Miracle Summoner

Night had already fallen.

After running through more than half of Tokyo in a game of hide-and-seek, nightfall was inevitable.

However, in a small alley, Kurahashi Kyouko had collapsed and lost consciousness.

Upon closer inspection, her complexion was pale, and her spiritual energy was both weak and erratic—clear signs of having used jujutsu far beyond her limits, and not just once, but multiple times.

Now, Kyouko's jutsuryoku was nearly depleted. Losing consciousness was unavoidable.

Unfortunately, this alley was remote and desolate, with no one around to notice her condition.

Of course, there were people who wandered into such alleys—but they were certainly not good people.

Kyouko had taken a shortcut to catch up with Rozen, never expecting to end up in this predicament.

The real trouble was that, with her appearance and figure surpassing even idol celebrities, losing consciousness in a place like this was incredibly unlucky.

A few delinquents appeared, noticing Kyouko lying on the ground. They froze for a moment, then, after getting a good look at her face, their excitement grew.

"Hey! Look!"

"Wow! This girl is gorgeous!"

"Her figure is incredible!"

"My God! I've never seen such a beautiful girl with such a perfect body!"

"She's even more stunning than idols on TV!"

The delinquents exchanged glances, their expressions filled with excitement.

"This is a golden opportunity."

"She doesn't look like she'll wake up anytime soon."

"Why don't we take her with us?"

"Good idea."

"Hehehe."

They cackled, reaching out to grab Kyouko.

However, just as they were about to extend their filthy hands…

"Freeze."

A single cold word, infused with jutsuryoku, entered the delinquents' ears, instantly freezing them in place.

Their eyes widened in terror.

Then, the icy voice spoke again.

"You like playing around, huh?"

"Then keep playing—right here."

"Play until sunrise."

The moment those words fell, the delinquents' eyes lost focus. Their expressions turned vacant, yet their bodies were freed from paralysis.

But instead of running, their unfocused gazes shifted toward each other—gazing at their companions as if they were the most beautiful women they had ever seen.

In the next second, the delinquents let out grotesque cries and lunged at each other, entangling in a twisted mess.

For them, tonight would be a nightmare.

As for Kyouko, who lay unconscious on the ground, she was already cradled in the arms of a young man dressed in an elegant black coat. Before the delinquents could fully succumb to their madness, he turned and left.

Looking down at Kyouko—her brows furrowed, her face pale—Rozen sighed with a trace of exasperation.

"You really are a foolish girl."

With that, a dazzling flow of spiritual energy rose around him. As he walked, his steps followed a peculiar rhythm, and in an instant, he vanished from sight.

This was—Far Step.

Rozen disappeared into the spirit veins, carrying Kyouko with him, leaving behind only the grotesque spectacle in the alley.

---

Night continued to pass, as the city's hustle and bustle gradually faded. Pedestrians and vehicles dwindled, and by midnight, the streets were nearly deserted, with only a few scattered cars passing by.

However, the Onmyo Agency's Director's Office remained brightly lit.

Kurahashi Genji sat at his desk, holding a phone to his ear, listening to the report from the other end. His expression remained impassive.

After a while, he quietly hung up, sinking into contemplation.

"How did it go?"

Seated on a sofa with one leg crossed over the other, Yashamaru lazily inquired.

"There are no serious casualties," Genji responded calmly. "Miyachi and the other Onmyoji, including those from the Magic Crimes Investigation Department and the Exorcism Bureau, have all been freed from their frozen state through jujutsu. They are currently receiving treatment at the agency's medical facility. Aside from excessive jutsuryoku depletion and hypothermia, only Miyachi Iwao sustained visible injuries—likely due to jujutsu backlash."

In other words, the Onmyo Agency's arrest operation had ended in failure. It was confirmed: Miyachi Iwao and the others had all been rescued.

And just as Rozen had claimed—not a single one of them had suffered grave harm.

"It seems our great Tsuchimikado Akikan doesn't see us as enemies—he wasn't ruthless with them."

Yashamaru sighed.

"He merely spared those who were unaware," Genji said coldly. "His attitude toward us, however, is another matter entirely."

"Well, that's true." Yashamaru shrugged. "It's also possible that he simply doesn't see us as a threat anymore. He might think we're beneath him now."

As he spoke, a cold smile formed on Yashamaru's lips, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.

Genji glanced at Yashamaru. Given his understanding of the man, he knew Yashamaru felt no frustration at their loss—if anything, he was growing more interested in Rozen.

That was only natural.

Not just Yashamaru—even Genji had not given up on Rozen.

After all, Rozen was the one who had accomplished the goal that two families had spent countless years pursuing. His value had long surpassed that of the legendary Tsuchimikado Yakou. As the only successful case of divine descent, it was unthinkable for Genji to abandon him.

However…

"Even with four National First-Class Onmyoji—Miyachi, Kogure, Yuge, and Yamashiro—working together… Even with the combined forces of the Magic Crimes Investigation Department and the Exorcism Bureau… They still couldn't stop him."

"And that was with him holding back."

"In just a year and a half, Tsuchimikado Akikan has become overwhelmingly powerful."

Genji's voice was heavy.

"So? Want us to take action?" Yashamaru asked eagerly. "If it were before, maybe we'd be outmatched. But now, Princess is nearly ready, and Kumomaru and I are several times stronger than we were. If we team up, we might not be able to capture him, but we can at least cause some trouble."

Genji immediately rejected the idea.

"No. Not yet."

"If even you two were defeated, we'd be out of options against Tsuchimikado Akikan."

"Besides, Princess isn't in a state to act yet. Without the master, a Shikigami's power is weakened. Even though you and Kumomaru are stronger now, it's unlikely you can take him down."

"Tch. Harsh, treating us like chess pieces." Yashamaru clicked his tongue, though he didn't seem particularly offended. "Well, whatever. the Fire Demon is fine anyway—he'll be back in a day or two. We're not exactly short on firepower."

"For now," Genji said flatly. "But that may not last."

"Oh?" Yashamaru raised an eyebrow.

He understood exactly what Genji meant.

"Tsuchimikado Akikan has returned."

"That means Tsuchimikado Natsume and Dairenji Suzuka won't stay away either."

"Hell, even Tsuchimikado Harutora might come back with them."

Kurahashi Genji's gaze darkened.

"Tokyo is about to descend into chaos."