumbled right in front of the door. They tried to entangle my neck like snakes, but I hastily cut them off with a short spear. Immediately after, I felt a pain in my leg. A nail with wings had pierced my thigh. Grimacing, I turned around. Countless blades were right in front of me... Oh no, I messed up!?
"Oryaaahhh!!"
Izayou, who had returned to the room, snatched the bag hanging at my waist. Without hesitation, he grabbed a handful of salt from inside and threw it with gusto.
'!?'
The approaching ninety-nine deities staggered at the scattered purified salt. They paused, their steps faltering. The curse tool, "Uchikiyo," was a curse tool that momentarily intimidated youkai and evil spirits.
"...! Watch out!!"
"Huh!? Oh no...!"
I stood up and threw kunais at the teapot that was attacking Izayoi from the side. The shattered teapot scattered boiling oil. I grabbed his arm, who was dumbfounded, and threw him towards the door. I myself leaped into the room, sliding through the doorway. At the same time, I yelled. I raised my voice as much as I could and gave an order.
"Close the door!!"
In response to my shout, the laborers and servants of the Asakuma family hurriedly began closing the door. The effect of the salt had already worn off. The approaching fluttering sound come closer...!
"...!?"
"Hurry! Quick!"
"Whoa!!"
The door was closed with a loud thud, almost simultaneously with the sound of something piercing through.
"Ouch!!?"
As I managed to survive, I screamed in pain while pulled out the nail which widened the wound by flapping its wings. In frustration, I plucked the insolent feathers. Damn it, this thing is mocking me...!!?
"Patch him up!! You, press on the wound...!!"
"Uh, y-yes!"
Sakuama's servant leader rushed over to inspect the wound on my thigh. They gave instructions to Izayoi, who proceeded to apply pressure and stop the bleeding with a towel. In the meantime, preparations for further treatment were made.
