Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

"A debut song is very important for a new artist. It is a masterpiece that may become a lifetime 'memory label' for the audience. It is rare to get a good song, so of course we have to do our best to present it perfectly."

"Next, let's trust Mr. Xing Ming to record a good song."

Dong Ye was used to it. He sighed and left the recording studio with Xia Fan.

……

"Sorry, Uncle Dongye, I drank too much water. Wait for me."

Walking to the ground floor of the B Company Building, Xia Fan, who was in a hurry, ran into the toilet.

"Before I knew it, I had recorded until the evening. Three minutes on stage means ten years of hard work behind the scenes. The ancients were right."

As he opened the gate to release the water, he looked out the window at the dark night and sighed softly.

"Zizzi...zizi..."

In the empty bathroom, the dim light tube flickered slightly.

"Tick...tick..."

The intermittent sound of water dripping from the faucet echoed faintly.

Xia Fan looked around habitually and shook himself comfortably.

"Ok?"

He suddenly noticed that a white figure had appeared in the innermost corner of the bathroom.

The person had a slim figure, wore a white dress, and had long hair cascading down to her waist.

The whole face and body were pressed tightly against the white tile wall, standing motionless, making it impossible to confirm the gender.

"When did this person come in?"

Xia Fan couldn't help but take a few more glances.

The other party probably came in when I was immersed in the water.

Although her clothes and figure looked like a female, there were many "transgender" people like Tachibana Ryoko in District 11, so Xia Fan did not dare to easily judge that the other party had taken the wrong path.

The real reason why he was attracted was...

Although "facing the wall" is considered a "standard posture" in the men's restroom, there is no urinal where the man is "facing the wall".

Not only that, but wisps of strange “black smoke” could be vaguely seen drifting out from around that person.

"The eyes of the gods contain divinity and can see extraordinary things..."

For some reason, Xia Fan recalled the description of the "Divine Eyes".

"Could it be that……"

A certain subconscious speculation turned into a biting chill that spread along his back like a snake, exploding into a tingling numbness at his scalp, and his entire mind was frozen by the fear of the unknown.

[The foul aura is still there, and the obsession is still there. This is an evil spirit. No need to disturb it, just leave. ]

The oracle that emerged in his mind brought Xia Fan back to consciousness.

“Ah, it hurts, it hurts…”

He zipped up his pants hastily, endured the severe pain between his legs, and ran out of the bathroom without hesitation.

No matter whether it is a "transvestite", "performance art", or a "devil spirit" as the oracle said, he is not a supporting role in a horror movie, and he will never go forward to find out.

After Xia Fan left, the man in the quiet men's restroom still maintained the "facing the wall" posture.

"want……"

After a few seconds, “she” seemed to realize something belatedly. She twisted her joints, raised her arms, and squeezed out words with a sound like metallic friction from her throat.

"want……"

The black hair that should have been at the "back of the head" was pulled to the sides like a curtain, revealing a female face with skin and flesh rolled up, barely stitched together by stitches.

She smiled with her mouth wide open, and stared greedily at the still shaking toilet door with her bloodshot eyes.

"...Do you need paper?"

In the palm that was twisted into a knot, there was a roll of blood-stained toilet paper.

……

"It's just a zipper stuck, there's no need to look so grim. Don't worry, it's not as fragile as you think. I saw a case in the news where a broken one was reattached."

"Back then, when I was hanging out in Kabukicho, I was almost [beep...][beep...][beep...]..."

As the car drove away from the B Company Building, Xia Fan's face turned pale and his eyes dull. He had no intention of listening to Dong Ye's muttering.

All along, I seem to have overlooked an important fact...

Since there are "gods" in this world, there may naturally be "ghosts".

As someone who possesses the [Divine Eyes], perhaps I will have to adapt to a life of watching these "supernatural beings" in the future.

"I'll take you here. Say hello to your parents for me. If you're really worried, let your dad get you some 'guns, eggs and cannons' to replenish your body."

"Remember, I've used my power to get you VIP seats in the inner area of ​​the Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards next week. Let's go together."

Yoshihide Higashino parked the car at the north exit of Ikebukuro Shopping Street, dropped Xia Fan off, and after giving him a few instructions, he left quickly.

"Why did you send me here... Never mind, I'm back now..."

Walking along the Ikebukuro shopping street lined with shops, Xia Fan stopped in front of a restaurant called "Wing Lee Chinese Restaurant".

This Chinese restaurant, which has a shabby exterior and a small storefront, has been run by Xia Fan's father, who is in charge of the cooking, and his mother, who is in charge of the front desk. It has been in business since 20 years ago and has witnessed the process of Ikebukuro's commercial street being gradually invaded by Dragon Country cuisine and becoming a food street where Dragon Country people gather.

"I hope I won't get scolded..."

Xia Fan took a breath and skillfully opened the sliding door of the restaurant...

"Boss Xia, this month's payment is three days overdue."

It was past dinner time and there were not many customers in the restaurant, but there were two men in suits standing in front of the bar.

Chapter 7: God Awakens, Sacrifice to the Five Internal Organs

2024-07-13

"I'm really sorry, business hasn't been good recently, so I'm a few days late."

Behind the bar, the middle-aged woman explained with a smile.

"Don't worry, guys. Once this week's sales revenue is deposited, it will be transferred to you."

In the open kitchen further away, a thin middle-aged man poked his head out from behind the curtain.

In his hand, he was holding a kitchen knife that had just been rinsed and was still dripping with water.

"That's good. Although Brother Dongye has informed our boss, we still have to follow the rules. I'm just coming here to remind him according to the procedure."

"It's about time. We should clock out. You two can take your time."

The two men in suits nodded politely and turned away...

"Dad...Mom...I'm back."

Xia Fan appeared outside the door.

The middle-aged couple in the store were Xia Fan's parents.

"Today is not the weekend, and it's so late, why are you back?"

In the kitchen, Father Xia asked curiously.

"Why, it's not the weekend, so my son can't come back? What's wrong with your eyes? Are you wearing colored contact lenses?"

Mother Xia smiled and pulled Xia Fan to sit at the dining table, asking about his well-being.

"I didn't bring my contact lenses... I just happened to have something to do nearby today, so I came back on the way."

Xia Fan pretended to be calm and secretly observed whether his parents had any unusual expressions.

"Those two people just now were from the Yamaguchi Society, right? Mom, how much money does the family owe in total?"

Thinking of what happened in the store just now, he asked carefully.

He felt that the two men looked familiar. Judging from the ghost face tattoos on their arms, they were his "brothers" under the Yamaguchi-kai, a gang in charge of this street.

In District 11, designated violent groups such as the Yamaguchi-kai are legal organizations recognized by the government.

Although they are engaged in the gray industry in private, most of their members appear to be dressed in suits and are very respectful to the merchants in their "territory" on weekdays. In addition to maintaining order, they often help with sanitation, greening management and other similar property work, and will generously provide "financial services" when there are financial difficulties.

"Not much, just a thousand from relatives and friends, plus outsiders..."

"Don't worry about what's going on at home. I'll hold you up even if the sky collapses. Just focus on your studies and treat your illness."

Just as Xia's mother opened her mouth, she was interrupted by Xia's father who poked his head in from the kitchen.

"By the way, it's so late, just stay at home and go to school tomorrow."

Mother Xia understood and changed the subject.

"Ok."

After returning this time, Xia Fan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, at least confirming that his parents really didn't know that he had been a victim of "religious fraud."

[The gods have sent down an oracle: When the gods first awaken, they should offer sacrifices to their five internal organs. Sacrifice with blood and internal organs, and after completion, you will receive the gods' blessing.]

At the same time, he received an inexplicable "oracle".

“Blood, organs, sacrifices… Is this worthy of being called an evil god? Wait, is he going to kill someone…”

"What era is it now? Why are you still doing such primitive and bloody things? Isn't it better to burn some incense and worship casually?"

Because of the inexplicable demands of the "evil god" in his body, Xia Fan couldn't help but have all kinds of bloody and terrifying scenes emerge in his mind.

"Give."

My father came out of the kitchen and placed a bowl of freshly heated soup on the table.

"This again..."

Xia Fan frowned and opened the lid. In the clear soup, there was a pig brain with distinct textures, as well as walnuts, wolfberries, gastrodia elata and other medicinal materials...

Gastrodia elata, safflower, walnut and pig brain soup.

Ever since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, his family has been preparing this for him frequently.

"Yes, that's right!"

Looking at this pig brain with distinct textures, Xia Fan's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Dad! I'm hungry, give me a bowl of Maoxuewang!"

He called to his father, who was walking back into the kitchen.

"You little brat, you're not eating properly. Wait a few minutes."

Father Xia was stunned for a moment and nodded.

Ten minutes later, a large bowl of spicy, fresh and fragrant Maoxuewang, with an attractive color, and steaming white rice, was placed in front of Xia Fan.

"Compared to the food at home, the food in the cafeteria and convenience store is just feed!"

With his nose twitching slightly, Xia Fan couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks.

"Click, click, click."

Invisible chewing sounds were heard in the air, and the large bowl of Maoxuewang and pig brain soup in front of me began to disappear at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"I...at least leave me some soup for the rice..."

Xia Fan rubbed his eyes and looked at the big bowl that was as clean as new without even any soup left.

[The God reluctantly accepted your sacrifice and granted you the skill: Kagura Izumo Sword Dance]

[Kagura Izumo Sword Dance: Able to perform 'Kagura Izumo Sword Dance' proficiently]

[The gods have given an oracle: The gods should be worshipped with dance. Perform the "Izumo Sword Dance" in front of a thousand people, and make them bow their heads in praise. After completing it, you will receive the gods' blessing.]

As oracles came down one after another, a set of ancient and sharp sword-wielding dance appeared in Xia Fan's mind.

"You're going too far. You ate my meal and now you want me to dance in front of people?"

The fragile disposable chopsticks were broken into two halves by him.