The chainsaw was still stuck in the pavement.
The crowd stood frozen.
No one dared move.
In the middle of the street, Rishiro scratched the back of his head.
"…Ah."
He gave a small, playful bow.
"Sorry about that."
A crooked grin appeared on his face.
"My hand slipped."
The apology sounded polite.
But the amused look in his eyes made it obvious—
It absolutely hadn't.
High above him, the old yokai watched calmly.
The air around the figure carried a strange pressure.
The presence of something ancient.
The leader of the yokai.
Nurarihyon.
Rishiro casually pulled the chainsaw out of the ground and rested it on his shoulder.
Then he looked up.
"So…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"This whole apocalypse thing."
"…mind explaining it?"
His voice sounded curious.
Almost innocent.
Like he was just another confused human.
But something about the way he asked felt strange.
As if he already knew the answer.
Nurarihyon studied him quietly.
Then spoke.
"The world has entered what you humans might call an doomsday."
His voice echoed calmly across the silent street.
"For thousands of years, humanity believed in countless gods, spirits, and myths."
"Those beliefs created enormous amounts of spiritual energy."
He gestured slowly toward the sky.
"When the cycle begins, those beliefs take form."
"In this land…"
"…that belief becomes yokai."
People in the crowd trembled.
Some whispered in fear.
Nurarihyon continued.
"The rule is simple."
"Survive."
"Grow stronger."
"Complete the influence event."
"And the world will continue."
Rishiro nodded slowly.
"…So basically."
He shrugged.
"We're entertainment."
A faint chuckle escaped the old yokai.
"You humans always choose interesting words."
Rishiro tilted his head.
"Not wrong though."
The yokai leader's eyes rested on him.
"You seem remarkably calm for someone witnessing the collapse of his world."
Rishiro smiled lazily.
"I've had worse deadlines."
Some people nearby stared at him in disbelief.
Nurarihyon spoke again.
"Is there anything else you wish to ask, young man?"
Rishiro looked down for a moment.
Then smiled.
"…No."
He lifted his head again.
"But maybe you should be careful."
Nurarihyon raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Rishiro grinned.
"You're a yokai leader and all…"
"…but you're still an old man, right?"
Several people gasped.
Maru whispered under her breath.
"Is he insane?!"
But Nurarihyon simply laughed.
A slow, amused laugh.
"…Interesting."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I hope you do not die first, Mr. Rishiro."
Rishiro turned and began walking away.
The chainsaw rested lazily on his shoulder.
He lifted one hand casually.
"The only one here who should be worried about dying…"
"…is you."
"Old man."
The crowd watched him leave in stunned silence.
Above them, Nurarihyon's smile slowly widened.
"…What an interesting human."
End of Chapter 9