Tokyo, but I'm a deceitful scumbag.

"Because we have been isolated from the world for too long, and our connection with it has been severed so completely, it resists our return in every way..."

Hoshino Hideyuki's eyes widened: "The world's resistance? Does it refer to something like the world's will?"

Ryoko Senjougahara shook her head, then nodded.

"It's inexplicable, indescribable, invisible, and intangible, but at certain moments, it can get you stuck."

In short, this is our situation.

"Although it will return sooner or later, it will take time and will not happen in a short period of time."

"Perhaps this is what is called the balance of cause and effect. The better you protect yourself in the previous era, the harder it is to come back in the next era."

Hoshino Hideyuki nodded, inexplicably finding these words quite reasonable.

Write this down so you can use it when you want to impress others later.

Finally, he looked up and said, "That's why Yunhai Gambling House opened, and that's why you first went to the latrine, and then pestered me?"

"That's right, little fox brother~"

Chapter 65 The Fox: A new target has emerged—how can we stand still?

"Although we, the remnants of the previous era, can eventually return as long as we are willing to spend the time, the difference between returning early and returning late, returning with nothing and returning surrounded by admirers, is like heaven and earth."

"No matter how good the secret realm is, it is still far inferior to this vast world."

Listening to Ryoko Senjougahara's explanation, Hideyuki Hoshino nodded in understanding.

With a major shift looming, the importance of seizing the initiative is self-evident.

Resources are limited, and there are only a few comfortable niches. If you come out too late, you might be led by your old acquaintances to become monsters as soon as you step out the door.

Ryoko Senjougahara continued, "So even if our main body can't come to the real world for the time being, we must find a way to do something in advance, just like planting seeds in spring for the autumn harvest."

"Yunhai Gambling House is a seed, and you, little fox brother, are also a seed I've set my sights on~"

"The seeds serve two purposes: first, they can increase our connection with people in this world, help us to wear away the aura of the other world more quickly, and reduce the world's resistance; second, they can act as helpers, helping us to collect resources and intelligence in advance and cultivate our power."

Hoshino Hideyuki raised his hand and asked, "Can I refuse to sprout and rot in the soil? I don't mean anything by it, I'm just too lazy to photosynthesize."

"Okay~"

Ryoko Senjougahara blinked and said, "But if that happens, I'll have no other choice but to come to you, little fox brother, every week to cry and complain. I'll end up wiping my tears and snot all over your tail, little fox brother. Don't be disgusted, okay?"

Got it, you're Doctor Strange, and I've become Dormammu.

Hideyuki Hoshino said in a deep voice, "Then the most crucial part is about to begin."

"You've chosen me, so what exactly do you want me to do?"

"What benefit do I get from helping you? You have to water the seeds to make them grow."

Ryoko Senjougahara straightened her posture slightly and said:

"I have no ambition, I just hope that you, little fox brother, can help me collect some items. I can give you a list."

"As for the benefits... well, that depends on what you want, little fox brother. Whether it's medicine to increase your demonic power or a powerful weapon, I can have a little bit of both."

"However, we'll probably have to leave that for next time."

Ryoko Senjougahara sighed wistfully and raised her little finger.

Hoshino Hideyuki squinted and noticed that his once snow-white fingers were covered in cracks.

Then, more and more cracks appeared until the skin and flesh peeled off and turned into petals in the wind.

"My time is up, it's all your fault, little fox brother, for not playing the game properly..."

Hideyuki Hoshino shrugged:

“Playing games with you is a waste of time. In the end, if you had just started by saying you wanted to negotiate, it might have been much more efficient.”

"You're right, but unfortunately, I..."

It's just a cat, after all~

Ryoko Senjougahara covered her mouth and chuckled. Her body was breaking down faster and faster, and soon she completely turned into flower petals and disappeared without a trace.

In the peach grove, only her last words echoed:

"Well then, see you next week! If you can't wait, little fox, you can take out the bell and come see me in your physical form~"

Hehe, wishful thinking!

Let's keep our distance through dreams.

As for whether or not to grant the cat demon's request, we'll discuss that next week.

Hideyuki Hoshino let out a long breath and closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, the peach grove had vanished, and he was back at the inn, except...

The posture changed from standing to lying face down on the floor.

It's somewhat unseemly.

Honestly, can't this cat wait until I'm in bed before it falls asleep?

But it should be said or not.

The information she provided was a bit frightening.

With the resurgence of spiritual energy, ancient monsters from hundreds of years ago are about to return to reality...

Well, now Japan is probably going to start a huge mess.

Fortunately, there's a big guy to hold up the sky when it falls.

The pressure in this regard is mainly borne by those who currently dominate the order, such as the countermeasures office and the Onmyoji family—and has little to do with him, a little fox in the gray area.

As a fox spirit, Hoshino Hideyuki only needs to seize every opportunity!

Onmyoji can insert it, and so can the cat demon, if needed...

Hideyuki Hoshino looked at the mirror and candle on the table.

Hmph, Yunhai Casino isn't entirely off-limits!

Although Ryoko Senjougahara warned that the opponent would be difficult to deal with, the fox did not intend to completely listen to the cat's words—of course, this does not mean that he wants to visit the Cloud Sea Casino now, since his strength is indeed insufficient, but such a possibility cannot be ruled out in the future.

Strength, oh strength...

Hideyuki Hoshino summoned the system.

He still had 20 cultivation points left; the extra 5 points were contributed by the thief.

He spent 10 points to upgrade the Fox Fairy Technique by one level.

Regardless of the environment, the more demonic power the better.

Then, he gritted his teeth, spent all his savings, and entered a lottery.

[Giveaway begins]

You've been given a piece of paper that will never leak when you wipe your butt.

You've been given a piece of paper that will never leak when you wipe your butt.

【you……】

[You have acquired the skill - Eye of Insight Lv1: You can see things that are even considered secret to superhumans (I originally just wanted to create someone with X-ray vision - a ninja who was caught peeping into a women's bathhouse)]

Ok……

It's a pretty useful skill.

The same goes for tissues; you'll need them morning and night.

The fox was very satisfied with the results of the lottery.

Therefore, his panel looks like this:

[Name: Hoshino Hideyuki]

[Race: Laughing Fox~?^.???^?]

[Talent: Meditation and Cultivation]

[Talent Description: Omitted~?(???)?]

[Current Skills: Charm (lv1), Mirror Image (lv3), Seventy-Two Transformations (lv3), Hairy Warrior (lv1), Heart Moonfire (lv3), Fast, Easy, and Economical Fox Fairy Technique (lv2), Eye of Insight (lv1)]

[Current props: Absolutely safe small cotton quilt, oil paper wrapping for immediate use, and a tenfold return of a large steamed bun]

[Remaining cultivation points: 0]

Tsk.

I still don't have enough cultivation points!

How about we go and give the yakuza another hard time tonight?

Just as the fox was hesitating, Inuyama Tetsuya suddenly called.

"Hideyuki, I have a new target!"

About an hour later.

Hoshino Hideyuki called Ijichi Kikuri to let her know he was safe and then returned to Inuyama Tetsuya's place.

As soon as I entered, I saw that the middle-aged man with a goatee and two thick dark circles under his eyes had already arranged the materials and placed them on the dining table.

"Your current state is a bit scary."

Hoshino Hideyuki transformed back into his fox form and sat down opposite him at the dining table.

"That's simply because you didn't see my condition yesterday." Inuyama Tetsuya seemed to recall something extremely terrible, speaking in a tone as if he had developed lividity: "Back then, we found a male corpse in the latrine of a public women's restroom..."

"Stop! That's enough! You don't need to continue!"

Hoshino Hideyuki immediately slapped a photo on the table with his paw and said, "Let's talk about the new fraud target. Is it the man in the photo?"

Inuyama Tetsu shook his head.

"In fact, he was the victim."