Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Haruhiko was immediately speechless.

An overly warm atmosphere lingered.

Haruhiko was finally able to breathe fresh air after his mouth and throat had dried up.

"See you tomorrow."

Mari Tsuchimikado brushed across his face, his lipstick already noticeably faded.

The red car drove away quickly.

Haruhiko wiped his mouth, turned around, and went to the door.

Yukihime did not come out to greet her.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

She has been practicing diligently during this period, so this is normal.

After entering the living room, Haruhiko went to the bathroom to wash his face.

Actually, it's not a big deal that Yukihime found out, it's just that the nights are a bit torturous.

December arrived quickly.

Television, the internet, newspapers, and other media outlets all began promoting Tachibana Yui's new song.

Although Haruhiko saw the advertisement many times, he didn't pay much attention to it.

Because he can just sit back and wait to collect the money.

The rest has nothing to do with him.

The only pity is that Tsuchimikado Mari doesn't plan to release her song.

Fortunately, he had already received a considerable amount of interest, so he wasn't at a loss.

December 2nd, Saturday.

It was the time Haruhiko and Ishikawa Yasuhiro had agreed to go to the Takamagahara ruins.

After having breakfast, he left home.

However, she made a phone call to Tsuchimikado Mari on the way.

"I'm going to the Takamagahara ruins later."

"Ah."

Mari Tsuchimikado understood what he meant and said, "Someone will contact you when you arrive at the Exploration Department of the Edo Archaeological Bureau."

The brief call ended.

Haruhiko arrived at the University of Tokyo.

Because it was Saturday, the campus was very quiet.

He was supposed to go back to Inari Shrine today, but he had no choice but to ask Jinguji Fuyumi for leave.

Although, given her personality, she wouldn't care.

Haruhiko pondered for a moment and soon arrived at the door of Ishikawa Yasuhiro's office.

He knocked on the door and, after receiving permission, entered.

"Quite punctual."

Yasuhiro Ishikawa glanced at the wall clock and said with a smile, "Let's go then."

Haruhiko nodded.

The two arrived at the school gate.

A white sedan arrived shortly afterward.

Haruhiko didn't say much along the way, but just observed his surroundings.

The Edo Archaeological Bureau is located below Tokyo, but he didn't know exactly where it was.

The University of Tokyo is located in Bunkyo Ward. At this moment, the car gradually drove away.

When he slowed down, Haruhiko recognized the area he was in: Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo.

He thought it would be in a remote area, but it wasn't here; it's practically the very heart of the heart.

The white sedan stopped in front of a building.

Haruhiko opened the car door, looked up, and gazed at the building.

It was no different from the other buildings, even more ordinary.

He followed Ishikawa Yasuhiro into the building and was immediately taken aback.

Because it's a shopping mall inside.

Is the Edo Archaeological Bureau's business really that extensive?

"Are you confused?"

Ishikawa Yasuhiro pressed the elevator button and, while waiting for the doors to open, casually asked a question.

"Ah."

Haruhiko said truthfully, "It really surprised me."

"But this building does not belong to the Edo Archaeological Bureau or the Imperial Palace."

Yasuhiro Ishikawa explained with a smile, "Because the space around the Takamagahara ruins is in a state of flux, the entrance is different each time. All we can do is fix a few entrances as soon as possible."

"Movement status?"

Haruhiko looked surprised and asked, "Is it some kind of curse?"

"Yes and no."

Ishikawa Yasuhiro entered the elevator and, seeing that no one was inside, continued, "The space of the Takamagahara Ruins is inherently unstable. We are simply making use of it by employing incantations to make it more regular."

"I see."

Haruhiko increasingly understood why there were so few survivors.

Whether from the outside or the inside, anyone who wants to leave the Takamagahara Ruins by abnormal means will have to pay a huge price.

Unless you acquire something priceless.

Therefore, the departure of Teru Morikawa, the fourth-order divine messenger, is quite significant.

The elevator plummeted downwards.

Haruhiko just noticed that Ishikawa Yasuhiro pressed a button that didn't exist.

The 30th floor below ground.

If we calculate based on the first floor being four meters, it would be 120 meters.

The elevator door opens.

What came into view was a tunnel, winding and seemingly endless.

Although it was underground, it wasn't dark because there were lights all around.

"Ahead lies the underground city of Edo."

Yasuhiro Ishikawa took out a mask and said, "Since this is your first time here, even with Edo's spiritual energy, you will feel uncomfortable."

Haruhiko took it and put it on.

Now, he has some understanding of the Takamagahara ruins.

The spiritual energy in the air, or the primordial energy of heaven and earth, far surpasses that on the ground.

It gets more terrifying the further you go.

By the fourth level, it had reached the level of a thousand years ago, so concentrated that it could instantly kill low-level psionicists.

No one has ever reached the fifth level, leading to speculation that it might be a divine realm no less powerful than the real Takamagahara.

Unfortunately, the entrance cannot be found now.

"This mask was deliberately left with a small gap."

As we walked, Yasuhiro Ishikawa explained, "With your abilities, you should be able to adapt in about two hours."

Haruhiko remained silent, overwhelmed by the sheer size of the space before him.

The vast underground city exudes a strong aura of psionic energy.

In the dim light, it felt like a huge tomb to him.

Considering that the Yamata no Orochi is located here, it could indeed be called a tomb.

How many people are there?

Haruhiko snapped out of his daze and couldn't help but ask.

"Currently, there are over 30,000 people."

Ishikawa Yasuhiro asked with a smile, "Isn't it incredible?"