As the transfer ritual concluded, the figure dissipated with a rumble.
Beneath this abandoned city, the Grand Five Elements Onmyo Formation, which had shrouded the entire area, dimmed to its weakest point.
Even so, the Onmyoji's formation continued to function, creating a barrier that completely isolated the domain.
It exerted all its strength to prevent the powerful, filthy entities from escaping the formation.
Kawashima Toya knew nothing of this.
He only felt a sudden, indescribable change within himself, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Without intelligence, the system couldn't provide an answer, leaving him to explore and discover it on his own.
----
The taxi stopped outside the main entrance of the Trash Fox Detective Agency.
Miura Yumiko, who had been waiting anxiously, saw that it was Toya and her friend Ebina Hina. She rushed over and took the unconscious Ebina from Toya's arms.
Toya instructed Yumiko, "If you're worried, you can take her to the hospital for a checkup."
Yumiko nodded gently. "Thank you very much for your help. I'll take Hina to the hospital first."
"When I have time, I'll come personally to express my gratitude."
Toya waved his hand, signaling Yumiko to go do what she needed to do.
"Kawashima-kun, are you alright?" The Yuki-Onna, Yusa, handed him a cup of hot tea, her clear, cold eyes filled with concern. "Are you injured?"
"As a Yuki-Onna, although I am not skilled in healing, I can soothe your fatigue."
Seeing Toya's exhaustion, her heart ached for him.
She wished she could solve his troubles for him.
But she couldn't. To be a qualified wife, she had to respect all her husband's decisions.
Even though she and Toya were currently just ordinary friends.
Toya drank the hot tea in one gulp. "I'm not injured. Aside from seeing some things I shouldn't have seen, I'm fine."
"Things you shouldn't have seen?" Yusa's beautiful eyes showed confusion. "Do you need my help?"
Toya shook his head slightly. "No need. It's still within my capabilities."
"If I need your help, Yusa, I will ask."
From the current perspective, the situation was far from reaching a dangerous level.
Even if there was danger, the angel halo could solve those troubles.
Toya glanced at the angel halo emitting a warm, gentle light in the display cabinet, feeling a sense of security.
"What use is superb strength or fighting thousands alone? In the end, nothing beats the security of an angel halo."
Toya found Kasumigaoka Utaha and whispered, "How much commission did you charge?"
"Don't worry, it's definitely enough for your hard work."
"A full two million yen."
Utaha curled her lip. "You have such powerful strength; why are you so obsessed with money?"
"If you weren't so greedy, you would definitely be every girl's Prince Charming."
"What is due must be paid; not a penny less." Toya's expression was serious. "Business is business. That way, we won't get dragged into trouble."
"Just like when I defeated the kidnappers at Private Toyogasaki Academy—that was purely out of favor, with zero compensation."
"If someone notices a problem afterward, they will definitely come looking for trouble."
"Because I didn't take money, they'll assume I have some connection to you all."
"What are you thinking?" Utaha rolled her eyes. "I'm just an ordinary student. What trouble could there be?"
"Besides, this is reality, not some light novel. No one kills people over small matters."
Toya revealed a mysterious smile. "That's not necessarily true."
"Look at your loyal reader, that otaku named Aki Tomoya."
"After becoming an Evil God minion, just to keep reading your books, he specifically wanted to convert you too."
He naturally didn't know what Aki Tomoya's goal was after becoming an Evil God minion, but combining the existing clues, the deduction was clear.
Aki Tomoya liked Utaha's light novels. Wouldn't converting her allow him to read them forever?
Utaha fell silent. After a long while, she said:
"You said it yourself—those with mental pollution are lunatics. How can you judge them by normal standards?"
Toya grinned teasingly. "I was just messing with you. Evil God minions can't be treated as humans."
"No one knows what they might be thinking."
After their exchange, Utaha decided to ignore Toya and turned to play with the little Yuki-Onna.
If she continued chatting with Toya, she might develop a massive fear of the light novel industry.
Being targeted just for writing light novels was too dangerous.
Grumble—
"Since becoming stronger, my appetite has grown too."
"I need to eat at least three people's worth of food today to feel full."
Feeling the hunger in his stomach, Toya picked up his phone and asked, "I'm ordering lunch. Is there anyone who hasn't eaten?"
"None of us have eaten!" Yuigahama Yui stepped forward, cheering happily. "I want a full meat set!"
Yukinoshita Yukino's beautiful face remained cool. "I have matters to attend to at home, so I'll be leaving first."
If not for Toya's reminder, she hadn't realized it was already past lunchtime.
As an honor student, she had good time management and a habit of eating at home.