“Hey, before we do this… I've got some questions for you.”

  Elder Korpokkur looked at me, puzzled.

  “When you obtained this Divine Jewel. Most yokai would consume it immediately, without any hesitation. As it grants them power… But ‘you’ on the other hand, hesitated. Why?”

  I clenched my fists. “It's… because I was scared.”

  “Scared? Of what?”

  I inhaled deeply before answering. "I'm someone you might call a ‘Fake’ Yokai… a by–product of an accident, created from a desperate attempt to survive."

  I turned my palm over, staring at it as if the answer were etched into my skin. "The more time I spend mingling with that power, the further I feel from being human. My sanity… it’s like sand slipping through my fingers. I’m scared of losing myself."

  The elder studied me for a moment before speaking. "Is that why you hesitate? But yokai aren't that different from humans."

  I let out a dry chuckle. "Heh, try explaining that to a human. It’s like me trying to convince you that humans are good and kind."

  His eyes narrowed slightly. "See? You even disagree with that statement. Some humans might be good and kind… but most of us are undeniably greedy beings. For someone who has lived as a human their whole life, nothing is more terrifying than losing yourself. The thought of power consuming me, of turning into a rabid beast that attacks those I care about… that’s what truly scares me."

  He let my words settle before asking, "Then why are you so afraid of it?"

  I blinked. "What? I just told you, I—"

  "No, I’m asking why you are conflicted about turning into a yokai."

  I hesitated. "I mean… we’re talking about yokai here. Bloodthirsty, powerful, mysterious creatures that feast on human flesh and—"

  Before I manage to finish my sentence, he cuts off and speaks his mind.

  The elder raised a hand. "That’s a narrow perspective. What about me? I'm a yokai too. But my race—small people—rarely fight. We are vegetarians and farmers. We cultivate and live off spiritual plants. We don’t thirst for blood or human flesh. So, what about me then?"

  I was at a loss for words and felt like I just offended him. "That’s… I’m sorry."

  He shook his head with a small smile. "No need to apologize. My point is, I’m just a regular yokai trying to survive without violence. If I can do it, why can’t you?"

  I exhaled. "But is that something I can even control?"

  "I don’t know much about animals—type yokai, but I’m sure there are some who manage to live without losing themselves."

  “Well I don't know much about it, since I’m not an animal type Yokai. But I'm sure there are some who can do that, being a Yokai but still maintain their sanity.”

  A realization hit me. Shun, who is half-Mujina, is proof of that. He’s lived as himself, without giving in to his yokai side completely.

  So why am I so against becoming a yokai?

  I just have to accept myself as a half-yokai and use this power for self-defense

  I took a deep breath and exhaled hard. "You're right. Thanks… my mind feels clearer now."

  The elder nodded. "One more thing—If you’re so against it, why have you decided now? What makes you decide it with such a hasty decision?"

  "...Because I need power." My voice was firm. "To protect my family. If becoming a monster is the price I have to pay, then so be it."

  He held my gaze for a moment before giving a small nod. "I see. Alright, shall we begin?"

  “Please…”

  We moved to an open area beside the river, where the elder began explaining the process..

  "Last time, I didn’t explain it clearly. You need to inject your spiritual power into the Jewel and then dilute it. This will cause a reaction—the fragrance and energy inside will attract nearby yokai, so we’ll need to change locations. If you don't mind, little one?”

  He turned to the young Korpokkur. As she pressed both hands to her chest and began to hum a soft, melodic tune.

  The river behind us stirred. Droplets rose, floating gently into the air, gathering into a sphere of shimmering water above her. With a quiet pop, the sphere burst. Streams of water spiraled around us, wrapping us in a fluid cocoon..

  I was startled, but this move seems vaguely familiar for some reason… as I close my eyes and let the water submerge me. I found myself in a place I recognize very well.

  I flinched, startled by the sudden movement—but something about this felt familiar. As I closed my eyes and let the water engulf me, a vivid image formed in my mind.

  Domain Creation : Butterbur Pond

  When I opened my eyes, I found myself inside her domain once more—a vast forest of towering butterbur leaves, just like during the second round of Hyakki Yagyō.

  I struggled to swim with one hand, my movements clumsy.

  "Little one, can you make a platform for him?"

  The young Korpokkur nodded, extending her hand. A moment later, a massive butterbur plant snapped from its stalk. I flinched, thinking it would crash into me, but instead, she controlled the water around it, guiding it to float gently beneath me.

  She could do something like this? Wow, I'm amazed at her growth.

  If only she had this level of control back then… the outcome of our match might have been different.

  “Where's the Jewel?” ask the elder Korpokkur.

  I reached into my pocket and handed it over. The old Koropokkur controls a big sphere of water that hovers above us. As he murmured something, infusing the Jewel with his spiritual energy before tossing it into the floating sphere of water.

  The moment it made contact, the water pulsed with a radiant azure glow. A storm of refreshing fragrance spread through the domain, filling the air with a revitalizing scent.

  "Alright, drink a little first. This will trigger the seal and dissolve it completely. Then, finish the rest."

  I balked at the sheer amount of water swirling above me. "Finish it?! How many liters is that?"

  The elder chuckled. "Don’t worry. It’s spiritual water. It won’t overfill your stomach."

  Skeptical but trusting his guidance, I allowed a small sphere of water to float toward me and drank directly from it.

  The moment it slid down my throat, a rush of energy coursed through me. It was like drinking ice-cold water on a scorching summer day. Within me, something stirred—dormant spiritual energy flickered back to life, and the restricting sensation I had felt for so long began to fade.

  I took a deep breath and exhaled sharply, creating a steam like smoke as I breathed out. “Khaaaaah!”

  A sharp sting flared in my left arm, but it subsided quickly. I glanced down, unwrapping my bandages. The wound had closed—my yokai natural healing capability had kicked in, treating my broken arm as an internal injury that needed immediate repair.

  I unwrap the bandage in my left arm and try stretching it around, the pain was completely gone as I cracked my shoulder from all that stiffness.

  But as I looked closer, my expression darkened. "As I thought… just like he said, old wounds remain."

  Despite recovering my broken arm. The wound mark from the Kappas bite still remains in my arm. And I assume there will be claw marks on my back too.

  Welp, it can't be helped. It will act as a reminder of my past recklessness. A lesson to be more careful in the future.

  “Alright, looking good. Lets keep going—”

  "Wait. I want to try something first."

  I stared at my palm, hesitating for a brief moment. Then, with a deep breath, I ignited my spiritual energy.

  A burst of wind surged around me. The familiar sensation of power flowed through my veins once more.

  “...I did it.”

  I managed to transform and use my power properly this time.

  Without hesitation, I leaped into the floating sphere of water.

  *Splosh!

  Inside, I drank the rest of the diluted divine pearl slowly. A strange sensation washed over me—warmth and cold mixing together, overwhelming my senses. My eyelids grew heavy as drowsiness took hold.

  When I opened my eyes again, I found myself floating on my back, staring up at a vast, bright blue sky.

  “Elder Korpokkur? Where are you?”

  The atmosphere around me felt serene, almost too peaceful. But as I glanced around, I realized something was off.

  This wasn’t the Korpokkur Domain anymore. Instead, I was drifting in a crystal–clear lake, surrounded by towering mountains.

  ‘Ah.. I understand now.’

  It was just like the vision I experienced after consuming the Okuri Inu’s magatama. The divine pearl’s energy must be connected to this place—a concentrated source of power from Lake Shikotsu.

  Unlike the scary experience like during Okuri’s inu memory, this one is very calm and relaxing.

  I let myself float, embracing the quiet stillness—until the sensation finally faded.

  “Hey, human. Wake up!”

  A light tap on my cheek pulled me back to reality.

  "Huh...?" I groaned. As my vision adjusted, I found Elder Korpokkur standing on my face, impatiently tapping his cane against my cheek.

  I jolted upright. "Where are we?"

  The familiar sight of my backyard came into view—the fish pond, the wooden deck, the house standing just beyond it. We were back.

  "The real world, of course." The old yokai snorted. "I can’t believe you drank the entire thing in one go. You’re one greedy human."

  I blinked. "I drank it all?" but… I barely remembered it.

  But as I focused on my body, I could feel it. A strong, unfamiliar energy coursed through me.

  A slow smile crept onto my face.

  My power had finally returned.

  "Welcome back…" I whispered.

  I stood and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder Korpokkur. Truly—"

  "Forget it. I came here for this purpose." He waved a tiny hand dismissively. "So? Tell me about curing your little sister."

  I nodded and recounted everything—Ruri’s condition, every symptom, every detail I could remember.

  He listened in silence, as he stroked his beard and was in deep thought.

  “Hmm… purple skin, black veins…" He muttered, stroking his beard. "I see. Most likely, she was poisoned."

  My breath hitched. "Poisoned?!"

  He nodded. "A spiritual herb. Some yokai often use it as a weapon. They grind it into a paste and coat their claws with it. If the wound doesn’t kill their prey, the poison will."

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  A surge of anger twisted my stomach.

  "Can you cure it?"

  "I know the cure, but I need to examine her up close." His gaze was sharp. "The antidote varies depending on the type of herb used to mix it."

  I clenched my fists. Taking him to Ruri in broad daylight would be impossible. But—

  "Alright. Not during the day. Too many people. I’ll sneak into the hospital tonight."

  He smirked. "That works. But for now, let me rest. I’m spent."

  I exhaled. "Yeah… Thank you. Rest well."

  Elder Korpokkur waddled back toward the pond, the younger one bowing politely before following.

  I watched them leave, then stepped inside my house.

  As I lay on my bed, stare blankly at the ceiling, my mind racing.

  Then, without hesitation, I got up and grabbed my piggy bank.

  *Smash!

  Coins and bills spilled onto the floor. This was the money I had saved for the future. But what was the point of saving if I just stood by and did nothing?

  I gathered all the money and took the artifact, the night shade umbrella with me. Then immediately headed straight for town.

  The feeling of running through the air and moving along the wind felt very nostalgic and refreshing.

  After arriving at a small alley near a familiar store, I landed and transformed back.

  "Excuse me," I said as I entered the store. "I need a new cell phone."

  Last night, my mom had tried to contact me about Ruri’s condition—but my phone was broken. That couldn’t happen again.

  After paying and installing my old SIM card, I walked toward my next destination: the library.

  Along the way, I pulled up a search engine.

  ‘Kappa’

  Dozens of results appeared. But I frowned.

  I can’t trust any of this.

  Right after arriving, I headed in and was immediately greeted by the librarian.

  “Hello, welcome to the Central Library. How can I help you?”

  "Do you have a section with old folklore and historical records?"

  “Ah, yes we have, just go straight down that way.”

  I thanked the librarian and walked toward the shelves.

  I can’t just blankly trust the info on the internet. Since this will affect the outcome of the fight as well as it will determine my safety too.

  The internet may be full of information and stories, but it was written by people based on lore and their imagination. Those who had never encountered a real yokai. If I relied on the wrong information, it could cost me my life.

  That’s why I need to filter the information, by comparing it with actual folklore. Since many old folklore stories are based on real experiences but are exaggerated or mythologized over time.

  But the fact that some of it is based on real experiences remains.

  If I really wanted to hunt that damn thing, I need some real knowledge.

  Not just myths. Not just speculation.

  But facts.

  “Let’s see… a book about Kappa, where is it…” I run my finger through the shelves, looking for the book I needed.

  Kappa were well-known yokai. Even I have heard of them. But the only thing I truly knew was… they liked cucumbers.

  Some old tales claimed that offering cucumbers could prevent them from attacking. Others said they drowned children and livestock for sport.

  “Drowned…”

  I clenched my fists. My heart aches, remembering what Ruri said this morning.

  She played in the river and felt sharp things biting down her ankle and dragging her down, fortunately she was able scream for help and mom was around to check on her…

  If she hadn’t screamed.

  Or if Mom hadn’t been nearby.

  That thing would have drowned her… Just like it had tried to drown me.

  My grip tightened as frustration and rage bubbled inside me.

  I took a book from the shelf and sat down, flipping through its pages.

  As I read, I cross-referenced everything with online sources.

  If the information overlapped, it was likely true. If it didn’t? It was probably nonsense.

  Hours passed as the morning sun dipped lower, casting long shadows outside the library windows.

  Ryohei walked down the dimly lit street, his breath forming faint wisps in the cool night air. His shoulders slumped slightly as he let out a tired sigh.

  "A whole day of reading and researching… and all I got was the most basic information on Kappa."

  Frustration gnawed at him, but he shoved it aside. He needed more.

  As he continued walking, his eyes landed on a small store—one of those little general shops that sold everything from stationery to household supplies.

  The owner was already flipping the sign to “Closed,” but Ryohei quickly stepped forward.

  "Excuse me, I want to buy a small notebook."

  The shopkeeper, an older man, paused. After clicking his tongue, he gave him a nod before ringing up the item.

  "Alright, that’ll be 500 yen."

  As Ryohei reached for his wallet, his gaze drifted to a map displayed near the counter—a close-up, detailed tourist map of Nagano. His mind clicked.

  "One of those too, please."

  With both items in hand, he made his way home, the weight of his thoughts heavier than the bag he carried.

  In his room, Ryohei spread the map across his desk, smoothing out its creases. Grabbing a red marker, he carefully circled two locations—the spot where the Kappa had attacked him and the river flowing behind his house. Then, he traced along the waterway, highlighting the possible areas where the creature might be lurking.

  He leaned back, tapping the marker against his chin.

  ‘Not yet… I can’t rush this. I need more information—its exact location, its weaknesses… and most importantly, its escape routes. I have to make sure I end it for good…’

  “As long as that thing is alive, my family will never be safe.”

  His fingers tightened around the marker. If he was going to hunt the Kappa, he had to do it right.

  This is the first time that he personally thought of killing someone… or rather, ‘something’.

  In stories, people often froze on their first kill—paralyzed by hesitation, consumed by fear. But surprisingly, Ryohei felt… normal.

  Was it because he wasn’t human anymore?

  He wasn’t sure

  “Oof, it’s about time.”

  After getting his new phone, Ryohei called his mother. His father had already returned to Tokyo—he couldn’t be away for long. His mother, however, stayed at the hospital with Ruri.

  Later, after taking a bath and cooking dinner for himself, he found himself alone at the dining table.

  After finishing his cleanup and noticing the clock had passed midnight, he grabbed his bag and set out to meet Elder Korpokkur.

  “Are you ready? Shall we go now?”

  "Yeah. Let’s go."

  Ryohei carefully placed both of them inside his bag, transformed, and immediately made his way to the hospital.

  A dim, bluish light seeped through the hospital blinds, casting long shadows across the sterile white walls. The air carried a mix of disinfectant, fading floral scents from a bedside bouquet, and the faint metallic tang of medicine. The occasional murmur of nurses in the hallway and the distant rumble of rolling carts were the only sounds disturbing the quiet.

  Ryohei slipped in through the window, landing lightly on the cool linoleum floor. His movements were careful, precise—practiced over countless nights of sneaking out. He straightened and cast a glance toward the hospital bed.

  His sister, Ruri, lay beneath the covers, her breathing slow but steady. Her face was turned slightly to the side, her brow slightly furrowed even in sleep. Beneath the blanket, her leg—wrapped in layers of bandages—was the real reason he was here.

  He crouched beside the bed, his hands reached for his bag. Just as his fingers brushed the zipper, a soft groan filled the air.

  His body tensed. And his fingers froze.

  Turning his head slightly, he saw his mother, curled up on the small couch near the door, her arm draped over her forehead. He hadn’t noticed her before.

  ‘Did she hear me?’

  His heartbeat pounded against his ribs, but her breathing remained steady, slow.

  "What's wrong?" a small voice whispered from inside the bag. The elder Korpokkur’s tiny head poked out, twitching as he observed the room.

  Ryohei didn’t respond. Instead, he carefully unzipped the bag, letting the two Korpokkurs slip out. They landed softly, their small forms on top of the hospital blanket.

  Slowly, he reached for the curtain surrounding Ruri’s bed and, with painstaking care, pulled it shut. The faint rustling was the only noise, but it was enough to make him pause, glancing at his mother. Still asleep.

  As he turned back, he whispered, "So? Can you cure it?"

  "Hang on."

  Elder Korpokkur flipped the blanket, his tiny hands stretching toward the nearby sink. A faint ripple passed through the water inside, then a single drop lifted—floating unnaturally through the air. More followed, gathering into a thin, glowing layer as it drifted toward Ruri’s leg.

  Ryohei watched in silence, his fists clenched at his sides.

  If this worked, if they could cleanse the poison, then maybe he could stop feeling so damn powerless.

  “Tsk, this thing is in the way. Remove it.”

  Ryohei narrowed his eyes as he carefully extended his fingernail, transforming it into a thin, razor-sharp blade. He positioned it against the bandage wrapped around his sister’s leg, taking extra care not to touch her delicate skin. With a swift, precise motion, he sliced through the fabric and unwrapped the rest of the bandage.

  The moment it got peeled away, a foul, putrid stench hit him like a physical force.

  "Oh crap—the smell!" He recoiled slightly, his breath caught in his throat. His gaze darted toward his mother, still resting on the couch. If the stench reached her, she might wake up.

  Before panic could set in, Raisen and Hikage spun their small, agile bodies, whipping up a gust that directed the rotting odor straight toward the window. At the same time, the elder Korpokkur stretched out his tiny hands, manipulating the water from his floating sphere to coat the wound and completely sealing in the scent.

  Once the immediate problem was handled, the elder Korpokkur inspected the wound, his tiny fingers tracing the poisoned flesh with a thoughtful hum. The water shimmered over the injury, forming a thin, protective layer.

  "Ah, I see. It’s been mixed with those kinds of herbs," he murmured. After finished his inspection, he turned over to Ryohei. "I can cure it... but I lack one key ingredient. A complete recovery will have to wait for another day. For now, I’ll provide basic treatment."

  Ryohei felt his throat tighten. His vision blurred slightly. He had been so afraid—afraid of being too late, of failing his sister. Now, there was hope.

  "Thank you... treat her, please." His voice wavered, but his relief was genuine.

  The elder Korpokkur gave a small nod before turning to the younger one. "Little one, help me purify this water, just like I taught you back home."

  The young Korpokkur eagerly climbed onto Ruri’s leg, pressing her tiny hands against the water coating the wound. Slowly, the liquid began to glow, pulsing with a soft blue light that spread outward like ripples in a pond.

  A faint murmur broke the quiet.

  "Big... brother?"

  "!"

  Ryohei stiffened. He turned his head sharply toward the bed.

  Ruri’s eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep, her expression soft and unfocused.

  Ryohei’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself. He placed a gentle hand on her forehead, brushing aside strands of her hair.

  "Hey, are you feeling okay?"

  She let out a sleepy giggle. "Hehe, big brother came~" Her voice was drowsy, almost dreamlike.

  "Mm… I was sad when you were gone this morning. But now you came back!"

  Ryohei exhaled, tension melting away.

  "Of course I did. Don’t worry, I’m right here."

  A soft glow from her leg caught her attention, and her eyes widened in awe. "A... fairy?"

  Ryohei froze. He hadn’t thought of a way to explain this. His mind raced for an answer, but in the end, he simply went along with it.

  "That’s right," he said smoothly. "It’s a fairy. They’re here to cure you."

  "Really?!" Her tired eyes sparkled with wonder.

  He quickly pressed a finger to her lips. "Shhh. Mom is asleep. You don’t want to wake her up, do you?"

  Ruri let out a little gasp and clamped both hands over her mouth, nodding quickly.

  Then, as if remembering something, her expression faltered. Her small hands lowered, and her voice came out quieter. "Big brother... Do you think I can get better before next week?"

  Ryohei tilted his head. "Next week? Why?"

  She hesitated before answering. "School festival is next week... Ruri wanted to join too, but... I overheard the doctor say... Ruri might not be able to recover..."

  Her voice cracked, but she swallowed back the lump in her throat, forcing a wobbly smile. She started sobbing but held her tears as she wiped it away.

  "Hehe, I’m sorry... I’m a bad kid. Big brother told me not to play in the river alone, but I didn’t listen..."

  Ryohei’s chest ached. Without a second thought, he pulled her into a hug, stroking her hair softly.

  “Don’t worry,” he whispered, his voice firm yet gentle. "You’ll be just fine, after all.. Ruri is a strong girl. And big brother will make sure of it."

  She sniffled, the tension in her small body easing.

  After a moment, Ryohei pulled back slightly and held up his pinky. "Ruri, let’s make a pinky promise, okay?"

  She blinked up at him, eyes still glassy with unshed tears. "Pinky promise?"

  He nodded. "You see... big brother wants to catch the fish that hurt you. I’m going to kick his butt and chase him away from our river."

  Ruri gasped, her eyes going wide with excitement. "Big brother is gonna kick his butt?!"

  Ryohei chuckled. “That’s right! But for the time being, you have to promise not to play near the river, okay?”

  She nodded eagerly, linking her tiny pinky with his.

  "Mmm!"

  Their fingers locked together, sealing the promise.

  “Alright, I’m done with the treatment.” Elder Korpokkur said. At that moment, young Korpokkur stepped forward, her small hands raised towards Ruri as she humming her a Lullaby.

  In an instant, a wave of drowsiness washed over her instantly. She blinked sluggishly, fighting to stay awake.

  “Big… brother…” Ruri’s voice was barely above a whisper, her eyelids fluttering.

  “It’s okay,” Ryohei said softly. “Just sleep.”

  She tried so hard to keep her eyes open, but exhaustion won. Her breathing slowed, her tiny body relaxing as she drifted into sleep.

  With careful hands, Ryohei wrapped her leg with the remaining bandages, ensuring nothing looked suspicious. He brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face before pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

  Then, with a satisfied smile, he turned and slipped out of the hospital window, disappearing into the night.