Stepping off the cruise ship, the group set foot on Tsukikage Isnd.
Evening had already fallen, and with the sun fully set, the isnd was cloaked in dim light.
Due to its remote location, the isnd cked extensive lighting, making the darkness even more pronounced.
Adding to the eerie atmosphere, malevolent spirits drifted in the sky above, casting an ominous and dangerous aura over the entire isnd.
Ren gazed at the sky.
The lingeriment had grown stronger.
Just what kind of underground industry could gee su overwhelming aura of malice?
The seedy operations running on this isnd only deepened his curiosity.
However, for now, he o suppress that curiosity.
Sihe girls had already been brought here, their safety took priority.
In truth, the spirits wandering above weren't a major threat.
With Isumi's strength, handling them wouldn't be an issue. But the real danger lurkih the surface remained unknown.
First, they o uhe true nature of this isnd.
Otherwise, how could they grasp the full story behind it?
After taking a moment to rex, Ren picked up his suitcase and boarded the transport vehicle Shinomiya had arranged.
Not long after, the car pulled up in front of the high-end hot spring hotel they had reserved.
"The hot spring apartment has been fully booked for today. Other than the regur ing staff, no one else will be entering."
417, Hayasaka, stepped forward to deliver a cise briefing.
Handling these arras took little effort for her.
Of course, the so-called "ing staff" of this luxury hot spring hotel had all been repced with bodyguards from the Shinomiya family.
Ensuring that no outsiders could get near was a given.
After all, the people stayihis weekend weren't just the heirs of the Shinomiya family but also those of the Sanzenin and Saginomiya families.
If even in such a secured enviro somethio happen, it would mark the utter failure of the Shinomiya family's legacy.
Thus, Shinomiya took plete responsibility for security.
However, Hayasaka hadn't anticipated dealing with something as absurd as evil spirits.
That was beyond her usual job description.
Ren g the hot spring apartment before turning to Isumi.
"Saginomiya, I'll be ting on you for this."
"Rest assured, Lord Amamiya."
"Exorcism is our family's specialty."
Even if Ren hadn't requested it, Isumi would have taken the job upon herself.
Sinagi was here, she couldn't allow these spirits thten her.
At the very least, she had to ehe hot spring hotel remained secure.
Isumi's abilities were reliable, and her expertise in spirit exorcism made her the best-suited person for this task.
In fact, she was the one person in their group whom Ren could trust pletely with this matter.
Of course, her tendency to get lost arate issue.
Thus, Ren gave a cautious reminder.
"Hayasaka-san, have a bodyguard apany Saginomiya."
"I'm more ed about her getting lost."
Hayasaka blinked in surprise before quickly giving the order.
"Lord Amamiya, I won't get lost in a hot spring apartment."
Her voice carried a hint of rese.
However, Ren remained firm.
"Saginomiya, this is your first time here. You're unfamiliar with the yout, so getting lost is perfectly possible."
That was a reasonable argument.
It was natural to feel disoriented in airely new pce.
Besides, the apartment plex was far from small.
Isumi tried to protest for a moment but eventually relented.
It was her first time here, after all, and the possibility of getting lost was indeed real.
It was a valid .
"Go pick your rooms first."
"Once you've ged, we'll have a proper discussion."
This ued situation o be addressed.
But before that, they at least o settle in, ge into more fortable clothing, and rex.
Upoering the hot spring hotel, the girls wisely decided to stay close together.
There was no need for unnecessary plications.
They picked rooms near each other, having friends nearby would make sleeping at night more reassuring.
After ging into thick yukatas, they all gathered in Ren's room.
Ren had also switched into a yukata.
Seated at the small table, he swept his gaze over the girls.
Each of them wore uneasy expressions.
It was clear that today's enter with the evil spirits had shaken them deeply.
He uood that pletely.
It was natural for them to feel this way none of them were aced to dealing with such things.
After all, the girls present were, at their core, just ordinary girls.
Thus, Ren chose to offer them reassurance.
"This is the first supernatural event we've entered."
"But think about the name of our club—the Occult Research Club."
"The experience we're fag now is the very pinnaystery."
"The diary in your hands is the highest artifact of all mysteries."
"So, you o stay calm."
"You o gradually e to uand this mysterious world."
"Perhaps iure, we'll face even more supernatural phenomena."
"Everyohis is a trial."
Hearing his words, the girls, who had been visibly uled moments ago, seemed to rex slightly.
Especially after hearing that the diary was the ultimate mystery, something eveer than the spirits they had entered.
Thinking about the diary, then recalling the spirits…
It put things into perspective, making their previous fear seem a little less overwhelming.
A sense of stability began to return.
"Saginomiya, have you taken care of it?"
Once he saw that the situation was stabilizing, Ren shifted his focus.
"I've fihe preparations," Isumi replied with a nod.
"That's good."
As expected, hearing that assurance brought further relief to the girls.
At the very least, they could now feel some sembnce of safety.
Sensing the calm settling over the group, Ren also allowed himself to rex a little.
Truthfully, he wasn't particurly skilled at handling situations like this.
Standing in the spotlight didn't suit him.
He was far more fortable in quiet, shadowed pces.
Bringing the situation under trol to this extent was already the limit of his ability.
"Everyone, I o expin something to you now."
"It's a part of mysticism, specifically, knowledge reted to evil spirits."
At those words, the girls instinctively tensed up.
This wasn't the rational, stific world they were used to.
It was the realm of the supernatural, ohey had only just begun to step into.
