Chapter 14: Unexpected Development
Without most people knowing, a chase had already begun within the campus of Sobu High.
Speaking of it, Miura was considered fairly athletic among ordinary people. Now possessed by a fox spirit, it was like she had activated cheat codes.
Even several Yomi disciples couldn't stop her.
Of course, this wasn't entirely due to her physical speed.
As one of the current god-slayers, Hikigaya could clearly see that this fox was continuously emitting cursed energy from her body.
It was the illusion magic that mythical fox spirits were known for, causing the Yomi disciples to be misled again and again in the wrong directions.
But if that was all, it would only be a matter of time before she got caught—because Hikigaya was getting closer and closer.
After all, since he had started getting serious, illusions were useless against him. The fact that they worked earlier was merely because he had been caught off guard.
Also, charm and illusions were fundamentally different things—the former didn't fully rely on magic, but the latter was purely spell-based.
As long as it's a spell, it doesn't matter—god-slayers naturally come with a "totally useless" human spell immunity aura.
Unsurprisingly, just as the nine-tailed fox managed to once again shake off the Yomi disciples chasing her, she was cornered by Hikigaya.
And it was inside a classroom.
Not every classroom was used as a venue for cultural festival activities. Quite a few classes chose to set up their events outside the school building.
For example, the area where the Service Club was located. Who knew if it was bad feng shui or what, but even during the cultural festival, it was quite deserted and lacked popularity.
Now the nine-tailed fox was cornered in this area by Hikigaya.
Hikigaya had done this on purpose, consciously herding her this way all along, to avoid her slipping into someone else's body again.
"Not running anymore, huh?" Hikigaya stared at her grimly. "Come on, let me beat you up good once, and then we'll call it even."
"Lord Rakshasa King, you really like to joke, huh." The nine-tailed fox blinked innocently, then suddenly bolted toward an empty space. Unfortunately, as soon as she started, a curtain of water appeared out of thin air and bounced her back.
There was no one around now, so he could use his divine powers freely.
Before she could land, Hikigaya made a gesture, and the ground instantly became slick with water, slippery as ice.
As expected, the nine-tailed fox slipped and fell flat on her back.
That quick flash of white finally reminded Hikigaya that she was still possessing Miura's body.
"Alright, be smart and get out of her body."
He spoke while advancing, not intending to play with this fox any longer. The other reason—once the nine-tailed fox came out, he could knock Miura out immediately.
This normie girl should just live her peaceful human life. She didn't need to witness this supernatural stuff—it wouldn't do her any good.
"Doesn't Lord Rakshasa King want to know why I'm here? I was once worshiped as an agricultural deity, you know."
Yeah right. More like a lust god.
Although he was a little disappointed that the nine-tailed fox didn't seem to have any new tricks, now that she had no more moves, it was time for punishment.
"Wait, wait—actually…" The nine-tailed fox kept squirming on the floor, but it was useless. The room was full of damp divine energy, and the floor was too slippery. She couldn't get up at all. If Hikigaya wanted, he could probably make her into a self-propelling mop.
He didn't do that, solely out of respect for Miura's body…
"Actually, I really need Lord Rakshasa King's help with something super important." The flirty fox showed a panicked expression as Hikigaya got closer. "I had no choice, I was being bullied! No one else could help me!"
"Look at my face." Hikigaya pointed to his face with a deadpan expression. "Do I look like I believe you?"
This fox was nothing but a lying, mischievous troublemaker—he was sure of that.
The only way to deal with her was to beat her butt first and send her back where she came from.
"No, it's true! That person is super scary. If I don't run, I'll definitely get killed!"
"Heh, keep talking."
"Why won't you believe me, Lord Rakshasa King? You'll see them soon, and then you'll believe me."
The nine-tailed fox looked like she was about to cry.
"I just wanted to have a little fun—I didn't hurt anyone. What's wrong with that?"
Damn, groping someone's chest in broad daylight is okay now? I haven't even done that yet!
"Ohhh, so that's what it is! Lord Rakshasa King likes boobs, huh? You should've said so earlier—if you tell me who you wanna grope, I'll possess them for you right away—ahh!"
Hikigaya's face turned purple as he pulled back his fist…
Sorry, Miura. I really couldn't help it. This fox's mouth has no filter.
Don't worry, I won't hit your face…
"Ow! That hurt!" The nine-tailed fox clutched her head, tears welling in her eyes.
"Good, it should hurt. Now get out!"
"No! If I come out, that scary person will find me!"
"Didn't you come out just a moment ago?" Hikigaya was both amused and annoyed.
But he really didn't know how to force her out. After all, he knew nothing about spells or magic.
"I only came out because I was discovered. That's why I ran away quickly." The fox actually replied to him seriously with this nonsense.
"Run your ass. You're still here, aren't you?"
"Um… didn't humans always say—the most dangerous place is the safest—OW! Why'd you hit me again?!"
Ignoring the fox's complaints, Hikigaya noticed something. After hitting her a couple of times, something seemed to work—he caught a glimpse of the fox's true form beginning to emerge from Miura's body.
But he definitely couldn't keep hitting her head. For Miura's health, Hikigaya decided to hit the softest, thickest part of her body. The top wasn't an option, so…
This time, ignoring whatever nonsense the fox said, he grabbed her and easily pulled her into a position where she was lying face down across his lap.
"Coming out or not?" As the ancients said, punishing without teaching is unjust. Hikigaya thought the ancestors were wise and decided to give the lewd fox one last chance.
"No! I'm not coming out! If I come out, I'll be killed!" The fox kept shaking her head and even stuck her butt out defiantly. "I'm not coming out no matter what!"
"Alright then, you asked for it." Hikigaya raised his hand, ready to smack down.
But at that moment, he suddenly felt a cold breeze sweep past.
"Oh no! I've been found again!" The fox on his lap suddenly burst into tears. "Humans are liars! They said the most dangerous place is the safest!"
What the hell? Someone's really chasing her?
Hikigaya looked around.
The next moment, his gaze sharpened—because in this room filled with his power, a woman had suddenly appeared.
She looked to be in her early twenties, with proper, dignified features. Her clothing resembled ancient Chinese garments, but not the Hanfu people today would recognize—her outfit seemed even older.
Her skin wasn't very fair, indicating she likely hadn't grown up pampered. Her long black hair was smooth, glossier even than Yukinoshita Haruno's, giving Hikigaya an indescribable feeling.
Just one look was enough to tell—this was no human.
The woman's lower body was a snake's tail. Though her ears were mostly covered by her bangs, they appeared pointed, and her wrists bore faint patterns that looked like scales.
If that were all, it wouldn't have been enough to make Hikigaya wary—after all, if there were fox spirits, there could be snake spirits too.
But unfortunately, this wasn't a demon.
She was a god.
The boiling blood inside Hikigaya's body was the best proof.
What the hell? Another god—so soon?