【Beginning】
Since the reunion with Tuchigumo, Shigeharu could not bear to part with it again, so he decided to bring it home with him. Fubuki understood that Tuchigumo was Shigeharu’s pet and that he would never leave it. Therefore, she did not intend to say anything in dissuasion. However, although it had been a tiny spiderling when it was little, Tuchigumo had grown into a gigantic creature with a mouth full of pointy teeth. Fubuki could not help but feel insecure, leaving her wary.
This tension erupted when their journey took them to a single-plank bridge. Just as Fubuki was about to cross, Tuchigumo suddenly spat numerous threads in front of her, blocking her way.
- Fubuki: A youkai never changes its spots. Finally showing your true side, huh?
Fubuki took out a seal, ready to draw a magic circle and summon Hajikamiio. However, Tuchigumo did not attack them and instead, simply looked at her bemused, as if unable to understand her actions. Just then, the bridge they were about to cross collapsed! If they had been on the bridge, they would have...
- Shigeharu: Wow, wasn’t THAT close! It’s good that Octie stopped us, or that could have ended disastrously! Right, Fubuki?
- Fubuki: Seems more like mere luck to me...
With the bridge collapsed, they had to change their route. After discussing over a map, they decided to proceed through a forest. The three walked into the forest without noticing a ragged wooden board in the bush. On it was written: “Danger! Beware of man-eating Monsters!”
【Before Battles】
The three walked inside the forest when suddenly, peculiar sounds rang from above. Lifting their head, they saw a few Humans snared up on a tree by unidentifiable threads!
Is that not spider silk? Fubuki stared at Tuchigumo, the suspicion in her eyes palpable...
- Fubuki: When did you catch so many people behind our back?
- Shigeharu: Octie has never left our sight. How could it be Octie? Let’s put the bickering aside and save them first!
【Enemy Dialog】
- Food-guarding Monster: You released our food! Unforgivable!
【After Battles】
- Fubuki: I would have thought they’re more powerful than this; ha, turns out they are all bark and no bite.
【End】
With the help of Tuchigumo, Shigeharu and Fubuki successfully saved the trapped Humans. The monsters knew that they were no match for the Onmyō practitioners, so they escaped to the depths of the forest, albeit with yells of “Don’t you dare run” on the way.
Shigeharu was speechless at the absurdity. Fubuki, on the other hand, started to view Tuchigumo in a different light. After all, it shielded her with its own body a few times during the battle. Tuchigumo smiled at Fubuki; yet, she was still too prideful to give it a smile in return.
At that moment, strong vibrations reverberated from underground. Immense youkai-pneuma approached from within the forest! Tuchigumo bristled, showing Shigeharu and Fubuki the comer’s hostility. They knew clearly that it must be stronger than the monsters just now...