Kawashima Toya watched the anomaly vanish with a raised eyebrow.
It actually fled?
Most low-level spirits were driven by rigid behavior patterns rather than intelligence. For it to ignore its own nature simply because Hanazono Yurine threatened it suggested she possessed a presence terrifying enough to override supernatural laws.
Is the spirit an outlier, or is Yurine just that dangerous? Toya wondered. He ultimately leaned toward the latter; only someone more formidable than a monster could make one feel such genuine fear.
Realizing she had been a bit too intense, Yurine's cold expression softened into a forced, slightly awkward smile.
"Kawashima-kun, about the compensation you mentioned... can we discuss the details?"
She was clearly hooked. Millions of yen for a single job was a life-changing offer. With that kind of income, she could stop working at the maid cafe and avoid the exhausting emotional labor of dealing with obsessed customers.
Completing just one contract a month would be enough for a life of luxury.
"Of course," Toya replied with a welcoming smile. "Aside from personal favors for friends, my rates for supernatural commissions start at one million yen. If you join the agency as an investigator, your share per case won't be less than that."
"I'm in!"
Yurine blurted out, her composure finally breaking under the weight of the offer.
A moment later, realizing her lack of restraint, a faint blush tinted her cheeks.
"My apologies... I was a bit over-excited."
"Don't worry about it. I should be the one thanking you for joining the Trash Fox Detective Agency," Toya laughed softly. "Once we finish this trip to Kyoto, we'll head back and get everything settled."
Yurine nodded, her voice still carrying a hint of disbelief.
"Kawashima-kun, if you hadn't told me, I never would have guessed this line of work was so lucrative. To think I can earn a year's worth of wages with just a bit of magic."
She had spent so many hours maintaining a sweet persona at the cafe until she was physically and mentally drained. This was a complete paradigm shift.
.....
"Three... two... one..."
"Die, Nyaruko!"
"3... 2... 1!"
"You're just a snake! Who do you think you are?!"
As Toya and Yurine were talking, the cold, mechanical countdown of a transformation device cut through the air.
In the middle of the road ahead, two armored figures stood facing each other—both having transformed into Kamen Rider Kabuto. They were charging their systems, preparing to settle their duel with a Rider Kick.
Two Kabutos? Toya was confused for a split second before the reality set in.
It's Nyaruko and Jashin-chan.
"One for each of us. We have to stop them before they level the street," Toya said to Yurine, whose face had already returned to an icy glare.
The driver pulled over, and Toya and Yurine leaped from the car simultaneously.
"Rider Kick!"
"Rider Kick!"
Nyaruko and Jashin-chan shouted in unison as they launched themselves forward.
"Let's see how much of that power you've actually mastered," Toya said, appearing before Nyaruko in a blur.
He met her strike head-on, adopting the signature "Gravity Kick" stance. The force of the collision sent a shockwave through the air, the pressure so intense it sounded like the atmosphere was being torn apart.
Nyaruko's kick was bolstered by a violent surge of electricity. In her frenzied state, she hadn't realized it was Toya standing in her way until the moment of impact.
By then, it was too late to stop.
.....
The collision triggered a sharp explosion, sending a cloud of dust into the air.
As it settled, Nyaruko was thrown backward, skidding across the pavement as her transformation dissipated. Toya remained rooted to the spot, looking unperturbed.
"Your kick is still missing that final bit of polish," he noted calmly.
"Darling! Why did you jump out like that?!"
Nyaruko scrambled to her feet, pouting. "I was just about to settle things with that snake! One more hit and she would have been finished!"
Toya gave her a sharp flick on the forehead.
"You really think you could kill her? Jashin-chan is a high-ranking demon. She's functionally immortal. You think a single kick is going to do her in?"
In their respective worlds, both Yurine and Jashin-chan were absurdly durable. Rapid regeneration was a basic trait for them.
Nyaruko rubbed her head, her silver hair standing defiant. "If one kick doesn't work, I'll just use two!"
"You two... can't you just try to be friends? One is an Evil God avatar, the other is a high-ranking demon. You should have plenty in common."
Toya played the peacemaker.
If he let them continue, they'd eventually tear down an entire city block.
Their high-speed battle had already caused significant property damage along the route, though the speed of the suits had prevented anyone from capturing clear evidence.
Nyaruko huffed, making it clear friendship was out of the question.
Seeing she wouldn't budge, Toya turned his attention to Yurine. Jashin-chan had somehow managed to get her hands on a second belt, and with her reckless personality, she was likely trying to stage a rebellion against her master.
Toya then witnessed something truly impressive.
Compared to his calculated parry, Yurine's method was far more direct. With a stoic expression, Yurine reached out and caught Jashin-chan's Rider Kick with a single hand.
No matter how much the demon struggled, she was held fast, as if caught in a vice.
"Jashin-chan, I'm not in the mood for this today. Deactivate the suit. Now."
Yurine's voice was like a frost from the abyss.
Conditioned fear immediately took hold. Jashin-chan realized she stood zero chance and promptly canceled the transformation. She looked like a scolded pet, hanging her head in submission.
"Yurine... I'm sorry."
"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let it slide this once," Yurine said.
She had no intention of ruining her first day as an official investigator with a bloody execution.
Toya couldn't help but praise her. "Catching a Rider Kick with one hand is quite the feat."
Perhaps Jashin-chan's lack of experience had weakened the strike, but it was still an incredible display of raw power. Yurine hadn't even flinched, proving she was easily on par with Toya.
"You did the same," Yurine replied, her face slightly flushed as she spoke.
Toya then looked at the mechanical beetle flying back toward Jashin-chan.
"Wait... Jashin-chan, were you using my belt?"