Chapter 17

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?"

Before using Spirit Control Technique, Uesugi Toru first condensed a bit of Spirit Power in his palm, then questioned the Doll.

As expected, nothing happened at all.

The Doll still stared at Uesugi Toru with its black-pearl-like pupils, silently watching him.

Never mind, this was the control group.

The experimental group came next.

Uesugi Toru muttered under his breath while carefully circulating an equal amount of Spirit Power, drawing a simple Gobosei on the Doll's forehead with his fingertip — that is, the Kikyo In of Yin-Yang Technique.

According to Spirit Control Technique, at this point he should be able to communicate simply with the Doll.

But exactly how to communicate was not specified.

After reviewing the process in his mind once more and confirming he had not made a single mistake, Uesugi Toru, ever ready to transform into a laughing Hannya, asked again:

"Can you hear me? Can you hear me?"

The Doll remained completely still, not even bothering to roll over and turn its backside toward him.

"How strange."

Uesugi Toru scratched his head, preparing to ask Ai Minami.

【Tsukisuna-chan】: Nanjo Sister, I accidentally learned a Jutsu that can communicate with Shinrei Kobutsu, but it seems to have no effect on the Doll you gave me.

After putting down his Mobile Phone, Uesugi Toru questioned the Doll in various languages and various ways, but to no avail.

"—Has Hasegawa's lower half been found? Hmm, then let's put it together."

When facing the Colleagues who came to do the cleanup work, Rituna Minami once again resumed her cold and efficient demeanor.

There was not a trace of the slacking-off appearance from a few minutes ago, smoking and complaining wildly.

Beside the gradually dying sea of fire, an Intern with short hair and an Identity card on her chest got out of the Vehicle and timidly walked to Rituna Minami's side:

"Minor Officer, I am Mami Shizuka. From now on I will serve as your Shugyosei in place of Mr. Hasegawa."

"Oh."

Rituna Minami nodded indifferently: "Be careful, don't die."

This unwelcoming appearance left Mami Shizuka unsure how to respond.

She could only blankly swallow her self-introduction, standing to the side, watching Rituna Minami take out her Mobile Phone, after which her Complexion changed drastically.

Mami Shizuka hurriedly asked, taking out her Special Phone: "What's wrong?"

Rituna Minami shook her head: "No, nothing."

Nothing my foot!

She remembered clearly that she had just finished typing to Uesugi Toru on line with her alt account two or three minutes ago, so how was he asking about Spirit Control Technique now?!

Could it be that within these few minutes, Uesugi Toru had already learned the text version of Spirit Control Technique and even used it on the Doll?!

Rituna Minami silently swallowed: "How is this possible..."

No, maybe it really was possible.

After asking about several details, Rituna Minami had to admit that Uesugi Toru had indeed learned Spirit Control Technique.

Even if it was only the most basic and superficial part.

"Kohinata Bozu wasn't wrong; he really is a genius."

Rituna Minami said in her heart.

She exhaled, looking at the message from four minutes ago on her alt account: "The kind of genius that comes once in a thousand years, a peerless genius under heaven."

【Nanjo Sister】: To communicate with the Doll, you need to say my name twice in a row, and then it will speak. As for mental influence, it does exist, but only slightly and benignly, with the purpose of helping you avoid certain Danger.

【Tsukisuna-chan】: Understood, thank you Nanjo Sister for taking the time to answer.

"Minor Officer." Watching the Vehicles around them keep decreasing, Mami Shizuka said softly: "Aren't we leaving yet?"

These words pulled Rituna Minami out of her Shock; she turned her head and smiled faintly at Mami Shizuka, patting her head: "Thank you for the Reminder, let's go."

"No, no need to thank me!"

Mami Shizuka immediately stood at attention, lowered her head, her ears red as she walked toward the driver's seat.

Rituna Minami did not notice her little gesture, only sighing that geniuses in this world truly kept springing up endlessly.

And at this moment, that "once-in-a-thousand-years genius" bared his teeth and waved his claws toward the Doll:

"—Ai Minami, Ai Minami! Can you hear me!"

The Doll seemed to have finally heard the correct command, slowly turning its head, finally looking at Uesugi Toru, and said dryly: "Please ask."

Uesugi Toru leaned toward the Doll in surprise and delight, and after a good look, heard the Doll's voice again.

"Please ask."

As if it could only say this one sentence.

But it might also be that his current Spirit Control Technique level was too low, his Spirit Power too little, unable to let the Doll speak freely.

So what question should he ask this Doll?

Uesugi Toru thought of Rituna Minami's answer just now.

The answer said that the Doll's mental influence was to prevent him from suffering Danger.

So Uesugi Toru opened his mouth: "I want to know, what Danger is around me?"

The Doll blinked.

Then in an extremely soft voice, slowly said: "Father."

Father?

Uesugi Toru was somewhat at a loss, wondering how these two words were connected.

He held the Doll's Hand fan and asked: "Can you say more specifically?"

Amid the silence, the doll first looked back, and only after confirming something did it continue: "Your father..."

My father?

Uesugi Toru grew even more confused—his old man did nothing but watch ball games every day, so did watching ball games in the underworld's schedule cause the world's destruction?

The doll said nothing, as if considering something.

Uesugi Toru shook the doll, his face full of eagerness to know: "Come on, man, what does 'halfway' mean?"

The doll stared at him silently for a good while before speaking:

"——Your father is an Evil Ghost."

Just like being reminded by someone else, searching for ages for the mobile phone only to find it in hand, turning the whole home upside down only to find the keys in his own pocket.

The layer of "obstruction of knowledge and views" in Uesugi Toru's brain shattered easily along with the doll's words.

He first had a realization, immediately noticing all the unreasonable aspects of that "father," then fiercely criticized his former foolish self in his heart for a while.

Ghosts these days really play fancy—is the household register down to its last page? Why do they always love being someone's parents!

After finishing his inner retort, Uesugi Toru silently repeated the doll's words just now once.

Then he immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

Evil Ghost?

What level is an Evil Ghost? How many stars!?

Uesugi Toru felt a chill behind him, realizing that since that father ghost could deceive him in an instant and construct so many false memories, it was naturally far beyond what he could contend with.

This home couldn't be stayed in! At least he absolutely couldn't stay here tonight!

Uesugi Toru hurriedly got off the bed, minding nothing, wanting to pick up the doll and jump out the window.

But at some unknown time, the doll had already jumped off the bed, its back to him, silently turning toward the direction of the door.

Seeing this, Uesugi Toru's scalp went numb, and he too looked toward the door.

Boom—

Boom boom.

Outside the door, knocking sounds rang out.

End of Chapter