Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan

Chapter 162: Bitter

Tamazuki had stayed with Shizu for a while, and he knew her condition well. Without a doubt, she was strong, and she was even stronger than the combination of Gido, Kaval, and Ellen.

In conclusion, Tamazuki could tell that Shizu was quite healthy, but why did she suddenly go on berserk when she came here?

There was only one answer.

It was the plot.

The plot... what a fucking thing!

He was angry when he thought how that kind older woman who warmly tried to comfort him every night was being tortured by the flame.

Not toward the plot or Rimuru, but at himself, for underestimating everything.

The protagonist's halo might not work on him anymore, especially with [Jupiter], but the plot is different.

The plot wasn't only aimed at the protagonist but at the entire characters in the story.

When their time to serve the plot ended, then they would die or inexplicably enter a crisis.

No one could be saved, and the only one that could stay alive was the protagonist.

Tamazuki thought that by staying by Shizu's side, nothing would happen to her, but that didn't seem to be the case. The moment she left him, even if it was only for a moment, everything happened in an instant, and no one could stop it.

He also couldn't stop it as he wasn't omnipotent. He might know the general plot, but when, where, and how it would happen, he couldn't tell at all since, unlike the story where he was only the observer, in this world, he was the participant.

However, he could think about this matter later as he needed to save Shizu first.

"Shizu-san! Shizu-san!"

"What's happening?"

"Shizu... Shizue Izawa? Don't tell me; she is the ruler of the explosives flames! The strongest fairy controller is hosting the flame fairy Ifrit in her body! Shizue Izawa!"

While Ellen called Shizu so many times, trying to wake her conscious, Kaval was confused, but Gido quickly realized Shizu's identity.

"Tamazuki, we need to save Shizu-san!" Rimuru quickly approached Tamazuki.

"I know, Uncle."

"Please... run away from me... I-I don't want to hurt anyone again..."

Shizu was scared at this moment, especially when she thought that she would burn all the people she cared about again. That thought alone frightened her, especially when she couldn't control the spirit inside her body anymore!

"Don't underestimate me, Shizu-san. I am not weak enough to be defeated by a mere fire spirit."

Maybe, Ifrit was angry by Tamazuki's provocation that it strengthened its power to take over Shizu's body again.

Shizu tried to control Ifrit and suppress it, but as she stared at Tamazuki's eyes, she decided to believe him before she closed her eyes.

Her body then floated, and her entire body was taken over by Ifrit.

Her appearance was no longer of that cute girl; instead, she became the high-level fire spirit of Ifrit.

A flame set ablaze in the surrounding area, burning everything.

"Rimuru-sama!"

"Master!"

The fire startled not only them but all the residents of the village, but fortunately, it seemed that Ifrit only targeted Tamazuki.

"Tamazuki!"

"Inugami!"

Everyone was startled when Ifrit suddenly unleashed a giant fireball at Tamazuki.

However, Tamazuki only calmly cut this giant fireball into several pieces, turning it into nothing.

"........" Everyone.

[Report. Ifrit has taken over Shizue Izawa's body and currently appears in a berserk state]

Even if the [Great Sage] didn't say anything, he could tell that Shizu's condition, but having people confirm it also helped since it made him able to think of the countermeasure quickly.

Unlike before, Shizu could control Ifrit from taking over her body and went on berserk, but with her advanced age, it was impossible for her to do it any longer. The reason why she appeared young was that Ifrit helped her to maintain her appearance, but even if her body and appearance were at the optimum state because of Ifrit, due to her advanced age, she was weakened, and she couldn't control Ifrit anymore.

Yet, was spirit such a violent existence?

He had read that the existence of spirit was something that would lend its power to a human. The human that was chosen by the spirit could use the power of the spirit, but the one in front of him tried to take over Shizu's body.

Maybe, there were some circumstances that he didn't know; either way, he had to stop it.

Then, there was only one.

"Uncle, I will stop the fire, so can you use the [Predator] on Ifrit?"

"Huh?" Rimuru was startled, but as he discussed this problem with [Great Sage], he agreed. "I can do it, but what are you going to do with the fire?" The flame was too intense, and he, who was close, felt that he would be burnt by it.

However, soon, Rimuru got the answer.

All the flame that was about to burn everything was moving in a certain direction before they were all absorbed into Tamazuki's body.

"......" Everyone.

While everyone was dumbfounded, the one that surprised the most was Ifrit.

In the greater spirit, his power was stronger than any elemental.

The temperature of his flame would vaporize anything instantly, yet those flames were absorbed into Tamazuki's body and did nothing?!

Even if Ifrit was unable to talk, his expression clearly showed that he was dumbfounded.

"Wh-What did you do, Tamazuki?" Rimuru couldn't help but ask.

"I learned it."

"Learn? Learn what?"

"Fire manipulation."

"From who?"

"Ifrit."

"........"

[Learning] and [Immune].

These were two skills that Tamazuki owned.

Yet, Rimuru didn't think that Tamazuki would be able to learn Ifrit's fire manipulation instantly!

Then, soon, it was a battle between fire manipulation between Ifrit and Tamazuki, but in the end, Tamazuki won.

All the fire that was unleashed by Ifrit was nullified by Tamazuki.

However, how could Ifrit give up?

Ifrit used everything from [Body Double], creating a copy of himself and [Flame Transformation] to become a fire, yet it did nothing.

All that flame was useless in front of Tamazuki.

By then, Tamazuki appeared in front of Ifrit and held his blade.

Ifrit tried to do a desperate action, but at that moment, the world stopped, and it felt his head slide down, cut down. It was elemental, so it was a spiritual life form, which meant, it was impossible for it to be cut down by the sword, yet at that moment, it felt like it was cut.

"Uncle!"

"Here I am!"

Rimuru jumped and then used [Predator]. "Return Shizu-san, bastard!" A dazzling light enveloped Ifrit before it was absorbed into his body.

Shizu fell without energy, as if a doll had lost its string.

Tamazuki caught her petite, weak body in his arms gently as if afraid that he would break her. Using [Great Sage], he tried to check Shizu's body, and his expression turned ugly as the loss of Ifrit caused her body function to deteriorate so quickly that it wouldn't be weird for her to die in a week.

"...Inugami-kun?"

She opened her eyes lightly. She couldn't see clearly, but she could feel that it was him.

"I am here."

"...thank you. I am glad that I have met you."

She could tell that her death was near, so she wanted to express the feelings she had buried in her heart.

"It might be a short time since we have met each other, but while you are quite naughty, you have more kindness than anyone..."

While she appeared beautiful... while she could talk... while she could stay alive...

"You might find it strange to hear something like this from... me... but I... I think I like you..."

Her voice was so low, feeble, yet she blushed and showed a satisfied smile, then lost consciousness in his arms.

"........"

<Congratulations, you have received "Spirit Affinity">

Usually, he would be happy, yet this reward felt bitter in his heart.