Tokyo bombing incident Nth time

Here's some news that might surprise you: this book is scheduled to be released tomorrow, Friday. Apparently, a closing statement is required for the release, so the author has written it here.

This news was quite unexpected even for the author...

First of all, thank you to everyone who has been reading this book this far, to everyone who offered their support but was discouraged by my poor writing, and to everyone who might be willing to support me in the future.

Thank you all, I am truly grateful.

The book's performance... This is the first time the author has seriously written, and I dare not say whether it is good or bad for a first-time creator like myself, but overall, it is definitely not as good as other excellent works. However, since I have already written this far, I will continue to write in the future and will not abandon it.

You've probably seen this kind of promise many times before. In short, just judge me by my actions!

In short, I hope everyone will support me. My words about the release were a bit incoherent, so please don't mind. I'm really not very good at writing this (although I'm good at other things too...).

Then came some things I don't know how to summarize.

The author's writing experience is not very extensive, but reading experience is quite considerable. They know that many other authors add extra chapters when their work is released… but this is simply beyond their capabilities, especially considering the timing of the Chinese New Year this year… Therefore, they are ashamed to admit that they cannot add extra chapters upon release, and even need to request leave in advance—the 30th of this month, the day before Chinese New Year's Eve, will be a day off. This leave is actually being requested on the 30th in preparation for the 31st; the 30th is chosen for easier processing of the leave request…

I'm so sorry, I'll try my best to make up for it in February. Please forgive me. If you see an update at 6 PM, that will be a supplementary chapter.

Then, the beginning of the book was very poor. Many readers have told me that the later parts were passable, but the beginning was rubbish, and suggested that I rewrite a few parts as soon as possible, so that other readers would not want to continue reading.

I've tried rewriting it, but several versions had various problems, so I kept putting it off until today. It's really not my intention to subject everyone to this kind of writing garbage, but I still can't do it. I will try my best to fix the following parts. Please feel free to offer any suggestions. I will try my best to correct them if they are within my capabilities.

Then, someone asked me if I created this world-building myself—the answer is of course no. I mentioned it in the introduction, but I didn't make it clear then. Some readers have already figured it out, but I want to make it clear here that this world-building is basically from White Wolf's WOD series (The Dark World series). Although I've added a lot of modifications, to the point that if you follow this book to understand the Dark World, you'll basically be falling into a trap, but the foundation is indeed from this series. As for the story, it's basically entirely my original work, but I can't rule out the possibility that I saw some content at some point and adapted it…

World of Warcraft is a very broad worldview, and I have selected the part that I want to use and modified the parts that I don't like.

Finally, although this book has its problems and its quality is only so-so, and I even reserved it for a gap in my reading list, I still shamelessly ask for all kinds of support. I welcome all kinds of recommendations and monthly tickets. If possible, please also recommend it to other people. Thank you very much!

176. Mutual card viewing is an abnormal mode.

The sin-eater girl on the bed stirred, making a sound as if she had just woken up.

"……Um?"

This wasn't the first time she had made a sound, but it was the first time she had spoken, so she must have really woken up. Yuri just watched her quietly.

"I... Ah! What time is it?" Yamanaka Yuka, whose clothes were not very neat, suddenly sat up from under the covers. The result of sleeping in all her clothes was that her clothes were wrinkled and looked very sloppy—but she probably didn't care much about her appearance right now.

Yuri, who was suspended inside the room, responded, "Welcome back to reality—it's 7:44 PM now. Are you awake?"

"I...I'm still a little dizzy, I keep having nightmares." Seeing that she wasn't surrounded by a bunch of enemies, Yuka Yamanaka lay down again.

"Hmm, is it a dream where you feel extremely cold, your whole body is compressed, it's hard to breathe, and you feel like someone is choking you?" Yuri scanned the other person.

"...Why do you know?" Yuka Yamanaka was still confused.

"Because you always grip the blanket tightly with both hands while you sleep, and you press the edge of the blanket forcefully against your neck." Yuri looked at the curtains. "It seems that staying warm and breathing smoothly are mutually exclusive."

The girl who ate sins began to flush bright red, looking much healthier than before she went to sleep.

"Well, that... oh, right, those traitors haven't come looking for us yet, have they?" After looking around, the sin-eater girl found the next topic.

It seems the joke has effectively relaxed her... so it's time to tell her the sad news.

“The bad news is that they came around 2 p.m., so it’s not that they were slow,” Yuri said, hoping that these people would never find their dream bankrupt. “The good news is that (Mingmei’s) prediction was correct; they will wait until night to make their move anyway.”

Yuri requisitioned several other rooms as observation rooms, peeking out through a gap in the curtains to observe the outside world—and as a result, at two o'clock in the afternoon, he happened to see Hirosaki and Anzai pointing and talking about the hotel near the main entrance.

This wretched building isn't some kind of world wonder. If they didn't know people were inside, why would they bother to come and observe it? — And then, these two people were pointing and gesturing without trying to hide from people at all.

Clearly, they thought they had the underdogs in their grasp.

That’s too much.

After pointing and whispering, the two left temporarily. But since they didn't come during the day, they would definitely come at night. Otherwise, what was the point of wasting time with the people inside?

"Is that so? They really came..." After hearing Yuri's words, Yamanaka Yuka sighed, "My senses told me the same thing. The distance between Nakamichi and us has been greatly reduced, and he is nearby as well."

Well, according to this logic, the fourth person, that sin-eater traitor, should also be nearby—if they don't call for more people—they probably wouldn't call for more people when everything is already a sure thing, right?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"This is your defense plan?"

"Yes."

"So you're telling me to hide under the bed, block the gaps with a blanket, and stay there no matter what—not even you—"

“Um… it’s not entirely blocked by the blanket. I’ll reinforce the blanket and the bed frame, and also put an extra layer of reinforced shadow inside to stop bullets…” Yuri held up a finger. “Next, I’ll put your talisman on to prevent spirits from passing through, and everything will be fine. Of course, the same thing should be put on the curtains and windows as well, as that’s also an entrance.”

"I don't see anything wrong with you at all." Yuka Yamanaka stared in disbelief. "Are you saying you can take on four opponents by yourself? I have absolutely no idea you have that ability."

Yuri felt he didn't have a pistol, even if he did—in fact, even with a pistol, Yuri himself would have a tough time in a one-on-one fight with the Sin Eater among the traitors.

After all, he has an opponent with the level of Spirit Binding. With Spirit Binding alone, he might be able to overpower Yuri.

“The key is to buy time. If the opponent only has one Sin Eater, I should be able to hold them off if I go all out,” Yuri estimated. “But if they swarm at me, they will have several more weaknesses that are inherent to flesh and blood—and I now have a weapon that is very effective against flesh and blood.”

Before Yuka Yamanaka could say anything more, Yuri cut her off, saying, "If you're going to join the battle, I don't think it's really a good idea—your supernatural powers haven't recovered yet, have they?"

While it wasn't immediately obvious, anyone familiar with her could sense the weakness emanating from Yuka Yamanaka—her physical body might be perfectly normal, but her supernatural powers were unreliable. Unlike Akemi, who possesses exceptional athleticism, the Sin Eater girl wouldn't be much better than an average fourteen-year-old girl in a fight using only her physical strength—even if she were initially better, her current weakened state should more than compensate.

“Of course, there’s another possibility… Tell me honestly, have you ever had your parents train you in marksmanship? In places like Hawaii, for example?” Yuri thought this possibility was unlikely, but what if it was?

"...No. And why Hawaii?"

"I just said it offhand. Isn't that American territory? I've heard that in America, everyone can carry a gun in the street, and it's common for people to fight in the street if they disagree." Yuri was still a little doubtful about this rumor. If that were true, wouldn't they die very quickly?

“Ah, I’ve heard of similar things... Unfortunately, I’ve never been there.” The sin-eater girl shook her head honestly. “Of course, I’ve never used a gun either.”

“…Then there’s nothing we can do.”

If Yuka Yamanaka guarantees that she is a sharpshooter and can hit three targets 200 meters away in half a second with a pistol, Yuri will give her the gun to use.

But since there isn't one... it's probably more appropriate to stick to Yuri's tactics.

Charge forward despite the bullets and then open fire at close range.

……

After a while, Yuka Yamanaka asked again, "When will they launch their attack?"

good question.

"My expectation was that they would operate at night to avoid attracting attention, but it is already night now."

That's right, by 8 p.m. on a winter night, it's already dark.

"Theoretically, there should be fewer people at night—but this hotel doesn't seem to be able to be judged that way."

Just now, Yuri noticed that an unfamiliar man and woman had entered the hotel. From this distance, it was impossible to tell whether they possessed supernatural powers, but their actions indicated that they were very unsuspecting. The hotel was empty during the day, but there were people at night, so it was likely that there were still people staying there overnight.

"So if we don't launch an attack right now, it'll be in the middle of the night, when everyone's fast asleep," Yuri concluded, then paused before adding, "That's what I was thinking, but now that you're awake, you should be able to help me figure this out."

"You also said that I can hardly use my supernatural powers, so how can you help me make a judgment?" Yuka Yamanaka's face lit up.

“Distance—I’ve estimated that the enemy’s main objective is to take you away, and capture you alive.” Yuri looked directly into the eyes of the Sin Eater girl. “If you can’t be sure whether your death in this situation will result in the complete transfer of power, or whether it will activate the spirit binding and resurrect you to take all the power back—they can’t either.”

Therefore, they dared not kill Yuka Yamanaka.

“If they can’t kill you, they have to consider the possibility that you might recklessly fight them to the death—or rather, if they push you too far and you jump off the building and break up with them, I don’t think they’re willing to take that risk,” Yuri explained, while observing the girl’s expression.

Her deception skills aren't high enough. If there's information she hasn't revealed that could cause her plan to fail, it should show on her face.

The girl who ate sins showed an expression of sudden realization.

“So, their best approach is to restrict your movements from a distance using non-lethal means.” Yuri spread his hands. “I think the Middle Way, with whom you have established this shared relationship, likely has this method.”

Furthermore, Yuka Yamanaka's earlier statement that Nakamichi was also nearby further convinced Yuri of his deduction.

Nakamichi, who only managed to seize half of the spoils, should lack supernatural powers, just like Yamanaka Yuka. Among all the enemies, he should be the weakest. So his presence here must have its significance.

“…Actually, I think they might just be used as hunting dogs to track me.” Yuka Yamanaka offered another opinion. “But even so, they’ll still come over…I think they must already feel they have victory in their grasp.”

Indeed, Yuri thought. If the enemy launched a full-scale attack regardless of the cost, Yuri couldn't imagine how they could lose—but would they launch an attack regardless of their own lives?

This is the next thing to be determined.

"Now, in these last moments, tell me about the abilities of the other sin-eaters?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Yuka Yamanaka gave a brief introduction to the abilities of the other members of the society.

Since the remaining people either had their abilities taken away or were traitors, she no longer had any concerns about them.

The sin eaters call their power "spirit possession," which is just a name, signifying that they act using the power of bound spirits.

The power of succubus also has popular major categories and differences in each person's unique techniques. However, Yuka Yamanaka does not have a particularly deep understanding of the powers of others; she is already quite good at knowing the major categories.

Minagawa-do's cult practice is "fetal membrane," which allows him to combine the power of binding spirits with himself, transforming them into various forms while simultaneously combining offense and defense.

Hirota Takashi's haunting is a "spirit field," in which he can alter and restrict the surrounding environment. Yuri believes it is similar to the ability to create and manipulate the environment of an artificial haunted house.

Tomoko Imaizumi's shrine ritual is called "shroud," which involves covering the body with spiritual energy. Its most basic function is to provide defense, but it can also be expanded to create various effects by altering the nature of the spiritual energy.

Yuka Yamanaka's fetishes are "Puppet" and "Elegy." At lower levels, "Puppet" allows her to manipulate inanimate objects through spiritual threads. Theoretically, with higher levels, she can directly control living beings (and ghosts). She developed a technique of planting traps inside the puppet's body and marking those who touch them. "Elegy" has a completely different use—to appease ghosts and the living. Yuka's mastery of this ability is not yet profound, but she has used it many times in requiem rituals with excellent results.

A sin-eater is not limited to mastering only one major category of exorcism, but initially there is only one, and there is no clear standard for the specific method of selection (at least Yuka Yamanaka does not know such a standard). Yuka Yamanaka mastered the puppet first, and then the elegy, so her proficiency level is also very different.

The current speculation is that the sin eaters' obsession and the will of the spirit binders work together to influence the power they initially acquire, and then their own development determines which category they will enter.

It is said that some sin-eaters possess abilities that fall into multiple categories simultaneously, such as having the ability to control puppets and the ability to protect oneself with a shroud... Yuka Yamanaka has never seen this, so it is ultimately just a legend.

"...So you have two abilities, and they only have one?" Yuri asked solemnly.

“I ‘only know’ that they have one kind, the kind they use every day—whether there are others, I don’t know either,” the sin-eater girl looked back at him with a strange look. “Do you live in a world where everyone you can call a friend has no secrets from each other, and you can communicate with each other just by making eye contact?”

...Such a world is indeed a bit hard to imagine.

In short, the next challenge may be a combination of a protective layer made of spiritual matter, an artificial haunted house that can alter the spiritual field, and a highly skilled attacker and defender with exceptionally strong offensive and defensive capabilities.

Your abilities are truly comprehensive, with no two being the same... It must just be a coincidence, since these abilities were already mastered by each individual before the group was formed, rather than being specially studied for division of labor after the association was established.

According to Yuka Yamanaka, it took her at least a month to master her own abilities—she didn't think the traitors could immediately and perfectly master how to use these abilities, no matter how smoothly they seized the power of the Sin Eaters—it was very likely that they could only use the most basic effects.

The amniotic sac represents extra strength and speed, the spirit field alters the atmosphere of the environment and enhances perception, and the shroud is similar to Yuri's shield. If Yuka Yamanaka were to also be defeated, the puppet would be similar to a superhero's web-launching technique, and the elegy would simply make speaking and singing more impactful.

None of them are particularly strong, which is probably the best news.

It's unclear when the enemy will begin their attack, but Yuri can remain on high alert indefinitely.

Author's message

————Author's Note———

After typing those five words, I realized that I've said everything I should say, and there's nothing I shouldn't have said either (thinking).

Since you're all here, have a great weekend!

177 Talking Tom Yuri

At 2 a.m., both Yuka Yamanaka and Yuri sensed the change in atmosphere.

The building seemed sealed off, and a chilly atmosphere seeped in through the cracks in the door.

"Is it a spirit site?" Yuri asked to confirm.

“Yes, that’s right.” Yuka Yamanaka immediately began to crawl under the bed according to the pre-arranged plan.

It's clear that she's still not very agile, but thankfully crawling under the bed isn't an extreme sport.

"Can you sense what level of spiritual field this is?" Yuri asked the sin-eater girl through the blanket.

"The most basic level is much worse than the level that Mr. Hirota Takashi usually uses."

...Yaka Yamanaka is not the traitor. Hirota Takashi's memorial site and Imatake Tomoko's shroud have already appeared one after the other.

Minagawa Dojin is the most troublesome guy to become a mole; the current mole rate exceeds 95%.

Yuri opened the candy box, took out the pistol, and returned to the bedside.

The reinforced sheet, with a shadow covering the inside, will be dealt with by Yuka Yamanaka herself using the talisman. It'll probably be similar in strength to a thicker sheet of iron, offering some protection against handgun bullets, and it would take considerable effort to lift it with hands and feet.

“Yuri.” Yuka Yamanaka’s voice was quite calm.

"Huh? What's wrong?" Yuri scanned the pitch-black room.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm very happy. You've done so much, such as—"