“Just be a punching bag, will ya?”
The hearty laughter that boomed from the eight-foot tall figure annoyed Qinzi. She twisted in mid-air, raising her palm, and aimed a strike at the giant’s shoulder. However, a gust of wind caught her, making her unsteady. The eight-foot figure was also interfering with her mind. While it was far from controlling her, before, Qinzi couldn’t even enter a demon hunter’s mind. Mental power had always been the eight-foot figure’s weakness, so why was it suddenly so strong?
Qinzi silently chanted a purification mantra and placed another talisman on herself. In a flash, she plummeted to the ground, the floor tiles cracking under the impact. She beckoned the eight-foot figure with a flick of her finger, daring her to come again. The giant was confused by the sudden turn of events and tried to repeat its previous attack, but this time, Qinzi only gracefully took a small step backward. “So heavy!” “Heh, a Thousand-Pound Weight Talisman. You’ve hit me so many times, now it’s my turn. Let’s see how your durability stacks up.”
The eight-foot figure was unwilling to back down. For millennia, brute strength and speed had been her greatest assets. But the opponent had leveled the playing field with a few talismans. She didn’t have these things a decade ago. Suddenly, after all these years, she was facing so many strange and unusual items specifically designed to counter her! Not cool! Unfair!
Bang! The eight-foot figure was once again flung away, this time landing beside Lin Ze, who was watching the spectacle. Qinzi suddenly called a halt to the fight, and Lin Ze quickly stopped the eight-foot figure, who wanted to charge back in. The giant could only pout in frustration, which in human terms, meant being unhappy.
“Your powers remain, and your mental strength has even increased. Not bad. Don’t look at me like that. I don’t mind telling you now, these talismans were prepared in large quantities after I captured you all those years ago. Most demon hunters rely on spells and intangible spirits in combat. But most demons can be injured by conventional weapons, while you’re immune. The information gap led to heavy losses on our side. How could I not take you seriously and prepare for you?”
These talismans were as good as useless against other spirits, but they were very effective against the eight-foot figure, who relied solely on brute force. With preparation, Qinzi could suppress the giant, but its immortality and regenerative abilities were a real pain in the neck.
If they kept fighting until one of them died, she would surely be the one to fall. But if it came down to that, it would be a righteous mob against the eight-foot figure. After all, my forces are also part of my strength. It’s just that the eight-foot figure is too alert and too good at escaping. Physical teleportation is such a cheap tactic.
Seeing the eight-foot figure’s sullen mood, Lin Ze quietly said, “It’s normal that you can’t beat her. You both have similar strength, but you haven’t learned any martial arts. Technique plays a crucial role.”
The eight-foot figure’s eyes instantly lit up. She looked at Lin Ze with anticipation, “If I learn, I can beat her?”
“Uh… If it’s just a pure physical brawl like today, then maybe. Human society has a lot to offer you.” Lin Ze didn’t want to make promises he couldn’t keep. What if she got her hopes up and Qinzi beat her up again? It wouldn’t be good.
Qinzi didn’t say anything when she heard this. If the giant really became stronger, that would be a good thing.
“How much strength have you lost? Do you think you can stay outside for much longer?” Qinzi had been beating her for ten minutes now.
“Lost? I’m already back to full power. Don’t believe me? Come at me again.” The eight-foot figure’s mouth was tougher than iron. Perhaps because she had just been beaten up again, she was even more annoyed with Qinzi now.
Hmm? After becoming a familiar, the loss of strength should be replenished by returning to the contract object. “Don’t you feel anything different?”
“No, nothing. It’s like before. But after I receive offerings, my divine power will slowly become stronger.”
Then the problem lay with Lin Ze. What was going on with him? Qinzi had a sudden urge to dissect him and study him.
“Then go back to your contract object and get familiar with it. See if there’s anything different. If you need anything, you can tell Lin Ze, and I’ll try my best to accommodate you.”
Qinzi sent the eight-foot figure away and only after it disappeared did she allow the others to begin cleaning up the scene. She took Lin Ze back to the car.
“What about the children and adults who saw the eight-foot figure?” Lin Ze was worried. Too many witnesses, and this event was sure to spread.
“It’s fine. Someone will use a memory-erasing spell to clear their memories of that day. Otherwise, urban legends wouldn’t just be legends, they’d be confirmed urban monsters.”
“Right now, I’m more curious about what you said to her that made her trust you so much, that she was willing to take a step back and become your familiar even though she was offered an alternative. ” Qinzi couldn’t contain her curiosity.
“Heh, I just told her a story…” He told Qinzi the details of his conversation with the eight-foot figure. Qinzi’s jaw dropped. Ever since she met Lin Ze, her previous composure had gone to the dogs.
“Is that all?”
“I think Kayako’s influence played a role as well. I heard from Hanako that she’s constantly being invaded by curses and resentment in that place, and Kayako even tortured her. So, her mental state must have been pretty bad. Plus, every time you two meet, it’s a fight. If you can’t beat her, you run. If you win, you seal her. I guess no one has ever had a proper conversation with her.” Lin Ze thought about the issues between demon hunters and the eight-foot figure. Who would have a friendly chat with their enemy when they met? They’d just exchange a barrage of insults and curses!
“…Only you could get her to do that. Same words, different person, wouldn’t work.” Qinzi had initially thought Lin Ze was a big trouble, but he had turned around and solved a problem for her. She was starting to see him in a better light. Good character, polite, good at convincing, and practical. If he didn’t attract ghosts, he would be even more desirable.
“You yourself are a bit strange. After signing the contract, the eight-foot figure is different from other familiars. She doesn’t need to rest inside the contract object. She’s the same as before, only needing a short break to recover. Her mental power has also gotten stronger. It’s a double-edged sword for you. The good thing is that the stronger she gets, the safer you are. The bad thing is that she might not want to return to the object once she’s out. After all, she was originally free, and she wouldn’t want to be trapped inside sleeping for decades. You’d have to teach her everything and take care of everything. ” Qinzi analyzed everything with a clear mind, but she couldn’t help but let a mischievous look appear on her face. I babysat you for a few days, now it’s your turn to experience what it’s like to be a babysitter.
“Oh, that’s okay. Qinzi, you can help me find some psychology books and books about human nature. And also some human civilization evolution history, the kind that tells the human story. In short, anything that can help her understand humans and the order of human society.”
?
“And oh, if there are any kung fu technique books, give her some too. I can’t take her to learn Taekwondo. The instructor would have to be an eighth-degree black belt! Once I throw all of these at her, she’ll have enough to learn for a long time.”
Qinzi’s breathing became rapid. So it’s my job again? Lin Ze, what do you take me for?
Lin Ze, who was talking to himself, suddenly felt a murderous intent. He looked up and saw Qinzi’s murderous gaze and the bulging veins on her forehead. He closed his mouth and gave a sheepish smile.
Qinzi suppressed the urge to kill Lin Ze, her hand instinctively reaching for the Grasscutter Sword beside her. “I can find martial arts books, but can’t you buy those other books yourself? Lin Ze, do I look free to you?”
The kindly smile Qinzi wore reminded Lin Ze of a character from a manga – Yoruichi Shihōin… Will he be spared?