Chapter 453.1: Spirited Away ③

Chapter 453.1: Spirited Away ③

Only the faint moonlight streaming in through the window illuminates the hallway. Treasure Shrine 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】. This Treasure Shrine exists as if to overlap with Zebrudia, and basically, the concept of daylight fundamentally does not exist in this place.

Maybe this could be because humans are instinctively afraid of darkness. This is why it is only natural that the Treasure Shrine, created by the Star God who was once defeated by humans, would be shrouded in darkness in order to learn what human fear. The Phantoms that appear in the Treasure Shrine are also symbols of terror that once existed. A murderer who attacks in the darkness of night. Monsters created in a top-secret laboratory, and the spirits of the dead feared as urban legends.

Once upon a time――I, 『The Weeping Lady』, who was whispered and feared especially among children, is also a symbol of fear manifested by Mana Materials. The ghost of a young girl, a symbol that appeared at night in schools, hospitals, and unlit street corners. Sometimes lurking, sometimes creeping up, sometimes cursing, however, now, I, this feared ghostly symbol, am placed in a position to coordinate among the Phantoms of the 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】, many of whom do not understand human language. Would you understand if I tell you the murderer who can only speak in broken sentences――Monster Diggy is actually one of the more easily understandable among the Phantoms in the 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】.

The Star God, who had been driven away by humans, has yet to return. But our mission of gathering fear can be said to be going smoothly.

There were a few mishaps. The knight who was captured overcame his fear of Diggy and me and attacked us, and the power flowing into the Treasure Shrine decreased, revealing the Spirited Away phenomenon that was supposed to be hidden until the right time. A monster never seen before was roaming outside in the city, and even a woman who was able to look at me, who was supposed to be hidden, appeared.

But at least things have been going smoothly since then. Now, the inside of the Treasure Shrine is filled with fear as the voiceless screams of those who have been Spirited Away echo throughout. As a result, my power is also increasing, and there are still many sealed demonic entities within the Treasure Shrine.

People outside have begun investigating the Spirited Away phenomenon, but as long as I am careful in selecting our targets, there will be no problems.

It is because this Treasure Shrine――Can never be entered unless you are invited.

Linoleum hallway. As I am looking up at the dark sky through the rows of old, weathered windows, I hear wet footsteps behind me.

“Don’t bring them here, just slam them wherever you like.” (Lady)

A hoarse voice said that. I frown at Monster Diggy, who is holding an unconscious human in its arms. I don’t know where it kidnapped them from, but there are many rumors of murderers and monsters circulating in the Imperial Capital, so it must have used one of them. Monster Diggy is a monstrous creature. While it failed to intimidate that knight called Hugh, any ordinary person would faint from sheer terror at the sight of it.

Spirited Away is carried out by taking advantage of rumors. I was the one who first spread them, but the rumors have already left my control and are spreading on their own. People outside have begun investigating which rumors are linked to the Spirited Away, but it is pointless.

All of them. All rumors are the entrance to this Treasure Shrine. Rumors are rumors, there are no real or fake ones. I only need to quietly take away those foolish enough to test the rumors.

“Vuvu…… Aye, vant to gill. Vant a head……” (Monster Diggy)

“Even you…… I understand how you feel, but please stop.” (Lady)

Monster Diggy was born with the identity of a head-collecting killer. It must be incredibly difficult to resist that instinct. However, we already know the fear of death. My mission is to find out what terrifies those humans who fought the Star God without fear of death.

I say in a soothing voice to Diggy, who looks down and tries to suppress its murderous intent.

“You are a good kid…… So, don’t make me angry. That thing is enough for the things that do not listen to me.” (Lady)

As soon as I say that, the hallway vibrates slightly. That thing came.

I wonder what era that Phantom was pulled from…… I sigh and look down the hallway.

A strange triangle protruded from the reflective, dimly lit hallway. The triangle sways silently from side to side as if it is gliding toward me. Looking at that, there is probably no one who could say what it was. Even I doubted my own eyes when I first saw it.

Monster Diggy lays the unconscious human on the floor, lifts the chain around its neck, and *guriguri* swings it around.

A high-speed triangle approaches.

No, it is not a triangle.

That is――A dorsal fin.

When it is a few meters away from the human, the dorsal fin rises up, revealing its entire form that has been hidden beneath the floor. That is――A shark. A jet black shark from head to tail that can freely swim in the ground――Because the shark itself cannot introduce itself, we call this Phantom, Demon Shark.

Monster Diggy slams its chained neck with all its might toward the Demon Shark, which leaps high up and tries to bite the human to pieces. There is the sound of a neck being snapped. The Demon Shark is counterattacked by the monstrous strength that can effortlessly swing steel beams around, and is blown away, before diving into the floor and disappearing.

“Well done. But I wonder in what era such a monster lived in.” (Lady)

Sure, it is scary, but it is hard to believe that there once existed sharks that could freely dive through floors and walls instead of water.

It is unclear whether it understands the mission that has been given to us, but those people outside should know how lucky it is that it hasn’t managed to get out yet. Even if rumors of a shark that can freely dive underground and attack are spread, no one would try it.

For me, a shark that doesn’t listen to orders and tries to eat any living creature it spots is extremely troublesome. It barely manages not to bite us, but…… Is it possible that the knight named Hugh, who faced off against Monster Diggy and me, not fear Demon Shark either?

My encounter with Hugh, who overcame his fear and attacked me, was unexpected, but it gave me a new perspective. The people of this era have their own fears. There is no one in this world who does not possess the emotion of fear itself――And the fear that was read and reproduced from Hugh――The 『Cursed Spirit Stone』 will surely become a powerful ally that will strike fear into the hearts of this era’s strongest.

And when we have gathered a lot of fear, the Star God who left this Treasure Shrine behind shall return.

“Aye, zearch……” (Monster Diggy)

Monster Diggy picks up the human and starts walking again, and I call out to its horrifying back.

“Be careful. Everyone is already on guard about being Spirited Away. They might send people who can fight. We are not invincible out there.” (Lady)

“…………” (Monster Diggy)

Monster Diggy doesn’t answer. Be careful of human movements. For a monster that attacks people indiscriminately, this would be an act that would shake the very meaning of its existence.

This Treasure Shrine is our territory, so we basically cannot lose. However, the outside world is different. Since the Treasure Shrine’s ability to block people’s perception is no longer working, there is a non-zero chance of being caught. For me, who is acting on a mission, I cannot allow such dangerous behavior.

There, I look at the ceiling.

I can feel it. Someone is trying to test the rumors again.

The phenomenon of being Spirited Away is becoming more widely known in the outside world. If things continue like this, eventually no one will dare test the rumors. Before that happens, we need to secure as many people as possible. Of course, I have to select the other side carefully――.

Thanks for reading! We got 2 new chapters last week! Here is the first part and next part will be on saturday. We got a Jaws reference, or maybe it is more Marvel’s Jeff the Shark I can already hear Jaws’ soundtrack! By the way we have a new trailer for Strange Grief Season 2 that will start on the 6th October 2025!