Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

Creak—

Footsteps on the wooden boards sent shivers down one's spine. The decaying floorboards were blanketed in dust and scattered wood chips. The dilapidated building seemed ready to collapse at any moment.

"Shouldn't this building be renovated? The shrine could be liable if there's an accident." Haruno said with a forced smile while supporting the exhausted Yukino.

Their exploration had yielded no treasure, and the eerie atmosphere had everyone on edge.

Itsuki and Haruno were practically clinging to each other.

'With the building being so creepy, things must be going well for Miku. They're probably hiding somewhere together.'

Ichika, pleased with her perfectly executed plan, felt her guilt about eating Miku's lunch box fade away. She imagined her sister might even thank her for this.

While the girl was self-satisfied, Haruno appeared restless.

She had planned to have a serious talk with Daiki during this treasure hunt, but Ichika had separated them as soon as they entered.

Her experience made it easy to see through such an obvious ploy.

'This treasure hunt was just to bring Daiki and Miku together. I suppose I can't talk to him now.' Haruno thought, considering ways to break the impasse.

Interrupting them now seemed impossible.

Creak—

The floorboards ahead creaked suddenly, the sound particularly unsettling in the dark, eerie atmosphere.

"Oh, isn't Ginko with everyone?"

"!!!"

Everyone sighed with relief when they saw it was just Keika.

"You mean Ginko Sora? I believe she's with Daiki and the others." Yukino said, recalling when Ichika had gathered them.

Given Ginko's heart condition, she wasn't suited for physical activity. Ichika had considered this and kept her distance.

It shouldn't affect her plans for Miku — the girl was too frail to even handle direct sunlight, let alone pose any threat to her sister.

"Is that okay? Ginko's health is quite delicate." Keika said worriedly.

"Don't worry, Nino will look after her." Ichika replied confidently.

After all, Nino was watching Ginko so Miku could be with Daiki!

"That's reassuring." Keika pictured Nino — despite their brief acquaintance, she seemed more dependable than the others.

The confident looks from Itsuki and the others helped ease her concerns.

"By the way, Yotsuba's just ahead. We've searched everywhere, but there's no Shogi manual." Keika said dejectedly, accepting the treasure was probably lost.

"It was just the shrine's promotional tactic — it's normal not to find anything." Haruno said with a smile, rubbing her sore ankle.

"Have you heard any strange sounds?" Keika asked as she guided them forward.

Haruno and Itsuki exchanged glances and shook their heads. They'd been too focused on treasure hunting and watching their step to notice anything else.

"What kind of sounds?" Ichika asked curiously.

"Hmm... it's hard to describe... Like flowing water... and rapid breathing... It fades when you get close but returns when you move away... I started to think the building was haunted, so I came looking for everyone." Keika hugged herself as she described the sounds.

Combined with the eerie atmosphere of the old building, it was spine-chilling. The tense Haruno instinctively grabbed Yukino's hand.

Yotsuba, who was approaching, nodded vigorously.

"Yeah, I just heard it too! If you don't believe me, everyone hold your breath and listen carefully." She tilted her head to listen, and the others instinctively held their breath.

But instead of the water sound, they heard a bang.

"!!!!"

"What was that?!" Itsuki asked, dazed.

Haruno's pupils contracted.

'A gunshot! How is that possible? This is Star Religious Group's territory!'

The sound was all too familiar.

The Matsushita group had acquired guns and ammunition from somewhere. Even the Devil Hunters hired by the Yukinoshita family stood no chance — they were just one shot away, with no time to use their Devil Contract techniques.

Using firearms so brazenly was reckless enough, but these madmen had actually pursued them onto Star Shrine's grounds. Didn't they fear retribution when the Star Religious Group leader returned?

These thoughts raced through Haruno's mind as she shouted, "Quick, find Daiki and get out of here — that was a gunshot!"

Keika and Itsuki froze in shock. Before they could process what was happening, Haruno was already pulling them downstairs.

On the first floor, they found Nino leaning against the wall, breathing heavily.

"Nino! Are you alright?" Itsuki asked, her voice full of concern.

"I'm fine, just sprained my ankle. I've checked it already." Nino brushed away her attempt to examine her injury.

"But... are you sure? Your legs are shaking." No matter how Itsuki looked at it, her didn't seem fine.

"Don't I know my own condition?" Nino leaned against the wall, pausing to catch her breath.

Thick droplets of water trickled down the inside of her legs to her ankles. Thank goodness for the old building's dim lighting — she'd have no way to explain this to her sisters otherwise.

"Alright, but be more careful."

Given the decrepit state of the building, a sprained ankle made sense. Even Itsuki had nearly fallen several times, saved only by Ichika's steady hand.

"Did you hear the gunshot outside just now?"

"I heard it. Daiki went to handle the situation."

Itsuki's eyes widened like saucers.

They have guns! Could Daiki really handle this?

"How can we let him go alone?"

If anything happened to him, Miku would be devastated.

Itsuki rushed outside, with Keika and the others close behind.

Haruno felt an inexplicable sense of relief as she followed the others as they ran out of the old building.

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