I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

Well, well, look at you! So dedicated, you've earned a little extra treat! 🎉

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Kiichi's goal wasn't to simply break the seal.

If the seal were destroyed, the Rift Hounds trapped behind the stone door would escape into the outside world, unleashing chaos on the living beings beyond.

That outcome would be the exact opposite of what she intended.

What she needed to do was enter the area behind the sealed door with Sara—without damaging the seal.

For someone like Kiichi, this was no great challenge.

From her right hand, five golden threads as thin as spider silk extended, each connecting to the massive stone door.

Sara, standing by, couldn't comprehend the intricacies of her master's actions.

A few minutes later, the dull surface of the door began to radiate with a brilliant golden light.

"Sara! Grab my hand!"

"Got it!"

Kiichi extended her left hand, and Sara quickly took hold of it.

In the next moment, the ancient door creaked open just slightly, revealing a narrow crack. Thick, white mist poured out, quickly enveloping them.

The dense fog obscured Sara's vision so thoroughly that, if not for the sensation of Kiichi's hand in hers, she might have believed they had been separated.

She had no idea how much time passed before the mist began to thin, allowing their surroundings to come into view.

Two figures—one tall, one small—emerged from the mist, their hands never parting.

The fog didn't fully dissipate, instead lingering at a fixed distance around them, neither too close nor too far.

"Did we… step into the world behind the stone door?"

Sara's eyes were filled with wonder and confusion.

Beneath their feet lay a patch of grass, dry and yellowed in places but undoubtedly real.

A grassland deep underground?

Kiichi remained silent, her eyes scanning the thick fog with a contemplative gaze.

"Master, where should we go from here?"

To Sara, the surroundings all looked the same—just fog as far as the eye could see. She hoped her master could discern something she could not.

"Your legs are your own. Does it matter where you walk?"

Kiichi chuckled lightly and began leading Sara forward by the hand.

After about a dozen steps, the fog ahead of them parted like a curtain. The two of them emerged from the mist.

Sara instinctively squinted, her eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight above.

"Sunlight…? Did we come outside? But this doesn't look like the forest we were in before."

"No, we're still underground. That sun is artificial—a mere imitation."

"...What?"

Kiichi's casual explanation left Sara utterly flabbergasted.

"Borrowing adeptal techniques from Liyue, I'd wager. Quite the grand effort," Kiichi remarked, her tone filled with appreciation.

Ever since she began training under Kiichi, Sara's worldview had been shattered and reconstructed countless times.

At this point, even if she learned tomorrow that the gods themselves enjoyed reading light novels and snacking on sweets, she wouldn't be surprised.

"Master," Sara called out hesitantly.

"Hmm?"

"In the fog earlier, how did you know which way to go to get out?"

To Sara, every direction had looked the same—indistinguishable and impossible to navigate.

Yet her master had led her out effortlessly. Reflecting on it now, Sara couldn't help but feel curious.

Kiichi's response was a cryptic smile.

"You could've found your way through the mist just as easily."

"???"

"Actually, 'finding a way out' isn't quite the right phrase. 'Finding a way in' might be more accurate."

Under Sara's puzzled gaze, Kiichi raised a single finger.

"The mist is part of the seal itself. If my guess is correct, it forms a vast 'barrier' around this place. We're inside that barrier now, like prisoners in a cell."

"If we try to leave by walking into the mist, the magic within it confuses our sense of direction, ensuring we circle back to where we started—still inside the 'cell.'"

"So…" Kiichi came to a halt, drawing her katana. "Why don't we introduce ourselves to our 'fellow inmates?'"

If this place was a prison, then Kiichi and Sara were accidental intruders.

The true prisoners, of course, were the Rift Hounds, still trapped behind the seal and unable to reach the outside world.

As if on cue, a massive pack of Rift Hounds emerged from the mist, their numbers growing as more joined, drawn by the presence of the intruders.

After all, dogs have an excellent sense of smell.

"Master…"

The swelling ranks of Rift Hounds made Sara grip her bow tightly, her palms slick with sweat.

"This many… It's a bit overwhelming to handle alone," Kiichi muttered, rubbing her chin. Then, with a wild grin, she added, "Well, no helping it. Guess I'll show off a little."

The leading Rift Hounds finally lost their patience, growling as they charged.

To Sara's astonishment, Kiichi did something unthinkable—she stowed away her katana, her only weapon.

"The heavenly drums ring, but not with thunder."

"The tengu streaks through the night like a shooting star!"

An azure whirlwind erupted as the wrath of nature manifested itself.

Four figures appeared in the air, their pristine white feathers dancing amidst the storm.

"Secrets and Strategies, Great Demon's War Fan!!"

The first Kiichi swung a giant feathered fan, summoning a teal storm that tore through a quarter of the Rift Hounds.

The second Kiichi wielded the fan, unleashing pale blue winds that froze another quarter solid.

The third Kiichi's fan crackled with golden lightning, which obliterated the next quarter in a single strike.

The fourth Kiichi swept her fan downward, summoning crimson flames that scorched the remaining Rift Hounds into ash.

This was the embodiment of nature's raw power—destruction on a scale akin to a natural disaster.

"Six Secret Teachings and Three Strategies - Noble Demon King's Great Feather Fan!"

The "feathered fan" referred to a fan crafted from eagle or hawk feathers, traditionally used to direct troops in battle. The legendary strategist Zhuge Liang was often depicted holding such a fan.

But in myth and folklore, the feathered fan was also a divine artifact wielded by celestial beings or tengu, imbued with immense magical power.

This particular fan, The Feathered Fan of the Tengu, served as Kiichi's Noble Phantasm.

With its destructive force unleashed to the fullest, it demonstrated her essence as a Kurama Tengu—a Great Tengu and the Abbot of Mount Kurama—rather than merely a strategist.

The gale it conjured, accompanied by the true name's release, reached the level of hurricanes, quaking earth, and skies tearing apart.

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This bonus chapter is like an encore after a rousing performance—totally worth staying for, wouldn't you say? Oh, and don't worry, my lyre's got plenty more tunes to play next time!

But for now, it's time to take a bow. Thank you for the applause (and all that wonderful support). If you're feeling extra inspired, you know where to find me—[patreon.com/WiseTL]. Toss a coin, and who knows? Maybe the next bard will sing your praises!

Now, go forth, Traveler, and revel in the wonders of this world. Until next time! 🍃✨