He didn't know how the gods of this world were born, nor what kind of power they possessed. However, given the current tranquil environment, Sū ěr suspected they were more well-behaved than the Old Deus of the previous world—or perhaps they just lacked the power?
As for the so-called Yōkai, to humans, they represented various incredible supernatural phenomena, strange entities that one should strive to isolate and avoid.
As the saying goes: When the heavens defy the seasons, it is a disaster; when the earth defies nature, it is a Yōkai. The essence of a Yōkai followed this logic: things that do not conform to or that rebel against the laws of nature are Yōkai.
I wonder if the Yōkai in this world are the same as those in my memories, Sū ěr mused.
"Interesting. This is the first time I've seen such a reaction." Even though her grand declaration received a rather awkward response, Yakumo Yukari didn't seem particularly offended. Instead, she was observing Sū ěr with great interest, watching his every move.
She had said those same words to countless Yōkai capable of conversation, and the reactions had varied—some had eyes that lit up, wishing to follow her immediately after a brief skirmish to confirm her strength; others offered disdainful mockery, doubting her success; still others simply acted as if they hadn't heard a thing.
"Well... now you've seen it," Sū ěr replied calmly. From the start, he hadn't felt any fear toward this suddenly appearing Yōkai. He simply shook his head and said, "In any case, it was a pleasure meeting you. So, why exactly did you suddenly appear at my home?"
"Aside from a bit of insignificant curiosity, I am primarily looking for a like-minded companion for myself," she stated her purpose simply, but Sū ěr didn't believe a word of it.
Although this blonde Yōkai named Yakumo Yukari had only appeared before him today, Sū ěr had actually felt the sensation of being secretly watched for about half a month. At first, he thought it was one of the "earth spiders" who worshipped him as a "Celestial God," but after setting a hidden trap to investigate, he found it wasn't them.
It was a very elusive, intermittent feeling, as if it existed and didn't exist at the same time... And now, it seemed the peeping party was this blonde Yōkai.
She hadn't just happened to pass by, discover Sū ěr, and then reveal herself out of excitement after witnessing him kill the snake demon. She had made this decision after careful observation.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am merely a common human with meager strength. I am truly not up for such a grand undertaking. Please find someone else," Sū ěr declined her invitation without hesitation. He shook his head and turned to return to his hut. However, the moment he closed his eyes and shook his head, he detected a strange fluctuation—not in the surrounding space, but a blurring of concepts.
He immediately raised his vigilance to the maximum to prevent any "slipping up." Sū ěr wasn't at all surprised that an entity calling itself a Yōkai might turn violent after being rejected. However, as he assumed a combat stance and scanned for Yakumo Yukari, he found that she, who should have been behind him, was now somehow standing right in front of him.
A movement that even Sū ěr perception couldn't fully track.
The blonde Yōkai in the purple dress leaned back leisurely. More concerning to Sū ěr than her relaxed posture was what she was leaning on—it looked like a piece of white paper that had been sliced down the middle and pulled apart, revealing a void so dark not a single ray of light could escape. The ambient sunlight couldn't penetrate it; even light itself was swallowed whole.
As if sensing Sū ěr gaze, crimson lights suddenly flickered within this eye-like, gaping fissure. Without a doubt, they were rows of narrow eyes, staring back at him with an inorganic chill.
Something that should have been illusory and non-existent was being used by Yakumo Yukari as a casual backrest. Sū ěr was certain that this blonde Yōkai was carefully observing his expression upon seeing this gap. Or rather, this abrupt scene was something she had deliberately manufactured—a prop used to gauge him.
"...Gap [Kūkan]?" Sū ěr uttered the word expressionlessly, immediately recalling Yakumo Yukari earlier self-introduction.
He didn't know the principle, the characteristics, or the function.
[Don't worry, it's just a small trick.]
Think voice echoed from his heart, soothing Sū ěr slight irritation.
[Yeah, I know.]
Responding silently in his mind, Sū ěr turned his attention back to Yakumo Yukari.
Truth be told, Sū ěr overly calm expression disappointed Yukari. Seeing that her observation had yielded nothing, she simply stood up from her leaning position. As she moved, the lightless rift vanished.
"Ah~, it's just a small trick I use for self-defense. Compared to a Yōkai like you, it's quite lacking~" Yukari brushed off the question of her ability. Noticing Sū ěr was about to retort, she preemptively continued: "There's no need to be so guarded, is there? Though I am but a weak Yōkai, I have traveled to many places. I have, of course, seen many beings known as humans, but none of them are as magnificent as you, sir."
?!
Humans?
This Yōkai has seen them?!
Sū ěr calm expression finally cracked for an instant before he reigned it back in. Unfortunately, Yakumo Yukari didn't miss it.
"...Humans?" Sū ěr took a deep breath. Since he had been found out, he decided to stop pretending. He asked in a low voice, "The 'humans' you're talking about... surely you don't mean those little people on the other side of my house?"
"The little people?" Yukari savored the term, then smiled and continued, "Naturally, I don't mean those Tsuchigumo [Earth Spiders]. I mean the humans created by the gods, who have flourished until this day."
Noticing Sū ěr furrowed brows, Yukari didn't know the exact reason behind it, but she didn't withhold the key information. Instead, she continued straightforwardly: "They occupy the most fertile lands of Ashihara no Nakatsukuni [The Middle Country of Reed Plains]. There is the Land of Izumo, established by the Kunitsukami [Earthly Deities] of Susanoo-no-Mikoto's lineage. And then there is the Land of Yamato, established by the decree of Amaterasu Ōmikami, which crouches in the west, eyeing the lands of Izumo."
"—Those are perhaps the... humans... you are interested in."