Tokyo: The Player Behind the Scenes

"Oh, I almost died."

A man on the balcony, who had almost been strangled to death by the tentacles extending from the tumor, stroked the shriveled ash on his neck, and a look of ecstatic joy slowly appeared on his face.

He picked up his phone, which had fallen around the time of the lightning strike. Because the distance wasn't particularly close, the phone wasn't damaged by the strong electromagnetic waves and was still live streaming. The chat box was frantically refreshing with viewers' insults, and at this crucial moment, he was showing them a black screen?!

Who cares if you're really going to die? Even if you do die, at least set up your phone properly.

The man ignored the vicious comments, quickly wiped the camera lens, pointed it at himself and the outside world, and excitedly shouted.

"100,000! If you give me 100,000 in tips, I'll rush out right now. If you give me 500,000, I'll film the situation on the front lines! If you give me 1 million, I'll charge into that huge hole—"

The other survivors poked their heads out of the building, looking disheveled and grateful for their survival.

The police officers hiding in the underground passage could also see the pool of blood on the platform tracks continuously receding, its destination unknown.

The SAT commander slumped to the floor, panting heavily.

"This is the passageway of Hibiya Station, and the blood pool is receding."

"Please issue the next action instructions."

Only after experiencing life and death can one understand that a peaceful daily life is not so bad.

With the disappearance of the Zhu Hai, all the anomalies it caused quickly subsided, and humanity was finally able to free up its hands to rescue and excavate the injured and deceased.

"...Is this...resolved?"

"That easy?"

In the Metropolitan Police Department's conference room, some people were still reeling from the scene they had just witnessed, looking somewhat bewildered.

"We solved one problem," Director Takahashi sighed, "but it created an even bigger one."

The world I've lived in for decades suddenly feels unfamiliar.

His heart, which he considered quite strong, seemed so vulnerable today.

Without a doubt, cleaning up the scene and dealing with the aftermath are just minor matters.

The real challenge is how to deal with these suddenly appearing monsters and superhumans.

Let's call it that for now.

But before that

Takahashi turned on his computer and found the report that Heisei Ryu had sent some time ago in the recycle bin. He quickly reviewed it to determine whether it was just a lucky guess or if there was some evidence to support his claim.

The diplomatic convoy had arrived at the Prime Minister's residence, but it was clear that neither the Prime Minister nor Collins had any interest in the original conversation, and they tacitly postponed it.

"I'm so sorry for all the unexpected things that happened."

"I know this is not what you wanted to happen, and it's a pity that this has happened. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask. We are staunch allies."

After exchanging pleasantries with the Foreign Minister, Collins excused himself by saying he was tired and ended the conversation.

So, is all of this true?

Collins watched the transmitted images and marveled at them.

In the scene, whether it's the disgusting and bizarre monster with its ability to infect everything with flesh and blood, or the white-robed man wielding a long sword and lightning, it all seems like a scene from a movie or game.

"This was sent by Commander McCullough through military channels; he's not one to joke around."

The deputy carefully considered the situation.

"He should have already reported to the President, and it won't be long before the President makes new arrangements for us."

“Oh, McCullough, he’s definitely a serious guy. He should know what to do, right?”

"Yes, he has just arranged for troops to work together with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to carry out post-disaster search and rescue operations."

Everyone knows that the so-called cleanup is a pretense; the main purpose is simply to use this excuse to intervene in the matter in the most convenient way and find out the cause.

Even if the Japanese knew, they couldn't do anything about it; they still had to swallow their pride and thank the American soldiers for their great and selfless dedication.

"Yes, it's really pitiful. We must take good care of these Tokyo people who have suffered an undeserved disaster."

Collins spoke sincerely, as if he were genuinely expressing sympathy for the injured and deceased, provided one ignored his radiant smile.

The deputy was unsurprised; there were no outsiders here, no surveillance equipment, so there was no need to pretend to be compassionate.

"I feel like the world has become more interesting, which reminds me of my childhood."

"..." The deputy kept his mouth shut.

"Yes, how did you know? That's right, my childhood was all about Dungeons & Dragons!"

I did not say anything!

The deputy sighed.

"Sir, you mentioned last time that your childhood was spent playing World of Warcraft."

"Really? Then you must be mistaken." Collins waved his hand without any embarrassment, changing the subject. "Oh, the President created a group chat."

He took out his phone and saw that a new group chat had appeared on their internal communication software, initiated by His Majesty the President.

There are only a few people in the group.

The president, Hoover of the CIA, McCullough, commander of Japan, Secretary of Defense and Vice President Collins.

Collins, extend this visit and include this issue in the closed-door meeting agenda.

[Hoover, provide all intelligence support. I need to know the key intelligence before the Japanese Prime Minister does.]

McCullough, maintain control of the situation and ensure the area in question remains under your control at all times.

God bless America

Chapter 113: Profitable

Snapped!

clap clap!

Tower apartment building, indoor badminton court.

Higashiyama Shinsuke was slightly distracted. When he came back to his senses, the ball that Chiba hit was already impossible to catch using normal methods.

He limited his strength and tried his best to catch it, using the power of an ordinary person, but he was still a little short.

"Hehe. 10 to 1."

Chiba's cheeks were slightly flushed from the strenuous exercise, beads of sweat rolled down her face, and a melting smile played on her lips.

She managed to pull one point back with difficulty.

Although the gap is still significant, she is still happy with the results achieved after such efforts.

"You'll be sore all over tomorrow if you keep doing this."

Seeing Chiba seemingly fighting with all her might for something, Shin Higashiyama kindly reminded her to tone it down.

She always does this, but she seems particularly serious today.

It's foreseeable that my muscles will be sore all over tomorrow.

Chiba nodded seriously: "It will probably hurt, but it will also be very happy."

Hearing such honest words, Shin Higashiyama could only shake his head and glance casually out the window, where their water bottles were placed on a bench.

"Have a drink of water first, then come on, future top-level badminton player, Queen Chiba."

Upon hearing this address, Chiba's eyes darted away slightly. He murmured an "Mmm," then picked up his racket and followed Higashiyama to the window.

Just then, a breeze blew in, and the two stood in front of the open window, drinking water and enjoying the cool breeze, looking quite content.

"The breeze is quite pleasant today," said Higashiyama Shin, squinting his eyes.

"."

"what happened?"

"The weather forecast didn't say it would rain today." Chiba looked into the distance, towards Chiyoda Ward, where there was a conspicuous patch of dark clouds.

Higashiyama Shin took a sip of water, tilting his head back: "Weather forecasts aren't always accurate."

“I understand, but those clouds are... strange.” Chiba stared curiously at the swirling dark clouds.

Just then, an exaggerated bolt of lightning tore open a gap in the clouds, striking the ground like a whip lashed out by God. It even briefly imprinted itself on that space and retina, and the entire city of Tokyo seemed to light up briefly with this flash of lightning.

Chiba's mouth opened slightly, then slowly closed: "The Emperor was struck by lightning?"

From their perspective, the lightning bolt did indeed look like it struck the Imperial Palace.

However, Chiba's thought process is somewhat different from that of ordinary people.

Higashiyama Shin stretched and hunched his neck to the left and right: "That is indeed good news."

Chiba put down his water glass and picked up his racket again.

"Alright, let's continue." Seeing this, Higashiyama Shin snapped his fingers.

Chiba, who had already turned around, did not notice that with the snap of his fingers, the dark clouds in the distance began to slowly dissipate.

"Okay, my mom is calling, I'll answer it."

"Ah."

Without even thinking, Higashiyama Shin knew what he was talking about.

“Yes, I understand that I play badminton with Higashiyama.” Chiba hung up the phone and looked at Higashiyama Shin. “There are rumors of a monster appearing in Hibiya. Many people have died on the subway. The subway in the three central wards of the city has been suspended today.”

"I see. Is your father alright?"

“His company is in Shinagawa. Sorry, let me ask first.”

"Um, I'm going to the restroom."

Higashiyama Shinjin entered the restroom, stepped into a stall, and opened his palm. A "Cave Escape Order" carved from a small pebble that looked like it had been picked up casually appeared in his palm.

Based on the information he has from the game and reality, he knows this.

The space where Zhu Hai was located was called the Escape Cave.

Unlike ordinary cave entrances, this cave was carved out of space.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the entrance to this space is completely sealed.

However, due to the passage of time and underground construction, the former practitioners obviously did not expect that something like a subway would appear in the future.

Therefore, leakage and fusion occurred in this space.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhu Hai absorbed the resentment of humans that seeped in from the cracks, gradually growing stronger and even able to pull people into the space.

However, this space is limited in itself, and as time goes by, the space will gradually become unstable and slowly be swallowed up by the main space.

Therefore, Zhu Hai devised a plan to use the accumulated resentment, along with the blood and flesh of thousands of people, as fuel to break through the limitations and return to the human world.

And it did.

He sensed all of this when he passed Hibiya Station while having dinner at Matsumoto-ro, which led to his guess. He then took some time to transform into black mist and test it, confirming his suspicions.

Therefore, he was able to use this token to bind Zhu Hai, who had broken through that space and escaped but had not yet gone far, in the name of the cave master.

Then, judging from Zhu Hai's reaction, the Crimson Demon-Slaying Sword was probably also the weapon of that cave master.

In reality, his image was merely fabricated. Zhu Hai's belief that he was a cave master was simply a product of his imagination based on his weapons and the fact that he was bound by space.

Similar to the game "Switch," the trophy rewards often include items related to the game.

But why is that space called the "escape cave"?

Is it really something they're running away from?

The cave master who escaped must be quite powerful, since even he needed to escape. It seems this world was quite fascinating in the past.

The difference between then and now, when it has completely withered away, is too great.

He originally intended to refrain from intervening if possible, but if the player could resolve the situation, he would strike them with lightning at the end to add to the excitement and avenge being swallowed alive in the game.

Only one player, Nobita, was willing to risk saving people, although he didn't actually manage to do any damage to Zhu Hai.

The current players are far too weak compared to Zhu Hai. Even if all three of them attacked together, they wouldn't be able to defeat that thing. He can only use the possessed paper doll as a safety net.

Otherwise, if this thing really hides, the army won't be able to deal with it. If it escapes far away, even the "Escape Cave Order" won't be able to restrain it. This thing of unknown origin might even grow to a threatening level, and it won't be able to control the player like it does.