"Setting aside the fact that these humans who dared to meddle with the Divine Realm fully deserve to die—even if I truly am a god, why should I have to protect you?"
The black-haired man's gaze was utterly cold and devoid of emotion as it swept over the people around him.It was a look like that of a higher-dimensional being observing creatures from a lower plane.
"To the gods, humans are nothing more than tools that generate faith.Perhaps a thousand years ago, humans at least still had some value as tools.But humans today? You're completely useless."
"You boast about societal progress, technological advancement—even without relying on the power of the gods, you manipulate elements and reshape terrain using tools.But let me tell you this—this is exactly what the gods do not wish to see.
As society developed, humans gradually lost their reverence for the gods.And in turn, fewer and fewer humans continued to believe."
"By now, humans only think of praying to the gods when they encounter problems they can't solve themselves.Those who were once nothing more than faith-generating tools now treat the gods as optional, disposable existences.Do you really think the gods feel no anger over this?"
Listening to the black-haired man's words, the Yamato family head and the others fell into stunned silence.
They couldn't deny that what he said was logically sound—yet the image of "the gods" he described was utterly different from anything they had ever imagined.
They had never once considered that the deities they worshipped and revered had, all along, regarded them as nothing more than tools for harvesting faith.
"In ancient times, humans and the gods entered into a pact," the black-haired man continued calmly."The gods granted you power so that you could build civilizations, and in return, humans were to worship the gods for generations.
But once ungrateful humans obtained better lives, they forgot that ancient covenant.Since you were the ones who tore up the agreement, should the gods really remain indifferent?"
As he looked at the exorcists gathered there, unconcealed disgust filled his eyes.
"But haven't humans started believing in the gods again?"Someone spoke up in weak protest, wary of the man's divine status."Everyone makes mistakes—especially humans, who are so frail compared to gods."
Indeed, after the sudden upheaval of heaven and earth, many long-forgotten shrines had become popular pilgrimage spots once more.Day after day, worshippers came in droves, praying fervently for divine protection.
Yet no one expected the black-haired man to burst into mocking laughter after hearing that defense.
"Ridiculous. Humans are a species riddled with flaws—do you think the gods are unaware of that?"
"Then let me ask you, humans—why do you think your once-peaceful world suddenly underwent such drastic change?Why did monsters that existed only in legends begin appearing?"
Seeing the meaningful expression on the man's face, the exorcist families present were no fools.As realization dawned, they all turned toward him with expressions of utter disbelief.
"That's right," the man said lightly."The upheaval of heaven and earth was orchestrated entirely by the gods.
Humans who forgot their covenant and repaid divine grace with ingratitude needed to be taught a lesson.That is why yōkai were allowed to appear."
"And clearly, the results were excellent.When faced with life-and-death crises, ungrateful humans once again remembered to pray to the gods.
Fueled by this renewed faith, the gods recovered part of their power—and began the next stage of the plan."
"The gods no longer trust humans. Because once the crisis passes, you will simply forget us again.So after regaining some strength, the gods decided to purge all existing humans—and then establish a brand-new civilization in this world, one that will provide faith endlessly."
There was no doubt about it.
The black-haired man's words plunged everyone present into profound shock.
They had never imagined that the yōkai they regarded as enemies were not humanity's true foes at all.
The real masterminds behind everything…were the gods themselves, lofty and untouchable.
Dissatisfied with the gradual loss of faith, the gods intended to wipe out all humans and existing civilization, then rebuild the world solely to harvest belief.
Humans were merely tools for collecting faith.Yōkai were nothing more than weapons used by the gods to coerce humans into believing.
"Out of consideration for the fact that you truly helped us break through the barrier between worlds, I've told you all of this," the man said indifferently."Now, it's time to send you on your way.
"If we're going to cleanse humanity, then you so-called exorcists are actually the greatest obstacle."
"My name is Yaba-no-Kami.Among the gods, I'm just an insignificant, nameless minor deity—but taking your lives is more than within my capability."
Having finished his explanation, Yaba-no-Kami made it clear that he had already repaid the favor of using their power to tear open the dimensional barrier.
Now that they would die knowing the truth, they could at least become enlightened ghosts.
With that, he raised the scythe in his hand, preparing to begin the slaughter.
Before wiping out the humans present, Yaba-no-Kami first appeared before the Four Divine Beasts.
One strike severed the Azure Dragon.Another split the White Tiger.He tore apart the Vermilion Bird—and cleaved the Black Tortoise in half.
"Crossing the barrier between worlds earlier injured even my divine origin slightly," he said calmly."These four beast phantoms don't contain much power—but they'll suffice to help me recover a little."
Moments ago, the Four Divine Beasts had looked awe-inspiring and invincible.
Yet before Yaba-no-Kami, they weren't even worthy of being called opponents.They were slaughtered outright, their remnants dissolving into four streams of power that flowed into his body.
As he absorbed the strength of the four phantoms, Yaba-no-Kami's aura skyrocketed—quickly reaching the SSS-minus level.
Faced with such a being, the exorcists present no longer even knew how to despair.
They had thought escape was within reach—only to summon an even more terrifying enemy.
What crushed them even further was the truth they had just learned.
Whether human or yōkai, they were all merely tools of the gods.
And how could humans possibly stand against divine might?
From beginning to end, no matter how they struggled, their fate seemed sealed—extinction.
If destiny was already decided, then perhaps it was better to stop struggling altogether.At least then, death might come swiftly.
Looking at the fewer than one hundred humans still standing, Yaba-no-Kami curled his lips into a contemptuous smile.Though he knew resistance was meaningless, he still hoped they would struggle a little—if only to make the hunt more entertaining.
Among the countless gods scattered across this world, Yaba-no-Kami truly was insignificant.His divine authority matched his name—the blade of night.A god who excelled at hunting.
This pitch-black domain was his favorite environment.The perfect hunting ground.
With a casual swing of his massive scythe, divine power—utterly different from spiritual energy—condensed along the blade.In the blink of an eye, it formed a crescent-shaped slash and flew forth.
Faced with the enormous arc of destruction hurtling toward them like a waxing moon, none of the exorcists made any attempt to resist.
They knew full well it would be useless.
Even the Four Divine Beast phantoms had been cut down with a single strike.And now, after absorbing their power, Yaba-no-Kami was even stronger.
Divine power was fundamentally different from spiritual energy.Merely standing before such overwhelming might made people feel an instinctive urge to kneel in worship.
Yet just as everyone abandoned hope—and the scythe-shaped slash was about to bisect them all at the waist—
A single figure shattered the ground beneath his feet and charged forward alone.
"Clang————!"
A piercingly clear sound echoed throughout the space.
The massive black slash was intercepted midair.
A young man stood there, gripping a simple, ancient longsword with both hands.
His feet sank deep into the ground under the crushing pressure,and the blood vessels in his arms burst from the strain.
Both arms were instantly drenched in blood.
"Oh? Interesting," Yaba-no-Kami said with a hint of amusement."To think I'd encounter someone recognized by one of the Three Sacred Treasures—the Kusanagi Sword.
"Indeed, wielding a divine weapon allows you to block an attack formed by my divine power.But it's a pity—the gap in our levels is far too great."
"With strength like yours, you can accomplish nothing.You don't even qualify as a mayfly trying to shake a tree."
Sparks erupted violently where the black crescent clashed against the Kusanagi Sword.
The artificial human Yūto was forced deeper and deeper into the ground,his hands gradually losing all sensation.
Even so, after exhausting every ounce of strength he had, Yūto still failed to fully stop the slash—and was sent flying.
Yet his desperate resistance wasn't entirely in vain.
Because of it, the angle of Yaba-no-Kami's attack was ultimately deflected, grazing past the tops of the exorcists' heads instead.
The humans survived.
But in another direction, the oni army was not so fortunate.
As the slash swept across the yōkai forces within the innate domain, thousands of oni were cleaved cleanly in half in an instant, dissolving into clumps of black sludge that splattered onto the ground.
Each of these oni—manifestations of the "evils of this world"—possessed strength equivalent to B-rank individuals.
Yet before Yaba-no-Kami, they were no more than weeds, harvested effortlessly without the slightest resistance.
It was easy to imagine—
If that slash had truly struck the humans present instead,then in the end…
Those left breathing would likely number fewer than five.