Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

'What in the world is happening? Why has the rate of Evil Spirit manifestation suddenly increased so much at Sōbu High? The Cursed Object in the stone shrine looks like it's about to vanish into thin air!'

A trembling Miko Yotsuya was panicking internally.

Within the range of her Spirit Sight, the light of the Cursed Object suppressing Sōbu High's many Evil Spirits was crumbling away. In another day or two, it would likely dissipate completely.

When that happened, the entire school might be haunted by terrifying Evil Spirits!

For those who couldn't see them, it might not matter much — at worst, everyone would perish together when the Spirits manifested. But Miko, who possessed the Spirit Sight, would be their first victim.

Hum!

The barrier emanating from Sōbu High's Cursed Object suddenly began to ripple.

Through the window, Miko spotted a grotesque long-haired female Ghost entering the school grounds.

"Can you see me?" "Can you see me?" "Can you see me?"

The horrifically mangled female Ghost, looking as if she had been run over by a large truck, questioned each passing student with her bloodied, grotesque face.

Beads of sweat formed on Miko's forehead as she watched the long-haired Ghost heading toward her position.

Ever since awakening her Spirit Sight, her luck had been terrible. Terrifying Spirits would often approach her directly, asking if she could see them. Though she had managed to escape each time by maintaining her composure, the feeling of hovering on the edge of death was indescribable.

'No good, I need to find a chance to escape.'

Her gaze darted around her surroundings.

Grabbing her best friend's hand, she said, "Hana, come with me to the bathroom."

But moving had been a mistake. As soon as she took a step, the long-haired Ghost locked onto her.

"No way!" Miko's heart sank.

She knew instantly this Ghost was far more powerful than any Spirit she had encountered before.

Before the Spirit even approached, an eerie stench hit them — a strong smell of blood mixed with rotting flesh.

Even the usually composed Miko couldn't help but tremble violently as she grabbed Hana's arm and ran towards the stone shrine.

"Hey, Miko, weren't we going to the bathroom?" Hana Yurikawa asked in confusion while munching on bread, looking at her friend.

They were supposed to go to the bathroom — why were they running towards the stone shrine?

Before Miko could explain, the female Ghost appeared instantly.

"Can...you...see...me?"

The nauseating stench of decay made it hard for her to keep her eyes open. She had never encountered such a terrifying Spirit before.

"Ah hahaha... We're just going to pray at the shrine for things to go smoothly." Miko forced an awkward laugh. Her legs trembled slightly, and her nose tingled oddly.

A faint mist rose involuntarily from her eyes. Extreme fear made her feel warmth between her legs.

She bit her lower lip, struggling to control her body's reactions.

Hana stood dumbfounded. It was her first time hearing about needing divine blessing before going to the bathroom.

After carefully observing her friend's behavior, she had a revelation!

So Miko was constipated!

Too embarrassed to say it directly, she must be hinting at it indirectly.

"No problem, let's go pray then!" As her only best friend, Hana had to step up.

However, she still thought seeking divine blessing for this was rather unreliable.

"Miko, are you sure you don't want to take medicine instead of seeking divine blessing?" She asked doubtfully while pulling on Miko's arm.

"I'm sure, this deity is quite effective!" Miko's whole body was rigid as she was pulled along.

She could hear the female Ghost's angry howls behind her. The Cursed Object's power was probably repelling this Ghost Spirit.

"We're saved!" Hope rose in her heart.

Hana's expression became rather meaningful.

Based on her friend's words, she might have done this more than once. This whole thing seemed quite unreliable.

No wonder none of her previous wishes to the deity had come true. So the deity's power was being wasted on things like this.

This was really... too unseemly. Hana had completely lost interest in making wishes to the deity.

What she didn't notice was Miko's rapidly changing expression.

That Ghost Spirit was actually pushing against the pressure toward the Cursed Object. The light of power emanating from it was wavering. The Spirit's power was gradually wearing down the Cursed Object's seal.

Crack—

An invisible shattering sound burst forth.

The grotesque Ghost grabbed the delicate Cursed Object from inside the stone shrine and threw it into her mouth to chew, blood immediately spreading out.

Miko's heart went cold at this sight.

The long-haired Ghost perched like an owl atop the small stone shrine, her seaweed-like black hair cascading down to shroud it completely. She had transformed into an apex predator, waiting for unsuspecting prey to stumble into her trap!

…Had this Spirit evolved?

A flicker of panic crossed Miko's eyes. Since last night, the world had become utterly bizarre.

"Can you see me?"

The cold voice whispered against her shoulder, its breath caressing her earlobe. Goosebumps erupted across her entire body.

"You can see me!" The bloodied long-haired Ghost released a piercing screech.

Miko's consciousness faltered, and warm liquid trickled down.

'How will others judge me if I die to such an Evil Spirit? Couldn't I at least meet my end with dignity?' Her composure crumbled, yet her thoughts raced on.

She knew this was the end. Her only remaining concern was for her mother, alone at home.

Boom!

A terrifying storm erupted into the air.

Before Miko could process what was happening, an mysterious force swept her away.

Others at Sōbu High noticed the commotion near the shrine.

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"Holy— How did that stone shrine just explode?" A student from Class 2-J pointed at the shrine.

Yukino quickly turned to look, but there was nothing there.

'There was a Cursed Object in that shrine. How could it suddenly explode for no reason?' Her first thought was that Daiki might be responsible.

Ginko, who was heading to the rooftop for lunch, stopped in her tracks. She then quickened her pace toward the scene.

Fumino stood frozen in place — her seat had a clear view.

'What was that just now? A bloodied female ghost... I must be seeing things from staying up too late last night...'

First the dog with a split head, now a bloodied female ghost. She realized she might actually need Daiki's services.

'I wonder how much Daiki-kun's talismans cost?' She paused, puzzled, 'Come to think of it, why is he never in class on sunny days?'

Then she remembered—he had a girlfriend.

She shook her head and turned to her lunch box.

After a few bites, she lost her appetite. Nothing could compare to Daiki's cooking.

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An invisible force swept Miko and Hana up to the rooftop.

The long-haired Ghost twisted and writhed like a deep-sea octopus.

To Miko's horror, she watched as a powerful vortex caught the grotesque Ghost, compressing it into a perfect crystal sphere.

Then, right before her eyes, that mysterious man... devoured it!

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