[Location: Misty Lake]

Shinki "Interesting... So that's how your magic works. It's... different to ours, in a sense."

And it explains in a nutshell, why the ice-fairy wasn't as strong as I first imagined.

Where I come from, the magic you use is actually drawn from the nature, but since it is amplified by the caster to cause the desired effect, aka the spell itself, it disperses and taints the air after it's been cast, technically using 10 "units" to leave 15 behind. Most youkai and nature creatures such as the fairies feed unconsciously from magic, so the more there are, the more powerful they get. Obviously, right?

Marisa said our magi sound like animal caretakers, and considering how they deal with magic in here, she isn't that far off from the truth.

In here, they actually use their own magic to do their thing in the form of spell cards. They don't draw their power from anywhere to cast spells. They just use what they have from the get go. This actually make Nature's magic stable.

Shinki "That's really interesting, actually. How do they work?"

Marisa "What? The spell cards, or just the magic itself?"

But aren't they the same thing in the end?

Marisa "Reimu came up with that so everyone can have a chance to win during a fair fight. It's just a game in the end, so the most beautiful one wins! Get it?"

...Beautiful, huh. I hardly consider a rain of icy death flung at my general inaccurate direction to be beautiful. If-the-caster-was-competent-it-would-actually-be-deadly comes to mind instead.

So what's the deal? Is this place's magic just a method of entertainment for the users? Or maybe even for those that watch the battles unfold?

Shinki "I find this kind of logic hard to follow. Maybe tampering with magic for so long in my world made me think like this, but still."

Marisa "Yeah? People from the outside use magic to kill people, then?"

Shinki "Hm. It's a big world, out there. So big that most people get blindsided by how big it is. Those that do will never be the masters of something specific if they don't stop trying to be the masters of everything. Which means they try to take what's not theirs. Hence the conflict."

It's a circle that keeps repeating itself.

Shinki "So, yes. You can say that our magic is just a weapon magi use to hurt other people to please their own needs. It's charming, isn't it?"

Not all magi are like that, though. But I'm not talking about those that are actually not bad people.

Marisa "I'm surprised you know so much about magic. You a mage, too?"

Shinki "Not really. I just happened to be heavily involved with the slaughter of a few. Some might even call me their natural enemy."

I'm naturally resistant to magic, even if that's not exactly immunity.

I have to use the magic reserves I have to make me more resistant, or just plain immune. That's why I can absorb the magic from either physical contact, or by biting people.

My natural resistance and resilience won't cut it when actual magic is involved. For the most part.

Marisa "So I see! By the way, man, that's the first time I ever saw a vampire with inverted teeth! So you really are a mage hunter?"

Mage hunter? I hate that expression.

Shinki "I don't hunt mages."

Marisa "I'm just sayin'! A rare kind of vampire that's resistant to magic, huh... I wonder what Remilia would say to that."

Shinki "Remilia?"

That... name sounds rather familiar.

Marisa "Oh yeah, she's the owner of that big mansion there, see? She is a vampire just like you, ze. A little toddler though, some might even mistake her for the child she actually is. Heheheh!"

Oh, I see. She's a vampire. So that's why she wondered what she'd w-w-w-w-W-W-W-WAIT!

WAIT!

Shinki "Uh... M-Marisa. Y-You said Remilia is a vampire?"

Marisa "Ah? Yeah I did. She's actually pretty strong, but doesn't go out in the sun like you. Maybe it's because your blood is different or somethin'. I'm not really an expert in vampirolobiologism or whatever the heck you call it."

A red-blood vampire.

...Fuck it all to the seventh hell, I wondered why I felt like there was a rock inside of my head ever since I got in here! There is a vampire living here! A red-blooded vampire!

Marisa "Shinki?"

That familiar feeling of worry's taking over my body like caterpillars covering a tree.

If there really is a red-blooded vampire here, I... I might end up being hunted. I might already be.

Marisa "Hey Shinki! What's wrong? You're looking a bit pale upstairs."

N-No. I-It's still way too soon to guess anything, there is no way she haven't felt my presence yet, considering what that crazy Tengu told me yesterday. The fact I haven't received any sort of capturing attempts by the vampire's part until now probably means I'm safe. Probably.

Marisa "Shinki! Look at me, damn it!"

Ah? Oh, right! She's still here, isn't she?

Shinki "M-My bad! I was just thinking a lot. I need to stop with this mania of mine..."

And what are you giving me that look for? Are you trying to read my mind?

Marisa "...Do you want to talk to her?"

…!

W-Well... No. Not really. I wish to stay away as far as possible from her, actually.

But I also don't want to hide away. I want to find out whenever she is dangerous or not, even if I risk exposing myself. Playing cat and mouse with a red-blooded vampire is the shittiest idea ever. Talking from experience, I am.

Shinki "...Yes."

Marisa "Then the story's gonna be simple! Come on, let's get into the Scarlet Devil Mansion so you can talk to Remilia, ze!"

Wait, what?

Shinki "Y-You mean, like this?"

Marisa "Yeah! Stop bitchin' and come on already!"

...

Scarlet Devil. Once again, this name rings a bell on my head, but...

Whatever. Might as well go see this with my own two eyes. From very up close.

[Location: Scarlet Devil Mansion Yard]

Shinki "WAIT."

Marisa "What? Don't bother me now, ze!"

Shinki "What are you doing, you moron? That's the window!"

Marisa "I know! And that's how we are gonna get in!"

Shinki "Haven't you heard that going through a door symbolizes that you're entering a sanctuary and therefore you're being blessed with safe shelter?"

Marisa "No."

Why am I not surprised? I wonder why I'm not surprised.

Shinki "Whatever. I'm going that way, because there's a gate. You know, right there."

Marisa "What? Are you crazy? Why bother? They won't let you in!"

Shinki "Then so be it."

If they don't let me in, that's how the cookie crumbles.

If I go inside like a burglar, I might be attacked regardless of me being a blue-blood. So I'd rather take my chances going straight through the front.

[Location: Scarlet Devil Mansion Gate]

Well, that yard thing was a waste of time.

...But anyway, this mansion looks enormous. It's so obviously western-styled that it shocks my eyes with the rest of what I've seen so far in this Gensokyo place.

It has very few windows in it. Since it belongs to a vampire, I'd guess that is only natural. The feeling of royalty booms from this place, giving me a sensation that I'm standing in front of a really important palace... Or maybe just a rich person's house. Tucked away inside a massive scarlet stone wall, the mansion stands up to its name to such perfection that one might actually call it puffy and pretentious. I'd rather keep those thought to myself, if I can help it.

And standing in front of the gate... Is a girl.

Aqua-colored eyes and long, scarlet hair that blends to the background that is the mansion she is guarding. The green beret and the dress resembles traditional Chinese clothing, if it was thought up to be as offensive as possible without being too extreme, but maybe that's the cynical in me speaking. He's known for being a douche, sometimes. I can't lie that she looks rather fierce in that, however. Maybe it's her own presence, but I can't tell.

Her eyes meet mine just as she notices me approaching the mansion. Which isn't very hard to do when I'm not even trying to be subtle.

Guard "Hey! Don't get any funny ideas."

Her voice went out in a single sigh. What was that? That's not a warning at all.

Shinki "...You sound like you're more than just used to people having funny ideas."

Guard "You can tell? You'd be surprised."

Huh. Let me test something.

Shinki "I see your point, but maybe I wouldn't. I mean, just look at this place."

Hey, she didn't furrow her eyebrows! She's probably the patient type, then.

Guard "Never hurts to be too careful, right? Who are you? I don't remember you from anywhere else."

Shinki "Of course. I arrived in this Gensokyo only recently by accident. Since it seems I'll be staying here for a while, I thought I'd introduce myself properly to my neighbors. Being cordial and all, you know how it is."

...And I give the strongest salesman smile I can muster from the deep holes of my tainted soul.

Guard "Really? I didn't get any information that someone would come."

Shinki "Like I said, I arrived yesterday. There is no way I would be able to arrange an appointment with your master before, right?"

Why did I even feel the need to explain that twice? Am I sounding that nervous?

...Yes. Yes I am.

Guard "Well, that is true. So you wish to speak with mistress Remilia? Wait just a moment then."

Clap Clap Clap

Hand clapping? What, is she going to call someone from inside the mansion?

Flapping

And there's the answer to my stupid question. A bat. Lovely.

It's not everyday that I can see a bat land into someone's arm like this.

Guard "It's a message to the chief maid. There's a newcomer... Uh..."

Oh, of course.

Shinki "Katsura Shinki."

I'd rather not spit a false name at these people. At all.

Guard "A newcomer called Shinki wants to introduce himself properly to Mistress Remilia, Sakuya. Is it possible?"

And there goes the bat, back to the bat-castle.

Well, I must admit that was a rather functional method of communication. If these bats can transfer messages like so, then I wonder if she already knows of me.

Guard "So your name is Shinki? Isn't that a woman's name?"

Urgh! ...Well! I wondered how long it would take for that question to come up!

The answer is: not very long.

Shinki "I'd rather not talk about it. It's something stupid my sister came up with."

This guard shows really strong facial expressions. I don't think I've seen a smile this wide in a long time.

Meiling "I see! My name's Hong Meiling! Everyone forgets about it sooner or later, but I do them a favor and never forget about theirs in return."

...It's so honest it burns my retinas.

Shinki "I see. ...I'll do my best not to forget about it."

She really does gives off a really awesome presence. As in, way more fierce than meets the eye. Why is she just a gatekeeper?

...I'd better not mention it thought. Keeping it cool and all that jazz.

Flapping

Oh. There comes the return of bat-phone.

Bat "The message has been received appropriately. Please, let Shinki-sama know that our Mistress is sleeping at the moment and does not wish to be disturbed. If he wishes however, I can warn her of his arrival and mark an appointment at a later date."

Well! That one bat let go a reply on a voice I wasn't expecting at all!

But yeah, of course. How stupid am I? Of course she's asleep. She's a vampire. She sleeps for the day and only works at night. ...Or so I am told, cough cough.

Meiling "I see. ...Well, you heard the answer. Sorry about that. Maybe if you come back at night time instead?"

Shinki "I'll do that. Thanks for the attention, though. I'll let you back to your duty then."

...Well, I kind of expected this, somehow.

Can't really say I didn't try, though. Something tells me it would be for the best if I didn't, but something doesn't know jack shit.

Meiling "See you at night then, Shinki-dono!"

Dono?

Whatever. I feel kind of bad now. If only she wasn't a good person I might've... No, that's a stupid idea. Like, an awfully stupid idea. So yeah, I'm glad she's nice. Prevents me from doing stupid things that I'm sure I would regret.

And as I go back... Marisa is displaying what I'm gonna call the mocking smile number three, standing by the empty space of the woods a little ways outside the beaten path to the mansion.

Marisa "What did I tell ya? I told ya you wouldn't get in, ze!"

Shinki "She's asleep."

Marisa "Who cares? Just barge in, like me. It's not like they seem to try to stop you."

You are probably the only one that thinks they don't.

Shinki "I don't want to talk to her if she is in a bad mood, caused by my possible bypass of her homestead. It might have escaped your attention, but I'm new here."

Marisa "Remilia usually is like that, unless you're Reimu. But if that's how you want it to be, then so be it. What are you gonna do now, ze?"

I got that covered already. Planning in advance isn't even necessary.

Shinki "I'm gonna bathe."

Marisa "..."

Yeah. Now that I think about it, I'm extremely grateful for the bat's response in not letting me in. I'm reeking of sewers! Or of things that would smell like sewers if they actually smelled nice!

Marisa "Yeah, now that I think about it... What would you have done if they'd let you in with that look?"

Shinki "I would say you hugged me. They would probably let it pass as a valid excuse."

Marisa "Hahahah! Oh, good comeback! I liked it!"

Kinda glad I didn't have to actually use it.

Marisa "So this is it, then? I'll be going now, 'cause I don't wanna watch you bathe. I think I'll go check on Reimu, she said had a job to do in Youkai Mountain or something."

A job? ...You mean, aside from doing priestess things?

Shinki "Really? What kind of job does she have?"

Marisa "Youkai extermination, for the most part."

…

Well. That's a rather hardcore line of work for a Shrine Priestess.

Shinki "I know this isn't any of my business, but is she going to be fine? This isn't an easy job, you know."

Marisa "Nah. There is a reason why Reimu is my second player. She can pull her own weight, no problem. Better than anyone I've ever seen."

So you said as you shrug while mounting on your flying broom. Sounds like you have more than enough confidence in her.

By the way, second player? Where did she get that expression from?

Marisa "But what's the main character if she's not there to help the second player?"

Shinki "Heh. I get it. 'Twas nice meeting you, Marisa. Stay in the shade."

And she takes off with a 'See ya!' I can barely listen thanks to the zooming sound of the takeoff. You know, she's kinda unorthodox for a magi, but I actually like that.

When am I going to meet the first person I won't like in this place, exactly? I'm impressed.

[Location: Misty Lake]

…

…

Well. I'm done.

I know I should have checked this sooner, but my body's bruises aren't half as bad as I thought they were. I was expecting scars, or even a few marks here and there, but nope! Not a single extra permanent scar on me! I'm... shocked, if anything else doesn't make the cut. This is impressive...

I'm not totally healed yet, however. I can still feel the sting in my head and my joints still hurt enough to be noticeable, but considering the amount of punishment I went through prior to my arriving in Gensokyo, I'm practically unharmed!

...Eirin must be one hell of a doctor to patch me up like this, and I had no idea.

...

Now that I think of it, now's as best time as any to go apologize for me disappearing on their asses, isn't it? That is, if I can find the mansion in that bamboo thicket.

My scaffold isn't deep enough in the thicket, so I can't really call me being a master of navigation through it, but hey. Now that I'm finally clean again? I should go to the... What's it called again? I forget.

[Location: Bamboo Forest of The Lost]

...Well, guess what? It's no use. I have no idea where I'm going, after all.

After a couple minutes walking through this place, I started to realize that this thicket isn't magical at all. It is confusing in nature. It doesn't make you lose your way on purpose, but you lose your way still. It's like a natural trap that takes you in it unless you know how to navigate through it from the start.

It's built to be a maze, or even a trap. It's not unnatural, it just is.

Thoughts of the maze aside, this trek through it is proving to be beyond pointless. Being lost and walking aimlessly won't take me anywhere at all. Maybe if I shat luck again like I did last time and actually meet someone in here, then I would feel comfortable with where I am going... alas.

Well, now what. I don't wanna yell and call for help. That's not how I work.

…

Hey! That's right, I remember! The pants lady! Didn't she say she lives in here? Except... I don't know where she lives exactly. And that makes this bit of information nothing but hot air. Unless...

Let me try something weird. I got my flute with me, don't I?

...Let's see. Playing it is the best thing I can do right now. Let's see how pointless this will be.

I place the flute in my lips. And as I do so, a song flows through it like how it usually happens when you play a flute... go figure.

It's been a while since I've played like this, walking through somewhere while listening to the echoes of the music flowing through the air. Music that I am playing.

It might sound ridiculous, but music really helps me to think clearly. It's very similar to the feeling I have when I'm filled with adrenaline. I can't really tell if this is a good or a bad thing.

I can think the most clearly and well when I am fighting, and music also does that to me. Does this mean that I actually consider playing music the same as fighting? ...Or is it the other way around?

Shinki "..."

The feeling that I've just done something good fixes itself onto me when I'm done with the song. And just as expected, I cannot hear anyone, or see anyone nearby.

Well, you jackass! I'd actually be amazed if there was.

Sigh

Shinki "That was an everyday idea by yours truly."

What should I do, then? Start tearing the trees around me and create my own path? That sounds like a legit-

Rustle

…

No way.

Rustle

You're kidding me, right?

Rustle

Mokou "Ah. I thought I heard music coming from here. It's you again."

Shinki "...Are you seriously telling me you actually heard me playing this and came all the way down here just to confirm it?"

It's pants lady. What the hell is she doing here? I mean...

Shinki "I am willing to accept the fact you have incredible eardrums if you just tell me you do."

Mokou "What are you talking about? I heard it echoing through the forest pretty clearly."

Sound doesn't work that way, but whatever you say.

She sighs pretty heavily in dismay. I still don't know if I should call her presence here a Deus EX Machina or just disgustingly convenient, but why the sigh? What were you expecting to find, Mario? A pipe to world -1?

Shinki "Whatever. If it worked, then why complain?"

Come hither, pants-lady of the forest. I shall explain my situation to thee.

Shinki "And that's the gist of it."

Mokou "...I can't believe that a plan that ridiculous actually worked."

Don't give me that look! The joke's on you!

Shinki "Hey, you can say whatever you want. It doesn't change the end result."

And I'm pretty sure she isn't used to talk like this. Using as few words as possible, are you? The get-to-the-point type, hm?

Mokou "So you are lost."

Shinki "That's what I said. I am scared and I want my mommy. Please help me."

Mokou "..."

...It's very easy to notice how sharp her eyes are, like those of a cat. A cat that has no patience at all for my crap.

Shinki "So, uh... You know your way around here, don't you? I really am lost."

Mokou "Relax, getting lost here is old news already. I'll take you out, follow me."

Shinki "W-Wait! Actually, I want to go to the mansion deep in the forest..."

...Whoa. That's a look you shoot your enemy. Did I say something I shouldn't?

Mokou "Really? Follow me."

Really?

Uh... OK. I might as well.

…

We've been walking slowly in silence through the forest for the past few minutes already, and I'm not sure what's going through her mind. Her expression was rather menacing at first, as if she was trying too hard not to be threatening but failing miserably at it, but now I can't even tell if she's feeling nostalgic or extremely constipated. That's the look you have when you're being nostalgic, right? I know because I have that look on my face most of the time.

Despite me wondering to myself about the questionable mind state of my companion, the very forest is contemplating in silence as we stroll through the thicket. I don't know why, but I like this.

Nothing is happening at all, and yet why do I feel so calm?

Mokou "Hey."

And she broke the silence first. I'm OK with this.

Shinki "Yeah?"

Mokou "What's your business at Eientei, after all?"

Eientei?

Shinki "Oh yeah, that's how it's called, isn't it?"

Mokou "You... Forgot? Or no one really told you about that?"

Shinki "They did, but only once. They were telling me how the landscape of this Gensokyo works, so it didn't really settle in as well as it should."

She sighed. Is she forcing herself to try and talk to me? I don't doubt it.

Shinki "I also forgot your name, by the way."

Mokou "It's Mokou. I won't say anything bad about you forgetting it because I also forgot yours."

Shinki "It's Katsura Shinki. Manliest name ever."

Mokou "...Sounds like a woman's to me."

Yeah, I kind of fell into that one.

Mokou "...Fujiwara."

Shinki "Your first name?"

Mokou "Family. Fujiwara no Mokou. But no one really calls me that. It's just 'Mokou'."

'No', she said. Isn't that a mannerism added to clan names? Like... 'Mokou of the Fujiwara clan', in her case?

Something tells me I'd better not say anything about it. No one likes prying.

Mokou "So what's your business in Eientei?"

Sigh

Shinki "Basically speaking, they saved my life when I showed up in Gensokyo. I still didn't manage to repay them for that, so I thought I might as well."

Mokou "Hm."

What excellent display of social skills, yes.

Shinki "So I take it from your response you don't like Eientei so much."

She stopped walking. I guess I guessed it right.

Mokou "That's not a place I'd like to go on a whim."

Sounds like a personal grudge to me. And now I can see where she's coming from.

Shinki "Look, if it's a pain in your ass, you can just tell me how to walk through the thicket and I'll go myself."

…? I don't get it, she's smiling now.

Mokou "What, are you sympathizing with me?"

Shinki "If I wanted to sympathize with you, I'd give you rice for lunch. I don't want to make people do what they don't want to."

That's basically what brought me in here, now that I think about it...

Mokou "So, you won't do something you don't want to?"

Shinki "No. I don't see the point at all in such a practice."

...Hm. Suddenly, it's like we totally ran out of things to say.

Mokou "I see. Whatever, just follow me. I'll take you there."

Shinki "Really? But isn't that..."

Mokou "A bore? It isn't. I just don't feel comfortable with that place, but that's all."

...So she said before taking the lead in the stride again. Somehow I feel that she doesn't dislike me as much anymore. Somehow.

[Location: Eientei]

Well, I can see the mansion from here now.

Mokou actually dusted off as soon as it got into visual range. Something about not feeling in the mood to get closer or something, and I can understand it. Especially after that conversation we just had? About how she has a beef with this place? Yeah.

I'm impressed at myself, though. For not realizing that this actually a pretty big mansion when I was here at first. A pretty big, Japanese-style mansion. It almost feels like a purposeful counter to the Scarlet Devil Mansion, kind of like the two different sides of a magnet.

But even with that... Now that I'm looking properly, the Eientei looks damaged. The walls have a few localized cracks in them, and I can see a few scorch marks on the ground.

The atmosphere and nearby bamboo trees are twisted in a way that seem like there was heavy combat here. It wasn't like this when I last checked...! What's happened here?

Of all the things in front of me right now, the easiest one to spot and claim it stands out the most has to be that's the rabbit girl sweeping the front yard. She's the last person I remember seeing in this place before I...

...Never mind. I don't want to remember that. Actually, I don't think I can.

Shinki "Say, is it safe to actually talk to you now? Or if I do such a thing, will my mind turn into jelly again?"

Rabbit Girl "...Ah!"

Jump scares! Why yes, of course! You are easy to scare, apparently.

Rabbit Girl "Y-You are...! T-That boy from last day, aren't you?"

Shinki "And you are the Rabbit that somehow can make people go nuts with just a look. Rather abrupt way to pop the cherry of my mind, but I guess I walked into that one myself."

And there she goes, opening a rather embarrassed smile. I'm not sure if that was because of my playful tone, or because of my bad joke. Maybe both.

Reisen "Um. S-Sorry about that. My master and Tewi mentioned you... Your name is Shinki, right? I'm Reisen, Master Eirin's apprentice."

Shinki "And I happen to be a nobody. It takes a while to get through this thicket, you see, so I'm sorry for taking all this time to actually make it back."

Reisen "I see. It took you a whole day to get through the thicket...?"

No, actually it took 20 minutes, but that's on Mokou's case. So I'll let it rest in eternity for eternity.

Rattle

Eirin "Udonge! I've got... Oh? Look who's back. It's Shinki!"

Hey! Look who it is, showing up from the window on the second floor!

Shinki "Sorry it took so long to dig through the forest, but people call getting lost 'Getting Lost' for a reason!"

...Huh. She's looking really grim. I don't think it takes a genius to realize it's because of the atmosphere of this place.

Eirin "I am sorry, but can you come back later? We are in the middle of something quite important right now, and I don't want disturbances."

Oh, dear.

Reisen "Master? What about Tewi, have you seen her?"

Eirin "...I didn't. Udonge, come up. We need to talk."

My intuition says this is serious. I don't like when my intuition and the obvious, both say it's pretty serious.

Reisen "Understood! ...Shinki-san, sorry to cut this short but I have to go now."

Shinki "It's OK. Just for the heck of it, can you tell me what's wrong?"

Reisen "S-Sorry, I can't. Maybe Master can, but... Not now, I guess."

I see. But this just helped me make up my mind. I don't know what is going on, but at least I want to know. Helping and solving my benefactor's problems, if possible, even without their consent, is how I was taught to roll.

So I am going to sneak in, right after you, Ms. Rabbitson.

Let's see. Eirin's not at the window anymore, as she just closed it. Reisen is just now opening the door.

...And displaying the utmost levels of class and skill, I boldly step forward and get in right after her.

As I sneak in right behind the rabbit youkai, I hold my breath. If she looks behind her, I'll be seen, after all. Might as well make the best of my chances.

I keep myself away from her eyes as she closes the door and proceeds up the place with quick, light steps. So I do the same, if only to know where I'm supposed to go. And of course, she doesn't notice my presence. I am not surprised that she doesn't.

I am not just walking. This is something well-known, called stealth.

When I lived outside, I needed to learn more ways than one to reach my objectives. Stealth proved to be an excellent method to do so. It allowed me to bypass a lot of trouble, even more when I had to walk through whole nests of enemies.

When I realized, I was really good at doing this. It's proven time and time again to be an amazing skill to have.

...The sound of my footsteps are muffled by hers as I time my walk accordingly. There is no way I'm being found anymore. That room where she's going in, that's where everyone is. I can smell them from here.

Well, there she goes, opening a door and going in. I can't go in from the front, so I'll have to improvise. Hmm.

Rustle

Like I thought. There is a passage right up there. Classic design flaws in your mansion, Eirin. Might want to check that out later.

Up I go! A small hop upwards allows me to hang and stay by the passage. Clear sight is clear indeed...

There are three people here, Reisen included. Eirin and... Someone I don't recognize by appearance. She's probably the girl that was hidden before... I can't tell exactly.

...Wait...

What's that in the middle of the room?

Reisen "So, Master? What about Tewi?"

Eirin "I don't know where she is, of course. I wouldn't worry too much about her though, she is a lot smarter than she looks."

...

Black-Haired Woman "S-So Eirin... Please tell me. What of the Inaba?"

Eirin "They were extremely lucky. If not for Reisen and Tewi's interference, more than half of the rabbits would be dead. Thankfully, none of them were. Half of all rabbits have been badly wounded, though."

Reisen "So they are fine? Tewi will be glad to know that!"

Eirin "What of her anyway? Kaguya, do you know?"

...

Kaguya "I... I do. A little. She said she was going to calm down, and went to the forest on her own."

Reisen "Isn't it possible that Tewi went to the forest to look for whenever they came from?"

Eirin "Maybe... But Tewi is smart. If she went to look for where they came, she wouldn't do a mistake and be caught. You and I would know better than anyone."

…

Reisen "So what are these, Master? I never saw youkai like these before."

Eirin "I have seen them only in books myself. I believe these things are called Trackers... But more than that I don't really know."

Kaguya "They attacked so suddenly... What could they want from Eientei?"

Eirin "I'm not sure. I can only think of this as they were looking for food - there was no other reason for them to want to attack us. And aim specifically to the rabbits, for that matter."

Reisen "That's why they chased after me and Tewi, then? At least gave us room to lure them off the small ones."

Eirin "That was easily the best thing you could have done."

Kaguya "E-Eirin... We have to do something. I don't want anything bad to happen again to the Inaba!"

Eirin "I'm not sure what to suggest. We could move away from the mansion, but we have so many wounded rabbits we can't move just like that..."

Shinki "That's not going to do anything, really."

Girls "...!"

Cheers!

Well, no going back now. Not too shocking to see the scare in their faces. I've been standing right behind them for a while, now. It's a testament to skill that they didn't notice me until I talked!

By the way, that's a little filthy youkai right in front of them. I recognize it right away... Eirin was right. This is...

Shinki "Trackers."

Eirin "What are you doing here? I said..."

Shinki "I invited myself in, I'm not deaf. Sorry for that, but really. I know what this thing is."

...They immediately calm down. The black-haired pretty one is Kaguya, then. She is the one that claimed I was a blue-blood right off the bat. And she just hid behind Eirin, just like a child would.

Eirin "Kaguya?"

Shinki "Relax, I'm not going to bite you!"

Kaguya "I don't like him, Eirin. He smells weird."

What? Another one saying I smell weird? I took a damn bath already! Get off my back!

Eirin "Fine. I will complain about you invading our mansion later. You said you know what this is? What is it, then?"

Shinki "Like you said, it's a Tracker. It is called like that thanks to the fact that they do not leave trails behind them. Individually, they are not very strong, but think of them as ants. Always walking in groups, and following their leader's orders to the letter, even if that leads to their deaths."

Eirin "So... What is the purpose behind this? Do you know?"

Shinki "I can guess, but that's as good as one. If they just blindly attacked you as you said, then they are not looking for anything. They are creating territory. Or trying to, at least."

Eirin "Territory? ...Isn't the fact that they couldn't capture this place a strong enough reason for them to attack us again, then?"

Shinki "Well... Thing is, when Trackers go through with territory conquest, they usually have a parameter set to their behavior. A certain radius around their leader, or a certain appointed area. If they don't manage to capture their goal, they won't even bother trying the same place again. It's failed once already, so its priority is overridden."

Kaguya finally left Eirin's back. She looks genuinely scared.

Kaguya "S-So... Eientei's safe?"

Shinki "You could say that, but I wouldn't count on you not seeing them anymore if nothing is done. The Trackers by themselves won't try again, but if their leader orders it..."

I take the opportunity to look at the carcass of the tracker en detail.

Their physique is that of a dog, if shaped similarly to an ant. It's a rather disturbing sight to those who never saw them before.

Reisen "So... You mean the fastest way to deal with the problem would be to destroy the leader?"

...That's the idea, Reisen.

I wouldn't worry about this place being in any real danger, though. Because as far as I can see, these three ladies are really powerful death cannons in disguise. ...Still...

They don't look like the sort to go out and search for things to kill. So I guess I should do something about it myself.

Shinki "I could deal with this problem for you."

Though I don't know where they came from, it's impossible to track Trackers at all.

Reisen "You mean... You'll deal with them for us? Why?"

Shinki "Well, for one, Eirin healed me. It is highly unlike me to not repay a favor that's done to me."

Eirin "A favor of mine for a favor of yours...? But even so, how can you expect me to ask of you to risk yourself?"

Shinki "What is this? Naivety, from Eirin? True, they are dangerous and should not be looked down at, but I am no mere vampire. As you yourself know."

Reisen "...Didn't you say to me you were a nobody just now?"

I forgot the second part on purpose! I am a nobody with a passion! It's totally different!

Eirin "I see. You were a youkai hunter, out there."

Shinki "At your service. I'm not exactly a professional, but I used to get the job done."

And finally, Kaguya is looking right in my eyes.

Kaguya "Do you guarantee that they won't come here again?"

Shinki "I can only guarantee that I'll deal with them. I can't fly and I can't track them, so I'll probably have to wait until they attack again... Or until I can find a straggler. Hopefully, that will prove to be the case."

And there they go! All nodding in agreement!

Well, it seems I finally got my first real job in Gensokyo, and it involves a youkai that's not common around here either. What are the odds?

Heh. It feels like ages since I last had a job like this! ...Oh, wait.

It actually was.