Two-shaku-two-sun-two-rin Adult

The Yao-Shaku-Sama froze in place as if struck by lightning.

She stared at the Evil Ghost's face that had suddenly appeared before her, her thoughts instantly becoming a jumbled mess.

Uesugi Tetsu, however, didn't give her any chance to react. He guessed that the Yao-Shaku-Sama was at least one star, and even if he wanted to subdue her, he would do so after defeating her.

He fully activated his Ki-ai Technique, his shout causing Kaga Kiyomitsu's blade to trail afterimages.

This sword strike, with a physique of 35 or higher, can you withstand this divine speed!

The Yao-Shaku-Sama's answer was—

No reaction!

That's right, there was no resistance, no dodging. She was simply held in place by the Fearful Smile and the roar, forced to take the sword strike!

The blade sliced through the Yao-Shaku-Sama's abdomen with almost no resistance, making her entire body fade by several points. Perhaps with a few more strikes, this legendary monster could be exorcised.

"Popopo—!"

The Yao-Shaku-Sama let out a pained cry, and Uesugi Tetsu abruptly stopped his next sword strike, looking at the unmoving Yao-Shaku-Sama with confusion.

What in the world is going on?

Uesugi Tetsu was also bewildered. This was the first time he had ever encountered a legendary monster that was being attacked but didn't retaliate.

Could it be because of my 9 points of Charm? Or is the famous Yao-Shaku-Sama a follower of the S&M cult?

It wasn't until Uesugi Tetsu's gaze shifted to the top of the Yao-Shaku-Sama's head that he suddenly understood.

So, the half-star on the Yao-Shaku-Sama's head was completely empty. She was currently equivalent to a scattered wandering soul. It was already a testament to her resilience that she could survive his strike.

Upon closer inspection, Uesugi Tetsu could even see the annotation "[Fading Yao-Shaku-Sama (Scattered)]".

Now, everything was clear.

The Yao-Shaku-Sama's earlier reluctance to approach wasn't because she wanted to strike first, but because she knew she was weak and was waiting for an opportunity.

Similarly, when he had transformed into the Laughing Brahma and come here before, it wasn't because the Yao-Shaku-Sama thought his charm was too low, but because she didn't dare to appear at all!

With this thought, Uesugi Tetsu stood up, placed his sword at the Yao-Shaku-Sama's neck, and said, "I ask, you answer. If you don't answer before I count to ten, the sword will fall."

"—Why are you so weak?"

The Yao-Shaku-Sama stared at the terrifying Brahma mask before her, regretting her carelessness, and whimpered, "Popopo..."

"Eight!" The blade moved closer to her neck, and Kaga Kiyomitsu vibrated with pleasure.

Uesugi Tetsu roared, "Crying? Crying counts as time too!"

The Yao-Shaku-Sama immediately stopped crying and sobbed tearfully, "Because... because shortly after the factory was built, no one in Arakawa Village remembered me anymore, and no one came here for a long time. If a legendary monster is forgotten, it will only dissipate."

The factory, that same sweatshop that exploited workers, was the source of all evil in Arakawa Ghost Village.

Uesugi Tetsu narrowed his eyes and pulled the blade back slightly, "Give you ten more seconds, tell me about the factory."

The Yao-Shaku-Sama trembled, "After that factory appeared, the farmland was polluted, the residents died, fled, or went mad. The original village was thus abandoned."

"Do you know about that factory?"

"I do..."

"Who is inside?"

"Farmers, inspectors overseeing the farmers, and the factory owner."

"Explain in detail."

"The farmers were all forced to work there. The four inspectors were stronger and more brutal than I was originally. The terrifying factory owner only returned to inspect the factory once every few months."

"How many such factories are there?"

"I heard there are still hundreds..."

Hundreds of scattered workers, four inspectors of at least one-and-a-half stars or higher, and a mysterious factory owner. There might even be a Tokoyo capitalist alliance behind them.

The Yao-Shaku-Sama's words made Uesugi Tetsu temporarily dismiss the idea of confronting the factory.

It was a turbulent time; it was better to avoid causing trouble.

However, looking at it this way, the Yao-Shaku-Sama was truly pitiful. As a household name in the modern world, she had fallen to the point of dissipating in Tokoyo because she was forgotten.

Uesugi Tetsu pondered for a moment, then heard the Yao-Shaku-Sama beside him say tearfully, "Hurry up and ask, I'll tell you anything."

Uesugi Tetsu found it a bit amusing, so he dispelled his transformation and, with his face that boasted 9 Charm, asked again, "Then I'll ask you, are you willing to do great things with me in the future?"

Seeing the ferocious Brahma suddenly transform back into the handsome swordsman, the Yao-Shaku-Sama was momentarily mesmerized.

Uesugi Tetsu raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected that this Yao-Shaku-Sama, who resided in Arakawa Village during the Meiji era, would be almost identical to the more widely circulated manga image of her.

—White hat, black hair, beautiful appearance.

—More importantly, she consumed Charm attributes.

The Yao-Shaku-Sama stopped crying. She thought, What a fortunate turn of events, and nodded vigorously, "Yes, I'm willing!"

After all, even if she were left alone, she would dissipate soon anyway.

Moreover, the Yao-Shaku-Sama believed she couldn't possibly defeat this swordsman who could transform into a Brahma, so she might as well surrender quickly and enjoy herself.

As for why it's said a swordsman turned into a Brahma, rather than a Brahma disguised as a swordsman... the answer is that one's worldview follows their senses.

"But I've already become a local spirit of Arakawa Village," the Yao-Shaku-Sama said, pointing to the broken Ksitigarbha statue in the temple. "Without a [familiar], I can't leave the boundaries of Arakawa Village."

"That's simple."

Uesugi Tetsu took a mini Ksitigarbha statue from his storage backpack and placed it in front of the Yao-Shaku-Sama, then lightly swung the gleaming blade of Kaga Kiyomitsu. "Do you want to go in yourself, or should I help you?"

"I don't need your help, I can move on my own."

Before the Yao-Shaku-Sama could even be shocked, she saw the swaying blade and quickly forced a stiff smile towards him, then turned into a mist and burrowed into the Ksitigarbha statue.

The next moment, a notification popped up before Uesugi Tetsu's eyes.

[One-and-a-half-star anomaly "Yao-Shaku-Sama" is attempting to voluntarily become your Shikigami, do you agree?]

[You have chosen to agree.]

[You have subdued the one-and-a-half-star anomaly "Yao-Shaku-Sama"!]

[You have subdued your first Shikigami, reward item "Universal Incarnation Prototype" x1!]

[Side Quest One - The Ksitigarbha Statue's Damage is Complete!]

[You can choose to claim the reward for this side quest immediately! Or you can wait until multiple quests are completed to claim cumulative rewards!]

[You have chosen to accumulate quest rewards.]

About a minute or two later, the shaking Ksitigarbha statue finally stabilized, indicating that the Yao-Shaku-Sama had successfully made it her "familiar."

Generally speaking, if an Onmyoji wishes to subdue an anomaly or demon to become a Shikigami, they must use Onmyoji arts to sign a contract with it, and then use a familiar that is compatible with the Shikigami to subdue it.

During this process, not only is Onmyoji art difficult to learn, but familiars capable of containing the target anomaly or demon are also very difficult to find.

This has led many Onmyoji to use parts of their own bodies as familiars for their Shikigami, thereby continuously damaging their bodies and consuming their lifespan to accommodate their Shikigami.

Feeling a subtle yet incredibly strong sense of connection appear in his heart, Uesugi Tetsu attempted to activate it, speaking inwardly:

"Come out, Yao-Shaku-Sama!"

The next moment, the mini Ksitigarbha statue glowed slightly, and the Yao-Shaku-Sama, who had now become Uesugi Tetsu's Shikigami, emerged again.

Uesugi Tetsu stood before a little girl with black hair and a white hat, not even reaching his knees, and was stunned for a moment.

Is this... the Yao-Shaku-Sama from just now?

Uesugi Tetsu gestured to her height and found that she was about one-quarter of her original size.

"This should clearly be the Two-shaku-two-sun-two-rin Adult!"

At this moment, the Two-shaku... oh no, she should be called the Two-shaku Adult now.

The Two-shaku Adult also noticed her own change and let out a soft, surprised cry of "Popopo?!"

At this moment, a semi-transparent prompt also appeared next to the Two-shaku Adult.

[Click to view Shikigami panel]

Uesugi Tetsu clicked it with his mind.