Becoming an Oni in this land of illusion

Chapter 77

Ibaraki took a deep breath and began to explain the origins of Altrogue and how they knew each other in the past. She spoke in detail about the circumstances that brought them together and how they formed their friendship.

As she delved deeper into the story, Ibaraki explained how things had escalated, and Altrogue began relieving herself in front of her, causing the latter to feel embarrassed and ashamed. Despite the gravity of the situation, Ibaraki retold the story in a vivid and straightforward manner, holding nothing back.

She knew that her actions had caused immense harm, and she was determined to take responsibility for them. As she spoke, the tension in the room slowly began to dissipate, replaced instead by a sense of understanding and compassion.

"So it's a hopeless pervert," Marisa chuckled with a smirk as she listened to Ibaraki's story. She knew that Ibaraki had always had a bit of a devilish side, but she couldn't help but find the situation amusing.

For Marisa, meeting new people was always an adventure, and she relished the prospect of learning more about Altrogue and their connection to Ibaraki. Despite the gravity of the situation, Marisa's lighthearted nature never faltered, and she remained steadfast in her ability to bring a sense of humor to even the most tense of situations.

Shuten looked at Altrogue warily, her gaze never leaving the newcomer. For Shuten, meeting new people was always a challenge, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of wariness towards Altrogue.

But Nyx saw Shuten's hesitation, and she knew that they needed to work together if they had any hope of overcoming the challenges that lay ahead. Nyx decided to reach out to Shuten telepathically, hoping to make her understand that the situation called for a level of understanding and compassion.

Slowly, but surely, Nyx made Shuten understand that pride could not always come before the greater good. She impressed upon her the importance of banding together as a team, no matter how challenging the situation may seem.

As the conversation went on, Shuten began to soften, realizing that the situation called for a united stand. With Nyx's guidance, she decided to let go of her wariness towards Altrogue, knowing that they needed to stick together if they were to overcome the challenges that lay ahead.

"So apparently, this Vampire Princess is very weak to you, Ibaraki?" Yukari asked, with an amused grin on her face.

"That's an understatement. If I asked her to climax, she would probably climax..." Ibaraki replied with a hint of teasing, her voice confident and self-assured.

"Ohh? I wanted to see it~" Yukari chimed in, joining Ibaraki on her teasing with a playful smirk on her face.

Ibaraki's eyes gleamed slyly as she looked over at Altrogue, who was beet-red with embarrassment. Despite the gravity of the situation, she couldn't resist continuing to tease her.

"Altrogue, I want to see you climax," Ibaraki said with a mischievous grin, her voice filled with playful teasing.

Altrogue held back a moan as her body arched tensely, and her bottom was stained by her juices. The silence that had overcome the group was a sign of their confusion, not knowing how to react or comprehend the situation.

For a moment, everyone stood motionless, their minds racing as they tried to make sense of the scene before them.

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The group was relaxing in the hot spring, enjoying the warmth and tranquility of the water. As they bathed, they talked and laughed, enjoying each other's company and the bond that they shared.

Ibaraki, in her Mordred form, was taking care of Sakura, washing her gently and tenderly with a deep sense of care and affection. As Sakura leaned back, basking in the warm water, she closed her eyes, and a soft smile played at her lips.

Marisa, noticing Altrogue's downcast expression, was trying to cheer her up, telling jokes and sharing stories in an attempt to lift her spirits. Meanwhile, Shuten, Nyx, and Yukari were in deep conversation, discussing matters that the others couldn't discern.

Rin, who was sitting on the far side of the hot spring, felt a deep sense of apprehension. The power emanating from the group was formidable, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and fear at the sheer force of their magical energy.

Rin sat on the far side of the hot spring, feeling a deep sense of despair. Despite the warmth and tranquility of the water, she couldn't help but feel alone and powerless in the face of the formidable mana that emanated from the group.

Seeing Marisa, a girl who appeared to be older than her, with talents that vastly exceeded her own was a crushing blow to Rin's confidence. She had always trained hard, determined to be the next head of Tohsaka, but in the face of such awe-inspiring power, her own abilities felt inadequate.

As she observed the closeness of Sakura's newfound family, Rin couldn't help but feel a sense of desperation and fear. It seemed that all the effort she had put into supporting and protecting Sakura was for nothing now.

"What's plaguing your mind?" Ibaraki's voice cut through the silence of the hot spring, startling Rin out of her thoughts.

She flinched instinctively as Ibaraki approached, but the demon had a way of making people feel at ease. Despite her wariness, Rin found herself drawn to Ibaraki's warmth and charm.

"Nothing," Rin replied defensively, trying to pull away from Ibaraki's gaze.

But the demon wasn't fooled. She knew Rin too well, and she could see the turmoil on her face. "You know... you're quite readable. It's about Sakura, isn't it?" Ibaraki asked with a knowing look.

Rin's futile attempt to refute the question gave Ibaraki the answer she already knew. With a soft sigh, Ibaraki moved closer to Rin, wrapping her arm around her in a gesture of comfort.

"Do you know what the first thing Sakura found when she knew she wasn't caged anymore? It was you, Rin," Ibaraki said, her voice gentle and comforting.

Rin felt tears prickling at the corner of her eyes. She had been so consumed by her own insecurities that she had forgotten just how much Sakura valued her. Ibaraki's words were a powerful reminder of the love and loyalty that they all shared.

"I know that, so I don't need you to remind me," Rin said defensively, but her voice carried a hint of happiness she couldn't contain.

As if sensing Rin's newfound peace of mind, Sakura suddenly hugged her, catching Rin by surprise. She was startled but chose not to lash out. Instead, she playfully pinched Sakura's cheeks like an older sister disciplining her younger sibling.

As Ibaraki looked on at the heartwarming scene before her, a small smile formed on her lips. At that moment, she felt a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment with her life. She had come such a long way from the demon she once was, and now, she had a family of friends who she could rely on.

It made her heart swell with joy to see Rin and Sakura, once distant acquaintances, now hugging and laughing together like sisters. It was a testament to the strong bond that they had all formed together, one that transcended power and status.

For too long, Ibaraki had relied only on herself and Shuten, but now, with the love and support of her friends, she felt like she could tackle anything that the world threw at her. As the group continued to laugh and play, Ibaraki felt a sense of peace and gratitude wash over her.

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Alright folks, fair warning: the next chapter will feature a massive time skip. So, if that's not your cup of tea, I won't be offended if you sit this one out.

I wanted to ask for your feedback on something – I have been considering ways to monetize my writing, and while I'm not interested in using Patreon, I was wondering if some of you might be open to the idea of donating money directly to support my work. I will provide a link in the end of the chapter, and would be grateful if you would consider offering some support. Of course, I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, and donations are entirely voluntary. Please let me know what you think, and whether this could be a viable option. Thank you!