I had spent the entire night in the Soul World doing nothing but running.
The question of how it had even come to this repeated in my head like a broken record. I’d only come here to check on Levi-san’s safety. That was it. So why was this happening? Everyone was so incredibly hyped up that there was no point in trying to talk sense into them now. My only option was to run.
The mob pursuing me was a chaotic mess of monsters.
There were Nekomata, Tsukumogami in the form of biwa lutes, and those still resembling humans like Sodehiki-kozo and Azukiarai. There were also hand-shaped apparitions, a giant centipede, the Tenaga-Ashinaga duo, and a dog with a dish on its head like a Kappa—a literal parade of monsters, all hunting for me.
"Find him! Find him! There’s a reward for whoever spots him!"
"He’s so damn small, I can’t see a thing... but I’m not giving up!"
"Come out and play cat’s cradle with me... though I’ll be the only one doing the tying."
If I strained my ears even slightly, I could hear the voices of the youkai I’d contracted with. Everyone was searching for me. It wasn’t hard to imagine my fate if I were actually caught. Knowing the Japanese Faction, they’d either turn me into a literal toy or drag me into a drinking binge that lasted until sunrise.
That would be a disaster. The mental strain alone would be enough to break me. If possible, I really didn't want to get caught. And knowing these youkai and their love for "amusement," there was no telling what they’d actually do.
So, I would keep moving. I would escape this place, even if I had to crawl through the mud to do it.
The barrier surrounding the entire Japanese Mythology Sector would likely drop at dawn. I just had to endure until then.
And yet... why was it that I couldn’t see a single future where I actually made it out?
"I felt something! There’s no mistaking that unique aura. Report to Ibaraki-sama and the others!"
I heard a voice shout; it sounded like a Shikigami created by an Oni had detected my presence.
This was bad. A game of tag with actual Oni was no joke. I had to get away as fast as possible, otherwise I’d— I shook my head to brush away the dark thoughts and began to move silently away from the area.
"Oooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
"Ahahaha! Kuma-chan’s awake! Come on, let’s make more noise! It’s a festival! Hehe, ahaha, Hahaha!"
Stirred by the excessive racket, Kuma-doji—one of Shiten’s subordinates—let out a roar while searching for the culprit. Kankuma-doji, his constant companion, laughed joyfully alongside him.
The situation was becoming truly hopeless. Two of the Four Heavenly Kings of Mount Oe were now active.
Even though the mountain I was hiding in was vast, shaking them off would be— No, I couldn't think like that. If I gave up now, it really was over. Based on my analysis of the barrier, this nightmare would end in another two or three hours. I just had to hold out that much longer.
After giving myself that pep talk to keep from despairing, I moved to escape the heat drawing closer to me... but then, the presence of multiple beasts began closing in on my current position.
"You really think you can outrun me in the mountains? I know you’re right there!"
"Wait, Torakuma, seriously!? Using your beasts is cheating! There’s no way I can escape them!"
"Aren't you the one who’s always telling us to use every tool at our disposal, Reima?"
"Well, yeah, but still!"
My stamina had plummeted because of my size, and having to play hide-and-seek with summoned beasts who had nearly infinite energy felt like a massive break in game balance.
This was all Tamamo’s fault, and Shiten was just as bad for starting the game in the first place... though, come to think of it, maybe I was partially to blame for not interacting with them much lately—no, wait. I wasn't at fault at all. Tamamo and Shiten, who had forced the spell on me and started the game without giving me a say, were eighty percent to blame. The others who joined in were responsible for the remaining twenty.
"You’ve always been soft on animals. You won't attack my beasts, and deep down, you're probably enjoying this, aren't you? So just let me catch you and give up already!"
"You just told me to 'drop dead' a second ago, so I’m definitely not letting you catch me— If it’s come to this... [Summon] Luna Managarm!"
I called out for a reliable ally, clinging to that single shred of hope.
With Luna’s speed, no ordinary beast could catch her. Plus, since I was small, I could easily ride on her back or hide in her fur. She was the perfect getaway vehicle. Why hadn't I thought of this sooner? Regardless, as long as I could escape, I’d win. I just had to survive for two more hours!
"Mas—Master!? Why are you so small? You're adorable! Can I take you home!?"
"Wait, Luna? Calm down, okay? Look, this is an emergency, so... please?"
"Hey, Torakuma-san, what’s going on? I saw the barrier, but..."
"We’re playing tag. Whoever catches Reima gets him all to themselves for an entire day."
"Oh... Hehe."
Wait, what? By the time the thought crossed my mind, it was already too late. A freezing chill began to pour into the area. Whether she was more motivated than the youkai—or more motivated than any of the other members of the Serpent Faction—Luna’s magical power was seething with terrifying intensity.
"..................Reima, are you an idiot?"
Torakuma said my name as if she wanted to say something more, but I ignored her. There was only one choice left for me to make.
"...........................So long!"
The world is a cruel place. For the time being, I decided not to trust anyone.
Looking up at the sky, the barrier seemed to be thinning ever so slightly. The night chill was receding, and as the morning warmth began to spread, my body felt more responsive than before. At this rate, I could definitely make it.
Clinging to that hope, I hid myself at the top of a large tree. From here, I was in their blind spot. I wouldn't be found.
"Reima is near here! Everyone, gather up! It’s almost dawn. Don't let him get away!"
From below, I heard Torakuma’s voice as she directed her beasts to scout the area, but I was currently wearing Luna’s robe, which could completely erase my presence.
I won. The victory was mine—.
"Well, well. So this is where you were hidin'... Reima."
My heart froze.
In an instant, it felt as if I’d been struck by absolute zero. My body wouldn't move. I felt that if I turned around, I would die. That single thought consumed my mind. But if I didn't move, I’d be caught.
And if I was caught by Shiten—the most dangerous of them all—my dignity would be dismantled in seconds.
I didn't want that.
Move.
It’s my body, damn it. Move.
I didn't want to turn around. I wanted to run.
And yet, why? My body refused to respond, as if my very heart were being squeezed.
Slowly... as if to toy with me, a hand crawled onto my neck. Her cold body temperature seeped into my skin, and my heartbeat hammered against my ribs.
"Are you really that scared? Fufu, you’re so cute I could just eat you up—hehe, I’m just jokin', Reima. I’m the organizer, after all. I wouldn't dream of handin' you over to everyone else."
"Shi... Shiten?"
"You've worked hard, so you can just wait for the time to pass right here with me. It’s okay. I won't tell a soul, so you can just rest now."
Shiten’s voice was meltingly sweet as she spoke to me, acting so gentle and kind that she almost looked like a goddess.
Maybe I had been wrong about her all along. Shiten was actually this kind. If that was the case, I could finally relax. I could rest here, and dawn would break in another ten minutes.
I’ll just rest for a little bit.
"That’s it. For now, just lean against me and rest."
Whether it was from exhaustion or the hypnotic pull of her voice, my body leaned into her, my will slipping away. As I did, a scent that mixed fruit liquor with a relaxing fragrance washed over me, making my heart feel lighter. My head felt fuzzy, almost like I was floating...
"............There. I’ve caught Reima. That makes it my win— Honestly, though... to think you'd actually trust me... You really are adorable, Reima."
The slight fuzziness in my head vanished instantly. It was like having a bucket of ice water dumped over me.
Wait, what did this brutal loli just say? My brain was refusing to process the words. Caught? Her win? That was impossible. I must have misheard...
And yet, I could still feel her hand on my back. This was wrong. Shiten said she wouldn't catch me. She wouldn't say something like that when it was just the two of us.
"Shiten, hey... you're joking, right? You said you wouldn't catch me."
"Now, Reima. When exactly did I say I wasn't gonna catch you?"
"You said... because you’re the organizer..."
"I said I wasn't gonna hand you over to the others, didn't I? But I didn't say a single word about not catchin' you for myself."
"—Ah."
As she explained it, the blood drained from my face.
She was right. Shiten hadn't said she wouldn't catch me. She hadn't lied; I had simply been lured in by the word "organizer" and filled in the blanks myself.
"We’re gonna be together for quite a while now, aren't we? My little Reima—my toy."
Even though she didn't say it out loud, I felt like the word toy echoed in my ears.
Perhaps it was the sheer stress of the last few hours, but my consciousness began to fade rapidly. Before I knew it, I was falling from the tree.
"Everyone, the winner is me. That’s the end of the game of tag. Thanks for the help."
The very last sliver of my consciousness picked up those final, triumphant words of hers.