Chapter 7: Level Up – Intermediate Spirit Exorcist!

With a gulp, the enormous spider swallowed both Hikigaya Hachiman and Yotsuya Miko whole. Afterward, the spider even patted its belly with its front legs, as if it were satisfied and full. However, before it could burrow back into the ground, a faintly glowing blue blade pierced through its abdomen and began slicing upward. The spider let out a deafening screech and began thrashing violently against the surrounding buildings. But this did nothing to stop the blade's progress... A dozen seconds later, with its final agonized wail, the spider collapsed to the ground, disintegrating into a cloud of black mist. "Ding! Congratulations on successfully slaying a mid-level evil spirit. Host has automatically advanced to Intermediate Spirit Exorcist." As the system notification rang out, Hachiman Hikigaya's personal interface appeared automatically. Name: Hachiman Hikigaya Age: 17 Profession: Intermediate Spirit Exorcist Spiritual Power: 93/100 Skill: Spirit Flow Technique (Basic) Weapon: Intermediate Spirit-Slaying Blade Spirit Coins: 275 'One mid-level evil spirit is worth 200 Spirit Coins?' Looking at the sudden increase in coins on his panel, Hachiman Hikigaya could only think: Happiness came too suddenly. That spider spirit was unbelievably dumb—it swallowed him whole without even chewing. Clearly, it underestimated the blade in his hands. After dismissing the interface, Hachiman looked down at Miko Yotsuya in his arms. Ever since they were swallowed by the spider, she had clung to him like an octopus and refused to let go. "Hey, you can get down now..." He gently patted Miko on the shoulder, signaling that it was safe now. But Miko didn't reply—she just tightened her grip around his neck. Hachiman: ... Seeing she had no intention of letting go, Hachiman had to resort to his final trump card. "If you stay like this, that evil spirit might come back..." Sure enough, the moment Hachiman whispered that into her ear, Miko immediately let go and jumped off him. It was obvious that the high-level evil spirit had left a deep psychological scar on her. "It's okay. I'll protect you..." Hachiman comforted the frightened Miko softly. He then looked at the red dots on the map and asked the system through gritted teeth, 'System, how do I get out of here?' Clearly, in order to take care of Miko, Hachiman had decided to forgo eliminating the remaining spirits. "Eliminate all evil spirits in the instance, or hide until sunrise the next day..." The system's cold, emotionless voice echoed in his mind. "No other options?" Hearing these two choices, Hachiman frowned. He was hoping to avoid the first option—that's why he asked. As for the second... Leaving aside the risk of surviving the night in a school crawling with spirits, how would he explain to his parents that he hadn't come home? Tell them he spent the night with a girl? "Currently, there are no other available options." The system's response repeated, but Hachiman keenly noticed something unusual. "Currently"—which meant there could be other ways in the future. So there were other exit methods, but with his current strength, his only viable options were to fight or wait for dawn. "Guess I'll just have to take them all out..." Glancing at Miko Yotsuya again, Hachiman stepped forward and said, "We have to go." "Go where?" After some time to compose herself, Miko had calmed down from her earlier panic. "To take care of the remaining evil spirits. Otherwise, we'll have to wait here until sunrise." "Can't we just wait till morning?" Miko's voice was tinged with a plea. Though she'd been chased by spirits before, being swallowed whole was a first. Not to mention she had already been taken once right in front of Hachiman. How could he guarantee her safety during another battle? "This space doesn't belong to our world. No one knows what might happen if we stay too long." Hachiman patiently explained to her. "Compared to passively waiting for dawn, eliminating the six remaining spirits and getting out immediately is the better plan." As the strongest combatant in this instance, the high-level evil spirit had been wary of Hachiman even when he was just a beginner. After seeing the intermediate-grade spirit-slaying blade, it had chosen to retreat. Thus, Hachiman judged that it was no longer his match now that he had advanced. "But what if the same thing happens again?" Miko clutched at Hachiman's sleeve. She had obediently followed his instructions before, hiding in a corner, and still got captured. How could he assure her it wouldn't happen again? "I promise you." Looking her straight in the eyes, Hachiman said seriously: "As long as I'm alive, you'll never be in danger." "...Alright then." Hearing his words, Miko blushed deeply. She nodded lightly, agreeing to his plan. "Then I'll lead. If anything happens, just call out my name loudly." Seeing Miko finally agree to join him in hunting the spirits, Hachiman sighed in relief and made the final arrangement. Of the six remaining spirits, one was high-level, two were mid-level, and three low-level ones were gathered on the sports field. Naturally, Hachiman didn't fear the low-level ones, but the spider had taught him a lesson. Who knew what strange abilities the remaining spirits might have? To keep Miko safe, they needed proper strategy. "Okay, I got it." Compared to Hachiman's solemn expression, Miko looked a bit distracted. "Ugh..." Suddenly, Miko clutched her forehead and groaned. "Focus. We're still not out of danger..." Withdrawing the finger he had used to flick her forehead, Hachiman checked his own status and reminded Miko. "I understand!" After surviving evil spirits for seventeen years, Miko quickly realized this wasn't the time for distractions. "Then let's go." Seeing Miko regain her usual calm demeanor, Hachiman nodded. He pushed open the gymnasium door and charged with her toward the three low-level spirits on the field. Of course, you always crush the softest fruit first!