Stardew Valley of Gensokyo

Did this lead to a monster invasion?

But... do the youkai in Gensokyo really kill people?

Akina Sawa also didn't quite believe this conclusion.

Because he had been living in Gensokyo for a year, but had never seen any monsters like ferocious beasts, nor had he heard of any monsters injuring people.

"Hey, Master Akina, are you even listening to me?"

A burst of noise interrupted Akina Zeya's thoughts. Looking closely, he saw Marisa making a fuss and looking somewhat nervous.

"What's wrong? Did something go wrong with the ceremony?" Akina Ze asked.

“It’s not a problem with the ritual.” Marisa shook her head and looked around warily. “I feel like something is watching us.”

Ok?

Akina Ze's heart skipped a beat.

No way... could there really be such man-eating monsters...?

No, impossible, absolutely impossible.

Akina Ze also took a deep breath, suppressing his unease, and said to Marisa, "Marisa, let's not split up for now. Let's stay here and keep watch over Reimu."

"Oh, okay." Marisa put away the broom with a hint of regret. She had just wanted to find the source of the gaze, but since Master Akina had said so, she would just ignore it for now.

Akina Ze also stood on a high place, observing the surroundings.

The surroundings were empty, and the snowflakes continued to fall silently, merging into the snow on the ground. There was no sound coming from the distant woods.

If an attack were to occur, he could ensure that its origin was discovered immediately.

After a long while, there was still no movement, and Akina Ze's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the woods!

Marisa wanted to rush out immediately, but she remembered what Akina Sawaya had said and managed to suppress it.

Akina Ze's heart was also pounding.

What we fear is not the known dangers, but the unknown terrors.

He truly couldn't imagine how that outsider had died at the hands of the monster, or what kind of monster had attacked him while he was inside the human world.

But soon, the sudden sound disappeared.

Is this an attempt to lure someone in? Or is it simply waiting for an opportunity?

"Master Akina..." Marisa whispered from the side.

It seems she couldn't take it anymore.

Akina Ze also slowly shook his head and said, "No rush. The most important thing now is not to disturb Reimu's ritual. Let's wait a little longer."

Upon hearing this, Marisa quieted down a little.

However, Akina Sawa also knew that this suppression was temporary, and Marisa was not the kind of person who could endure it.

The reason they're holding back now is simply because they're concerned about saving face.

The blue rune lines were almost reaching the center of the courtyard; once they covered the entire area, the ceremony would be over.

Suddenly, Marisa spoke to Akina Sawa, who was warily looking around:

“Master Akina, aren’t you afraid of problems arising later? I’m talking about your house.”

"Not afraid."

"why?"

"Because even if the house is destroyed, as long as I am still here, I can rebuild as many houses as I want."

Akina Ze also smiled and said.

Marisa thought about it and realized that if her house were destroyed, it would be impossible to rebuild it exactly as it was.

The maximum number of mushrooms that can be grown is a giant one, which can be hollowed out and used as a house.

Just as the two were chatting and laughing.

The snowflake vortex stopped.

A six-pointed star array, shimmering with blue light, appeared and covered the entire courtyard.

Reimu Hakurei's eyes were dyed blue, a phenomenon caused by the extreme purification and concentration of spiritual energy.

She raised her right arm and swung the exorcism wand downwards.

The brightness of the hexagram immediately increased by more than one notch, and in the blink of an eye, a semi-transparent barrier enveloped the entire courtyard.

Fortunately, nothing unexpected happened, and that gaze ultimately did not make a move.

Akina Ze also shielded his eyes from the intense light emitted by the hexagram array and peered through the gaps.

On the semi-transparent barrier, overflowing spiritual energy was constantly transforming, and the barrier's transparency was gradually decreasing.

Is this the barrier that divides the world?

Akina Sawa was also curious, but dared not touch it.

Now is the crucial moment to construct the barrier; we must not do anything that could affect things.

Marisa wasn't idle either.

She rode her broom around the nascent barrier that Reimu Hakurei had created, inspecting it in case of any flaws.

But Reimu Hakurei is Reimu Hakurei after all, the strongest shrine maiden.

The barrier was constructed very smoothly.

Soon, the gathered spiritual energy tornado dissipated, revealing Reimu Hakurei inside.

The barrier transformed into a completely opaque blue sphere of light.

Akina Ze also looked up in shock at the blue ball that completely surrounded the yard.

Walking around it, it's a seamless whole with no gaps in sight.

Suddenly a question arose in his mind.

So, how do we get in? It looks like there's no entrance.

"Reimu, you should know how to get into this ball, right?" Akina Sawa asked.

"No, in order to prevent the larger world from affecting the operation of the smaller world, they are completely separated on a physical level," Reimu replied.

"Um... then how do we get the great fairy in?"

“Of course, great fairies can go in, since it’s just a physical barrier. But humans, or rather, non-fairy beings, have no way to pass through this barrier,” Reimu Hakurei said.

"That's good since the great fairy can go in." Akina Ze breathed a sigh of relief, but suddenly he realized a blind spot.

"Does that mean I'm homeless now?"

"Yes, but it's okay, you can go home next spring."

"No way? Where am I supposed to stay during this time?" Akina Ze also clutched his head in anguish.

"Master Akina, come to my house!" Marisa said. "My house is quite big; after cleaning out the clutter, it's perfectly habitable!"

Akina Sawa also said gratefully, "It has to be Marisa!"

Reimu Hakurei, who was standing nearby, poured cold water on the idea.

"If I were you, I wouldn't have gone."

"why?"

"Can you imagine a house covered in mushrooms and piles of alchemy materials everywhere?"

Mushrooms? Mushrooms? Forget it... I just can't stand sleeping with a bunch of mushrooms.

Akina Sawa clasped his hands together and said to Marisa, "Excuse me, Marisa, I'd rather stay in a more normal place..."

"It's alright, Master Akina." Marisa waved her hand dismissively. "Since you're not going to my house, where else can you go?"

"Of course, it's the Hakurei Shrine."

Reimu Hakurei's voice responded.

Seeing the surprised look Marisa gave her, Reimu Hakurei coughed twice and said, "Don't get the wrong idea. The Hakurei Shrine is a place that provides accommodation for homeless strangers."

“Mr. Akina lived in a shrine before he had a house. Since he is currently homeless, it is only natural for him to live in a shrine.”

Marisa clicked her tongue and fell silent.

“Then it’s settled.” Reimu Hakurei looked at Zeya Akina. “You can move into the shrine for a while. You still have the blanket you used before.”

“That’s possible,” Akina Ze nodded, “but what about Nikua? I still have a fairy at home.”

"That's no problem. The environment inside the barrier is just not suitable for human survival. Fairies can enter freely."

“Wouldn’t it be perfect if you sent Niqua in to take care of her while you’re sending the Great Fairy in for treatment?” Reimu Hakurei said.

Although something seemed amiss, Akina Ze thought for a moment and then nodded: "You're right, Nikua can take care of the Great Fairy in the barrier in case of emergency."

"Hey, you two, are you done yet? I'm starving!"

Marisa, who was getting a little bored, started to protest.

"That's no problem. How much do you want to eat? Too much... um, it seems all my supplies are inside the barrier..."

Akina Sawa also scratched his head with a wry smile.

Suddenly, a little girl with two tails poked her head out of the snow at Akina Zeya's feet and said, "Meow meow meow? I think I just heard dinner is served, where's the food, meow~"

Chapter Twenty-Six: Riddle?

"Wow? It's Orange Cat!"

The adorable cat head that suddenly jumped out of the snow was grabbed by Marisa and rubbed against Orange's cute white face.

"Hey! Watch out or I'll bite you!" Orange said, baring its teeth and brandishing its claws.

"Tch, stingy." Marisa loosened her grip and asked, "Why did you suddenly come? Did you miss my braised fish head and mushroom soup?"

After being released and landing, Orange, who was still grimacing, suddenly turned pale, as if recalling unbearable past events.

"You're lying, meow! How can a fish with a mushroom head be a fish!"

"Hehe, you don't understand. Doesn't a fish with a mushroom-shaped head still taste and feel like a fish?"

"No, no! That's not a fish!"

Hearing their conversation, Akina Ze inexplicably conjured up a scene in his mind—a large, creamy-yellow pot, boiling water, fragrant aroma, and a fish gradually rising to the surface as the water circulated. But when he picked up a ladle to scoop it up, he was shocked! A huge mushroom had grown on the fish's head.

"Ugh~"

Just thinking about that scene makes Akina Sawa feel nauseous. If Marisa ever invites him to eat fish soup, he will definitely not go.

Putting away her exorcism wand, Reimu Hakurei walked over, looked around, and asked:

"Orange, why did you come alone? Where's Blue? I can't find her."

Orange, who had been playfully fighting with Marisa, suddenly changed her demeanor and responded obediently:

"Lord Lan sent me here. He said he was too busy, so he sent me out to work."

"Oh? So what are you doing here?"

"This is because, let me think..." Orange's tail started spinning, as if she was responding.

"Oh, right! I remember now!" Orange suddenly jumped up, "It's because..."

"cough cough"

Just then, a cough came from the shadows in the corner.

Following the sound, Yukari Yakumo came out.

Upon seeing Yukari Yakumo, Marisa and Reimu's pupils constricted simultaneously, and their expressions turned serious.

"That Ran guy's been slacking off again, hasn't he? Looks like I'll have to make a new hat next time," Yukari Yakumo said with a yawn.

Reimu Hakurei asked first.