【Beginning】
The pain in the chest could not be relieved. It tortured Yuki-onna daily, and she did not know how to describe it. She wondered where the pain came from and how it could be eased.
Later, she met a man by happenstance: his company seemed to alleviate the pain, and even allowed her to sense the “thing” again! Yuki-onna requested his stay but the man insisted on leaving. In desperation, Yuki-onna was forced to freeze him into an ice sculpture; only with this way would he stay with her forever.
To alleviate the pain, she turned every man she met into a sculpture and made them stay. However, it still failed to stop the excruciating pain. Her acts eventually stirred up villagers’ anger, prompting them to pick up their weapons and retaliate. Moreover, they hired an ascetic to eliminate her.
Even with their lamentation and resentment all targeted at her, Yuki-onna did not notice her mistakes. She was simply left feeling terrified. Karasutengu, now as Ootengu, knew that evil was not in her nature, so he shielded her from all attacks, shifting the blame onto himself.
【Before Battles】
- Ootengu: Just stay here and wait for me, okay?
【Enemy Dialog】
- Angry Villager: Monster! Show yourself!
- Ootengu: Hmph! No one shall cross!
【End】
The attackers were no match for Ootengu’s powerful youkai-jutsu and could only retreat. Only after seeing their departure did Ootengu felt relieve enough to return to Yuki-onna’s cave for her; yet, he failed to notice that someone was stalking behind him...^ When he returned to the cave, Yuki-onna was pacing worriedly. Seeing Ootengu return safe and sound, she hurriedly dashed at him.
- Yuki-onna: You are safe!
- Ootengu: Relax. I believe they would not dare come for you again.
Compared to knowing she would be safe in the future, seeing Ootengu safely return was a greater relief. The “thing”, yet again, surged within Yuki-onna’s heart. And this time, it was so intense and vigorous that it caused her heart to thunder. Just then, laughter came from behind them. They turned and discovered that the angry villager followed Ootengu all the way here...
- Angry Villager: Now I can take you two murderous youkais out at one fell swoop!
Ootengu and Yuki-onna were already in the sights of the villager’s bow; even before he had finished speaking, he had already shot an arrow. Yuki-onna pushed Ootengu away, but she herself was hit on the shoulder. Immense pain shot up the wound, leaving her expression pained. Yuki-onna dared not touch the wound; blood peppered onto the snowy floor, blossoming into crimson flowers.
Seeing Yuki-onna harmed, Ootengu channeled his massive youkai-pneuma in anger; a fierce gust started to sweep the surrounding. The villager dropped to his knees, although it was not certain whether he was knocked over by the wind or scared by Ootengu’s sheer formidability. Just as Ootengu was about to kill the villager, Yuki-onna reached out and grabbed Ootengu’s hand. Ootengu looked at her in bemusement when she answered calmly:
- Yuki-onna: I did indeed take lives of many. It is not difficult to understand their hatred and anger...
- Yuki-onna: If this could pacify some of their rage, a little wound is nothing.
The villager seized the chance to escape. Ootengu and Yuki-onna’s fingers now interlocked, as if nothing could ever part them again. Yuki-onna passed out in Ootengu’s embrace just then...