Chapter 168: Kneel

"Even before we entered the dungeon, my companions and I realized that something strange had happened throughout the southern area of Tentochu. The night before, a colossal-sized Hebigure had attacked the village of Blackborough on the southeast coast," Yoichi recounted, remaining seated. 

"A colossal Hebigure? Explain, please," Ryutaro replied. Despite his wisdom, the old gatekeeper seemed genuinely confused, having never heard such a story before. The only thing that mattered to Ryutaro was honesty, and showing himself unprepared before his student was no problem for him.

"A Hebigure and a Yoroichi. My comrade Enatsu explained to me that they are relatively common demons in these neighborhoods. However, after coming into contact with that mysterious Blackblood, their size had more than tripled, as had their powers. The Blackblood had granted them the immortality of Gonshiro's power, Ryutaro-Sensei."