Episode 6, Chapter 2: Clearing the Shrine of Nine Fates

It's kinda creepy here.

You're right. Wonder if we'll see a ghost?

A real spirit!

I knew it.

By the looks of it, the soul cairn must be broken.

Just how long did you leave this place empty?

Hehe, sorry...

The essence of all the former Divine Maidens is gathered here.

How can there be spirits?

The Divine Maidens' powers originate from deep desire.

An incredible longing for something. Even after you transcend this world, that desire still lingers here.

The essence of that desire is easily corrupted...

So, the succeeding maiden has a duty to care for this place.

Isn't that such a pain?

Yeah.

Although, our mother wasn't even able to leave behind that essence.

Mina...

Let's go. We should start by bringing an offering to that cairn!

Could the offering be fox strawberries?

Yes, that should be enough for here.

Good. This is enough.

Oh! It's actually working!

That's a relief. Let's check the other cairns.

Mina! Look over there! More ghosts!

Ugh... I'm just sick of ghosts now.

Sorry. This is my fault, and now Mina's friends are...

I'm sorry too. I didn't know things would be such a mess.

N-no! We're fine. We're used stuff like this.

Right, Verna?

Huh? Y-Yeah, yeah... that's true!

How do we get rid of them now?

The ghosts... have already destroyed the soul cairn.

We need to restore the soul cairn. Hurry!

The soul cairn needs to be restored to its original state.

Look around the cairn. We need to gather the scattered pieces.

What did the cairn look like? It had a rope barrier and...

There. It's done!

There's still one left.

But it doesn't seem like anything's here?

Right... but something still feels off.

The energy of the earth is very weak here.

Energy of the earth?

Yeah, ghosts can hide more easily when the energy of the earth is weak.

There are probably a lot of them here. We just can't see them.

We need to perform the Treading on the Earth God ritual to strengthen the energy of the earth so the soul cairn can move.

Is that the thing we used to do with mom when we were little?

Yup. It's simple but effective.

Alright. Let's get started!

$CAT_NAME$

Hiss! Nyaaah!

Wh-what! A spirit!

Narae!

Mina? I've gotten stronger, right?

Yeah. You're pretty good.

If Mother could see you, I'm sure she'd be beaming with pride.

I just didn't want to keep being a burden on you.

Narae...

Hurry, let's start! It's time! For the ritual!

I think it matters what direction you rotate!

Move carefully along the road. You can do it!

Try again calmly. Go around in the right direction.

Done! We did it!

I hope Mom's alright. Let's go check, Mina.

Thank goodness. Mom's okay.

Yeah. This is the grave of our Kumiho ancestors.

Even spirits wouldn't dare to be so reckless.

That statue... is your mom?

Cloud! Be quiet.

Yes. These statues are vessels that carry the souls of former Kumiho Divine Maidens.

Mina, we need to pray now.

Alright. You'd better not make a mistake like last time.

Tch. There's no need to worry. I really have it memorized now.

The lotus flower bloomed, yet touched the sword's edge.

A heart steeped in sorrow, cleft a thousand ways.

Its scattered petals...

Narae...

...ride the wind.

Mina and I are doing well, mom.

I really hope you are too.

I'm sure you'll do the divine summoning dance right this year, Mina.

I prayed to Mom to make sure to help you.

Be quiet.

Oh, yeah! I met Mister Leeho at Dohwa Garden before.

He said there was a shrine full of unbreakable things.

Unbreakable things?

Yeah, remember you broke the censer during last year's Sacred Soul Ritual...?

That's enough! Stay here, and don't even think about getting into any funny business!

I think I can trust you with exorcising the Shrine of Nine Fates now.

Yup! Leave it to me. This was easy-peasy.

Ugh, you and that mouth of yours.

I already know it, Mina. You're going to become a Divine Maiden even greater than Mom!

Yeah, I really hope so too.

Anyway, you'd better stay here until I return. I'm trusting you!

Yep, don't worry.