Becoming an Oni in this land of illusion

Chapter 68

Ibaraki couldn't quite recall what had happened. All she knew was that she and Yukari had been engaged in a heated debate about a new magical theory. Yukari had been adamant about making it complex, while Ibaraki had argued for simplicity.

As they continued their heated argument, Ibaraki noticed something different in Yukari's behavior. For the first time, Yukari seemed to have lost her cool, and Ibaraki couldn't help but wonder what had caused it.

They had been arguing for a while, and Ibaraki had expected it to continue for much longer. However, things suddenly took an unexpected turn that left her head spinning, and she couldn't quite comprehend what had just happened.

Ibaraki's mind was in a fog as she tried to process the events that had just taken place. She couldn't recall the details, only that she and Yukari had been in a heated argument over a new magical theory. But now, as Yukari held her close and wept, Ibaraki couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and concern. Something had shifted between them, and Ibaraki wasn't sure what it all meant.

---

During their discussion on Black magic and curses, Ibaraki had said something that surprised Yukari, and she wanted to get to the bottom of it. So she restrained Ibaraki to learn the truth.

"You! What are you doing?!" Ibaraki exclaimed, trying to free herself from Yukari's grasp. She noticed that Yukari's eyes were filled with a mixture of sadness and anger, directed toward her.

"Using your lifespan, etching your soul, using your blood. Tell me, Ibaraki, did you want to kill yourself that much?!" Yukari said, her voice laced with anger and concern as she held onto Ibaraki's arm firmly. Her eyes were filled with a mix of sadness and frustration at the thought of her dear friend wanting to harm herself in such a manner.

"So what?!" Ibaraki said in a dismissive tone as if the severity of the situation didn't register with her. "It's just my life, my blood, my soul. Who cares?"

Yukari's expression darkened at Ibaraki's nonchalant response. It was clear that Ibaraki didn't understand the gravity of the situation and the risks involved.

"Who cares? You!" Yukari exclaimed in a dangerous tone, her eyes blazing with anger. "Tell me, Ibaraki, how the hell did you live your past life?" Her voice was filled with frustration and concern for her friend.

Her grip on Ibaraki's arm tightened as she waited for an answer, not willing to let the matter drop until she was sure that Ibaraki was safe and sound. It was clear that Yukari wasn't going to let Ibaraki off the hook easily, and Ibaraki could feel the weight of Yukari's expectations bearing down on her.

"I didn't think anyone knew about that," Ibaraki said quietly, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and resignation.

"Answer me, Ibaraki," Yukari demanded firmly, her eyes locking onto Ibaraki's with an intense gaze. "What kind of life did you live? I can't imagine anyone enduring that much pain." Her voice was tinged with both worry and curiosity, as she awaited Ibaraki's response. It was clear that she wasn't going to let Ibaraki off the hook until she got some answers.

Ibaraki let out a tired sigh, her usually sparkling golden eyes now devoid of any energy. "Does it even matter?" she asked in a monotone voice, showing little interest in the situation at hand.

"I don't understand why you are so curious about my past life. Being experimented on every day, enduring torture, being injected with strange serums, and constantly living in a near-death state... does any of it even hold significance?" Ibaraki spoke in a flat tone as if the traumatic experiences she had undergone were inconsequential.

"I was struggling to appear human, despite knowing that I was different. All I wanted was to maintain a facade, just like the real Ibaraki," she finished, her voice lacking any emotion.