Tokyo: My Hundred Demon Scroll

However, there are some people who, because they do not possess the ability to 'see ghosts' (the ability to see spirits), are not even qualified to be apprentice exorcists.

These people also perform exorcisms.

However, within the exorcism community, people like Miyako, who possess spiritual power, do not approve of these exorcists.

Without even spiritual power, you call yourself a fellow professional?

Even Miyako has her own rules, which is that she will not exorcise spirits with those who have no spiritual power.

It wasn't that Miyako looked down on them, but rather that she didn't want them to be in danger.

For example, what would an ordinary person do if they grew up under the influence of atheism and suddenly learned that ghosts and monsters exist in this world?

Some people develop mental problems and become paranoid all the time.

Some people develop an overwhelming curiosity and then engage in all sorts of reckless behavior, harming themselves and others.

“Most people in this circle are like this,” Miyako said helplessly. “They’ve either read a few books or they use some unorthodox methods they’ve picked up from who-knows-where, and they think they know how to do exorcisms.”

Most of these people are liars; they can only fool ordinary people.

Of course, if it's just a scam, then it's nothing.

The most troublesome are people who have experienced paranormal events. Their probability of encountering evil spirits is much higher than that of ordinary people. When they encounter problems, it is very likely that there are really demons and evil spirits.

Lacking ability, yet easily getting involved, could easily cost them their lives.

"Just like Grandpa said."

Gu Yun wasn't surprised. Miyako herself was a student of his grandfather, so it was quite normal that the Iijima clan shared similar thoughts and attitudes.

Even Gu Yun himself felt that what Miyako and his grandfather said was right.

They lack the ability, unless forced to, like the Takanashi family, who were being hunted by the Curse of Vengeance and had no choice but to fight to the death.

But what if the Takanashi family had encountered some other con artist, master, or sorcerer instead of the Iijima family?

The final result was that the Takanashi family was devoured by the curse, and the so-called master was also killed along with them.

Iijima Ichimon despised such people.

Well, now Gu Yun is included too; he's joining in with the disdain.

"As for me, what level was the previous exorcism ritual?"

"There are no levels for this."

Miyako said with a wry smile, "Directly summoning the gods and causing the time of twilight to descend suddenly, changing the world, is a major taboo in this circle."

"The higher-ups turn a blind eye, but we can't say it out loud."

If I had to put it into words, that ceremony had already surpassed the top-tier level and reached the legendary height of 'human god'.

Most of the credit for this belongs to Gu Yun alone.

"A living god?"

Gu Yun asked in confusion, "What is that?"

"Um…"

Miyako scratched her head, actually she wasn't quite sure either: "Sora-chan probably knows more about this than I do."

"A human god, simply put, is like you, Gu Yun, someone who is born with an extremely high spiritual level."

In terms of data, one must have at least 50 spirit points to be called a living god.

Humans are born with divine powers and generally cannot achieve them through cultivation.

Therefore, neither Grandpa nor Granny Sanchui can be considered to be at this level.

Miyako, who had completely merged with the Water Spirit Flower, broke through the 50 Spirit Rank, thus laying the foundation for becoming a human god.

The only thing lacking is their record.

"Only those who can single-handedly subdue great demons or the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons can be called 'living gods'."

Even Miyako herself didn't know if such a person existed within the circle.

Anyway, she had never seen it or heard of it.

After all, there wasn't any great monster in this era that they would be sent to exorcise.

"Besides the exorcism ritual, what other achievements does Xiao Gu Yun have?"

"I once exorcised an evil spirit that was equivalent to a mid-level demon, named Kayako."

"Ooh!"

Miyako patted Gu Yun on the shoulder: "Isn't that amazing? Then you're a mid-level exorcist, Gu Yun."

"Huh? It's that simple?"

Gu Yun asked in confusion, "Isn't any certification required?"

What certification?

This isn't a game, and no one will issue them any certificates.

The level of an exorcist can be determined by two factors: first, the exorcist's own awareness of their own abilities, and second, by the recognition they receive from others.

To put it bluntly, it's just a reputation, it's not really useful.

"Don't exorcists have their own power and organization?"

"Um"

Miyako touched her lips with her finger: "No, I haven't heard of it."

"If I had to name a leader, there are only ten sects in the circle."

The exorcism community doesn't have an association or anything like that; it only gathers people together through the call of the Ten Famous Sects.

"Are there many top-tier exorcists?"

"That's quite a lot."

Miyako pondered for a moment and said, "Most of them are old men and women, like my master and Mr. Tsuba. Among the younger generation, I have never heard of anyone becoming a special-grade exorcist."

Well, I've never heard of anyone else besides her.

Miyako: If so, then I must be ignorant!

"What about superiors and intermediate levels?"

"Um…"

Miyako felt that Gu Yun didn't have a clear understanding with this answer, so she changed her words: "Only those who possess spiritual power are qualified to be called exorcists. Even apprentices must possess spiritual power."

"People without spiritual power are usually jokingly referred to as 'folklorists' in the circle."

They are a group of people who perform exorcisms out of interest and hobby, and they are never recognized by real exorcists.

"The number of exorcists is not large, and they are far fewer than ordinary people."

Take Suzunose, where Miyako lives, as an example. It's a town with at least 40,000 to 50,000 people, but Miyako is the only exorcist.

Meanwhile, in Gu Yun's area, the ghost story of the Slit-Mouthed Woman has been raging in the Tokyo metropolitan area for more than half a month.

However, Gu Yun has not seen any exorcists arrive yet.

It will take his personal intervention.

"Perhaps there are, we just don't know it."

Miyako said, "But for supernatural events of this level, ordinary exorcists cannot exorcise them."

Therefore, the first problem in exorcising demons is whether information flows smoothly, so that exorcists can know in time where supernatural events have occurred.

Secondly, you need to be lucky enough to find an excellent exorcist nearby who is willing to solve the problem.

"These two points are the dilemma that exorcists face today."

"Compared to the vastness of this world, there are really, really few exorcists."

Moreover, exorcists are not philanthropists. Exorcism itself is risky, and they will not go around fighting monsters in order to exorcise demons.

Just like Gu Yun now, he will only take action when the strange tales threaten his safety.

“The shrines and deities in each region can only protect the peace of that region.”

“The same goes for exorcists,” Miyako patted Gu Yun’s head. “We can only protect a few people around us.”

They are just ordinary people. It is already something to be proud of for one person to protect hundreds of people.

You want to protect tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people.

Even if you have the will, do you have the time, energy, and ability?

Stop joking. Gu Yun isn't a god or Buddha who saves people from suffering. He also needs to make a living.

So, don't overthink it.

Miyako said, "As for the other exorcists, we'll go to Kyoto in the summer. This year's grand festival will be held there, and all the famous exorcists who have been invited will go."

The Mitsumi family was once one of the Five Elements families and was invited almost every year.

The Iijima family previously consisted of only the grandfather, but in the exorcism world, the old man was highly respected. Even Granny Mitsuchi said that he could develop a prestigious family on his own.

"The master is getting old, so he probably won't be going this year."

"If nothing unexpected happens," Miyako said, "you, Kotani Kumo, will be the representative of the Iijima family this year."

Gu Yun didn't care about this.

He inherited his grandfather's mantle, so naturally he had to shoulder some responsibilities.

"You'll find out about these things in time."

Miyako: "Now, Kotani Kumo, tell me about that ghost story. It's about the Slit-Mouthed Woman, right? Why do you think it's the Slit-Mouthed Woman?"

Gu Yun told Miyako in more detail what Hayasaka Nao had said before, as well as about the missing classmate, and the clues that the Iijima family had found from both the family and the teacher's side.

"Tamura-kun..."

"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do about him."

Miyako shook her head and explained, "People who suffer from ghost stories used to be called 'ghosts,' and these ghosts would cause people's memories and emotions to become distorted."