Mob Yandere

[Part 3/4]

(Pitiful bird, aren't you? Do you not think so, monkey mimic?)

The snake, who had been observing our humiliation and disgrace, turned to me and inquired. The words from the source of all this were nothing short of arrogant and patronizing.

"You damn snake, treating this as entertainment...!!"

(It's quite amusing. If you have achievements, I'd gladly accept them. Unlike that half-baked bird, it seems you have some backbone, don't you?)

With haughty arrogance, the snake accepts my hostility, maintaining its god-like superiority.

"I've always wondered... Do you know about me? Who told you?"

(How uncouth. You are speaking to me now. Bringing up others is not appropriate. You should be more careful in the future.)

"What's next...!!?"

With Kaede in my arms, I brandish the Tantō. It's a desperate gamble. The snake looks down on it and sneers openly.

(...Hmm. It seems you're planning something? Then show me quickly. Oh, I haven't seen your true face under that skin yet, have I? Or is it that? Well, hurry up.)

"You damn...!!"

The female Tengu I hold curses vehemently at the snake's words. She glares at it with sharp eyes, but that's all she can do. She has no more strength left in her body.

(I have no use for you. Disappear... What's wrong, monkey mimic? Aren't you going to do something?)

"Hah. Who said... I'd just blindly follow orders? Do you even have proof that you're real? I'm not going to deal with another discarded shell!"

At my retort, the snake sneered again. Its mouth twisted unnaturally, wrinkling, drying up, withering away.

...Far behind, the snake lurking beneath the surface of the water reveals itself.

A golden light overflowing from its mouth.

"Oh, just as I suspected?"

(Perfect. If you're not going to hold back, I'll cut through that trump card right now...!!)

The response to my provocation and accusations was light. It was a beam of destruction on the same scale as the one that pierced the mountain earlier, or even surpassing it. The heat beam of destruction approaching head-on...!!

"Kaede...!!"

I called out the name of the Tengu next to me. I held her protectively. My field of vision was filled with light, consumed by it. And then, and then, and then....

It was on par with a spiritual explosion.

Concentrating and condensing the divine energy within its abdomen, the snake channels it into a powerful torrent of force, using its own colossal body as the barrel to accelerate and launch it. This simple yet immensely destructive technique surpasses complex curses and abilities, delivering destruction on a grand scale. In ancient times, this technique was feared for its irrational power, as it was unleashed from the eight jaws, forming a barrage that could easily slay even gods. Indeed, it was this divine feat that defeated the Forest Dragon in ages past.

...Now, its neck is only an eighth of its former size, and the divine energy itself, along with the organs that compress it, are similarly diminished. It may now possess only a fraction of the firepower it once did.

(Heh, hahahaha! Is this all I can do... squeezing out, just this much...!!)

Despite coughing fits, the snake observes the destruction it has wrought. Before its eyes, the mountain where the monkey mimic stood is obliterated completely, not a trace remaining. It is now a scorched wasteland. The billowing dust forms mushroom clouds, a testament to its decline, eliciting a bitter, mocking laugh.

To bring out the true potential of the monkey mimicry, the snake pushed itself too hard despite its fallen state. By pushing too hard, it ended up disappointed in itself for only being able to do this much. The snake don't think it overdid it. At least not as much as those monkeys who use forbidden techniques like spirit-deficient ignition explosions and such. Its own technique of light beams is a very clean skill that does not risk polluting the environment.

(And, even more so...)

What disappointed the snake even more was the outcome of its grand gesture that it had made. Using its keen sensory organs to search, it hunts for that monkey mimic. If the snake sets its mind to it, it could even detect the opponent's presence by crossing one or two mountains.

But they're not there. There's no sign of that monkey mimic. Could it be that they escaped with the Tengu's magic trick?

(...No. If that fox woman's words are true, then that would be impossible.)

If the story is true, the monkey mimic won't let it slide. The unilateral decision by the female Tengu also seems suspicious. Many Tengu are still fighting above. Their sense of camaraderie seems too high for them to just leave and run away.

Therefore, that must be the case.

(That fox... Did she blow her own trumpet too loudly? What a dull conclusion.)

Disappointment is always greater when expectations are high, even if those expectations are selfish. Such is the privilege of the divine. After all, divinity does not cater to human sensibilities.

(...My unworthy son... To meet his end in such a place. Useless fool.)

Disappointment piles upon disappointment. It senses the disappearance of that presence. The Demon that emerged from one of its heads, though its mind was feeble, his arms were remarkably strong. He had been useful in releasing his own seals and performing menial tasks... Truly, it was a disobedient child.

(There's no helping it. Perhaps it's time to start afresh.)

Many plans have gone awry. Instead of trying to fix things now, it might be better to start fresh. To kill the immortal woman who killed its son. To also kill the Tengu. The mountain youkai are in the way, so let's kill them too. The fox will receive a punishment for her mischief. The people who came from the court should be treated similarly...no, it might be more interesting to let some of them escape. Next, someone with more substance may come.

(...That's the plan. Who should I face? Bring them all on at once if you like.)

And the snake turned around and called out. In front of it was a woman made of fire. In the sky, a few Tengu were left open. Even though it offered them the first move, no one came to attack.

Honestly, it was truly... disappointing.

(Alright. If that's the case, I'll show you what I can do. Resist a little...uhh!!?)

The grand and arrogant declaration was interrupted by a groan.

(Ugh, what's happening...!? )

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced the snake's stomach, causing it to wriggle in agony.

(Something's... happening!!)

Cramps, intense pain, stomach ache, nausea. And... terrible dizziness.

(Wa, arrrggh...!!?)

The situation changed rapidly. The black snake's head turned pale. Its belly swelled rapidly. Its body expanded. It surged. Its jaws opened. And...

(Gggggaaarroooarrrr!!!!?)

With a tremendous roar, the great snake spewed forth. Like a muddy stream, it expelled everything. Everything it had contained in its belly. Everything.

With a fierce scent of alcohol...

* * *

The plan was based on sacrifice.

Killing the great snake from the outside was almost impossible. Due to its authority, attack methods were limited. Due to its massive body, inflicting a fatal wound was extremely difficult.

So, I sought a solution from predecessors. From two legends, I constructed a strategy to conquer the snake.

One is the legend of slaying the snake, not the creature itself but the famous eight-branched snake, the Yamata no Orochi. It dates back before the founding of Fusō-kuni and involves intoxicating the snake with alcohol.

Another one is the legend of Issun-bōshi, which is based on a story of a giant killer.

The two legends were compared because they had similar characteristics and required similar elements to create a similar situation.

What was needed in the end was resolve, not mine, but the resolve of my partner in this battle. It was almost like a wish for suicide. Even if she survived, she would definitely lose something important. The day before starting this journey, I confirmed this. I confirmed it and got a willing agreement.

It was a story that had been told before. A battle together. From the beginning, the possibility of survival was very low. Considering that, the necessary sacrifice was much cheaper. Above all...

"Are you going to teach that darn snake a lesson? Then, isn't losing one side a cheap price to pay?"

With a gleeful and sadistic smile, the Tengu's words revealed the deep-seated grudge against the snake.

"The problem is... gulp. !!? Whether this can hold... uh, that's the question, you know!?"

In the darkness, tossed around in a muddy stream, I shouted for breath. The smell of alcohol and the stench of life. I was swallowed by a mixture of lots of alcohol, hot water, and stomach fluids as I flowed along. Slamming my whole body against the fleshy walls, I was pushed along.

"Kaede, cough, are you okay!?"

"I'm not okay at all, obviously! cough!"

Even Tengu, already in critical condition, shouted. But shouting didn't help. My whole body was slammed against the same fleshy walls. Drowning, being carried away.

"Huff, huff... I can't breathe! Damn it!"

Drowning. Drowning. Drowning. My body couldn't move freely. Of course not. Inaba-hime's power was null at the moment. Her power wouldn't activate unless it she sees it.

Water in my lungs. Crap! Losing consciousness in this place... What a stupid way to die!

"Monkey, open your mouth!"

"Ah, Gghhh...!"

Kaede's face was right in front of my eyes and nose. My instant confusion turned into shock right away.

Our lips meet roughly. My tongue is pushed aside. But I know instantly her intention.

It's mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. No, it's more like oxygen circulation. Circulatory breathing. There's no time for me to say it. Indeed, there's no other choice. I quickly send my breath into the other person's mouth. A warm breath sent back. I inhale it with all my might, taking in oxygen, then exhale it towards her mouth.

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