Japanese Terrorist: What? I'll fight Hellstar!

The darkness gave her no chance to catch her breath.

The footsteps coming from all directions grew denser, and the sounds of metal scraping against the floor and blades slicing across the floor blended together.

Hinako Fukami's breathing was rapid and hot, her heart pounding like a drum, making her eardrums buzz. The wound on her abdomen was still bleeding, and warm liquid flowed down her lower abdomen, but she seemed completely unaware of it.

Staring at the surging darkness and the ever-approaching silhouettes, Hinako Fukami herself didn't realize that a near-manic smile was forming on her lips.

"Bring it on!"

Without retreating or holding her ground, the fighting and pain she had just endured ignited her fighting spirit and will to struggle. She roared and charged into the dense darkness.

She swung the burning lamppost with both hands, the orange-red flames leaving a distorted trail around her, like a dazzling shooting star, illuminating her face filled with madness.

The faceless monster lunged at her, its rotting limbs sprawling out, and a hissing sound escaping from its throat. Hinako Aqua did not slow down; she swung the lampposts with both hands, sweeping them across with her full weight.

"Bang--!!"

The lamppost smashed into the monster's head, shattering its skull, and its entire body flew sideways, crashing into the depths of darkness.

The second one, the third one, the fourth one—!

Slash, sweep, spin slash—!

Without order or law, without end, only relentless attacks. Flames licked every inch of shadow, strong winds swirled with blood and the stench of burning flesh, and eerie roars shattered one after another in the firelight. The thick darkness was smashed to pieces, and one twisted monster after another was smashed to pieces by the attacks of the Deepwater Hatchling, its head bleeding, bones broken, and tendons snapped.

Hinako Fukami exerted more and more force, and became more and more adept at wielding the lamppost. She didn't need to think at all, leaving the battle entirely to instinct. The roaring flames of the volley crushed everything in their path.

Gradually, the thick, inky darkness around them, like a thick fog being scorched by a raging fire, dissipated inch by inch at a visible speed, revealing the true outline beneath.

First, there was the bluestone slab at my feet. The clean stone surface had not a trace of the blood and putrid liquid from before, as if the fierce battle was just an illusion.

Immediately afterwards, a section of vermilion wooden pillar was thrust into the firelight. The pillar was polished smooth and engraved with intricate and ancient Shinto patterns. An octagonal lantern hung from the top of the pillar, its paper glowing with a warm white light, and its tassels, woven from vermilion silk threads, hung down quietly.

As the battle came to an end, the vast darkness was burned away by the flames.

The darkness on both sides receded one after another, revealing a row of neat and uniform vermilion beech wood pillars that stretched from the ground into the depths, forming a narrow and straight approach. The pillars were evenly spaced and supported the majestic eaves. The intricate and complex wooden structure with its interlocking brackets exuded a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Hinako Fukami leaned on the charred lamppost, her legs trembling slightly. Sweat soaked through her tattered school uniform, which clung to her body with blood. Several wounds throbbed with pain, but she seemed oblivious. She looked ahead and finally saw the entirety of the space.

This is the main hall approach to a shrine. Underfoot is a smooth, polished bluestone path that stretches straight ahead. At the end of the approach stands a heavy divine door with deep, dark patterns on the door panels and a pair of bronze animal-face rings. The tightly closed door separates the inside from the outside.

Is that it? The exit to leave this place!

Feeling no fatigue whatsoever, Hinako Fukami, gazing at the distant gate, dragged the extinguished lamppost and staggered toward it.

However, just as Hinako Fukami was about to reach the door, the door opened.

The heavy, imposing door creaked and was slowly pulled open from the outside.

"Again?"

Hinako Fukami paused, watching warily as the door slowly opened.

However, instead of more darkness pouring in from outside, a sliver of almost illusory white light leaked in, landing precisely in the center of the threshold and outlining a tall, imposing figure.

The man stepped in slowly, enveloped in a tranquil aura that blended seamlessly with the atmosphere of the shrine. He wore a white hunting robe and a white fox mask on his face. His eyes, framed by hollowed-out eye sockets, were fixed on Hinako Fukamizu, and even through the mask, one could feel the intense worry and lingering fear emanating from her.

"Hinako...! I'm sorry I'm late."

The fox-masked man strode towards Hinako Fukamizu, his tone filled with belated apology and the tension of surviving a close call.

"Stop! Don't come any closer!"

However, instead of relaxing because of these worrying words, Hinako's muscles tensed up the moment she heard the call.

"Who are you? That fox-faced guy... are you a cultist who worships fox spirits?"

She took a half step back, holding the charred wooden pillar horizontally in front of her, assuming a defensive stance.

The movement aggravated her wounds, sending sharp pains through her body, but it also made her eyes clearer. Her gaze toward the fox-masked man was filled with vigilance and wariness, and her voice betrayed the lingering ferocity from the earlier battle.

Suspicious! Very suspicious!

The man who suddenly appeared to show concern after the battle was over was of unknown origin and had an unfamiliar appearance; he could not possibly be a redemption who appeared out of nowhere.

Hinako Fukami will never forget what Ultraman Seven mentioned: the fox spirit who used living people as sacrifices, the culprit who turned the village into that state, is definitely deeply connected with the fox spirit.

How could this man, wearing a fox mask and appearing in the temple where fox spirits are worshipped, possibly be a good person?

The fighting spirit that had just crushed the darkness had not yet faded. Hinako's knuckles gripped the lamppost tightly, the scorch marks on the wood embedded in her palm. If the fox-masked man took another step forward, she would not hesitate to raise her weapon.

"What's wrong with you, Hinako? Why are you treating me like this?"

The fox-masked man clearly sensed Hinako's resistance and hostility. He stopped and asked with concern.

"Don't try to get close to me! Who exactly are you?!"

Hinako Fukami glared at the fox-masked man, swung the lamppost, and asked fiercely.

"It's me, Hinako. Have you forgotten me?"

The fox-masked man's face showed a sorrowful expression. His voice was as gentle as a stream melting snow in spring, or like the lingering sound of bells in a shrine, carrying a strange soothing power that gently soothed Hinako Fukami's taut, trembling nerves.

Hinako Fukami's grip on the lamppost loosened unconsciously. The ferocity and vigilance she had displayed in the previous battle slowly and uncontrollably dissipated at that moment.

The belated pain and exhaustion surged into her heart, and Hinako Fukami's thoughts became dull and blurry, like cotton wool soaked in water. The figure of the fox-masked man in front of her inexplicably evoked a sense of familiarity and peace.

It was so strange. The person in front of her was of unknown origin, and everything related to fox spirits should be her mortal enemy, but when she heard the other person's voice, the taut string in her mind uncontrollably loosened.

"You're too tired, Hinako."

The fox-masked man's voice rang out again, still gentle, yet carrying a pervasive warmth that enveloped her from all sides.

"Put the lamppost down, I won't hurt you. It's safe here. With me here, no monster can hurt you anymore."

Deepwater Hinako's thinking is becoming increasingly sluggish.

The oppressive darkness, the bloodshed, the roars of monsters—those memories were veiled by a thick fog, becoming blurred and distant. Only this gentle voice was crystal clear, like the sole piece of driftwood.

Her arms began to go weak, the lamppost in front of her drooped little by little, even her breathing slowed down, and she was enveloped in a state of near-numb relaxation.

However, just as Hinako Fukami was about to release the light pillar, a scorching and majestic power erupted from the deepest part of her heart.

That power, like the dawn breaking through the fog of sound, instantly pierced through the mist, jolting her confused mind back to clarity and sharpness.

The pain of the wound, the exhaustion all over the body, the taut nerves—all the real sensations returned instantly. The relaxation was gone, replaced by a deeper vigilance and a chilling resolve.

Hinako Fukami shivered violently, her pupils suddenly contracting.

She almost laid down her weapon against a cult member of unknown origin just now!

There's something wrong with this man's voice!

The moment she regained consciousness, a chill ran down her spine. Hinako's eyes narrowed, giving the other party no chance to further bewitch her. She slammed her foot onto the smooth flagstone, using the momentum to pounce on the fox-masked man like a cheetah pouncing on its prey!

She swung the charred lamppost, which she was gripping tightly with both hands, behind her back and, with all her might, smashed it hard into the fox-masked man's chest!

Accompanied by a piercing whistle, a strong gust of wind, carrying the acrid smell of burning wood, crashed down on the opponent without holding back.

The fox-masked man was clearly caught off guard by Hinako Fukami's sudden attack. He abruptly stepped back, barely dodging the powerful blow. The lamppost grazed the sleeve of his white hunting robe and slammed into the heavy door panel behind him with a loud thud, leaving a deep dent in the sturdy wooden door.

"Hinako! What's wrong with you?!"

The fox-masked man steadied himself. The gentleness in his voice hadn't faded, but now it was filled with astonishment and anxiety. He still didn't make any aggressive gesture, but simply opened his hands in a soothing gesture, his tone urgent.

"Could it be that the filth clinging to you has corrupted your mind, disturbed your senses, and made you forget even me?"

"I don't know you at all!"

Hinako Fukami held the lamppost horizontally in front of her again, shifting her stance to prepare for another attack. The movement aggravated her wounds, and the sharp pain made her eyes even more piercing. With lingering ferocity, she questioned him sharply.

"Who are you?! Did you capture me here? I warn you, Mr. Seven will be here soon, you'd better not make any rash moves! No matter what kind of evil spirit you are, it is no match for Ultraman Seven, don't be complacent!"

The fox-masked man stared at her wary face, remained silent for a moment, and then let out a helpless sigh.

"I am Tokiyuki Toki, your husband, Hinako."

He slowly raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against the white fox mask on his face, but he did not remove it. He simply spoke to Hinako Fukami in that still gentle voice.

These words struck Deepwater Hina's mind like a thunderbolt.

"Touyuki...Touyuki?"

She froze on the spot, her hand gripping the lamppost trembling involuntarily, the charred wooden post almost slipping from her palm.

"How could it be you?"

How could Hinako Fukami not recognize Tokiyuki? He was her childhood playmate. Although she later left the village with his mother, their correspondence never ceased after Tokiyuki settled down. Moreover...

Some time ago, Toshiyuki proposed to his parents.

Her parents accepted Toshiyuki's marriage proposal, and she is now Toshiyuki's fiancée.

Her stress intensified, requiring her to take more headache medication to manage it, all because of her engagement to Tokihisa.

Although she wasn't without feelings for Tokiyuki, their relationship was more than just friendship, based on their childhood friendship and years of correspondence. It would be natural for them to become lovers in the future.

However... she didn't want to marry Shouxing like this, and she was even less willing to accept that her parents, in the name of doing what was best for her, were controlling her fate. She also couldn't accept that her father was marrying her off to get a dowry to pay off his debts!

The mother, who passively accepted her father's abusive behavior, always said that a woman's happiness lies in marriage.

Could her marriage with her father truly be considered happy? In this scarred home, what kind of happiness did the mother, as the wife, actually enjoy?

I can't understand it. Besides, wasn't the engagement with Tokihisa Suzumiya just for that exorbitant dowry? What's with all this talk about marrying her off? Isn't it just about making money, selling her off? Just like my sister did.

She couldn't accept it, absolutely couldn't accept it. Even if they were right, she would never accept it. Even if her decision was wrong, she would make her own choice.

After the engagement was finalized, Hinako Fukami was overwhelmed with mixed feelings upon seeing her childhood friend, Toki Hisayuki, for the first time. She called out to Toki Hisayuki with a mixture of emotions, but hesitated to speak.

"Touyuki..."

and many more!

As she uttered Tokiyuki's name with mixed emotions, Hinako Fukami couldn't help but shiver, her mind filled with vigilance.

Why, why is Toshiyuki in a place like this?

"Are you... really Suzuyuki?"

If it really is Suzuyuki... why is he wearing a fox mask? Why is he here? Why is he speaking to her in that bewitching voice?

Hinako Fukami's heart sank, her gaze towards the fox-masked man filled with wariness and a hint of hostility.

The things that Amamiya Rin had mentioned to her about fox spirit rituals and human sacrifices flashed through her mind. In this situation, who exactly was Toki Hisayuki, who was wearing a fox mask?