The night deepened, and the evening breeze grew colder. After the last yokai fell, the battlefield went completely quiet.
Hikaru stood in the middle of the pile of corpses, the muramasa in his hand still dripping with blood.
The panel in front of him suddenly popped up.
[shikon no tama: naohi: Affinity +5]
[Current Affinity: 14 (Trust)]
Hikaru was stunned for a moment.
It increased by 5 points in one go?
This jewel had been stingy before, increasing by at most 2 points at a time; why was it so generous now?
[shikon no tama: naohi: Affinity +3]
[Current Affinity: 17]
It increased again.
Hikaru glanced sideways at the shikon jewel in front of Kikyo's ample chest.
The light of the jewel was changing.
The originally ink-black evil energy was being suppressed by a faint layer of white light, like milk dripped into ink; the black and white were distinct and clearly separated.
[shikon no tama: naohi: Affinity +4]
[Current Affinity: 21]
[Bond Dialogue (1) Unlocked]
[It is conveying a message to you—]
Hikaru waited for what would follow.
The words on the system panel popped out one by one, slower than ever before.
["Thank you."]
["No one has helped her for a long time."]
["You are the first."]
The shikon jewel's bond dialogue was actually a direct "dialogue," rather than just conveying more information?
As expected of a treasure that even high-level yokai desire.
It really is much more intelligent than muramasa!
Hikaru looked up at Kikyo.
The priestess was standing in front of the floating shikon jewel, her hands forming seals, her spiritual power turning into threads of light, firmly binding the jewel.
Her expression was solemn.
While Hikaru was dealing with the remaining yokai, she naturally began to "suppress" Magatsuhi.
["She is strong, but she is also just one person."]
["Those who guard the shikon jewel are all lonely."]
["Because this duty cannot be shared, and should not be shared."]
["So... thank you."]
Hikaru did not reply.
He didn't know how to reply either.
Say "You're welcome" to a jewel?
It didn't seem impossible...
[shikon no tama: naohi: Affinity +2]
[Current Affinity: 23]
[It is conveying a warning to you—]
["Tonight is not over yet."]
["Those just now were merely an appetizer."]
["The real threat has not arrived yet."]
Hikaru's brows furrowed.
The real threat?
The group of yokai just now didn't count as a threat?
That four-armed ape was a Five Transformations, and that mist yokai was at least Six Transformations; if these didn't count as threats—
["Watch out above."]
["Watch out for... me."]
When the last three words popped out, Hikaru's heart skipped a beat.
Watch out for you?
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