I'm a demon in Tokyo!

Above the sky, the violent lightning had almost dissipated, leaving only a faint smell of burning, mixed with the thick stench of blood, slowly spreading.

The churning mist in the depths of the Deep Sea was briefly calmed by the sudden thunder, and no more demons roared and charged forward to offer their heads.

As for the demons and monsters that had already landed and were originally quite aggressive, they were easily annihilated by the retreating sea of ​​lightning.

Failed.

All of them... failed.

In the thick fog, a pair of crimson eyes, burning with violent flames, showed signs of retreat, staring intently through the layers of mist at the cold, austere iron throne in the distance.

The Red Demon was already poised to strike, waiting for the Onmyoji on the throne to be most exhausted and relaxed, so as to deliver a fatal blow in that moment.

But at this moment, its massive body remained frozen deep within the thick, viscous fog, unable to take that final step.

The Red Demon never expected that the human would emerge unscathed from its two carefully designed attacks.

For a fleeting moment, a name, long ago and almost forgotten, mixed with fragments of even more ancient memories from its very bloodline, quietly surfaced in its consciousness.

【澈】

Or to be more precise.

Great Onmyoji Che.

Long, long ago, the Red Demon could hardly remember.

Perhaps it had seen it before, or perhaps its ancestors had seen it.

Once upon a time, there seemed to be a being known as "Great Onmyoji Che," whose unparalleled power of thunder left an indelible mark on his subconscious.

—That blurry reflection gradually merged with the figure of the Onmyoji in the distance.

Retreat cautiously.

The Red Demon let out a low growl and ultimately chose the safest course of action.

Instead of advancing, it led the remaining demons slowly into the depths of the mist, its enormous body churning the icy seawater, leaving only dark currents.

then--

The first wave of demonic attacks in the Kanto region, one of the 23 wards of Tokyo, ended in failure.

Everyone, including Uesugi Tetsu, saw the thick fog at the edge of the Deep Sea dissipate slightly.

So, a sigh of relief mingled with suppressed, painful groans.

Only Uesugi Tetsu felt a little regretful.

—If I use too much spiritual power at once, I might not be able to defeat the opponent with just the Five Thunder Technique and the shattered Zhou Tian Flame Armor if I rashly chase after them.

That red demon seemed to be much stronger than ordinary demons and gods.

The second wave is only just beginning, so there's no need to reveal the information that "close combat is stronger than Yin-Yang magic."

"Finally, I can rest for a while."

It was Takizawa Kai who spoke first.

He stretched his one arm and leaned against a charred, broken rock that had been struck by lightning, a delighted smile on his face.

"There's a saying... Oh right! Uesugi-kun, you really are like a demon lord descended from heaven, a true god of misfortune on earth!"

Takizawa Kai, who comes from a small rural town, is generous with his praise.

Saito Ryuichi looked around at the battlefield that had been cleared out and the demons that were almost nowhere to be seen, and felt quite emotional.

he thinks--

Before Uesugi Tetsu arrived, even if they tried their best, they would probably need to hold out for another ten or even dozens of hours before they could receive the next round of large-scale fire support or strong reinforcements for the first round of resupply.

Otherwise, retreat and abandon the first Black Tower.

But everyone knew perfectly well that this was something that couldn't be done before the defenses completely collapsed.

But what happened after Uesugi Tetsu arrived?
ten minutes.

In just ten minutes, the attack was swift and decisive, the demons and gods were vanquished, and the offensive collapsed.

He single-handedly defeated an entire legion!
Saito Ryuichi fell silent.

At this moment, the black sphere that had been hovering nearby, its small eyes flashing wildly as it recorded the battlefield data, floated in front of Uesugi Tetsuya.

The black ball revealed a (ω) expression and emitted a cheerful synthesized electronic sound—

【Dear Lord Uesugi Tetsuya! Your battle record has been saved and converted into corresponding merit points!】

Welcome to the Logistics Department after the war, or redeem corresponding supplies, legacies, or privileges through the online system!

Uesugi Tetsu responded and examined the halo above the black ball's head.

This incentive mechanism is a typical example of distribution according to work.

After confirming that the demon tide had temporarily receded and that no new effective attack would be launched in the short term.

The group then prepared to follow Yuan Jingshui back to the towering "Black Tower" behind them.

They need to conduct the first round of resupply as soon as possible.

More importantly, it's about healing injuries and recovering to prepare for the next wave of attacks that could come at any time.

— Takizawa Kai's arm was severed at the root; Kitada Kei had a huge, potentially fatal hole in his chest and abdomen, which was temporarily plugged with his internal energy; Saito Ryuichi's skin was covered in cracks, suggesting he may have been nearly blown to pieces earlier.

As for the other Onmyoji and swordsmen who are not so familiar, they are all injured and barely in good condition.

Of all those people, only Yuan Jingshui was without any missing parts.

Uesugi Tetsu beckoned the four colossal spirits who were being scrutinized to follow.

He and Yuan Jingshui then led the group one in front and one behind, walking together toward the black tower.

"This is the 'All-Area Demon Detection Tower'."

Seemingly noticing Uesugi Tetsu's gaze as he surveyed the tower, Minamoto Shizumi, who was walking ahead, began to introduce it without turning around.

The voice emanating from the aura was slightly hoarse, but still clear.

"This is the first one. There are five more similar towers on our defensive line, and there are five more behind us."

She paused, then added:

"The tower itself possesses powerful barrier and detection capabilities."

But more importantly, there's the tower's mechanism—as long as we're still alive 'in front' of the tower, most demons won't be able to bypass it and directly attack the rear.

"If the demons want to get past, they'll have to kill all of us in front of the tower, or pay a thousand times the price to cripple it."

Upon hearing this, Uesugi Tetsuya suddenly realized what was going on.

The mechanism of this black tower is, in a sense, similar to its own "account".

They all "gave up some things" and "gained others in return".

He nodded.

"No wonder so many demons are so stupid, like they've gone mad, and insist on devouring you few dozen people first."

but……

I've been in disguise the whole time. When I came over just now, the black tower didn't seem to react at all.
Uesugi Tetsu raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious.

Because he received no warnings or was blocked by any barrier.

Perhaps it's because my stealth skills are too good?

Or were they marked with some kind of special identifier before arriving at the battlefield?

……

The interior of the Black Tower is much more spacious than it appears from the outside. It is brightly lit and divided into many functional areas.

But there was no one there.

There were only boxes stacked up, containing various materials and medicines for healing and replenishment.

Uesugi Tetsu glanced at them briefly; these items were of good quality and would be a timely help for a regular Onmyoji.

However, it's not very useful to me.

Using these potions wasn't as fast as his Spirit Control Technique, which allowed him to recover on its own in this place where violent spiritual energy filled the streets.

He saw that everyone else was busy with their own things, treating their wounds, replenishing their energy, and closing their eyes to regulate their breathing.

Uesugi Tetsu walked over to Minamoto Shizumi, who was about to close his eyes to rest.

"Miss Yuan."

Yuan Jingshui raised her eyelids and looked at him.

Without further ado, Yuan Jingshui led Uesugi Tetsu into a secret room inside the tower.

Immediately afterwards, she saw Uesugi Tetsu casually set up more than a dozen layers of barriers.

Yuan Jingshui was slightly taken aback, and her expression became slightly serious.

Then, she heard Uesugi Tetsuya say bluntly,
"—It concerns one of the eight sufferings: the suffering of illness."

Silence fell suddenly within the barrier.

Yuan Jingshui opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something. But in the end, she nodded.

“I understand.” She closed her eyes and then asked, “If relevant clues are discovered later, or if we need to exchange information, how should we contact each other?”

"That's easy."

With a slight thought, Uesugi Tetsuya felt an invisible "heartstring" gently drift towards Minamoto Shizumizu.

He explained simply,

"This is a one-time 'heartstring' moment."

"If Miss Yuan confirms the whereabouts of the embodiment of suffering, you can simply sever this mental string with your thoughts."

In case of urgent intelligence, a one-time intelligence transmission can also be carried out.

“Okay.” Yuan Jingshui agreed without saying anything more.

Just then, a notification suddenly popped up in front of Uesugi Tetsuya's eyes.

He was stunned for a moment.

The source is... from Lord Erchi's side?
……

Kansai, Kyoto front, the 13th district defense line.

The scene here is far more tragic than the defensive line where Yuan Jingshui is located.

The man-made defensive fortifications have long since been reduced to ruins.

Everywhere on the ground were dark pits, sticky, corrosive marks, and... a large number of mutilated corpses, some less than half intact.

The air was thick with a nauseating, pungent smell of blood and burning flesh, almost solidified in its tangible form.

Several demon-level beings belonging to the Thirteenth District Defense Line have been killed or wounded.

No remains were found.

The remaining Onmyoji and samurai were all covered in wounds, their eyes filled with the fear of the unknown, knowing they might die at any moment.

And their opponent, the culprit behind all this tragedy, is—

Demons, monsters, and earthquake catfish.

It is shaped like a catfish magnified countless times, much larger than an ordinary mountain.

The earthquake catfish can blend perfectly with the soil and rocks.

Each time it opens its mouth without warning, it can swallow multiple lives into endless darkness with terrifying suction.

The only good news is that the earthquake catfish was also seriously injured.

Its massive body was covered with crisscrossing charred and frozen wounds, its movements were noticeably slower, and its integration with the earth and rocks was no longer perfect.

But it is still alive.

Furthermore, it opened its enormous maw, seemingly capable of devouring everything, towards dozens of wounded and disabled Onmyoji who were unable to move due to severe injuries or exhaustion!

A turbid, monstrous wind, carrying violent shockwaves and suction force, spewed out from its throat and was then sucked back in at an extremely terrifying speed!

It was clear that the vast majority of Onmyoji were about to be sucked into that abyss-like maw along with the ruins.

"Om Ah Hum—!"

Just then, an angry Buddhist chant echoed out.

A soft yet incredibly strong cyan light curtain, like an inverted lotus flower, suddenly unfolded in that area!

On the light screen, countless fine ancient Sanskrit characters flowed, as if being chanted, which resisted the swallowing suction force of the earthquake catfish.

Pure Lotus Embryo!
"Riri!"

"Kids, don't make a fuss. I can see when the time is right."

Ririko, who had previously been as inconspicuous as earth and stone, appeared in front of the earthquake catfish.

She drew her sword, concentrating all her energy and spirit upon it.

Behind the girl, it seemed as if a magnificent sun, at its most sublime, rose up, swallowing up all the darkness.

She didn't use any fancy moves, or even shout out the name of her ultimate technique.

He simply poured all the power he could muster at that moment into the blade in his hand.

Then, he slashed out.

Three subtle, exquisitely condensed blade shadows simultaneously struck the most vulnerable points on the Earthquake Catfish's body.

Ultimate Technique: Nameless Triple Thrust!

puff!
A faint, piercing sound, like a water sac being punctured, rang out as if it were a hallucination.

The massive body of the earthquake catfish suddenly stiffened, and the ferocious light in its tiny eyes quickly dimmed and dissipated.

The suction emanating from its throat abruptly ceased, and the chaotic breath around it dissipated rapidly like a deflated balloon.

Boom!

Its massive body crashed to the ground like a mountain collapsing, raising clouds of dust, and utterly lost its life.

Ririko sheathed her sword expressionlessly.

She was slightly out of breath, and a large amount of fine sweat seeped from her forehead.

The earthquake catfish is a demon adept at preserving its life.

Therefore, just to be on the safe side, this attack almost completely drained all of her current strength.

The figure of the two-foot-tall woman appeared from behind, maintaining the Pure Lotus Barrier and silently expanding its range to include Ririko.

She glanced at the injured people protected by the barrier, then looked at Ririko, whose face was pale, and thought to herself:
"Lord Che is definitely alright. So naturally we can't let him worry about things here."

After reading.

Master Erchi nodded to Ririko and the other Onmyoji: "Leave the rest to me."

Outside the Pure Lotus Womb, two feet of thought arise, forming a mudra.

"Om Ah Hum—!"

“Posvaha—!”

……

In the present day, in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Since the second wave warning was issued, the city has become sparsely populated, and the streets appear empty and quiet.

The vast majority of people followed the instructions and entered the underground bunkers and relatively safe areas.

Although in principle, the city was not completely locked down, nor were people prohibited from traveling.

However, all those who are still outdoors need to take responsibility for their own lives.

On the second day of the arrival of the second wave, the Hokkaido Special Affairs Office headquarters received a person who looked completely ordinary and unremarkable...

But it is precisely because of this that she is an extraordinary black-haired woman.

In the reception hall on the first floor.

The woman, dressed in ordinary clothes, walked past the oblivious gatekeeper and reached the reception desk. She calmly asked the special affairs officer on duty, "..."
"Hello, is Mr. Uesugi Tetsuya here now? Or could you tell me his address?"

What the hell?
Fans are still sending flowers at this time?

The officer on duty stared blankly for a while, looking at the ordinary black-haired woman and the bouquet of fresh and beautiful cherry blossoms in her hand.

I must say... as expected of Mr. Uesugi.

Although Uesugi Tetsuya's residence is not a secret, theoretically, the duty officers are not allowed to reveal such information.

Because Uesugi Tetsuya has quite a few fans.

However, to go out alone at a time like this, one must be a true fan.

The operative hesitated for a moment before giving the address.

Then he earnestly advised the woman to consider her own safety.

"I will, thank you very much for your suggestion."

Imagawa Yoshimoto smiled and handed over the bouquet of cherry blossoms he was holding.

"Also, please give this bouquet of cherry blossoms to Mr. Uesugi, and tell him that an old friend is waiting for him."

"Oh...oh, okay." The operative nodded. "We'll definitely pass it on."

Imagawa Yoshimoto gently placed the cherry blossom in his hand on the reception table and nodded politely again.

Then he turned around and left the hall quietly, just as he had come, his figure quickly disappearing into the quiet streets of Sapporo.

The receptionist glanced at the cluster of cherry blossoms in full bloom, then at the direction where the woman had disappeared, sighed softly, and put it away.

He didn't take this little incident to heart, but was already thinking that he would have to work overtime day and night again in a couple of days.

After all, this was just an ordinary fan who gave flowers.

Isn't that right? (End of Chapter)