Aomori Prefecture's Yangchen Town is nestled in the mountains on the eastern side of Honshu Island. With a population of ten thousand, the local economy is primarily driven by apples, with numerous orchards and processing factories. It's a quiet, remote place, isolated from the world, a quintessential countryside.

This is also the destination of Duanmu Huai.

"Rumble rumble rumble...!"

Duanmu Huai parked the car by the roadside, then opened the car door and stepped out, silently observing the rustic buildings ahead. At this moment, another voice came from beside him.

"Huh? Is this the place...? It looks so boring..."

Mianmu Zuoniao got out from the passenger seat, looking around with utter boredom.

"If you know it's boring, then you shouldn't have come."

Duanmu Huai glanced at Mianmu Zuoniao. He originally had no intention of bringing her along, but somehow, Mianmu Zuoniao managed to hide in his trunk...

"Don't you have other things to do? Shajuye and the others have gone to the beach. Don't you want to go home for the Golden Week?"

"Eh? But Satori thinks it would be more fun being with the teacher~~~ Besides... even if I go home, there's nothing fun to do. Dad and mom are so boring~~~"

Even though they were her parents, when Satori spoke of them, there was not a trace of emotion, as if she were talking about something completely unrelated to her. Hmm... But this was within Duanmu Huai's expectations. After all, generally speaking, if one's SAN value is 0, either they've witnessed something indescribable, or they've had a lot of experiences since childhood. Satori doesn't seem like the former, so it's probably mostly due to her family's reasons.

However, he didn't intend to delve deeper.

"Whatever, it doesn't matter, just take your things."

"Got it~~~"

As she spoke, Mianmu Zuoniao took an urn out of the trunk— it was the ashes of Shizuko Matsushita.

According to protocol, it should be the family handling post-mortem affairs. However, according to police investigation, Shizuko Matsushita had no relatives and was not married, and her social relationships were unclear. Although a notice was issued, no one came forward. Eventually, the police entrusted the responsibility of handling the aftermath to the principal, who then requested Duanmu Huai to take the ashes back to her hometown.

For Duanmu Huai, this was naturally the best excuse.

Thus, he came here.

"...Is that so, that child actually would..."

The village head looked at the urn beside Duanmu Huai, his expression somewhat forlorn.

"Life is unpredictable. I still remember she came back once last year, and she seemed to be doing well then, but unexpectedly..."

The old man sighed again, then stood up.

"Thank you both for bringing her ashes back. Returning to her hometown, I believe Shizuko would find peace."

"If it's possible, can you tell me about Miss Matsushita?"

Duanmu Huai handed over the ashes, then stared at the old man and inquired. The latter nodded.

"Of course... That child... she was a good child, also a child with a bitter fate. When she was very young, her parents both died in an accident in the mountains."

"An accident?"

"Yes, the mountains in winter are treacherous. Even residents here, if careless, can perish."

The old man seemed quite regretful.

"When that child returned last year, she even went up the mountain to pay respects to her parents. Who would've thought... Well, perhaps burying them together could be considered a type of reunion."

"Up the mountain?"

"Yes, our cemetery is built on the mountain, there is a shrine there..."

After that, the old man spoke about some irrelevant topics, and Duanmu Huai didn't ask further. After laying down the ashes, he left directly.

"Where are we heading next, teacher?"

Mianmu Zuoniao, following beside Duanmu Huai, curiously asked. She had been silent earlier, sitting beside Duanmu Huai. However, unlike the two who were seriously discussing topics of death, Mianmu Zuoniao continually wore a smile, as if watching an amusing scene.

Luckily, the old village head didn't notice.

"Let's take a look at that shrine."

Based on experience, such places generally have some remnants, and the old village head mentioned Shizuko Matsushita visited the shrine after returning. Based on Duanmu Huai's experience investigating such incidents, it's quite possible she discovered that book in the shrine and secretly took it. Naturally, being caught would be troublesome, so Shizuko Matsushita might've left soon afterwards.

In any case, we'll know after taking a look.

The shrine is located midway up the mountain, not far from Yangchen Town. According to the old village head, the shrine is unmanaged, almost like an abandoned shrine. However, the deceased from this area are buried in the cemetery behind the shrine. Hearing this, Duanmu Huai was immediately intrigued by the shrine. For most, being buried after death in an unmanaged abandoned shrine already sounds bizarre, especially doing so in such an isolated place... that naturally raises eyebrows.

Reaching the shrine isn't easy; the winding mountain path looks challenging, especially since it's unmaintained. The torii gates on either side precariously tilt, appearing ready to collapse at any moment. Frankly, one can't help but find it odd. This is a cemetery, after all. Even if the shrine isn't maintained due to some reason, minimally, someone should handle it.

The shrine itself is dilapidated, the offering box covered in dust, and the paper doors tattered, proving no one manages or cleans it. Weeds grow rampant on the floor. As the old village head mentioned, this is an abandoned place.

"Ah..."

Mianmu Zuoniao widened her eyes, staring blankly at the shrine, as if engaging in a staring contest. However, Duanmu Huai ignored her, walking through the shrine to the backside—exactly as the old man said, a large cemetery filled with graves, none appearing well-kept.

Rather than a cemetery, it resembled Chaotic Graves Hill.

Duanmu Huai stood silently, sensing the area—unfortunately, even with his shadow permeating the shrine's corners, he didn't detect anything related.

Should I bring Yotsuya Miko here? But she's on vacation, and if I were to issue the extinction order, Yotsuya Miko clearly wouldn't be suited for involvement. Duanmu Huai pondered briefly before refocusing. He turned out of the cemetery, finding Mianmu Zuoniao still at the shrine's entrance playing a staring game.

"Had enough? Let's go."

"Okay~~~"

Hearing Duanmu Huai's call, Mianmu Zuoniao snapped out of it, happily raising her hand in response, then turned, following Duanmu Huai away from the shrine and heading down the mountain.

However, just as they reached the foot of the mountain, an unexpected situation arose.

"Excuse me."

Duanmu Huai halted, watching as nearly a dozen men, stoutly built in suits, emerged from both sides of the street, obstructing his and Mianmu Zuoniao's path from both directions.

Their expressions were fierce, with badges pinned to their chests, holding daggers and short clubs that looked completely out of place with their attire.

However, to Duanmu Huai, these guys weren't even as significant as mice.

"What's the matter?"

"Our boss wants to have a chat with you."

One of the men in suits toyed with the short knife in his hand as he stared at Duanmu Huai and spoke.

"I advise you to cooperate."

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Huai let out a cold laugh.

"Oh? And what if I don't?"

"Then don't blame us for being impolite."

With these words, the suited man waved his hand. As he did this, the others also moved in, blocking the way for the two of them.

"Ha."

Duanmu Huai stood there, arms crossed, staring disdainfully at these men.

"It's all yours, Nemume. You're pretty free anyway."

"Sure thing~~~~~"

Hearing Duanmu Huai's words, Nemume Satori cheerfully drew the White Wooden Sword from her waist.

"Just in time, Satori was feeling a bit bored too, perfect to kill some time…"

"Hmph!"

Faced with the two who clearly didn't take them seriously, the suited man's face darkened, then he raised his hand.

"Get them!!"

To the suited man, dealing with just these two people was no trouble at all. After all, they were just outsiders, while they were the local power. Although that man might be a good fighter, the girl beside him was just a high schooler. As long as they caught her, it would be a done deal.

However... reality and expectations often differ.

Just like now.

"Ahhhhhh!!"

"Eek... aahhhhh!!"

What on earth is that monster?

Lying on the ground, listening to the wails of his companions, the suited man stared pale-faced at the girl leisurely strolling with a longsword in hand. All the underlings he brought were chopped down by her. Although they weren't dead, perhaps being dead would be better for them right now.

Nemume Satori raised the Sharp Blade in her hand and mercilessly stabbed it into the shoulder of the man at her feet, piercing through him. At the same time, the man let out a cry of pain.

"Ooooooooh!!"

"Oh my dear auntie...!"

Apparently satisfied with the screams of the man in front of her, Nemume Satori pulled out the sword and changed direction.

"Everyone's screams sound quite nice, so I wonder who's next to make a sweet sound?"

"......…"

Monster!

The suited man trembled with fear as he watched her slowly walk towards him. She was indeed a girl, but in the suited man's eyes, it was more like a monster wearing a girl's skin! Her weirdness was not at all less than that scary fierce-looking man!

What made the suited man most terrified, naturally, was Nemume Satori's eyes. During the fight, she seemed to be daydreaming all the time, clearly not looking this way, yet the sword in her hand unerringly pierced through the enemy in front of her. Moreover, the radiant smile like a spring breeze after she chopped someone made his heart chill.

"Monster...!"

Nemume Satori had already walked up to the suited man, who looked at her in horror and spoke in a low voice.

"What exactly are you?!"

"Hmm? What are you saying? Satori doesn't understand."

Hearing the suited man's words, Nemume Satori curiously tilted her head.

"Why, why are you still smiling?! Is chopping people that much fun?"

"Fun?"

Nemume Satori puzzledly repeated the word.

"Satori doesn't know either. Actually, Satori doesn't know what expression to make at times like this. Humans are really complicated... so..."

As she spoke, Nemume Satori raised the sword in her hand.

"Satori thinks just smiling is fine..."

Then, she swung the sword down.

"Stop!!"

At this moment, suddenly, an angry shout rang out. Duanmu Huai looked up to see a man standing not far away, staring at him sternly.

"Which group are you all from? Daring to cause trouble on the Hawk Moon Group's turf! Do you want to start a war with the Hawk Moon Group?!"

"Group?"

Hearing the man's inquiry, Duanmu Huai's expression also darkened.

"I'm a law-abiding citizen!"

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