Chapter 60

【You killed the Stray Spirit "Chi", gained 0 Soul Ash.】

【You killed the Stray Spirit "Chi", gained 0 Soul Ash.】

……

【You killed the Half-Star Stray Spirit "Chi", gained 3 Soul Ash.】

"Weak to a shocking degree."

Uesugi Toru silently sheathed his sword with Blood Vibration, looking dazedly at Ye Chun behind him, who was hunching her shoulders as she watched the battle.

Ye Chun leaned forward, excitedly whispering to Er Chi Adult: "Er Chi Er Chi! Your big brother is actually this amazing, this is way too awesome and gives way too much sense of security!"

"Hmph hmph, this is natural. Toru Big... my big brother dealing with these trivial small fry is naturally just like cutting melons and slicing vegetables."

Er Chi Adult proudly akimbo, skillfully using an idiom.

But Uesugi Toru completely didn't have their mood so relaxed, he tightly furrowed his brows, feeling these yokai named "Chi" were really a bit too weak.

Not to mention their reaction to surrounding movement and aggressiveness were almost non-existent, even needing Uesugi Toru to slash them with one slash onto their bodies before they barely reacted.

Moreover, Stray Chi completely didn't drop Soul Ash, this was also the first time he encountered this kind of strange situation.

Two Half-Star Chi could drop Soul Ash, but added together it was only a mere ten points, not even as much as one sturdy farmer.

The strange phenomena in Kisaragi Station, many, really many.

"Just three or two stray spirits trapped here."

Uesugi Toru walked to the excited Ye Chun's front: "Can you continue walking, classmate Ye Chun?"

"Can can can!"

Ye Chun nodded repeatedly, eyes shining as she looked at Uesugi Toru and the Kaga Kiyomitsu at his waist, couldn't help but ask: "Uesugi classmate, are you actually the descendant of a legendary mysterious ancient clan? A descendant of the Warring States period 'Echigo no Ryu'?"

Echigo no Ryu, also some say is War God, is the Warring States period Echigo Province Daimyo Uesugi Kenshin's alias, almost can be called the Three Commanders alongside the famous Oda Nobunaga, Takeda Shingen.

Since there is fame, then it will often be taken out by light novel and manga authors and placed in works for consumption.

The main consumer targets are teenagers in their teens like Ye Chun.

Uesugi Toru was a bit speechless.

However, this did help Uesugi Toru think of a more suitable identity.

So he revealed a "didn't expect you to discover it" expression, calmly said: "If there isn't a second Uesugi Clan, then I should be it."

Ye Chun instantly let out a string of surprised oh-oh sounds, proudly posted a post.

Three people continued walking forward.

Uesugi Toru still maintained the Echigo no Ryu descendant's cool persona, but actually listened incomparably carefully to every sentence Ye Chun spoke up front.

Very quickly, he constructed in his mind Ye Chun's basic information, personality and hobbies.

Born in a remote small city's ordinary family, not poor but also not wealthy, attended school by the book, same as the vast majority not preparing for higher education, so grades average.

Had three or two pretty good friends, joined a get-by club, hobbies quite many but not proficient, if forced to pick the most outstanding, it would be manga.

"Completely just an ordinary high school student ah......"

Uesugi Toru murmured a sentence, until now he still hadn't found even a single point that could "save" the other party.

Could it be the meaning of save is simply bringing Ye Chun out of this Kisaragi Station map?

That would be too simple.

Walked a while more, front Ye Chun let out a startled cry: "Uesugi-kun! It's that tunnel, when I took the train over it seems I passed through that tunnel!"

Tunnel.

Uesugi Toru raised his head, glimpsed in the night that pitch-black tunnel's top the three old large characters "Isanuki", looking at the patina and weathering degree at least several decades old.

"But inside seems very dark, seems like even the road can't be seen clearly, should we wait until daybreak before going in better?"

Ye Chun suddenly a bit regretted not staying overnight at the station.

"Then your meaning is we have to spend the night in this wilderness?" Uesugi Toru faintly said, "For such a long time, the surrounding woods who knows what yokai might appear."

Ye Chun bit her lip: "Then all listen to Uesugi-kun you."

"You hold tight Er Chi's hand, she will be with you."

Darkness for Uesugi Toru doesn't count as anything, premise is he must transform into War Hannya.

So he continued: "Next may appear danger, so I will cast Yin-Yang Technique transform into Hannya's appearance, classmate Ye Chun you don't be afraid."

"Oh?! Hannya!"

Ye Chun excitedly exclaimed, then discovered her reaction seemed overdone: "Cough cough, I mean, since you said it in advance I won't be scared."

"Then good."

Right under Ye Chun's gaze, Uesugi Toru recited a fabricated spell, pinched non-existent hand seals and transformed into War Hannya.

Blurry night scenery instantly brightened, Hundred-Eyed Demon eyeballs provided 270-degree view danger clear at a glance, explosive power even more far exceeded normal him.

If in transformed state, Uesugi Toru one slash could send away that group of Chi encountered earlier.

Uesugi Toru looked back, discovered Ye Chun was staring dazedly at himself.

He puzzled, could it be now whatever expression he doesn't make can also scare ordinary people unconscious?

This passive this strong?

"Classmate Ye Chun?"

"So cool......" girl murmured a sentence, then ran toward him touching here touching there exclaiming, "This is too cool! Transformation ah, just like Masked Rider!"

After closely examining the Hannya mask for a good while, Ye Chun then withdrew her hand, incomparably sincerely evaluated:

"Both majestic and cold. This life I've never seen anyone cooler than you, Uesugi-kun."

"Uh...... thanks for the praise."

Uesugi Toru still first time hearing this kind of evaluation, after all in this state his charm all returned to zero, previously Er Chi Adult and Kitano Runa both scared enough to be choking.

This Ye Chun person, can get along with.

"Mm! Right now I practically have a sense of security bursting at the seams!"

Ye Chun patted her chest: "Next, please, Uesugi-kun, you lead me through the tunnel!"

"Don't fall behind."

Uesugi Toru drew Kaga Kiyomitsu and walked alone at the front into the dark, lightless depths of the Isanuki Tunnel.

He remembered that in the Main Story Mononoke of Kisaragi Station, not long after Ye Chun entered the tunnel, the sound of a Taiko Drum constantly approaching would come from behind her.

That should be the Mononoke·Taiko Drum Bell from the Main Quest.

But that was ultimately just a story passed by word of mouth; in reality perhaps the Taiko Drum Bell appears directly at the front of the tunnel, because it has always stayed inside the tunnel.

——That fits reality better, doesn't it?

Just like right now.

Thump……

Thump.

Thump!

In the darkness, someone was striking a sturdy Taiko Drum with force, blocking the path ahead.

And, rapidly approaching this way.

Uesugi Toru raised his head, taking in the full hundred-meter distance at a glance——

【Taiko Drum Bell (Two-Star)】

"Nishaku, you take Ye Chun and run back first, quickly."

Uesugi Toru began circulating the Kiai Technique at full power, his body emitting crackling explosion sounds: "Perhaps it can kill with drum sounds; that would make it very hard to protect you."

"Then Toru-sama, you be careful!"

Nishaku-sama's heart tightened, recalling the scene of Uesugi Toru being counterattacked by Haku Hannya to death, but she did not hesitate much, hurriedly pulling Ye Chun and running toward the rear.

Ye Chun glanced strangely at the girl pulling her, but did not think much of it, instead shouting loudly: "Good luck, Uesugi-kun! Knock down all these demon monsters!"

"I'll borrow your auspicious words."

Uesugi Toru assumed the Heijougan Stance, adjusting his breathing to accumulate power.

The gap between the Taiko Drum Bell and him was a full one star; not knowing the opponent's specific strength, Uesugi Toru believed he must first inflict heavy damage on it to facilitate the subsequent battle.

Thump-thump-thump!

The resonant Taiko Drum sound echoed in the empty tunnel.

Uesugi Toru stared indifferently at that Taiko Drum drawing ever closer, and the several wooden puppets playing it around him.

First sword, break the drum first……

But when the Taiko Drum drew a bit closer, Uesugi Toru discovered with shock that the Label atop its head had actually begun to blur, losing color.

In the end, it turned into a completely different name——

【Baka Bayashi (One-Star Half)】

And at the same time, from far away at the rear of the tunnel came a soul-shaking Taiko Drum sound.

Round after round, even separated by such a great distance there was not the slightest sign of weakening.

——Taiko Drum Bell!

The one behind is the Taiko Drum Bell!

(End of Chapter)