Published: January 24, 2026
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(Alright, how should I fight?)
I fixed my gaze on Yata no Hebi and began formulating a strategy.
The opponent had eight heads.
Yet, each one was unbelievably huge.
If I focused too much on one head, the others might target Hanemiya again.
Attacking while paying attention to all directions—simple in concept but incredibly difficult in practice.
At that moment, a sound like space distorting echoed.
The next instant, two shadows appeared right beside me with the wind.
"—We've come to help."
"—It's better to have someone who can use powerful magic, right?"
Two female voices sounded from behind.
I didn't even need to turn around to know who they were.
Fuuka and Shion.
"You're a lifesaver. We were just short on hands."
With the two of them here, the range of our strategy widened greatly.
"By the way, Fuuka, are you okay? …Your wounds seem healed, but your clothes are in terrible shape."
Shion asked Fuuka.
Indeed, Fuuka showed no obvious external injuries.
However, her kimono was torn in several places, so damaged it looked like it might rip any moment.
She probably received first aid through healing magic.
But magic can't repair clothing.
The fact that Kiryu’s skill could injure her this badly—she who has endured all attacks unscathed—showed his high level of ability.
Yet, despite that, Fuuka was still standing.
She looked somehow fresher than when we parted.
She must have overcome something.
"…It’s a little hard to move."
Fuuka murmured softly.
Upon hearing that, Shion smiled gently.
"Stay still. I'll use time reversal to restore your clothes."
Saying that, Shion activated her supernatural ability.
The air trembled slightly, and the space surrounding Fuuka’s body wavered.
The torn sleeves naturally reconnected as if rewinding threads.
The frayed hem smoothed out as if undoing the unraveling.
The tattered kimono returned to the neat form it had when Kyokutō descended.
"Thank you, Shion. That really helped."
"You're welcome."
After witnessing their peaceful exchange, I called out to Fuuka.
"Fuuka, that eight-headed snake seems to be a monster from this country’s mythology. Do you know anything about it?"
"I don’t, but I think Nagisa knows something."
"Where is she now?"
"She’s with Mr. Haruto and the teacher, near the southwest of Hanemiya."
While I was sensing around for Mr. Haruto and the others, Yata no Hebi started moving.
"Got it! First, let's gather info on it! I'll handle the four heads on the right, Fuuka will take the four on the left. Shion, cover us and defend Hanemiya from its attacks!"
"Understood." "Leave it to me!"
We moved simultaneously in three directions.
◇
While drawing the right heads’ attention, I secretly tried to replicate telepathy.
I connected Shion, Fuuka, and a girl who seemed to be Nagisa Asagiri via a mental pass.
‘Nagisa, can you hear me?’
Fuuka called to Nagisa telepathically.
‘Eh, sister’s voice… Fuuka sister, where are you now!?’
‘I'm fighting Yata no Hebi now. Using Orun’s supernatural ability to talk to you.’
‘Orun…? You mean the international wanted notice demon king Orun!?’
‘That’s right. But don’t worry, he’s on my side. He was the one who blocked that breath attack earlier.’
‘I see…’
‘So, Nagisa, do you know anything about Yata no Hebi? How to defeat it?’
‘What I know is only from mythology, so I’m not sure if it applies, but in the myth, you have to cut all eight heads at once to kill it. If you cut them one by one, they regenerate immediately.’
(Trying that might be worth a shot.)
Dodging the swinging tail and magic attacks, I approached.
"—Third Form (Mont Drei)"
Transforming my magic sword into a greatsword longer than my height.
"—Hah!"
I aimed at the dullest of the four heads I was responsible for and swung the magic sword through it.
Adding instantaneous ability surge (impact) to the slash, I severed the head.
The cut edge quivered like bubbles and quickly regenerated.
"I see. The regeneration is fast."
I muttered as Fuuka also slashed at another head.
But the same happened there.