NOVEL NEXT Chapter 221
Chapter 221 – Chapter 30 – Trapped 4000
Dying far from the bustling city center and in the outskirts of Chiba Prefecture, the buildings gradually decreased in number. Fields and distant mountains came into view. Rows of small white houses flashed past.
“We’ve received intelligence that several people have frequently gone missing in an abandoned shrine in Ichinomiya Town, and this has all the hallmarks of a cursed spirit’s work. Our mission is to investigate and exorcise this cursed spirit.”
Sawaki was driving as Ijichi explained in the passenger seat.
Yuki and Yuhata, sitting in the backseat, already had a general understanding of the mission’s details. However, hearing a fuller explanation is always beneficial.
“It’s said that before the shrine was abandoned, a man fell hopelessly in love with the shrine maiden. But after failing to win her affection, he went mad and brutally murdered the maiden within the shrine, then committed suicide at the entrance.”
“Afterward, the shrine was sealed for a long period. Upon reopening, many visitors complained of curses and various misfortunes. The shrine was sealed again and eventually abandoned.”
“Now, it’s become a very well-known haunted site in Ichinomiya Town. Most of those who go missing are tourists lured by the stories. They come to test their courage and often end up meeting their demise.”
After hearing Ijichi’s explanation, Hachiman Hikigaya commented dryly, “It sounds like a low-grade ghost story made up by some forum dwellers.”
Ijichi smiled bitterly and replied, “But it’s undeniable truth. It’s likely caused by the lingering resentment of the maiden brutally murdered, combined with the special location of a shrine, giving rise to a cursed spirit.”
In reality, life is far stranger than fiction, at least fiction needs logic, but life does not need it.
“Luckily, we discovered the anomalies quickly. The cursed spirit probably just emerged recently, which is why our mission is classified as grade three.”
Although it’s a grade three task, Ijichi was not relaxed. Misjudgment in mission ratings had previously led to the death of some jujutsu sorcerers. Therefore, even a lower-level task needs to be taken seriously. “Mission ratings might not always be accurate.”
“Given the nature of the shrine—a place of faith—even a grade three mission demands vigilance from both of you. If you realize the enemy’s strength surpasses that of a grade three cursed spirit, please retreat immediately,” he stressed seriously.
“Got it. Got it.” Junpei Yoshino swallowed several times, nodding hesitantly.
This was his first mission with peers. Previously, he had been accompanied by Kenjin Namine on assignments. This made him rather nervous.
Hearing these words from Ijichi increased his tension.
“Don’t worry, nobody cherishes my life more than I do,” Hikigaya added, making Ijichi feel unnecessary concern in this aspect.
When things go wrong, bow down; when fleeing, act decisively; flatter when it’s needed. This is my pride. In terms of being ready to concede, I could be called the best.
Having agreed to recognize and avoid danger when necessary, the car interior fell silent. Only the sound of tires on the asphalt was heard.
Yoshino maintained his tense posture, hands neatly positioned on his knees, with no inclination to discuss.
Hikigaya found it peaceful to watch the passing scenery quietly.
Ichinomiya Town, situated by the seaside, is both picturesque and rich in peaches.
Endless hills blooming with peach trees create a sea of pink when viewed from afar. A soft breeze carrying cherry blossom fragrance greeted them as they opened their windows.
The black sedan did not enter town but instead drove towards the outskirts, finally stopping at the foot of a long flight of bluish-gray stone steps.
“We’ve arrived. Here we are.”
Ijichi stepped out of the car, observing an old warning tape stretched across the steps and a sign reading “No Entry,” rusted with time.
“Have you sensed any cursed spirits?” he asked.
Hikigaya scratched his head awkwardly, “I’m afraid I’m not good at sensing such things.”
Blame it on Lin Qi for not teaching him properly.
If he doesn’t know, how could Yoshino, a novice jujutsu sorcerer, comprehend?
Ijichi felt awkward too, saying, “Nonetheless, let me cast a barrier first. This barrier will force any cursed spirits inside to show themselves, but it won’t confine you. Rest assured.”
He recited the incantation, casting the barrier, and warned: “Remember what I said before. If you realize you’re overmatched, abandon the mission and retreat immediately.”
“Hai.”
Both nodded earnestly, eyeing each other before stepping through the barrier.
Upon entering the barrier zone, darkness enveloped them as ambient sounds ceased, replaced by eerie silence.
“Let’s proceed,” Hikigaya glanced around, finding no signs of cursed spirits, then started up the stone steps.
“Hai…hai!” Yoshino hurried to follow.
The state of the steps clearly indicated that the shrine had been abandoned for a considerable time. Cracked flagstones sprouted moss amidst the disarray; the weeds along pathways flourished.
Dim sunlight filtered through, casting dim shadows on the stone.
Hikigaya and Yoshino ascended cautiously. Despite having a poor sense of spiritual awareness, they both detected a repulsive aura, which grew stronger as they approached the shrine.
Glancing sideways, they noticed the occasional hideous heads of cursed spirits peering out from bamboo groves.
However, these appeared to be weak, almost powerless entities, nothing serious.
Upon spotting traces of cursed spirits, their alertness heightened, slowing their pace.
They encountered no attacks and reached the shrine smoothly, much to an uncomfortable surprise for Hikigaya.
A dark red torii gate appeared, followed by a smaller, simple offering hall. Unclear which god was being venerated, yet the atmosphere here was notably ominous.
“Could this be the place?” Yoshino questioned hesitantly.
“There’s nowhere else it can be. The path ends here,” Hikigaya stated coolly but grew tense internally, breaking into a cold sweat.
“Look, Hikigaya-kun,” Yoshino alerted him, noticing something.
Beyond the faded-red torii gate, they found traces of visitors despite the absence of cursed spirits’ presence. Backpacks, empty water bottles, and other items were scattered about.
Hikigaya picked up an empty bottle, surprised by its outdated label. “This water’s production date…is four years old!?”
“Then these items belong to people who came here four years ago?” Yoshino was equally bewildered yet the missing individuals were supposedly recent cases.
If these remnants belonged to people from four years ago, where are the most recent missing persons now?
“The cursed spirit has still not appeared,” Hikigaya remarked after dropping the water bottle.
“Judging from these discarded items, they seem to belong to victims killed by the cursed spirit. Hence, the mission’s target isn’t some newly created grade three cursed spirit but possibly an old one from years back.”
“Our current abilities are insufficient to deal with such an adversary.”
“Right…right,” Yoshino nodded, relieved but disappointed.
He never expected his first formal mission to result in withdrawal.
Ultimately, it comes down to insufficient power.
With a sigh, Yoshino followed Hikigaya back down the mountain, thinking deeply.
His distracted thought caused him to run into Hikigaya’s back.
“Ah, sorry. Why stop all of a sudden?” He scratched his head, emerging from behind Hikigaya, and noticed a horrifying scene. Shock registered in his eyes.
The previously visible stone steps had vanished, leaving nothingness behind; a dense forest replaced the dark red torii gate.
Hikigaya’s face paled.
An idea struck him. He took out his phone to call for assistance, seeing his signal was county-based, he fell silent for a moment.
Was he doomed? No!
“What do we do now?” Yoshino panicked, instinctively turning to Hikigaya, still the anchor.
Who should ask? Who indeed?
Frustrated, Hikigaya reluctantly suggested, “Seems the cursed spirit isn’t intent on killing us yet, so let’s explore the area for now.”
After hesitating, they passed through the torii gate, venturing deep into the forest.
Moments later, covered in leaves, they retraced their steps back to the shrine, falling into another silent bout.
“I believe we’re trapped,” Hikigaya stated.
Surveying their surroundings, forest surrounded the shrine. He theorized that anywhere they chose to exit would only circle back to their original point.
Despondently, he sat down on the dusty stone ground, “The cursed spirit apparently derives amusement from watching our predicament.”
“When Ijichi realizes we haven’t left, he’ll bring reinforcements. We need only wait.”
Is there truly no other way?
Hikigaya gazed upwards, the sky framed by dense foliage, akin to a caged frog’s viewpoint.
Trapped here, he wondered how long it would take to be rescued. Originally, preparations for the cultural festival were already tight, now what?
Wait, the cultural festival is not the priority. One’s life may be at stake…
Shaking his head with a bitter smile, he noticed Yoshino mirrored his seated position, equally gloomy.
“Truly, waiting is our only option?” Yoshino echoed, a trace of despair.
“Perhaps we could force the cursed spirit out. Once exorcised, we can leave safely,” Hikigaya responded.
Yet, the question remained, with only their grade three skills, why should they stand a chance against a possibly formidable and elusive enemy?
“Ijichi mentioned that the barrier would draw out a cursed spirit. Though the barrier didn’t work as intended, it bought us time to rest here.”
Hikigaya casually rummaged through the backpack, finding a water bottle, a dead cell phone, and worn-out clothes—all remnants that reinforced the cursed spirit’s existence, not a recent phenomenon.
The reason for its late discovery puzzled him.
Were earlier disappearances unnoticed?
Unanswered questions plagued Hikigaya during the downtime.
Yoshino walked aimlessly, while Hikigaya played unsent messages games on his dead phone. He glimpsed a wood sculpture destroyed in the decaying offering hall.
Sunlight slanted through holes exposing an unfinished figure, stirring ominous feelings.
“Not advised to touch anything,” Hikigaya cautioned Yoshino, pointing out the money box at the torii entrance.
“Alright,” Yoshino paused his explorative demeanor, quickly releasing the bell rope he was holding.
Bell tones rang through the silent shrine.
Finally filled with joy, Hikigaya noticed Yoshino’s absence amidst the desolate scene.
“Where’s Yoshino?”
Stiff-lipped, he stood up, last hearing a clear bell before a doubt clouded his thoughts.
“Could it…be true?”
With hesitation, he approached the donation box, pulling on the bell rope gently.
The ringing echoed through emptiness.
…
That noisy summer.