Mob Yandere

 [Part 3/7]

 I turn around, deftly dispatching the last opponent with a knife hand. I move my feet again, running, running. Make them run...!!

 "Haa, haa, !? Haa...!!? W-Wait, already!!?"

 "Endure it!! Run!! Keep running!!!! Tsk!!"

 Due to issues with stamina and lung capacity, the brats leading the way had a limited distance she could run. Throwing smoke bombs and flash bombs, which I always had, behind me, screams echoing from behind. To buy time.

 "Isn't it like a maze!!?"

 Turning right in the middle of the corridor, then left, straying into a side path, opening a shoji paper door. Is this 'Mayoiga,' or perhaps a space expanded by another curse... I remember the cleaning team took three days to return, didn't they?

 ...Too bad, it doesn't take me that long.

 "It's this one!!"

 "Don't suddenly stop!!?"

 Finally spotting it at the shoji paper door along the hallway we were rushing through, I abruptly stop. Complaints leak out from the brats, but I don't care. More importantly, the situation was much more critical.

 I raise my gaze. Above the shoji paper door, there is a decorative part called a transom (ranma). The dust-covered pattern inscribed there is the guide to this labyrinth.

 The transom, vividly carved with animals. After completing the retrieval of the five individuals, I had been conscious of it all along. First was the child, next the ox, and the third was... each of the animals from the Chinese zodiac, without duplication. I chose the animals symbolizing the guardian gods of the Buddha of Medicine to open the shoji paper door. And this is the eleventh one. A wood-carved ranma with the design of the rooster, carved over times.

 "We're going in!"

 I forcefully open the shoji paper door. There is nothing beyond. I let the brats go in first, and finally, I enter, pulling the shoji paper door. What stood before me was probably a modified youkai of the middle youkai class, rushing towards me with a roar.

 "Farewell."

 The shouji paper door closed and the roaring ceased. Silence filled the surroundings. No presence beyond the shouji paper door. It's quiet. If I open it again, it will loop back, so I won't. Probably, the next time I open the shouji paper door, it will connect to another corridor.

 "If you search straightforwardly, you'll endlessly wander, that's the idea, huh?"

 I shrugged my shoulders and complained. It's a trap, a temporary diversion. One in three people would notice the mechanism if they wandered for a day. It's a much easier labyrinth than getting lost in a malicious 'Mayoiga.'

 "Now, the last one is Snake... Are you okay? Should we proceed?"

 "～～～!!"

 I asked the panting girls with shoulders heaving. With flushed faces and breathless, everyone vigorously nodded sideways. To be honest, a bit of rest is needed...

 "You can rest for a while. ...Well, endure this much, okay?"

 Presenting the bamboo water bottle and pouch. The pouch contains candies mixed with medicinal herb juice for nutritional intake. It's a provision for emergencies.

 "In order, don't drink more than one extra. Have the candy after the water. It could choke your throat."

 "...Nii?"

 One of the young girls asked. What's 'nii'? 'Nii'—I don't recall becoming your big brother. Don't expand my family.

 "This is no big deal. ...Just drink."

 Put aside the comments and deal with it casually. After confirming everyone drank amicably, and everyone settled, we resumed the exploration for the escape.

 Search. Search. Search for the snake.

 "Not this one. Not this..."

 "What's that?"

 "No, that's an earthworm."

 "What's that?"

 "Look closely. It has small limbs. Unless it's superfluous, it's a lizard."

 All I found was only a carving problem that seemed intentional. The columns of other animals searched before should have been more obvious.

 "If that's the case..."

 I ignore all the shouji paper doors on both sides of the corridor. I push forward. And...

 "Ah!"

 "I knew it."

 I find it. The shouji paper door at the far end of the corridor. And I discover it. A splendid transom engraved with a snake.

 "...Huh?"

 At the same time, I notice the difference from before. I immediately stop and create distance. I confirm it. Something is decorated? This guy....

 "Wha!!? A wounded snake! What a nasty personality!?"

 It was too late when I realized it. I click my tongue as I look at the mummified snake impaled on top of the shouji paper door. The mummy's head turns towards me with a dry sound as it sheds its skin, unmistakably resurrecting with a fresh, vibrant body that doesn't fit in its old skin.

 'Shaaaaa!!'

 Extending its long tongue, it rushes at me with a somewhat vengeful cry. The curse of the wounded snake. Feeding on fear, it attacks those who fear. What a damn nuisance!?

 "You beast!! You want a fight, huh!? Bring it!!"

 I pull out my dagger (tantō). It is the black-dyed spiritual short sword, 'Akikorosemaru (Epilogue Vol 9).' I assume a stance, focusing on the approaching line of the opponent's chin. And then, I dash.

 The snake that leaped straight towards the Dagger (tantō), which was fixed in place, had its belly split open by the blade that bit into its jaw, spraying red blood. But, still with a body that had been halved, it attack the brats behind me!!

 "Huh!?"

 "Oh, I see, so it's over there!"

 Unlike the dumbfounded brats, I understood. Originally, I wasn't the target. Well, it's not common for a girl's brat to be fond of snakes, right!?

 "In between, close the gap!!"

 I swiftly turned and jumped, focusing on my legs infused with Youkai energy. For a brief moment, only my legs underwent a transformation, and using this, I managed to catch up.

 I swung the Dagger (tantō). Cut off its head. And if that's not enough, I bisected the body. And that concluded the matter. It seemed like I could do it in a gelatinous manner.

 "Any injuries...?"

 "No, um..."

 I crushed the persistently wriggling head of the snake, even though it was just half a neck, and confirmed. How many times have I turned back to see these troublesome kids huddling together, trembling in fear? I answered in a voice that could vanish into thin air. Their gazes, as if they were looking at something inhuman, were both right and wrong.

 ...Certainly, once I shed this skin, I'll undoubtedly appear monstrous, but if it's just this level of maneuvering, your average exorcist should handle it.

 "...I see. Let's go. The exit is probably close."

 I somewhat authoritatively ordered them to move. Considering the intricate curse of the injured snake, my speculation was almost certainly correct.

 With caution, I stood in front of the shouji paper door, wielding my Dagger (tantō), checking for any simple mechanical traps. Seemed like there were none. However...

 "...Once opened, something big might come at the end. Brace yourselves."

 I turned around to warn them. The young girls all nodded uniformly. I don't know how far they've anticipated, but... well, shall I respect that resolve?

 "...Alright, let's go!"

 After a brief moment of uncertainty, a firm decision was reached. There was a strong resolve to overcome whatever challenges lay ahead. With bated breath, my hand reached out, and then... the shouji paper door was forcefully swung open!

 "Be alert!"

 I entered and looked around. It was a corridor, a straight path with complete silence and stillness. There was nothing—absolutely nothing.

 """"""........""""""

 "Hey, stop that. Don't look at me like that."

 Maybe anticipating an exit or perhaps something significant awaited. The young girls I had deceived were looking at me, expecting answers. But I explained, "Hey, wait, hold on. It's not time yet. The conclusion is still too early. It's not over."