To think that this demon could transition from a tiny stray cat into a mere branch clinging to a tree trunk!
From an external perspective, the branch looked entirely like a natural growth of the tree itself. No one would ever suspect that it was a demonic disguise.
Usually, if a demon were to mimic a tree, one would expect them to transform into the entire tree or hide within the trunk. But this creature didn't do that. Instead, it attached itself to an existing tree and became a single, naturally extending branch. It was brilliant.
His mastery of camouflage carried a certain elegance, echoing the ancient stratagems of finding the real within the illusory and the illusory within the real.
If Horitake hadn't witnessed the transformation with his own eyes—and if he hadn't been maintaining his Spirit Vision—he would have walked right past this tree without sensing a single anomaly.
After a moment of reflection, Horitake formed a new hypothesis.
Perhaps this demon's transformation was limited by its own mass. When it turned into a wild cat, that was likely its smallest possible form; turning into something as tiny as a fly or a mosquito was probably out of the question.
As for why it chose to become a branch rather than a whole tree? It was likely because a tree was too large. Its demonic flesh couldn't expand to such a volume, so it was forced to mimic something of comparable size to its original body—a branch—and then anchor itself to a larger host.
Regardless of the limitations, the creature's camouflage was top-tier.
Furthermore, its intuition was terrifying.
Horitake was certain he hadn't exposed himself, yet the demon had sensed a vague wrongness. Driven by that lingering unease, it had chosen to transform and wait, adopting a strategy of "stillness against movement."
That kind of instinct was almost impossible to counter through logic alone.
Horitake wasn't sure if this sixth sense was inherent to the demon's soul or if it was a heightened trait gained from its feline form. Between the various disguises and that raw survival instinct, this demon was a specialist in the art of staying alive.
At this stage, Horitake had no intention of revealing himself or ending the demon's life prematurely. After all, the System's quest was to "cast a long line to catch a big fish."
Since he hadn't been spotted, he would simply wait. He would play the long game and see whose patience wore out first. Eventually, the demon's nerves would fray. When it finally decided it was safe to move again, Horitake would resume the tail and follow the line to the "Big Fish."
Let's see who blinks first, he thought. I can wait ten hours if I have to. I'll wait until the sun peeks over the horizon—let's see if you can keep up the act then.
And so, Horitake remained hidden in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the demon-branch, silent and motionless.
About half an hour passed. Both sides possessed incredible patience.
Horitake's patience was rooted in confidence; he had the target in his sights, and there was no way it could escape. However, the demon's patience was rooted in paranoia. Its unease and anxiety were purely products of instinct—it had no concrete evidence that it was actually in danger.
Maybe I'm just being paranoid? Maybe I imagined it?
As these thoughts crept in, the demon's resolve began to crumble. Though it remained a motionless branch, it had already set a mental timer: Another half hour. If nothing happens in thirty minutes, I'll discard this intuition and keep moving.
Another ten minutes ticked by in agonizing silence.
Horitake didn't mind the wait. He was prepared to stay until dawn. But then, something unexpected happened—something that worked entirely against him.
From his position in the darkness, Horitake's sharp ears caught a faint sound in the distance. It was the softest rustle—the sound of fabric brushing against a leaf.
Horitake's heart lurched. In that split second, he understood exactly what was happening.
Shinobu and Kanao have followed me.
Before he had left them, he had given them specific hand signals: I'm going ahead to track it. Follow slowly. Don't rush, and whatever you do, don't alert the target. I have everything under control.
Technically, he couldn't blame them. They had likely waited for half an hour and decided enough time had passed to move in. Shinobu's strength was considerable; if she were moving at full stealth, she likely wouldn't be detected.
But Kanao was still a novice. Even with Shinobu's guidance, small mistakes were inevitable. The sound of fabric against a leaf was almost certainly Kanao's unintentional slip-up.
As faint as that sound was, if Horitake could hear it, there was no way this hyper-vigilant, cowardly demon hadn't caught it.
This is bad.
He hadn't been exposed, but Shinobu and Kanao definitely were. He could only blame his own lack of foresight for not being more explicit in his instructions.
Horitake held onto a sliver of hope, praying the demon-branch hadn't noticed. He focused his Spirit Vision on the creature.
To his utter dismay, he saw that the demon's heartbeat had accelerated.
That was the smoking gun. The demon had heard the sound and confirmed its suspicion that it was being followed. Its tension was peaking, and its heart was racing.
Well, so much for total stealth.
Fortunately, since he himself was still hidden, he could continue to wait.
Two or three minutes later, Shinobu and Kanao finally arrived at the clearing. The two beauties—one seasoned, one young—were doing their absolute best to hide their presence, moving like ghosts through the dim forest light.
Without causing a single sound from the ground, Shinobu gripped Kanao's arm and leaped lightly, landing gracefully upon a branch.
They remained silent, scanning the area. Kanao gave Shinobu an inquiring look, as if asking: Is this the way Lord Horitake went?
Shinobu nodded subtly, her eyes conveying the message: This is the right direction, but I'm not sure exactly where he is. We should continue along this path.
Watching this from his hiding spot, Horitake practically slapped his forehead in exasperation. It was a sight he almost couldn't bear to witness.
Why?
Because the branch Shinobu and Kanao were currently perched upon... was the very same branch the demon had transformed into!
This... this wasn't just "being exposed" anymore.
When you are literally standing on top of your target, the question of whether they've noticed you becomes entirely moot.
Suddenly, Horitake remembered the words he had jokingly said to Shinobu earlier: "Even if the demon were standing right in front of you, you might not even realize it."
Good grief. His words had come true with terrifying precision.
Since when did I become such a jinx? Horitake lamented, fighting the urge to smack himself.
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