Chapter 26: Hachishaku-sama? Shikigami?
【You have obtained the key item for Side Quest One—the complete Ksitigarbha Statue!】
【Side Quest One: Damage to the Ksitigarbha Statue—When was the Ksitigarbha Statue enshrined on the south side of the Village damaged?】
It was Side Quest Two before, and now Side Quest One has come too.
Shangshan Che carefully examined the Ksitigarbha Statue in his hand.
Now, as long as he figures out White Hannya’s activity location, he can complete the full construction of the Ghost Village Map.
However, the content described in this Side Quest One… even Shangshan Che, who doesn’t browse forums much, has heard of it like thunder piercing the ear.
A rural Village, and a damaged Ksitigarbha Statue.
If there’s no deviation, the Supernatural Phenomenon in this Side Quest One should refer to “Hachishaku-sama”.
—It is said that Hachishaku-sama will eerily appear around the target without warning, making a “popopo” sound, and just one glance at her will absolutely get you entangled.
Next, Hachishaku-sama will use various methods to approach the target, causing them to be afflicted with the Curse…
Even among various Urban Legends, Hachishaku-sama is in the highest tier of popularity, with people even specifically drawing related Manga and producing similar Anime, widely spreading it.
There’s even a saying that Hachishaku-sama prefers to appear in the eyes of cute young boys.
However, after calculating, Shangshan Che found that Hachishaku-sama has no strong killing methods besides the “Curse”, and she doesn’t seem hard to deal with.
Shangshan Che, who hadn’t seen the Ksitigarbha Statue’s attribute Panel, muttered to himself: “So, what is this Ksitigarbha Statue for?”
“Master said…”
The little fellow was about to speak, but after seeing Shangshan Che’s gaze shift over, she froze as if under a binding spell, not moving an inch.
“Take your time.”
Shangshan Che tried to make his tone gentle—what the hell did this Blacksmith tell his child laborer, sentence after sentence, would it kill him to say it all at once.
The little fellow cleared his throat, seemingly imitating the Blacksmith’s tone:
“—Your Excellency the Walker, if you have the intention to subdue a Shikigami, you may use this Ksitigarbha Statue on that Supernatural Phenomenon on the south side of Arakawa Village.”
Shangshan Che quietly stared at the little fellow, understanding why he couldn’t see the Ksitigarbha Statue’s attributes.
Because this is a Hidden Item that can only be triggered by the “Walker” identity.
If it were a different identity, even obtaining it wouldn’t reveal its use, leading to killing Hachishaku-sama anyway, with no difference whether you have this Ksitigarbha Statue or not.
Thinking this way, probably from the first time he stepped into the Blacksmith Shop, the Blacksmith had recognized him as a Walker.
Unfortunately, the Blacksmith left too soon, and he didn’t have time to ask about Walker-related matters.
Shangshan Che put away the Ksitigarbha Statue, deciding to try capturing Hachishaku-sama into it before tackling White Hannya; if successful, it would count as an additional fighting force.
“Next, I will clear out the Supernatural Phenomena in Arakawa Ghost Village one by one.” When Shangshan Che reached the Doorway, he suddenly turned back, startling the little fellow who was about to close the door, “Anything else you want to say?”
The little fellow hurriedly put on the Hood that had slipped off, stood in place for a moment, then placed her hands in front of her, choosing to deeply bow to Shangshan Che:
“I wish you Martial Fortune.”
Shangshan Che pleasantly nodded to her and stepped over the threshold of the Blacksmith Shop.
It seems the effect of this parting glance was quite significant; he finally got a clear look at the appearance under the Hood of this little fellow who liked to say half of things.
Round little face, pretty cute.
—But what’s with tying two golden Bells at the ends of her hair?
……
“Your bath took quite a while.”
In the noisy crowd coming and going, Lili Zi’s voice stood out especially clear, even making Shangshan Che subconsciously want to swing the non-existent sword in his hand.
Lili Zi hurriedly turned her head, raising both hands above her head to block: “Biting the hand that feeds you, huh!”
“Subconscious, subconscious… look, you’ve given me a knee-jerk reaction.”
Pressing his right hand down with his left, Shangshan Che looked around: “Where’s your friend?”
“Standing under the Small Woods brushing her Mobile Phone.”
The two interacted regardless of others, leaving the passing students dumbfounded.
—When did that stern Kendo club General become so lively?
But the two parties involved had no intention of caring about the bystanders’ thoughts; Shangshan Che was full of thoughts about the next Plan, while Lili Zi chatted absentmindedly while practicing Sword Practice in her mind.
That’s right! After achieving Clear Sword Heart, Lili Zi discovered she could construct a Cultivation venue and enemies in her mind, allowing constant, second-by-second Cultivation.
Although the results of mental Cultivation can’t directly affect the Body, it’s a great method for tempering Willpower and refining Sword Technique details.
The downside is that it places a huge burden on the Spirit.
Of course, Lili Zi didn’t care.
“Last night, a Gas Explosion occurred in a certain building in Arakawa Ward…”
Under the woods, Shizuma Manatsu muttered: “Why does it feel like sewer pipe explosions and Gas Explosions have been so frequent lately? Don’t so many people have basic safety awareness?”
Meanwhile, Kitano Runa beside her had a twitching face, her fingers trembling as she swiped this report into the 【Covering Up】 favorites folder.
Her expression was ugly: “This is bad… In a couple days, it won’t turn into some Arakawa Incident, right? If people are going to die, can’t the Capitalists and rich people die first?”
After greeting the Shizuma sisters, Shangshan Che led them to the Doorway.
He looked around for a good while but didn’t see Hasegawa Ken’s figure.
“Strange, could Sister Nanjo have stood me up? That shouldn’t be possible…”
Just as Shangshan Che was about to make a phone call, he heard Shizuma Manatsu exclaim beside him: “Big sis! What are you doing here?!”
Shangshan Che looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman with neat short hair, dressed in OL attire, her expression impeccably serious.
Her jacket had a name badge: 【Shizuma Mafuyu】.
She looked a bit like a petite version of Nanjo Emi.
Shizuma Mafuyu clearly also saw Shangshan Che and wanted to say something, but with her own sister so close, she first looked at her,
“Manatsu, I’m the one who should ask you, how come you’re…”
Shizuma Mafuyu paused, glanced at Shangshan Che again, and said: “Out with this Mr. Shangshan?”
Manatsu might have a carefree personality, but she was far from stupid, so she immediately reacted: “Big sis, you’re Shangshan Jun’s acquaintance?”
“The person Junior Officer Nanjo asked me to pick up… is my sister?”
Shizuma Mafuyu thought in bewilderment, then hurriedly grabbed her sister’s shoulders, asking seriously and anxiously: “Manatsu! How did you come into contact with those things?!”
Shizuma Manatsu was a bit flustered by her sister’s attitude, stammering: “Huh? Ah! I…”
Seeing the two sisters about to argue at the school gate, Shangshan Che reached out and gently grabbed Shizuma Mafuyu’s arm: “Ms. Shizuma, where is Mr. Hasegawa?”
The outsider’s intervention made Shizuma Mafuyu’s words come to an abrupt halt; only then did she realize her impropriety.
“Sorry…”
Shizuma Mafuyu apologetically rubbed her temples, whispering to Shangshan Che: “Lord Hasegawa sacrificed last night; now I am replacing him as Junior Officer Nanjo’s Trainee.”
Shangshan Che was slightly stunned.
