Chapter 47: Return to the Northernmost City

The Sixth Countermeasures Section, led by Takahashi Kensuke, arrived at around eight o'clock in the morning.

It takes at least fifteen hours to drive a bus from North City to Lingyi Town, but with aerial transport, the journey is much shorter. The reason they only arrived at eight was partly because Sui Kazekazu had already submitted a remote incident report, lowering the perceived severity of the case, and partly because they encountered a blizzard near Lingyi Town, forcing them to land and trek through difficult terrain.

On the street outside the hot spring inn, Chen Zi’ang, Suzuna Tsukimiya, and Sui Kazekazu finally met Takahashi Kensuke’s team.

“Well done!” The old section chief greeted Chen Zi’ang with a forceful hug and loudly praised him.

Looking at the colleagues behind him, all wore grateful expressions, as if to say, “That’s just like you.” When the team set out, they knew the gravity of the situation and were prepared to sacrifice themselves—many had even secretly written farewell letters.

But now, thanks to Chen Zi’ang resolving the crisis ahead of time, not a single casualty occurred. Wasn’t this, in a way, saving everyone’s lives?

“Let’s head straight to the ritual site,” Takahashi Kensuke said. “Sui?”

“No problem,” Sui Kazekazu replied. “Let Chen Zi’ang lead the way.”

The group moved toward the underground mine, with Chen Zi’ang at the front, when suddenly he was punched from behind.

“You’re still a badass!” Lu Yunfeng, clad in cold-weather gear, rushed forward and slapped his shoulder.

“Damn, nearly died.” Chen Zi’ang relaxed a bit in front of his old colleague and friend.

“If the whole section died, you’d still walk away unharmed, wouldn’t you?” Lu Yunfeng laughed. Seeing the section chief and others weren’t joining them, he lowered his voice. “So what does the big fool mean, restoring your position?”

“Yeah,” Chen Zi’ang replied. “Seems it’s because of this anomaly.”

“What are you planning next?” Lu Yunfeng’s tone grew serious. “You should know, right?”

“With the big fool’s love for authority, and being forced to compromise this time, he’ll definitely hold a grudge.”

“I don’t know either,” Chen Zi’ang shook his head. “I’ll just take it one step at a time—unless you’ve got another harebrained idea?”

“I suggest you find a powerful backer,” Lu Yunfeng chuckled. “If someone stands behind you, the big fool won’t dare touch you. He knows which is more important: personal grudges or career.”

“What backer?” Chen Zi’ang was puzzled.

“Tsukimiya!” Lu Yunfeng reminded him. “If you marry into the Tsukimiya family, the big fool will steer clear of you.”

“Enough!” Chen Zi’ang quickly stopped him. “If you want to marry into a rich family, do it yourself—don’t lure me onto the easy path.”

“That’s only if a wealthy lady takes a fancy to me!” Lu Yunfeng laughed.

“All right, let’s save the chatter until later,” Takahashi Kensuke interrupted, unable to stand their antics.

The survey of the underground passages lasted all day. Using drones, divination, and spiritual sensing, they finally confirmed there were no remaining ghouls near the ossuary.

This was both good and bad. Good, because there would be no further battles; bad, because the passageways around the ossuary were so complex, it was impossible to know how long a full sweep and cleanup would take.

Weeks? Months? Or even... years?

Most of the underground tunnels, upon examining their excavation marks, weren’t even Lingyi Town’s old mining tunnels, but dug by ghouls themselves—these lesser creatures excel at digging underground, far more efficient than human engineering.

So, after reporting to their superiors, the team decided to evacuate residents and tourists, seal the mine completely, and continue mapping the underground caves with drones.

This project could last indefinitely; no one knew how long the ghouls had been digging, or how terrifying a subterranean network they had created.

But as long as there was even one ghoul underground, the detection project had to continue.

The matter was so serious that the Security Bureau could no longer handle it alone, so Baba Eikenshin quickly reported to the Takama-ga-hara Security Committee.

On the third day, the military finally sent personnel to take over, and Lingyi Town was formally transferred out of the Security Bureau’s jurisdiction.

The case was closed. Aside from Sui Kazekazu, who stayed to handle follow-ups, the other agents finally got to return.

They flew back to North City to resume their positions; of course, they couldn’t remain at the agency, as that would openly defy internal regulations.

“It’s fine.” Ashiya Yuu treated them to lunch, chewing a toothpick and smiling. “I told you, whenever you don’t want to work in the system, can’t work, or aren’t allowed to work, just come back. Uncle Yuu will always save you a meal.”

“Uncle Yuu doesn’t think I’ll last at the unit?” Chen Zi’ang asked quietly.

“Baba Eikenshin is extremely narrow-minded,” Ashiya Yuu shook his head. “Though I can’t say for sure, just know you’re always welcome back.”

Chen Zi’ang sighed inwardly.

If Lu Yunfeng and Ashiya Yuu could see it, how could he not? Unless one had powerful backing, offending a high-ranking leader meant future career troubles.

Forget it, he thought. We’ll see.

He bid Ashiya Yuu farewell and prepared to return to work, to see if there were any cases to take.

He currently had 108 points of Spark, but redeeming any power cost 50 points, upgrading Abyssal Touch required 100, and raising his rank also needed 100.

I want it all! What to do? Only to kill!

The section chief was out at a meeting, so he’d ask Saki Ken, the deputy chief at the Security Bureau.

“Tsukimiya, I’m heading back to the unit. What about you?” Chen Zi’ang asked.

“Isn’t the section chief already on his way back?” Suzuna Tsukimiya pondered. “And the director said the suspension’s over. Today’s a workday—if I don’t return this afternoon, it wouldn’t look good.”

“True.” Chen Zi’ang nodded.

Since they were still on duty, transportation could be reimbursed, so the two took a taxi back to the unit.

Sitting in the rear seat, Chen Zi’ang gazed at the scenery outside, his mind swirling with thoughts.

The Witch Queen of the Ghouls...

If I want to save North City from her, simply reacting to her anomalies won’t be enough. No thief is caught by guarding forever.

I must find a way to subdue her, arrest her, or even... kill her.

The Nightmare Priestess Nico—was she caught yet?

Tonight, when I sleep at home, I must check in the ancient city of Enlank.

If Nico failed in her pursuit, it would prove Nishikawa Mihue’s strength is at least on Nico’s level.

In that case, I must raise my power to that level first...

A heavy sensation pressed against his right shoulder—Suzuna Tsukimiya had dozed off, resting her head on him.

By simply lowering his gaze, he could see her nose, cherry lips, delicate collarbone, and the tranquil depths below. He felt uneasy, wanting to wake her, but remembering how she stayed up the entire night to care for him, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Suzuna, I know how you feel, but...

Sigh, I don’t know what to do either.

Chen Zi’ang adjusted his posture slightly, letting Tsukimiya rest more of her weight on him to sleep comfortably.

Just as he was about to close his eyes, his phone screen lit up on his lap.

[Sings Well]: Thanks again for last time—I haven’t had any nightmares lately.

[Sings Well]: Tomorrow I have a concert at the Martial Arts Hall. Would you like to attend? As a thank-you, I can give you e-tickets.

Kiritani Maki? That half-elf Xia Zili? Blond, blue-eyed, pointy-eared superstar?

Chen Zi’ang realized tomorrow was Saturday—a day off. He’d been suspended recently, and weekend shifts were scheduled on Wednesdays, so he wouldn’t be on duty. He’d be free.

Though not a music enthusiast himself, his younger sister Xiaozhu loved her songs.

Should he invite Suzuna and go together? A chance to relax.

[Urban Legends?]: Sorry to ask, how many tickets are available?

[Sings Well]: Too many might not be possible—I’ll need to check with Norika. But a few should be fine.

[Urban Legends?]: Then give me three tickets, please. Sorry for the trouble.

[Sings Well]: It’s no trouble—without your help, I couldn’t have recovered. See you then.

The conversation ended. Chen Zi’ang looked at the sleeping Tsukimiya and wondered if she liked Kiritani Maki’s music.

He’d ask her when she woke.