There was no bloody sacrificial scene like some cult ceremony, nor any magic circles drawn on the floor with weird runes.
Instead, this place looked more like a pyramid scheme brainwashing rally on the outskirts of a city, or the morning meeting of some third-rate insurance company.
Hundreds of red plastic folding chairs were crammed into the hall.
On the stage at the front hung a red banner with yellow characters: “Sincerity Brings Efficacy: Quantum Entanglement of Human Potential Development and Cosmic High-Dimensional Energy.”
Standing on stage was a lecturer in an ill-fitting suit, the cuffs worn white. He was waving his arms, spraying saliva as he spoke.
“Folks! Why are you still ordinary people? Why, in this era of Superpower Awakening, can you only look up from the bottom at those heroes who fly through the sky and burrow into the earth? Is it because your genes are lacking? Wrong! Completely wrong!”
The lecturer slammed the whiteboard, sending a puff of chalky dust from the markers trembling downward.
“It’s because your heart’s gate hasn’t opened! It’s because your pineal gland is clogged by the filth of the mundane! Our president, the great Mr. Fukuza, has already grasped the mysteries of quantum mechanics. As long as you join the Mutual Aid Society and undergo the Baptism of Fukuza, your DNA sequence can be recombined in high-dimensional space…”
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience. A bunch of elderly folks and young people with fanatical eyes clapped desperately, as if trying to break their palms.
In the back corner, Gluttony sat like a Medical Mannequin.
She wore a dark gray hoodie with the hood pulled low, and a tight face mask that was hard to pull off.
It not only covered the lower half of her face but also stretched diagonally upward over her left cheek and left eye, leaving only one emotionless right eye and a few strands of black hair exposed.
Jiang Jian Yue was lounging on the sofa like a sloth, munching on a handful of chips.
Through Gluttony’s shared vision, she watched the scene and couldn’t help rolling her eyes dramatically.
‘Apart from Bai Qing, only pyramid schemes can pile up high-end jargon like this to confuse people, right?’
She had imagined some cool villain organization, but this was it?
They had been sitting here for a full three hours, and nothing had happened except listening to this lecturer brag.
“Ha…”
Jiang Jian Yue yawned and manipulated Gluttony’s body to shift positions, careful not to arouse suspicion from those around by staying still too long.
‘Maybe I should bail? This place feels like it’s just here to scam people’s pensions…’
Just as Jiang Jian Yue was about to issue the retreat command, her peripheral vision caught movement at the entrance.
Three sneaky figures were crouching as they slipped in, trying to find empty seats in the back row.
Although they were disguised—wearing sunglasses that didn’t fit an indoor setting, or pulling their collars up high—
This kind of disguise in the current scene screamed, “I’ve got something to hide.”
‘How did they manage to find this place?’
Jiang Jian Yue wasn’t panicked; instead, she felt a sense of relief, like “finally.”
……
Back of the hall.
“There are so many people here…” Kagegaya Tsubaki lowered her voice, nervously tugging at Kazama Yin’s sleeve.
“Is this the place that Da Gongzang mentioned?”
Kazama Yin adjusted his sunglasses, scanned the crowd, and then said, “I don’t know.”
“Shh, keep it down.” Hanyu Sara frowned, looking disdainfully at the fanatical crowd around him.
“The air quality here is terrible… Huh?”
Hanyu Sara’s gaze suddenly froze on a figure in the corner.
The woman in the dark gray hoodie with the tight mask.
“Hey, Kazama.” Hanyu Sara elbowed Kazama Yin. “Look over there. Isn’t that… Miss Sato?”
“Who?”
Kazama Yin followed his gaze, frowning. “Sato Ai? How could that be? Isn’t she…”
“But it really looks like her!” Kagegaya Tsubaki leaned in, whispering in surprise. “Even with that weird mask, the feeling… it really is her!”
From her remote control, Jiang Jian Yue almost burst out laughing.
With a flick of thought, she sent a command through the mental link into Gluttony’s mind.
Gluttony’s previously dead right eye suddenly gained a glimmer of life.
“Miss Sato?”
Hanyu Sara tested the name, though his voice was low, it stood out conspicuously in the noisy hall.
Gluttony’s body stiffened slightly, then turned around with extreme hesitation.
When that exposed right eye met the trio’s gaze, Jiang Jian Yue immediately made Gluttony’s expression do a “pupil earthquake” micro-movement, then she frantically lowered her head, trying to hide her face under her hood, shrinking toward the wall.
‘Perfect acting. I really am impressive.’
“It really is Sato Ai!”
The trio immediately surrounded her.
“Miss Sato, what are you doing here?” Kazama Yin blocked Gluttony’s path, his tone full of concern.
After all, they didn’t want to see someone they knew get scammed in a place like this.
Gluttony only lowered her head further, letting out a strained gasp.
“…Don’t look at me.”
“What happened to your face?”
Hanyu Sara stared at the mask covering half her face. “Did someone bully you?”
“No… no, it’s just a skin condition. It’s ugly, I’m embarrassed…”
“Then why are you here…” Kagegaya Tsubaki tilted her head in confusion.
Gluttony looked up at the lecturer on stage, her tone carrying a glimmer of hope. “I want to become an Esper.”
“Huh?” Hanyu Sara was taken aback.
“You’re relying on a lecture that’s obviously a scam?”
“Might as well give it a try…”
Just as the three little ones were earnestly trying to persuade her, and “Sato Ai” remained stubborn, a middle-aged man in a floral shirt with slicked-back hair came over.
“Ah, young friends, I see you’re having a disagreement. Is there a misunderstanding?”
The man had a face full of professional fake smiles, showing a gold-capped front tooth.
He was spinning two walnuts in his hand, his sharp eyes sweeping over the four of them before finally landing on Hanyu Sara’s expensive designer trench coat.
Jiang Jian Yue saw through this guy’s deal at a glance.
‘Isn’t this the classic shill? Spotted a fat sheep and came to assist.’
‘Looks like the Fukuza Mutual Aid Society’s business flow is pretty well-practiced.’
“Uncle, who are you?” Kagegaya Tsubaki looked at the man warily.
“My surname is Wang. I’m a senior member of the Mutual Aid Society.”
Uncle Wang smiled cheerfully, pointing to a shiny badge on his chest.
“Oh, I just heard this young lady wants to Awaken?”
Gluttony nodded, her eyes eager.
“That’s right!” Uncle Wang slapped his thigh.
“Let me tell you, I used to be a wreck of a man—herniated disc, diabetes, could barely walk without panting.”
“Ever since I joined the Mutual Aid Society and listened to the president’s lectures, my back doesn’t ache, my legs don’t hurt. Last month’s checkup, the doctor said my body functions are like a twenty-year-old’s! And more…”
He lowered his voice, leaning in mysteriously: “Recently, I’ve felt a tingling in my fingertips, and occasionally little sparks. The lecturer says it’s a precursor to Awakening a fire-type Ability!”
“Wow…”
Gluttony let out an impressed gasp.
‘Although,’ Jiang Jian Yue wanted to complain, ‘isn’t a tingly fingertip more likely a precursor to a spinal problem?’
The three little ones obviously didn’t buy it. Hanyu Sara pursed his lips. “Uncle, can those sparks light a cigarette? How about a live demonstration?”
Uncle Wang was unfazed. “Ah, young man, sincerity is key! Without sincerity, spiritual energy scatters. I’m still in the accumulation phase, can’t let it leak out carelessly.”
Having said that, he completely ignored Hanyu Sara’s sarcasm, turning to Gluttony with a sincere tone.
“Young lady, I can tell from your face that you’re extremely blessed. You’re destined for great fortune.”
“Today happens to be our Mutual Aid Society’s Thanksgiving Appreciation Day. Normally, joining costs 50,000 yen, but today it’s only 30,000! Plus, you’ll get a one-on-one blessing from the lecturer!”
“Really?” Gluttony stood up excitedly.
“Sato!” Kazama Yin tried to stop her.
But Gluttony was faster. She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a crumpled cloth pouch.
Inside was money her subordinates had prepared for her—by the setting, it was her hard-earned savings from part-time jobs.
“I have money… I want to join.” Gluttony handed the money to Uncle Wang.
Uncle Wang’s eyes lit up, and he reached out to take it.
“Hold it!”
A hand cut in, pressing down on the stack of money.
It was Hanyu Sara.
Uncle Wang’s expression changed. “Young man, this is blocking someone’s future…”
Hanyu Sara didn’t even acknowledge him. Instead, he turned to Gluttony, his gaze complicated.
“Are you really going to believe in this? Jump into a fire pit?”
“It’s my choice.” Gluttony’s voice was muffled but unwavering.
They stared at each other for a few seconds.
Hanyu Sara sighed and let go.
But instead of backing off, he turned to Uncle Wang, pulled a black credit card from his pocket, and held it between two fingers, waving it in the air.
“30,000, right? I’ll cover her share.”
“Eh?” Jiang Jian Yue was slightly taken aback.
A flash of delight crossed Uncle Wang’s face. “Oh! Young man, that’s truly chivalrous! That’s great love! That’s Fukuza!”
“Enough.” Hanyu Sara cut him off coldly. “Also, sign the three of us up too. Since this place is so effective, we want to experience it ourselves.”
Kazama Yin and Kagegaya Tsubaki exchanged glances, immediately understanding Hanyu Sara’s intent.
Since they couldn’t persuade Sato Ai to leave, they’d join in.
On one hand, they could protect her from being scammed down to her underwear.
On the other hand, infiltrating the enemy’s den was the best way to investigate the Fukuza Mutual Aid Society.
“That’s right, we’ll join too.” Kazama Yin nodded.
“This…”
Uncle Wang looked at the black card. Although he sensed the three young people were up to no good, the temptation of money made him forget any concerns.
“Alright, alright! Four Silver Members! Please come in! The lecturer is just reaching the climax of his talk. If you go in now, you’ll still catch the Holy Water distribution!”
……
Fukuza Mutual Aid Society Internal Registration Desk.
“Name?”
“Sato Ai.”
“Occupation?”
“…Part-time jobs.”
The auntie responsible for registration glanced at the tight mask on Gluttony’s face and curled her lips.
But since the money was good, she didn’t ask further. With a smack, she stamped a seal and tossed over a cheap plastic card.
“Here, your membership card. With this, you can go to the logistics department to pick up two barrels of Fukuza Holy Water and a copy of the Quotations of Master Fukuza.”