Chapter 64: Demons Appear—Tokyo Is Doomed

Given the scene before him, Director Takahashi believed that the abbots and shrine priests present, even if not transcendent themselves, were at least connected to the transcendent in some way—undoubtedly tied to it in one form or another.

Instantly.

Director Takahashi rose again and bowed ninety degrees in apology.

To win over the transcendent, one must adopt the proper attitude—sincerity was inevitable.

Seeing this, Ōmuro Xia Mei’s expression softened; she turned to her side and smiled at Ōmuro Kenji.

That smile made Ōmuro Kenji’s testicles ache.

Sigh, he could never explain it again—Xia Mei’s obsession with Shinto was beyond remedy.

The abbots’ and shrine priests’ actions were seen not only by Director Takahashi, but by everyone present, including Ōmuro Xia Mei and the other young generation.

Not just Ōmuro Xia Mei, who was obsessed with Shinto and now confirmed its transcendent nature, but even the other young generation were stunned, their hearts pounding with unease.

What the hell is going on?

What are you abbots and shrine priests doing? Why are you acting as if you’re acknowledging it? Director Takahashi asked whether you have transcendent abilities—does this silence mean you’re admitting it? Could it be…

Do our temples and shrines really have transcendent beings?!

It can’t be true, can it? If not, why don’t you deny it? Why are you acting like you’re confirming it?

The young generation were astonished—bewildered, confused, terrified.

In fact, after the demon’s confirmation, those who had always disliked temples and shrines, viewing their inheritance of roles as merely a future job, had already harbored doubts: if demons existed, then what about the transcendent and the gods?

Now it seemed almost certain they did.

They couldn’t help but regret endlessly, feeling they had lost a great opportunity.

Why hadn’t the abbots and shrine priests told them their temples and shrines had transcendent beings?

Was it because they never practiced meditation, recited sutras, or prayed to the gods—so the abbots and shrine priests didn’t want to reveal the truth, and thus never passed on to them the transcendent Buddhist arts or magical techniques?

The more they thought, the more plausible it seemed—they were already choking on their regrets.

The next second.

As if something occurred to them.

Their gazes landed on Ōmuro Xia Mei.

Just moments ago, Ōmuro Xia Mei had fiercely rebuked Director Takahashi—the scene was vivid in their minds.

Their bodies jolted suddenly—they understood.

Of course! Ōmuro Xia Mei must have encountered transcendent Shinto techniques; otherwise, she would never have dared to rebuke Director Takahashi.

As fellow insiders and members of the young generation, they had exchanged words before—they recalled how Ōmuro Xia Mei always loved talking about Shinto during their conversations. Wasn’t that obvious proof she knew something about Shinto?

After all, no young person would ever like something as rigid and outdated as Shinto.

Only someone who understood its transcendent nature would truly like it.

“Everyone.”

After apologizing, Director Takahashi did not rush into matters of nation or the transcendent; he prepared to introduce the other main topic of today’s gathering.

He would ask about the demon passage.

It had been proven that demons and humans had interacted in ancient times, but why demons had severed all contact with the human world and retreated entirely into the demon realm remained unknown.

According to the government’s advisory team—composed of Professor Furuta and other demonologists, scientists, and data analysts—they speculated that demons had severed ties with humans only because something had happened.

Seeing Director Takahashi was about to speak, everyone present immediately tensed.

To be honest, their earlier act of mystery was purely to buy time.

They had assumed that once Director Takahashi confirmed the transcendent, the secret meeting would end, since he had originally claimed he was merely asking questions. Now that he appeared to have more to say, everyone grew nervous.

Could it be that Director Takahashi wanted to propose transcendent cooperation?

Or perhaps he wanted us to provide some transcendent information?

If that were true, we’re finished. Forget transcendent cooperation—even providing transcendent information, like details of transcendent arts or spells, we couldn’t give him anything.

The lie hadn’t even begun, and now it was about to collapse.

Just as their nerves were stretched to the breaking point, barely holding onto their monkly and masterly composure.

Ding.

Their phones rang.

“Huh?”

Director Takahashi pulled out his phone from his pocket, glanced at the screen—it wasn’t a personal call, but from the Government’s Transcendent Response Department, and it was the most urgent line.

“Excuse me, I need to take this call.”

Looking at the number, Director Takahashi frowned and stood up to go to the restroom to answer.

Watching Director Takahashi head to the restroom, the others quickly exchanged glances.

The elderly abbot of Sensō-ji looked at Ōmuro Kenji and the others.

What do we do now? How do we respond?

“What did you say?!”

A loud shout terrified everyone.

The elderly abbot nearly stumbled off the sofa and fell to the ground.

In an instant.

All eyes turned to the restroom—the scream had come from there, from Director Takahashi.

At that moment, the restroom door burst open.

Director Takahashi rushed out without hesitation.

“Something’s happened! Demons have emerged from the demon realm!!”

Whoosh!

Pupils contracted to pinpricks; everyone leapt to their feet, faces instantly transformed with horror.

Hey, Director Takahashi, don’t joke around—demons have escaped?

Director Takahashi strode forward quickly, face grim.

“I’m sorry, today’s discussion is over. Just now, the hall called—demons have appeared in Arakawa Ward. They’ve killed many people. The military is already engaging them in combat. I must rush to the scene. Everyone…”

He wanted to ask if anyone could help, but the words died on his lips.

He couldn’t say them.

Just minutes ago, he had learned they had transcendent abilities; now he was about to ask for their help—it would leave a terrible impression on the transcendent, especially since he had already spoken wrongly…

At this moment.

No one paid attention to Director Takahashi’s pause; their entire focus was on the words “demons have appeared and killed many.”

Mouths opened, hearts pounding as if about to leap into their throats, bodies chilled to the bone.

Could this be any more cursed…

We pretended to be transcendent for barely a few minutes, and now demons appear? What are the odds?

Is the King of Hell coming to claim our lives? Or does the world truly have gods who are angry at our deception and sent demons to punish us?

The elderly abbot of Sensō-ji still had his hands clasped, his expression serene and dignified—but beneath his robe, his legs trembled like a sieve.

The others were much the same.

Each appeared calm as still water, but inside, they were panicking desperately.

At that moment, they noticed Director Takahashi’s pause and immediately realized what he had been about to say.

My god, Director Takahashi isn’t asking us to exorcise demons, is he…

They prayed silently: Don’t speak! Don’t speak! We don’t exorcise demons—we feed them. We’re just giving the demons a meal.

“Director Takahashi, I’ll go with you. Demons aren’t something ordinary people can handle. Though my spiritual power is weak, I am still a follower of Shinto—it is my duty to confront them.”

Unexpectedly.

Ōmuro Xia Mei stepped forward, volunteering to help.

On her refined face, determination was written plainly; hidden deep within her clear eyes, a flicker of suppressed excitement and thrill flashed briefly.

…