Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Tsuchimikado Mari refused, saying, "Don't worry, there are six fifth-tier psychic among the fifteen major powers."

Six?

It was less than Haruhiko had imagined.

But enough.

Because there are fewer fifth-tier Serpent Spirits.

The term "few" is relative; the fifth level is inherently less.

The reason why humans have an advantage despite having fewer fifth-tier psychics than monsters is because they can create magic circles, spiritual tools, and talismans.

Given enough time to make arrangements, aside from the gods, it is estimated that very few fifth-tier beings could escape the encirclement of the Imperial Palace.

The Serpent Spirit headquarters was completely unaware of their arrival and would likely suffer heavy losses.

Their secrecy measures are actually quite good.

Unfortunately, this time it was leaked by Yamata no Orochi.

They certainly wouldn't have expected this.

After hanging up the phone, Haruhiko sent another message to Hoshino Hotaru.

I learned that neither she nor Hoshino Rin participated.

Although the reason is unknown, at least there's no need to worry too much.

After resting for a while, Haruhiko began to cultivate, not wanting to waste any time.

The more he learned, the more he realized that the third level was completely insufficient.

Just like this time when he went to the Serpent Spirit headquarters, Tsuchimikado Mari didn't let him go, perhaps because she had the idea of ​​protecting him.

After all, in a fifth-tier fight, even if a third-tier fighter doesn't intervene, the aftershocks alone could take them down.

Cultivation is always tedious, involving casting spells again and again until the spiritual energy is completely exhausted.

However, Haruhiko was already used to it and didn't think much of it.

In the evening, he stopped his cultivation and returned to the living room.

Yukihime was cooking in the kitchen, so only Izumi, Shionori, and Jinguji Fuyumi were watching TV.

Haruhiko didn't disturb them and turned to go to his room.

He had been practicing all afternoon and was covered in sweat, so he prepared to take a shower.

"Aunt Dongyu?"

Haruhiko took out his pajamas and turned around to see the white fox standing behind him.

"Hunting and drinking."

Jinguji Fuyumi revealed her purpose.

Although she also went to the ruins, she suppressed her curiosity because she was in fox form, so as not to let Yukihime notice anything amiss.

Upon hearing this, Haruhiko took out the hunting drink.

A burst of psionic energy flashed.

Jinguji Fuyumi regained her human form.

She took the hunting knife, drew it, and began to observe.

"It is indeed the seal of Takemikazuchi."

Jinguji Fuyumi said with a cold expression.

"you know?"

Haruhiko was a little surprised.

He knew it was Takemikazuchi because of the game cheat.

But how did Jinguji Fuyumi find out?

Have I seen her somewhere before?

"Ah."

Jinguji Fuyumi looked up at him and asked, "Have you heard of Kasuga Shrine?"

"I heard."

Haruhiko nodded and said, "A fairly famous shrine."

"Kasuga Shrine is different from Inari Shrine or Izumo Shrine. It enshrines four gods, one of whom is Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, also known as Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto."

Jinguji Fuyumi slowly said, "A thousand years ago, when gods were worshipped, they would sometimes pass down related spells."

Haruhiko immediately understood.

She had never seen Takemikazuchi, but she had seen this seal.

In other words, perhaps Kasuga Shrine has a way to break the seal on the hunter's drink.

"On the surface, only Hoshino Aoi is a fifth-rank priest, but that's not actually the case."

Jinguji Fuyumi continued, "The seal on the Hunter should have been placed by the gods themselves. To break it, we can only go to the previous priestess of Kasuga Shrine, Aoyama Nao. If she is powerless, then it will be difficult to find a second one."

"Aunt Dongyu, do you have any connection with her?"

Haruhiko's eyes lit up.

As the saying goes, "Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure."

It was indeed true.

cough cough.

No, Aunt Dongyu is an eternally eighteen-year-old girl.

"No."

Jinguji Fuyumi said nonchalantly, "I don't know many people."

Haruhiko thought about it and realized it was normal.

She is a seasoned homebody.

He spends most of his time at the Inari Shrine and rarely goes out.

The reason people know about Aoyama Nao is because she is a fifth-tier psychic, and her reputation is quite high.

Haruhiko stroked his chin, pondering which network of connections he should cultivate.

It would be unacceptable to show up unannounced.

He was also afraid that Aoyama Nao might harbor ill intentions upon seeing the hunter.

Fortunately, he has a wide network of connections.

Besides Jinguji Fuyumi, there are also Tachibana Yui and Chiyome.

If all else fails, he can go find his future mother-in-law, Hoshino Aoi.

As fellow priests of a shrine, they should have some connection.

My only worry is that she won't help.

But you'll only know once you see it.

Haruhiko snapped out of his daze and realized that Jinguji Fuyumi was extremely interested in the drinking game, or rather, the seal on it.

Because she had been watching them.

Although she had seen the seal, the same seal is different in different people's hands.

For Jinguji Fuyumi, witnessing the handiwork of the legendary Takemikazuchi was undoubtedly a rare first.

"Aunt Dongyu."

Haruhiko was not stingy and said with a smile, "You can keep this katana for a while."

I'll return it to you in a few days.

Jinguji Fuyumi did not refuse.

Her specialty is lightning-based spells.

The seal on the Drinking Hunt is also related to lightning.

She might gain a lot from this.

"Well."

Haruhiko held up his pajamas and said, "I'm going to take a shower."

Jinguji Fuyumi subconsciously moved aside.

Haruhiko left and went into the bathroom.

Steam rose.

The surrounding glass was no longer clear, but became hazy.