Villain Simulator, Ch 142
[Age 78: The calamity's influence once again spread among the yokai, driving many powerful creatures to madness due to the Abyssal Black Tide.]
[Leading your Onmyouji and shikigami, you quelled the ensuing chaos.]
[This disaster further solidified the belief among yokai that the calamity targeted their kind specifically, reinforcing the perceived necessity of the "Night of Yokai."]
[Of course, no one suspected that this so-called "calamity" was secretly orchestrated by you, achieving your intended goal.]
[Age 82: The Night of Yokai had quietly become one of Inazuma's most significant festivals, alongside the Summer Fire Festival.]
[Ironically, this ritual meant to punish yokai had gained immense popularity within their own ranks. They had begun to regard participation as a mark of honor, forgetting its origins as a form of sacrifice.]
[The surviving champions of each year's event were even revered as heroes by the yokai, an outcome that even you had not anticipated. Lambs willingly offering themselves to the slaughter—how convenient.]
[Age 85: While investigating Seirai Island, you detected a powerful force emanating from the area, potentially linked to the remnants of the Thunder Bird, Kapatcir, who had once devastated Tsurumi Island.]
[The Thunder Bird had been slain by Raiden Shogun in her fury, and her power sealed at Seirei Island. To maintain the seal, the Asase Shrine and the surrounding settlements of Koseki Village had been established.]
[Now, this force stirred once more. If successfully absorbed, it could greatly aid in reviving Kitsune Saiguu.]
[As the Onmyou Bureau's head, you could not directly interfere with the seal. However, through your investigations, you discovered that its guardian was none other than Asase Hibiki, a shrine maiden who had once studied under Kitsune Saiguu.]
[Hibiki, having devoted herself to isolation on Seirai Island, had extended her life significantly through spiritual training.]
[Your research also revealed that following the calamity, the islanders of Seirai had turned to piracy for survival. Their leader, Ako Domeki, and his flagship, Seiraimaru, had become sources of pride for the islanders.]
[Domeki shared a close bond with Hibiki, a friendship that transcended their age difference. With no children of her own, she likely saw him as the son she never had.]
[To break the seal, you deployed a Shogunate fleet to eliminate Domeki's pirates. While prior attempts to subdue him had been half-hearted, this time you personally led a contingent of elite forces, accompanied by your shikigami, in secret.]
[Domeki's group was pushed to the brink, and as you anticipated, Hibiki intervened.]
[You knew Hibiki better than anyone. Her unwavering determination had driven her to defy Raiden Shogun, to sever ties with you, and to guard Seirai Island in solitude for decades.]
[To repel the Shogunate forces, Hibiki broke the seal, unleashing the wrathful remains of Kapatcir, manifesting as the Thunder Manifestation. The creature summoned tempests and tidal waves, wreaking havoc upon the sea.]
[This immense power overwhelmed ordinary soldiers, forcing you to rely on your two guardian shikigami, the Great Tengu and Shuten-Douji, to subdue the Thunder Manifestation. After a grueling day-and-night battle, you emerged victorious.]
[You absorbed the Manifestation's energy, gaining the following ability:]
[Ability Acquired: Thunder Manifestation]
Effect: Increases the damage of all Electro-elemental abilities by 30%.
[Domeki and his surviving crew were executed publicly. Hibiki, accused of abusing her position and endangering Seirai Island, faced severe punishment.]
[This marked your first and final encounter with Hibiki after many decades.]
[Though her techniques had kept her youthful, her face showed hints of age. The complex bond between you two had finally reached its conclusion.]
["You've caused a disaster this time," you said coldly. "But out of respect for our past, I'll spare your life."]
[Hibiki, however, ignored your words and asked calmly, "Did you kill Domeki?"]
["That young pirate? Yes, of course," you replied dismissively. "And what of it?"]
[Upon hearing your response, Hibiki's lips curled into a faint, inscrutable smile. She spoke evenly: "Do you know why I was willing to risk Seirai Island's destruction for that boy?"]
[In the original narrative, Hibiki's actions had drawn heavy criticism. Her reckless decision not only sank Shogunate and pirate ships alike but also left the island shrouded in thunderstorms. Critics called her selfish and foolish for risking so much for a mere "acquaintance."]
["It was a gamble, nothing more," you said indifferently. "And you lost. To sacrifice so much for one pirate—Hibiki, was it really worth it?"]
["And to sacrifice tens of thousands of lives to resurrect one person—is that worth it?" Hibiki's retort caught you off guard.]
[For the first time, her words left you momentarily speechless.]
["Let me tell you why I saved him," Hibiki continued, her voice steady. "Domeki… was my grandson."]
["Impossible!" you exclaimed, visibly startled. "Who was your husband?"]
["I never married," she said, her expression triumphant. "Guess who his grandfather is."]
[As you opened your mouth to demand answers, Hibiki spat out a mouthful of black blood and collapsed. She had taken poison. Even as you checked her body, her faint smile suggested her final victory.]
[With Domeki's body already cremated, you had no way to confirm her claim. Perhaps it was merely a spiteful trick, her final revenge against you.]
[For decades, your plans had been flawless, yet now, a humble shrine maiden from a remote island had outwitted you.]
[To revive Kitsune Saiguu, you had treated both human and yokai lives as disposable. But Hibiki's parting words planted an unfamiliar seed of doubt within you.]
[Age 86: You fell gravely ill, but upon recovery, your demeanor grew colder and more detached. From then on, no sacrifice—human or yokai—would ever trouble you again.]
[Age 99: A cursed sword, Muramasa, wreaked havoc in Inazuma City.
[After subduing it, you transformed it into a shikigami named "Youtou-hime."]
[Age 112: Tamamo-no-Mae, now a yokai, participated in the Night of Yokai and emerged victorious—only to be severely reprimanded by Yae Miko.]
[Age 123: Villagers conducting a "Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai," a Gathering of One Hundred Supernatural Tales accidentally opened a gate to the underworld, summoning the fearsome yokai "Aoandon," who caused massive casualties. Tamamo-no-Mae defeated and bound her as your shikigami.]
[In the game of Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai, when the last story is told and the last light extinguished, something is said to appear from the darkness. For some people, that "something" had a name—Aoandon, the Blue Lantern Ghost.]
[Age 134: Shuten-Douji, drunk for the forty-eighth time, stormed into your chambers threatening to kill you. As usual, she was tossed out by morning, clutching her bloated stomach and muttering, "I can't… drink another drop…"]
[Age 145: With your approval, Teruyo established a new swordsmanship school, the "Iwakura Style," attracting countless disciples. Occasionally, you visited her dojo to spar.]
[Ability Acquired: Iwakura Style Mastery]
Effect: Full proficiency in Iwakura sword techniques. Swordsmanship skill increased by 20%.
[Age 162: A Hannya mask, steeped in malevolent energy over centuries, transformed into a yokai. It attached itself to both humans and yokai, manipulating its hosts to wreak havoc while feeding on their power. By switching hosts, it steadily grew stronger.]
[A vengeful spirit who became a demon due to intense jealousy and resentment. The mask is said to embody the complexity of human emotions, particularly the destructive power of unchecked jealousy and anger.]
[The mask infiltrated the Night of Yokai, controlling its host to slaughter other yokai and absorb their energy. It ultimately emerged victorious in the tournament. Fascinated by your immense power, the mask latched onto your face.]
[However, its ability to dominate minds had no effect on you. Overwhelmed by your spiritual strength, the Hannya mask was forced into submission and became one of your shikigami.]
[Age 165: To commemorate the 100th Night of Yokai, you lifted previous restrictions, allowing past winners to participate. The winner of this grand tournament would earn exemption from future Nights of Yokai and a substantial reward.]
[The rule change drew an unprecedented number of powerful yokai. To immortalize this special occasion, you commissioned a renowned artist to depict all participants in a grand painting.]
[Unexpectedly, the painting absorbed yokai energy and came to life, pledging itself to you as a shikigami. You named it the Hyakki Yagyō Scroll.]
[Hyakki Yagyō, or the "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons," is a fascinating concept in Japanese folklore. It refers to a procession of supernatural creatures, known as yokai, that march through the streets at night. According to legend, these creatures, including demons, ghosts, and otherworldly beings, are drawn to festivals and parades, where they revel in chaos and revelry.]
[By this point, you—accompanied by Shuten-Douji, the Great Tengu, Tamamo-no-Mae, wielding the Aoandon, carrying the cursed blade Muramasa, donning the Hannya mask, and standing atop the Hyakki Yagyō—had reached the zenith of your power. You were truly "second only to the gods, unbound by any laws."]
[The extraordinary strength of this year's participants also brought you a considerable harvest of yokai energy.]
[It seemed everything was proceeding as planned. Over the past century, the yokai energy you gathered through the Night of Yokai and the Thunder Manifestation had almost reached the threshold needed to revive Kitsune Saiguu.]
[Yet, as the final moment approached, an unfamiliar anxiety took hold of you. This was your ultimate hope, the purpose that had sustained you through the years. You couldn't imagine what you would do if the plan failed.]
[Age 170: Perhaps overwhelmed by stress, you decided to step away from your duties and revisit an old promise—to free Qiqi from her amber prison. With your current strength, you far surpassed your former self.]
[Arriving in Liyue after a century, you found that much had changed. Yet, some things remained the same. You soon found Ganyu, who, as an adeptus descendant, was virtually untouched by time.]
[She informed you that after your departure, Mountain Shaper had been furious, isolating himself for a decade. But with time, his anger faded, and he occasionally inquired about your well-being.]
[This touched you deeply. Much of your success was due to Mountain Shaper's teachings, and you felt a pang of guilt for having betrayed his trust.]
[You returned to Mt. Hulao, now shrouded in even denser mists, perhaps as a reflection of Mountain Shaper's desire for solitude.]
[The thick mist was no obstacle to you now. A simple spell dispersed it with ease.]
[Guided by memories, you found the valley where Mountain Shaper had sealed Qiqi in amber.]
[Encased in translucent yellow crystal, the girl appeared as if merely asleep, her face serene and rosy.]
[Though you had known Qiqi for only a few years, her innocence and kindness had brought light to your dark journey. Now, a century later, her loved ones were surely gone. Resolving to bring her back to Inazuma, you prepared to break the seal.]
[As you chanted an Onmyoudo incantation, a crane descended from the sky, landing gracefully before you. It was none other than Mountain Shaper.]
[Reunited after a hundred years, you, the revered Onmyou Bureau Chief of Inazuma, felt like a child once again before your old master.]
["Qiqi's madness has not yet subsided," Mountain Shaper warned. "Her seal must not be undone."]
["Master!" You knelt immediately, only for him to lift you gently with a wing.]
["There is no need for such gestures. We are no longer master and disciple," he said calmly. "I have heard of your deeds in Inazuma. To revive that fox, you have stirred quite the commotion."]
["I am close to success," you replied confidently. "Do you disapprove of my methods, Master, for taking so many yokai lives?"]
["What happens to Inazuma's yokai is of no concern to me," Mountain Shaper replied, shaking his head. "I only wish to tell you this: your methods cannot bring Kitsune Saiguu back. All your efforts are in vain."]
[Had anyone else said this, you would have flown into a rage. But you knew your master did not speak lightly. Even so, your resolve remained unshaken.]
["I cannot turn back now," you said firmly. "No matter the outcome."]
["Foolish child," he sighed. "Very well. I will aid you, so you may see the truth sooner."]
[Mountain Shaper handed you a pearl brimming with pure adeptal energy.]
["This is the energy I have accumulated over the years," he said with a hint of pride. "It surpasses the chaotic yokai energy you've gathered by far."]
[You knew him well enough to understand that beneath his detached demeanor, he cared deeply. Accepting the pearl, you bowed three times in gratitude.]
["Thank you, Master," you said sincerely.]
[As you turned to leave, he added softly, "You carry too many burdens, my foolish disciple. Perhaps... it is time to let some go."]
[His words struck a chord deep within you. For the first time in a century, tears streamed down your face.]
[Age 171: Mountain Shaper's adeptal energy became the final piece of your resurrection plan. Over the past century, you had gathered more than 100,000 memory fragments of Kitsune Saiguu scattered across Inazuma. Though not entirely complete, it was enough to reconstruct her soul.]
[Everything unfolded as you had envisioned. With sufficient energy, the puppet serving as her vessel showed its first signs of life, its face breaking into an expression.]
[Kitsune Saiguu was revived.]
["Sister Saiguu..." Your voice trembled, desperate for her response.]
[She blinked, then smiled warmly. Just as before, she pinched your cheek playfully. "Ashan, it's been a while."]
[In that moment, emotions buried for over a century erupted. You collapsed into her arms, sobbing like the lost seven-year-old boy she had comforted during the summer festival so long ago.]
[Age 172: Though Kitsune Saiguu's resurrection was successful, she was not entirely the same. The incomplete memory fragments left gaps in her recollections.]
[But this mattered little to you. You were wholly immersed in the joy of her return.]
[Now that Kitsune Saiguu was back, the oppression of the yokai was no longer necessary. Yet dismantling the system entirely would take time. The first step was to abolish the Night of Yokai.]
[You announced that the calamity had been eradicated, and the ritual was no longer needed. Unexpectedly, this declaration faced significant opposition—ironically, most of it from the yokai themselves.]
[Once a system is established, even its creator may struggle to undo it.]
[Still, you had no energy left to address these matters. After years of toil, you decided to devote the rest of your life to yourself and your loved ones.]
[As promised, you arranged your affairs and retreated to Narukami Shrine with Kitsune Saiguu, Yae Miko, and your seven shikigami.]
[Age 173: Your "retirement" was blissful, though a subtle unease lingered. While Kitsune Saiguu appeared to be her old self in every way, something felt... off.]
[Her appearance, voice, habits, and even her favorite foods and mannerisms were all as you remembered. She spoke as she once did, down to her endearing quirks and the timing of her words.]
[Even in your most intimate moments, she echoed her past self with uncanny precision.]
[Yet, a persistent doubt gnawed at you, an unshakable feeling that something vital was missing.]
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Author's Note: This chapter took me a real while... Checking all the lores abt those yokai and spirits.. Quite fun to read tho so I've added short references for you, hope you like them :)
Next Extra chapter at 1200 p.s