Forbidden Zone of Deception

Chapter 322 Preparing for War
Edo Special District.

The Shibuya Crossing, once a symbol of prosperity and trend, is now only desolate and oppressive.

The huge electronic screen had long been turned off and was covered in dust. The streets were sparsely populated, and most pedestrians hurried along, their faces showing vigilance and numbness.

The Longxiang Army patrol, dressed in standard uniforms, marched past in orderly steps, barely maintaining the extremely fragile order in Edo at that time.

Here, the internet was intermittent and almost paralyzed, so printed newspapers once again became the main channel for people to obtain information from the outside world.

Wangfu Restaurant is a rare and peaceful corner in the chaos of Shibuya.

One of the most difficult problems in Edo at that time was food, so any shop that could still stay open under such circumstances must have something to rely on.

Shop owner Wang Qiusen noticed that a regular customer, Gao Gongwei, was sitting by the window, reading today's newspaper with a serious expression.

“Wang-san,” Takamiya Yui looked up, pushing the newspaper toward the bar, her tone heavy, “Heian-kyo is completely cut off from the outside world. All communication channels are cut off, and satellites over the Kansai region are also paralyzed, as if they have been completely isolated by something.”

Wang Qiusen took the newspaper. The front page headline, printed in bold black font, was shocking: "No News from Heian-kyo, Osaka Descends into Anarchy, Rioters Rampant!"

The report detailed how Heian-kyo lost all contact with the outside world overnight, and how reconnaissance teams dispatched by the Ryusho Army and the Self-Defense Forces disappeared without a trace. Meanwhile, Osaka in the Kinki region was plunged into extreme panic, with law and order completely collapsing. Rioters committed arson, murder, and looting in the famous Dotonbori district, turning the once bustling commercial street into a living hell.

“Now banknotes… are completely worthless now.” Takamiya Yui smiled bitterly, took out a stack of 10,000 yen banknotes with Fukuzawa Yukichi’s portrait on them from her pocket, and casually threw them on the table. “Look, these things, no one will pick them up if they’re lying on the ground now, and they’re too hard and rough to wipe your butt.”

The old financial system collapsed completely amidst continuous terrorist attacks and the breakdown of order. Today, the only currency circulating in East Asia considered a hard currency is the RMB. It is said that astute ultra-wealthy individuals and capitalists have already exhausted all means and clandestine channels to flee to China. The government has also been selling off large amounts of assets to obtain RMB, making it its top foreign exchange reserve. Now, all merchants in Edo (then known as the Edo period) only accept RMB.

Wang Qiusen looked at the stack of waste paper, his eyes showing no emotion, and simply said, "In chaotic times, survival is the most important thing."

Takamiya Yui adjusted her glasses and looked at Wang Qiusen with a questioning gaze: "Wang-san, I heard... you used to be a reincarnator of the 'Light Wheel Team' in China? How did you come to Japan?"

Wang Qiusen remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his options, before finally speaking: "Once a Reincarnator reaches LV4, their physical body can, to some extent, break free from the limitations of the material world's geographical location and gain the ability to traverse the barriers of reality over short distances. After the Light Wheel was destroyed, I escaped using this method."

His tone was calm, but when he mentioned the "destruction of the light wheel," a deep pain and hatred flashed in the depths of his eyes.

"I came to Japan for only one purpose—" He looked at Takamiya Yui, his gaze sharp as a knife, "to find and kill Chang Wuyong, and avenge our commander Zhuge Yu."

A hint of understanding and appreciation flashed in Gao Gongwei's eyes: "I see... I have also heard of Mr. Zhuge Yu's name. What a pity."

His gaze shifted towards the kitchen, where the aroma of stir-fried dishes was wafting from: "So, you settled in Japan and married Mrs. Makiko?"

Wang Qiusen nodded, a gentle smile appearing on his face: "Yes. Makiko gave me a home, giving me something to hold onto in this chaotic world. As for Chang Wuyong... I'm 100% certain that he's hiding in Japan, in some dark corner."

Takamiya Yui didn't delve any further, instead exclaiming, "The Chinese food in this restaurant is the most delicious I've ever had in Edo. I really hope that one day, the situation will stabilize so I can go to China and see it for myself, to taste the cuisine from all over. It's a... great country!"

“That day will come,” Wang Qiusen replied. “When that day comes, I will be your guide.”

After leaving the restaurant, he walked towards the entrance of Shibuya subway station, which had ceased operation. The area was now cordoned off by the Ryusho Army and considered an extremely dangerous restricted zone.

Deep within the abandoned subway tunnels dwell various Japanese ghosts born of resentment, concealing entrances to countless terrifying dungeons.

Takamiya Yui's figure quickly disappeared into the deep darkness.

Meanwhile, in Muxu Market.

Jiang Jin dragged his slightly tired body back to the Nirvana team's base at the Yihai camp.

Having successfully survived the [Hell Apartment] instance and obtained the valuable reward [Russian Matryoshka Doll], he felt more confident facing the [Midnight Ring] horror instance, but the pressure remained immense.

He had only been back a short time when he received some fantastic news—Xu Yinqiu had finally advanced! She had officially entered the realm of a Level 3 Life-Extending Healer!

This means that the Nirvana team's strength has been significantly enhanced. The "Life-Extending Persons" who have reached LV3 are said to be able to reverse near-death states to some extent, forcibly prolonging their lives with secret techniques, and even attempt to combat instant-death curses at some cost.

With two Level 3 Reincarnators, the team's survivability was greatly enhanced. Yu Tianlun had a private talk with Jiang Jin, speaking sincerely: "Jiang Jin, don't feel guilty. The team knows you had to enter the [Midnight Bell] horror dungeon, it's not your fault. We're a team, brothers who can live and die together. We'll all fully support you this time and go with you! If you're worried about dragging us down and going alone, that's just individual heroism, a lack of trust in the team!"

The other team members also gathered around to express their support. The newly joined Lian Xuan said, "Vice-Captain, don't worry, with us brothers joining us, we can definitely take on [Midnight Bell]!"

Lin Lu also said, "Vice Commander, I have compiled all the known information about Sadako. Everyone will help you."

This unreserved trust and support warmed Jiang Jin's heart and deeply moved him.

"Thank you... thank you everyone!" Jiang Jin said solemnly, "With you all here, I dare to conquer even the most difficult dungeons!"

To increase their chances of winning, Jiang Jin decided to call in an outside helper from the Yongmeng team—Li Shang.

Li Shang is a newly ascended LV4 powerhouse, whose strength far surpasses theirs. Coincidentally, the entry limit for the [Midnight Bell] dungeon allows LV4 beginners to enter, and his addition is undoubtedly a huge help.

Over the next few days, the entire Nirvana team worked at high speed around the [Midnight Bell] instance. Jiang Jin and Lin Lu plunged into intelligence gathering, especially regarding everything about the instance's core—Sadako Yamamura.

Sadako Yamamura, the daughter of the psychic Shizuko Yamamura, possesses superhuman abilities (telepathy, precognition, etc.) just like her mother. As an outcast, she suffers cruel persecution and is ultimately pushed into a well by her biological father, resulting in her tragic death. Her overwhelming resentment generates an evil power with memetic contamination properties, which becomes the source of the curse.

Her curse is primarily carried by a cursed videotape. After watching the tape, a mysterious phone call will be received informing the victim of their impending death; seven days later, Sadako will crawl out of the television screen and kill the victim in an unstoppable manner.

Her abilities include super-powerful telekinesis (distorting objects, killing from a distance), creating terrifying illusions, mental pollution, cross-dimensional pursuit via electronic devices, near-immortality (her resentment persists, allowing her to continuously regenerate or transfer curses), and even the ability to cast curses beyond the reach of time to a certain extent.

In the original film, breaking the curse wasn't entirely impossible. One of the most common solutions was to "make a copy after watching the videotape and have others watch it, thus transferring the curse." However, this method has been proven infeasible within the memetic-contaminated horror version. Alternatively, finding Sadako's remains and "pacifying" or "sealing" them might be key to completely breaking the curse, but this often means confronting the most terrifying Sadako herself, and there have been no successful precedents.

Looking at the classic terrifying image of Sadako crawling out of the television screen in the information, and the description of her unstoppable hunting ability, Jiang Jin knew that this time, they would be facing an evil spirit that had left a deep shadow in the history of horror culture. Its eeriness and power were far beyond that of ordinary ghosts.

But when he touched the Russian nesting doll hidden in his arms, and thought of the team's support and the upcoming LV4 foreign aid, his eyes became firm again.

Sadako... let me see if your curse can withstand our Nirvana team!

Their final plan was to use the remaining time to make thorough preparations.

The countdown to "The Ring" has officially begun.

The Nirvana team is sharpening its skills and preparing to step into the shadow of death lurking behind that cursed videotape.

That evening, inside the Jinlin District Police Station.

Jiang Jin rubbed his throbbing temples, ending a busy day at work.

As the newly appointed branch chief, he has to deal with far more complicated matters than ordinary police officers, especially in the current increasingly turbulent social environment.

As soon as she stepped out of the office, she was stopped by a figure—it was Li Ruoxi.

"Old Jiang, you're off work? Wait for me a minute." Li Ruoxi patted his shoulder with a hearty gesture. "My brother wants to invite you to dinner. Are you free tonight?"

Jiang Jin knew that when she called him Old Jiang, it was never a good thing.

At this moment, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Li Ruofeng was a high-ranking official in the government, holding an important position at a young age, and relying on the protection of his family.

Jiang Jin's opinion of him was rather lukewarm, especially after his conversation with Old Master Li at Li Ruoxi's birthday party. He guessed that Old Master Li was aware of his talent and potential among the reincarnators and wanted to win him over.

"Ruoxi, you know me..." Jiang Jin tried to decline.

“I know, I know, you don’t like these kinds of occasions,” Li Ruoxi interrupted him, a hint of helplessness on her face. “But my brother insists I treat you, so please do me a favor? Just have a meal with me to shut him up. I’ll treat you to some skewers afterwards!”

Seeing the rare pleading look in Li Ruoxi's eyes, Jiang Jin sighed. His friendship with Li Ruoxi was indeed very strong, and out of consideration for her, he reluctantly nodded: "Alright, let's just have a meal."

(End of this chapter)