Next Target, 200PS!
--------------------------------------------------
New week. Let's Push!!
--------------------------------------------------
"???"
Even Kai was caught off guard for a second when he heard that. Was it really possible to have such a crazy coincidence in this world?
However, Haruno Yukinoshita was thinking something entirely different. Was there a Yakuza turf war happening on one of her family's properties? That shouldn't be the case!
"Hold on. Let me make a call!" Haruno immediately pulled out her phone.
Kai didn't try to stop her.
She was very efficient, and she didn't take long to get her answers.
"This place is a real estate development our Yukinoshita family just started working on recently. But..." Haruno's expression turned grim as she explained.
Everything had been perfectly fine when construction began. As long as this project was completed successfully, the Yukinoshita family would firmly establish their foothold in Tokyo. But soon after work began, strange accidents began happening frequently.
Many workers even said they saw "Monsters" while working.
Hearing this joke, Haruno just found it ridiculous. After all, she didn't believe supernatural things actually existed in this world.
She assumed the workers just wanted more money or were making excuses to avoid work. That was the only reason for such wild stories.
But then...
A few days later, the bizarre incidents only multiplied, even escalating to the point where someone actually died on-site. There was no other choice. The situation completely spiraled out of control, and the project had to be temporarily suspended.
Haruno's recent overwhelming stress and exhaustion were largely tied to this exact piece of land.
"Whatever!"
The site was empty now. Maybe for some Yakuza groups, it really was the perfect spot to settle things.
Too tired to care anymore, Haruno looked straight at Kai. "Are you sure this is the right place?"
"Yeah."
"Alright!" Haruno started the engine without hesitation.
——————————
Haruno sped down the road.
Perhaps she was busy brainstorming the best way to force Kai to willingly walk away from Yukino. After all, she refused to let her adorable little sister get hurt.
The entire car ride was silent as both women were lost in their own hidden agendas.
But none of this affected Kai in the slightest. Compared to Haruno and Soyo's petty little schemes, he was far more curious about something else—
'Are Gojo's students already dead by now?'
Before long, they arrived at the destination.
It was already dark outside. The site looked like a huge, empty, half-built building. Construction equipment was scattered around, but no one was there.
The silence made the place feel even creepier.
"Hiss!" Haruno subconsciously shivered.
She didn't believe in ghosts or monsters, but this place made her feel like something was watching her.
"This is the Yukinoshita family's property?" Even Soyo Nagasaki couldn't stop an involuntary shudder from running down her spine.
"Don't overthink it. It's just temporarily suspended due to some accidents. Our family will resume construction very soon."
They worked hard to get this land. If it stayed abandoned, the Yukinoshita family's dream of making it in Tokyo would be ruined. Even worse, they'd lose a lot of money.
They had to finish the development no matter what. But realistically, they wouldn't be restarting anytime soon.
"Tsk!" Soyo wasn't really the type to pick fights over nothing. If it wasn't for Sakiko, she never would have set foot in a place like this.
"Where are your friends?" Haruno turned her head to look at Kai.
Everything around them was quiet. Their voices seemed to be the only sound. It didn't look like anyone else was here.
"They should be inside." Kai scanned the half-finished building in front of him.
He could sense strong waves of Cursed Energy. There was definitely a Special Grade Cursed Spirit here.
If he had to guess... this Cursed Spirit likely possessed some sort of Innate Domain. Anyone who entered the area would be immediately dragged into it.
"Are you two sure you want to come?" Kai asked. He wasn't scared at all, but Haruno and Soyo didn't seem very brave.
"Oh? Is Kai-kun worried about me? I'm glad to hear that!" Haruno kept up her playful act, even though she was scared inside.
"..."
'She's so shameless,' Soyo thought. What was wrong with her? Did she have no self-respect?
If it wasn't for this annoying third wheel, she might have already succeeded in making Kai fall hopelessly for her charms.
'Damn it!'
"Well, we're already here. Let's just stick together!" It was the usual excuse, and even Haruno couldn't think of a way to leave now.
"If something dangerous happens, Kai-kun will protect his Big sis, right?" She raised an eyebrow at Kai.
"Then stay close," Kai said with a shrug.
To him, a Special Grade Cursed Spirit was nothing to worry about.
Haruno wasn't worried either. She thought the only problem here was some Yakuza. Even if her family wasn't the most powerful in Tokyo, they wouldn't be scared by a few thugs.
Soyo Nagasaki's thoughts were much simpler.
She just wanted a chance to get close to Kai and win him over. Then she could finally save Sakiko Togawa.
With their own reasons, the two women followed Kai into the construction site.
——————————
As they moved further into the unfinished building...
The air became colder, and both women rubbed their arms to keep warm.
Kai walked ahead, unbothered by the creepy atmosphere. Even Haruno had to admit he was brave.
If she had come here alone, she probably would have lost her mind from fear, let alone stayed for long.
"K-Kai-kun!" Soyo was the first one to crack, calling out to him with a trembling voice.
"Kai-kun? Kai-kun??"
She got no answer. Soyo called out louder, but when she looked ahead, she saw something so terrifying that her eyes went wide.
"WHAT ARE YOU YELLING FOR?" Haruno, who had been busy scanning their surroundings, couldn't help but snap when she heard Soyo's voice getting louder.
'Doesn't she know that unfinished buildings echo like crazy?'
"H-He's gone!" However, Soyo didn't have the time or energy to care about Haruno's complaints. She pointed a shaking finger at the exact spot where Kai had just been standing, her voice laden with pure disbelief.
"HUH?"
"How is that possible? We're in an open area, and we were right behind him! How could someone just disappear—"
She was about to say it was impossible, but then Haruno looked where Soyo was pointing, and her eyes widened in horror.
The spot ahead of them where Kai had been standing was completely empty.
"..."
Everything was silent. It felt like they were the only two people left.
"HEY! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!"
"Kai? Kai!"
"HEY!"
Suddenly, the place felt even scarier. Haruno's face went pale as she yelled into the darkness.
She quickly pulled out her phone, planning to call Kai and find out where he was.
'How dare he play such a sick joke on us!'
"WHY IS THERE NO SIGNAL?" It was only when Haruno unlocked her screen that she realized she had zero reception. Not a single bar.
"What?" Soyo pulled out her own phone. It was the same—no signal at all.
"Why is this happening?"
"S-Should we keep going?" Soyo's voice was shaking uncontrollably now.
Haruno didn't know what to say. Keep going? They couldn't even see Kai. If they kept walking, where would they go?
"W-Why don't we just head back outside and wait for him?" She had no idea what was wrong with this place, but the longer they stayed, the more chilling and sinister it felt.
"O-Okay..." Soyo nodded instinctively, turning to look at Haruno.
"..."
Obviously, Haruno knew exactly what that look meant. Soyo was expecting her to lead the way back.
On any other day, Haruno would have teased her. But right now, she wasn't in the mood for jokes.
'You're terrified, but I'M terrified too!'
The path back out looked just as dark and sinister as the path ahead.
"Uuuuu..."
No matter how well she usually masked her emotions, at the end of the day, Soyo Nagasaki was still just a high school girl. Losing her grip on her composure, a quiet sob escaped her lips.
She was literally scared to tears!
--------------------------------------------------
~ Every 200 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ 15 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)