Chapter 5: The Soy-Colored Youth

The senior officials of the Metropolitan Police Department were no fools. Among them, there were undoubtedly those who took advantage of the chaos, inheriting their positions through family connections. But the majority were genuine elites with real talent. Such high-ranking posts were rarely filled by anyone but truly experienced and capable individuals—unless the family line had completely died out, forcing them to pick the best among the lesser candidates. Failing that, there were also adopted sons or sons-in-law to consider.

Relying solely on the testimony of Dirik and the footage was insufficient to completely dispel their doubts.

As for why the operation targeted the Metropolitan Police Department, it was a reluctant choice. If Dirik’s willpower had been strong enough to forge an invincible power, he would have charged headlong. Unfortunately, he did not possess such strength. Moreover, to accumulate more willpower, the public’s emotions had to be stirred. A brief and grand spectacle would not suffice. The Neo-Japanese government might lack in many areas, but when it came to controlling the masses, they were experts.

Therefore, for the extraordinary to make their true debut and appear in the public eye for the first battle, it was only fitting to unleash a ferocious creature, striking a heavy blow upon this filthy world!

“The great demon earth spider makes its grand appearance.” Smiling softly at the thought of the imminent scene, Mizunotsuki Shiro leisurely headed toward the school library.

To weave a convincing narrative of spiritual energy’s resurgence, ample knowledge was essential.

————

Inside the Metropolitan Police Director’s office, Asakawa Yuya sat restlessly, as if nails had been driven into the chair beneath him.

Director Shirouma smiled warmly, sitting opposite him. Unhurriedly, he poured boiling water into a teacup. The fragrant tea was then pushed toward Asakawa, inviting him to begin.

Asakawa lifted the cup, blowing gently before taking a sip. “Ah—such… fine tea!”

“I’m glad you like it, Asakawa-kun. Seems my skills haven’t faded.”

“Director, please don’t do this—I’m intimidated.”

As a police inspector who had risen purely on merit within the Metropolitan Police Department, Asakawa had been summoned by Director Shirouma a few times before. But never had it felt so… peculiar.

Fortunately, the director was aware of the pressure his position imposed and, after brief social pleasantries, got straight to the point.

“What do you think of that Dirik?”

Asakawa had already formulated his thoughts and replied, “That master gave me a sense of profound calm, especially when the Buddha’s light rose. Even the pain from my injuries vanished.”

Director Shirouma concealed his surprise behind a composed expression. “I’d like to ask you to visit that master once your injuries improve. Since you’ve already communicated with him, it might be easier to speak frankly. Also, investigate the details behind this incident.”

It was a mission with an unknown risk level. The Syrian-style residence in question was still under inspection.

Yet Asakawa accepted without hesitation. Earlier, some had criticized him for not retrieving the cat’s corpse, but Director Shirouma had defended him. Whether professionally or personally, he was obligated to take on this task.

Unlike the scheming minds within the police force, he had experienced the Buddha’s light firsthand and felt its tranquility. There was no way Dirik, who possessed such light, could be a villain.

————

“It sounds like we’re going to do something bad.”

The Metropolitan Police Department acted swiftly. Without notifying the Osaka Police Headquarters, an elite team set off straight for Nara Prefecture.

A young policeman rested his head on his hand, his tone full of resignation.

“To think that the prestigious Metropolitan Police elite have to sneak into Osaka Police’s turf for a mission… I’d understand if it were Osaka, but why do we have to be so secretive about going to Nara?”

Beside him, a middle-aged officer with a beard and a weathered face glanced at the young judo expert while flipping through a book.

“Stop complaining. Isn’t this our job? You can start thinking about what souvenirs to bring back.”

The young man sighed but soon perked up, asking about the book.

“It’s the exhibition catalog from the National Museum. I want to take my family there when we return.”

Leaning closer, the young man saw an image of a treasured blade preserved in a glass case.

“The Spider Cutter.”

The Shinkansen sped forward, the scenery outside cycling past in a blur. By a distant pond, nestled among lush trees, a newborn earth spider expertly moved its legs.

————

After two and a half hours, the group arrived in Nara Prefecture.

Nara, second only to Kyoto in national treasures and important cultural properties, naturally leveraged its natural and cultural landscapes to boost tourism. It was also a major forestry production area in Neo-Japan, with a forest coverage rate of 63%. To Tokyoites, however, it was considered the countryside.

After all, in the eyes of those lofty Tokyo residents, everywhere outside Tokyo was just the sticks.

If that were all, it would be nothing more than a routine business trip.

“The problem is, this assignment from above is completely nonsensical—searching for suspicious individuals in a shrine somewhere in Nara. Where exactly are we supposed to look?”

Shrines? Japan was never short of them. There could be an abandoned shrine in any remote corner.

Even the team leader, Ishikawa, found the vague mission description troubling.

Hearing the young man’s complaints, he set a stern face and said, “These aren’t matters for us to ponder. Rest up now; work begins tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

————

By dusk, the weary team arrived at the hotel. After a quick cleanup, they went out to dine together.

A pleasant meal—

“Ah—!” A scream shattered the calm atmosphere of the hotel restaurant. A waiter collapsed in terror.

A woman, weighing at least 150 pounds, foamed at the mouth and fell lifelessly at the table before him.

The restaurant erupted into chaos. Ishikawa frowned. Coming out for a meal only to encounter such a scene meant they were likely to be questioned.

“Captain.”

“Stay put unless you want to be treated as suspects.”

The hotel was not far from the Nara City Police Headquarters. Soon, officers cordoned off the scene.

Watching the bustling police at work, the group—outwardly tourists but in reality colleagues—felt oddly amused.

Though it felt somewhat inappropriate, watching others work while being mere spectators was oddly satisfying. Haha… fools! Their work was far more elusive and difficult than this!

“How long do you think they’ll take to solve it?” a female team member asked her companion.

“If the murderer dares kill in broad daylight, they must have prepared well. Weeks? Months? It’s uncertain.”

But that hardly mattered. As long as the victim wasn’t someone with powerful connections, an unsolved case was just accepted. Deploying massive resources for an ordinary person’s murder would be disrespectful to taxpayers.

This was their conclusion based on personal experience.

Elsewhere, a policeman verifying identities glanced at a man’s credentials, returned them, and waved him away.

The young man pocketed his ID, face calm, and was about to leave when—

“Wait.”

From the inspection team, a sun-tanned youth called out, his presence bright despite his dark skin.

“Sir, you cannot leave before explaining the entire sequence of events.” The young man with suntanned skin was Heiji Hattori.