At the same time, outside the target Village...
"This autumn rain is awful... cold and damp," The maiden muttered in distaste.
She sat atop a massive flying serpent, wearing a dark purple blouse and light purple hakama, holding an umbrella as she sighed. Her beauty was striking, a string of emerald-green beads circled her fair neck, fastened with a deep crimson knot. Her long, inky-black hair spilled like a waterfall down her shoulders.
On her porcelain-white face, her bright, rose-colored lips stood out, radiant and bold. She was like a rose: beautiful, but adorned with thorns. Rain struck her umbrella with a clear, brittle rhythm, like marbles shattering on glass.
"The target doesn't seem ordinary…" Glancing down at the commission scroll in her hand, her elegant brows creased slightly, then softened into a smile full of anticipation.
She had been hired by a wealthy merchant to exterminate a dangerous creature. From the details described in the commission, the witch could tell this monster was no mere beast; its power likely far exceeded that of typical threats.
"But the reward is generous. It's hard to refuse… and a foe like this suits my abilities." She didn't hesitate; as she urged her serpent to surge forward. Its movement was swift and fluid, slithering through the forest as if swimming in air, vanishing into the shadowy woods ahead.
Evening came quickly, and the heavy autumn rain finally ceased. Puddles pooled along the rugged forest floor, and the air turned damp and still.
"It's too risky to travel at night, let's rest here," Said Sebastian. They were already near the Village, just a few hours' travel remained. But with darkness falling and the terrain muddy and treacherous, Sebastian deemed it wiser to pause and wait out the night.
"Mm." Kikyo glanced up, "The sky's too cloudy to tell, but tonight should be the new moon."
During the new moon, the lunar face is entirely hidden from Earth's view, making nights especially dark. This commission wasn't exclusive to Kikyo; other demon exterminators nearby would likely have received the same mission. Cooperation among them was rare, as they were rivals, and only the first to complete the job would be paid.
That made speed essential, so reaching the Village ahead of the others gave her a significant advantage, which is why Kikyo wanted to press forward. But even she knew that under a new moon's total darkness, with limited visibility and lurking monsters, pressing on would be reckless.
Just then, Sebastian activated his system power again, instantly constructing a shelter from thin air, an improvised resting place.
"Amazing..." Even after witnessing Sebastian use this mysterious power countless times, Kikyo still marveled at its scale. To her, it was as though Sebastian could carry an entire city in his pocket.
"The others are preparing dinner, so please wait a moment," Sebastian said, pulling Kikyo from her thoughts.
"Alright, I'll go help!" she replied, jogging after Ram with light steps.
Meanwhile, in the Village...
"The rain's finally stopped…" The witch with flowing black hair arrived astride her serpent. She was Tsubaki, the infamous black witch from the original tale.
Tsubaki gazed up at the pitch-dark sky and sighed. With no moonlight at all, the darkness was oppressive, like a suffocating curtain that smothered everything. Though she had relied on her shikigami to fly here, saving her strength, the prolonged effort of directing the serpent had left her weary, but urgency pushed her. She was eager to finish the task and collect the reward. Still, there was something more personal than money driving her.
Gracefully stepping down from her shikigami, Tsubaki retrieved a small ornate mirror, polished her hair, and then stepped into the warmly lit village streets. For someone who prized elegance, appearing even slightly disheveled was unthinkable.
"Looks like I'm the first to arrive." As she walked through the village, she detected no presence of other exorcists. Her lips curled into a confident smile, radiant as a flower in bloom.
This mission was more than just a job; it was a test issued by the master, open to all demon exterminators. She, ambitious as ever, had rushed out the moment she received the commission. Her goal: to outrun the competition and finish first, proving her superiority. Besides, the reward was far too attractive.
Tsubaki had her ambitions. She longed to use the bounty to buy more things to enhance her beauty, clothes, jewelry, and charms. Though she was still young, her obsession with beauty bordered on fixation. To her, nothing was more important than physical perfection. That obsession, left unchecked, would one day lead her down a darker path.
As she walked, villagers bowed in respect. Her attire marked her clearly as a priestess, a role revered across all towns and villages.
Feeling their reverence, Tsubaki tilted her chin upward, basking in their admiration. Then, she saw the elderly person by the roadside. Their wrinkled, tired faces showed the truth of time; no matter how beautiful they might once have been, it had all faded.
"Will I grow old and ugly too? I heard the Jewel of Four Souls can grant eternal youth. If only I could find it..." The corners of Tsubaki's mouth lifted into a dreamy smile, "Jewel of Four Souls...the Jewel of Four Souls..."