Kayako... Shy?

Ushikubi Village.

The legend originated in Tokyo's Hokuriku region. It was said that villagers sacrificed twin girls alive to end a drought. One survived and became a Vengeful Spirit, taking revenge through another dimension connected by an elevator.

This was the first place Kotoko Higa had brought Li Dan: Ushikubi Village.

They had seen warning signs and roadblocks on the way.

Villages like this were usually abandoned. Needless to say, Ushikubi Village was probably full of ghosts and Vengeful Spirits.

Li Dan wasn't very familiar with this urban legend, but since they were here, he might as well take a look. Besides, he had a contained entity perfectly suited to this setting.

Outside the village.

Despite its name, Ushikubi Village had nothing to do with a cow's head. Thick dust coated the blue-tiled wooden houses, and crumbling walls ringed the village. Wind through the empty windows sounded like sobbing.

Kotoko Higa briefly told him about Ushikubi Village.

She had fought the Vengeful Spirit inside before. Li Dan would only need to lend a hand, and once it was dealt with, he could have it.

Li Dan took out a card. Its image showed a dim scene: a mass of ghostly hair gathered on the ceiling, with a pair of hate-filled eyes peering out from the middle.

"No need. Let Kayako help you. This is exactly the sort of place that suits her."

The resentment here could strengthen Kayako and Toshio.

Nor were his guards permanently limited to four cards. Once some entities grew strong enough, their Ghost Cards would naturally take the form of guards.

"Li Dan, will Kayako listen to me?" Kotoko Higa looked at the playing card sealing Kayako, still unable to believe it.

How could a ghost consumed by hatred listen to a human? She had thought