Clap clap clap!
The sound of clapping echoed in the dense forest. Following it appeared a woman dressed in black kimono with a huge brown bronze bell strapped to her waist. Her outfit, with a neckline pulled so low it resembled a catgirl costume, was striking.
"Shirone, you did well, nya~! But remember, when using senjutsu, you need to watch out for the malice and evil intent that flows into your body along with the technique. Otherwise, you'll be consumed by it."
Indeed, senjutsu were a tremendously powerful form of energy.
But the reason they were feared the most was precisely because of their powerful side effects.
Using senjutsu allowed one to perceive and manipulate ki, but it also meant absorbing the malice and evil aura that permeated the world—driving users to lose themselves in the intoxicating surge of power.
This was why most youkai chose not to practice senjutsu unless they had no other choice.
And it was also the reason Koneko had resisted learning senjutsu before—because she was afraid of becoming like her sister.
But now, that fear in the little cat's heart had completely vanished.
Because her sister hadn't been consumed by the evil within the senjutsu—so naturally, there was no reason for her to fear that power either.
Besides, now she had her beloved sister personally teaching her.
"I understand, Sister. I'll be more careful from now on."
Koneko obediently nodded, as docile as a long-domesticated house cat.
"Mhm!"
The black-robed woman smiled and gently stroked Koneko's head, clearly satisfied and full of sisterly affection.
But in the next second, she completely dropped the act.
Her cat-like eyes curved into half-moons as she leapt up and wrapped herself around Koneko's waist, her posture seductive and purring like a spoiled kitten.
"Now that you've learned senjutsu, let's hurry home. It's been days since Darling gave me any loving attention. I'm feeling really uncomfortable all over."
A warm breath brushed Koneko's neck, perhaps heated by lust or simply her sister's teasing nature.
Either way, Koneko's cheeks were now completely dyed crimson. Her delicate hands crossed shyly in front of her chest.
"Sister, you can't always think about ecchi things…"
"But I'm a cat-youkai! Once we have a mate, this is just normal life for us! Following instincts is what us youkai are supposed to do. Even if you can't have children yet, once you have a mate, you won't need to suppress your heat with senjutsu anymore."
The black cat happily licked her sister's cheek.
In the past, she might have thought using senjutsu to suppress her heat cycle wasn't such a bad thing.
But now, she could only say one thing:
Suppressing one's instincts was awful!
Embracing one's instincts was wonderful!
"Shut up, Sister!"
The little cat groaned and shoved the black cat off her.
She was happy to have reconciled with her sister and to have mastered senjutsu—but what did that have to do with Mr. Vitan?
Sure, she kind of liked him now… but it wasn't like she was ready to just throw herself onto his bed!
"Really! You'll feel such pleasure from it! Sister would never lie to you."
Pushed away, the black-robed woman adjusted her nearly falling neckline with a pouty face.
Originally, her outfits were far more revealing—shoulders bare and everything—but unfortunately, her new master didn't allow her to dress that way anymore.
Just then, both sisters' feline ears twitched in sync.
Their eyes simultaneously turned toward the southeast.
"Sister…"
The little cat's voice was low and serious.
"I know, I know. Geez, such a hassle."
——
In the pine forest halfway up the mountain.
A fair-faced blond young man stood panting heavily, gripping two sharp steel longswords in both hands. His eyes were locked with vicious intensity on several men dressed like church exorcists across from him.
All around him were severed pine trees—each cut with different techniques, but all bearing incredibly smooth cross-sections.
A tense, combative atmosphere hung between the two sides.
"Kiba Yuuto, right? We heard you've been hunting us these past few days. Surprised you're so eager to die after narrowly surviving our hands."
Across from Kiba Yuuto stood a slightly overweight middle-aged man, and behind him—
The same three rogue exorcists who had injured Kiba a few days ago. Each held a holy sword, radiating sacred energy but differing in design.
The fat man's smile was fake, filled with contempt.
Kiba's aura grew more violent upon hearing his words.
His eyes turned bloodshot, the whites almost completely dyed red with rage.
It was hatred—endless hatred!
The veins on his hands bulged as he gripped the swords tighter, his voice seething with fury as he roared:
"Valper Galilei…! Don't tell me you've forgotten this face!"
Valper Galilei—
Once a researcher under the Church, and the main architect of the Holy Sword Project that had destroyed Kiba's life.
He was the one who subjected Kiba and the others to cruel holy sword compatibility experiments.
He also carried out the purge of all the children who once believed in God and had dedicated themselves to serving the Church.
Because the Holy Sword Project was a filthy human experiment—and not a single one of the 18 children had successfully adapted to the sword factors.
Since the Church always maintained a holy and righteous image to the outside world, such inhumane acts had to be completely buried.
And who was best at keeping secrets?
Dead people, of course.
All the children had been mercilessly "dealt with."
The only one who escaped was Kiba Yuuto, who was saved thanks to the self-sacrifice of his companions.
Since then, Kiba Yuuto has come to completely loathe the Holy Swords and the Church.
Because their trust, faith, and loyalty to the Church had been brutally betrayed.
Facing Kiba Yuuto's furious roar, Valper Galilei remained utterly calm and even impatiently scratched his ear.
"How boring."