Kagome's expression was subtle.
Something felt… off?
But—
Things had already progressed this far.
Besides, she was genuinely curious about the secrets hidden within the dry well.
Higurashi Shrine, back mountain.
In front of the dry well.
Lynn said, "Let's go."
"Go?"
Kagome looked around in confusion. "Where are we going?"
Lynn silently pointed at the dry well.
Kagome froze, craning her neck to peer into the darkness below.
It looked like a pitch-black cave where she couldn't even see her own fingers.
She shivered instinctively.
Especially.
"Are we really going down? That monster came out of here!"
Kagome shrank back in fear.
But Lynn didn't ask for her opinion. He simply grabbed her waist and jumped down.
"Ahhhhhh—!"
Kagome's scream echoed inside the hollow well.
Lynn remained calm, automatically tuning out her shrill voice as he narrowed his eyes.
The scene within the dry well was entirely different from earlier.
It was like a tunnel through time and space, filled with flickering images of an ancient past.
And—
The grudges of monsters.
Lynn's face remained composed as he quietly released a wave of magic, crushing the spirits of the monsters who were lunging toward him in resentment.
So it really was connected to time and space.
Lynn glanced at the terrified Kagome who had shut her eyes tightly.
He then closed his own, carefully sensing the spatial fluctuations inside the well.
But.
"It's not that simple…"
Lynn frowned.
Capturing the energy of this level of space-time fluctuation wasn't easy.
And.
He didn't have the luxury of staying here for too long.
In the blink of an eye.
Lynn and Kagome had landed at the bottom of the well.
But Kagome's screams continued without pause.
Lynn casually raised his hand and pinched her cheek, cutting her off.
"Mm-mm…!"
Kagome, forcibly silenced, blinked in confusion before realizing they had already reached the bottom.
"Huh? Nothing happened?"
She patted her lips, visibly relieved.
Lynn gave her a sidelong glance.
"Keep your eyes closed. That way, even if something happens, you won't know."
"…Tch." Kagome forced an awkward smile.
Then she looked up toward the opening of the well.
It was still dark outside, but—
She sniffed the air lightly, a look of confusion flashing in her eyes.
Why…
Did it smell like fresh grass?
And—
Why were there strange, distant noises?
"Let's go take a look."
Five hundred years ago…
Lynn was also curious about this era.
As he spoke, he grabbed Kagome by the waist again and leapt out of the well.
"This is…"
Kagome looked around, and her eyes widened in shock!
"Is this… really my home?"
It didn't look anything like the back mountain she remembered.
And—
That massive tree in the distance!
It looked exactly like the one at home!
"What's going on…?"
Kagome's mind went blank.
Lynn had no intention of explaining anything.
Instead.
He looked eastward.
A surge of demonic energy soared into the sky!
Lynn frowned slightly.
This kind of plot wasn't in Inuyasha, was it?
But…
Since it was a mashed-up world, anything could happen.
Whoosh—
Suddenly, something huge came crashing down from the sky!
It looked like a wild boar, with an arrow embedded in its forehead.
Lynn could feel a powerful purification force radiating from the arrow.
This energy…
Could it be Kikyo?
Lynn was a little surprised.
On the other side.
Kagome opened her mouth as if to scream in fear upon seeing the beast.
But before she could, Lynn raised his hand and silenced her again.
With a casual slash, he cut the beast into several chunks, which crashed to the ground with a loud thud.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Kagome barely held herself back from screaming. "S-So strong!!"
The president of the Supernatural Investigation Club was really powerful!
A sense of security surged within her.
Kagome quietly leaned a little closer to Lynn.
Then she once again felt his warm hand gripping the soft flesh at her waist.
"Huh?"
Before she could process it, Lynn had already stepped forward and rushed toward the east.
"Ahhhhhhh—!"
Kagome was going crazy.
Could he stop flying so aggressively? It'd feel much safer!
…
Musashi Province, Kaede Village
Countless monsters had surrounded Kaede Village.
Blue-skinned demons, red-skinned demons…
Wolf demons, snake demons…
All kinds of youkai gathered, launching attacks toward the barrier protecting the village!
Bang! Bang!
Streams of demonic fire struck the transparent barrier!
"Human wench! Hand over the Shikon Jewel already!"
A massive purple-black snake demon whipped its tail, repeatedly slamming against the barrier while roaring furiously.
The surrounding monsters cackled in agreement at the snake demon's words.
Suddenly.
Crack!
A sound echoed from the barrier!
The monsters froze for a moment—then their eyes turned bloodshot, their breathing grew ragged.
"Haha! The barrier's breaking!!"
"The Shikon Jewel is mine!!"
"Once the barrier collapses, every demon for themselves!!"
With the hope of obtaining the Shikon Jewel right before their eyes, the monsters grew wild with excitement.
At the same time, they began eyeing each other with hostility.
The allure of the Shikon Jewel was too great. Cooperation had never been on the table.
If not for their shared hatred of the priestess, these monsters would've never fought side by side.
Crack—crack—
The barrier continued to weaken.
Inside the barrier.
A beautiful woman in a white shrine maiden's outfit stood calmly, gazing indifferently at the frenzied demons outside.
Her dark eyes were calm and cold, her features refined. Her jet-black hair was tied with a white ribbon, and she carried an old bow and arrows on her back.
"Lady Kikyo, I don't think the barrier can last much longer."
A man with a stern face stepped forward, fear evident in his eyes but he didn't retreat, standing by Kikyo's side at the edge of the village.
And there were more villagers just like him.
Kikyo wasn't fighting alone.
Even if they couldn't contribute much, they wouldn't allow her to face the threat alone.
Kikyo's gaze swept over the monsters, her expression unchanged but inside, she felt helpless.
Ever since taking responsibility for the Shikon Jewel, Kaede Village had suffered continuous attacks.
This time was particularly troubling.
It was as if the monsters had planned it in advance, rushing toward the village all at once.
Though there were no great demons among them, their sheer numbers made up for it. The barrier wouldn't hold for long.
Even if it broke, Kikyo was confident she could fight them off.
But…
She looked at the villagers behind her and gently bit her lip.
Kaede Village would still be caught in the crossfire.
These people.
She couldn't let that happen.
This was her responsibility.
Kikyo took a deep breath. Her eyes were firm, tinged with quiet sadness.
She pulled an arrow from her quiver with slender fingers.
She drew her bow and fired.
Zheng.
The white-glowing arrow flew forward, wrapped in a whirlwind of spiritual energy.
"Demon-Breaking Arrow!"
Her soft, cool voice rang out.
BOOM—!
The arrow pierced through the snake demon's skull.
Kikyo's eyes flashed as she detonated its spiritual power!
BOOM!!
The powerful explosion instantly cleared a portion of the battlefield.
But the monsters only hesitated briefly before quickly filling in the gap.
The priestess might be strong.
But there were too many of them!
If pushed, they'd use combined techniques.
And once they did, the Shikon Jewel would be theirs.
Not even Abe no Seimei could save them then!
"Roar—!!"
Kikyo's attack only further fueled their frenzy.
More cracks formed in the barrier.
Kikyo could only continue launching Demon-Breaking Arrows to relieve the pressure.
But—
It was clear this couldn't continue forever.
Kikyo knew that.
And yet…
A sense of powerlessness engulfed her.
Though she was strong, she lacked large-scale offensive abilities.
What's more.
She sensed something far more dangerous hidden behind the crowd of monsters.
She didn't believe this group of youkai had acted with such unity on their own.
What should she do?
For the first time in her life, Kikyo felt truly powerless.
Was it arrogant of her to take on the burden of the Shikon Jewel?
Maybe she shouldn't have stayed in Maple Village.
Her decision had dragged innocent people into danger.
Kikyo lowered her head and whispered, "God…"
"If you can hear me…"
"Please answer my prayer…"
"Please… protect Kaede Village…"
This shrine maiden, always calm and dignified, finally revealed her inner vulnerability.
As a miko, her first instinct was to pray.
But—
Would it work?
Kikyo felt bitter.
She had long grown used to silence.
Even though she prayed constantly.
She had never once heard a response.
Sometimes, she even doubted herself.
Was she truly a proper miko?
Otherwise…
Why had the gods never answered her?
This time.
Would be the same, right?
Just as Kikyo was lost in thought.
For some unknown reason, the monsters outside suddenly froze.
Whoosh.
A tiny flame sparked into existence.
Like a flickering star.
The next second, that spark burst into a roaring blaze!
In an instant, the ocean of monsters was swallowed by flames!
A searing wind blew!
The terrifying fire lit up the night sky like day!
Within the barrier, the villagers stared in stunned silence, then a reverent awe washed over them.
"I-Is that… a god?"
Someone murmured.
As if sparked by those words.
"Yes, it's a god!!"
"A miracle! It's truly a miracle!!"
"The gods are watching over us!!"
The villagers of Kaede Village knelt on the ground, bowing toward the flames.
Their despair and fear were swept away.
The gods had come—they were saved!
"God…"
Kikyo stared blankly at the sea of fire.
Could it be… real?
Just then, a tall figure stepped into view.
He walked calmly through the flames.
Behind him was a blazing sea of fire, shimmering like starlight.
Lynn raised his gaze, locking eyes with Kikyo.
Then he grinned.
"Your god is long dead."
"Priestess—"
"How about converting to a devil?"
(To be continued.)