Saiyonji…
Was she fighting desperately to protect others?
Jiang Jian Yue didn’t know the details — but there was no need to dig deeper.
The answer would probably be revealed in the next episode.
She slid her fingertip across the phone screen, browsing information on social media platforms.
Though the video hadn’t been out long, it had already stirred up quite a commotion online.
It seemed her own help was no longer needed.
In the end, this child Saiyonji managed to correct the wayward course on her own effort…
Somehow, it was a complicated feeling.
It was probably that complicated emotion of watching a child become independent, mixed with relief and a bit of loss.
Pah!
Jiang Jian Yue, don’t actually become a loli mom!
Now, she was seriously doubting whether the real-world audience’s opinions about her were affecting her.
She wasn’t that kind of character!
***
“Saints.”
Shinjuku Commercial Street.
The Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu personnel had already sealed off the site.
Shiying examined the corpse, making a grave judgment.
The dead monster was twisted, half-human and half a hideous otherworldly shell forcibly fused, as if the mutation process had been abruptly halted, frozen at some terrifying threshold.
“Only those lunatics… possess the technology for these ‘half Tunjiti’.”
Director Kawada Hou remained the field commander.
Hearing this familiar name, his heart sank.
A large volume of recently intercepted intelligence pointed to one thing: the Saints organization was about to launch a large-scale operation in Japan.
Was this the prelude to a storm?
Or—
***
“However, after this incident, perhaps the public image of superhumans might improve a bit.”
Shiying stood up, signaling the staff to bag and process the monster’s remains.
His gaze swept over the wounded being tended by medical personnel and finally landed on Saiyonji.
This youth…
Actually completed Chantui in such a situation.
The stability of the Heart Worm was influenced by many factors: a calm mind, emotions and personality, resistance to stress—but most importantly, the unique “stability” talent of the Heart Worm itself, which differed from person to person.
A naturally stable Heart Worm could lodge within even a mentally fragile person; both Chantui and Devouring were possible.
Shiying reflected—if he’d been in the youth’s position, facing the torrent of online abuse, could he have endured?
After all, had any Parasite in the past ever experienced such overwhelming cyberbullying?
“Think carefully about the proposal we offered.”
Shiying suddenly changed the subject.
“The Qualification Recognition Tournament’? Reality isn’t some hot-blooded anime. Having the Official side involved… isn’t ideal.”
Director Kawada Hou didn’t particularly like the Curtain Cluster crowd, but he was friendly toward Shiying—the man who seemed to be their leader.
Shiying treated ordinary people with respect, so Director Kawada Hou naturally responded in kind.
The Qualification Recognition Tournament was mentioned in a previous meeting by members of the Curtain Cluster: evaluating the strength of over three hundred people—basically, a competition.
Combat activity accelerated the Chantui process, so such entertainment-based matches could increase the number of Cicada Shell Hosts.
Of course, there was still the risk of Devouring.
That couldn’t be helped.
Director Kawada Hou didn’t oppose the competition itself but was strongly against the Curtain Cluster’s “Live Broadcast” proposal.
He believed an internal tournament was enough, with no need for external publicity.
Moreover, as an Official institution, Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu shouldn’t overly commercialize their activities.
Shiying shrugged, understanding that the decision wasn’t in their hands, but still reminded:
“The Saints have made their move. They’ll lure people into Devouring…
Now, there are only about twenty Cicada Shell Hosts, and half haven’t resigned to join Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu…”
At present, Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu could only utilize the Curtain Cluster and newly joined Cicada Shell Hosts as superpowered combat force.
To Shiying, such numbers were far from enough to handle a greater crisis.
“If the tournament is internal-only, it might spark distrust among superhumans… That information has already spread within the group, and their dissatisfaction with Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu’s secrecy has long grown.”
The data on Heart Worms hadn’t yet been made public.
Ordinary people still didn’t know that Parasite superhumans faced mutation risks—and those who did know also understood that publicizing it would harm themselves, so they chose silence.
“The ideal scenario is to commission a civilian company to host it, packaging it as a purely entertainment event. That way, superhumans’ mistrust of Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu could be avoided…”
“If the prize is high enough, superhumans will participate…”
Shiying chuckled, waving at Saiyonji who was watching him.
“And for companies, there’s no way to lose.”
“Think about it—Earth’s first superhuman combat tournament…
Heh, the sponsorship money could flood in.”
“For Japan, it’s also a chance to enhance its international voice.”
Provided—
It could be pulled off smoothly.
But accidents would probably be unavoidable.
Shiying swallowed the latter half of his sentence.
“But… a tournament like this has never existed before…
Does any company even have the ability to host it?”
Director Kawada Hou seemed intrigued—previous government attempts at a superhuman diplomatic forum hadn’t made any waves.
If they could seize this opportunity to raise international influence…
At least within the superhuman world, there were benefits.
Shiying went for the jugular:
“I believe the only entity in Japan capable of hosting such a tournament is the Dawn Resources Group.”
“Dawn…”
Director Kawada Hou froze, then instinctively rejected it:
“DRG isn’t a Japanese company.”
“But its actual helmsman is Japanese. More importantly…
His precious daughter is right here in Japan.”
A faint smile appeared on Shiying’s face:
“As long as that young lady wishes to participate, everything will fall into place naturally.”
The more Director Kawada Hou considered it, the more feasible it seemed—though he was curious why Shiying emphasized the “Dawn Resources Group.”
“Understood. Once I return, I’ll propose it to the vice-director again.”
***
The next day.
Saturday noon.
The last weekend of the semester.
The Supernatural Club’s activity room door slid open, welcoming two off-campus members—Saiyonji and Yamanoi Yayoi.
Saiyonji removed her mask and sunglasses, letting out a long breath.
“Yo, the superstar’s here~”
Kaori Onishi teased, grinning as she held out a notebook.
“How about an autograph?”
“Spare me…”
Saiyonji’s cheeks reddened as she waved her hands in surrender.
After a night of fermentation, online opinion had completely reversed.
“A murderer who stood up to protect citizens, fought a monster, and killed it with all their might”—this narrative was dramatic enough as it was.
The narrative even shifted to a mainstream view: Saiyonji must have been carrying out a secret mission, forced to kill those yakuza to protect more people.
Therefore, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu had let her go so easily.
The earlier online outcry must have been the work of foreign forces stirring up trouble!
Too evil, North Puppet North North Puppet North North North Puppet.
Saiyonji became a superstar, cleared of all suspicion overnight—though she hadn’t been that infamous to begin with.
Yamanoi Yayoi smiled as she glanced around.
“Has Jiang-senpai arrived yet?”
“She should be here soon.”
Kaori Onishi rummaged through the cabinet, piling up snacks on the table.
Yuki Asahi looked up, recognizing the snacks—they were the same sweets everyone had stuffed into his hands after the razor blade incident.
He hadn’t brought them home, instead stuffing them into the Supernatural Club’s cabinet and forgetting about them.
He didn’t expect Kaori Onishi to dig them out now.
“There shouldn’t be any razor blades inside.”
Kaori Onishi smiled brightly as she said something terrifying, then added,
“And even if there are, we’ve got our little Yayoi here!”
Yamanoi Yayoi, who had just picked up a piece of chocolate, froze.
“Eh? Razor… razor blade?”
Kaori Onishi enthusiastically recounted the previous “Ferrero Rocher Razor Blade Scare” to the newcomers.
Later, she learned the culprit from Yuki Asahi, so naturally, the story turned into a tale of “Kaori Onishi’s brilliant deduction, catching the culprit”—by the end, she felt embarrassed and added, “Actually, I made that up, hehe~”
Saiyonji silently put the waffle back on the table and cleared her throat.
“Has Jiang-dono not arrived yet?”
Yuki Asahi, who’d been focused on his phone, finally looked up at Saiyonji as if by chance.
Thud—
Something bumped the clubroom door, then it slid open.
Jiang Jian Yue walked in, clutching her forehead, a medical mask covering her face.
“Eh? Senpai? Did you become a superstar too?”
Jiang Jian Yue shot Kaori Onishi an exasperated look, coughing behind her mask.
“Cold.”
She couldn’t believe it—her body, with all these stats, could catch a cold and recover so slowly.
How useless!
“Sorry…”
Kaori Onishi guessed it might have been due to yesterday’s water incident, and quickly apologized, eyes shining, offering a Ferrero Rocher.
“Have one.”
“Why are you feeding a sick person?”
Yamanoi Yayoi couldn’t help retorting, then patted her chest—flatter than Jiang Jian Yue’s.
“Leave it to me!”
“Thank you.”
Jiang Jian Yue bowed slightly, sitting down beside Yamanoi Yayoi.
Thank goodness the healer was here…
But can a healer cure a cold?
As the light point entered her body, Jiang Jian Yue only felt more uncomfortable.
Pain appeared on her face.
She quickly waved it away.
Yamanoi Yayoi withdrew her hand in disappointment.
“Sorry, it doesn’t seem to work.”
Saiyonji asked curiously.
“You could clear the side effects of my medication the other day, so why not a cold?”
“Greek Milk.”
Might as well just die and let my Light Worm ability see the skill description…
Of course, she was only joking—she wasn’t that bad.
Now that everyone had arrived, there were plenty of things to discuss.
Once again, Saiyonji spoke first.
“Jiang-dono, I’m deeply sorry for leaving without notice yesterday!”
Maybe the Supernatural Club should be nicknamed the Apology Club, in addition to the Self-Study Club.
In less than two minutes since entering the room, three people had already apologized.
Only Yuki Asahi hadn’t.
Yuki Asahi wanted to apologize to Jiang Jian Yue too.
But that topic was already over!
For introverts, in such situations, the words they want to say get stuck inside, leading to endless regret—If only I’d just said it earlier.