-559- [ Living Spirit ]

Regarded as the greatest genius of the Tsuchimikado family after Abe no Seimei—Tsuchimikado Yakou

Not only in terms of talent, he could rival that mythical figure. If we consider achievements in this world alone, he might even surpass Abe no Seimei.

He integrated almost all known systems of jujutsu throughout history, then restructured and developed them, laying the foundation for modern Onmyodo—the father of this mystical art.

For Rozen, the decision was made when considering obtaining all of this person's jujutsu knowledge.

"Worth the risk," Rozen concluded.

"Very well," Kakugyouki's lips curled upward.

It wasn't a triumphant smile, but one filled with anticipation.

Even though Kakugyouki had a carefree nature, there was certainly some anticipation, right?

Anticipating the return of the former master.

And so...

"It's time for you to make your entrance, Raven's Wing."

Kakugyouki raised the only remaining arm.

"Go!"

Kakugyouki ordered.

At that moment, Raven's Wing, perched on Kakugyouki's arm, suddenly raised its head. Its wings spread wide and soared into the sky, forming a whirlwind of black. Raven's feathers descended upon Rozen like a black hailstorm.

Rozen watched this scene intently, taking a deep breath.

"Here we go!"

With Rozen's declaration, the whirlwind of black feathers, known as Raven's Wing, finally landed on him.

"Boom!"

The air exploded around Rozen.

...

On a bridge a distance away from the riverside, a petite girl stood against the wind, gazing in that direction.

Watching as the black wind exploded in that direction, blowing like a riot, a faint sparkle appeared in the girl's eyes.

"Is it beginning?"

Suzumi Saotome murmured, her voice carrying an unusual mix of tension and gravity.

After the long wait, whether things would bear fruit was dependent on this moment.

Rather than choosing to act, Saotome chose to watch with boundless emotions in her heart.

Staring in the direction where the black wind surged, she remained fixated for a long time.

...

Beneath the pitch-black night sky, an old man wielding a cane floated there, also witnessing the rising black wind.

"Hmm? Has it finally begun?"

The man, who identified himself as Ashiya Douman, looked down at the scene below from his elevated position. Despite the considerable distance and his crimson-tinted sunglasses, it seemingly did not hinder his observation. Laughter echoed through the night.

"Come, let this old man witness whether the results of Abe no Seimei's 'Taizan Fukun Ritual' have been passed down to this era."

Ashiya Douman stared below, a mix of anticipation and eagerness in his gaze, his smile enduring.

Behind him, two mirage-like shadows swayed and knelt in the void, as if bowing to Ashiya Douman.

...

Meanwhile, centered around the riverside, a very discreet barrier expanded, completely enclosing the surrounding area.

The barrier had high performance and was augmented with advanced "Invisibility Jutsu." Even the Spirit Vision Officers of the Onmyou Agency, proud of their ability to see spirits, would not easily detect the spiritual energy within.

Naturally, everything transpiring inside the barrier was hidden.

"Boom!"

The black wind burst from Rozen's body, expanding in all directions.

"Has it finally begun?"

Facing this black wind, Kakugyouki, disregarding the empty sleeve from the lost arm that swung wildly, looked at the situation ahead. Dense aura emanated from him, and his expression turned slightly solemn.

Under Kakugyouki's gaze, Rozen's body, engulfed by the surging black wind, had numerous pitch-black feathers floating.

"Ugh...! Ah...!"

Amidst this situation, Rozen seemed to feel uncomfortable, letting out somewhat strained cries.

In this state, the pitch-black feathers gathered on Rozen's body, gradually forming a coat.

It was a coat, resembling a cape and a jacket, made from the feathers of a crow—the legendary tool of the onmyouji Tsuchimikado Yakou: the "Raven's Wing Cloak."

"It really brings back memories..."

Seeing this familiar black coat reappear after half a century, a smile appeared on Kakugyouki's face.

However, this smile only lasted for less than a second before vanishing.

Suddenly, Rozen, wearing the "Raven's Wing Cloak," began to float slowly.

The hem of the pitch-black coat on him flipped like wings, and every movement would cause black feathers to scatter, emitting golden glimmers. It didn't resemble a tool but more like a gigantic crow monster taking shape, utterly terrifying.

That posture was akin to the physicalization of Phase 3.

And Rozen was the human possessed by the spiritual disaster.

"It's just like a 'Living Spirit'."

Kakugyouki made this evaluation.

—"Living Spirit."

Referring to entities that, even after being possessed, maintain their self-awareness.

Just as shikigami need a form to manifest, in this world, if spiritual beings want to appear, they inevitably need something as a core for possession.

This core could be a seal, the so-called shikifu(Talisman for Shikigami), or it could be a tool. Additionally, it could also be a person.

The former Dairenji Shidou, for instance, used himself as the core, inviting the spiritual disaster onto himself, thus triggering the "Jou-i Daihara" event. The principle behind this was just that.

Of course, this wasn't something one could casually achieve.

Entities that, after being possessed, can still maintain their self-awareness are indeed rare.

Especially in the condition of being possessed by a spiritual disaster, one would typically be consumed. It's more common to directly descend into becoming a Orge, rather than maintaining self-awareness and becoming a "Living Spirit."

Now, Rozen is essentially becoming a "Living Spirit," possessed by the Raven's Wing.

If one cannot maintain their self-awareness, then falling and turning into a Orge, ultimately becoming an animated spiritual disaster, is not an impossible outcome.

Kakugyouki was once a human too, but as a human, his consciousness had completely disappeared. He had truly become a Orge a thousand years ago, so he naturally wouldn't find the current situation unfamiliar.

But...

"If you were truly Yakou, then the Raven's Wing wouldn't go berserk and possess you; instead, it would transform into a tool."

Kakugyouki stared intently as Rozen slowly ascended into the night sky, gradually transforming into a massive crow-like creature. His fists clenched.

On Rozen's body, the dense aura surged.

"If you truly go berserk and fall into a Orge..."

In that case...

"I will take responsibility for dealing with you."

Saying this, a bloody light flickered in Kakugyouki's eyes.

In this way, Rozen rose into the high night sky, his entire body beginning to emit a miasma. His own spiritual energy vanished, leaving only drifting pitch-black feathers, transforming him into a gigantic crow-like monster, roaring under the moonlit night.