At this moment, Kosagawa Maho's voice sounded from a certain room.
After hearing the other party's voice, Chiba Yui and others who were scattered throughout the first floor looking for signs of Hakuzo Master immediately gathered over.
"What's wrong, Miss Sagawa, have you found Xiaobai?"
"That...hasn't been found yet."
"However, although I didn't find Xiaobai, I found this."
Kosagawa Maho pointed to a certain location and motioned for everyone to look over.
Following the direction of her fingers, two very clear scratches on the dusty floor caught everyone's eyes and lasted until they disappeared into the wardrobe placed in the corner.
"This is......"
Seeing these traces, Chiba Yui couldn't help but be stunned.
Kosagawa Maho was convinced.
"It's not wrong. According to my experience, there is some kind of mechanism in this room. The reason why Xiaobai disappeared for no reason may have something to do with it."
"As for the location of the agency, it should be...here!"
She took out her ninja sword, opened the closet door, and punctured the innermost board with one strike.
After stirring it several times and confirming the subsequent feel, he swung the knife several times in succession to expand a pitch-black hole that was large enough for a normal person to pass through.
Through the entrance of the cave, one can see a series of neat blue-black steps winding downwards, not knowing where they lead.
Looking at these steps, Himejima Yuno's expression was very cold.
"It seems like this is the opponent's escape route after they succeed."
"Should I say that I am bold or ignorant?"
Kosagawa Maho also moved his fists, clicking his knuckles, and gritted his teeth.
"How dare you attack Xiaobai...this bastard, if I catch him, I must give him some punishment!"
A thick stack of talismans appeared in Jingu Shina's hand and she said softly.
"The other party probably hasn't gone far yet. It might be too late to catch up now."
Chiba Yui said firmly.
"Well everyone, let's go!"
...
With the help of the light emitted by Jingu Shrine's talisman, Chiba Yui and others rushed downwards without stopping.
Finally, we came to an empty underground space.
When Jingu Shina, the last one, entered the place, the originally dark scene suddenly had a reaction.
Just like a theater at the opening, the white light lights up inch by inch, illuminating the entire space.
At the same time, a rustling sound mixed with pulses and currents was played from an unknown place and echoed in it.
"As I expected, you are here."
"Who is it? Who is speaking?"
Kosagawa Maho held the ninja sword in his backhand and looked around cautiously.
"I am the owner of this house and your employer this time." Rustle responded calmly.
"Employer? Please don't insult this title so casually." Himejima Yuno said coldly.
"I think it would be more appropriate to call you the murderer who kidnapped Xiaobai, right?"
Facing the aggressive Himejima Yuno, Rustle didn't get angry.
"Xiao Bai? Is this the name of that monster?"
"It sounds like you guys are getting along very well with each other."
"It's really curious. It's obviously a monster, but why can it be so openly mixed among humans?"
"Of course it's because Xiaobai...what, a monster?"
Hearing this, Kosagawa Maho couldn't help being dumbfounded, and asked the three women beside him in surprise.
"Wait a minute, is Xiaobai a monster!?"
"Eh? Miss Sagawa, don't you know?" Chiba Yui was slightly stunned.
Seeing Chiba Yui's unsurprised expression, Kosagawa Maho couldn't help but expand his pupils slightly and stammered.
Gu Pei
"If you put it that way, Xiaobai is really..."
"Well, it's a monster."
Upon hearing this, Kosagawa Maho was immediately petrified on the spot.
This...how is this possible!?
The silver-haired shota who has been serving him sobering soup in Okinawa, his true identity is actually a youkai?
The rustling sound continued.
"So, now that you know this, you should understand your situation, right?"
"How dangerous is it to take a monster with you -"
"So what?"
At this moment, Kosagawa Maho, who was still in the petrified state just now, suddenly spoke and interrupted the other party's words.
"What?" The other party was stunned, "Did you not understand what I said..."
"You're the one who didn't understand, right? I mean, even if Xiaobai is a monster, so what!"
Kosagawa Maho interrupted impatiently again.
"I believe that even monsters are divided into good and evil types. You can't kill them all with one stick!"
"Wouldn't this be too unfair to the kind party?"
"Or is it a sin to simply have power?"
At this point, her tone suddenly changed and she spoke confidently.
"What's more, for such a small child, even if it is a monster, it shouldn't be a threat, right? If I'm here, I can easily subdue it, so I won't give it any chance to make mistakes!"
Upon hearing this, Rustle was silent for a while, then spoke again and sighed softly.
"You really dare to say it."
"I'm afraid you don't know. Let me tell you, that monster is as strong as fifty of you."
"What?"
Kosagawa Maho was shocked when he heard this, and then said stubbornly.
"How is it possible? I don't believe it. You must be lying!"
"Lying? To a certain extent," he said thoughtfully.
"To be precise, it is as strong as sixty-three of you."
Kosagawa Maho: "..."
Rustle ignored her and continued to ask other people.
"Then, even if this is the case, do you still want to save it?"
"Of course." Chiba Yui and others nodded without hesitation.
"Okay." There seemed to be a hint of satisfaction in the rustling tone.
"If that wasn't the case, things would be boring."
"After all, today's stage was originally prepared for you."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned.
"What do you mean by this?" Chiba Yui seemed to realize something and couldn't help but ask.
"Could it be that your goal is not Xiaobai?"
"Indeed, such a powerful monster does have very special value, but without the curse seal, it is nothing more than that." Rustled.
"Compared to that monster, I think you guys in front of me actually have greater value that needs to be discovered."
"As human beings, why do you think from the perspective of monsters? What kind of consciousness do you have... These places attract me even more."
"If you say so..." Chiba Yui said in surprise.
"Yes, this is not a kidnapping, but a trial." Rustle explained calmly.
"If you want to take that monster back from my hands and prove that your enlightenment is not false, then work hard to pass these trials and then come before me."
"At that time, I will prepare generous rewards for you as rewards."
At this point, Rusty paused, as if he remembered something, and then added immediately.
"Of course, I know that you all have different levels of extraordinary power. For the sake of fairness, you are prohibited from using this kind of power during subsequent trials."
Without waiting for the reply from Chiba Yui and others, they just announced to themselves.