437 This place is the Soul World!? (2/2)

After that, he put away the remainder of the silver fruits, took a shower, and went to sleep.

There was darkness, red light, and a faint sound.

Seiji's consciousness was hazy as he felt himself floating around in midair and tried to determine where he was.

'This is… similar to when I heard Yukari shouting for me to help her…

'Just where am I? What are these lights? What are these sounds that I can hear?'

Various questions arose in his mind, but disappeared as his consciousness became hazy, just like last time.

Unlike last time, he continued floating in a specific direction as if something was leading him on.

The red light gradually faded together with the sounds.

Seiji sank into utter darkness before slowly regaining consciousness as he opened his eyes.

He saw black leaves all around him.

Seiji blinked as he stood up and looked around him.

He was currently underneath a large tree with many black leaves. Apart from this tree, there was nothing but a silvery-white glowing mist. He could faintly see that there was something in the mist, but he was unable to make out what it was.

'Where… is this?

'Is this someone else's soul realm, just like when Yukari called out to me?

'What is this glowing mist? This black-leafed large tree… it seems rather similar to the trees at the Forest Palace!

'Am I in the Forest Palace?

'My soul wouldn't enter a Spirit World while I was sleeping… would it?'

Seiji was quite mystified as to what was going on.

That time with Yukari was strange enough already. This time was even more confusing.

'Why did I arrive at such a place… is it related to me eating the silver fruit?

'I have no clue what's going on!'

Seiji cast [Astral Vision], but nothing changed in his vision whatsoever. He furrowed his eyebrows at this.

Well, just standing around was useless. Should he try walking around and taking a look?

Just as he was thinking about this, he saw a faint figure through the glowing mist.

This figure was evidently approaching him as it became clearer and clearer.

Finally, a person wearing a tall black hat, a black robe, and a white fox mask on their face appeared.

”May I ask your name?” a young and gentle-sounding male voice spoke up to Seiji.

”Before asking someone else's name, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?” Seiji responded with a classical line.

”I have no name. Some call me White Fox, some call me Black Robe, while some call me The Guide…”

”Guide? Guide to what?”

”The road to the Soul World.”

Seiji paused in surprise for a moment.

'Soul World… the hidden faction that cast the Midnight Spell!?'

”Are you a member of the Soul World!?” Seiji asked this person.

”I am within the Soul World,” the white fox masked man answered calmly.

”Within the Soul World… what does that mean?”

”I exist inside the Soul World, which is where you currently are as well.”

”What…?” Seiji was astonished. ”You're saying… that this place right here is the Soul World!?”

The white fox masked man nodded.

Seiji understood now. What this white fox masked man meant that they were currently within a place called the Soul World rather than referring to the organization which also called itself ”Soul World.” Seiji reflexively looked around him as he recalled the meaning of the place called ”Soul World” that Natsuya had told him about before.

Was this… the place where demons and spirits that wanted to return to the world of living would gather?

It didn't seem like such a place… no, wait, he couldn't see anything clearly anyways.

”All I can see is this tree and an endless mist… just what type of place is this, and why am I here?” Seiji looked towards the white fox masked man again. ”You said that some call you The Guide. Who are those people? And who exactly are you?”

The white fox masked man fell silent for a moment.