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The Devouring Spirit is particularly fond of hamburgers.
Ahh . . . mmm!
A double burger, stacked with two meat patties, crisp lettuce, and bright red tomatoes, promised a filling meal.
Taking a big bite, Latimeria lit up with joy.
Delicious . . . !
Through a one-way mirror, Nanoka Furukawa watched her smile with glee.
Separated by a mirror, the observation room on the other side of the interrogation room was cramped and devoid of food. A thick arm draped over Nanoka's shoulder belonged to a middle-aged man who reeked of tobacco.
Every time Detective Kinugawa spoke, Nanoka could feel the man's weight leaning into him.
You can't really tell with these Magatsukami. That cute one looks only fourteen or fifteen, don't you think?
So, she's not human then?
A slap rang out.
Don't play dumb, Furukawa. We know all about you. A renegade walking around with a Magatsukami, boldly entering into a police station—that's some nerve. What were you planning to do with her?
I wasn't planning to do anything, actually.
Nanoka took a slap in the face the moment he opened his mouth. Pressing his lips together, he was displeased.
Handcuffed, he had come to the police station to meet someone, but they had restrained him without explanation. No formal charges were stated, but there were plenty of ideas that he could take a guess at.
The immediate issue was that he had brought a Magatsukami—humanity's natural enemy—with him, and on the other side of the one-way mirror, one of them was choking on a hamburger.
The interrogation room door opened and a young female detective entered, holding a box of donuts that caught Latimeria's eye.
What's that? Can I have some?!
Her excited voice echoed through the speaker into the observation room.
Detective Kinugawa pulled out a crumpled cigarette from his breast pocket. Striking a match and lighting it, a young detective in the corner, taking notes, spoke up.
This is a non-smoking area.
He spoke in a loud voice.
Shut it. If you have a problem, get out!
. . .
The young detective adjusted his glasses and tacitly accepted Kinugawa's behavior.
Nanoka noticed his dissatisfaction and realized that this room was under Kinugawa's control. Unbothered by anyone around him, Kinugawa freely puffed away at his cigarette.
If you spot a Magatsukami, report it immediately. This is a duty imposed on the citizens of this country. The Prayer Priests from the association will be here soon, so don't take it the wrong way.
Just then, the door to the interrogation room was violently opened. Three tall men appeared, all dressed in uniform, each with a saber at their waist. They were the Prayer Priests, specialists trained specifically in subduing Magatsukami.
Stay alert.
Don't take your eyes off her.
Surrounded by the Prayer Priests, Latimeria looked bewildered, her cheeks still stuffed with her hamburger.
The Prayer Priests simultaneously unsheathed their sabers.
Swish!
Oh, huh?
In the observation room, Latimeria's voice could be heard, filled with confusion.
Detective, this is just too tragic. Let me do the talking.
Hah. Thinking of stopping them? It's futile. Prayer Priests won't stop in the face of a Magatsukami.
I suppose so.
Nanoka, still handcuffed, pressed the call button on the microphone at the table.
Can you hear me, Latimeria?
On the other side of the one-way mirror, Latimeria looked up suddenly.
Oh, Nanoka? Where are you?
Those people want to kill you.
Oh . . . ?
She furrowed her brows in suspicion, surveying the encircling Prayer Priests.
Feeling watched, they stepped back.
Don't eat them, okay?
No . . . I will.
Remember, I know your weakness. Do you really want to be wiped out?
Are you watching somewhere? Come out, you coward!
She looked around the room frantically, unaware that she was being observed from behind the mirror.
I'll say it again, don't eat anyone.
Tch.
She clicked her tongue, finished off the remaining hamburger, and licked the ketchup from her fingertips.
Don't order me around.
Noticing the murderous intent swelling within her, the Prayer Priests exchanged glances.
Charge!!!
As they moved, Latimeria, still seated, kicked the desk upward, sending it soaring over their heads.
One of the Prayer Priests followed the desk with his eyes and raised his chin, while Latimeria laughed. It was as if he was offering his neck on a platter.
It's tough, isn't it . . . ?
Latimeria muttered to herself as she ran.
Closing in as she swung her arm towards an exposed neck, a spurt of blood sprayed from one of the priests' necks.
Gah . . . !
As the man started to crumble to his knees, Latimeria continued, choking him with his spurting blood and lifting him toward the ceiling.
To not eat humans . . . To not kill them . . . These limitations . . . they're so . . .
The desk came crashing down onto the man.
—Thud. The dull sound of his crushed face echoed in the interrogation room.
Fragile.
Latimeria licked the blood splattered on her lips and fixed her gaze on the remaining two.
What . . . !
Kinugawa shouted through the one-way glass.
Indistinguishable from a human . . . or so he thought. He realized his earlier sentiment was a terrible misunderstanding. The girl, who appeared adorable, was now revealing her true nature and toying with the men.
She was certainly a Magatsukami—cruelty personified.
Latimeria grabbed the leg of the desk, and with a flick, aimed it at the second Prayer Priest. He tried to block it with his sword, but the thin blade of the saber couldn't withstand the force. Both the Prayer Priest and his saber crashed into the one-way glass.
Undeterred, she kept swinging the desk, and with each impact, the mirror shook, causing Kinugawa to step back.
As the Prayer Priest tumbled through the shattered one-way glass, Kinugawa could make out Latimeria's face. It was the same beaming smile she had worn earlier while biting into her hamburger.
Nanoka Furukawa . . . stop her!
Kinugawa bellowed loudly.
They pointed their swords first. It's legitimate self-defense.
It's over the top. There was no need to kill!
Come on, the Prayer Priests came to kill, didn’t they? Asking us to stop when they lose the upper hand is just too convenient. Detective, do you think the world revolves around you? Are you the axis of the earth?
You bastard . . . !
Enraged, Kinugawa reached for Nanoka's collar.
To avoid being caught, Nanoka leaned back just enough.
Kinugawa then swung his fist through the air but grasped nothing, while Nanoka hooked the chain of his handcuffs around Kinugawa's thick wrist.
Facing a man who relied on brute strength made him easy to read—Nanoka knew this well. Such men would first reach for the collar in provocation, then go for the arm, trying to pull him in.
As Kinugawa yanked, Nanoka hopped.
Using the pull as momentum, Nanoka delivered a knee strike straight to Kinugawa’s chin.
Ah . . . !
With a cry, Kinugawa fell flat on his bottom.
Crouching beside him, Nanoka searched for the key to the handcuffs.
Then, he heard a voice from behind.
Don't move.
Turning around, he saw a young detective standing in the corner of the room. The man with the glasses, who had been taking notes, was now pointing a gun at him.
Don’t move! If you do—
You’ll shoot, I know.
The muzzle of the gun trembled slightly.
Ah . . . Silly me. I forgot there was another person in the room.
As Nanoka stood up lazily, the gun followed him.
My mistake. I didn’t count you in. Sorry about that. Go ahead, shoot.
Instead, the young detective began to slowly back away.
Hey, where do you think you’re going? I’m not just unarmed, I’m handcuffed here.
Stay back, I mean it!
I’m serious too. Shoot already. Don’t tell me you’ve never shot anyone before—some cop you are.
The detective backed against the wall.
Eek . . . !
Letting out a small scream, he hurried into a corner.
Nanoka slowly approached.
Bending his knees, he loomed over the sitting detective, peering into his face.
The detective was a mess—sweat dripped from him, his breath ragged, and his glasses fogged up.
In the battlefield, it’s only after you shoot to kill an enemy that you’re recognized as a man.
He pressed the gun tightly against his stomach. Even at point-blank range, the trigger remained unpulled.
Covering the gun with both hands and cocking the hammer, he heard a cold click.
Huh . . . ha . . .
Look, this is your battlefield, right? Now’s your chance to kill and become a man.
At that moment, a gruff voice echoed through the room, interrupting their conversation.
Get away from him, Iwashimizu!
Kinugawa was already on his feet.
You can’t handle this, get out now, Iwashimizu!
Haaa . . .
Nanoka sighed deeply, exasperated.
Don’t call out his name, you fool.
With the young detective’s name revealed, it became easier to reach to his soul.
Ignoring Kinugawa, Nanoka leaned in and whispered into Iwashimizu's ear.
Listen, Iwashimizu . . . if you don’t do it now, I’ll escape. Is that what you want? You’ll regret it for the rest of your life, wondering why you didn't stop me. What did you become a police officer for? To defeat evil, wasn’t it?
Haa . . . haa . . .
Iwashimizu gulped. Sensing the tension, Nanoka let out a slight laugh.
Savor it. It’s a rare experience—shooting someone for the first time in your life.
Iwashimizu gritted his teeth.
Now . . . shoot! Iwashimizu!
Nanoka spurred him as he pulled the trigger.
A loud bang echoed with the smell of gunpowder spread throughout the room.
Just before Iwashimizu pulled the trigger, Nanoka twisted his body, simultaneously grabbing Iwashimizu's wrist and controlling the trajectory of the bullet. Kinugawa, caught in the line of fire, collapsed behind Nanoka.
Ahh!
Congratulations, Iwashimizu. You’re a real man now.
Nanoka snatched his gun away and knocked him down with its grip.
Just kidding . . .
Then, he walked over to where Kinugawa lay.
With his head toward the ceiling, Kinugawa glared at Nanoka with bloodshot eyes.
You think you’ll get away with this . . . !
It’s fine, isn’t it? You were wearing a bulletproof vest.
The bullet lodged in Kinugawa’s shoulder. Nanoka had confirmed its presence during their earlier scuffle when Kinugawa's open shirt revealed the bulletproof vest beneath.
Even so, I guess even a tough guy feels it when hit by a bullet, right?
He crouched down and snatched the keys from Kinugawa’s waist, taking the packet of cigarettes from his chest pocket. Suddenly, someone grabbed his wrist.
Wincing from the sharp pain, Kinugawa glared intensely at Nanoka.
Furukawa . . . remember my name. You, I’ll never—
Nah, I don’t even know your name to begin with . . .
Nanoka struck him with the grip, knocking him out cold. Because he was a tough nut, he hit him one more time for good measure.
Unlocking the handcuffs, he retrieved his saber that had been leaning against the interrogation table.
Using the gun, he shattered the one-way glass.
Huh! Nanoka, you were in the mirror?
Latimeria, splattered with blood and wearing a sullen expression, approached him.
Peering into the room where Nanoka had emerged from, she felt confused.
What is this place? A hidden room? Were you spying on me?
Nanoka leaped into the interrogation room.
He found the third Prayer Priest slumped against the wall, unconscious and missing one ear.
You didn’t eat him, did you?
Nope, they'd probably taste awful anyway.
With her lips pursed, she pointed to the corner of the room, where the ear was indeed lying.
I did taste a bit of the blood though.
As long as you didn’t eat, it’s fine.
The room was in a terrible state.
Scattered across the overturned desk were shards of the shattered mirror. The Prayer Priest lied motionless in a pool of blood, while a female detective was slumped in front of the door, clutching a box of donuts.
The detective glared reproachfully at Nanoka.
What have you done . . . ? This is right in the middle of the police station, you know?
I'm in a hurry. I need the documents about the disappearance that happened on Treasure Island.
The tearful female detective, Chitose Inohana, was not only a bona fide police officer but also an informant.
You didn’t show up on time, so I had to come here myself. Be grateful about it.
But still, who would normally target a police station?
It's not like I came here for that. I didn't expect to get arrested, though.
Please be aware that you’re quite infamous. They call you the Fallen Dark Prayer Priest who commands Magatsukami . . . !
That's a pretty lame and long nickname . . .
Inside the station, an emergency bell rang loudly.
Angry shouts filled the hallway along with the sound of footsteps approaching. Soon, they would be surrounded.
Can you stand up and quickly share the information?
The information is in the locker, but I can’t seem to stand up—my legs have given out.
What a hassle.
Nanoka sighed deeply and pulled Chitose to her feet.
I'm taking you hostage. Let's head to the locker and get out of here.
Are you serious?
Chitose dropped the box of donuts, but fortunately, Latimeria quickly caught it.
I'll take this, okay?
Oh . . . y-yeah, please, go ahead.
Peering into the box of donuts, Latimeria was overjoyed by what she saw.
Ooooh!
Her voice echoed loudly as she tightly clutched onto the donuts.
As they left the interrogation room, several guns were pointed at the trio.
Don't move!
A middle-aged detective, his voice amplified through a megaphone, asserted that they were completely surrounded.
Eeek!
As Chitose screamed and tried to run toward them, Nanoka swiftly grabbed her by the collar.
Meanwhile, Latimeria, positioned next to Nanoka who was using Chitose as a shield, was selecting a donut.
You don't want one, right, Nanoka?
Don’t decide without me. That one’s the most chocolate-covered—don’t just eat it!
Tch . . .
Unfazed by the guns pointing at her, Latimeria chowed down on the donut.
Don't order me around.
×××
It was the year 20XX. The sound of seagulls echoed beneath the blazing sun.
Meow meow.
A cat-like meow reverberated through the seaside garbage dump. In the sky, on the rocky shores, and across the entire pier, flocks of seagulls all faced the same direction.
In their view stood Latimeria, who had picked up a discarded umbrella to shield herself from the sun. Perched atop a towering pile of trash, she gazed into the distance.
Can you see anything?
With his suit jacket off and sleeves rolled up, Nanoka called up to her from the base of the trash mountain.
Bicycles, a dresser, concrete pipes, steel beams . . . and a rusted bus.
All trash, huh?
Trash surrounded them from all sides. The breeze was cool against the skin but reeked of the sea and rotting garbage—a terrible place indeed. Bird droppings fell from above, and files buzzed around their lowered eyes.
The fierce summer sun scorched the refuse, making it so hot that merely standing there was enough to break a sweat.
This man-made island, sarcastically named "Treasure Island", felt like the edge of the world.
Latimeria casually removed her hood, letting her blue hair flutter in the strong sea breeze.
Humans seem like they might go extinct soon, huh? Like a massive divine punishment is descending.
They won't perish. There's no one left who could cause such extinction.
What about the Magatsukami?
Latimeria murmured, still staring into the distance.
Magatsukami were calamities that have dwelled in this country since ancient times. These gods, manifesting by possessing objects, strangely preferred to devour humans.
People have lived in fear of this threat that existed in their everyday lives. The brave swung their swords in attempt to subdue them, while the powerless tried not to provoke their anger, instead opting to worship.
However, with the advancement of civilization, people gradually began to overcome this menace.
Humans are more cunning than Magatsukami. Otherwise, they wouldn't think of use you, a calamity, in war.
Hmph. But they couldn't use them well. There was only one Prayer Priest who could command the Magatsukami, and that's why they lost the war.
As Latimeria said, this country had started a fight with the world and ultimately lost. Yet just a few years after the war's end, it rapidly rebuilt itself and emerged as a developed nation filled with industry.
Hehehe!
She sat atop a cracked brown CRT TV, laughing.
Don’t be cocky, humans. You’re all just food for us Magatsukami—don’t forget that. This Devouring Spirit will consume you eventually. Hehehe. But first, I’ll start with these cute donuts.
Nanoka shaded his eyes with his hand and looked up at the trash mountain.
Come on . . . You're joking, right?
She pulled a donut from the box resting on her lap. Amidst the sweltering dump, she attempted to eat it, her face lighting up with a joyful smile.
Are you crazy? You should've eaten before we came here.
Hmph. Any sweet tooth would be appalled by such words. Donuts are delicious and sweet no matter where you eat them!
Under the smog-filled sky, she peeked through the hole of the donut. Suddenly, the seagulls that had been watching her took flight all at once.
Huh? What's with these guys . . . !
She fought against the attacking flock of seagulls, knocking down one after another and biting at them, but their numbers were far greater than usual.
She was gradually engulfed by the growing swarm.
Stop it, that’s my donut . . . Aaaaah!
Only her arm was sticking out into the air, but soon even her fingertips were engulfed by the mass of feathers.
By the time Nanoka climbed the trash mountain, Latimeria lay beside an old CRT TV, looking a mess, her thighs and belly exposed.
The crumpled donut box was empty, and not even a crumb was left behind.
You always seem to be having fun, aren't you?
Shut up. I lost my donut, but I gained a new feast.
Latimeria was up, tightly hugging a seagull that struggled to escape her clutches.
You going to eat that . . . ?
I will eat it. It’s a pity I only caught one, but this one will die for its flock. Nanoka, tonight we have roast seagull. Cook it as brutally as you can.
Can you even eat seagulls . . . ?
As if responding to Nanoka, the teary-eyed seagull softly meowed.
Meow . . .
They looked up to see a giant airship crossing the sky, casting a large shadow over their heads, while its rumbling sound echoed across the murky atmosphere.
From the top of the garbage mountain, they could see not only the trash but also the land across the bay. The airship came from a wealthy residential area with uniformly low roofs. A pristine white radio tower, a symbol of prosperity, stood out starkly against the sky.
In contrast, the sky on the opposite side of the airship was even murkier. A smog-belching, chimney-lined industrial area stretched out like a massive military base, with factories lined up in endless rows.
In the inlet between these two areas floated Treasure Island, an artificial island continuously filled with household and industrial waste, overflowing with garbage on both sides.
Places like this, full of stagnation and decay, were neither wanted to be seen nor believed in.
It was a dumping ground, hidden behind the playful name "Treasure Island."
×××
The moment Nanoka lit the cigarette he had snatched from Kinugawa, a hand slapped it, bursting the end apart.
Hey, what are you doing . . . ?
Still clenching the shortened cigarette, he glared at Latimeria.
No smoking. We had a promise! It's poisonous for your health.
Did we . . . ? I don’t recall such a promise.
Latimeria raised her pinky and pointed it right at Nanoka's nose.
We did. Want to pinky swear again?
No need.
Nanoka snorted, tossing the cigarette aside as he started walking.
Latimeria followed closely behind.
Why do humans willingly consume poisonous things? I find it hard to understand.
There are tasty poisons too, you know.
How can that be? It’s hard to believe it’s from the same species that invented hamburgers.
The two continued deeper into Treasure Island.
A few months ago, five or six children living nearby had started vanishing.
The police should have considered the possibility of the Magatsukami's involvement early on and called in the Prayer Priests.
However, the Police Department and the Association of Prayer Priests didn't get along.
Depending on the cause of the incident, the course of action and jurisdiction shifted. If human action is suspected, it's treated as a series of disappearances or abductions, but if Magatsukami is involved, it becomes a supernatural phenomenon.
Jurisdiction then shifts from the Police Department to the Association of Prayer Priests. As a result, the police hesitated to call in the Prayer Priests unless there was conclusive evidence of Magatsukami's involvement, fearing that handing over an incident to the Prayer Priests when the perpetrator turned out to be human would reflect poorly on them.
This time, the Police Department requested cooperation from the Association of Prayer Priests only after a missing child was found dead. It was only upon examining the state of the bodies that they deemed these disappearances supernatural.
The body of a child was found among the trash.
Despite being exposed to the blazing sun, it appeared frozen.
Moving deeper into the island, the piles of garbage around them grew larger. The discarded items varied widely, from pieces of wood and roof tiles to billiard tables and pub signs.
Neither the media nor the police had ventured this far. They were likely waiting for the arrival of the Prayer Priests as entering a territory where Magatsukami had roamed without their presence was too risky.
All these missing children—were they all frozen?
Glancing over the documents obtained from the informant, Latimeria asked as she followed Nanoka.
Not sure. So far, only one body has been found. The rest are still missing, possibly spirited away.
Then they might've already been eaten.
That can't be ruled out.
Nanoka turned around and took a photograph from Latimeria's hand. It showed a boy discovered yesterday, his bangs and eyelashes frosted, a haunting image of innocence lost. He had died with his eyes tightly shut.
However, there are no signs of this body being eaten. Why was this child not devoured but frozen instead?
The body was beautifully preserved. There was no damage, and the clothing remained as it was when he went missing.
It's obvious, isn't it? They eat the delicious-looking kids first and leave the others for later.
Latimeria puffed out her chest. A seagull, tied by the neck with a rope, rested its wings atop her food.
Even Magatsukami has their preferences like I have my own too.
Is there anything you don't like to eat?
Fermented soybeans.
You hate that because it's fermented, right? The body was frozen, so it wouldn't rot. Oh, wait . . . I see what you mean.
Exactly. It's like frozen storage—frozen to be eaten later when hungry.
If it's a freezing type of Magatsukami, it wouldn’t be surprising for it to have a habit of storing food. That means other children could also be preserved somewhere on this island.
Heh, a freezing type seems interesting.
They say it cries, 'Yami, Yami'.
The compiled report from the informant mentioned this.
From deep within the island, creepy voices crying 'Yami, Yami' have been reported.
Numerous testimonies recorded that when children disappeared, their friends consistently reported hearing a low, moaning voice calling out "Yami, Yami" from somewhere.
Yami Yami? What does it mean?
In English, it would be like 'yummy,' a baby talk term for 'delicious'.
Baby talk for 'delicious'? So, 'yummy yum'?
Latimeria tilted her head curiously as Nanoka taught her a gesture he had seen from English-speaking children.
They point at their cheeks and say 'Yami, Yami', but I can't imagine a Magatsukami using English, though.
Then they must be eating while saying, 'yummy, yummy'.
Latimeria grabbed the seagull resting above her head.
Are you yummy too?
She nuzzled the seagull's fluffy cheeks, feeling content.
Meooooow.
Realizing its chances of escaping were slim to none, it let out a small, trembling cry.
Latimeria seemed intent on bringing it back home alive, while Nanoka advised that if it was going to become dinner, it should be killed sooner rather than later. However, she insisted that fresh meat was better.
×××
──Yaah, Mii.
As the sun shifted westward and the peak of the heat passed, the two heard a deep, resonating cry that vibrated in their stomachs. Nanoka halted, trying to locate the source of the sound.
Can you tell which direction it came from?
That way, I think . . .
Latimeria pointed in the direction they should head, and they began moving stealthily.
They were now quite deep into the island, surrounded by more industrial waste—iron girders and lumber—than by household trash wrapped in plastic bags. The sharp, jagged piles of debris seemed perilously close to collapsing.
At the base of the mountain, they spotted a lumbering figure.
Yaah, Mii . . .
The nearly three-meter-tall, colossal figure had fat bulging from its sides. Even from the back, its obese size was apparent. How those two thin legs supported such a gargantuan body was anyone's guess.
Nanoka squinted his eyes. He saw a plump, rabbit-like tail protruding from its rear.
Its broad shoulders were stained white with seagull droppings, giving it the appearance of a stone statue guarding a temple or ruin that had come to life.
Between its round eyes, a drooping nose concealed thick lips.
Is that the freezing-type Magatsukami?
Latimeria was filled with curiosity, her eyes wide as she observed it.
Look at the ground.
Every time this Magatsukami took a step, the ground beneath it froze white. Though the frost melted quickly in the heat, its path left a trail of wet marks.
Latimeria stepped forward.
All right, let's kill it and head back. We're going to have a feast tonight.
She started walking toward the Magatsukami.
Don't do it.
But, Nanoka immediately stopped her.
Don't engage it until we find its nest.
Huh? But our target is right in front of us.
Our mission indeed is to subdue the Magatsukami, but if other children are being preserved, we should find them too.
They've already been eaten! Let's just kill it and go back. I'm hungry.
Quiet down. Don't raise your voice, and come back here.
Come back? I'm not a dog, you know.
I know, you're a Magatsukami.
What? Then was that an order?
Latimeria shot Nanoka an annoyed look.
That's the second time today you've ordered me not to eat. Are you going to order me again? A third time? We had a deal, remember? You promised not to give me orders. You know I hate being ordered around—more than I hate fermented soybeans!
You also promised not to eat people. Have you forgotten what happened this morning?
Latimeria pointed at the Magatsukami walking in the distance.
That's not a human, right? So, I'm going to eat it now.
No, you can't.
Like I said, don't order me—
It's not an order. It's a request.
Asking a Devouring Spirit not to eat? Are you kidding me?
Ignoring Nanoka, Latimeria dashed toward the Magatsukami but soon stumbled, clutching her chest.
Ouch!
Latimeria turned around to see Nanoka holding a small saffron-colored pouch. He was pressing something inside it with his fingertips.
Hey, you're really brave to defy someone who knows your weakness. Do you really want to be destroyed?
Don't mess with me . . . !
The Magatsukami at the foot of the mountain turned around. Although the two were hidden in the shadows of a garbage mound, it began to approach their location slowly.
It's coming. Hide.
Drop dead.
Latimeria stuck out her tongue, but Nanoka remained unfazed. He brought the pouch to his mouth and bit down hard.
Argh . . . !
The attack on the contents of the pouch directly affected Latimeria, who writhed in agony. Watching her twist in pain, Nanoka repeated his plea more forcefully.
I suppose I need to ask you forcefully. Hide.
Don't you forget about this moment . . .
Latimeria staggered to her feet and hid behind a pile of garbage.
After ensuring she was out of sight, Nanoka also disappeared from view.
The Magatsukami wandered around the area where they had been searching.
Yaah, Mii . . . ?
Nanoka and Latimeria stealthily trailed behind, keeping their distance.
The Magatsukami moved with deliberate slowness, occasionally stumbling over obstacles or carefully navigating around them.
As they watched, it spotted a scrawny stray cat up ahead. With a chilling breath, it exhaled, freezing the cat in place.
At that moment, it became clear: this was a Magatsukami capable of freezing its surroundings—a Cooling Spirit.
Instead of devouring the immobilized cat right away, the spirit picked it up, studying the frozen creature as though it were a prized addition to a collection.
Yaamii, Yaamii . . .
It held the cat carefully in its hands and continued its lumbering walk.
Nanoka frowned, wondering if it planned to freeze-preserve the cat to take back to its nest. Maybe, as Latimeria had suggested, the nest truly was filled with hidden corpses, each one a testament to the spirit’s chilling nature.
Nanoka . . .
Latimeria, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.
There's a human over there.
Quickly, Nanoka followed Latimeria's gaze.
Across the path, sandwiched between the Cooling Spirit and the trees, was a girl. Crouching low, she observed the spirit from behind cover, just as they were.
A flying cap, oddly out of place in the summer sun, covered her ears while she held a basket on her arm.
What is she doing . . . ?
The girl hid behind an abandoned altar, placing her hand on her chest as she took deep breaths.
Once she had calmed her breathing, she dashed out from behind the Cooling Spirit and called out to it.
Wait, Mr. Hanatare!
Still hidden, Nanoka and Latimeria struggled to comprehend the reckless intent behind her actions.
She's going to get eaten. But you won’t help, right? It’d blow our cover.
Latimeria smirked at Nanoka.
If she wants to be eaten, that’s her business . . .
The girl timidly offered the basket, appearing anything but someone with a death wish.
Um . . . I brought cheese.
The Cooling Spirit stared at the girl with its round eyes and suddenly let out a mighty roar.
YEEEAAAARRRGHH!
With its large hands, it scooped up the girl, ignoring the fallen basket. To a Magatsukami, the real food was humans themselves.
ZZZOOOOOOOM.
The Cooling Spirit took a deep breath, its cheeks hollowing and chest swelling as it prepared to freeze the girl.
Caught off guard by her choice, the girl looked back at the Cooling Spirit in stunned disbelief, her eyes wide with surprise at this unexpected turn of events.
Well, there must be a reason. Let's hear her out.
Huh?
Nanoka reached for the knife on his belt, stepped forward, and threw it.
The knife's tip pierced the eye of the Cooling Spirit.
AAAAAAAAAAAH!
Seriously, shut up.
As it screamed, its breath started to indiscriminately freeze everything around it.
Nanoka dodged the icy blast and slipped out of sight.
He caught the girl as she fell from the creature's grasp.
The air was bitterly cold, an intense drop in temperature that was unnatural in this world.
He then hid behind an abandoned altar, gently setting the girl down.
Who are you . . . ?
Just keep quiet for now.
He covered her mouth with his hand and peeked out from behind the altar to assess the situation.
The Cooling Spirit, resembling a lumbering troll, searched for the girl. Despite its slow movements, there was something oddly endearing about it as it drew nearer.
Across the path, Latimeria remained visible.
With his knife back in hand, Nanoka hurled it toward a discarded sign behind her that read "Quiet, please."
When the knife hit the sign, it vibrated with a loud clang.
Hearing the noise, the Cooling Spirit turned in that direction.
Upon spotting Latimeria looking up at it, the Cooling Spirit let out a fierce roar.
NGAAAAAAAHHH!
The temperature dropped sharply. The altar behind Nanoka creaked, and the girl in his arms began to chatter her teeth from the cold.
This is more intense than I imagined.
The Cooling Spirit lowered its fist to the ground, leaning forward toward Latimeria as if preparing to charge.
She stood defiant before it, laughing loudly.
If you make it fun, I'll happily devour you.
She was clearly ready for a fight.
Meanwhile, Nanoka pulled the drawstring pouch from his pocket, determined to find the creature's nest.
Don't eat it.
He warned her again as he swung the pouch.
Suddenly, she erupted in anger.
Then what do you expect me to do?!
Nanoka gestured for her to take it and go somewhere else as if shooing away a stray dog.
Don't joke with me!
Suddenly, the Cooling Spirit started running her.
Hah?! It's fast!
Unlike its previous clumsy movements, the Cooling Spirit dashed with incredible speed, cutting through the icy wind. Gravel flew beneath its feet, kicking up into the air.
Latimeria fled in a flash, dragging the seagull behind her.
I'll remember this, Nanoka!
The massive body of the Cooling Spirit scraped through a mountain of trash, sending iron beams and debris flying up into the reddening sky.
Eventually, its roar was followed by screams that faded beyond the trash mountain.
