"That scent..." Jashin-chan's nose twitched as her expression soured. "It's exactly the same. Every herb... the profile is identical."
As a high-ranking demon, her sense of smell was as sharp as her physical power. She could distinguish the individual components of any fragrance with unerring accuracy.
"A braised meat shop?" Jashin-chan stared at the shop sign, and the pieces finally fell into place.
No wonder she had been salivating at her own scent all morning. She finally understood why Kawashima Toya had looked like he was suppressing a laugh when he saw her spices yesterday, and why so many people on the street had stared at her—some even looking like they wanted to place an order. It was all because she had used stew seasoning as a beauty treatment.
"Yurine, why didn't you say anything?" Jashin-chan turned to Hanazono Yurine with a hollow gaze.
Yurine looked back with typical indifference. "You didn't ask."
That single sentence effectively ended the conversation. Jashin-chan shifted her focus toward Toya.
"Toya! You knew it all along! Why didn't you warn me?"
Toya blinked in feigned surprise. "Weren't you just braising meat yesterday? Was there a problem?"
"You knew. You definitely knew and just watched." Jashin-chan's eyes flared with annoyance before shifting to Nyaruko.
Seeing the silver-haired girl doubled over, gasping for air from laughing too hard, she realized everyone had been in on the joke. They had all known the truth and deliberately kept her in the dark.
"Toya! Nyaruko! Yurine! I'll remember this!" Jashin-chan hissed through her teeth. Even with her raspy, over-boiled voice, the fury was unmistakable.
Toya shrugged, looking entirely innocent. "Don't blame me."
In his mind, strength granted a certain level of immunity.
If Jashin-chan hadn't had her powers sealed, he might have taken her more seriously. But in her current state, she was less threatening than the average supernatural minion.
Wrapped in her protective layers, Jashin-chan let out a muffled, sinister chuckle.
Go ahead, pick on me while I'm powerless.
You'll regret this.
Abe no Seimei... you'll make a fine puppet for my debut.
Jashin-chan didn't bother hiding her arrogant laughter. Toya, hearing the suspicious cackling, frowned and gave the demon a sharp flick on the forehead.
"What are you up to now?" he asked. "Laughing like a villain is one thing, but you're making it way too obvious that you're plotting something. At least try to be subtle."
"Oh," Jashin-chan nodded with vacant obedience.
Toya looked away. No real threat would laugh like that right in front of the target. If she weren't so harmless, she probably would have been dealt with long ago.
.....
The group soon arrived at the burial site of Abe no Seimei.
It was located in a desolate, overgrown forest—a small, unremarkable plot that looked like nothing more than a dirt mound.
There was no good aura; if anything, the surroundings felt eerie and cold.
If Yurine hadn't led them here, Toya would have likely walked right past it.
"Yurine, are you sure about this?" Toya looked at the mound skeptically, then pointed toward a mountain in the distance where a lavish tomb stood. "I heard the official site was over there."
The tomb a few miles away was clearly marked with signs, guiding tourists to the memorial. It was impossible to miss.
"This is the real one," Yurine said. "The tourist spot is just a cenotaph containing a few of his old belongings. It's a hollow memorial. We are standing on the actual site. There's something here that will be useful to you, Toya."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's dig."
Jashin-chan, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly sprinted forward.
She snatched the shovel from Toya's hand and began digging with feverish intensity. Dirt flew into the air, piling up rapidly.
Her speed was incredible; she seemed to be gaining momentum as she worked.
Yurine watched in confusion. Usually, the demon wouldn't lift a finger. "Why is she being so helpful?"
What is she up to? Toya wondered. She had been cackling earlier; she clearly had a plan. Let's see what kind of mess she actually makes.
Toya remained unconcerned about any potential danger. If anything, he was curious to see how Jashin-chan's scheme would unravel.
"Nyaruko, go help her," Toya said. "She isn't fast enough. We need to get this over with before a park ranger spots us."
"Huh? Darling, you want me to dig?" Nyaruko looked at the shovel with reluctance.
After ten minutes, Jashin-chan's shovel hit something hollow. She slammed the tool down with all her might.
Crack.
The sound of stone shattering echoed through the woods.
"Wait, what?" Nyaruko looked down at the gaping hole opening beneath them. "Darling! Help!"
Jashin-chan's face paled as she tried to scramble away, but the ground gave way instantly. Within seconds, both Nyaruko and Jashin-chan were swallowed by the darkness. Their screams faded into the depths.
Toya stood on the remaining solid ground, peering into the abyss. "Well, they're gone. Should we follow?"
"Seimei's actual tomb is much deeper. This is likely a shortcut," Yurine noted. "But it looks like a long drop. Are we just going to jump?"
"Don't worry." Toya offered a confident smile. "I'll take you down. I guarantee a smooth landing."
"Okay..." Yurine's face flushed slightly as she nodded.
Toya wrapped an arm around Yurine's waist and leaped into the void. The wind howled past them in the pitch-black tunnel.
Nyaruko and Jashin-chan's cries were still audible, which meant they hadn't hit the bottom yet.
A full minute passed, and Toya felt a twinge of unease. Why are we still falling?
After a minute of freefall, they should have reached the bottom of even the deepest cavern. Yet, there was no sign of the floor. It was as if they were falling into an infinite pit.
"Something is wrong," Yurine said, clinging to Toya. "We might have triggered a trap."
"Let's see what we're actually dealing with."
Toya's eyes began to glow with a clear, azure light. With the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception active, the world of darkness was instantly peeled back, revealing the reality hidden beneath.