-2059- Overestimating yourself

Shrine Underground, Altar Space.

When Rozen and his group stepped into this place, they found that it had already transformed into another realm.

Spiritual energy surged like waves.

Divine aura billowed like a tempest.

It was as if only this space had been absorbed into another world. The atmosphere here was drastically different from the outside, resembling a divine temple—both sacred and solemn.

At the deepest part of this space, atop a familiar-looking altar, stood Souma Takiko, clad in a black shrine maiden's outfit, her entire body enveloped in a radiant glow.

Around her, the power of the spiritual veins flowed like streams of energy, pouring into the altar and converging upon her. The sleeves of Takiko's shrine maiden attire gently billowed in the air, her body levitating, becoming the focal point of divine energy as an endless torrent of divinity surged into her small frame.

Beside her, her Shikigami—Yashamaru and Kumomaru—stood to her left and right, forming hand seals and chanting incantations with an unprecedentedly solemn expression.

The ritual revolved around these three individuals.

This was…

"Divine Descent…"

Kurahashi Kyouko murmured, her emotions surpassing mere shock or unease. Instead, she felt an inexplicable sense of awe.

"So it really is the Tensou Jifu Ritual?"

Natsume's face darkened, her expression tense.

"Yashamaru…"

Ohtomo Suzuka glared fiercely at Yashamaru—the man who had inflicted unimaginable cruelty upon her, who had killed her beloved brother, and who had treated her like nothing more than a test subject. Her small hands clenched into tight fists.

As for Rozen, his emotions were the calmest among those present.

"It seems the ritual hasn't succeeded yet."

Rozen made this observation indifferently.

Responding to his remark was the mastermind behind the ceremony—the one person who did not need to participate in it.

"Indeed, it has not yet succeeded."

With those words, a man emerged before them.

Kurahashi Genji.

"Father!"

Kurahashi Kyouko immediately called out.

"Kyouko?" Kurahashi Genji's expression was heavy as he slowly stepped forward. He looked at his daughter standing beside Rozen and said expressionlessly, "I heard from Amami that you've already sided with them. Now it's clear—you know the truth. What a pity."

Pity?

Of course, he regretted that his daughter had to stand against him.

However, Kurahashi Genji did not show much emotion. Instead, he turned his gaze to Rozen.

"I originally thought Ashiya Douman would at least slow you down, but he didn't even manage to delay you. You are indeed more troublesome than I imagined."

Despite these words, Kurahashi Genji did not seem particularly concerned.

"So, is it your turn to stop me now, Chief Kurahashi?"

Rozen's tone was casual.

"No, I can't stop you." Kurahashi Genji admitted without hesitation. "But from your demeanor, it seems you have no intention of interfering with the Divine Descent Ritual. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so relaxed."

Kurahashi Genji had seen through Rozen's thoughts.

After all, Rozen's attitude was too obvious.

"To guard against the Hyakki Yakou's invasion, I even deployed our two great guardian Shikigami and stationed two top-tier combatants here, but it turns out they're unnecessary."

As he spoke, two Shikigami materialized beside Kurahashi Genji, their forms shimmering like mirages.

They were two massive lions, each as large as a water buffalo, their majestic manes flowing in the air—one pure white, the other jet black, forming a striking contrast.

"Byakua! Kurobou!"

Kurahashi Kyouko called out their names.

These were the twin guardian Shikigami passed down through generations in the Kurahashi family. Just like Hokuto of the Tsuchimikado family, they were spiritual beasts that protected the head of the family and repelled external threats.

During the attack on the Onmyo Agency's main headquarters, when Kurahashi Genji fought against Tamamo-no-Mae, it was these two Shikigami that ensured his escape despite his exhausted state.

These Shikigami were the Kurahashi family's treasures—genuine contract-bound Shikigami that had been passed down for centuries.

"Don't worry, after today, they will be yours." Kurahashi Genji said indifferently. "But for now, they are your enemies. Since you have chosen that side, you should have prepared yourself for this, Kyouko."

Hearing this, Kurahashi Kyouko wanted to speak, but she was interrupted.

"Well, I can't just sit back and watch anymore."

The voice belonged to a man clad in a monk's robes—Miyachi Iwao.

Stepping out from the shadows, he revealed himself to the group.

And then…

"Yo, time to settle yesterday's score."

A second figure emerged from another corner.

A delinquent youth wielding a katana that radiated an ancient spiritual aura.

Who else could it be but Kagami Reiji?

However…

"You… You're the Ogre Eater…?"

"This must be a joke."

Natsume and Suzuka were stunned.

Because the Kagami Reiji standing before them was completely different from yesterday.

The signature X-shaped tattoo on his forehead had vanished.

And now, an astonishing amount of jutsuryoku radiated from his body—an aura no weaker than Miyachi Iwao's.

Seeing this, Rozen glanced at him and smirked.

"So, you finally removed your seal, Kagami Reiji?"

That's right.

Kagami Reiji had undone the seal on his forehead.

More precisely, Kurahashi Genji had removed it for him.

The reason was simple.

That seal had been placed by Kurahashi Genji himself.

"Like Miyachi, Kagami was born into the underground jujutsu world. From birth, he possessed extraordinary spiritual power. Abandoned by his parents, he was taken in by underground jujutsu factions, later discovered by the Onmyo Agency, and ultimately brought under my command."

Kurahashi Genji's tone was flat as he explained.

"Unlike Miyachi, whose jutsuryoku was overflowing and once went out of control, Kagami never restrained his power. He was too dangerous. He ignored orders, defied authority, and caused multiple incidents. As a result, not only was his Shikigami sealed, but I personally placed a seal on his jutsuryoku to suppress it."

Thus, Kagami Reiji had been operating under a severe handicap. Even so, he still became one of the Twelve Divine Generals, one of the nation's most elite Onmyoji.

But now, his seal was undone, and his true power was unleashed. Even his long-sealed Shikigami had returned, its spiritual energy pulsing from the sword in his hand, eager to be released.

Kagami Reiji was now strong enough to rival Miyachi Iwao.

He stared intently at Rozen, a cold smirk forming on his lips.

"As you can see, I'm free now. I came looking for you. Satisfied?"

His voice was a deep, guttural growl, like a beast ready to strike.

But…

"You're overestimating yourself."

Rozen sneered.

"Even without your seal, you're still trash. At least, to me, you are. Haven't you realized that yet?"

The moment those words fell—

Veins bulged on Kagami Reiji's forehead.

A surge of rage burst forth.