It was an odd sensation.

　Inside the barrier. Deep, deep darkness.

　In an abyssal darkness where light could not reach, like the depths of the ocean, the outside noise gradually faded, becoming as distant as events from another world.

　All I could hear were the soft whispers of spirits.

　Their voices, concerned for me, were gentle. I believed they were on my side.

　I longed for more allies, so I chanted the dark arts.

　Manifestation.

　A fundamental technique, almost a secret art—the power to create darkness.

　Within a narrow barrier less than three meters in diameter, the darkness, condensed to its absolute limit, trembled and surged, seeking an exit by eroding the inner walls of the barrier. Out, out, out. Just like a chick hatching from an egg, the darkness slowly, yet surely, seeped outward.

Even the steel-like resilience of the spirit energy that had formed the barrier was being devoured, as darkness rapidly leaked out and spread.

It surged like an explosion, swallowing the world with increasing speed, flipping the realm from light to darkness.

Even so, I remained trapped within that dense darkness, drawn by a voice growing ever closer—‘Call me, call me’—and recited the incantation.

“Summon Elemental.”

Doooonk.

A powerful heartbeat echoed.

Was it the sound of my own heart, or something else entirely?

Even I, the one who had cast the spell, could not tell.

　

Had I summoned it? Or had I been summoned?

The darkness spreading across the world began to condense, forcibly drawing in the surrounding spirit energy.

The world regains its original form, and so do I, but that didn't matter.

The fully condensed darkness stood beside me, the darkness itself now possessing a tangible presence.

Around me, countless people still remained. Just moments ago, they had been floundering in darkness, but now they stood stunned, staring at the darkness (・).

I confirmed that Refreia and Grapefleu were nearby. They must have safely protected Fleu and returned.

Like the others around them, both of them were frozen in place, breathless, eyes wide open.

And I, too, was left speechless, gazing at the form of that darkness.

"Hehe, hehehe. You called it yourself—don't give me that look?"

A humanoid figure formed entirely from two-dimensional, absolute darkness.

The silhouette of a girl with long hair, wearing a hat.

I had once seen the Shadow. I’ll never forget it—the

dark lord who swiftly killed the giant ape burning in that forest. “Shadow…

Great Spirit…?” “At last, at

last I’ve found you. We’ve always been together, but meeting you in this form after so long—it feels so rare, my beloved… or should I say, my master?” The murmurs around

me grew louder after I called it the "Great Spirit of Darkness." But they weren’t

the kind I’d imagined. “The Great Spirit of Darkness is real

?!” “I’ve never seen one before

!” “Hooray! Long

live the Great Spirit!” “That’s why

the Water Spirit came out of the temple—she was welcoming the Great Spirit of Darkness!” A

wave of cheers erupted.

The sudden shift in attitude from the residents, who just moments ago were hurling stones at the barrier, was terrifying in its abruptness.

Though incomprehensible to me, an ex-Japanese, to them the great spirit is a friend, a blessing.

Even if it appeared so suddenly like this.

"Is it the Great Spirit of Darkness...? Really? Did I summon it? Me?"

"I believe you couldn't have called me forth with your current power alone, but thanks to that peculiar spell—what was it called? The barrier, right?—that's what made it possible. Hehe... don't be so wary, now. I won't eat my summoner. Right now, I belong to you. I am a being summoned by your spell. So, rest easy."

"A summoning spell..."

The technique using 'summon' as a keyword is known as the Dark Invocation.

I checked my status, but my rank hadn't increased—it was still "Summon Dark Knight." Yet… that must mean that as my level rises, I'll eventually be able to summon the Great Spirit.

"You really aren't going to eat it…? Why are you creeping closer like this?"

"The last time we met, I couldn't even touch you… Don't worry. There's no need to be on guard. It's absolutely fine. Ei!"

I wasn't letting my guard down, but the Great Spirit of Darkness moved with a speed so fast it was invisible to the eye.

Before I realized it, it had pressed right against me.

I was genuinely startled, but the sensation was the same dense darkness I'd felt within the barrier earlier—so I calmly thought, "This is the texture of darkness…"

In any case, having the Great Spirit of Darkness as an ally would be a great comfort.

While clinging to the shadowy great spirit, I try to sort out the situation.

There's no doubt I'm the one being targeted; to break this deadlock, there's simply no alternative but to deal with the water great spirit somehow.

Either flee, defeat it, or make it give up.

Those seem to be the only options.

Could it possibly be shocked by the appearance of the shadow great spirit and just give up?

Such a weak thought flickered in my mind, but the water great spirit, far away, spread its arms wide and laughed aloud, instantly shattering any hopeful illusions.

"Impossible! Unbelievable! Could there really be a human who actually wields a higher summoning technique? Such a human would be even more delicious!"

Its voice, perhaps due to its massive size, echoed loudly.But apparently wary of the Dark Great Spirit, it doesn't immediately launch an attack toward us.

"Hikaru! Hikaru! W-what's going on?! Is this real?! What kind of situation is this?! Why is that person clinging to Hikaru?! I mean, is that even a person?!"

"Yeah, yeah. Can't figure it out, can't figure it out."

Refrea and Grapeflour rush over, excitedly.

"I don't know. It's like we accidentally summoned a Great Spirit."

"Summoned? What do you mean, summoned? Is it really a summoning...? Wait... What? What? What? The Great Spirit... of darkness? Huh? Really? The Great Spirit?"

"That's right. I am the genuine Dark Great Spirit."

"Wha—what? Summoning? Summoning the Great Spirit? By Hikaru? With magic? W-wait, I don't even know what you're talking about..."

"Calm down. I don't fully understand it either. But if the Great Spirit joins our side, maybe we can get out of this mess."

The last time I met her, the Dark Great Spirit seemed completely intent on devouring me. But this one—though she looks like the same being, she doesn't seem like it at all. Either way, she's clearly not interested in eating me.

Rather, I can sense a connection to her, just like how Dark Knight and Knight Bug are linked through spirit power.

That's why I know.

There's no doubt in my mind—she's on my side.

Unlike the Water Great Spirit, this Great Spirit of Darkness is about the size of a human girl, yet it is unmistakably evident that it contains immense spiritual power just by being present.

"Anyway, was Grapefruit alright? Where were you?"

"Furū-chan was at the Mutual Aid Society. It seems Moa-san protected her, because when I arrived, there was no one left."

"I see. Then, all that's left is to get through this situation."

The masked man who was with Ferdinand is still somewhere out there, but for now, the greater threat lies with the Water Great Spirit.

The onlookers, seemingly unable to grasp the situation, keep gathering closer to stare at the Great Spirit of Darkness.

In fact, it's already become so crowded with people that talking to Refreia has become somewhat awkward.

If a battle breaks out, they’re definitely going to get caught in the crossfire.

"Hey, Refrea. The Water Great Spirit doesn’t harm humans in this town, does it?"

"Well... I suppose it depends. Generally, Great Spirits are friendly toward humans... but I don’t think it’s guaranteed. I’ve heard that when the Demon King emerges from the labyrinth, the Great Spirits fight back with extreme severity—so much so that they might kill everyone in the town. I’d like to believe they’re safe, but judging from the way things are going, I don’t think we can count on it."

In short, it’s ultimately uncertain.

After all, this situation is unprecedented, so there’s nothing we can do about it.

"Hehe. If you’ve got time to chat like this, leave that big one to me—run away, my lord."

The Dark Great Spirit stares straight at the Water Great Spirit.

"Run away? But where...?"

"Outside the city. That one is a great spirit bound to this town, so it can't stay far from the city or the water. Hurry up, if you can. I can't hold onto a great spirit rooted in the city for long."

"Is that so?"

"I was born from magic, and the time I can maintain this form is limited. You should know that, right?"

A time limit on summoning magic.

I had vaguely assumed that, being a great spirit, it could remain manifest indefinitely, but apparently that's not the case.

Then every second spent like this is precious.

Just as I was about to flee, the spirit of water moved.

"You're not getting away."

It flew through the air at terrifying speed, approaching rapidly and reaching out toward us.

The spirit of darkness stepped in front of it, blocking the attack with its body.

"You won't get through."

"Hmph... How well can one so newly born contend with me?"

"Hehe, not bad at all, wouldn't you say?"

The people around them wore expressions of confusion, unable to grasp the situation.

Apparently, they hadn't expected two great spirits to be fighting each other.

Thus, they remained motionless, stunned, not even attempting to flee.

"Even if I run, I can't just leave these people behind..."

"So I'll make sure they don't escape. The 'Beloved' using a high-tier summoning spell... Hehehe, what a delicious taste this will be. Such a rare opportunity might never come again. I won't let anyone else have it."

Before she could finish speaking, the Water Great Spirit, facing off against the Dark Great Spirit, dispersed her spiritual energy, conjuring a massive wall of water around me from all sides.

It wasn't an offensive spell, but people caught in the crossfire screamed and scattered in panic.

The wall of water stood about five meters tall, with a flow rising from bottom to top just like the water screen seen before.

A few people were swept up by the current, flailing through the air like fish tossed into the sky.

"No way...! You said you wouldn't harm humans, didn't you?"

"Huh, huh. Misfortune is simply their fate. I can't do anything about that."

"Damn it, why is someone like this respected? 'Dispelling!'

" The purifying magic flared out, shattering the wall of water created by the great water spirit.

People were gradually stepping back and fleeing, but there were still many of them.

"You... is that really not magic? Not just a high-level summoning technique? Who are you? Are you truly human?"

"Though it was just a temporary measure,"

even the great spirit was apparently surprised by the use of magic.

To me, it felt like it worked well enough, but it was nothing more than a time-saving tactic.

Besides, magic consumes a significant amount of spirit energy—more precisely, magical power. Sustained combat is impossible.

I turned my back and started running without delay.

The crowd had noticeably thinned out. Maybe I could make it if I escaped toward the east.

"As expected of my master. Now, please don't ignore me, Great Spirit of Water."

"Wait!"

"I said I won't let you go!"

The Great Spirit of Darkness conjured darkness, expanding its radius.

It's a darkness far deeper than my own Darkness Fog. Even I, who possess night vision, can barely see through it. I don't know how strong the water's great spirit's night vision is, but it should buy us some time.

"Hikaru! What should we do with me and Flora-chan!?"

"Come with me. Refreia can't fight the great spirit, right?"

For now, we have no choice but to run.

I don't know how long the great spirit of darkness will hold them back, but if we run at full speed, we should be able to put some serious distance between us.