Miko Becomes a Demonic Cultivator

"If you have one, I'd be really grateful."

As for draining the energy from Hana's prayer beads, she had no intention of doing that. Regardless, they were a gift she'd given Yurikawa Hana.

"What's that fortune-telling shop called?"

"Huh? Let me think... it was something like..."

"Godmother."

Futamido Yuria crouched behind the sign of the Nakano Wagashi Shop, watching an old woman chatting with a customer, completely indifferent to the strange looks she was drawing from passersby.

Her gaze was fixed on the old woman, whose face was hidden beneath a hood, and she felt she didn't quite look like a real exorcist.

"Let's talk about it another time."

Naturally, she abandoned the idea of visiting this "Godmother."

Granny Saegusa, busy fleecing a customer with her scam, didn't notice Yuria's stare.

"Once the effect wears off, I can recharge it for you for thirty thousand yen. Come back again then."

"I definitely will. I'll trouble you again then."

Granny Saegusa watched the departing customer and said nothing more, just muttered to herself.

From what I can see, maybe two more times should do it.

She wasn't entirely a fraud—she just used the process to line her own pockets. In her eyes, that customer would find a partner before long. This ability, like foresight, had made her an outstanding exorcist in her youth.

But... she was old now.

She turned her attention back to the money in her hands, carefully counting the bills.

"After deducting the cut for Sakura, who set up the approach... I need to find the next fat sheep quickly."

As she spoke, she reached for the box underneath to stash the neatly counted cash.

But her aged body betrayed her, and she tweaked her back.

"Ow ow ow... my back..."

Along with the box, she pulled out an opened letter.

Granny Saegusa looked at the letter and smiled.

(To Mom)

(Mom, you're getting older. Why don't you come live with us?)

"At this point, I don't want to be a burden to you anymore."

The old woman said this, but before she could put the letter away, a young voice rang out.

"Excuse me."

She looked up and saw two girls. One with black hair and golden eyes asked:

"Do you have any prayer beads with really strong power?"

"The kind that won't break right away."

Yotsuya Miko asked, and Yurikawa Hana added her own request—she didn't want her friend buying defective goods again.

Hmph, just a bunch of brats.

That was her thought, but her face wore a kindly smile.

"Well, well, two lovely customers."

She said, turning toward the back of her stall.

"As it happens, I have some prayer beads imbued with Fortune-Bringing Power."

"She says she has them. What luck."

Yurikawa Hana said happily, while Yotsuya Miko glanced back at the ghost still steadily draining the energy from her own prayer beads.

"Yeah, what luck."

Soon she'd be able to kill that thing.

Granny Saegusa had no idea about any of this. As she fumbled through the shelves behind her, she was already thinking about pricing.

Can't squeeze much out of kids. I'll just pick a random one and sell it for three thousand yen.

With that settled, she chose the beads she'd give to Miko.

"Here, these beads are packed with incredible energy."

"They look amazing."

Hana, not understanding but impressed, gazed at the beads on display. Miko, however, wasn't about to believe that.

She looked at the beads and asked:

"Can I try them on?"

Hopefully, they have plenty of energy.

"Of course."

Without another word, Miko slipped the prayer beads onto her wrist. But before she could probe the energy within with her spiritual qi, the beads suddenly burst apart, scattering in all directions.

"So itchy..."

The malevolent ghost behind her spoke.

Tch, it can interfere with the prayer beads' energy...

At the sudden explosion, Granny Saegusa's expression shifted. She fixed her gaze on Miko with serious intent.

"It seems the rubber cord had deteriorated. My apologies."

Her eyes finally made out the faint, human-shaped black mist trailing behind Miko.

"I'll fetch another set."

"Then... one that can hold out a little longer would be good."

Yotsuya Miko watched Granny Saegusa turn away and felt a sense of kinship.

She suddenly realized that this "Godmother" could see the malevolent ghost beside her.

Then killing this ghost would be no problem at all.

Chapter 16: Downtown Godmother, Miko the Demon Cultivator

I was once called the "Godmother of the Old Town (Downtown Godmother)," after all.

Granny Saegusa paused, then turned her gaze back to the black mist behind Yotsuya Miko.

I can vaguely see the black mist beside her.

"Young lady, have you seen anything strange lately..."

"No."

"Has anything strange happened..."

"No."

Yotsuya Miko answered curtly. She didn't want to alarm the ghost beside her just yet.

"What? What are you two... talking about?"

Listening to their cryptic exchange, Yurikawa Hana was baffled. Miko, unwilling to let her know about the ghost's existence, naturally didn't answer.

"Nothing."

She turned her gaze back to Granny Saegusa, hoping the Godmother could provide prayer beads that would last a little longer.

But Granny Saegusa misinterpreted that look.

She clearly noticed but chose to completely ignore it? What a strong child.

And...

Granny Saegusa shifted her focus to the other visitor.

The girl on the left—her Life Energy is astonishing. Truly astonishing.

"What is it? You're not talking about something scary, are you?"

"No."

Yotsuya Miko looked at her calmly.

"What we're talking about isn't scary at all."

They were merely discussing how to kill a ghost.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Really really?"

"Really really."

Granny Saegusa didn't join their conversation. Instead, she continued to study the Life Energy radiating from Hana.

Though she herself hasn't noticed, this will likely attract all sorts of things.

"But she asked if you've seen anything strange."

"She asked if I have strange feelings when I look at things."

"What does 'strange feelings' mean?"

"Like astigmatism, probably."

Continuing to brush off Yurikawa Hana, Yotsuya Miko felt the energy in her prayer beads nearly depleted. She looked at Granny Saegusa again.

The latter was still pondering Hana's Life Energy.

But with power like that, even if something comes, it probably won't cause any harm.

"Excuse me—"

Granny Saegusa couldn't help but look at Yotsuya Miko, who was simply staring back at her.

"Where are the Prayer Beads?"

"Ah..."

As if waking from a dream, the Godmother walked to the door inside the room.

"Wait for me a moment."

The girl beside her was clearly 'one who could see'—I haven't sunk so low as to turn a blind eye to a girl like my own granddaughter.

She walked to the safe, slowly undid the lock, revealing the treasured items stored within.

Never thought there would come a day I'd take this out.

She retrieved a small wooden box sealed with sutras from the safe and carried it to the counter. Seeing the astonished looks on the two girls, the Godmother smiled.

"Don't worry, little miss."

Holding a small knife, she cut away the sutras covering the box's surface.

"This is the real deal—top-grade quality."

As she spoke, she slowly lifted the lid, revealing the Prayer Beads gleaming with golden light inside.

"Oh, how beautiful."

Yurikawa Hana sighed in admiration, while Yotsuya Miko, seeing the runes carved on the beads and the material different from ordinary ones, roughly understood how precious this item was.

So the Godmother really did have some skill.

"Within these dwells power incomparable to those beads from earlier,"

Granny Saegusa said proudly.

"I won't charge you a thing—just take them."

"Are you sure?"