I Was Reincarnated as a Nameless Combatant in a Japanese-style Fantasy Depressive Erotic Game, but the Women Around Me Are All Dangerous, and I Have a Bad Feeling about It

her).

　”Wait, but…
why? How could this be…”

　I was disturbed, perplexed, and confused by his/her action.
A sense of betrayal sprouted, but it occurs to me that maybe I'm misunderstand.
Why? How could this be happening?

　'Hehehe, well, you'll have to ask directly, won't you?'

　With a smooth motion, the youkai mother passed right by my side and proceeded to slither behind me, embracing me from behind.
Then, a sweet, whispering voice resonated in my ear.
It was enough to make my thoughts melt and evaporate.
And as that happened…!

　”Ha!? Don't try to deceive me!! You monster!”

　I narrowly avoided falling completely into Youbo's (youkai mother) trap.
Of course, it wasn't due to my willpower or rationality.
I'm learning too.
I had prepared countermeasures.

　'Oh? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, such rough behavior.
That won't do.'

　”It's better than being consumed by you!!”

　What Youbo (youkai mother) witnessed was me impaling my own leg with a dagger.
The pain served as a catalyst to restore my rationality…
as Youbo (youkai mother) herself mentioned when she first invited me here.
This world is my subconscious and a dream.
If it's my dream, then I should be able to conjure what I need when I need it.
So I quickly wished for a means, a method, to maintain my sanity and prevent my mind from being taken over in this dream…
It's a relief that even if I get injured, it doesn't matter because this isn't reality.

　'You're not impressed, huh? Well, this world may be a fleeting illusion, but at the same time, it exists within your own mind, doesn't it? It may not affect your physical body, but what about your heart?'

　”Shut up!!”

　I pointed the dagger threateningly towards the approaching Youbo (youkai mother), swaying back and forth.
She smiled gently upon seeing my actions.

　That alone made guilt, made me want to cry, and made me want to cling to her…
However, I clenched her shoulders, my face contorted with anger, and raised the dagger while yelled.

　”Wake me up, right now…!!”

　I demanded.
I commanded, suppressing the instinct from within.
I desperately strung together words and squeezed them out.
All my memories, determination, and emotions were on the verge of being violently crushed by the overwhelming affection for the presence before me.
Aware of that, tears welled up in my eyes, filled with frustration and self-pity.

　'Hehehe.
Can you just wait a little longer, perhaps?'

　And Youbo (youkai mother), wearing the same smile as ever, extended her arms towards me.
She approached as if to embrace me.

　My instincts scream in terror.
If this happens to me, there will be no turning back.
I must not allow it.
I desperately try to escape, to step back.
But it's futile.
My legs won't move.
I can't move them.
I repeatedly stab my legs, but it's no use.
Unlike before, I don't feel any pain.
There's no sensation.

　'Hehe, there's no need to be so afraid.
There's nothing to fear.
Come, come inside your mother's chest.'

　”D*mn it…!”

　I despair at mother's triumphant words.
I realize my defeat as she slowly, but steadily approaches.
And…
I suddenly notice the giant shadow behind her, a presence that wasn't there before.

　”Huh?”

　'Eh?'

　It seems both the monster and I have simultaneously become aware of its existence.
Our words spill out almost at the same time.
Our gazes also directed towards it.
Reflected in my sight are eight glowing crimson eyes, massive fangs, and unmistakable anger.

　'Well, well, what a lovely young lady we have here.
Hehe.
Look, it's your grandmother…'

　'Papaaaaaaa!! Don't you dare buly himmmm!!'

　Mother, who tried to welcome it with a smile full of affection, is abruptly interrupted as the next moment, a garbled scream reminiscent of an infant echoes through the air, accompanied by the sound of it sinking its teeth into her head.

　And I can only stare in astonishment as it continues to swing her around in its grip.
But that doesn't last long either.

　”Huh?”

　…Suddenly, the surrounding scenery melts away.
It's as if the paint on a canvas has been washed away.
And it extends to the ground beneath my feet, causing me to rapidly plummet.

　”Ugh…!”

　I fall into darkness.
Deep, unfathomable darkness.
I reach out instinctively, confused.
I try to scream something.
And then, and then, and then…

* * *

　”I-!?”

　As I woke up inside the tent, I stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment, not understanding what was going on.
I then recalled the hazy contents of the dream, organized my thoughts, and fell into silence…
only to remember the most important issue.

　…At the same time, I vomited uncontrollably, the contents of my stomach rising up.

　”Ugh…
Blegh…!!?”

　”Tomobe-san!? Uh, um…!?”

　The white fox, who had been sleeping by my side, woke up and looked bewildered.
But at that moment, it meant nothing to me.

　I just rushed out of the tent while vomiting.
I flew out and forcefully spilled the contents of my stomach toward the snowy plain.
I vomited not just once, but twice, three times.

　”Hey, what's wrong…!?”

　”What is it!? What's happening…!?”

　The remaining two tents nearby were also alerted to the situation, and army soldiers emerged, still half-dressed.
They looked at me, perplexed.

　”Step aside!! And, Tomobe-san…
Are you okay? Huh!?”

　Concerned about my condition, the fox-girl rummaged through the luggage inside the tent and found stomach medicine.
She pushed aside those around her and rushed over.
However, as soon as she saw my expression, she flinched in fear.
My face was contorted with anger to such an extent.
Shiro instinctively fell on her bottom and her eyes welled up with tears.

　However, none of that mattered.
After vomiting to my heart's content, I staggered away, leaving the bewildered crowd behind.
I walked unsteadily toward that person.

　It was easy to find them.
Not more than a hundred steps away from where our tents were pitched, in an open area without any obstacles blocking the view, that person stood, with an axe stuck in the snow and a gourd in hand, observing the surroundings.

　Indeed, standing by the footprints that are said to stretch beyond the horizon, belonging to the Namahage.

　”Hmm? What's wrong? Is it time for a shift change…?”

　Iruka, who noticed my presence, wore a puzzled expression…
but as she noticed my attitude, she fell silent.
Then, after taking a sip from the gourd, they observed me with a stern gaze.
She was cautious.

　I couldn't help but smirk at her reaction.
Smirk and speak.

　”Haha…
Well, thanks for keeping watch.
Is there anything abnormal?”

　”Nah, nothing at all.
…But you've got quite a terrible expression, huh?”

　Looking at my undoubtedly pale and haggard face, Iruka said so naturally and drew the blade of the axe from the snow.
I laughed at her action.
Laughed and put on a full-face Hannya mask, serving both as protection against illusion and for facial protection.

　”You seem a bit drunk…
But anyway, Iruka, you're really skilled at hunting, aren't you? The rabbit during dinner tonight was delicious, you know?”