chapter 46

    "It's finished," said Zura after finishing his story. It turned out that there were quite a number of stories in his world that he could share with others, Zura felt a little happy about this. At the same time as the end of his sentence, Rin applauded his hands.

    "Good! Very good, Zura!" he praised enthusiastically. The smile on his face was bright like the morning sun. "I'm always happy with all the stories you tell! Give me more!"

    Zura laughed softly, until his eyes narrowed slightly. Rin is indeed a cute girl, he thought to himself. How can he reject a girl like Rin? His heart immediately beat when he saw the sweet smile shown by the Akibara girl. Zura was happy, because the story was able to make the girl feel happy.

    Even though it was just a short story, it was enough for him.

    Because, the girl's happiness is her happiness too. Because, Rin is Zura's happiness since the day the demon with the title Onigama anchored his heart to the girl Akibara.

    Seeing Zura as if he was showing off with various scary stories he had, Kyeo was annoyed, the bat demon did not want to lose to his love competitor.

    He has to contribute some scary stories to make Rin fall for him. It was impossible for him to let Rin fall into Onigama's demonic charm.

    If he loses to Zura, because the devil has something that can attract the attention of the Akibara girl and feel good about him, Kyeo automatically must be able to make or read a story that will catch Rin's attention.

    "Pfft, it's a very funny story." Kyeo said just lip service. He too, could tell a similar story that was no less terrifying.

    Rin chuckled, then turned her face towards Kyeo. "Very well, Kyeo-sama," he said in a childlike tone. "What if you continue with the story? It's your turn now. You must have something for you to share, right?"

    Rin spoke like someone who was deliberately challenging her, causing Kyeo to grunt and grab the girl's hand quickly. "Are you challenging me?" The demon then squeezed Rin's tiny hand lightly, and again said, "Alright, now it's my turn. Prepare your ears carefully."

    Kyeo immediately let go of Rin's hand and made the girl sigh softly. He rubbed his hand a little and started to focus on what the bat demon was going to tell you. He loves scary stories related to the supernatural world.

    Kyeo cleared his throat softly before preparing the story he had obtained from the demon. Luckily, earlier when Kyeo was dealing with the firefly demon, a demon who knows everything from the three worlds, Rin and Zura didn't pay attention to them. Kyeo guaranteed that the two people did not see Kyeo who was doing a transaction with the little creature.

    Now, Kyeo has lots of stories to show to the Akibara girl.

    "Okay, I'll start with a puzzle in the form of a story. If you know the answer, just answer it." Kyeo grinned and started his story.

    ***

    Three friends decided to commit suicide together as a form of solidarity.

    "How do we kill ourselves?" asked one of them.

    "I will cut off the right hand." A. said

    "Then I'm left hand." Said B.

    But C was hesitant so he said, "I won't do anything."

    But in the end, two people survived and only one died from bleeding from his hand.

    ***

    "Hmm, I think it's more about the murder of the C," replied Zura quickly. "At first they didn't have any suicidal thoughts, but they disguised them with the words suicide. In fact, they wanted to kill C ...."

    Kyeo snorted harshly, how could this demon know the answer so fast. His plans failed to show off his skills as a demon prince. "Go ahead and make the puzzle."

    "It's okay, Kyeo. Just continue with your story session." Rin said softly. The girl held Kyeo's hand for a while then smiled sweetly at him. "I want to know what story you have."

    Kyeo cleared his throat, a little embarrassed by the Akibara girl's treatment of him. "Well, I'll read some explanations about the Japanese mythological creatures that I know. Listen carefully."

    ***

    Kappa

    Dubbed the little red devil or water monkey, this mythological creature called the Kappa has an indented funnel on the top of its head. The indentation itself contains a spring and is the main strength of the Kappa. If it is spilled, the magic will be lost.

    Kappa is known to have 2 types which are known to be good and evil, if he is bad his favorite is to drink animal blood and if it is good he only eats cucumbers.

    According to the beliefs of the Japanese people themselves, if their family wants to be protected by Kappa or use Kappa as a repellent and a deterrent to bad luck, they will write the names of Kappa in the cucumber and throw it into the ritual pool.

    The kappa figure is known to always keep his promise if the humans who use it also regularly make offerings. The various names and forms of Kappa are known in Japanese folklore. There are hairy Kappas, timid Kappa, Mountain climber Kappa, well-dwelling Kappa and Kappa who like to have fun.

    ***

    Tengu ni Naru

    The most sinister and last famous creature in Japanese mythology is Tengu ni Naru. In Japanese folklore, Tengu are known as powerful creatures that guard mountains or rice fields.

    His appearance is always marked with an eagle or a crow first. At first glance, he was not much different from humans, he always wore the clothes of the Yamabushi priest.

    But when looking at his face up close is scary, Tengu has a long nose like Pinocchio. The skin on her face was bright red and her fingernails and toenails were very long. Tengu are also said to be mythological creatures who have great powers.

    With a pair of wings, Tengu can fly quickly across the night sky while carrying a large sword of Tachi and move around to disturb humans. The Tengu figure has been known since time immemorial to disturb believers who are studying Buddhism.

    ***

    Maneki Neko

    Not always mythological creatures in Japan are strange and terrible. For example, Maneki Neko, who is nicknamed the summoning cat. It looks exactly like a real cat, there is only a slight difference in the tread and their claws are bigger and clenched like a human hand.

    The figure of the Maneki Neko has long been considered by Japanese society as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, for that they used to display their statues at home. The story of the Maneki Neko as a Japanese legendary creature has been famous since ancient Japan.

    At that time there was a wealthy landlord who was taking shelter from rainstorms and lightning under a large tree in the front yard of Gotoku-Ji Temple. He was very afraid that the lightning would strike the tree which was his protection.

    In the midst of such a terrible storm, a cat belonging to the priest of Gotoku-Ji temple suddenly appeared, as if he was calling himself to follow the cat. Sure enough, not long after he walked after the cat, the big tree collapsed under the lightning.

    Feeling indebted, since then the wealthy Landlord has always set aside his money to donate to Gotoku-Ji Temple. And he also renovated the temple to be even more magnificent and bigger. After Maneki Neko died, the priests made wooden statues to remember his kindness.

    And even now we can still find Maneki-Neko Statues made of various materials such as porcelain, ceramics, bronze. The story of this lucky cat is not only believed by Japanese people. In China, the Maneki Neko is considered a symbol of bringing good luck and prosperity.

    ***

    Baku

    Baku is a mythological mythical creature that is also famous in Japan. It is said that the appearance of this creature is similar to that of a tapir, but it has a nasal trunk like an elephant. Although rarely appear in the real world. Baku is feared because he is known as a greedy creature who likes to eat human dreams while sleeping.

    In Japan itself, if people experience nightmares such as reps or devil crush. They will wake up and say, 'Baku please take my nightmare for you. Whether it's coincidence or not, the dream of the devil's sleep seems to just disappear. The existence of this Baku Statue we often encounter in Japanese shrines, usually Baku is placed on the roof of the temple building.

    ***

    Nuppeppo

    The next creepy mythological creature in Japan is Nuppeppo, similar to the stacked folds of human flesh, to be precise a disgusting wavy skin. It is said that sightings of Nuppeppo are often found in the grave area, and will only come out at night to frighten humans.

    Basically Nuppeppo is not too aggressive and dangerous, but if there are people who tease the area where the tomb he lives in. Nuppeppo will attack him by pressing him with his heavy body.

    It is certain that the person will have difficulty breathing until he dies. Even more frightening, sometimes Nuppeppo will swallow the person's body to become one with his body.

    Yamata No Orochi - Eight Headed Dragon

    Yamata no Orochi is a giant monster in the form of a dragon with a body so large that it can cover eight valleys.

    Yamato has the characteristics of eight heads and eight tails. It is said that every year Yamato will ask for offerings in the form of girls and several residents.

    If this offering was not made, Yamato would bring disaster to the Japanese population. This monster can make an entire city devastated with one tail flick.

    ***

    Nue

    The opposite of the lucky animal Maneki Neko. Nue is a creature with the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger and has a poisonous snake tail. If someone accidentally meets Nue, he will have bad luck.

    From suffering from a serious illness, tragedy, to losing his girlfriend. The only way to get rid of this insistent bad luck is to hold an Exorcism ritual for Evil Nue.

    ***

    Konaki-Jiji (Konak-Jiji)

    Disguised as a crying baby stranded on the streets. Konaki-Jiji will trick the river walkers who pass through the mountains where he lives. When someone carried him, Konak Jiji's form, which was originally just a baby, suddenly grew to more than 350 kg.

    Not infrequently the victims will experience serious injuries to the point of dying from falling from the edge of a cliff. But it is also said that for anyone who is bothered to carry Konaki-Jiji until the specified time limit, he will be given magical powers by Konaki-Jiji.

    ***

    Ushi Oni - Beach Cow Monster

    Ushi Oni is a giant, cow-headed monster. It's just that, it has 8 spider-like legs.

    He often waits on the beach with the aim of blocking and attacking fishermen who return from fishing.

    Ushi Oni will attack and kill everyone on the ship without a trace.

    ***

    "KOTATSU, is the title of this story ...." Kyeo said in a mysterious tone. "Listen and answer if you find any irregularities in it ...."

    In December, it is very cold. So I decided to warm up at the kotatsu. Besides, I brought some oranges for me to enjoy. I put the oranges on top of the kotatsu.

    But when I was about to enjoy it, I heard a voice from behind me. It sounded like a heavy object had fallen. I decided to check it out.

    I found a book lying on the floor. I also picked it up and put it back on the shelf. I then returned to warm myself in the kotatsu earlier. I picked up the orange from the top of the kotatsu and started eating it.

    ***

    "This story is called Up From The Wishing Well," Kyeo whispered hoarsely. "And written by IPostAtMidnight (with some changes)."

    "Read carefully ...."

    GOBLOK, GOBLOK, GOBLOK

    That is me.

    How stupid I am. That afternoon took my daughter for a walk into the forest. But the weather was very calm and I just wanted to enjoy it alone with my child.

    We walked a path with grass and then he, with his imagination and curiosity, asked many questions. Are there fairies in this forest? Do unicorns and dwarves live in this forest? I just laughed, maybe I told him too many fairy tales.

    There's nothing wrong with taking her for a walk in the forest. But my foolishness is to take him to the well. An old wish well, where people used to say wishes while throwing a penny into it.

    He was immediately fascinated by the well.

    "Have you ever made a wish at this well?"

    "Of course darling. Mama used to make two wishes. First Mama asked that you be born and here you are. And it only costs one penny. "

    She giggled.

    "And what do the two want?"

    "So that you are there again."

    "But I'm already here, right?"

    I smiled, “Yes, Mama just doesn't want to lose you. Mama made second wishes when you were a baby. At that time you had a fever and doctors could not cure you. Mama drops another penny and you're cured too. Are you relieved that Mama made that request? "

    "Yes." she said, "Have you ever made a wish for Dad too?"

    I'm speechless. He understood that his father was dead. Only he never knew why.

    At that time I was really blinded. I fell in love with another man, but I'm already married. In the end it was the only way.

    I dropped another penny down the well, asking to have his life taken.

    And sure enough, she had a car accident that night, leaving us both and Jake, who happily married me.

    “No, Mama never made a wish for your father. After all, this is just an ordinary old well. "

    And that night, there was a knock on my door. There was a growl that sounded like it was calling my name. I can smell a terrible foul odor.

    Suddenly there was a sound of broken glass. And from the outside, a skeleton-only hand with rotten flesh still dangling, trying to reach, wanting to drag the rest of its body in.

    STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!

    What was I thinking about taking my daughter there?

    What else can a girl who misses her father in a wish well ask for?