A gunshot echoed from somewhere.
It was likely fired by a nearby police officer or a local constable, but the sound reverberated through the buildings, making it impossible to pinpoint the source. In any case, approaching would be dangerous.
The chaos of screams, shouts, and explosions blended into a cacophony that was dizzying on its own. People ran in a panic, rushing toward the entrance of the evacuation shelter and causing a bottleneck.
Suddenly, a white, dog-sized creature barreled through the crowd—
“Ugh!”
Himari instinctively turned away from the horrifying scene.
“I saw that phantom beast the other day too. I forgot its name, though.”
“It’s… Tesso. Back when phantom beasts were considered yokai, it was thought to be a rat yokai. It’s a scout classified as a lesser phantom beast, not very strong. But still…”
Yet it was evidently more than capable of harming people.
“This way is no good! Change of plans!”
Himari, still holding Shizuna’s hand, darted into an alley between two buildings.
They were both trying to hide from the Tesso and also escape the surrounding chaos. Dodging between abandoned cars, cutting across streets, and vaulting over the landscaped areas beneath the Nagoya Highway overpass, they made their way.
“Whoa, hold up!”
As they approached the street, Himari came to an abrupt halt, peeking cautiously around the corner.
There was a construction site blocking the road ahead.
Several Tesso were walking around the area, swinging their long snouts. A few people lay motionless at their feet, showing no signs of life; they were likely no longer alive.
“That looks… really bad.”
Himari slowly withdrew her head.
Beside her, Shizuna was doubled over, breathing heavily, hands on her knees.
“Hah…hah…”
It was clear she wasn’t used to physical exertion.
Himari, on the other hand, loved to stay active, and thanks to her mild samurai spirit, she managed to keep moving even after all this exertion. Although her abilities leaned more toward healing than combat.
“This… this is insane. Really… just leave me here…”
“Oh, none of that now.”
“But—”
“If I was going to leave you, I wouldn’t have come to help you in the first place. If you’re going to say that, better to think about what we’ll do next.”
“… You’re… right. True… Then maybe…”
Shizuna, still catching her breath, began to think.
“There are more phantom beasts than I expected. The shelter isn’t an option. Maybe it’s better to find a sturdy building and hide there… like that one?”
She pointed with a slender finger at a concrete building on the corner of the intersection. The first floor served as a parking lot, and the shutter was down. However, the door to the side entrance was slightly ajar.
It wasn’t the safest spot, but it was the best hiding place within reach.
“I see. Good eye, Shizuna. I wouldn’t have noticed it otherwise.”
“I-it’s nothing like that. Just… a coincidence.”
“No, no, it’s really great. Really, really great!”
“Ugh… don’t praise me, please…”
Shizuna, looking down, blushed a shade as pink as her nadeshiko-colored hair, clearly embarrassed by the direct compliment.
“Alright, let’s get in there fast.”
Glancing around, they dashed toward the building and slipped inside through the slightly open door.
“Excuse us!”
The inside was dimly lit by sunlight filtering through the windows.
The space was empty except for a few car accessories and some studless tires. Several cardboard boxes, probably ready for disposal, were stacked in the corner. They checked the door leading into the residence, but it was locked as expected.
“Phew, we ran quite a bit, huh?”
Sitting down in the dusty garage, they used a cardboard box as a makeshift cushion against the cold concrete.
Himari fiddled with her smartphone, then looked up with a cheerful smile.
“I sent a message to my brother to come help us, so we’re good.”
“Huh? Himari, what are you saying… telling him to come here, where the phantom beasts are… are you some kind of demon?”
“Well, that’s a bit… hmm, how should I explain it?”
Himari put a hand on her head.
Her brother, Shinnosuke, was capable of taking down even Inukami with ease, let alone Tesso. But she had to keep that a secret.
“Well, it’s complicated. My brother… he’s a bit special.”
“I… I see…?”
“Don’t worry too much. Now, I’ll just post on social media, and—”
At that moment, a deafening noise and a powerful impact hit the wall.
The window shattered as a beast’s snout pushed through, sniffing, then withdrew. Through the broken frame, a large, bloodshot eye peered in.
“Oh great, it’s an Inukami again. How does it keep finding us?”
Himari, surprisingly calm, grabbed the frozen Shizuna by the shoulder and began edging away from the window.
Another impact, then another, as the Inukami rammed the concrete wall.
Each heavy thud dislodged the remaining glass from the window, shook the wall, and spread cracks along its surface. Dust and small debris rained down, and the shutter vibrated loudly.
At last, the wall gave way.
Sunlight flooded through the opening, illuminating the swirling dust. A massive beast was crawling in, its shadow looming.
“Oh, this isn’t good. We’re not safe here anymore.”
Frantically glancing around, they realized the only way out was through the door they had entered.
“That’s our only exit… but, well…”
The Inukami’s head was already halfway through the hole, baring its fangs. Passing right by it was too dangerous. Himari steeled herself.
“We have to go for it!”
She grabbed a nearby can and threw it with all her might. The Inukami snapped at it, but it turned out to be a can of engine oil. Startled by the strange taste, it pulled its head back.
“Now, let’s go!”
Himari grabbed Shizuna’s hand and ran toward the door. The Inukami’s roar rattled them, but they managed to push and pull their way out, stumbling into the open.
“Yes! We made it!”
“We… still… have to find a place to hide!”
They started running again to find a safe spot but skidded to a halt. The Tesso herd was advancing from the construction site, and rubble fell as the Inukami withdrew its head from the garage.
There was no choice but to keep running, even if it seemed pointless.
The Inukami crouched, gathering its strength, preparing to pounce. The giant, fanged beast bore down on them.
—Brother!!
Himari braced herself and shielded Shizuna, silently pleading for help. But the Inukami’s attack never came. When she cautiously opened her eyes, she found herself face-to-face with the Inukami.
But it was writhing in midair.
She turned around intuitively, and there stood her brother, Shinnosuke.
