"So this is the Dead End Hollow?"
Hoshimi Aya looked around, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Just then, Tailless emerged from the cursed blade in Hoshimi Aya's hand.
"Meow!!!"
"What on earth is that?!"
Nekomata stared warily at Tailless as it emerged from Hoshimi Aya's blade. At first glance, she looked like a kitten with its fur standing on end. Her two swaying tails had also gone stiff and straight.
"This is Tailless."
"There's no need to be afraid. Although it looks intimidating,"
"it doesn't have an ounce of aggression."
"You don't need to be scared."
Hoshimi Aya explained, but 'Tailless' didn't react to its name being called; it simply continued to observe its surroundings intently.
However, Hoshimi Aya could faintly sense that 'Tailless' was currently in a joyful mood.
Aside from never responding to its name, everything else was fine.
Suddenly, 'Tailless' began circling Nekomata, seemingly curious about her.
Being circled, Nekomata looked as if her fur was about to explode.
"Don't, don't, don't... come any closer!"
Nekomata said, sounding somewhat frightened.
"Aya, Nekomata seems really afraid of Tailless,"
Belle spoke up to remind her.
"...Come back."
"Don't get too far from me,"
Hoshimi Aya said to 'Tailless'.
Upon hearing this, 'Tailless' returned to a position near Hoshimi Aya's shoulder.
"Aya, I've always had a question. It seems like Tailless never responds when you call it by that name."
Belle, controlling Eous, looked at Tailless and asked.
Hoshimi Aya paused, startled. It seemed she hadn't really thought about that since the beginning.
She had simply assumed it should be called Tailless, just like the cursed blade in Hoshimi Miyabi's hand.
Suddenly, Hoshimi Aya thought of the black Nine-Tailed Fox she had seen when she lost control before.
"Nine-Tails?"
Hoshimi Aya looked at 'Tailless' and called out tentatively.
Hearing this, 'Tailless' actually moved in front of Hoshimi Aya to give a response.
"So your name is actually Nine-Tails?!"
Hoshimi Aya looked at Nine-Tails in front of her, surprised.
She had been calling it Tailless all this time. She never expected it to be Nine-Tails—it turns out it's a fellow 'villager'!
"Stop obsessing over the name, Belle and the others are still waiting for us to save them!"
Nekomata reminded her, though her eyes remained warily fixed on Nine-Tails.
Although Nine-Tails didn't look aggressive, it gave Nekomata a very dangerous feeling that made her extremely uncomfortable.
"I almost forgot the main task at hand."
"The path is this way, follow me!"
Saying this, Belle controlled Eous to head towards Belle's direction. They had to get there before the train arrived.
Not long after they set off, the group was blocked by a pack of Etherals Apeka.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya let out a direct sneer.
Apeka—the lowest of the low-level grunts!
How do you have the nerve to come out and block the way?!
"Belle, Nekomata, give me thirty seconds. I'll handle them!"
After speaking, Hoshimi Aya placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, and a faint red glow immediately emanated from it.
Then, Hoshimi Aya's figure vanished in a flash, replaced by countless red blade light flickering out. All those Apeka were instantly annihilated.
In the game, I might need to build up Six Charges, but this is reality—I'm starting with a Zero-Frame Opener!
With this combo, never mind these bottom-tier grunts,
even the Dead End Butcher would lose a layer of bone after taking this hit.
As expected, once Hoshimi Aya's figure stabilized and she sheathed her blade, the Apeka all turned into ether energy and returned to The Hollow without exception.
"So... so strong!!"
Nekomata looked at Hoshimi Aya in shock.
She had thought Hoshimi Aya might be strong, but this was beyond ridiculous, wasn't it?
A dozen or so Apeka were all dealt with in a single encounter; the total time taken was barely over ten seconds.
No wonder she suggested destroying a train by herself back then. Thinking about it now, Hoshimi Aya really does have that capability!
"Belle, where should we head next?"
"You can leave any Etheralss we meet on the road to me. It won't take much time."
Hoshimi Aya said, looking at Eous, paying no mind to Nekomata's shocked expression.
After all, she knew Nekomata wasn't bad by nature, so there was no need to dwell on such things.
The priority now was to find Belle and the others, then destroy the train.
"Alright! Everyone follow me."
Saying this, Belle continued to lead the way for the two of them.
...
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