Back to the scene with Rozen.
"Huff... Huff... Huff..."
After running for a while, Rozen started to pant.
"Do I have to be exhausted every time I run on a mountain road?"
Rozen almost fell into self-disgust.
This was a fact that even "Rigid Body" couldn't save.
Using the techniques of "Rigid Body" could only enhance physical abilities, but it couldn't improve stamina. In fact, it might even lead to faster exhaustion due to increased physical capabilities and increased physical activity.
In other words, just like before, as long as Rozen continued using his extraordinary magical circuits, consuming a large amount of life force, this body couldn't be saved.
Now, Rozen should be grateful that his magical circuits were not fully open yet, which prevented him from collapsing on the ground like before.
When Rozen's magical circuits were fully open, then...
"Haha... Haha... ha....."
Rozen burst into a somewhat self-mocking laughter.
At this moment, being too clever was not necessarily a good thing. Some things were better not to be understood too quickly, wasn't it?
"Roar..."
"Roar..."
As Rozen laughed with a tinge of self-derision, the low growls of wild beasts once again reached his ears.
"Hey! Aren't you guys experts from the Izanagi clan? Hurry up and think of a solution!"
"We... we're thinking! Don't rush us!"
"Damn it! Ojou!"
//// Sick of writing Young lady or little miss. I don't even remember which one I stick to at this point. So I'm just gonna use Ojou ( Young Lady ) from Ojou-sama. Hope it works out (￣ ³￣) ////
"Stay... Stay away!"
The angry shouts of the young boys and the cries of the girl resonated in Rozen's ears, rousing his spirit.
"Now is not the time to think about these things!"
Immediately, Rozen cast away all his thoughts, strengthened himself with "Rigid Body," and rushed towards the direction from which the voices were coming.
Before long, Rozen finally saw it.
In the forest ahead, several kids were confronting a group of wild dogs shrouded in dark aura.
"Sure enough, it's them."
An unsurprised expression appeared on Rozen's face.
When he heard the voices earlier, Rozen had already guessed that it must be Domon Hinowa, Kamo Subaru, and Yuge Mutsura, along with Akabane Raishin.
However, just like Rozen speculated, the situation they're currently in were not very good at the moment.
Facing a group of wild dogs shrouded in dark mist, Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura were somewhat flustered, trying to prepare something, seemingly attempting to use "Onmyojutsu" against the enemies.
Unfortunately...
"I forgot to bring the magical tools and puppets for invocation!"
"Damn it, this is getting worse!"
Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura shouted in frustration.
If they were experienced Onmyoji, they would have already taken out the talismans they carried with them and used "Onmyojutsu" to summon Shikigami.
However, Kamo Subaru and Domon Hinowa were only ten years old after all. Even though they came from a prestigious family second only to the Domon, it was highly unlikely for children of their age to rely on talismans to summon Shikigami.
In the past, they used magical tools and puppets for invocation to summon Shikigami.
But now, it seemed that they didn't have these magical tools and puppets with them. Apart from being flustered, what else could they do?
As for Domon Hinowa, she was already pale with fear, sitting on the ground, not knowing what to do.
On the other hand, Raishin was using whatever stones he found on the ground and continuously throwing them at the wild dogs, gaining some time and preventing them from pouncing.
"Wow, he got some nerve."
Rozen complimented Raishin's courage while not wasting any time.
"Buzz!"
In the buzzing of the air, Rozen's magical power turned into telekinesis, lifting and shooting stones like a barrage towards the front.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
Amid the dull thuds, the wild dogs that were getting close to Kamo Subaru's group were knocked away by the stone bullets, either falling to the ground or fleeing into the bushes, disappearing from sight.
Kamo Subaru's group finally noticed Rozen's arrival.
"Nuragami!"
Akabane Raishin showed a surprised expression.
"It's you?"
Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura were slightly taken aback.
Rozen took a breath, suppressing his chaotic breath, and walked forward nonchalantly, as if he were just passing by.
"Are you guys alright?"
Rozen casually asked.
"I'm fine."
Akabane Raishin shook his head, indicating that he was okay.
On the contrary, Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura didn't seem to appreciate Rozen's help.
"Don't... don't think you saved us!" Kamo Subaru shouted, "They were just a group of wild dogs possessed by evil spirits. They are the lowest-level Shikigami, and we could have dealt with them ourselves!"
"Yeah," Yuge Mutsura's tone wasn't as confrontational, but still unwilling to admit defeat, he said, "If we had brought the tools for invocation, we could have driven them away."
Obviously, these two had been looking down on Rozen all along, and now they didn't want to admit that someone they considered beneath them had saved them.
Rozen didn't take offense, understanding that it was just the bravado of children.
However...
"Even if you say that, the fact remains that you didn't bring the tools for invocation, and you couldn't drive away those low-level Shikigami," Rozen said with a grin.
"Ugh..."
Kamo Subaru and Domon Hinowa were left speechless.
Though Rozen wasn't angry about their attitude, he was a somewhat childish person and couldn't stand being looked down upon forever.
Taking the chance to put these arrogant kids in their place was necessary.
Of course, Rozen knew when to stop.
"What you should be concerned about now is your most important Ojou-sama, right?" Rozen reminded them, finally bringing Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura back to their senses.
"That's right!"
"Ojou!"
The two immediately rushed towards Domon Hinowa's direction.
There, Domon Hinowa was still sitting on the ground, looking frightened.
Seeing her like that would stir feelings of pity and sympathy in anyone's hearts.
At least, Raishin felt a bit sorry for her.
"I remember your name is Hinowa, right?" Akabane Raishin approached tentatively, showing concern. "Are you alright?"
Before Hinowa could respond, Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura fired up and spoke first.
"You... you!"
"Don't address our Ojou directly by her name!"
Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura glared at Akabane Raishin.
In response, Akabane Raishin naturally refused to back down and was about to say something when Rozen interrupted suddenly.
"You guys are too loud!" Rozen's expression turned serious as he spoke, "Your noises are attracting a troublesome thing. Quick, hide!"
Before anyone could react, Rozen pushed Akabane Raishin into the bushes and took Hinowa's hand, who was completely unresponsive, and guiding her into the thick bush.
It's worth noting that Rozen did this not because he found her cute, but mainly because he knew Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura wouldn't easily listen to his advice. By directly taking Hinowa with him, they would follow obediently.
As expected...
"What are you doing!?"
"Release her hand this instant!"
Kamo Subaru and Yuge Mutsura rushed over but were immediately pressed down by Rozen once they entered the bushes.