Editing Ghost Hunt:Volume 6 Chapter 2 (section)

===<center>2</center>===

Eijirou-san, who had lost consciousness, was carried to a storeroom in the immediate vicinity of the living room, which appeared to be safe even if he rampaged again. While Naru was contacting John, Ayako prepared for the exorcism. It was actually a little past eleven o’clock when the prayer began.

“Can John come?”

When I asked Naru, he replied,

“Yes. He said he’ll depart from the other side on the first plane tomorrow with Hara-san.”

Wow. With Masako, huh?

I knew John (John Brown, Exorcist) wouldn’t be a problem, but he also called Masako (Hara Masako, Spirit Medium).

“You also called Masako?”

“I don’t want to be outmaneuvered. This way, we’ll avoid trouble.”

...hmm. I’m not so sure.

“I reverently offer this prayer for thy presence...”

Ayako’s chant began.

“In this unhallowed place without thy enshrined aura and I ask that my request be heard and answered, purify these many vessels and may peace and calm be granted.”

She spoke in a believable tone, but it was very doubtful whether there really was an effect. After all, until today, not one person has witnessed a time when Ayako was useful.

We were watching Ayako and Eijirou-san in silence. The equipment was put in the corner, and the expressionless eye of the video camera was fixedly staring at Eijirou-san.

Before long, Ayako snapped her fingers and Eijirou-san, who had been lying limp until then, opened his eyes. He tried to get up as if repelled, but unfortunately for him, his body was wrapped in cargo ropes. Eijirou-san ground his teeth and, as he rolled around like a caterpillar, he began to growl. The sound rumbled in the back of his throat like what a dog issues when intimidating an enemy.  

“...is this safe?”

When I asked Naru in a low voice, his answer was an expressionless, ‘Dunno.’

“Isn’t it beyond Ayako’s abilities, after all?”

“Perhaps. At any rate, John will arrive tomorrow.”

“Why can’t Lin-san do it?”

Lin-san is something like a Taoist of Chinese sorcery. He should be capable of a lot of things.

“Because we don’t know the true identity of our opponent.”

...unfortunate.

Just as I thought so, Naru widened his eyes.

“...Mai. Step back.”

When I quickly looked in Eijirou-san’s direction, the shadow of something pale overlapping his figure was visible.  Something —it was the form of some kind of beast.

“What... is that?”

There was no reply from Naru. Suddenly, he looked up at the ceiling. Creaking from the house rattling could be heard as it overlapped with Ayako’s chants.

Naru’s eyes moved in the direction of Akifumi-san and the others who were looking inside from the entrance of the storeroom.

“Lin, accompany Mai. Take care of the spectators.”

“Yes.”

With a nod, Lin-san urged me along. I slowly proceeded to walk over to where Akifumi-san and the others were standing in a stupor, visibly surprised. Eijirou-san burst into laughter. I looked back in surprise. Eijirou-san was laughing so hard that he was writhing. The character of his unpleasantly loud laughter was completely empty.

Meanwhile, the creaking also continued. The figure of the beast, which seemed to double in Eijirou-san’s body,  gradually became darker. It appeared to be a long tailed beast. Although similar to a fox, it was very large since it was taller than a person. It stooped down and its pair of eyes stared steadily in this direction—

Ayako joined her hands together, making a sound.

“Hail the goddess Marici, I pray to thee, descend here before us and grant thy protection.”

She firmly stated and folded her fingers together. At the same time, the beast sprang up. A muted scream arose in the background.

It was like slow motion from there. Jumping high, the beast passed overhead of Ayako. Visibly surprised, Ayako followed it with her eyes. It was heading straight in this direction. Just as I was about to involuntarily close my eyes, Lin-san and Bou-san stepped forward. The pair were the reason the beast altered its direction of landing. Straight in line of its altered path was Naru. All of a sudden, Naru crouched low as if to square off. It was at that time.

“Naru! Don’t do it!”

Startled, Naru looked at Lin-san just for a moment. About to raise his hands, he suddenly stopped. Almost simultaneously as Naru returned his gaze to the beast, it collided with him.

“Naru!”

I don’t know whose voice it was. At least, I didn’t voice it. Naru’s body was blown back. He immediately slammed into the wall behind, then the figure of the beast disappeared. It looked like time lapse as the head of the beast penetrated Naru’s chest, gradually disappearing until the tip of the tail as if slipping through.

“Are you okay!?”

Bou-san ran over. Naru was kneeling while leaning against the wall. He coughed into his hand.

“Are you injured?”

“...I’m fine.”

I couldn’t move as if somehow paralyzed. Someone from behind put their hand on my shoulder.

“Taniyama-san?”

Akifumi-san looked into my face.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah...yes… I was a little surprised.”

Naru stood up and lightly brushed dust off himself.

“How is Eijirou-san?”

That being said, Ayako rushed over in a panic. Absently, Eijirou-san raised just his head, wearing a blank look.

“Are you alright?”

Hearing Ayako, Eijirou-san looked around restlessly.

“What is this... what happened?”