Tsugiri has disappeared, and Myobi is gone too. Ryoko goes to look for him. Both Myobi and Ryoko are worried that he's becoming mentally/spiritually unstable. Myobi explains that just like Alichino grow stronger by eating the souls of humans, the power of "kusabi" grows stronger when it releases the spirit of an Alichino. When Tsugiri, Myobi, and Ryoko return home, they discover that a mysterious woman named Matsurika has done something to Enju, on orders from her master Roshoki. She's after Tsugiri, and threatens to kill those close to him unless she gets what she wants. Matsurika takes Enju, and Tsugiri decides to go after her. Ryoko talks to Tsugiri and convinces him to let him come along as well. Ryoko thinks it's odd that Matsurika was taking orders, because usually Alichino live only for themselves. While talking with Tsugiri, Ryoko reveals that he's actually much younger than he looks. He hasn't aged since he made a contract with Myobi. But he won't say what kind of contract he made. On their journey to find Enju, Tsugiri and Ryoko come to a peaceful town that's more than it seems. The ruler, Yui, turns out to be an Alichino. Except instead of eating the souls of his human targets, he lets them live on and worship him.