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Lily couldn’t decide whether to feel relieved or increasingly anxious.
Though utterly drained, her body remained ready for battle. Fueled by an unrelenting obsession, she was hyper-alert, her every instinct prid for combat. Anyone daring to approach her would face lethal consequences as long as she could still stand.
Morning had finally arrived, bringing an unspoken shift in the air. Though no one had explicitly told her, Lily sensed that fighting was now forbidden.
It wasn’t fear of being attacked by demons that troubled her; it was the possibility of losing control and retaliating, an act that could render all her progress on Hyakki Street aningless.
‘The trial demands I pass through Hyakki Street, but it never forbade disobedience to its rules,’ Lily thought. ‘Yet… I couldn’t even move when the black-and-white spirits appeared. Could I truly stand against them? Even if I managed to, wouldn’t it trigger harsher consequences? I can’t risk that unless there’s no other choice.’
“If I can make it through Hyakki Street, I might et its ruler. When I do, I’ll demand Madam Yoruko’s release!” The mory of Yoruko being dragged away by the demonic spirits reignited Lily’s resolve. Shaking as she stood, she clenched her trembling legs, steadied herself, and pushed forward step by step.
Though her body was unscathed, it was drenched in demon blood, a grim testant to the night’s battles.
Spotting a well at the corner of a deserted alley, Lily approached. Ensuring the walls provided enough cover, she drew several buckets of water and began cleaning herself. She ticulously washed away the gri, using dicinal herbs and fruits from her belongings to restore her freshness. Though she couldn’t undress completely, she managed a thorough cleanse before slipping into a purplish-blue robe.
Thankfully, no demon disturbed her during this process.
“How dare you!” Suddenly, a water imp leaped out of the well, his small, grotesque body trembling with indignation. Balancing atop the well, he stretched his spindly legs wide and jabbed a disproportionately large finger at her. “How dare you steal my well water?” he bellowed.
Lily blinked, taken aback. In her experience within the Heian Dynasty, outdoor wells drawing groundwater were communal and free to use. It wasn’t as though she had trespassed into soone’s ho to fetch it.
“The well sits in the alley. Why can’t I use it? What gives you the right to claim it as yours?” Lily asked cautiously. She understood that while she could no longer outright reject a demon’s demands, they were equally bound by the rules against harming her. Her words and actions, however, needed to tread a fine line.
“I am the god of this well!” the imp screeched. “You dare offend by using its water without my permission?”
“I see. Then I apologize,” Lily said, bowing respectfully. “I road Hyakki Street after midnight and was forced to slay the Hundred Sword Demons. Their blood covered , and I used your well to cleanse myself. Please forgive the intrusion.”
“You? You killed the Hundred Sword Demons after midnight?” The water imp’s beady eyes widened, his bravado faltering. He knew all too well how fearso those demons were; any one of them could have dispatched him effortlessly.
“Yes, they surrounded . I had no choice but to slay them,” Lily replied evenly, though inwardly, she smirked. Scaring him was precisely her intent.
The water imp quivered, clearly intimidated, but his gaze road over Lily, his breath hitching as he took in her striking beauty. Malice curled across his face. “You’re strong, no doubt. But it’s after dawn. No matter your strength, you can’t harm now. Surely, you know that?”
“I’m aware,” Lily said calmly. “I used your well water out of necessity and am grateful for it. Why would I harm you?”
“Hmph. If you’re so grateful, how do you plan to repay ?”
“Excuse ?” Lily blinked in disbelief, wondering how her polite approach had backfired. But she realized quickly that if the imp wanted to trouble her, he’d find an excuse no matter what. Resigned, she pulled out several Blood Spirit Magatama, hoping to placate him with paynt.
“Hmph! Trinkets from the outside world hold no value for . I dwell in this well all year round—I have no need for such things!”
“Then what kind of paynt do you want?” Lily asked cautiously.
The water imp’s eyes glead with lust as his gaze lingered on Lily’s chest. Flicking his grotesque tongue, he drooled shalessly. “Take off your clothes and let see your chest!”
“What?” Lily’s expression hardened, her brow furrowing. As expected, the demons here were nothing but depraved scum.
“This… I can’t do that…” Lily wanted to reject him outright but found herself hesitating. Refusing a demon’s request outright was against the rules, and she had used his well water. Technically, his demand wasn’t physically harmful, which only made it harder to decline.
“Ah!” Lily let out a deliberately startled cry, clutching her chest. “I only used a bit of your well water. How can you make such an outrageous demand?”
“You don’t even understand the value of this water, do you?” The imp’s tone grew sharp. “This isn’t ordinary water—it cleanses the killing intent within you. Without it, you’d be consud by yesterday’s bloodshed, spiraling into a mindless killer. It’s only thanks to my well that you can keep your sanity and continue your journey in swordsmanship! And yet, you think you owe nothing?”
“What?” Lily’s eyes widened in disbelief. If the imp was lying just to exploit her, his actions were vile. But if the water truly had such a vital purpose, his request for repaynt wasn’t entirely unreasonable—especially by the customs of Yomi.
“Now that you know, hurry up and take it off! I’ll only take a look, beautiful.” The imp’s wicked grin widened as his gaze bore into her. His leering stare sent a wave of discomfort through Lily.
Lily instinctively wanted to flee but feared doing so would violate the rules.
‘No matter what, I won’t strip in front of a demon. That’s my line in the sand. If it cos to it, I may have no choice but to kill him—even if it ans defying the rules.'
An unseen force pressed against Lily, compelling her to submit to the demon’s demands. Yet her indomitable will refused to yield, especially when it ca to safeguarding her dignity. Even so, she knew that continuing to resist might summon the black-and-white demonic spirits—or worse. Could she endure the consequences?
“Stop right there! I heard a woman shouting. Kawahachi, are you harassing her?” A man dressed in black stepped into view at the alley’s entrance. He had thick brows, a square face, and a powerful, heroic presence. A long, ancient straight sword hung at his side, and a straw hat dangled from his back.
“Ah! It’s Lord Yanari!” The water imp recoiled in terror at the sight of the vagrant.
Maintaining a stern expression, the man approached Lily. “Miss, are you alright?” he asked.
“I… I’m fine,” Lily replied, clutching her collar tightly.
“Lord Yanari, this woman used my well water to clean herself! She owes repaynt, and you can’t interfere!” the river imp exclaid in a panic.
“You’re right, I can’t stop you,” Yanari said, his tone calm yet nacing. “But you should rember—demons can only command a human once per day. If you disrespect this lady further, I’ll drag you out of that well after midnight and flay you alive!” His piercing gaze alone made the river imp tremble with fear.
“Lord Yanari, you… You don’t even know this woman! Why would you side with her against soone you know?” the imp stamred.
“Silence!” Yanari barked. “I won’t stand by and allow such injustice! We may know each other, but I cannot let you humiliate her. Stop your whining, or do you want to feel my blade tonight?”
“Lord Yanari… Fine, you win!” The imp cast a resentful glance at Lily but ultimately prioritized his life, retreating helplessly into the depths of the well.
“Miss, are you unhard?” Yanari asked, his stern deanor softening slightly as he smiled.
“I’m fine. Thank you, Brother Yanari.” Lily hadn’t expected to encounter such a heroic figure in Yomi and was genuinely moved by his kindness.
“Miss, I’m certain you have your own purpose for coming to Hyakki Street. But for a woman as beautiful as you, surviving the dayti can be even harder than surviving midnight. You can’t refuse a demon’s request, and while they can’t harm you outright, they’re cunning enough to trap you in other ways. It’s too dangerous. May I ask where you’re headed, if you don’t mind sharing?”
“I’m trying to reach the end of Hyakki Street,” Lily replied.
“Hyakki Street is extraordinarily long, and danger lurks everywhere, day and night. I’m sure you’re capable of defending yourself, but traveling during the dayti is especially risky. Allow to escort you until midnight.”
“Ah? Well…”
“My na is Yanari Onijimaru! As my na implies, even demons fear . Though I’m human, only a handful of demons dare cross my path here. Anyone foolish enough to offend faces retribution once midnight cos. With by your side, no demon will dare harm you during the day,” Yanari said cheerfully, punctuating his words with a hearty laugh.
Yanari seed like the most genuine person Lily had encountered in Yomi—soone rarer than gold, even in the Heian Dynasty1.
How could she refuse the kind gesture of such an honest man? Yet, the question lingered in her mind—why would soone like him choose to live on Hyakki Street?
Regardless, it was undeniable that he had saved her. Lily’s original plan had been to draw other demons by screaming, hoping they would fight among themselves for her. She had intended to use the chaos to escape. However, the outco had turned out far better than she could have hoped.
“In that case, thank you, Mister Yanari,” Lily said softly.
“No need for formality, miss. Just call Brother Yanari,” he replied with a warm smile.
“Alright, Brother Yanari,” Lily nodded.
“Let’s get going. The journey ahead is long, but I’ll escort you as far as I can,” Yanari Onijimaru said confidently.
“Thank you,” Lily replied with a slight bow.
Thus, Lily began to follow the tall and commanding vagrant. His presence was as formidable as his appearance suggested. Demons visibly recoiled at the re sight of him, parting like a tide to make way through the crowded Hyakki Street.
‘Brother Yanari must be truly powerful if even the demons of Hyakki Street fear him. Perhaps he really can escort through this place. I may be luckier than I thought,’ Lily mused silently.
Yanari accompanied Lily for nearly half a day. Demons lurking along the way would cast lingering glances at her, but the mont Yanari fixed them with his stern gaze, they scattered. As they walked through the street, Lily couldn’t help but notice the vibrant, bustling markets and peculiar shops, piquing her curiosity.
“By the way, miss, I don’t believe I’ve asked for your na yet,” Yanari said.
“My na is Lynne,” Lily answered with a small smile. Though she felt a pang of guilt for lying to such an honest man, caution was necessary. As soone wanted by Takamagahara, she couldn’t risk revealing her true identity and involving him in her troubles.
“Lynne—a beautiful na for a beautiful woman,” Yanari remarked with a nod.
As they walked, Yanari glanced around thoughtfully. “Miss Lynne, you’ve likely been traveling for an entire day and night. Since you’ve so kindly called brother, it’s only right that I show you so proper hospitality. You must be hungry—why don’t I treat you to a al?”
“Eh?” Lily tilted her head in mild surprise.
“Miss Lynne, despite Hyakki Street being overrun with demons, there’s a restaurant here that serves als finer than any royal palace could offer!” Yanari said with enthusiasm.
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