Demon Sword Maiden

Book 12: Chapter 92: Surface and Interior

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This must be Hyakki Street, right? It's self-evident.

Reaching the end of this street would mean completing the final trial of the Night Parade of Hundred Maidens.

Lily looked ahead, where the street was filled with demons and spirits, and in the distance, mist stretched endlessly.

Why was it said that walking through Hyakki Street was so challenging?

Over the generations, many unfortunate women had fallen and gotten lost here during the Night Parade.

Lily tried a small-scale Spirit Probe.

"What's this?"

She couldn't use the Spirit Probe. Upon entering, Lily felt a strange fluctuation here that she hadn't encountered elsewhere. It was this fluctuation that blocked Spirit Probes and other detection methods.

"Is it just that energy can't escape? Whoever created this remarkable space must be extraordinary. But why?"

At that moment, some demons in the bustling marketplace ahead noticed Lily's presence. A little green one-eyed demon with a dish on its head bounced over. It was only as high as Lily's knee, and it tilted its head while blinking at her. "Big sis, are you here to look for work?"

"Huh?" Lily was taken aback. She was about to say she was just passing through Hyakki Street, but then she realized that this street wouldn't be so simple, and she shouldn't reveal her true intentions.

"No, I'm just browsing and buying some things," she said.

"Heh heh heh, big sis, you have the scent of a human woman, so you must be from outside. Even though there are a lot of dazzling goods here, you can't buy them with outside money."

The little demon took out a simple yet peculiar copper coin, flicked it with its fingers, and caught it, saying, "Everything here—buying, lodging—uses this copper money. After midnight, you can't just roam around. If you don't have a place to stay, it could be dangerous."

‘It turns out that this place, despite its apparent liveliness, isn't as straightforward as it seems,’ Lily thought to herself.

"Thanks for the warning."

"Big sis, you don't have this kind of money, do you? I know a boss who's looking for someone to work for him. I can take you there. If you have a job, you'll have a place to stay, so you won't be worried after midnight," the little demon said.

Lily was slightly tempted, but then she wondered if things were too easy. Perhaps she should explore a bit more before deciding.

"Hehe, thanks, but I just got here, and it's still early before midnight. I'd like to look around a bit more," Lily said, wanting to excuse herself and venture into Hyakki Street to see more.

"Big sis, this job would be perfect for you. You really have to come with me and check it out." The little demon spoke and tugged on Lily's skirt.

Lily's face darkened. Being asked to work somewhere was one thing, but having someone pull on her skirt was crossing the line.

Despite this, a surge of intense desire arose within Lily, compelling her to follow the little demon to see where he was taking her. She felt like her body wasn't under her control.

"Big sis, on this street, humans can't refuse a demon's request," the little demon said.

"What?" Lily was shocked. But despite her alarm, she found herself following the little demon down the street.

"On this street, before midnight, humans can't refuse demons, but demons can't harm humans. After midnight… heh heh heh, heh heh heh1." The little demon didn't say much else, bouncing along in front, while Lily had no choice but to follow him.

"Humans can't refuse demons, but demons can't harm humans… What does this mean? This place is definitely not simple, and the fact that I'm compelled to comply—what kind of power is this?"

As they walked through the street filled with shops, Lily noticed many items that caught her eye. However, she had no money, and she had to follow the little demon. It was no wonder that while there were all sorts of demons—tall, short, bulky, and thin—none of them approached Lily despite their curious glances. It seemed true that before midnight, demons couldn't harm humans.

"But why would someone with such power set these rules in this realm?"

"Big sis, we've arrived. It's here." The little demon pointed to the entrance of a mansion. Two red lanterns hung at the front, and two seductive cat demons in kimonos stood at the gate, inviting people inside.

"Oh, this sister is beautiful! Ketai, is this the new recruit you brought to our place, meow?" The cat demon approached, her half-human, half-cat face lively, with a pair of cat paws hidden in her sleeves.

"Yes!"

"Well, you might earn a lot of credit today. I've been here for a thousand years, and I've never seen a girl as gorgeous as this. Meow!" The cat demon twisted her body, shaking her three tails as she spoke excitedly.

For some reason, even though the cat demon's words seemed playful, Lily felt uncomfortable with this sort of comment. She was just here to work. Judging by the mansion's appearance, it seemed like some kind of entertainment venue or tavern, so her work would likely involve cleaning or washing dishes. What did that have to do with her appearance?

If she wasn't stuck in Hyakki Street, Lily would never take a job like this. She valued her hands too much to do such work.

"Quickly, get inside. When Grandma sees you, she'll be delighted, meow!"

Lily couldn't refuse the demon's request, so she had no choice but to follow the little demon into the courtyard.

"Meow, right this way, sirs." Just then, the cat demon at the entrance spoke again, welcoming two burly, overweight demons wearing yukatas.

Lily glanced back and saw them eyeing her with ill intentions, pointing and gesturing in her direction. They were a bit further down the path, and the cat demon seemed to be waving and saying something, but Lily couldn't hear what it was.

"Probably here for a meal, I guess2? But those two demons definitely don't seem like good company." Lily thought to herself. But then again, most demons had sinister intentions, and she'd seen enough of that in Yomi.

Following Ketai, Lily entered the rear courtyard and then into a rather dark house.

The interior was larger than a typical house, with big doors and dim lighting from a few oil lamps.

In the dim light, Lily noticed four large, muscular demons sitting around the room. They wore yukatas, and their skin tones were red, green, blue, and yellow. Their chests were covered in thick black hair, and one shoulder was exposed, revealing intricate tattoos that sent a shiver down her spine.

In the center of the room sat a small, shrivelled old woman with deep green skin and a head full of silver hair.