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Chapter - 4: Shadow
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"Welcome back, everyone!" Chitose exclaimed with a bright smile, emerging from the kitchen carrying trays laden with food. "Dinner is ready, please help yourselves!"
I took a seat, the delicious aroma of the dishes already making my mouth water. The table was a feast for the eyes: grilled fish, steaming bowls of rice, fresh vegetables, and a variety of side dishes.
I couldn't help but smile. Staying at this inn had turned out to be an excellent decision, if only for the food. Chitose's cooking was simply divine—I couldn't imagine living without it anymore.
The chatter around the table created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, a feeling I couldn't quite grasp. I was fairly certain that even in my previous life, I had never experienced anything quite like it.
Nonko was already drinking sake, raising her cup in a toast to no one in particular. Sagiri ate with her usual composure, though her strict demeanor softened slightly as she savored each bite. It was genuinely entertaining to watch.
Yaya was feeding a massive white cat behind her, a creature so large it seemed almost supernatural. Yuuna, hovering slightly above her chair, beamed at everyone, clearly delighted by the company.
I found myself observing them one by one.
Nonko, a descendant of the legendary Oni Shuten-douji, possessed strength and endurance of mythical proportions. As the daughter of one of the country's most powerful families, she carried an air of confidence that masked a power capable of placing her easily at the top of this world.
Sagiri, a ninja from the Chuuma clan—a group of kunoichi specializing in combating youkai and other supernatural forces—was deeply committed to maintaining peace and order in Japan.
Yaya, a girl chosen by the Cat God as its host, had a bond with her divine companion that was a delight to witness. It was clear to me that their relationship went far beyond the mere acquisition of power.
Chitose, a Zashiki Warashi, could manipulate both fortune and misfortune. Yet, despite her nature, she welcomed everyone with a warm smile, creating an inviting atmosphere in the inn.
And then there was Yuuna, a spirit bound by spiritual energy so powerful it exceeded the limitations of her condition. Despite her ethereal nature, which could cause her to vanish at any moment, she was full of life, her enthusiasm contagious to everyone around her.
This unlikely group, each unique and powerful in their own right, had somehow come together to form a bizarre but comforting family.
As I leaned back, a sense of peace settled over me. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
I couldn't help but feel strangely at ease among them, even though my presence here wasn't entirely my choice. Still, I was growing accustomed to this place—and I liked it.
As usual, it was Nonko who broke the silence first. She leaned back in her chair, twirling her sake cup between her fingers. "Hey, Saigou-kun~ There's something I've been wanting to ask you for a while."
Her tone was playful, but her eyes narrowed slightly, and her demeanor turned serious. "You... what exactly are you?"
The question froze the room, halting everyone's actions.
All their gazes fell on me, brimming with curiosity. Not that I had any intention of hiding myself, but unlike them, I was making an effort not to reveal my abilities. I knew that if the truth ever came out, both humans and even gods would likely despair.
Nonko's smile faded, replaced by an unexpectedly serious expression. "You're not... human, are you?"
The atmosphere immediately grew heavy. My shadow, faint in the dim light, began to move unnaturally. Two crimson-red eyes materialized within it, gleaming faintly like a reflection in a dark mirror of what dwelled inside me.
It wasn't a companion or an ally. It was a part of me.
Before I could respond, Nonko burst into laughter, shattering the tension that had enveloped the room. "Ahaha~ I'm kidding! Just kidding! Don't make such serious faces~"
But I noticed her hand trembling slightly as she lifted her cup to drink. A bead of sweat slid down her temple. I knew she had sensed something—the danger lurking beneath the surface I presented.
"Well, as expected, you're quite direct," I said with a disarming smile. "In the end, I anticipated a question like this. The answer is simple... I'm 100% human. I'm just a little special, but the reasons are rather complicated to explain."
Yuuna tilted her head, her usual enthusiasm replaced with evident concern. "Saigou, does that mean you're dangerous?"
Sagiri's gaze grew sharper. "If you're a threat, know that we of the Chuuma Ninjas won't hesitate to eliminate you."
"Relax, my dear perverted ninja," I replied, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm not here to cause trouble. In fact, I have no interest in fighting anyone, least of all you."
Nonko sighed in relief, but her eyes remained curious. "You're really interesting, Saigou-kun. I could write an entire manga about you... You don't mind if I keep digging a bit, do you?" she said with a mischievous smile.
"Go ahead," I replied, leaning back to let the tension pass.
Yaya, completely unaware of the drama that had just unfolded, tugged at my sleeve. "Saigou... more petting," she asked softly, her golden eyes full of expectation.
I smiled, gently petting her hair. Her purring filled the room again, a sound so innocent that it sharply contrasted with the heaviness of the conversation that had just taken place.
Dinner continued, and the tension gradually faded. Laughter returned, and the group resumed their usual jokes. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that this conversation was just the beginning.
I glanced at my shadow, where ruby-colored eyes flickered for an instant before disappearing into nothingness. I sighed deeply, as a single thought crossed my mind: Stupid lizard.
The dinner continued peacefully, with a light and relaxed atmosphere. Each of us spoke casually, trying to get to know each other better. Voices and laughter filled the room, creating a sense of warmth that contrasted with the evening's coolness.
Even Sagiri, despite her evident distrust towards me, didn't hold back from participating in the conversation. However, her eyes remained watchful, observing every movement I made and every word I spoke.
It was clear she was trying to gather information without being too obvious, maintaining a cordial demeanor with the others. I didn't mind, and in a way, it gave me more opportunities to tease her.
Nonko, on the other hand, eventually succumbed to the call of sake. She lifted her cup with a sly smile, sipping the drink slowly. "Ahh, nothing beats sake after a long day!" she exclaimed, satisfied.
Chitose, however, gently scolded her. "Nonko-san, you shouldn't overdo it. You know it makes it harder to come up with ideas for your manga if your mind isn't clear."
Nonko burst into laughter, waving her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Chitose-chan~ Inspiration always comes, with or without sake!"
Meanwhile, Yuuna and Yaya had gotten caught up in an impromptu game. Yuuna floated in the air, trying to grab an object that Yaya tossed to her with an amused smile. Yaya's large cat seemed to watch the scene curiously, lazily flicking its tail.
Chitose and I simply watched them have fun. Her calm and gentle expression was almost contagious, and for a moment, I found myself truly relaxing. "Is it always like this here?" I asked, breaking the silence between us.
Chitose nodded with a smile. "Yes, more or less. Yuragi-sou is a place where anyone can feel at home, no matter what they are or where they come from."
Those words hit me harder than I wanted to admit. Home. A word that had lost its meaning for me a long time ago, since my memories were gone, and all I had left were some fleeting sensations.
As the evening continued, I decided it was time to retreat to my room. I nodded my head to the others in farewell and made my way down the corridor. My room was right next to the one where Yuuna was bound, a detail I couldn't ignore even if I wanted to, considering she had a habit of sneaking into my bed.
I opened the door and entered my new temporary dwelling. It was simple but cozy, with a futon neatly placed in the center of the room and a window that overlooked the hot springs.
I sat down on the futon, letting out a long sigh.
I remained seated in silence for a few minutes, allowing the sounds of laughter and chatter to fade as the night advanced. The room was enveloped in a peaceful atmosphere, only interrupted by the faint crackle of the lantern.
I watched the shadow cast against the wall. It seemed to distort slightly, almost as if it were alive. A sensation that always made me uneasy, but one I had grown accustomed to since coming to this world.
I decided to ignore it and focus on something that could help me clear my mind: checking the chat group since I didn't want any unpleasant surprises—I'd already had enough of those for my taste.
[(Admin) Yandere for Senpai @Demon Lord: You might be confused by everything going on, but I've written an explanation that could help you understand your situation better. Also, if you want, you could introduce yourself to get familiar with us, since you're the newest member to join the chat group.]
I sighed. Did I really need to do this? But in the end, I decided to indulge her, considering she seemed genuinely committed to being a good admin, and she was probably doing it mostly as a way to distract herself from what was happening around her.
[Demon Lord: Alright, since I'm already forced to accept the invitation, I might as well see the upside of all this, though I'm not sure what that is since this situation is…]
[Governor of Fallen-Angel: Oh, you were forced? Interesting. So you didn't voluntarily join the Chat Group? And can I ask what they offered you for my personal curiosity? Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet, I'm Azazel, the one from the Bible to be clearer. Nice to meet you.]
I stared at the message for a few seconds, realizing that he was probably trying to gather information from me to figure out how this system worked. And since he was a scientist, I couldn't say I wasn't expecting that from him.
[Demon Lord: My name is Saigou. As for this Chat Group, they offered me everything: power, spells, advanced techniques, legendary weapons... and even a harem.]
A long silence followed my message. I expected an immediate reaction, perhaps curiosity or even envy, but all I received was a digital void. I started to wonder if I had said something wrong.
Then, finally, someone broke the quiet.
[Simp for Emilia: Wait a minute, that's not fair! What kind of treatment is this? I joined just because they said they'd help me reduce the number of my deaths! (╬ Ò﹏Ó)]
[Good Spider: Come on Subaru, it's not the end of the world (◕‿◕✿)]
[Simp for Emilia: Not the end of the world? Really? Well, maybe not for you, but for me, it's literally always the end of the world every time I die! You don't understand how stressful it is for me!]
[(Admin) Yandere for Senpai: Erm... I'm sure that if you put in some effort, you'll reach your goal... Maybe (⊃｡•́‿•̀｡)⊃]
[Queen of Nightmares: Pathetic. I have more important things to do than listen to a human complain about their insignificant problems.]
[Queen of Nightmares is Offline]
[Simp for Emilia: You're not helping! It's like talking to Ram: a constant mockery and zero empathy with her sharp tongue.]
[(Admin)Yandere for Senpai: Well, at least Ram is honest, right? I'm sure she's doing it for your own good, or at least I think so.]
[Good Spider: Or maybe you should take it with more philosophy. Think positively! Every death makes you stronger! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧]
[Simp for Emilia: Sigh. You know what? Forget it. Talking to you guys is pointless! I'm going to go get some comfort from my Emilia-chan!]
[Simp for Emilia is Offline]
[Good Spider: No Subaru, don't go to the dark side!]
[(Admin) Yandere for Senpai: I don't think she can hear you…]
[Good Spider: Ah, right. Anyway, I'm going back to leveling up a bit so I can evolve, because I don't want to get eaten and die a second time. See you around, guys!]
[Good Spider is Offline]
[(Admin) Yandere for Senpai: I'm going too, I have some things to take care of…]
I smiled faintly, shaking my head. The dynamics among the Chat members were definitely… interesting. I wasn't sure what to expect in the future, but one thing was clear: I wouldn't get bored.
[Governor of Fallen-Angel: Oh, very interesting. Thank you for the information, it's always useful. Being a scientist, if you ever need anything from me, don't hesitate to ask.]
[Demon Lord: I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Azazel.]
[Governor of Fallen-Angel: You're welcome. Well, I'm going back to my experiments. If you need anything, you know where to find me.]
[Governor of Fallen-Angel is Offline]
I closed the chat window on my phone, letting out a sigh. Azazel seemed like someone you could trust, pragmatic and direct. Definitely a useful figure for the future.
I lay back on the futon, crossing my arms behind my head as I stared at the ceiling. It had been a long day, full of interesting interactions, but now I could finally relax.
"Let's see what tomorrow brings," I murmured to myself, closing my eyes. For now, peace was all I needed.
...
..
.
A few hours passed. The Chat Room remained strangely silent, a sharp contrast to how it had been earlier. Then, suddenly, a new notification appeared on my phone that left me speechless, as I hadn't expected it to be displayed this way.
[The Chat Room informs that the member Simp for Emilia is dead]
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Marvel: I'm Spider-Man in this Damn Reincarnation: 3 advanced chapters
Osmosian Sorcerer?: 3 advanced chapters
Son of Li Qiye?: 3 advanced chapters
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Chapter - 14: Symbionte - Chapter - 15: White Tiger
Chapter - 17: Onmyoji - Chapter - 18: The Power of Bao
Chapter - 7: Hobby - Chapter - 8: New Hunt - Chapter - 9: Past unknown
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