Tokyo Sword Saint Online Dealing

Uesugi Kiyoshi pondered for a few seconds, then pointed diagonally in the direction of Tokyo Tower.

"I have a general understanding of what the dream world is, but..."

"Why did that monster—Jormungandr—appear in your dream world?"

Ryunosuke Akutagawa looked in the direction Kiyoshi Uesugi pointed, but after only a couple of glances, he hurriedly turned away, his face somewhat pale.

His smile was tinged with helplessness, and his voice was weak.

"Uesugi-kun, we're all residents of this apartment building. It's not strange for us to visit each other, is it?"

"For example, you are currently in my dream world, which is equivalent to you visiting my home."

"Of course, Uesugi-kun is a guest I invited, but in this world, there are always some uninvited guests."

"Like the one you're referring to."

"When the power of ghosts, gods, and extraordinary individuals reaches a certain limit, they gain the ability to enter other people's [rooms]."

"Inviting others into your [room] is very simple. Just like you said, you were once pulled into the [ghost realm] by ghosts and spirits, so it's easy to do."

"But forcibly breaking into someone else's room is exponentially more difficult."

“The Jormungandr you see is not His true form. If His true form were to descend here, I would definitely grab you and run for our lives. The two of us together cannot possibly defeat Him. He is a [Catastrophe] level demon.”

"What exists here is merely a wisp of His will, signifying that He has already set his sights on me."

"Even someone as powerful as Jormungandr couldn't simply break into my room and devour me, but if a spirit wants to deal with a superhuman, there are other ways."

"For example, almost all ghosts and spirits are skilled in illusions—they can use illusions to influence the minds of superhumans."

"The dream world is not the real world after all. Staying here for a long time will put a lot of mental pressure on the superhuman."

"You also said that bearing the will of the world is not a simple matter. Even just linking to the dream world will put a great burden on the soul."

"However, because the Dream World is beneficial to the growth of the superhuman's strength, under that high pressure, the superhuman's inspiration ability improves very quickly, so many superhumans will try to stay in their own [rooms] as much as possible."

"So, when a superhuman is under immense mental pressure and their soul is on the verge of collapse, if they are affected by the illusions of ghosts and gods, their soul will [sink].

"He will be unable to distinguish between dreams and reality, trapped in his own room, unable to return to the real world. Over time, under the dual attack of the illusions of ghosts and gods and the oppression of the world's will, his soul will collapse."

"At this time, the demons and gods who plot against the superhumans can seize the opportunity to be reborn!"

"This is also one of the most suitable methods for ghosts and spirits to break free from the dream world and come to the real world."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa took a few deep breaths, and his pale face regained its color, as if he had recovered from the discomfort of looking directly at Jormungandr.

“Uesugi-kun, the reason you were pulled into the dream world by the demons was most likely because they wanted to bewitch you and then use your body to be reborn.”

"Actually, there are ways to refuse such an invitation from others. As long as you are of sound mind, you can refuse to enter the other person's room."

"You clearly don't know this method."

"However, you chose a simpler and more brutal way to break the spell: you directly beheaded the master of the dream world."

"That's why I think so highly of you, Uesugi-kun."

"I told you, you were born for this line of work."

Chapter 34 Collectors Association

Uesugi Kiyoshi remained silent for a long time.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this dream world was very similar to his own mirage.

He also experiences mental fatigue from staying in the Mirage for too long. He can only stay in the Mirage for two hours a day now; any longer and his body can't take it.

However, he had never experienced the feeling of his soul collapsing.

However, he also kept the information about the ghosts and gods invading the superhumans firmly in his mind. He felt that the ghosts and gods he had killed had pulled him into the ghost realm, probably with the aim of bewitching his soul and then possessing him.

"Your analogy is very apt, Inspector Akutagawa. I think I understand the relationship between this dream world and ghosts and spirits now."

"If I may ask an additional question, I have never seen ghosts or spirits in the real world. Is there something binding them, preventing them from coming to the real world?"

After thinking for a moment, Uesugi Kiyoshi asked a question.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa nodded, then shook his head.

"No, Uesugi-kun, it's true that most ghosts and spirits can only exist in the dream world."

"As for why, it involves several ancient legends, some of which I don't know much about."

"You can understand it this way—ghosts and spirits are pests of the world."

"Well, although humans aren't exactly beneficial insects, ghosts and gods possess a purer and more violent destructive desire than humans. They feed on all things and take pleasure in destruction, recklessly spreading fear and disaster."

Do you think the will of the world we live in would like such a pest?

"The answer is obvious. Therefore, driven by the will of Heaven, wars to seal away ghosts and gods have been waged all over the world."

"Western history is a history of war, containing countless battlefields where extraordinary beings clashed with gods and demons. I won't go into detail about them all."

"In that ancient country across the sea from us, in the ancient times, during the tribal era, there was a myth about the Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor fighting for control of the Central Plains with Chi You. It described that Chi You had eight legs, three heads and six arms, a bronze head and an iron forehead, and was invulnerable to swords and spears. He was skilled in using knives, axes and halberds to fight, and was relentless and extremely brave. The Yellow Emperor could not defeat him by force and asked the gods to help him defeat him."

"If you replace Chi You with a ghost or god, and the celestial being with an extraordinary being, do you think this story feels out of place?"

“In our country, during the Heian period, there was a bloody battle between Onmyoji and Yokai. After that, the once-prosperous Onmyodo was severely damaged and could only recuperate. However, all the Yokai that were originally active were sealed into the Dream Mirror Space.”

"Nowadays, humans and ghosts and gods are separated by a boundary and generally do not interact with each other until they die."

Uesugi Kiyoshi nodded silently, then asked, "Then what about the ghosts and spirits I encountered, and Yokota? I've never seen any ordinary people around me encounter ghosts and spirits, so why am I the only one who's special?"

Ryunosuke Akutagawa was a chatterbox, and although Kiyoshi Uesugi asked a lot of questions, he didn't find it troublesome at all.

"If—I mean, if"

"If ghosts or gods come to the real world through possession or descent, they are capable of harming mortals."

"But if they are only in the dream world, their illusions are ineffective against mortals."

"Because mortals cannot connect to the dream world, those ghosts and gods cannot find a target to cast their spells on."

"Things that cannot be seen will not affect one's heart."

"Mortals cannot see ghosts and gods, so they are safe most of the time."

“The extraordinary are different. Stepping into the extraordinary is like stepping into a battlefield full of dangers. At any moment, you may be knocked on the door by ghosts and gods—that is their warm invitation.”

"If you accept, it'll be a fight to the death; if you refuse, you can at least stay safe for a while."

"That's why you're being targeted—take it easy, you'll get used to it."

“Look, I’m being targeted by Jormungandr, but I’m not worried at all, because there’s no use in being worried.”

"Extraordinary people are the preferred prey of ghosts and gods."

As for Yokota...

Ryunosuke Akutagawa frowned slightly, a fleeting glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"Yokotano is not a ghost or god; he is a superhuman."

"He is a rite master, a servant of a certain ghost or god. Strictly speaking, he has basically lost himself and become a puppet of the ghost or god."

Seeing the puzzled look on Uesugi Kiyoshi's face, Ryunosuke Akutagawa smiled knowingly.

"By the way, you've never been in contact with superhumans, so you don't know anything about these things."

"Those with extraordinary abilities are broadly classified into five types based on the source of their abilities."

"The linker who uses the [Mirror of Inheritance] to connect with the souls of Heroes."

"Those who uphold science, are committed to the belief that 'human beings can conquer nature,' and are true believers who think that human beings can rival gods and spirits."

“A cultivator who possesses the aptitude to practice a certain technique and acquires extraordinary power through his own arduous training—like your teacher, the swordsman Kamiizumi. Back then, in a certain dream world, he fought against demons and gods, and with a single sword strike, he annihilated thirty-seven demons and gods, saving the lives of half of Tokyo City and earning the illustrious reputation of ‘Invincible Kamiizumi.’”

"There are also some humans who, in pursuit of power, have joined the ranks of ghosts and gods, or have been brainwashed and bewitched by them, and have received extraordinary power bestowed upon them by the ghosts and gods. These people are called Mystics. Basically, all Mystics are our enemies; they do not stand on the side of humanity."

"Finally, there is an extremely rare type of superhuman, whom I have never even seen, only some fragmented information in the data."

"【The Chosen Ones】require no cultivation, no connection, no faith, and no learning. They are born with innate extraordinary abilities, and using these abilities is as natural to them as breathing or swimming."

"Yokotano is the shaman of some demon god. His master must be lurking in the Twin Demon Group under the Eastern Literature Society. Hmph."

"That ghost and I have a grudge against each other. Only one of us can live."

"Yes, I was a bit out of line. Please forgive me, Uesugi-kun."

Upon hearing the name "Dongwenhui," Uesugi Kiyoshi was momentarily lost in thought. After a moment's reflection, his gaze toward Akutagawa Ryunosuke became somewhat strange.

"I see."

I thought it was just a coincidence of names.

"The linker who connects the souls of heroes?"

"Inspector Akutagawa, could it be that you are..."

Ryunosuke Akutagawa smiled slightly, took a step back, held his cane horizontally in front of his chest, and bowed in a gentlemanly manner.

"As expected of Uesugi-kun, his reaction is quick."

"Then, let me reintroduce myself."

"I am the president of the Tokyo branch of the Collectors Association."

"It is also the linker that connects the spirit of the great writer [Ryunosuke Akutagawa]."

"On behalf of the Collectors Association, I extend an invitation to Mr. Uesugi."

"I need Uesugi-kun's strength, please join us!"

Chapter 35 Edogawa

Ryunosuke Akutagawa's words were sincere, and his expression was full of earnestness.

Uesugi Kiyoshi wouldn't put on a show of bowing down in worship—he actually came to talk to Akutagawa Ryunosuke with the intention of gathering intelligence, and he wouldn't rashly agree to join his organization.

You should go back and ask your master about this.

Uesugi Kiyoshi didn't trust Akutagawa Ryunosuke. Rather, it's more accurate to say that after experiencing a difficult life, being deceived many times, and suffering a lot of malice, he was always very wary of strangers.

If Ryunosuke Akutagawa hadn't returned the ebony sword to him, he wouldn't have even come to the rooftop with him. Without a sword in his hand, he lacked confidence.