Anime Crossover: The Small Workshop System's Aggressive Feeding

Page 130

This turning point all hinges on the young man named Zhou Ye in front of us.

Who is he?

Zhou Ye didn't say anything more, he just quietly looked at Yotsuya Miko.

He is waiting.

Let her make her own choice.

Chapter 97 The Joining of the Two Women

The air in the living room seemed to freeze.

Yotsuya Miko lowered her head, her body still trembling slightly, but the fear that almost overwhelmed her seemed to be dispelled somewhat by Zhou Ye's calm words, replaced by a resolute determination to go all in.

She suddenly raised her head, her pale lips pressed tightly together, and looked at Zhou Ye.

"Zhou, if you help me, what price do I have to pay?"

Upon hearing this, the other two people in the living room, Nami and Kasumigaoka Utaha, both looked surprised and turned to Yotsuya Miko.

Kasumigaoka Utaha opened her mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent. She could sense the heaviness and determination in her friend's tone.

Ignoring the stares of others, Yotsuya Miko kept her gaze fixed on Zhou Ye, waiting for his answer.

She continued, her voice slightly hoarse.

"There are Onmyoji in Japan who once helped me exorcise a spirit, but their price was too high."

"Moreover, I can see evil spirits at any time, whether at school or at home, and the money for exorcisms is simply not enough."

At this point, Yotsuya Miko gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

Her voice was even lower, filled with a deep sense of helplessness and despair.

"Once, I made a wish at a dilapidated shrine on the outskirts of Tokyo..."

Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if recalling some extremely terrifying scene.

“At that time, an evil spirit appeared. I was terrified and told it to disperse, but for some reason, it heard me three times.”

“From then on, I would occasionally see twin witches wearing fox masks appear in front of me. They would make gestures, one and two.” As Yotsuya Miko said this, her voice became noticeably choked with sobs, and her body trembled again.

Kasumigaoka Utaha quickly helped her up, her face full of worry.

Nami frowned slightly. She could sense the strong negative aura emanating from Yotsuya Miko, as well as her strange connection with some powerful being.

Zhou Ye had been listening quietly until this moment, when he finally interrupted Yotsuya Miko.

"The third time will be your death day."

His tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness.

"He must have something wrong with his brain."

"You can't just enter a temple or worship any god you want, especially a dilapidated shrine, where some random cats and dogs dare to call themselves gods."

Zhou Ye's gaze was sharp, as if he could see through the fear deep in Yotsuya Miko's soul.

Give me your right hand.

Yotsuya Miko was taken aback by what she heard, but still instinctively and hesitantly extended her right hand.

Her hands were small, cold, and trembling slightly from nervousness.

Zhou Ye reached out and grasped her wrist.

His fingers were warm and dry, carrying a strange calming power that soothed Yotsuya Miko's chaotic emotions somewhat.

Zhou Ye didn't make any extra movements, but simply looked down and carefully examined her palms and wrists.

The living room was silent except for the slightly rapid breathing of Yotsuya Miko.

Nami, Kasumigaoka Utaha, and the others watched this scene with bated breath.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart pounded. She felt as if she were in the middle of a horror novel, and her classmate was the cursed protagonist.

A moment later, Zhou Ye's gaze lingered on a spot on the inside of Yotsuya Miko's right wrist.

He didn't speak, but simply gently stroked that spot on the skin with his fingertips.

Yotsuya Miko felt a slight stinging pain and an indescribable chill in the place he touched.

She couldn't see what was there, but Zhou Ye's expression gave her an ominous feeling.

Nami moved closer as well. She could sense an extremely faint but strangely malevolent energy fluctuation where Zhou Ye's fingers touched.

Zhou Ye released Yotsuya Miko's hand.

“There is a very faint animal claw mark on your wrist.”

His voice remained calm, yet it sent a chill down Yotsuya Miko's spine.

Paw prints?

She looked sharply at her wrist; the skin there was smooth and bare.

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked on in confusion, not understanding what Zhou Ye was talking about.

"I...I can't see." Miko Yotsuya's voice trembled.

Zhou Ye looked at her.

"Of course you can't see it; it's a mark directly imprinted on your soul."

Miko Yotsuya's face turned deathly pale instantly, and the invisible claw marks on her wrist seemed to throb with pain.

When you are saved by the evil spirit who made the wish and go to fulfill the vow for the third time, that will be your death day.

Zhou Ye's words were like a sharp blade, piercing directly into the part of Yotsuya Miko's heart that she feared most.

You are probably not the only victim killed by that charlatan.

Upon hearing this, Yotsuya Miko shuddered, and several photos of missing girls she had seen in newspapers suddenly flashed through her mind. She had sensed a similar aura near that shrine, but had never connected the two.

"No way..." she muttered to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Kasumigaoka Utaha held Miko's hand tightly. Although she couldn't see those things, Miko's pale face and trembling body made her heart ache.

Okay then, Yotsuya-kun.

Zhou Ye's tone softened slightly.

I can help you get rid of the evil spirits that are bothering you, and I can also make a pair of glasses to cover your ability to see ghosts, so that you can no longer see evil spirits.

A glimmer of hope flashed in Miko Yotsuya's eyes. This was exactly what she had been dreaming of—to no longer see those terrifying beings and to live the life of an ordinary person.

But Zhou Ye's next words quickly extinguished her hope.

But this is ultimately just a temporary fix; if you're not strong enough, you'll still be targeted, and you'll only suffer a worse fate.

I forgot to mention that gods and demons exist in this world.

Yotsuya Miko's lips trembled. She subconsciously looked at Nami beside her, recalling the scene of Nami easily destroying the evil spirit, and suddenly realized that the gods and demons the boy in front of her was not an exaggeration.

Zhou Ye continued speaking without pausing, his voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable authority.

For example, Rias Gremory and Shiki Sona from our academy.

Upon hearing these two names, Kasumigaoka Utaha was visibly taken aback. These two were among the most popular beauties in the school, frequently appearing in campus news.

Who are they...?

demon.

Zhou Ye stated bluntly. To be precise, Rias is a high-ranking demon, the heir to the Gremory family, a demon girl possessing destructive power. Sona, on the other hand, is the heir to the Sid family.

Yotsuya Miko and Kasumigaoka Utaha exchanged a glance, their mouths agape in disbelief.

This is impossible

Kasumigaoka Utaha instinctively retorted, but her tone was no longer so certain. After all, everything she had witnessed today had overturned her understanding.

Yotsuya Miko, however, seemed less surprised. She said thoughtfully:

Actually... I once saw something... different about Rias-senpai... but I always thought it was just my imagination.

Zhou Ye nodded, his gaze towards Yotsuya Miko showing a hint of interest.

Your ability to see through demons' disguises is truly remarkable.

Nami also cast an admiring glance:

This ability is rare, especially for ordinary humans who have not received training.

Miko Yotsuya was not happy about the praise; she bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with confusion and fear.

But... what should I do? If it's really like you said, even if I can't see them, they'll still come looking for me?

Zhou Ye pondered for a moment, his eyes becoming deep.

You have two options.

He held up one finger. First, I'll cleanse the curse on your wrist and give you a pair of special glasses. You can live a normal life for now, but you could be targeted again at any time.

He raised a second finger.

Second, become one of my people, and I will train you so that you will not become a lamb to the slaughter.

Miko Yotsuya's eyes lit up, but quickly dimmed again.

Can I...can I do this? All I've ever done is run away...

Running away is also a survival instinct.

Zhou Ye said calmly.

But now, you have the option of not having to run away.

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at her friend and suddenly said: I want to learn too!

Everyone looked at her in surprise.

I can't see those things, but that doesn't mean I want to be an ignorant bystander.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice was firm and clear.