Genshin Impact: Villain Life Simulator

Even the playful glint in her eyes and the curve of her smile bore a striking resemblance to Kitsune Saiguu's own.

Lucas couldn't help but wonder—did Kitsune Saiguu think so little of human emotions? When Kyoko died, she replaced her with herself; now, with her own departure, she'd arranged for yet another fox to take her place.

Still, he wasn't too surprised by Miko's transformation, as it was something Kitsune Saiguu might indeed do. He simply patted her head and asked, "So, how exactly do you intend to replace her?"

Miko tapped her chest confidently, "Anything Lady Saiguu could do, I can do too! I can cook, spin cloth, clean the house… I could even put your 'long bread' into a warm oven…"

Lucas's face flushed. He suddenly remembered that he'd never bothered with modesty around Miko, treating her as a simple pet even during intimate moments with Kyoko. Apparently, she'd picked up more than a few things from observing him and Kyoko.

Eager to prove herself, Miko wrapped her arms around his neck, her face turning a shade of pink as she whispered, "I remember Lady Saiguu would do it like this…"

While Miko showed no sense of human shame, Lucas quickly stopped her, sighing, "You're not Kitsune Saiguu, nor are you Kyoko. You can't replace them."

A hint of sadness flickered in Miko's eyes as she looked up at him, crestfallen. "Then… what can I do for you? Lady Saiguu told me to stay with you no matter what."

Kitsune Saiguu must have worried her departure would hit him too hard, perhaps even drive him to despair. That's why she'd made Miko promise to never leave him.

"Then go back to your original form," Lucas said, making his request gently. "I prefer you as a fox."

Of course, this wasn't his true feeling, but seeing Miko in human form would only remind him of Kitsune Saiguu.

"A fox form?" Miko pondered, nodding. "I'll try!"

With furrowed brows, she formed a hand sign, concentrating on a transformation spell.

At this time, Miko was far from the powerful High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine she would become five centuries later; she was still a small fox, struggling to master her human transformation.

A swirl of fluffy pink fur appeared, and Miko transformed… mostly.

Now, her face had morphed into a fox's, and her body was covered in pink fur, yet she retained a humanoid shape, creating an unusual, captivating beauty.

A delight for those with a penchant for anthropomorphic forms.

"S-sorry!" Miko stammered, clearly distressed by her incomplete transformation. "I… I'll practice and get better at it, so please don't send me away!"

"No need to force it," Lucas said with a wry smile. "Take your time. I'm not going to send you away—you're all I have now."

Despite these words, Lucas's heart remained restless. He still hadn't let go of Kitsune Saiguu. No matter what, he had to see her one more time.

---

[Age 28: You restore Kyoko's gravestone. Both your parents and hers passed away a few years ago, sparing them from ever knowing Kyoko's fate.]

[Fourteen years have passed since her death, and though you've now lived twenty-eight years, you realize that what remains is familial affection for Kyoko. The seed of love, however, was planted long ago, back when you were seven.]

[You no longer plan to follow Kitsune Saiguu's request to live quietly with Miko. You resolve to find her, even if it means traveling down a path that divides human and yokai forever.]

[You sell your family's property, taking only Miko and the four precious mementos Kitsune Saiguu left behind—the Ever-Blooming Flower, Fox Mask, Water Balloon, and Wooden Dart—as you set off on your journey.]

[In truth, you already have a clear lead. Kitsune Saiguu is the High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine. Even if she isn't there, someone at the shrine will know where she is.]

[This journey is far from easy. As Kitsune Saiguu foretold, Inazuma is in turmoil, plagued by strange occurrences. A human with spiritual power and a fledgling fox yokai experience many hardships along the way, each more difficult than the last.]

[But Miko remains uncomplaining. She is your pet, but also your family. She mends your torn clothes and curls up beside you on cold nights, keeping your bed warm with her fluffy fur… though, of course, it often falls to you to sweep up her shed fur, especially since she often falls asleep first.]

[Perhaps due to her Kitsune bloodline, Miko grows rapidly in strength. While she can't yet defeat formidable enemies, her illusions help you escape from dangerous encounters.]

[After a long journey, you finally reach the border of Mt. Yougou. All that remains is to climb the steep path to enter the Grand Narukami Shrine.]

[However, unlike the bustling shrine it will become in five hundred years, this era's Grand Narukami Shrine is not open to all. As you attempt to ascend the first step, you find yourself stopped by an invisible barrier.]

["It's no use. You won't get through," says a familiar voice from within the barrier. A shrine maiden with a clear, delicate face appears and, with a cold expression, informs you, "Lady Saiguu has set a special seal over the shrine's boundary. You, of all people, are forbidden to pass."]

[Even though you haven't seen her for over ten years, you instantly recognize her: "Hibiki! Is it really you, Hibiki? It's me, Ashan!"]

[Your reaction seems to surprise her, but she quickly resumes her impassive tone. "I am now Asase Hibiki, a shrine maiden under Lady Saiguu's guidance."]

[You beg Asase Hibiki to let you in, but she coldly refuses. It's clear she never liked you much, even as a child. Perhaps she's even pleased to see you separated from Kitsune Saiguu.]

["Even I can't break Lady Saiguu's seal," she says bluntly. "And besides, Lady Saiguu is currently occupied, cleansing Inazuma of this calamity. She doesn't have time for your childish games."]

[Her words sting, angering you, but deep down, you wonder—were the ten years Kitsune Saiguu spent with you really nothing more than a fleeting amusement?]

[Yet, you refuse to give up. Knowing she's here, you vow to remain at the shrine's entrance until she agrees to see you.]

[Exhausted by the long journey, you sit outside the shrine gate, enduring three days without food or water before finally collapsing.]

[When you regain consciousness, you find yourself lying in a bamboo hut. Sitting beside you, in addition to the small fox Miko, is a beautiful girl with black hair.]

[The girl wears a red mask, and two pairs of black wings extend from her back. Having encountered various yokai, you recognize her as a member of the tengu clan, one of the four great yokai clans of Inazuma.]

Though Inazuma is home to many yokai, the tengu, tanuki, oni, and fox clans are the most prominent. Unlike five hundred years later, when yokai bloodlines are rare, in this era, yokai are as populous as humans.

[The tengu girl introduces herself as "Teruyo," a member of the tengu clan living on Mt. Yougou. She explains that she found Miko while patrolling the mountains and followed her to where you lay unconscious, bringing you back to her clan's home.]

[Generally, yokai avoid unnecessary interaction with humans. Teruyo would normally guide a lost human back down the mountain, but this time, for some reason, she chose to bring you to her clan's sanctuary. (Talent: Demon Affinity activated.)]

[Bringing a human back to a yokai clan is rare. Upon awakening, you're summoned immediately to meet the tengu clan's chief.]

[The tengu chief, a dignified and graceful woman named "Reizenbou," asks why you're on Mt. Yougou. Instead of explaining outright, you tell her you wish to see Kitsune Saiguu for an answer, but were stopped by her barrier.]

["That wild fox," Reizenbou muses with a mysterious smile. "She loves to set fires everywhere and never bothers to put them out. Perhaps one finally blazed back to her own doorstep?" She smirks. "Forget a mere mortal—even in all of Inazuma, only a handful could break her seal."]

[Her words ignite a spark within you, and you plead for Reizenbou's help in breaking the barrier.]

[Your request is denied, as she refuses to risk angering her neighbor for a stranger.]

[Undeterred, you propose another solution: "Then, I ask that you teach me your arts." If you break the barrier yourself, it won't disrupt the alliance between the tengu and the Grand Narukami Shrine.]

[Reizenbou seems surprised by your request. As she hesitates, Teruyo enters, requesting her mother accept you as a disciple.]

[Reizenbou laughs softly. "If my daughter herself is asking on your behalf, I suppose I can't refuse. But remember, I will only teach you for ten years. When that time ends, whether you succeed or fail, you must leave. And in the future, should the tengu clan call upon you, you cannot refuse."]

[Ten years. Once again, your life seems entwined with ten-year promises. Your deal with Kitsune Saiguu lasted ten years; you spent ten years with her. And now, another ten-year pledge awaits.]

[For these yokai, ten years pass in the blink of an eye. But how many such spans do you, as a human, have left?]

["Also, as my disciple, you'll need a new name," Reizenbou smiles. "It's said that one who receives a tengu's name receives their blessing. Today is a fine, clear day, so let this be your name to commemorate it."]

[Thus, you are given a seemingly simple name: Harunosuke.]

Harunosuke?

Kamuna Harunosuke?

The first onmyoji in Inazuman history and one of the famed "Youngou Three" The very founder of the Onmyoji Bureau that would later rise to prominence.

Following the Doctor and Eberhart, Lucas had once again taken the place of a historical figure from Genshin Impact.

---

[Age 29: When it comes to martial arts, the sooner you begin, the better; but learning sorcery doesn't face such restrictions. And for the tengu clan, thirty isn't even considered mature.]

[Unexpectedly, your talent far exceeds even Reizenbou's expectations. Skills that would take a tengu prodigy two weeks to master, you learn in a few hours. (Great Onmyoji talent activated.)]

[Age 30: Within a single year, you make remarkable progress in your abilities, so much so that Reizenbou often sighs, lamenting that you were born human instead of a yokai.]

[You suspect she mourns the potential loss of your gifts to human mortality, as even a lifetime of mastery will flicker out like a meteor.]

[Age 31: Reizenbou gradually transfers more of your training to her daughter, Teruyo. This cheerful tengu girl is skilled in both sorcery and swordsmanship, and she often shares a few sword techniques with you.]

[In addition to your talent for learning, you also have a flair for innovation, recording Teruyo's swordplay with "Mimicry Art," allowing you to mirror her techniques perfectly.]

[Although this shortcut is useless against an expert like Teruyo, it's more than enough to handle ordinary opponents.]

[Meanwhile, Miko lives with you, spending the day as your "pet" and shifting into her human form at night to help with chores and keep you company. She has no objections to your plans; as long as she's by your side, she's content.]

[Occasionally, rumors circulate about a woman's silhouette seen in your window, though it's mostly dismissed as a joke.]

[Age 32: After three years of rigorous training, your skills in sorcery have soared. One day, you once again stand before the gate of the Grand Narukami Shrine, preparing to test your abilities by opening a breach in the barrier.]

[Yet despite your remarkable progress, even you fail to create so much as a crack in the barrier.]

[Just as you fall into despair, a familiar, haughty voice drifts over: "I didn't think you would still be trying. Even with the tengu's sorcery, you'll never break Lady Saiguu's barrier."]

[Entering Immersive Mode.]

---

As expected, the speaker was none other than the shrine maiden Asase Hibiki, who had always looked upon him with disdain.

By all rights, she should be around his age, yet she looked scarcely more than twenty. Clearly, under Kitsune Saiguu's guidance, she had also picked up some longevity practices.

"One day, I will break this seal!" Lucas declared with determination. "And then, I'll confront Kitsune Saiguu myself for answers."

"Why put yourself through this?" Hibiki shook her head. "It's not as if Lady Saiguu is the only woman in the world."

"You wouldn't understand," Lucas replied quietly. "When you have someone you truly care for, you'll realize that some people are irreplaceable."

A smile crept onto his face as he added, "Then again, with your sharp personality, I doubt anyone could fall for you."

"What… what did you just say?" Hibiki spluttered, visibly enraged. "Even I… even I…"

"Well, well, Hibiki! Fancy seeing you here!" A cheerful voice called out behind Lucas. "Looks like I saved myself a trip up the mountain, hahaha!"

Turning around, Lucas saw a broad-shouldered man in an official uniform, likely a few years his senior, striding over with a hearty grin. "Hey, young fellow, are you Hibiki's friend?"

"Of course not!" Hibiki snapped. "Just an intruder causing trouble at the gate."

"That won't do!" The man immediately drew a katana from his side, "Let me help you chase him off!"

"Wait!" Hibiki hadn't finished explaining when the man had already charged forward with his sword raised.

Lucas didn't hesitate, using "Mimicry Art" to emulate Teruyo's sword techniques, parrying the man's assault.

To his surprise, the man was a skilled swordsman, and Lucas soon found himself overwhelmed. Just as the man was about to strike, he stopped his blade mid-air, eyeing Lucas with interest. "Hold on—this is tengu swordsmanship. Who are you?"

"I am a disciple of Reizenbou, the tengu chief," Lucas answered honestly.

"Oh, so we're practically family then!" The man sheathed his sword with a laugh. "I'm Takamine The Mistsplitter. I once trained in tengu arts myself before taking a post under the Shogun. I guess that makes us brothers of a sort!"

"Takamine The Mistsplitter?" Hibiki scoffed, sticking out her tongue. "Your real name is Konbumaru."

For some reason, the usually cold and aloof Hibiki seemed flustered around him.

Even Lucas noticed that she seemed to harbor some feelings for this Takamine.

"Th-that was just a nickname from my teacher," Takamine protested. "Tengu love giving weird names. So, kid, they didn't give you anything strange, did they?"

"My name is Harunosuke," Lucas replied.

"Huh… that's almost disappointingly normal," Takamine chuckled, scratching his chin. "Anyway, I actually came here with some good news."

"Oh, let me guess," Hibiki replied in a sarcastic tone, though there was a hint of anxiety. "Some rock finally cracked, and you managed to charm some poor soul?"

"Sharp as always, Hibiki!" Takamine laughed. "I've just been promoted to Hatamoto, a direct retainer of the Shogun and my family's been overwhelmed by matchmakers. I finally settled on the daughter of a high-ranking official. Never thought a guy like me would end up with a highborn lady."

There it is, Lucas thought with a grimace. Hibiki's act had pushed things too far, and now her aloofness had cost her dearly.

"Is… is that so?" Hibiki's face turned pale, though she tried to maintain her composure. "Is… is she beautiful?"

"She's not as pretty as you," Takamine said with a laugh, entirely oblivious to her feelings. "But she's kind and gentle—completely different from you!"

Perfect, Lucas thought, watching the unyielding tsundere and the oblivious tough guy struggle with their unspoken feelings. No wonder they never stood a chance.

Takamine set down a basket on his back, the contents jingling. "Come on, let's all drink to celebrate. Harunosuke, you too. Drinking's only fun with friends!"

"I'm not in the mood for drinking." Hibiki's tone was icy. "I'm not feeling well today. You can go ahead."

"What's wrong?" Takamine scratched his head. "Want me to take a look?"

"No!" Hibiki bit her lip, trembling. "Just get out of here! Go celebrate with your lady!"

Perplexed, Takamine scratched his head and finally nodded. "Well… alright then. The drinks are here if you change your mind."

He turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Hibiki… you're not getting any younger. Maybe it's time to find someone worth waiting for, instead of wasting your life on things that are never coming back."

It seemed he wasn't entirely unaware.

Perhaps he did have feelings for Hibiki, but as a hatamoto in the Shogun's service, he couldn't take a shrine maiden as his wife. His future, his career—they weighed heavily on his decision.

On one side of the scales lay Hibiki; on the other, his ambitions. In the end, he chose the weightier path.

Watching Takamine's figure fade into the distance, Lucas felt a chill break over him. Though he and Hibiki had never really gotten along, in this moment, he couldn't help but pity her.

Falling for such a man, with a personality as annoying as hers—it was a recipe for heartbreak.

---

Author's Note: Extra chapter!