Zongman, daily life starting from hunting the supernatural

In order to ensure that today's "hunting" does not go wrong, Sakurai decided...

Go get the map first.

It would be best to use an old map that can be compared with Google Maps.

After looking at Google Maps, Sakurai made up his mind.

Not long after, a bus that could go directly to the destination stopped in front of the bus stop, and Sakurai strode towards the bus.

Sakurai walked past the pretty girl who he had finally mustered up the courage to approach and chat with, then got on the bus and closed his eyes.

......

Sakurai's destination is called Tama Art University Library, a library located behind a park on the Hachioji campus of Tama Art University outside of Tokyo.

It is said that once you come there, it is like walking into a forest or a cave, and soft relationships are formed in the space of the arcade.

Of course, Sakurai wasn't here to visit.

By the time Sakurai arrived at the library, it was already one o'clock in the afternoon.

Today is a [working day], and because of the heavy rain, Sakurai did not see anyone in the library except the staff.

The lights in the library were only turned on to the minimum level.

After closing the umbrella and shaking it twice at the door, Sakurai passed through security with his shoulder bag in one hand, and followed the signs to make several turns and directly arrived at the history and geography area.

Putting the shoulder bag on the table beside him, Sakurai began to look for what he wanted.

About two hours later, after narrowing the target range again and again, Sakurai looked at the bookshelf in front of him.

If nothing unexpected happens, what he wants should be here.

found it.

Sakurai's eyes lit up and he pulled out a slightly yellowed map from a corner.

It can be seen that this map has been here for some years.

After unfolding, locations around Tokyo are clearly recorded on this large map about three meters long.

Sakurai took two steps back, put some distance between himself and took out his cell phone to take two pictures. After making sure that he had taken pictures of the entire map, Sakurai folded the map, returned it to its original position, and prepared to leave.

"Oh, it's really rare that young people nowadays are willing to take the time to restore things to their original state."

“It’s so rare.”

He heard the old man's cough and was pleased with what Sakurai had done.

The old man who appeared behind him at some point had a hoarse, thick and deep voice. He looked to be about 1.5 meters tall, a little hunched over, and was wearing a loose kimono. The kimono, which looked a bit old, was washed very clean, with a faint scent of soap.

Wearing a pair of reading glasses, he looked to be around eighty or ninety years old.

But I'm in unexpectedly good spirits.

Maybe there is a habit of exercising.

Sakurai first put the phone in his arms, then turned around and met the old man's eyes.

The old man is old, but his eyes are bright, not cloudy like those of other people of his age.

He didn't have any crutches in his hand and his face was rosy, so he probably didn't have any disease. He might be healthier than many working young people.

There is no dirt under the nails, and the shoes are not too wet on rainy days. The wrists exposed to the air can be said to be very clean except for some age spots.

This is an old man who pays great attention to personal hygiene.

His weather-beaten face is full of wrinkles accumulated over the years, but from his temperament, it can be seen that when he was young he was also a famous handsome man in the area.

The old man put one hand behind his back and placed the other hand on his chest. He coughed from time to time and looked at Sakurai with a kind smile.

Sakurai didn't say anything. He didn't think he had anything to say to the old man.

14. Young people, smile more while you are still young.

"Young man, what are you looking for?"

"Since you came here specifically to look for old maps, your goal should be something from the past."

"I'm not bragging, I am actually knowledgeable."

"There is nothing in the memory of the older generation that the old ones don't understand."

Sakurai didn't intend to pay attention to him, but the old man just talked to Sakurai in a very warm manner.

"Then may I ask, old man, do you know a temple?"

“A temple that can fulfill the wishes of those who are destined to meet it.”

"I have to go somewhere for something."

Squinting his eyes slightly, Sakurai looked at the old man.

The old man was silent. He stared into Sakurai's eyes motionlessly. Sakurai did not continue to lecture him. He just stared at the old man silently.

"I thought I would never mention this name again in my life."

After a long time, he sighed heavily.

After giving the old man a few moments to sigh and reminisce about past events, Sakurai took two steps back and motioned for him to sit down and talk.

"Old man, from what you said, it seems that you do know something. Would you mind telling me?"

"Young man, what wish do you have for that temple that you want to fulfill?"

"Would you mind telling me?"

The old man did not sit down as Sakurai instructed, but stood straight.

The old man answered the question with a question that was not asked, and in turn asked Sakurai what was the purpose of tracing back this old story.

His eyes narrowed, Sakurai looked at the old man again.

"It's very simple. I have something to ask that [God and Buddha]. To be specific..."

"I'm going to hunt it."

"It has lived too long. It's time to let it go."

With no intention of hiding anything, Sakurai spoke frankly about his thoughts.

“Hahahaha…cough cough!!!”

Hearing Sakurai's answer, the old man couldn't help laughing. As he laughed, he couldn't stop coughing.

"Young man, are you kidding me?"

"That's just a legend. Even if it's not a legend, you said you wanted to hunt gods and Buddhas. This is very disrespectful."

The old man raised his hand to refuse Sakurai's approach, coughed a few times, patted his chest, and his eyes seemed a little moist.

"The premise is that it is really a god or Buddha, right?"

"I don't think an imposter has the right to exist with a clear conscience."

"Moreover, even if it is a god or Buddha, since no one remembers Him, then His existence has lost its value."

"It would be better if I could free Him."

Taking a breath, Sakurai gave his answer as a matter of course.

"Young man, let me warn you that this is very dangerous. If you are not careful, you can really die."

“Too many people have died because of it.”

"Wouldn't it be better to just let him be buried in history forever?"

The old man's speech was not fast, and he warned Sakurai with a long breath.

"I don't think so. There are some things that need to be remembered."

"Besides, I won't die."

Sakurai refuted the old man seriously.

"If that's the case, then there's nothing I can do to stop you."

"Take out the map, I will show you the way."

After coughing twice more, the originally healthy old man looked a little listless.

The old man sighed deeply and chose to compromise.

after all...

Who can stop [myself]?

In the past, he was as high-spirited and energetic as this young man.

"grateful."

Taking out the map again and spreading it out on the table, Sakurai took two steps back to make room for the old man.

"Young man, the temple you are looking for is at the bottom of this valley."

"Remember, after a heavy rain, stand at the highest point of the mountain, and when the demon comes, look down and you will be able to see the temple through the hazy mist."

"There's nothing left for me to help you with."

"I hope you can find what you want."

He coughed twice more.

The old man, with trembling fingers, coughed and drew a route on the map that only the older generation knew. Finally, his fingertips stopped at a corner in the upper right corner of the map.

The kind smile on the old man's face had frozen when he decided to help Sakurai. Even now, there was no trace of blood on his face, but he was still smiling kindly.

Although...

It looks a bit ferocious.

"Thank you."

Sakurai bowed deeply, raised his head and stared at the old man's face, silently memorizing this face in his heart.

"You're welcome... young man. I hope you can really do it."