Deep in the mountains, there is a small village.

A few old houses stand in a row, with fields stretching out behind them.

At the center of the village is a shrine, and further back is a small altar that no one knows how long has been there.

From the outside, it looks like any other rural village.

However, there is one strange thing about this village.

When night falls, something comes down from the mountains.

And it is not just one thing.

Something with the head of a deer.

Something covered in eyes.

Something like a snake.

Things with shapes invisible to humans.

Some have only names left behind.

Some are unrecognizable even if you see them.

Even so, the people of the village don't particularly mind.

If it's in the road, they avoid it.

If it's in the field, they drive it away.

If it's in front of the house, they close the door.

That's all.

That is how it has been since long ago.

So in this village, rather than the fact that an aberration appeared,

"Where did it appear today?"

is the more common topic of conversation.

...Though.

The ones you really have to watch out for in this village aren't the aberrations.

It's the humans who react to finding one with a simple,

"Oh, another one showed up."

And among them, there are two who are particularly strange.

Chizuru Kanzaki.

Chiyo Kanzaki.

Both sisters are in their sixties.

They are the shrine maidens of this village.

When they find an aberration, they exorcise it.

The method of exorcism is said to be passed down through generations.

At least, that is what they say.

However, as far as anyone can see, they mostly just punch them.

And today, two teacups are placed on the veranda.

Beyond the garden lies the thing that was being punched by the two of them until just a moment ago.

The villagers don't mind.

Chizuru doesn't mind.

Chiyo doesn't mind.

Probably no one does, except for you.