Shota is surrounded by monsters!

"Where are you going?"

"Let's go have a feast."

Shota waved his hand, offered no further explanation, and disappeared into the woods.

"Shouta."

"Demon."

Shota saw Ushioni and the Great Tengu standing together waiting for him, so he went up to them and asked, "What's going on here?"

"Actually, Lady Hagoromo Gitsune is being used by someone."

The Great Tengu cut to the chase: "The one who used him is that damned Jizo... He not only altered other people's memories, but also kept hinting to Lady Hagoromo Gitsune that this is a path of no return. Even if we give birth to Nue, all that awaits us is..."

"STOP".

Shota raised a hand to stop the Great Tengu from continuing, saying, "What's with this third-rate whitewashing? I know exactly how many people she ate in front of me, and I know exactly how dangerous things she did... A mentally ill person can kill without being punished? Ha, she should have been sane four hundred years ago, right?"

Shota chuckled, nodded at Gyuki, and finally said, "The score between her and me... will definitely be settled."

Chapter 152. Volcano

Europa, in southwestern Italy, inside Mount Vesuvius.

Beneath the churning lava lies a vast cave unknown to outsiders. Inside, a diesel generator diligently hums and pumps electricity, powering an old-fashioned television set and a FC game console...

A naked, black-haired girl was biting into dried squid, frantically pressing the controller to manipulate the little figure on the old-fashioned television, making it jump and shoot...

"Ah~"

With a death sound effect, the little figure on the screen was hit by a bullet and disappeared instantly.

"FU*K!"

The black-haired girl raised her middle finger at the television, then selected the continue option to restart her battle.

Is anyone home?

Hearing the shouts outside, the black-haired girl frowned, but pretended not to hear anything and continued playing her game.

Is Uncle Neltharion there?

The black-haired girl remained unmoved, engrossed in her game. She ignored anyone who wasn't contacting her.

Is Brother Nefarian there?

The shouts outside seemed to have disrupted her gaming session; the little character she was controlling had been killed once again. Angrily, she slammed the controller on the ground and yelled outside:

"Dad's sleeping, and my brother's out fighting! Whether you're here to cause trouble or to worship me, shut up!"

The voice was so loud that the cave trembled slightly and dust fell. After shouting this, the black-haired girl swallowed the dried squid into her mouth, casually cast a silencing spell, and then beckoned to the dark right side with her finger.

"Wow—"

A flame rose from there, and soon a fire elemental materialized. He bowed humbly and said:

"At your service, my princess."

"Bring some more food."

The black-haired girl casually gave an order, while the fire elemental stood there, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Princess, the food reserves have been exhausted."

"what?"

The black-haired girl raised an eyebrow, glaring fiercely at the fire elemental, and said, "My brother brought so much food home last time, how could he have eaten it all?! Tell me, did you guys steal it?"

“That…Princess…”

The fire elemental said somewhat awkwardly, "You've been sitting here playing games for three years now."

"...Only three years have passed?"

The black-haired girl said matter-of-factly, "No wonder I haven't finished this game yet."

"With the princess's intelligence, she will surely be able to complete this game within ten years."

"Hmph, you horses know how to flatter. I'm hungry, go find a way to get some food, or I'll throw you all to the Arctic to feed the dead."

The black-haired girl smiled smugly, then threatened her servant before continuing to play the game.

"Um, Princess...shouldn't we ignore the monster outside? It looks like..."

"Don't worry about it, don't worry about it. What if it's Dad's enemy? That would be terrible!"

"No, what I mean is that the monster outside seems to be an acquaintance of yours, Miss."

"Hmm? Someone I know?"

The black-haired girl asked疑惑地问道, "Do I know someone?"

"It's the Taotie that visited three years ago."

"Three years ago? Ah, ah, that little guy."

The black-haired girl seemed to remember something, suddenly stood up, and said in surprise, "It's it? Why didn't you say so sooner! You idiot!"

"..."

The fire elemental thought helplessly, "It's clearly because you, Princess, didn't give me a chance to speak."

At this very moment, Shota, now in his Taotie form, was licking his fur, which had been slightly burned by lava, at the massive cave entrance, while shouting towards it:

"Open the door! Onyxia!"

Because a transparent door was installed at the entrance of the cave, Shota could only call out to open it in this way.

Seeing that there was still no response from inside the door, Shota had no choice but to turn around and start gnawing on the giant octopus he had brought—which was now completely cooked because it had been dragged into lava.

After leaving Japan, Shota did not travel aimlessly. Three days was a very short time, and he had to make sure that he had the strength to fight Hagoromo Gitsune within three days—that is, the strength of a fully grown adult Taotie.

It sounds difficult, but it's also very simple. All you have to do is eat. Eat all kinds of monsters, eat all kinds of powerful monsters. Although Japan doesn't have that many monsters that can enhance your strength, it doesn't mean that other places don't have them.

The seabed, this unexplored area, is inhabited by countless sea monsters.

Despite the extreme danger, Shota jumped into the sea without hesitation to hunt down various powerful monsters. However, he accidentally attracted an ancient monster that he could not defeat, so he had to return to the shore temporarily and prepare to visit one of his father's few friends.

Neltharion, the black dragon and the culprit behind countless volcanic eruptions, is perhaps even stronger than his father. However, the two seem to share a past he doesn't know about, though their relationship is fairly good. Over three years ago, Shota had visited this place with his father for a while. At that time, the black dragon, nicknamed Deathwing, politely invited Shota to come here when he came of age, saying he would prepare some coming-of-age rites.

Although he's still a little short of adulthood, Shota still came over, his primary goal being to pay a visit, and it would be even better if he could receive a gift.

but……

Why is no one opening the door?

Just as Shota was thinking this, he felt the transparent door disappear.

The door is open?

Somewhat puzzled, Shota dragged the giant octopus into the cave.

"Wow, you've grown so big in three years!"

Before he had gone far, Shota saw a naked black-haired girl—or rather, a loli—walking towards him.

"Oh, long time no see, flat-chested loli."

"..."

Upon hearing Shota's blunt and incisive nickname, the black-haired girl's forehead creased with annoyance, and then...

Onyxia took a deep breath.

"Oops……"

Shota hurriedly grabbed his food supplies and headed towards the spot next to him. Just as he jumped up, a destructive burst of flame swept across the spot where he had just been standing!

"This is much more terrifying than lava."

Shota muttered something, then looked at the girl whose throat was emitting black smoke, and changed his words, saying, "Long time no see, Onyxia-neechan."

"That's more like it."

Hearing the other person call her "sister," Onyxia finally nodded in satisfaction. Then, noticing the grilled octopus behind Shota, she swallowed hard and said, "A gift from a visitor? You're too kind, Little Glutton."

By the way, people who know the Taotie father and son usually call the older one "Old Taotie" and the younger one "Little Taotie".

"Huh? Ah."

Shota was taken aback. He hadn't planned to give the octopus away, but since the other party had offered, he could only say, "Take it if you like."

Onyxia took a deep breath.

"Okay, okay, this is a gift for you."

Shota had no choice but to quickly change his tune.

"call……"

Onyxia gently blew out a breath and turned around, saying, "Come in. Dad's sleeping, and my brother went out to fight. I'm home alone."

"oh oh."

Onyxia is eighty-seven years old this year. According to seniority, Shota should call her "older sister". Moreover, when he came here to play back then, Shota often went out to fool around with her, so their relationship was quite good.

"Huh? A TV? An engine? An FC?"

As they approached the cave, Shota looked at the only three items inside and asked curiously, "Are you playing video games?"

"You actually know what this is?"

Onyxia asked in surprise, "You've played this game too?"

"Ah, I guess you could say I've played it."

Shota often plays games with Rea at home in the evenings... though they don't play NES games. And as a zombie, Rea's favorite game is Resident Evil...

Have you ever played this game?

Seemingly surprised that Shota had mastered the skill of playing games, Onyxia pointed to the screen on the television and asked.

"Ah, Contra, of course I've played it."

"Oh? I heard this game has a two-player mode, how about we play together?" Onyxia proudly puffed out her flat chest and said, "I've been playing here for three years straight, and I've already reached level three. They say it takes an average person ten years to beat this game..."

"Huh?"