Oni

Waking up is always so unpleasant. Mmm, just let me sleep a bit longer... I was having such a good dream... What was it about... I can’t remember...

“Mmn”

Ahh, now I’m up. Nothing I can do about that. It looks like it’s... the middle of the day? I hope I didn’t miss the market rush...

It’s so fun, you see, watching people. Well, I’ve got to get my entertainment in somewhere, right? It’s not like there’s anything else for me to do...

Still, it’s not bad, right? Watching a housewife battle royale with a cup of sake in hand...

“Ahh...”

If only I could join them... Well, maybe not in this war zone. Housewives can be pretty scary... But there’s only so much you can do with people who can’t see you or hear you. And the people who can see me and hear me...

Well, they’re not really people, are they?

“AAaaaaAaAaaa!”

Such disgustingly noisy things... If they were at least pretty to look at... Or could say actual words... Aah, just shut up...

“Aaaa-“

Mmm, that’s much better... At least they die easily enough. And the don’t make the worst side dishes either. They’ve got this deep, bitter flavor that goes well with sake. Nowhere near as well as humans do, of course, but...

When was the last time I ate a human? I really can’t remember... I don’t think I’ve had any since I woke up in that cave. But how long ago was that...

Well, whatever... It’s not like it matters. It’s not like there’s a shortage of things to eat, even if I leave humans alone.

Oh, it looks like the battle’s over. I was wondering if anyone would topple Miss Tanaka from her mountain of discount radishes, but it looks like she’s still the reigning champion. What does she even need that many radishes for...

“Nnn...”

Stretching always feels so good... I was going to get up and find some other show to watch, but I think I might just stay here... It’s so nice in the sun... Good night...

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Ahh, I really hate waking up... What time is it? The moon’s high in the sky and the sun’s nowhere to be seen, so I guess it’s around midnight? The perfect time for a drink... Hmm, but the view here isn’t the best, is it... Wasn’t there a park nearby? It should be nice and empty around now...

Or... not? What’s this huge black dome? A barrier? It’s been an age and a half since I’ve seen one of those... But it’s a bit sloppy, isn’t it? If I just reach out and squeeze...

Ahh, oops. I didn’t think it’d just shatter like that... It’s not my fault, okay? You should have made a better barrier... Oh, but if you’re losing to a weak thing like that, I guess you’re pretty weak yourself, huh... A battle between a hot guy and a gross thing... Well, it’s fine, right? It’s not like anyone will notice if I interfere...

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Shit. Shit! There wasn’t supposed to be a grade 1 curse here! Shit, I can’t run much longer... I’ve lost too much blood... Ah, dammit, what the hell did I trip on? Get up, get up!

Huh? I can see the moon... Did he take down the barrier? Why? The curse is still-

Here?

Can a grade 1 curse really just be... torn in half like that? What the hell kind of sorcerer could-

A...

Girl?

Such a small girl tore that huge thing in half?

Am I hallucinating? Have I lost that much blood? Some half-naked girl really just did that?

I’m definitely hallucinating. What is she even wearing? Why a kimono? What’s that weird gourd? Why does everything smell like alcohol all of a sudden? Oh, I see, I’m drunk. This is all just a drunken nightmare...

“Hey, did you die?”

What a nice voice...

“Hey, I’m going to repay myself, okay?”

She’s getting closer... What a nice dream... Ahh, don’t lean over me like that, you’re pressing me with your horns...

Your... horns?

Horns?

Oh.

I see.

That’s not a human.

That’s not a human at all.

Damn.

It was a nice dream while it lasted...

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“Hey, I’m going to repay myself, okay?”

Well, he didn’t say no, so it’s fine, right? It’s not like he can see me, anyways. And I just want a little blood... Just a little.

“Ahh...”

It’s so good... Just a little more... It’s been such a long time... Ahh, I want to eat you up... I want to melt down your bones and drink them with sake... Mmm... But that’s no good... It’d be a waste if he died, after all... He’s weak now, but... Maybe in the future... We could fight each other, and kill each other, and eat each other... That would be so wonderful...

So for now... Just a little bit more blood... Just a little bit...

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Why is a special grade curse eating my student? Wasn’t this supposed to be a grade 3 mission? I’m pretty sure it was a grade 3 mission when I signed him up. A grade 2 or grade 1 would be one thing, but a special grade... Well, I’ll deal with that later. For now...

Oh, it dodged? Pretty athletic for such a small curse.

“That was rude...”

It actually sounds offended...

“Sorry, but I think eating my student is ruder.”

Fortunately, I seem to have gotten here in time. Other than this gash across his chest, he hasn’t been hurt much.

“Eating? I was just licking...”

“You’ve got quite the tongue then, leaving a gash like this.”

“Well, I am pretty good with my tongue... But that one wasn’t me.”

Will wonders never cease, a seductive curse. It’s almost a pity to kill it.

Tch, it dodged again. That one should have hit, too. Mmm... I really shouldn’t let a special grade go, but if this goes on much longer, I’ll be down a student. Oh well, it was a nice park.

“[Blue]”

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Ahh, that was such a nice fight... Especially that last attack... It’s a shame about the park, but it died for a good cause. If only he didn’t have to take that student of his to the hospital... We could have fought for so much longer... And then we could have drank together...

Good sake, a full moon, and a hot guy... Isn’t that what makes life worth living? Ahh, let’s get really drunk tonight... Maybe you’ll drink where you are too... Man who could see me...

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