I Am Shadow, Lurking in the Shadows, Hunting the Shadows.

"I'm leaving now, you've really spoiled my mood."

A thin boy adjusted his glasses, his voice trembling slightly, as if he wanted to escape.

"None of you are allowed to leave today! Watch closely, this will be the day I ascend the throne."

On the stage, Tamamo-no-Mae's brows furrowed slightly in anger, and dark red demonic power emanated from her body, releasing a powerful aura that surged forth like a raging torrent.

The previously noisy crowd suddenly fell silent, kneeling down in fear and feeling a sense of unease that made them unable to control their bodies.

"What a terrifying guy."

"This power...!?"

The few remaining extraordinary individuals, or those possessing artifacts embodying extraordinary power, did not kneel, but were still awestruck by the power displayed by their opponent.

"How scary, Dad."

Startled, Natsukawa Mana quickly clung to her father.

"Monster."

The jade pendant hanging on the chest of the Natsukawa Family patriarch shimmered with spiritual light, protecting the surroundings; however, the overwhelming pressure rendered him speechless.

The place where Yukinoshita's family lives.

Upon Initial Awakening this, Yukinoshita Yukino stood in front of her mother and sister, spontaneously unleashing her spiritual power to resist them, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Yukino, are you alright?"

Yukinoshita Hiyori asked with a worried expression.

"Listen to me, Yukino, you're going to abandon us and run away..."

Mrs. Yukinoshita tried her best to remain calm, appearing as if she were making arrangements for her funeral.

Even if they couldn't distinguish the strength of the extraordinary individuals, the power displayed by Tamamo-no-Mae was clearly unmatched!

"It's... it's okay."

Yukinoshita Yukino managed to squeeze out a sentence, her face showing shock but not despair.

Compared to this overwhelming sense of oppression, the spiritual power I felt during my awakening, which was like a sea of stars, was far more unfathomable!

Mrs. Yukinoshita didn't understand where her confidence came from, but Yukinoshita Hiyori suddenly understood.

But is Hasegawa-kun really that powerful?

At the same time.

Near the festival, hundreds of fox spirits emerged, collectively emanating a bewitching aura that permeated the passing crowds.

Even the power of an ordinary fox spirit is difficult for ordinary people to resist, and they all collapsed to the ground.

The once lively festival suddenly became desolate and silent.

"He has some ability, but... it's all meaningless."

Tamamo-no-Mae withdrew her gaze, looked down at the group of people who were barely resisting the pressure, and gave a very indifferent evaluation without giving them a second glance.

However, although she remained calm on the surface, she couldn't help but feel excited at the thought that her wish was about to be fulfilled.

Her previous life was that of an abandoned pet fox who, in the early stages of the cataclysmic change, was fortunate enough to awaken her abilities, including the ability to devour Blood Qi and even resentment. With the help of this powerful ability, she quickly grew stronger.

One day, through the human memories she acquired, she chose a better hunting method: attracting humans from all over the world by becoming a "welfare girl." This increased fame allowed her to make contact with government officials, and then she used her alluring abilities to control them...

Until one day, she discovered that her evolution was slowing down and had reached its limit, requiring stronger stimulation. So she planned this 'Slaughter Festival' not only to fulfill her ambition of trampling humanity underfoot, but also to strengthen herself.

"From this day forward, the world will only know that they have worshipped a deity named 'Tamamo-no-Mae' for generations; they are beings who are given whatever they want, beings who are trampled upon..."

"Humans, welcome your future gods!"

Tamamo-no-Mae indulged in her thoughts for a while, then suddenly her gaze shifted, her eyes sparkling.

"Hey little guy over there, come out here. You can't escape my sight."

Behind a stall about 50 meters away.

"Oh no, we've been discovered!"

The girl dressed as the Night Demon Queen froze, a bead of cold sweat dripping from her forehead.

She followed the fox demon's trail all the way here, intending to continue hunting, but unexpectedly she bumped into a big fish.

That surging demonic power was something she could not match.

Even if she considers herself exceptionally capable, it would be difficult for her to overcome such a gap.

"You don't want to come out? Then let me ask you to."

Tamamo-no-Mae narrowed her eyes, about to make a move, when the girl slowly walked out.

With nowhere to run Gokou Ruri chose to lose face rather than back down.

"Phew~ I didn't expect to find a powerful demon like you here. You've been a formidable foe for a long time."

With her right hand outstretched to the side of her face, she spoke with great poise despite the chill running down her spine.

121

Chapter 121 I am the Shadow, the one who lurks in the shadows, the hunter of the shadows.

Is anyone going to rescue them?

The sudden turn of events gave a glimmer of hope to the previously despairing group of people.

Although the identity of the newcomer was unknown, the fact that the person moved freely under this oppressive aura was quite different from the behavior of the others.

But what they didn't expect was that their savior was also terrified.

He's all show and no substance!

What should we do?

[Wait... why is he here too?]

[Could it be my imagination?]

Just as she was feeling uneasy, the girl glanced over and noticed a certain gaze directed at her. Immediately, she felt more confident, and her tense emotions eased.

"How arrogant!"

"You think you're worthy to compete with the master?"

Among the crowd, more than a dozen hypnotized and controlled humans walked out with bloodshot eyes.

The foxes also surrounded them, watching them intently.

"You don't actually think she can save you, do you? I'll show you how to crush that hope right now."

Tamamo-no-Mae was initially taken aback by Gokou Ruri's attitude, not expecting such a weak person to be so confident. She only realized what was going on when her controlled human subordinates took the initiative to belittle her opponent.

Upon receiving the order, the already restless subordinates pounced on the girl not far away.

"How could some mere ordinary characters hurt me?"

At this moment, Gokou Ruri displayed the composure of a powerful figure, raising her hands, one light and one dark, two different types of power brightly intertwined, her bangs fluttering, giving her an aura of both saint and demon.

She seemed to be speaking casually, but she was actually going all out.

Simultaneously using the Shadow Power to enter a black-and-white state places a heavy mental burden on her, making it difficult for her to fight for long.

Rationally speaking, she should have turned and run, but after seeing someone who would protect her, she decided to give it a try.

First to charge forward was a group of foxes that had transformed into demonic beasts. They were enormous, like ferocious tigers, brandishing their sharp claws, and the sound of wind tearing through the air could be faintly heard.

"A baptism of light and darkness!"

Gokou Ruri crossed her arms and closed her eyes. The two forces collided spontaneously, releasing a huge wave of energy that rippled outwards in a ring shape.

The fox demon was thrown back as if it had crashed into a towering wall, and because of the conflict between the two strange forces within its body, it was unable to get up.

However, the controlled person rushed over without paying any attention to this tragic scene, charging forward as if to tear her in two with their bare hands.

"Are you trying to make me hesitate to act rashly?"

Gokou Ruri smiled softly, and all the people rushing over stopped in their tracks. The shadows beneath their feet bound their shadows tightly like ropes.

Some who were originally prepared to draw their guns had their plans abandoned.

"What a wondrous power, not bad at all."

Tamamo-no-Mae also showed some surprise.

But that's all there is to it.

Having seen through the deception, and wanting to establish her authority, she decided to take matters into her own hands, no longer wanting to play these games.

"Human, I'm giving you one chance: submit to me, or else..."

She slightly raised her hand, her eyes filled with chilling killing intent.

In mid-air, clusters of spiritual flames flickered and ignited in the night sky, transforming into a sky full of stars, about to fall.

With a single move, he displayed the vastness of spiritual power, causing everyone present to change color.

'I really can't stop this!'

'It's your turn Hasegawa-senpai!'

Gokou Ruri swallowed hard, silently calling out the name that had once brought her endless hope.

"Not going to speak, huh? It seems you're going to put up a stubborn resistance. Well then..."

Tamamo-no-Mae a slight, cold smile, and just as she was about to make a move, a shadow suddenly fell over her face.

"Who goes there!"

Her expression changed, and she looked up.

The bright, full moon hung in the sky, its light bathing the earth.

Clearly visible, a person stands between heaven and earth, dressed in all black, with his back to the silver moon, his mysterious face hidden beneath his hood.

At that very moment, those who hadn't fainted felt the oppressive aura surrounding them dissipate, and they hurriedly fled the scene, only turning their attention back to it after running a hundred meters away.

Tamamo-no-Mae completely ignored the departure of these people, as their threat was insignificant; her attention was entirely focused on the mysterious person who had suddenly appeared.

Although there was no aura revealed, the ability to fly meant that the opponent was no ordinary person.

"Who, who is that?"

"We're saved!"

"To actually walk on air, how terrifying!"

Those still within the encirclement did not make any rash moves, but instead witnessed what was about to happen, which would determine their fate.

In a corner.

"Am I, my My other half, finally going to make my move?!"

Kōko looked up at her older brother's figure, feeling extremely excited.

Similarly, Eriri and Yukinoshita Yukino, who knew of his existence, watched intently, eager to see just how powerful that man truly was.

"What an unfathomable man."

Gokou Ruri quietly hid away by herself, gazing at the sky with reverence.

Flying is arguably the ability that humans who yearn for freedom desire most. However, even today, after the changes in the world, these children of prominent families have only heard of the legends of human flight, but have never witnessed it with their own eyes.

Now that they have seen it, their hearts are filled with longing.

Unlike the hopeful crowd, Tamamo-no-Mae was in a terrible mood.

"Who are you?"

She frowned and asked in a serious tone.

"My name is Shadow, and I am one who lurks in the shadows, hunting the shadows..."

Hasegawa Izumi switched to a different tone, and her rebellious, magnetic voice came from the shadows under her hat.

In public, and unable to silence everyone, he chose to conceal his identity; otherwise, it would be endless trouble, whether human or Demons and Monsters.