Spirit Awakening Mist

After finishing the silent dinner, which tasted like chewing on wax paper, Uesugi Tetsu put down his chopsticks and looked at Ririko.

He asked, "Ririko, have you decided?"

The choice was between staying to deal with the successive supernatural events or leaving to escape and live as an ordinary person.

The crossroads of fate had never been so clearly visible as they were at this moment.

If they parted ways, perhaps this face-to-face encounter would be the closest they would ever be from now until the future.

Silently putting the last piece of greasy A5 Wagyu into her mouth, Ririko, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, also put down her chopsticks. She looked like a samurai who had placed her katana horizontally in front of her.

Calm and resolute.

"A swordsman doesn't run away from a fight, Uesugi-kun."

Ririko took out a paper napkin and elegantly wiped the grease from the corners of her lips. "Besides, the target is right in front of us, what are you hesitating for?"

"You'll die. Hasegawa is a living example."

Uesugi Tetsu sighed.

"Then Uesugi-kun, would you consider running away? Even for a moment?" Ririko retorted.

Without a moment's thought or hesitation, Uesugi Tetsu shook his head. "I won't."

"—So I won't either."

Ririko smiled and tightly gripped his hand with unusual force. "It's that simple."

After parting ways with Ririko, Uesugi Tetsu returned to the safe house guarded by the old ghost dad and decided to accelerate his progress in Arakawa Ghost Village tonight and tomorrow.

Easily withstanding the immense water pressure, the Laughing Brahma opened its eyes in a dilapidated thatched hut.

And after several days of training and combat, his stats had become--

[Uesugi Tetsu]

[Physique: 15]

[Willpower: 10]

[Charisma: 6]

[Spirit Arts: 3]

If he activated the Proficient level Ki-ai Technique, his Physique would instantly jump from "15" to "17," undoubtedly already a terrifying, supernatural physical quality.

Not to mention that Uesugi Tetsu was now wielding the sharp Kaga Kiyomitsu; even a robust farmer who appeared before him would likely be dealt with in a single strike.

"White Brahma is a boss at the end of a one-star or higher level, I'll wait for now."

Uesugi Tetsu rubbed the hilt of his sword and thought, "First, I'll deal with the Twist and Turn whose location is confirmed, and then I'll wait for the Laughing Brahma to finish upgrading before I go to subdue Yao-Shaku-Sama."

With this decision made, Uesugi Tetsu's figure turned into a swift gust of wind, traversing the ghost village.

Along the way, he didn't know what had happened at that large factory, but Uesugi Tetsu actually encountered a few scattered factory workers.

Facing the Soul Ash delivered to his doorstep, Uesugi Tetsu naturally refused none of it.

Kaga Kiyomitsu was drawn, easily taking several heads.

[You have killed the scattered wandering soul "Exploited Factory Worker," obtaining 14 Soul Ash.]

[You have killed the scattered wandering soul "Exploited Factory Worker," obtaining 11 Soul Ash.]

[You have killed the scattered wandering soul "Exploited Factory Worker," obtaining 10 Soul Ash.]

[You have obtained "Factory Worker's Top (Torn)".]

The amount of Soul Ash dropped was not small; it could only be said that the factory owner had not yet squeezed out the remaining value of these wandering souls. Unlike reality, more practice was needed here.

He had gained another torn quality worker's top. Although this item didn't add any effects or stats.

Uesugi Tetsu estimated that if he collected the entire set, he might be able to infiltrate the factory and do something.

But unfortunately, the reality of the situation did not allow him to open another time-consuming and life-threatening side quest.

About twenty minutes later, Uesugi Tetsu stopped in front of a familiar gray field.

He lowered his head, staring intently at the mud and the foul ditch at his feet.

Last time, he was sent away just because he looked at the Twist and Turn for too long. Uesugi Tetsu would not make the same mistake twice.

Drawing Kaga Kiyomitsu, Uesugi Tetsu slowly closed his eyes, shifting his attention to his hearing, smell, and touch.

Instantly, the vague sound of steam hissing became deafening, the direction of the wind became clear, and Uesugi Tetsu could even hear the movement of unknown insects burrowing into the soil beneath his feet.

Too far.

He needed to shrink the range of his senses.

With a rhythmic breathing pattern, Uesugi Tetsu's acute senses gradually narrowed, finally focusing on the area ahead, just encompassing this small field.

This was good.

Faint, indistinct noises kept coming from a certain point not far away. Uesugi Tetsu knew that was the Twist and Turn.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the abandoned field.

Although legends said that the Twist and Turn had no other means of attack besides assimilating those who saw it, that was just a legend. It could be referenced, but not taken as absolute truth.

Gripping Kaga Kiyomitsu tightly, Uesugi Tetsu heard the subtle change in the ambient noise.

It had found him!

Without stealthily approaching further, Uesugi Tetsu immediately changed his strategy and fully activated his Ki-ai Technique.

Uesugi Tetsu's muscles bulged distinctly. After his subconscious mind instinctively adopted the Heian-ggan stance, he strode towards the direction of the Twist and Turn.

With Kaga Kiyomitsu capable of strengthening his thrusting swordsmanship, Uesugi Tetsu aimed to deliver a single, decisive blow with all his might.

Bzzzzzz--

As the distance between the two rapidly closed, the ambient noise in his ears grew exponentially. While not as impactful as direct sight, it was enough to drive ordinary people into a frenzy, causing them to dance along.

But Uesugi Tetsu had anticipated this.

The Laughing Brahma, with its heart as still as water, suddenly curled its lips upwards.

With a significant increase in willpower, the Terrifying Smile momentarily silenced the surrounding buzzing noise!

In that instant, Uesugi Tetsu's chest swelled. His Ki-ai Technique resounded like muffled thunder, unleashing the simplest, most direct, yet simultaneously the most technically demanding sword strike.

--Fang Thrust!

Ten meters vanished in the blink of an eye!

Before Uesugi Tetsu himself could even react, Kaga Kiyomitsu had already embedded itself into the viscous, mist-like form of the Twist and Turn, eliciting a piercing shriek from it.

The sudden increase in volume caused Uesugi Tetsu, who was close to the Twist and Turn, to bleed from his seven orifices, but his movements remained unhesitating.

He tightened his grip on the hilt and delivered a decisive kesa-giri.

Slaaaash!

A sound like tearing fabric erupted. Kaga Kiyomitsu's blade tip trailed a streak of flowing, pale white, causing the incessant noise from the Twist and Turn to abruptly cease.

[You have killed the One-Star Grudge "Twist and Turn" and obtained 132 Soul Ash!]

Uesugi Tetsu's body trembled, and he collapsed onto the field. At this moment, he felt as if his brain was trembling along with the dissipating noise, threatening to liquefy and spill from his senses.

It was a close call; the Twist and Turn's dying counterattack was almost successful.

But fortunately, he was the superior fighter!

Uesugi Tetsu grinned and, using his last ounce of strength, patted the uchigatana in his hand that had turned the tide of battle.

Kaga Kiyomitsu's blade trembled slightly, emitting a clear, resonant hum, as if pleased.

Within two seconds, Uesugi Tetsu's vision went black. He was sent back to the real world by the incessant dying whispers of the Twist and Turn.

[You used Kaga Kiyomitsu - Replica to slay the One-Star Grudge "Twist and Turn". The quality of Kaga Kiyomitsu - Replica has slightly increased.]

[Your proficiency in the skill, Ki-ai Technique Fragment, has increased by 19!]

[Your proficiency in the skill, Tennen Rishin-ryū, has increased by 7!]

[Side Quest Two - The White Scarecrow has been completed!]

[You can choose to claim the rewards for this side quest immediately, or wait to claim cumulative rewards after completing multiple quests!]

[You have obtained, Spirit Awakening Mist (Special Item)!]

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