I am NOT a Demon Queen!

Kayo’s idea of precision was to wove her hands through the air, summoning a vortex of glittering foxfire. The energy swirled, a beautiful and deadly storm, before lancing toward Shuten Dōji from a dozen different angles.

It sizzled, a promise of searing heat.

Half the attacks flew wide. They scorched the cliff face, sending plumes of rock and dust into the air. The mountain shuddered under their feet.

Shuten Dōji swatted a few bolts aside with his massive club. The rest fizzled against his hide, leaving faint smears of soot. His laughter boomed, echoing louder than the tremors. “Is that all?”

“See? I'm being precise!” Kayo announced, looking pleased with herself.

“That was a light show,” Su Yao snapped, ducking under a sweep of the kanabō. She countered with a focused spike of Tatarigami energy that punched through Shuten’s shoulder, making him grunt in annoyance. “You need to concentrate your power on a single point!”

“But that takes effort,” Kayo whined, sidestepping a stomp that cracked the ground. “And it’s so small.”

Shuten Dōji roared, swinging his club in a wide arc that forced both women to leap back. “You two are worse than nagging wives! Fight me properly!” He took another swig from his gourd, which seemed to instantly heal the wound Su Yao had inflicted.

Su Yao’s eyes narrowed. “His regeneration is tied to that sake. We need to destroy the gourd.”

“Ooh, a target!” Kayo perked up. “I can do that!” She formed a brilliant, needle-thin beam of energy between her fingers. “Watch this!” She aimed. But at the last second, Shuten stumbled drunkenly and the beam shot past him, vaporizing a large boulder near the tomb entrance. The mountain groaned ominously.

“Kayo!” Su Yao yelled. Her patience was fraying. “You're making it worse!”

“Sorry! He moved!” Kayo protested, while Shuten Dōji chuckled, taking another drink.

“You'll have to try harder than that, fox!” he taunted.

Su Yao realized that with Kayo’s “help,” they were only increasing the risk to the tomb. She needed a new plan, fast. “Distract him. I'll handle the gourd.”

“Finally, a job I'm good at!” Kayo grinned, summoning a chorus of whispering illusions that swarmed around Shuten, pulling his attention in multiple directions.

As Shuten bellowed and swatted at the phantoms, Su Yao gathered her cursed energy into a single, dense point. Only for Shuten to shift just as she was about to strike. The shot went wide, clipping his arm instead.

The gourd remained intact. Shuten was still standing, now even more enraged. “Is that all?” he roared, readying another devastating swing.

“Kayo!” Su Yao yelled, dodging another wild swing from the enraged oni lord. “How did this fool originally die? There must be a weakness!”

Kayo, who was currently materializing a dozen illusory copies of herself to distract Shuten, called back without missing a beat. “Raikou chopped his head off! It’s classic history! Why do you think he’s so attached to that neck of his?”

Of course, Su Yao thought. A plan snapped into place. You can't regenerate a severed head.

Even if he could eventually reattach it, without the head connected to the body, he'd be immobilized long enough for them to secure the tomb. His sake-powered regeneration would not matter if the source of his consciousness was disconnected.

“Then we need to separate his head from his shoulders,” Su Yao said. Her voice was cold and focused. “But we have to be precise. No more of your scatter-shot nonsense. I'll create an opening. You use your sharpest attack to decapitate him.”

Kayo’s lips curved into a predatory smile, her eyes fixed on the giant’s throat. “Ooh, a beheading! Now that’s my kind of precision.” Her voice was a low purr. “But you’ll have to get him to hold still. He’s wobbly when he’s drunk.”

Su Yao’s hands moved, pulling the Tatarigami’s foul energy from the air. It coalesced into a sphere of shimmering decay. With a sharp gesture, she hurled it at Shuten’s feet. The earth groaned, liquefying into a bubbling, toxic quagmire. The oni stumbled, one heavy foot sinking deep.

Now.

A blade of condensed foxfire, thin and sharp as a razor, materialized beside Kayo. It shot forward, aiming for the exposed column of his neck.

Shuten’s club came up with surprising speed. The drunken haze in his eyes cleared for a single, focused instant. Steel met ancient wood with a shriek, spraying the area with angry orange sparks.

“You think I don’t know my own history?” he roared, yanking his foot from the muck with a wet, sucking sound. “I learned from that mistake!”

“Apparently not enough!” Su Yao launched herself forward. Cursed energy swarmed her outstretched hand, twisting into a wicked, scythe-like edge. If you won’t hold still, we’ll do this the hard way.

The scythe sliced through the air. It struck Shuten’s chest with a sound like tearing silk.

He glanced down. A thin, smoking line marred his crimson skin, forming a faint scratch.

His booming laugh shook the very ground beneath them.

“Is that all?” he mocked, rubbing the scratch which already began to fade. “You fight like a kitten! I've had worse from falling asleep on a rock!”

Kayo sighed dramatically. “Cousin, I told you, you need more flair! Scratch him with your nails next time. It might be more effective.”

Su Yao gritted her teeth. Frustration was mounting. “His hide is too thick for casual strikes. We need to amplify the power without compromising the tomb.” She dodged another swing of his club. The wind from it whipped her hair back. “Kayo, can you pin him down with something? I have an idea, but I need him stationary.”

“Ooh, a teamwork exercise! How delightful,” Kayo chirped, summoning ethereal chains of foxfire that shot from the ground, wrapping around Shuten’s legs and arms. “How’s this? My best ‘restraining order’ impression!”

Shuten roared, straining against the chains, which began to crack under his strength. “These won't hold me for long, fox!”

“It just need to be long enough,” Su Yao said, gathering cursed energy again. This time, she focused it into a needle-thin point, aiming for the same spot on his neck where Raikou had struck centuries ago.

Su Yao’s strike was perfect. A needle of cursed energy sank into Shuten Dōji’s neck.

Finally, a direct hit.

But the victory was hollow. The needle penetrated barely an inch before his flesh repelled it, the wound sealing as if it had never been. Shuten Dōji’s laugh was a low rumble. He flexed his massive arms, and Kayo’s final foxfire chains shattered like glass.

“Is that the best you can do?” he taunted, hefting his gnarled club. “Your curses are like mosquito bites!”

A flicker of doubt, cold and sharp, pierced her focus. Was his resilience innate, a wall she could not scale? Or was her own power, the Tatarigami she had consumed, simply too diluted?

If it’s the first, I need more power. If it’s the second, I need better control. Both possibilities were unsettling. Both meant she was losing.

Kayo’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. “Cousin! If scratching isn’t working, maybe try a sharper tool!”

Su Yao gave a grim nod. No more holding back.

She reached deep into her spiritual repository. The air itself shuddered as she called it forth. In her hand, the Void-Severing Glaive materialized, an obsidian blade that drank the light from the room. Its edge sang a silent promise of oblivion.

With a swift motion, she lunged forward. Shuten, confident in his durability, took the attack head on. “Another toy?” he scoffed, but his eyes widened as the glaive sliced through the air and, with a clean schlick, severed his head from his shoulders.

The head tumbled to the ground, eyes wide with shock, while the body remained standing for a moment before collapsing. Kayo clapped her hands. “See? Sometimes you just need the right equipment!”

As Shuten’s head began to glow, attempting to regenerate, Su Yao quickly sealed it with a burst of foxfire, preventing any reattachment.

That worked, she thought, but why did my cursed energy fail?

She recalled Dōman’s ‘Domain Expansion: Hell Realm Mandala’ and how it amplified her power to absolute levels within a confined space.

Do I need something like that to make my cursed energy truly effective?

It was a troubling thought. Mastering a domain would take time and energy, but it might be necessary for future fights against equally formidable foes. In a domain, her cursed energy could be magnified and focused without external weapons.

The immediate threat was neutralized, but the tomb was now accessible. “Let’s move,” Su Yao said, dismissing the glaive. “We have a tomb to explore.”

Kayo floated beside her as they approached the tomb entrance, which was now clear of oni. The stone door was carved with intricate seals, but Su Yao blasted it open with a casual wave of cursed energy. As they stepped inside, the air grew cold and heavy with ancient magic.

Immediately, a volley of poisoned darts shot from the walls. Su Yao erected a barrier that dissolved them mid-air. “Really?” she muttered.

“Ooh, a warm welcome!” Kayo giggled, skipping ahead. But as she did, the floor tiles shifted, triggering a massive pendulum blade that swung down from the ceiling. Kayo phased through it. The blade embedded itself in the wall. “How dramatic!”

Su Yao sighed, stepping over a pressure plate that unleashed a cloud of neurotoxin. She simply inhaled it. Her body neutralized the poison instantly. “This is excessive. Even imperial tombs don't have this many traps. What was Li Xuan so afraid of?”

“Maybe he was just paranoid,” Kayo suggested, dodging a series of spiritual snares that attempted to bind her. “Or he really didn't want visitors. But it’s so, mundane.” She gestured to a pit of spikes that opened beneath them. Su Yao simply flew over it.

They reached a corridor lined with statues that came to life, wielding ancient weapons. Su Yao dispatched them with precise strikes of cursed energy, reducing them to rubble. “This is a waste of time. The traps are nothing but annoyances.”

“Wait, look!” Kayo pointed ahead to a large chamber. The walls were covered in glowing runes, and in the center stood a simple stone sarcophagus. “The main event! But I bet it’s rigged to the heavens.”

As they entered the chamber, the runes flared, and a complex array activated, summoning a massive, multi-armed guardian spirit wielding ethereal blades. Su Yao rolled her eyes. “Another one? I'm starting to think Li Xuan had a fetish for security.”

Kayo laughed. “Let me handle this one! I haven't had a good fight in ages.” She summoned her foxfire, but Su Yao stopped her.

“No, we need to preserve the tomb. I'll deal with it quickly.” Su Yao focused her cursed energy into a tight beam, piercing the guardian’s core. It dissipated with a whisper. “Now, let’s see what’s in that sarcophagus.”

They approached the stone coffin, but as Su Yao reached for the lid, Kayo grabbed her arm. “Stop! The entire thing is a trap. If you touch it, it'll probably collapse the mountain on us.”

Su Yao frowned, examining the sarcophagus. “You're right. The seals are designed to trigger a self-destruct. Li Xuan really didn't want anyone disturbing his rest.” She stepped back, considering her options. “But if he’s not really here, why go to all this trouble?”

“Maybe he left a clue?” Kayo suggested, peering at the runes. “Or a message for someone he knew would come, like you.”

Su Yao’s eyes narrowed. “Then we need to disable the traps without setting them off. With this many, however, it’s like trying to disarm a bomb with a sledgehammer.”

Kayo grinned. “Or we could just let me try my ultimate move now. I promise I'll be careful!”

“Absolutely not,” Su Yao said, already calculating a path through the spiritual minefield. “This will take precision. Your version of ‘finesse’ is uncalled for.”

Light, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor behind them.

Su Yao and Kayo turned in unison. A young girl with twin pigtails and a simple linen robe skipped into the chamber. Her cheerful presence felt utterly alien amidst the stone and ancient magic.

She moves like she owns this death trap.

“Oh, you made it through!” the girl chirped, clasping her hands. Her voice was a bell in the silence. “I was hoping no one would trigger the final guardian. You handled it so easily!” A wide, guileless smile spread across her face. “I'm really sorry about all the traps. I kind of got carried away designing them.”

The girl beamed at them, a picture of innocence. “Since no one’s hurt, everything’s fine, right?”

She shrugged one small shoulder. Her smile never wavered. “And if you had died, I would've just assumed you were tomb robbers. Then I wouldn't have felt guilty at all.” She nodded to herself, satisfied. “So it all works out!”

Kayo raised a single, sharp eyebrow. A smirk touched her lips. “And who might you be, little one? The interior decorator from hell?”

The girl giggled. “I'm the tombkeeper! My name’s Xiao Yue. I've been tending to this place for, oh, about three thousand years? It gets so boring, so I added a few upgrades to pass the time.” She gestured around the chamber. “Do you like the runes? I added some extra sparkle to the paralysis arrays.”

Su Yao’s eyes narrowed. Her voice was flat. “You're the tombkeeper? Then you can tell us what’s really in that sarcophagus without us having to disarm your ‘upgrades’.”

Xiao Yue pouted. “But where’s the fun in that? Besides, Master Li Xuan left very specific instructions. Only those worthy enough to bypass the traps deserve to know what’s inside.” She tilted her head, studying Su Yao. “You're strong, though. And you have that familiar fox aura. Are you by any chance Su Yao?”

Kayo let out a delighted laugh. “Oho! Looks like your reputation precedes you, cousin.”

Su Yao ignored her, keeping her gaze on Xiao Yue. “If you know who I am, then you know why I'm here. I need answers about Li Xuan.”

Xiao Yue nodded, suddenly serious. “Master said you might come one day. But he also said you'd have to prove you're still the same cunning fox he knew.” She pointed to the sarcophagus. “The final test is in there. If you can open it without triggering the mountain’s collapse, you'll find what you're looking for.”

She then grinned. “But fair warning, I may have added a few extra surprises since his time. I hope you're good under pressure!”

The moment Su Yao’s fingers brushed against the sarcophagus lid, a low, rhythmic ticking echoed through the chamber. A panel on the side of the stone coffin slid open, revealing a complex web of glowing wires, pulsing runes, and a countdown timer that was already swiftly descending from sixty seconds.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Su Yao muttered. Her eyes scanned the device. “A spiritual explosive array fused with mundane mechanics? Who thinks like this?”

Kayo floated closer, peering at the bomb with detached curiosity. “Ooh, a puzzle! How modern.”

“Don't just admire it!” Su Yao snapped. “Do you know how to defuse a bomb?”

Kayo tapped her chin, then smiled brightly. “It’s simple. Just cut the green wire.”

Su Yao stared at the tangled mass of wires. They were red, blue, yellow, and black. “But there is no green wire.”

Kayo nodded. Her expression was utterly serious. “Exactly.”

She waved her hand over the bomb with a mischievous grin. A shimmering green light enveloped the wires. Suddenly, all of them turned a bright, vibrant green. “There! Now you can cut the green wire.”

Su Yao stared in disbelief. “They're all green now! How am I supposed to know which one to cut?”

Kayo shrugged. “Pick your favorite? I've always been partial to the one on the left.”

The timer continued to tick down.

45 seconds left.

Su Yao sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. I should have known better than to ask you for help.

She focused her spiritual sense, trying to discern the energy flows within the bomb. With all the wires now glowing green, it was even more confusing.

Just then, a thought occurred to her. “Wait, if this is Li Xuan’s tomb, he wouldn't actually want to destroy it. There must be a trick or a key.”

But with time running out, she had to act fast.

Her eyes darted from the tangled green wires to Xiao Yue, who was leaning against the chamber wall, humming a tune and swinging one foot idly. “Aren't you worried?” Su Yao demanded. The timer was ticking down to 30 seconds. “This bomb could kill us all. Why are you still here?”

Xiao Yue blinked, as if surprised by the question. “Oh, it’s just a bomb. It'll only kill me, no big deal.”

Su Yao stared. Her focus was momentarily broken. “Only kill you? Why are you so casual about dying?”

Xiao Yue shrugged, a serene smile on her face. “Everyone dies eventually. Besides, I've died before. It’s not that bad once you get used to it.”

Kayo, who had been poking the wires with a spectral finger, burst out laughing. “She’s got a point, cousin! Very enlightened for a tombkeeper.”

The timer hit 15 seconds. Su Yao gritted her teeth, deciding to ignore the philosophical debate and focus on the bomb. But Xiao Yue’s words echoed in her mind. “I've died before.”

What did that mean? Was this another of Li Xuan’s tricks?

Kayo snapped her fingers. The bomb vanished with a soft pop. Then the ticking stopped, and the chamber fell silent.

Su Yao stared at the empty space where the bomb had been. “Where did you send it?”

Kayo shrugged, examining her nails. “How should I know? I just pointed it in a general direction. Up? Down? Maybe into someone’s soup. Does it matter?”

“Of course it matters!” Su Yao snapped. “That bomb could have destroyed the mountain, and now it might be somewhere causing havoc!”

Xiao Yue clapped her hands. “Ooh, that was exciting! But don't worry, Master Li Xuan made sure that if the bomb left the tomb, it would just fizzle out. It’s only dangerous in here because of the spiritual convergence.” She smiled innocently. “It was a test to see if you'd panic. You passed!”

Su Yao took a deep breath, trying to calm her rising irritation. “So, there was no real danger?”

“Well, there was,” Xiao Yue admitted. “But only if you tried to defuse it incorrectly. Since you didn't, and your friend here cheated by teleporting it, I suppose it counts.”

Kayo grinned. “Cheating is just creative problem-solving. Now, can we open this thing? I'm bored of traps.”

Su Yao turned back to the sarcophagus. With the bomb gone, she lifted the lid easily. There was no body inside, only a single scroll.

“Ah, the treasures!” Xiao Yue said, peering in. “Master left those for you, Su Yao. The scroll contains his thoughts.”

Su Yao picked up the scroll, unrolling it carefully.

Kayo leaned over her shoulder. “What does it say? Is it a love letter? A confession? I hope it’s dramatic.”

As Su Yao began to read, her expression shifted from curiosity to shock. “This can't be right.”