Lord Of Doom!Reincarnated Into a Novel as the Strongest Side Character-Chapter 53: The Element of Surprise is NOTHING!

Note: The cast and special cast technique won’t be used throughout their stay in this era. However, as seen in previous Chapters, we would be swapping between the characters in the modern era and the Heian era.

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When they arrived back at the inn, they found Sakura outside, arms crossed and waiting.

Gojin tilted his head up, studying the night sky. He focused on the position of the stars, recalling the constellations he had learned about. By identifying specific stars and their alignment, he could estimate the time.

For instance, he noted that the North Star was directly overhead, indicating it was around midnight. The way the stars shifted and the darkness of the sky helped him confirm that it was indeed 12 AM. This method, rooted in ancient astronomy, allowed him to navigate time without a clock, relying instead on the celestial patterns above.

He loved studying so living in the medieval world is a piece of cake for him.

He grinned and whispered to them:

"What were you waiting for? An Akuma to pop out of nowhere? There’s nothing to wait for; there’s no gut feeling in you. It’s just plain manipulation."

The two of them widened their eyes in shock, jaws dropping into an "O." They exchanged quick glances before turning back to Gojin, still surprised by... nothing!

The Element of Surprise is NOTHING!

After his encounter with Gojin, Kenji also began to sense something malevolent lurking. None of them realized this was part of Gojin’s plan—a clever manipulation facilitated by his Devouring Eyes.

As Gojin moved in close to Sakura, he positioned himself so she could see his blindfold while his Devouring Eyes were in effect. The same happened with Kenji; he looked into Gojin’s blindfold and felt the same unsettling sensation.

At this point, Gojin’s power was undeniable. He was the strongest among all entities; nothing could defeat Doom—except for itself. However, Slave warned him to beware of a potential rival.

The two of them instinctively crowded around him, astonished, like eager dogs eager for a walk.

They entered the inn and found Ayumi still in her true form, peacefully asleep. They hoped she wouldn’t wake up in that form, as Kitsunes typically flee when they do, often ending up in unknown locations. Thankfully, she was still fast asleep, which was a relief.

The next day dawned softly, the first light of morning creeping over the horizon. The sky transitioned from deep indigo to a gentle lavender as the sun began to rise. Dewdrops clung to the blades of grass, glistening like tiny jewels in the early light.

Birds chirped cheerfully, their songs weaving through the refreshing air, while a light breeze rustled the leaves, signaling the start of a new day.

As the sun climbed higher, its warmth spread across the landscape, dissolving the last remnants of night.

Inside the inn, Ayumi had prepared a hearty breakfast for everyone. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, inviting them to gather around the table. They ate together, savoring the moment before resuming their journey.

Once they finished, the group began to gather their belongings - not much at all, ready to leave the comfort of the inn behind.

In her human form again, Ayumi looked every bit the charming Kitsune - the scam queen. Gojin, her number one supporter in all her schemes, was busy patting her head and speaking to her in a teasing tone. frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Who’s a cute little foxy? You are," - He said, though beneath his words lay encouragement for her to expand her scamming endeavors. He turned to Sakura and asked for 400 coins, promising to return it once they reached the capital city—their next destination.

Reluctantly, she handed over the coins from her bag, and he passed them to Ayumi with a wink, urging her to decorate and enhance her plans.

Despite the age difference, neither seemed to care; their bond was built on mischief and camaraderie.

As they waved goodbye to Ayumi, she felt a mix of happiness and sadness—elated about the money but disheartened by Gojin’s early departure.

Sakura watched as Gojin playfully walked ahead, his usual carefree demeanor restored.

Meanwhile, Kenji focused intently on the map in his hands. His blade was strapped tightly to his back.

Sakura, however, couldn’t help but wonder how Gojin had transformed back to his casual self so quickly; it was as if he had mood swings.

Is something going on with him? - she thought, curiosity piqued.

They kept moving forward, carefully navigating through natural habitats and sightseeing for a while before continuing on. Sakura remained vigilant, keeping an eye out for any Akuma, as those creatures could appear out of nowhere.

And she was right.

As they walked, a tall tree loomed overhead, and atop it hung a Grade 2 radiant soul, screeching and entwined with the branches, waiting for a prey. It was massive, even larger than the tree itself. Its body contorted and twisted into grotesque shapes, with red skin shifting to purple, and large, bulging, unfocused eyes drooping from all over its form.

Sakura and Kenji were about to jump in, but Gojin urged them to let it be. They argued for a while, voices raised in heated discussion. The Akuma didn’t seem to have the courage to approach them amidst the commotion.

"Fine! Fine! Whatever! You know you could have just let it be. It’s not like it was going to lunge at us!" Gojin shouted, bringing the argument to an end.

He walked back to the tree and swiped his finger, causing some leaves and branches to explode along with the Akuma, blood spraying as it turned to ashes.

"That’s one kill," he mused.

Returning to Sakura and Kenji, who now felt relieved that the creature was gone, they continued their journey in silence. It was better this way; any conversation might have sparked another argument.

Three hours later, Sakura and Kenji plopped on a rock, resting while Gojin kicked stones into the air, ruffling his hair in restless agitation.

"Oh, we’re very close to the capital," Kenji said, tilting his head towards Gojin before turning back to the map with a smile.

"I suggest three more hours of walking, and we’ll be right in front of its gates."

"Really? That ho..."

Sakura frowned. "Uhn!?"