[Shadow Screamer: (Intermediate Monster)
Physique: 1.5
Soul: 3.0
Charm: 0.1
Evaluation: A shadow monster with a physical form. It attacks all living creatures not tainted by dark power and possesses a super-strong scream that induces fear in living beings.
The stronger the negative emotions of the living creature, the stronger the attack effect.
Its body can resist ordinary light but fears light with concentrated holy power.
Drops: Soul of Darkness (Medium).]
Natsuyu looked out and saw several lower-level shadow monsters, appearing as four-legged beasts composed of shadows, pacing around the perimeter of the firelight, fearful of the light.
And the shadow screamer was a pitch-black, twisted humanoid monster with sharp claws, standing about two and a half meters tall. It let out a terrifying shriek and quickly entered the firelight, lunging toward them!
Natsuyu felt a chill run through his body, and an uncontrollable fear surged within him.
[Natsuyu: Level 7 (1/45 experience)
Current Status:
Mood boost (weak): 1 minute 30 seconds.
Fear (weak): Unknown.]
"M-monster!"
Sakuraba Ema and Kushida Kikyo, faces pale with terror, grabbed Natsuyu's arms from both sides.
[Sakuraba Ema (Kushida Kikyo): Level 0 (0/10 experience)
Current Status:
Mood boost (weak): 1 minute 26 seconds.
Fear (medium): Unknown.]
Natsuyu looked again.
Kiana's fear was also at a medium level.
As for Yukinoshita Yukino, her face was already deathly pale, and her eyes were unfocused.
[Yukinoshita Yukino: Level 0 (0/10 experience)
Current Status:
Fear (high): Unknown.]
Night had descended.
Countless shadow monsters emerged; they lacked physical forms, could attack the soul, and were incredibly troublesome.
They were even unlucky enough to have an intermediate shadow screamer spawn nearby. It didn't fear the firelight, and its fear scream alone caused everyone's status to plummet severely.
Natsuyu maintained a trace of fear as he calmly watched the shadow screamer approach.
Ordinary firelight was useless against it.
The so-called "finding something to eat before dark" was merely allowing them to die on a full stomach.
—Unless something unexpected happened.
Natsuyu looked toward the Splendid Gate nearby.
At the edge of the dim firelight, the sleeping Tokisaki Kurumi looked like a suspended witch, surrounded by a peaceful and elegant atmosphere that was both exquisite and ghastly.
The shadow monster roared and opened its massive maw, intending to swallow her whole.
Suddenly, golden light erupted brilliantly.
"Click, clack..."
The sound of interlocking gears turning echoed, not violent, but rather like the faint ticking of a bedside clock—something one might overlook if not paying attention.
But upon its appearance, the shadow screamer's fear scream came to an abrupt halt.
Golden light illuminated the earth.
A brilliant golden gear-clock appeared in mid-air, looking like a piece of the golden heavens. Massive gears meshed and turned, and the clock hands spun from one marking to the next across the Roman numerals.
Natsuyu saw the shadow screamer that had rushed before him vanish like snow melting under the spring sun beneath the golden light.
Further away, within the range of the light, even more beast-shaped shadow monsters dissolved simultaneously amidst their wails.
The shrieks, roars, and terrifying rustling sounds in the darkness were instantly swept clean, leaving only the rhythmic "tick-tock" of the gear-clock every second.
Tokisaki Kurumi did not wake, nor did she make any movement. Even though she was entwined by flower vines and needed to remain in a deep sleep to conserve energy, as long as Zafkiel was released, it could suppress all darkness!
Saved.
Natsuyu breathed a sigh of relief and checked the statuses again.
[Natsuyu: Level 7 (1/45 experience)
Current Status:
Mood boost (weak): 1 minute 25 seconds.
Fear (weak): 2 seconds.]
The fear would soon disappear.
Natsuyu performed several appraisals. Except for Yukinoshita Yukino, whose residual fear lasted a bit longer—up to a minute—the three girls including Kiana would soon return to a state of calm.
The manifestation of this was Sakuraba Ema blushing as she let go of Natsuyu's arm, and Kushida Kikyo patting her chest with a sigh of relief.
"Finally safe."
Yukinoshita Yukino's shoulders trembled slightly. She gritted her teeth, her throat straining to let out a voice full of confusion:
"W-what... what on earth... were those things?"
Sakuraba Ema, looking like a dejected puppy that had fallen into water, answered honestly, "Those should be the shadow monsters Tokisaki Kurumi mentioned."
But Yukinoshita Yukino wasn't really asking; she was venting the fear in her heart. Because Ema's words provided no comfort, her expression wavered. She gripped her arms, squatted down, and said gloomily:
"I want to go home..."
Silence spread.
The warm and harmonious atmosphere vanished without a trace. The prickling fear at their backs made them realize once again the peril of their situation.
Kiana couldn't stand the atmosphere. She put on a smile, preparing to say something lighthearted.
Tap, tap, tap.
Natsuyu's footsteps were exceptionally clear in the silence. Kiana blinked, and along with her, the other girls looked over.
They saw Natsuyu squatting in front of Yukinoshita Yukino. Locking eyes with the vulnerable girl, he gave a gentle smile:
"You didn't even cry. Yukinoshita, you're quite strong."
"Who would cry!"
Yukinoshita Yukino had thought Natsuyu was going to comfort her, but his words were slightly teasing, which made her a bit annoyed.
Natsuyu made a pink candy appear in his hand and held it to her lips.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked up and saw Natsuyu's gentle smile illuminated by the golden light. This image was the entire world to her:
"Have a candy. Leave everything to me; I will lead you all to find the way home."
"If you don't believe me, then in the days to come, please supervise me to see if I'm working hard."
"If there's a day I want to give up, I'll try to convince you to slack off with me."
Yukinoshita Yukino instinctively opened her mouth. Her soft, thin lips took the berry candy, pressing into the flesh slightly. The sweet and sour flavor spread through her mouth. Snapping back to reality, she averted her eyes and muttered a rebuttal while chewing the gummy candy:
"I definitely won't help you slack off."
It turned out gummy candy could be this delicious.
Even though she hated the feeling of her mouth being filled with sticky things, right now, it didn't feel too bad.
The fear and worry had all miraculously vanished.
Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help but recall Natsuyu's gentle smile, bathed in golden light.
'Leave everything to me.'
After he said those words, she actually felt an incredible sense of security.
Natsuyu had come to comfort her first; he must care about her a lot, right?
Although she didn't necessarily need comfort and could have slowly recovered her status on her own, she was still grateful.
Yukinoshita Yukino was surprised to find that after being comforted by Natsuyu, her mood had actually become pleasant.
She was actually enjoying this care?
This wasn't like her at all!
[Yukinoshita Yukino: Level 0 (0/10)
Current Status:
Mood boost (weak): 2 minutes 56 seconds.]
Natsuyu took out more berry candy and distributed them to everyone, saying with a smile:
"Everyone, have a candy. Don't be afraid. We were able to safely spend today; things will definitely be easier from now on."
"Having gone through these hardships together, we will become the best of friends."
"I will lead everyone home, please trust me. Even if I don't succeed, I will take responsibility for everyone."
The three girls who ate the berry candy felt a sense of calm and happiness.
Sakuraba Ema's gaze toward Natsuyu carried a hint of admiration.
Kushida Kikyo was internally shocked that she actually felt an uncontrollable surge of happiness because of Natsuyu's promise.
Could this be love!?
No, no, no!
Kiana grinned and gave a thumbs-up:
"Natsuyu, if I'm going to look for a man, I'm definitely looking for someone like you!"
Sakuraba Ema let out a startled cry:
"Eh? Eh?"
"Kiana is just joking, right..."
Yukinoshita Yukino smiled elegantly, but her eyes betrayed a hint of something different. "Surely she's kidding."
Kushida Kikyo showed her little angel smile. "I actually think Natsuyu would make a very suitable husband."
The atmosphere became momentarily tense.
Natsuyu rubbed his chin, feeling satisfied.
Though the atmosphere was a bit strange, at least they had all cheered up.
As expected, giving out candy could boost the mood and eliminate the effects of the fear they had suffered.
In the future, whenever someone felt down, he'd just give them a candy; the team would surely be incredibly stable.
What "problem girls"? They're easy to handle~
Just stay in the party properly!
Natsuyu curled his lips with a hint of pride and extended a hand:
"To escape this place and return home, let's work hard together!"
Clap, clap.
The girls responded immediately. In a flash, three soft palms were quickly stacked on the back of Natsuyu's hand.
Kiana was the most agile after all, seizing the right of contact with Natsuyu, her palm being the first to land on the back of his hand.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at the three of them wordlessly and slowly placed her hand on top. She lightly brushed back her long hair and gave Natsuyu a faint smile:
"I'll believe you this once."
"And, thank you."