Category: Villainous Second Miss Becomes a God in Supernatural Tokyo

Chapter 23: Hundred Million Feathers Style – Mom, Help Me!

“Miss Makoto!”

Number Six saw Chikari Makoto standing in front of her, a look of relief appearing in her eyes.

However, in the next second…

“Drip…”

A drop of blood fell to the ground, staining the soil.

Number Six’s expression froze.

A deep gash, cutting to the bone, appeared on Chikari Makoto’s left arm, radiating a deathly aura, corroding her flesh. The pain was excruciating.

The sleeve of her maid uniform was ripped to shreds.

“Drip… drip… drip…”

Blood dripped steadily onto the ground.

Chikari Makoto looked at her arms, now hanging limply at her sides. They wouldn’t move.

“Ah…”

“See, I told you defense wasn’t my forte.”

In that critical moment, Chikari Makoto had only managed to reach Number Six in time using Thousand Feathers Style: Lightning Speed. She hadn’t had time to use any other moves against the deathly blade of light.

And compared to other Thousand Feathers Style techniques, Lightning Speed prioritized speed over power.

Using her left fist further weakened the attack.

Not being able to fully block the blade of light was expected.

However, what Chikari Makoto hadn’t expected was…

The severity of the injury.

She frowned, feeling the deathly energy from the wound constantly invading her body, even devouring her Qi. She could barely resist.

The deathly energy was like a severely weakened version of Mom’s Sanctuary Flame, which could also devour other forms of energy.

Just in a more brutal way.

This supernatural being was indeed worthy of becoming the main material for Mom’s Umbrella Sword.

Unfortunately, it seemed she wouldn’t be the one to present it.

Chikari Makoto pursed her lips and said,

“Number Six, I can’t inflict any fatal damage on that spider now.”

“But its aura weakened after I blew its head up.”

“So…”

“Let’s run.”

When it came to running away, she was a professional!

Mom’s only instruction before leaving was to protect Number Six; everything else was irrelevant.

And if that spider hadn’t eaten half of the Nenba guy, its power wouldn’t have increased so quickly. It wasn’t her fault.

It was the Nenba brothers’ fault for being so weak!

Having found a suitable excuse, Chikari Makoto prepared to run.

Her Thousand Feathers Style techniques were most powerful when using her fists. Using her legs for Lightning Speed earlier had been a last resort.

It consumed a lot of Qi.

“Run?”

Number Six considered it. It seemed like a good idea.

From the Nenba brothers to now, all she had wanted was to escape. It was just that Chikari Makoto had charged forward recklessly.

But then, her constantly active sensory abilities flickered wildly.

She looked towards the spider.

It was pressing its head against the ground, and she quickly said,

“Miss Makoto, is that spider licking something?”

“Its aura is increasing rapidly.”

Hearing this, Chikari Makoto also looked.

Unlike Number Six’s sensory perception, her vision was far superior.

She clearly saw that the spider was licking the blood from her injured right hand, the blood spilled when she used Heaven Splitter!

Her blood, containing her Qi and the Ijishin’s power, was far more potent than the diluted Nenba bloodline.

It wouldn’t just increase the spider’s power, but also its potential.

Normally, Chikari Makoto would be proud of this.

But now, she wanted to cry.

“Oh no!”

“Number Six, get on my back! We need to leave, now!”

Chikari Makoto quickly hoisted Number Six onto her back.

And ran.

However, after less than ten meters, she slammed into an invisible barrier, coming to a screeching halt.

[You have entered a Half-Formed Otherside]

[Rule establishing…]

[Until the Rule is established, the temporary Rule is: Kill the Otherside Lord to escape.]

Chikari Makoto: “…”

Number Six: “…”

If they could kill the spider, they wouldn’t be running.

As Chikari Makoto had feared, after consuming her blood, rich with Qi and the Ijishin’s power, the spider’s potential had increased again.

At the peak of Half-Calamity level, not only did it possess half a Rule, but it had also, unprecedentedly, created a Half-Formed Otherside.

Number Six’s face turned ashen.

Her sensory abilities were overwhelmed, unable to find any escape route.

The spider was approaching, and the Half-Formed Otherside blocked their path.

The spider was moving at high speed.

Its aura, weakened after Chikari Makoto’s attack, had completely recovered after consuming her blood, and its ability to create an Otherside indicated a further increase in its potential.

It had tasted the benefits.

Greed filled its blank, white eyes.

It wanted to devour Chikari Makoto completely!

Number Six felt incredibly guilty.

“Miss Makoto, I’m sorry.”

“It’s all my fault that you’re in this situation.”

“If there’s anything I can do…”

“Don’t talk!”

Chikari Makoto placed Number Six on the ground and said with a serious expression,

“There’s only one option left: my ultimate technique, Hundred Million Feathers Style!”

Hundred Million Feathers Style?!

Number Six’s mouth opened slightly. Even now, Miss Makoto still had a trump card. As expected of a masked mysterious person.

She remembered the prefixes of Miss Makoto’s moves.

During the initial fight with the spider, it was Hundred Feathers Style, then Thousand Feathers Style.

She had used Ten Thousand Feathers Style to blow up the spider’s head.

And now, she was going to use Hundred Million Feathers Style, skipping several levels. Its power must be extraordinary!

To avoid disturbing Chikari Makoto, Number Six quickly hid behind a tree, looking at her with anticipation.

Chikari Makoto took a deep breath.

As if absorbing countless streams of pale golden Qi, her aura intensified dramatically.

Then, she suddenly shouted,

“Mom, help me!!!”

Her voice, amplified by her Qi, echoed through the forest.

Number Six: “…”

Something within her crumbled.

But the spider didn’t care about Chikari Makoto’s nonsensical actions. It had only one thought:

Devour her! Devour her! Devour her!

A twisted greed filled its baby face. Its prey was helpless, just one strike away!

To ensure success, a massive amount of deathly energy surged into its blood-red marked leg, concentrating to its limit.

Even more terrifying than Chikari Makoto’s Heaven Splitter.

In an instant, the spider was upon Chikari Makoto, its scythe-like leg about to slice through her delicate skin.

She couldn’t dodge.

“Zaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa———!!!”

Its mouth split open in a manic grin, reaching its ears.

It struck with all its might!

However, at that moment…

A slender, jade-like finger emerged from a dark spatial rift, gently stopping the sharp leg.

The blade stopped…

—Unable to advance an inch!

Chapter 22: I Refuse!

“Bang—!”

“Bang——!”

“Bang——————!”

Chikari Makoto and the spider with the baby’s head clashed repeatedly.

The ground cracked, trees fell, and the battle quickly intensified.

Number Six pushed her sensory abilities to the limit, but she could only barely keep up with their movements, unable to predict the spider’s attacks and assist Chikari Makoto.

For the first time, she truly hated her own weakness.

Faced with the person who had saved her life twice, her normally prized sensory abilities were useless.

“Thousand Feathers Style!”

A sharp cry echoed.

Chikari Makoto’s golden eyes shone brightly, and she gritted her teeth.

“—Storm Dance Duet!”

A concentrated surge of pale golden energy poured into her fists, overflowing with power.

Trailing long streams of energy, Chikari Makoto lunged forward.

An uppercut slammed into the spider’s head, just below the baby’s face.

Black blood spurted out, and Chikari Makoto’s golden eyes narrowed into slits, a flicker of madness within them.

That was just the first part of the duet; the even more ferocious second part was coming!

“Thousand Feathers Style – Lightning Speed!”

Lightning Speed combined with Storm Dance. Her right fist, unable to withstand the immense power, cracked, and blood flowed.

Chikari Makoto showed no pain, her expression growing calmer and colder.

Her deep golden eyes burned like embers, flickering like lightning.

She remembered the ancient martial arts passed down through her family, perfectly suited to her Qi ability, and combined it with Natsuba Hanae’s archery movements.

Inspiration struck.

Her body as the bow, twisting the world; her arm as the string, pulling back the heavens; her fist as the arrow, piercing the sky!

Twisting her hips, she unleashed her power in one fluid motion, striking with unstoppable force!

She would call this move…

Myriad Feathers Style.

“Heaven Splitter!!”

“Boom——————!!!”

The sound was like thunder.

Half of the spider’s head exploded, and its body was sent flying as if hit by a truck.

It landed in the distance, all six legs in the air.

Chikari Makoto’s Qi plummeted, but its upper limit suddenly increased.

This meant that once her Qi recovered, she would be close to reaching B-rank.

Her shoulders heaved, her right fist trembled, dripping blood, and she gasped for breath.

“That should have killed it.”

“Comprehending a new, powerful move in a desperate situation… Am I the protagonist of a story?”

“Protagonists in manga… do whatever they want.”

For some reason, Chikari Makoto thought of her cherished collection of “mom” manga. If she were the protagonist, then the emotional exchanges between the protagonist and the mom in the manga would be between her and…

Her rebellious daughter spirit burned brightly.

“Zaaaaaaaaaaaa———!!!!!”

Just then, a piercing roar echoed through the area.

Chikari Makoto’s pupils constricted.

She quickly looked towards the spider.

The flesh of its head was rapidly regenerating. It shakily got to its feet, its blank white eyes filled with hatred as it stared at her.

“Damn it.”

Chikari Makoto’s face paled.

“A Half-Calamity level supernatural being with half a Rule has such terrifying regeneration?!”

She had misjudged. The spider’s weakness wasn’t its head, despite its large size serving as a distraction.

She instinctively clenched her right fist, ready to fight again, but it trembled uncontrollably, powerless.

She could only use her left fist, which was slightly weaker.

But Chikari Makoto still had a chance.

She could still use Heaven Splitter with her left fist. If the weakness wasn’t the head, then it was the spider’s body. If she could pierce through it…

It would definitely be incapacitated.

The more she fought, the clearer Chikari Makoto’s mind became, her fighting spirit soaring.

This was the Chikari family’s innate combat talent.

The Chikari name wasn’t earned for nothing; it was earned through countless hunts of supernatural beings!

Chikari Makoto’s golden eyes shone brightly.

She raised her head and shouted,

“Bring it on!”

She stomped her foot, the ground cracking around her like a spiderweb, and she shot forward like an arrow, leaving afterimages in her wake.

The increase in her Qi’s upper limit had enhanced her physical abilities.

Although her right arm was unusable, her legs were fine, making her even faster than before.

She could surpass the spider in terms of speed.

Chikari Makoto stared at the spider.

Its blood-red, scythe-like leg glowed ominously, and it swung downwards!

A blade of light flashed.

Filled with a deathly stillness, it shot towards Chikari Makoto.

But she wasn’t Nenba Yukawa. With her current speed, she could easily track the blade of light’s trajectory.

She instinctively dodged.

However, she saw a sinister smile on the spider’s face.

Chikari Makoto instantly sensed danger.

She knew the spider was intelligent, but it had a fatal flaw: it couldn’t help but reveal its intentions with its expressions.

Like a villain explaining their grand plan to the protagonist.

Chikari Makoto looked at the trajectory of the blade of light.

Its target was Number Six!

The spider’s blade of light had a suppressive effect.

Its deathly power instilled fear in both body and mind, paralyzing its victims and making them tremble in terror as they awaited death.

Chikari Makoto was strong enough to resist.

But Number Six wasn’t; she was only a C-rank supernatural user.

Moreover, her sensory abilities made her even more aware of the spider’s terrifying nature, its oppressive Rule.

This heightened perception usually helped her avoid danger.

But now, it made her even more susceptible to the deathly power, even more terrified.

Although her mind screamed at her to dodge…

Although her instincts told her to run, run, run!

Her body was frozen in fear, trembling uncontrollably.

So… she had become a burden again.

Perhaps it was for the best. If she died, Miss Makoto could fight without holding back.

The blade of light was upon her.

Number Six suddenly felt no fear. She closed her eyes.

“—Crackle.”

The sound of rapidly flowing energy.

The next moment…

White shoes, crackling with energy, stomped on the ground, forcibly changing direction.

“Boom———!!”

The expected pain didn’t come.

Instead, a loud explosion echoed from in front of her.

Number Six opened her eyes in confusion and saw Chikari Makoto standing before her, her back to her.

Chikari Makoto turned slightly, her face a bit disheveled, and said grumpily,

“Honestly!”

“I wasted a Golden Feather to save you. Can you not give up so easily?”

“If you die so quickly…”

“Mom will definitely make me quintuple my training! I refuse!”

Chapter 21: Chikari Makoto Wants to Keep Being a Footstool

“Impossible… impossible… impossible!!”

As he flew backward, Nenba Yukawa kept repeating these words.

Finally, he practically roared them.

How could that remaining blonde girl be so strong?!

He hadn’t even seen her move. In the blink of an eye, she had blocked his attack and sent him flying.

Such speed and power!

Nenba Yukawa looked at the blood flowing from his mouth and abdomen, forcing down the chunks of flesh that threatened to come up.

A fierce glint appeared in his dark eyes.

“There’s a chance! There’s a chance!!”

“There’s definitely still a chance!”

He still had the “Explode” talisman.

He had dedicated his life to the study of offensive talismans.

And the “Explode” talisman was his masterpiece. Once activated, its destructive power was equivalent to a full-powered attack from a B-rank supernatural user!

More than enough to kill a Half-Calamity level being.

And the supernatural materials dropped by the being would allow him to reach B-rank, becoming a true leader within the family, even gaining influence within the conglomerate.

How could he die here?!

His opponent had a weakness. She had clearly protected Number Six; he could exploit this to formulate a battle plan.

He also had Yusuke’s help. Two C-rank Nen users and sorcerers could create a mirac—

Just then…

A scream pierced the air.

It reached Nenba Yukawa’s ears, making him freeze.

“Big Bro, help me———!”

It was Yusuke’s voice.

Nenba Yukawa forcibly stopped his backward momentum, crashing to the ground. He immediately looked towards the source of the scream.

Then, an unforgettable scene unfolded before his eyes.

His younger brother, his blood relative who had followed him since childhood, rising through the ranks to become a C-rank supernatural user alongside him, was being decapitated by the spider with the baby’s head.

Yusuke was dead…

Nenba Yukawa was stunned, frozen in place.

His brother, his flesh and blood, was dead.

It was his fault, his fault.

He should have been more cautious, should have stayed with Yusuke, should have…

No… no…

It was… the Half-Calamity level supernatural’s fault!!

It killed Yusuke!!

Nenba Yukawa clenched his fists so hard that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood, but he felt nothing.

Unparalleled rage surged from within him, his chest heaving.

His Nen, which hadn’t increased in years, suddenly surged, bringing him within a hair’s breadth of B-rank.

But rage had consumed his reason.

Nothing else mattered anymore, not rank, not supernatural materials, not Number Six or anyone else.

He only wanted revenge for his brother!

His eyes turned bloodshot, and his intense fury erupted in an inhuman roar.

“Monster!!”

“I’ll kill you———!!”

Nenba Yukawa clutched the “Explode” talisman, channeling his cursed energy, activating it. A faint flame flickered on the talisman.

A single thought would detonate it.

Years of combat experience, even in his irrational state, made him instinctively channel his Nen to enhance his speed.

Combined with his newly increased Nen, he was faster than ever before.

This was the peak of his power.

The wind roared in his ears, the scenery blurred behind him, but Nenba Yukawa’s focus remained absolute. He only saw the spider with the baby’s head.

He would shove the “Explode” talisman down its disgusting throat!

And blow it to pieces!

But when he saw the spider form a mocking smile…

A sliver of reason returned.

Why hadn’t the spider tried to escape?

Wasn’t it afraid of the “Explode” talisman?

Then, he saw the spider raise its blood-red marked scythe-like leg and swing it from dozens of meters away!

A blade of light.

A sharp blade of light, enveloped in surging black flames, shot towards him, cold and menacing, radiating a chilling aura of death.

Wherever the blade of light passed, the surrounding vegetation withered instantly.

It was faster than he was; he couldn’t dodge. The blade of light sliced through his waist.

His vision blurred as he fell to the ground.

Nenba Yukawa took one last look at where Nenba Yusuke had been, the “Explode” talisman fluttering down in front of him.

“Boom———!!!!!”

A deafening explosion erupted.

It engulfed a radius of dozens of meters. The spider leaped away, escaping the blast.

The explosion obliterated the bodies of Nenba Yukawa and Nenba Yusuke.

Number Six, witnessing this scene, felt a pang of sorrow.

“That spider has a ranged attack?”

“Miss Makoto, can you handle it?”

Although Chikari Makoto had displayed incredible power by defeating Nenba Yukawa in one blow…

Number Six was still worried.

Surely, with such strength, Miss Makoto must be eager to test herself against a powerful supernatural being.

But when she turned around, she saw Chikari Makoto tiptoeing away as if trying to sneak off.

Caught in the act, Chikari Makoto looked around, stopped, and said without a hint of embarrassment,

“I don’t think I can beat it. Maybe we should run.”

She was joking. Although Chikari Makoto loved to fight…

She wasn’t reckless. She would never participate in a battle she knew she couldn’t win.

The power of the spider’s blade of light…

Was close to that of a Calamity-level being, far exceeding Half-Calamity level.

Clearly, the “Explode” talisman had intimidated it, forcing it to reveal its hidden strength.

And that power was still a bit frightening for her.

Even with her speed, she couldn’t guarantee dodging that incredibly fast blade of light.

And defense wasn’t her strong suit.

If Mom hadn’t told her to protect Number Six, she would have run away the moment the blade of light appeared.

As a bird yokai template, her escape speed was unmatched!

“Sigh.”

“But it looks like it’s too late now.”

Chikari Makoto’s golden eyes shimmered in the darkness. She saw the spider with the baby’s head lock its gaze onto her and Number Six.

After devouring half of Nenba Yusuke’s body, its power seemed to have increased again.

She pouted and prepared for battle.

“Mom, you better come back soon.”

“If you’re late, I won’t be able to be your footstool anymore.”

Chapter 20: Natsuba Hanae’s Heavenly Emperor Girl Transformation!

Natsuba Hanae walked through the vast darkness.

Only her brilliant, red, glass-like eyes shone brightly, and a violent, surging power radiated from her body.

Keeping the lurking spirits at bay.

Natsuba Hanae didn’t know that the moment she left…

One of the Nenba brothers had died, and the other was severely injured.

Even if she knew, she wouldn’t care.

It was as insignificant as two bugs dying on the roadside.

Although they were both part of the Natsuba conglomerate, they had no connection. In fact, Natsuba Hanae rather disliked the Nenba branch.

They treated the readily available, useful tools of the discarded members as disposable, discarding them after just a few uses.

That was why…

She wanted to recruit Number Six to take over the Nenba branch.

Of course, a single discarded member couldn’t gain a foothold in the Nenba branch. Number Six would operate in the shadows, while she controlled the visible aspects.

A combination of overt and covert actions was necessary for the plan to succeed.

In her view, the Nenba branch’s true advantage wasn’t the combined use of sorcery and Nen, but their unusually high output of supernatural users.

With proper organization and her guidance, they would become a sharp blade in her hands.

Within the Natsuba family, due to their decline, the Nenba branch wasn’t favored by the first or second sons of the head, but the third son was trying to win them over.

They were the easiest branch family to swallow.

Easily obtained without much effort, Natsuba Hanae naturally took them.

After walking for a while, she stopped.

“It should be around here.”

She murmured softly.

Just then, a pure white feather drifted down from the darkness.

Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

“Found it.”

The white feather landed perfectly in Natsuba Hanae’s palm.

She gently closed her hand, and the feather dissolved into countless particles of light.

In an instant, the scenery changed!

[You have entered the Nightmare-level Otherside – Old God Daycare]

[Otherside Rule Triggered!]

[1: Do not look directly at &…%&$#]

[2 &%]

[&*&%$#]

[…]

[You have entered the Nightmare-level Otherside – Summer Harvest Mountain]

A magnificent scene unfolded before Natsuba Hanae’s eyes.

A colossal monster, so large it seemed to reach the heavens, stood amidst countless ruined buildings that looked tiny in comparison.

It was a gigantic, humanoid supernatural being.

It stood on two legs, countless mouths covering its chest, roaring silently. Where its head should have been, a massive tentacle writhed and twisted.

A violent, chaotic energy radiated from its body, crackling with dark lightning. Even a C-rank supernatural user would likely lose their mind and die from just a glance.

But this Nightmare-level being couldn’t move.

Because in the center of the vast sky, a magnificent, glass-like red vertical pupil looked down upon it. In terms of size alone…

This single eye was far larger than the supernatural being.

Like the rising sun, high above, its light bathed the area in a faint red glow.

An immense, oppressive power filled the Otherside.

But the red eye wasn’t eerie; it was majestic and imposing.

Because on either side of it, a pair of truly massive wings, one pure white and the other deep black, stretched across the sky, blocking out the light.

Black and white feathers fell like snow, accumulating on the ground in a thick layer.

Chains, some white and some black, hung from the wings, piercing the supernatural being’s flesh, anchoring it to the ground, intertwining with the feathers, forming a circulating system.

Numerous small black and white birds flew busily back and forth, carrying pieces of the supernatural being’s flesh and essence from the red eye and returning to it.

The supernatural being, known as the Old God, struggled and regenerated its flesh, but to no avail.

The entire scene was spectacular and awe-inspiring, like a divine miracle.

[Ubume (Variant)]

[—Heavenly Emperor Girl Transformation!]

To be precise, the transformation into the Heavenly Emperor Girl was only halfway complete.

Fully achieving this form would require more time, the advancement of her plans, and the accumulation and refinement of power.

Relying on her cheat to reach [S-rank Nine-Headed Bird] would take who knew how long, so Natsuba Hanae was doing her best to develop the Ubume’s potential.

The results were gratifying.

The evolution into Night-Wandering Woman and Heavenly Emperor Girl were her achievements.

Natsuba Hanae began to understand how Natsuba Rinrei had mastered her abilities to such a terrifying extent in the original story.

She possessed the same mastery over her own powers, perhaps even more so.

It was fortunate that she had no abilities in the original story, just a flower vase. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been anything left for the players to do in overthrowing the Natsuba conglomerate.

It was worth noting that, even with Natsuba Hanae’s current A-rank power, suppressing the Old God wasn’t easy.

She had left almost eighty percent of her power here.

Devouring its essence to nourish herself, she had even occupied a small portion of this Nightmare-level Otherside.

That was why, when she first entered…

There were two notification sounds.

However, an Otherside was ultimately an extension of a supernatural being. To occupy it, she needed to kill the being first. And to truly make it her own, she needed to infuse it with a Rule.

But the Rule here had been mostly destroyed by Natsuba Hanae.

That was why…

She was so excited when she saw the half-formed Rule of the Half-Calamity level supernatural being.

Once she mastered it, even devouring the Old God would become easier and faster, leading to a dramatic increase in her power.

Natsuba Hanae’s eyes sparkled, and the red pupil in the sky pulsed with power.

“I can return after retrieving some of my power.”

“Although Makoto can hold off the Half-Calamity level being for a while, if its power increases, she might struggle to protect Number Six.”

A grotesque bird, half black and half white, flew out of the massive red pupil.

It landed in front of Natsuba Hanae, its body dissolving as its power flowed into her.

Natsuba Hanae prepared to leave.

But she suddenly paused.

“Right, the debut of Summer Harvest Mountain should be grand. I’ll take a bit more.”

A smile appeared on her lips.

The massive red pupil dimmed almost imperceptibly, and a powerful divine aura appeared in her eyes.

Then, Natsuba Hanae took a step and vanished instantly.

The moment she left with her power…

The terrifying Old God seemed to sense the weakening of the crimson pupil and roared in frustration, the chains rattling loudly.

In the next instant, the crimson pupil pulsed.

A bright red chain descended from the sky, piercing the Old God’s head with brutal force.

Then, a blood-red feather, radiating a violent aura, gently landed on the Old God’s head.

T/N:

The author uses the term 咒力, which is translated also as Cursed Energy—you might recognize it from Jujutsu Kaisen, where this term is widely used. It can also be interpreted as Spell Power or even Spiritual Energy/Power (which I had been using earlier). From this point on, I’ll stick with Cursed Energy. If you Google it, Jujutsu Kaisen images pop up immediately—lol.

In resume:

咒力: Spiritual Energy/Power —> now is Cursed Energy

Chapter 19: It’s Time to Let the World Know About Summer Harvest Mountain

A pleasant surprise.

A faint smile appeared on Natsuba Hanae’s lips.

Initially, she hadn’t expected to find the main material for the Umbrella Sword tonight.

She had simply wanted to take a walk, having been cooped up for so long.

And seeing Chikari Makoto’s excitement, she didn’t want to dampen her spirits.

If, as Chikari Makoto claimed, the material was compatible with her, it could be used as a supplementary material.

After all, her current power was far greater than before.

She could search for the main material herself after absorbing the power of the supernatural being in the Otherside.

But now, she had changed her mind.

This Half-Calamity level supernatural being was indeed worthy of becoming the main material for her Umbrella Sword.

Natsuba Hanae’s red, glass-like eyes sparkled.

The first thing she noticed was…

—The Rule.

[No Nonsense Here]

A half-formed Rule; this was the crucial point.

It was extremely rare for even a Calamity-level supernatural being to develop a Rule, let alone a Half-Calamity level one.

And she had arrived at the perfect moment, before the Rule was fully formed.

The probability of this was incredibly small.

Natsuba Hanae had wondered, if supernatural beings could develop Rules, why couldn’t humans?

She had tried.

But the result was unfavorable. The moment she extracted a Rule from a supernatural being, the being perished, and the Rule vanished along with it.

As if the supernatural being was the Rule itself.

But that was impossible.

Rules only appeared in Calamity-level and above supernatural beings.

If every supernatural being was a Rule, then all of them should possess one.

But that wasn’t the case.

Supernatural beings weren’t Rules; they were simply too closely linked.

So, if the link wasn’t so tight, could she try again?

The answer was undoubtedly yes!

However… Natsuba Hanae pursed her lips, looked at her palm, and slowly clenched her fist.

The power she currently possessed wasn’t enough.

The golden cherry blossom pattern between her brows flickered, and red light swirled in her eyes.

Natsuba Hanae focused on the spider with the baby’s head.

Under her gaze, the spider took a step back, but it was unfazed.

Natsuba Hanae could see the almost invisible crack between the half-formed Rule and the spider.

Once the Rule was complete, the crack would disappear.

If she could harness this Rule, she would gain a new source of power.

This was entirely different from simply increasing the amount of her existing power.

Natsuba Hanae had made up her mind. However, the Otherside didn’t belong to her yet; it belonged to the supernatural being she had suppressed.

Finding the entrance would take time.

She looked around. The enemy was only a Half-Calamity level being; Chikari Makoto could handle it.

As for the two members of the Nenba branch, she didn’t even consider them a threat.

She even looked down on the entire Nenba branch.

That family was completely rotten.

Their only B-rank supernatural user was nearing the end of his lifespan. Once he died, the Nenba branch would be in chaos.

Once she had secured the Rule and completed the Umbrella Sword…

She would let the world…

—Know about the existence of Summer Harvest Mountain.

Onmoraki and Tamamo-no-Mae must be eagerly waiting.

Soon… very soon.

Tonight.

“Makoto,” Natsuba Hanae murmured softly.

Chikari Makoto, who had been focusing on the spider, was startled by Natsuba Hanae’s voice.

She walked over, looking at her with confusion.

“Mom, what is it?”

Natsuba Hanae said,

“I need to leave for a while. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Remember, don’t let the discarded girl die. The rest is up to you.”

A Half-Calamity level supernatural being with half a Rule wasn’t something Chikari Makoto could handle alone. She risked being killed.

Chikari Makoto patted her chest, which was comparable in size to Natsuba Rinrei’s.

“Don’t worry, Mom!”

“Leave it all to me.”

Chikari Makoto was the most immature of Natsuba Hanae’s templates.

That was why Onmoraki and Tamamo-no-Mae had been sent out earlier, while she remained by Hanae’s side for training. With Chikari Makoto’s current strength, she could have been sent out long ago.

While Natsuba Hanae and Chikari Makoto were talking, the Nenba brothers were also discussing the situation.

“Big Bro, why isn’t that Half-Calamity level supernatural approaching?”

“It even took a step back, as if it’s afraid of something.”

The Nenba brothers were closest to the spider.

They were positioned between Natsuba Hanae’s group and the spider.

However, they didn’t consider Natsuba Hanae and the others a threat, so they weren’t wary of them.

Unlike the ignorant Nenba Yusuke, Nenba Yukawa was more experienced.

He said,

“This supernatural being is more intelligent than I thought.”

“It’s wary of our ‘Explode’ and ‘Bind’ talismans, that’s why it took a step back.”

“It knows that an explosion would be fatal.”

“Hmph, thanks to Number Six and the others, it has bought us some time.”

“We can’t wait any longer. Let’s kill Number Six and the others first. Three baits will allow for more tactical options.”

Nenba Yukawa had observed that…

Number Six had only recovered some of her physical strength and a small portion of her abilities, not fully. She wasn’t a threat to them.

And the spider was wary of their talismans. As long as they had the blood-red talismans, it wouldn’t dare approach.

Therefore, eliminating Number Six and the others first was the most advantageous choice.

Just then…

They saw the silver-haired girl with the black bird mask casually wave her hand, opening a deep, swirling black vortex.

She stepped in and vanished.

“A spatial-type supernatural user?!”

Nenba Yukawa’s pupils constricted.

Powerful spatial-type users not only controlled teleportation but could also use space itself to attack, slicing through bodies and killing invisibly.

But then, seeing the vortex close, he relaxed.

It seemed she was a weak spatial-type user, only capable of teleportation, and only able to transport one person at a time.

Otherwise, Number Six and the other girl would have escaped as well.

He chuckled.

“Number Six, it seems the people you met aren’t much help. They’ve already abandoned you.”

“The other one will probably abandon you too.”

“Just like the family calls you discarded, you are destined to be abandoned.”

He was trying to break down Number Six psychologically, slowly approaching her.

He stomped his foot, the ground cracking slightly, and lunged towards Number Six!

Number Six was also shocked that Natsuba Hanae was a spatial-type user. But seeing the portal close after only one person had gone through…

Her hopes of escaping plummeted.

However, she quickly regained her composure. In this situation, even one person escaping was better than none. She should be happy that her savior had gotten away.

She had lived longer than she expected; that was enough.

Now, she needed to buy time for the girl with the golden bird mask to escape. As a D-rank supernatural user, she was faster.

Just as Nenba Yukawa had said…

She was discarded, destined to be abandoned from birth.

So, her death would be the perfect ending.

Number Six clumsily assumed a fighting stance, raising her fists. She had never fought before, but now she had a reason to fight.

In a split second, Nenba Yukawa’s cursed energy-enhanced leg was upon her.

Aiming for her head.

She was too slow; her right fist hadn’t even moved.

The suffocating fear of death filled her heart.

So…she still didn’t want to die.

Just then, a whispered breath beside her ear turned into a resounding roar.

“Thousand Feathers Style…”

Like a golden flash, a series of sonic booms erupted as a fist, enhanced with golden energy and moving faster than sound, hurtled towards Nenba Yukawa.

“Lightning Speed!”

In an instant…

Number Six saw Chikari Makoto appear in front of her, throwing a punch at Nenba Yukawa.

“Boom———!!!!!”

Nenba Yukawa was sent flying backward even faster than he had approached.

At the same time, a scream echoed from the distance.

“Big Bro, help me———!”

The spider with the baby’s head had moved unnoticed, appearing beside Nenba Yusuke. Its massive maw chomped down on his upper body.

Blood sprayed out like a geyser.

Chapter 18: My Hands are Covered in Poison.JPG

“Why are you running?”

“Are you in danger?”

“Don’t worry, I’m here. You’re safe now.”

“I’m very strong.”

Hearing Number Six’s words, Chikari Makoto declared proudly.

She flexed her arm, pulling up her white maid sleeve to reveal her fair skin and bicep.

But unfortunately…

The bird mask she had created with a Golden Feather had the added effect of concealing part of her aura.

So, to Number Six’s sensory abilities, Chikari Makoto was just a naive D-rank supernatural user showing off her strength.

And the other silver-haired girl, despite her elegant and noble appearance, had the aura of an ordinary person.

Her superior demeanor likely stemmed from her status, not her power.

If it weren’t for the years of torment she had endured…

If she were an ordinary fifteen-year-old girl, she would probably be in tears by now.

Danger was imminent.

Yet the two in front of her remained unfazed.

If she had fully recovered and could carry them, she would have scooped them up and run.

Despite her urgency, seeing their nonchalance…

Number Six could only explain,

“Behind me, two C-rank supernatural users are fighting a Half-Calamity level supernatural being.”

“Those two C-rank users are my enemies, and they’ll definitely come after me!”

“So, run! If you don’t run now, it’ll be too late!”

Having said this, Number Six felt a slight relief.

Surely, the two girls would be scared now. She hoped they wouldn’t be so terrified that their legs gave way.

That was a Half-Calamity level being.

Moreover…it had manifested half a Rule.

The oppressive feeling had made it difficult for her to breathe when she saw it; even now, she felt a chill down her spine.

However, what happened next was completely unexpected.

“Ah!”

Like a lightbulb, Chikari Makoto’s golden eyes lit up beneath her mask.

“A Half-Calamity level supernatural!”

“That inflatable guy didn’t let me have enough fun, and Mom’s big bird ate the goat-man. Finally, a chance for me to show off!”

Number Six: “…”

What was she talking about? She understood each word individually, but together, they made no sense.

Seeing that they still had no intention of leaving, she decided on drastic measures.

She would knock them unconscious and carry them as far as she could with her remaining strength.

Number Six gritted her teeth, preparing to act.

Just then…

A violent tremor came from behind them.

“Boom———!!”

She turned to look, her pupils constricting.

Nenba Yukawa and Nenba Yusuke were approaching.

She shouted,

“Run!!”

“I can hold them off for a while! Run!”

“Run? None of you are getting away!”

Nenba Yukawa’s deep voice echoed.

In the blink of an eye, the Nenba brothers were less than ten meters away.

But they stopped, not advancing further.

Nenba Yukawa’s eyes flickered with thought.

He hadn’t seen clearly from afar, but now, up close, he noticed that Number Six wasn’t even out of breath, and the wounds on her hands were completely gone.

Although Number Six was a weak C-rank, and a sensory-type at that…

If she had recovered, her physical abilities as a C-rank were still considerable.

He and his brother were both depleted; his spiritual power was almost gone, and his brother’s arm was missing. If subduing Number Six took too much effort, even with bait, they wouldn’t be able to kill the Half-Calamity level supernatural.

This was troublesome!

He could only try to intimidate her, hoping the years of abuse had instilled enough fear.

As for the other two, Nenba Yukawa didn’t consider them a threat.

Even Number Six, a sensory-type, could only perceive Chikari Makoto as a D-rank. To him, they were just ordinary people.

He could crush them effortlessly.

But now he had more bait. Even the flesh and blood of ordinary humans were a sweet temptation to supernatural beings.

A cruel look appeared in Nenba Yukawa’s eyes as he said,

“You want to stop us?”

“You, a lowly discarded member?”

“Come here.”

“Otherwise, I’ll kill Number Eight and Number Ten when we get back!”

Number Six trembled.

Number Eight and Number Ten were discarded members who lived in the same warehouse as her. Although not blood-related, they had lived together for five years.

She considered them her younger siblings.

As she hesitated…

“Boom———!!!”

A deafening explosion rocked the ground.

The spider with the baby’s head landed heavily, creating a crater and sending smoke and dust everywhere. Its grotesque body slowly emerged.

“Zaaaaaaaaaaa———!!”

Seeing more delicious-looking prey, it roared excitedly, the tentacles in its mouth writhing even faster.

“Aaaaaaa…”

Suddenly, the spider’s roar cut off abruptly, as if it had choked.

It seemed to have seen something incomprehensible. Its spider body took a step back, its mocking expression replaced by fear.

The moment the spider appeared, the Nenba brothers’ faces turned ashen, and Number Six looked resigned.

Chikari Makoto’s expression turned serious, eager to fight.

Only a pair of deep red eyes, shining brightly in the darkness, lit up with surprise.

The owner of those eyes lightly licked the finger she had touched to her lips.

“Interesting.”

Chapter 17: Guess Where the Golden Feather Grows

Natsuba Hanae looked at the figure collapsed before her, then at the long trail of blood stretching into the distance.

She lightly touched her finger to her lips, a glint of interest in her red eyes.

Good perseverance and talent.

Next, she needed to assess her character.

Chikari Makoto, seeing Natsuba Hanae’s gesture, mimicked it, lightly touching her finger to her own lips. She always thought this move was incredibly cool!

So, whenever she got excited in battle, she would do it.

Seeing that Natsuba Hanae was still lost in thought…

Chikari Makoto grew bored.

She looked at Number Six lying on the ground, squatted down, picked up a twig, and poked her occasionally.

Seeing the dense scars, enough to make anyone with trypophobia’s skin crawl, she frowned.

Although she was used to killing…

She had never seen this kind of torture.

Then, Natsuba Hanae spoke softly,

“Makoto, heal her with a Golden Feather.”

Chikari Makoto’s hand trembled, and the twig fell to the ground.

Her eyes widened, and she looked up at Natsuba Hanae.

Golden Feathers were one of the Ijishin’s abilities. Three golden feathers would grow on her body each month.

These feathers had special properties.

They were miniature, all-purpose wish-granting devices.

Within reason, any wish made upon a Golden Feather would be granted.

The masks they had pulled from their skirts earlier were one of the products of Chikari Makoto’s wishes upon a Golden Feather.

Of course, the items granted weren’t permanent; they had a time limit.

The duration depended on Chikari Makoto’s power and the item’s strength.

Healing, however, was an exception.

Previously, Chikari Makoto had used her Golden Feathers on herself after training to reduce hidden injuries and accelerate recovery.

She only had one Golden Feather left this month.

This meant Natsuba Hanae was asking her to forgo a slight increase in her own power and choose to save this unrelated person.

Chikari Makoto was naturally unwilling, even resentful.

But…

This was Mom’s order.

Mom’s orders were absolute.

Strictly speaking, everything she had belonged to Mom.

She pursed her lips, pouted slightly, and replied,

“Okay.”

Chikari Makoto pulled out the last Golden Feather from inside her skirt. Its brilliant golden color shone brightly even in the darkness.

Despite her reluctance, she focused her mind on directing the feather’s power.

Then, she gently released it.

The Golden Feather slowly drifted down, landing on Number Six’s body.

The moment it touched her, it exploded into countless golden particles, then surged into Number Six’s body.

Like long-awaited rain on parched earth, Number Six’s body eagerly absorbed the Golden Feather’s power.

The scars on her hands healed visibly.

The Golden Feather’s effects didn’t stop there. It also healed the damage caused by Number Six’s overuse of her abilities.

Unfortunately, there was only one feather; it only healed a small portion of the damage before disappearing.

Chikari Makoto was surprised and confused.

“Her ability is so depleted, yet she’s still alive!”

“But…”

“Why is her ability so depleted? She’s a C-rank user.”

Being a C-rank meant she was capable of hunting supernatural beings independently and replenishing her power with supernatural materials, gradually increasing her level.

Yet Number Six’s body was like a withered field, practically devoid of energy.

This was highly unusual.

As Chikari Makoto pondered, Natsuba Hanae’s voice softly explained,

“She’s a discarded member of the Nenba branch.”

Chikari Makoto instantly understood, looking at Number Six’s body with pity.

As a branch family under the Natsuba conglomerate, she was naturally aware of the Nenba branch’s situation.

But since it was an internal matter, other branches couldn’t interfere. Without intervention from the main family, no one would intervene.

Otherwise, they would be easily accused of inciting chaos within the Natsuba family and punished according to family law.

However, the situation was far more severe than she had imagined.

They really weren’t treating supernatural users as human beings.

As they spoke…

Number Six felt a warmth spreading through her body, a sense of peace like being full and basking in the sun.

It had been so long since she had felt this way.

She couldn’t help but revel in the sensation.

As her senses sharpened, she slowly opened her eyes.

Her body felt incredibly light.

As if a heavy burden had been lifted, she felt completely rejuvenated.

Then, she looked at her hands.

The dense scars were completely gone, and her dark eyes instantly became clear and bright.

She quickly noticed the two girls in front of her.

One was dressed as a maid, the other in an elegant, black dress that revealed her shapely legs, covered in sheer black stockings.

Her aura was refined and noble.

Both wore bird masks, but clearly, the silver-haired girl was the leader. So, Number Six, accustomed to observing others for survival, focused her attention on Natsuba Hanae.

The improvement in her own condition was obvious.

She lowered her gaze and bowed her head.

“Thank you for saving me.”

Then, snapping back to reality, Number Six quickly assessed the situation.

The Half-Calamity level supernatural being and the Nenba brothers were locked in battle. Either side could arrive here at any moment.

Although these two girls had saved her, indicating they were likely healers or possessed healing talismans or items…

Despite their bird masks, they were only around twenty years old and definitely no match for the Half-Calamity level being or the Nenba brothers.

Leaving them would undoubtedly increase her chances of survival.

But…

A struggle flashed in Number Six’s eyes, then turned into resolve.

“I don’t have time to explain.”

“But please trust me, we need to leave here immediately!”

“Run as fast as you can!!!”

Chapter 16: Nenba Yusuke: My King’s Power!

“Damn it!”

“It’s too fast! We can’t get close!”

Although the spider with the baby’s head wasn’t particularly large for a supernatural being, it was incredibly agile.

With all six legs propelling it, a single leap could cover a vast distance in an instant.

They would approach it, only for it to be far away again in the blink of an eye.

The “Bind” talisman’s effectiveness, and the duration of its effect, depended on proximity to the target.

Against a Half-Calamity level supernatural, Nenba Yusuke’s Life Talisman wouldn’t be very effective due to the difference in their levels.

According to their calculations, they needed to be within three meters to achieve a decent effect.

Only then, by attaching the “Explode” talisman directly to the spider and detonating it, could they hope for a one-hit kill.

Their supply of talismans dwindled rapidly.

They began drawing talismans in the air, consuming their own spiritual power to maintain suppressive fire.

Compared to most supernatural users, sorcerers were stronger because they could enhance themselves in various ways.

And in team battles, they could specialize in their strengths, fighting in coordinated groups.

They could store the talismans they drew and use them in combat.

Thes piritual power required to activate a talisman was minimal.

Of course, the materials for creating talismans were supernatural materials, making them expensive to produce.

Drawing talismans in the air consumed much more spiritual power than normal.

There were exceptionally talented sorcerers who, through skill or innate ability, could activate sorcery with just words, without drawing talismans.

Some could even…

Inscribe sorcery onto their own bodies!

The battle raged on, but as time passed, the younger brother, Nenba Yusuke, began to tire.

He could previously draw two “Attack” talismans in ten seconds; now, he could only manage one.

A brief gap appeared in their suppressive fire.

The spider with the baby’s head naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

It feigned a retreat, and Nenba Yukawa quickly pursued. Nenba Yusuke hesitated, wanting to pause for a moment to recover.

And that hesitation proved fatal.

A strange glint appeared in the spider’s blank, white eyes.

It abruptly changed direction, stopping its retreat and lunging towards Nenba Yusuke!

“Damn it!”

Nenba Yukawa’s pupils constricted as he watched the spider brush past him.

Two against one, they could suppress the Half-Calamity level being.

But one-on-one, the spider would crush either of them!

He shouted urgently,

“Yusuke! Get back!!!”

Before his voice even faded, the spider was upon Nenba Yusuke.

Nenba Yusuke looked up in a daze.

The Half-Calamity level supernatural being loomed over him, a twisted, mocking expression on its baby face.

Its blood-red marked left leg was raised high, gleaming menacingly in the moonlight like the scythe of death.

His hair stood on end, a chill running down his spine.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

“Defense!!!”

Three “Defense” talismans flew from his pocket, igniting instantly.

Three shimmering blue energy shields formed in front of him, but before he could breathe a sigh of relief…

The spider’s scythe-like leg slammed down.

The blue energy shields shattered like paper, lasting only three breaths.

Three breaths.

Nenba Yusuke barely had time to turn his head.

Squelch—

A sickening sound echoed, followed by a scream of pain.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah———!!!!!”

A right hand, clutching a blood-red talisman, flew through the air.

“Die!!”

A furious roar came from behind the spider.

Nenba Yukawa had returned.

But he wasn’t fast enough. The spider, unable to finish the job, leaped away, creating distance.

Two blood-red talismans radiated a dangerous aura. As long as they weren’t reduced in number, it wouldn’t risk getting too close.

However…

Now that one of them was severely injured, it could try something.

“Zaaaaaaaaaaa.”

It chuckled softly.

A mocking, twisted smile appeared on its baby face.

Nenba Yukawa caught his brother, retreating and retrieving the severed hand and the blood-red talisman.

He placed the talisman in Nenba Yusuke’s left hand.

A Life Talisman’s power was doubled, but only the creator could use it.

Nenba Yukawa applied a healing talisman to Nenba Yusuke’s shoulder to stop the bleeding and ease the pain.

Healing wasn’t his forte; the effect was minimal.

Reattaching the severed arm would have to wait until they returned to the family.

And even then, his combat strength would likely never be the same.

Nenba Yusuke stood up. The pain from his severed arm nearly made him faint, but this wasn’t the time to rest.

He gasped,

“Big Bro, let’s retreat.”

“This supernatural being is beyond us. Let’s inform Young Master Yosuke and have him send others.”

Nenba Yukawa frowned.

This was a Half-Calamity level supernatural!

And they had already weakened it considerably. Why should they let others reap the rewards?

He pondered for a moment, then said,

“Let’s try one more time.”

“I have a new plan.”

They still had the “Bind” and “Explode” talismans; they still had a chance for a one-hit kill.

It was just a very slim chance.

Although they had determined that the supernatural being possessed some intelligence…

It was still a supernatural being; it couldn’t compare to a human’s intellect.

Perhaps…

They could use bait.

And where could they find bait?

Number Six’s C-rank body would be perfect bait, a delicious morsel!

He looked around but didn’t see her.

“Huh? Where’s Number Six?”

Meanwhile, Nenba Yusuke made a discovery.

“Big Bro, there’s a trail of blood. That trash must have run away while we were fighting.”

“In her condition, she can’t have gone far.”

“Let’s go after her!”

…

Chapter 15: No Nonsense Here

It was true that Calamity-level supernatural beings had a chance of developing a Rule.

Naturally, Half-Calamity level beings also had a chance, just as there were differences in talent among supernatural users.

The more talented a supernatural being, the more likely it was to develop a Rule at or around Calamity level.

A supernatural being manifesting a Rule at Half-Calamity level was undoubtedly exceptionally talented.

Although the probability was extremely low, Nenba Yukawa had used his Life Talisman from the start. Its blood-red color indicated it was created using his own heart’s blood.

Regardless of whether the supernatural being had a Rule, this was a formidable opponent.

They needed to use a quick attack, a decisive blow to finish it in one go.

If the fight dragged on, the supernatural being’s regenerative abilities would likely lead to their deaths.

Nenba Yukawa also understood why this supernatural being had escaped from the fallen Ginza.

It was clearly on the verge of reaching Calamity level and developing a Rule, seeking to…

—Establish its own domain!

Create its own Otherside.

He looked at the supernatural being, its aura still intensifying despite being at Half-Calamity level, and realized that it would likely reach Calamity level within days.

It was probably charging towards them because it sensed the distance between them and the other team (Circle of Light), intending to devour them to accelerate its growth.

But!

They weren’t easy prey. If it wanted to devour them, it would have to break its teeth first!

“Yusuke, quick attack, full power!”

Concise and to the point.

As brothers, they had fought together countless times, and with their occasional telepathic connection, their coordination was impeccable.

In certain combat situations, they could even rival a B-rank supernatural user.

This was the source of their confidence in hunting a Half-Calamity level being.

Nenba Yusuke was startled.

He hadn’t expected his brother to opt for such an extreme, all-out attack from the start.

He also understood the severity of the threat. Without hesitation, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he pulled out a blood-red talisman from his pocket.

To ensure success, Nenba Yukawa chanted incantations.

A shimmering blue aura enveloped him, and he bit his tongue, spraying blood onto the talisman. The blood-red talisman flashed, turning dark red.

His aura weakened slightly.

Nenba Yusuke was slightly weaker than his brother, so in dangerous battles, he primarily supported Yukawa.

His blood-red talisman bore the character for “Bind.”

While Nenba Yukawa’s darkened talisman bore the character for “Explode”!

They exchanged glances, and without waiting for the spider with the baby’s head to react, they charged towards it.

As they moved, several blue talismans tore free from their bodies, bursting into flames midair as they unleashed a storm of spiritual power attacks toward the spider.

Blue orbs of light struck the spider rapidly.

This was the advantage of Nen.

Unfortunately, these attacks barely scratched the Half-Calamity level supernatural being.

Moreover, the spider was incredibly agile, dodging most of the attacks with its jumps.

It retaliated by spitting highly corrosive venom.

Wherever the venom landed, the ground rapidly dissolved, leaving deep craters.

If it hit them, they would be severely injured.

Unable to dodge, they activated “Defense” talismans, summoning blue energy shields for temporary protection, quickly changing positions before the shields dissolved.

Years of accumulated talismans were being used up at an alarming rate.

Three dark figures moved rapidly in the night, the battle reaching a fever pitch.

Number Six, repeatedly struck by the aftershocks, crawled towards a large tree, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath.

She had no strength left.

She watched the battle, her eyes still faintly glowing blue from the remnants of her ability.

“No… no…”

“They’re going to die…”

Fear appeared on her dirty face.

Unlike the Nenba brothers, who sensed a slight increase in the spider’s power but believed it was still within a manageable range, she, with her sensory abilities, clearly felt something different.

The slight power increase was a deliberate act; this supernatural being possessed considerable intelligence!

Its true power was rapidly swelling.

Days?

No, in a few hours, this supernatural being would reach true Calamity level.

Moreover, the thick, suffocating feeling in the area was intensifying, as if an invisible shackle was tightening around her.

Its name was…

—[No Nonsense Here]

It was a half-formed Rule!

A terrifying chill ran down Number Six’s spine, and she gritted her teeth.

“Escape…”

Unlike the older, resigned discarded members, at only fifteen, she still held a flicker of hope in her heart, a desire to escape the Nenba branch.

Staying here meant certain death.

And she carried her parents’ wishes, she wanted to live!

A stubborn hope appeared in Number Six’s eyes.

She pulled out a tattered, wrapped piece of canvas from her dirty clothes.

A faint light emanated from it.

It was a low-grade supernatural material, no bigger than a thumbnail.

It was a small piece of a finger from a supernatural being she had secretly kept after a battle with the Nenba branch.

That supernatural being’s power resided in its limbs.

Because it was a low-grade supernatural and the missing part was so small, the brothers had searched for it briefly and then given up.

Number Six had used it a few times to replenish her strength, and this was all that remained.

However, for a C-rank supernatural user, this meager amount was just a drop in the bucket.

But it was still hope!

Staying here meant death, escaping offered a sliver of a chance.

Number Six carefully placed it in her mouth, and in an instant, her parched body absorbed the supernatural material, craving more, but there was none left.

A small amount of strength returned to her body.

She shakily stood up, sensing the power fluctuations behind her, and walked away without looking back.

It had only been a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity.

The meager energy was long gone.

Her legs gave out, exhausted, and she collapsed.

But…

She still had her hands!

The hope in Number Six’s eyes hadn’t faded.

She crawled forward, sharp stones and thick roots scraping against her body, leaving a trail of blood.

This pain was nothing compared to the beatings she had endured, compared to the miserable existence she had led in the Nenba branch.

Hope hadn’t vanished…

Hope hadn’t vanished…！

Hope hadn’t vanished…!!

But her body had no strength left…

She crawled for a long time, unable to move forward, her eyes slowly closing, her body twitching unconsciously.

Was she dying?

Her eyes closed completely, plunging her into darkness.

But before her eyes closed, why did she see two beautiful feet stop in front of her?

Chapter 14: A Half-Calamity Level Supernatural!

“Number Six, hurry up! Don’t dawdle!”

“If we lose the elite-level supernatural, you’ll receive forty lashes and be starved for ten days when we get back!”

A cruel glint appeared in Nenba Yusuke’s eyes as he kicked the frail girl in front of him, threatening her.

Like the Circle of Light, they were also a three-person team.

Nenba Yusuke and Nenba Yukawa were brothers, and the frail girl was Number Six.

Indeed, Number Six didn’t have a name, only a number.

For the Nenba branch, supernatural users who didn’t inherit the Nen ability were mere consumables.

Using numbers was more convenient.

It was worth mentioning, and rather ironic, that due to the continuous weakening of the Nenba bloodline, the number of ordinary people in the family was about to surpass those with Nen abilities.

However, perhaps due to the unique nature of the Nen bloodline, the probability of other supernatural abilities appearing among the Nenba branch was much higher than normal.

So, even now, by readily using consumables, the Nenba branch’s overall strength hadn’t declined, but had even subtly increased.

Nenba Yukawa frowned as he saw his younger brother repeatedly beating Number Six.

“Enough!”

“Don’t keep weakening Number Six during the mission. You can do whatever you want when we get back, but if you jeopardize the mission, you’ll face the consequences.”

Nenba Yukawa glanced at his brother and Number Six with disdain.

To him, his brother was still too young.

Touching a discarded member was like staining their hands, utterly disgusting for those with Nen abilities.

Tainted bloodlines should be eradicated.

However, decades ago, the family discovered the continuous decline of the Nen ability, which was why these disgusting creatures were kept alive and barely utilized.

For these beings, being alive was a merciful gift from the family.

Nenba Yusuke’s attacks grew increasingly vicious, squeezing Number Six’s neck, choking her.

“Gasp… Gasp…”

Number Six’s dirty, tangled black hair covered her body as her face turned red, struggling desperately to pry Nenba Yusuke’s hands away.

But the thought of the punishment for a discarded member touching a family member with Nen abilities made her tremble.

Her eyes teared up from lack of air; she felt like she was about to die.

Nenba Yusuke finally heard his brother’s words.

He abruptly released her.

Number Six collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

The pain from her injuries flared up, but she was already numb to it.

She suddenly thought that dying just now wouldn’t have been so bad. At least she wouldn’t be used as a disposable tool anymore.

Her abilities were also severely overdrawn.

In a few months, the title of Number Six would likely be passed on to someone else.

Life in the Nenba branch was as deep and dark as their black hair, devoid of light.

Discarded members not only lacked supernatural resources, but even having a full meal was a luxury.

So sad… so painful…

But… she didn’t want to die… she had promised her parents…

…To survive.

Number Six clutched her throat, lowered her head, and coughed violently.

“Stop playing dead! Hurry up and find the elite-level supernatural!”

She was kicked again, but Number Six was used to it.

There wasn’t a patch of healthy skin on her wrists, only scars and dried blood from repeatedly cutting herself to use her abilities.

If it weren’t for the resilient vitality of a supernatural user, an ordinary person would have already died.

Finally, she found a small area of undamaged skin on her wrist and cut it to activate her ability.

A faint, flickering blue light appeared in her dark eyes, as if it might extinguish at any moment.

When she finally saw the elite-level supernatural, Number Six witnessed an unbelievable scene, her eyes widening.

Her slightly hoarse voice quickly reported,

“Correction, the elite-level supernatural has reached half-Calamity level.”

“It’s not running anymore.”

“It’s… charging towards us.”

“What?!”

Although they despised discarded members, the Nenba brothers acknowledged Number Six’s tracking and sensory abilities.

They were both shocked.

A half-Calamity level supernatural was beyond the control of a C-rank supernatural user.

However, they were both Nen users and sorcerers. With the versatility of sorcery and a sufficient supply of powerful talismans…

They might have a fighting chance.

Moreover, although not twins, as brothers, their Nen fluctuations were very similar, allowing them to understand each other without words.

Let’s do this!

Almost instantly, Nenba Yusuke and Nenba Yukawa exchanged glances, confirming their decision not to retreat, but to fight.

This was a half-Calamity level supernatural. If they could successfully hunt it…

The supernatural materials they obtained could potentially elevate one of them to B-rank!

This would also raise their family status, and their descendants would be much more likely to inherit the Nen ability.

In a split second, the Nenba brothers made their decision, and the half-Calamity level supernatural was rapidly approaching!

“Thump! Thump! Thump!”

“Boom———!!!”

The supernatural being made a loud noise, kicking off the ground and leaping from the distance, revealing its terrifying form.

It was a spider-type supernatural.

Its body resembled a black spider, magnified dozens of times, reaching three meters in size. Countless tiny eyes opened on its six hairy legs.

And its front left leg, covered in blood-red markings, glowed ominously like the scythe of the Grim Reaper.

Where its spider head should have been, there was a large baby’s head, taking up two-thirds of its body.

It roared, its mouth filled with writhing tentacles.

It was enough to make one’s skin crawl and hair stand on end.

“Zaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa———!!”

Its sharp shriek seemed to pierce the soul, even covering one’s ears was useless.

An invisible pressure spread, making the air thick and suffocating, like being underwater.

This was…

A half-Calamity level supernatural.

Nenba Yukawa pulled out a blood-red talisman from his pocket, swallowed hard, and gritted his teeth.

“Yusuke, let’s go!!”

Deep within his eyes, a profound fear surfaced.

He hoped…

This half-Calamity level supernatural hadn’t mastered a “Rule”!