「 Extra! Extra! ─ A Great Tragedy! The Apocalypse of the Human Village! A Sadistic Jet Black Demon Appears─Multiple Young Girls Have Already Fallen Victim… 」
「 According to our investigative reporters, the Jet Black Demon hides within a general store in the Human Village, disguising himself as a gentle and refined young man to lower people's guard. 」
「 Below are photos our reporter risked their life to capture at the crime scene: 〖 The corpse of a blonde girl.jpg 〗〖 An elderly lady refusing to submit, a stare down against the demon.jpg 〗〖 An innocent shrine maiden accidentally wandering into the crime scene.jpg 〗〖 A poor young girl cruelly battered.jpg 〗〖A sickly big-breasted girl bound and imprisoned.jpg 〗 」
「 The Jet Black Demon is still at the loose and has yet to face divine punishment. We advised all residents to remain extremely vigilant to avoid a horrific fate. 」
「 For further developments, please await our investigative follow-ups. 」
"..."
Silently staring at the article about himself, Rin felt a surge of rage boil in his veins, his temples throbbing violently.
This Paparazzi!!!
"Ah, what a nice morning read! Let me have a look too."
At that moment, Yukari Yakumo's cheerful voice floated over.
The bewitching figure emerged from a gap, holding a bowl of steaming hot wontons.
But the moment Yukari's violet eyes scanned the newspaper, her smile froze.
She instinctively wanted to retreat back into the gap, but Rin was quicker, seizing the other end of her bowl.
"This is what you call 'handling it'?"
"I—I didn't expect that little mutt to still dare make things up after a good scare..."
Yukari averted her gaze guiltily.
She had originally intended to bluff and intimidate the little paparazzi, but who would've thought that she would just take the threats and use them as material?!
And the version she personally revised wasn't bad at all—why didn't Aya use that one?!
But seeing Rin ready to snatch her food away, Yukari panicked.
"Wait! Leave it to me this time! I promise there won't be any more slip-ups!"
"Tie her up and bring her to me. I'll deal with her myself."
"No problem!"
Yukari vowed solemnly, and only after Rin released his grip did she clutch her bowl and slip back into the gap.
Having assigned the task, Rin silently gazed at the street outside, already having envisioned exactly what his new store sign would look like.
Today's business... would start with a sacrifice to the paparazzi gods.
"Marisa!"
"Coming! What's up, boss?"
At Rin's call, Marisa immediately darted over, still clutching her breakfast, her face brimming with energy.
Ever since experiencing his expert massage and chiropractic adjustments, she felt as light as a feather, like she had been reborn.
She almost wanted another round!
"Go to the storeroom and bring me a few ropes, a blank signboard, and a ladder. Make sure it's a sturdy one."
"I'll help you renovate your place once I'm done with the sign."
"You got it~"
Marisa responded cheerfully and hurried to the back, fetching the requested items.
And following right behind her—was Patchouli?
With a dark expression, Patchouli plopped herself down at the counter, slumped over the desk like a withered plant.
The only good news for her was that at least she wasn't chained up this time.
"Boss, is this enough?"
"Perfect. Leave the rest to me."
Rin casually crumpled the newspaper into a ball and tossed it into the trash before stepping outside.
The moment he was gone, Marisa, under Patchouli's disdainful gaze, rummaged through the trash and retrieved the paper.
But as her eyes landed on the content, she froze.
The person in chains in that photo… looked oddly familiar?
"Let me see too."
"Brace yourself."
As Marisa leaned in and read through the article—somewhat factual yet ridiculously exaggerated—both girls fell silent.
Never in their lives did they expect to become famous across Gensokyo in this manner…
Which bastard wrote this?!
Just as the two were fuming with rage, outside, Rin had finished setting up a flagpole beside his store's entrance.
At that moment, a gap silently opened inside the shop.
Accompanied by terrified whimpering, a tightly bound figure was unceremoniously kicked through, crashing heavily onto the floor.
As her eyes darted around, recognizing the all-too-familiar setting, Aya Shameimaru's face paled further, and she desperately wriggled on the ground, trying to flee.
Damn it, she had even changed hiding spots! How the hell did that old hag find her again?!
But before she could crawl far, Yukari Yakumo yanked her back.
"Rin~ Here's your culprit, delivered as promised~"
As soon as she spoke, Rin emerged from the doorway, his ever-so-kind smile making Aya tremble to her core.
『 The system has detected a target and now the entity has been added to the list. 』
『 Main quest established: "Capture" Aya Shameimaru 』
『 Reward: 'Mark Of Obedience' ─Dominance Hand 』
『 Detected that the target's defamation has harmed the store's reputation. Initiating punishment protocol. Temporarily unlocking quest rewards, ability limited to disciplinary action against target 』
The moment the system notification fell, Rin felt an intense burning pain in his hand, as if molten lava had replaced his blood.
Once he finally adjusted, his fingertips faintly glowed red.
Sensing imminent danger, Aya violently shook her head, struggling desperately. If not for the duct tape sealing her mouth, she would have been screaming by now.
The Jet Black Demon of Perverse Cruelty was finally about to lay his sinful hands upon an innocent, weak, and defenseless young girl in broad daylight!
Wasn't there anyone to save her?!
As Rin's hand reached toward her, Aya squirmed frantically to dodge. But with her bindings so tight, there was barely any room to escape.
She could only watch helplessly as his palm landed on her abdomen.
Ssssshhhhh—!
The sizzling sound of burning flesh echoed through the store, making everyone shudder involuntarily. Instinctively, they clutched their own stomachs.
"MMMMMPHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Aya arched her back in agony, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as a soul-wrenching cry filled the shop.
Watching from the side, Patchouli poked Marisa's trembling arm, sighing deeply—
"I suddenly feel like Rin was incredibly merciful to you. At least he only did a chiropractic adjustment, not this."
"I-Is that so...?"
Marisa's eye twitched.
Should she… be grateful she dodged a bullet?
Did her boss have some weird part-time job? These abilities didn't seem like something a normal person should have!