Chapter 28 Peeping Through the Wall (8) The trap set by Zhu Yi inside 307...
The area that Zhu Yi set up within 307 began to show its effects.
The old copper coins were arranged in a specific direction, forming an invisible barrier in that area. The dried herbs were lit by the bamboo stick, emitting a refreshing fragrance that dispelled the unpleasant stench in the room. Kobayashi Yuta, who was in a coma, relaxed his tightly furrowed brows slightly.
Zhu Yi held his breath and concentrated, his fingers holding a cinnabar talisman. While looking at the contents of the system panel, he chanted a deep and ancient incantation, and at the same time, he drew complex runes in the air. This way, he could penetrate into Kobayashi Yuta's spiritual world and stabilize the other's faltering consciousness.
Kunikida Doppo and Tanizaki Jun'ichirō stood guard by his side, completely focused on their duties.
Kunikida Doppo was tense, alert to any unusual movements around him, holding his notebook in hand just in case.
Junichiro Tanizaki then activated his special ability once again, creating layers upon layers of ever-changing illusory scenes that enveloped Takeichi and Yuta Kobayashi in order to confuse the vision and perception of whatever was in the crack.
However, this ghost story clearly wouldn't stand idly by while its food was taken away.
Almost at the same time that Zhu Yi's incantation became more rapid, the crack in the wall suddenly trembled, as if something inside was violently colliding.
Immediately afterwards, an even more piercing, dense scraping sound came from the depths of the crack, echoing throughout the room, filled with a violent and urgent tearing sound.
"It looks like it's about to come out!" Jun'ichirō Tanizaki said, maintaining his supernatural abilities, somewhat fearfully.
Large chunks of plaster began to peel off the wall around the crack, and countless eyeballs, huddled together, emerged from the dark depths of the crack. They turned and looked at the people in the room, then began to surge and swell.
Countless blurry and pale outlines also squeezed out of the darkness, appearing and disappearing, twisting and squeezing, trying to break free from that narrow gap.
A chilling malice surged forth like a tangible tide, impacting the illusion of Jun'ichirō Tanizaki manipulating his supernatural abilities. The barrier composed of light particles fluctuated violently, showing signs of breaking.
"Hold on, Tanizaki-kun!" Kunikida Doppo shouted, his mind racing as he analyzed the situation: "Its target is Kobayashi Yuta, stop them from getting closer!"
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki gritted his teeth and did his best to maintain his superpower.
The illusion shifted, attempting to confuse and block the invisible invasion, but the negative energy surging from the crack was too immense. Some of the solidified energy even began to condense into translucent, black, slimy tentacles, which pierced through the illusion and slowly reached towards Takeichi and Kobayashi Yuta!
Without hesitation, Kunikida Doppo rushed forward, tore off a page from the notebook, wrote something on it, and then, with a flash of light, it instantly transformed into a heavy short stick.
He swung his short stick, striking precisely at the protruding tentacles of malice. These products, composed of pure negative energy, had limited physical damage. Each collision made Kunikida Doppo feel his arm go numb, and a cold, filthy sensation seemed to try to erode his spirit along with the weapon.
Kunikida Doppo shook his head, snapping out of his daze.
"These things are disgusting." Kunikida Doppo frowned, continuing to swing his arms, but his arms were visibly trembling slightly. He knew he couldn't stop, so he kept attacking, just to buy Takeichi precious time.
Fine beads of sweat trickled down Zhu Yi's forehead. He could feel the intense battle outside and the growing sense of oppression, but he couldn't afford to be distracted.
Takeichi's consciousness was trying to delve into Kobayashi Yuta's sea of consciousness, which was filled with fear and desire. He saw countless fragments of memories: Kobayashi Yuta's excitement and trembling when he was spying, his fear of being discovered... and his self-loathing. These emotions were the very breeding ground for ghost stories.
"Hold fast to your heart, they are merely reflections of your inner self, not invincible." Zhu Yi chanted a calming incantation in a low voice, the talisman in his hand emitting a gentle white light, attempting to light a faint beacon in Kobayashi Yuta's chaotic mental world.
The rest is up to Yuta Kobayashi himself.
At the same time, 001, which was standing at Takeichi's feet, had its fur turning white, and its amber eyes were looking at Kobayashi Yuta.
While 307 was engaged in fierce combat, Dazai Osamu was walking through the streets of Yokohama under the cover of night. Based on the coordinates provided by Sakaguchi Ango, he easily found several anonymous sources of information transmission, most of which were public network nodes hijacked by hacking techniques or simple devices in abandoned houses.
"What a lack of creativity, you rat." Dazai Osamu casually disassembled a few transmitters, interrupting the continuous signal output.
But this is merely a temporary solution. Fyodor certainly has more tricks up his sleeve. Dazai Osamu's goal is not only to stop the rumors, but also to follow the traces on the internet to find the bigger nest where that rat is hiding.
However, interference from the other side soon followed.
As he walked toward the next coordinate point using his phone, a sudden and unusual commotion broke his concentration, and a jumble of excited shouts erupted around him.
"That's him! The man in the trench coat, I saw him acting suspiciously there!"
"I saw him walk out of that building with my own eyes!"
"I heard it was that peeping tom in the apartment who attracted them!"
"Grab him! Otherwise, we'll all be cursed!"
Dazai Osamu looked up and saw that a dozen or so nearby residents had gathered at the alley entrance, holding sticks, brooms, and even spatulas.
The residents' faces were filled with fear and anger, like a fanatical frenzy that had been stirred up.
It is an irrational impulse of an ordinary person under extremely short-term panic.
Dazai Osamu quickly figured this out, his eyes dark and unreadable.
The crowd moved forward step by step, trying to block Dazai Osamu's path.
Clearly, Fyodor's spreading of rumors was not merely to create panic, but also to set a trap for them—using descriptions of suspicious individuals and the characteristics of Dazai Osamu and his group's presence near the apartment building, he successfully guided and transformed this panic into a specific target.
It was obvious that his actions and address had been exposed, and his every move was being monitored, or perhaps the other party had anticipated this.
"Oh dear, this is really..." Dazai Osamu sighed, put away his phone, and faced with the increasingly agitated crowd, a look of helplessness and resignation appeared on his face.
Instead of forcing his way in, he nimbly retreated while trying to calm everyone down: "Everyone, please calm down. I'm from the Armed Detective Agency, and I'm handling the incident at that apartment building..."
But their panic and anger overwhelmed their reason, and they couldn't listen to Dazai Osamu's words at all. Dazai Osamu also realized this and slowly backed away.
The rather unusual name, "Armed Detective Agency," only fueled the suspicions of some.
In Fyodor's rumors, while guiding them, he mentioned the involvement of a strange organization, while also subtly suggesting psychological implications.
Stones and empty bottles began to fly towards Dazai Osamu.
Dazai Osamu nimbly dodged and weaved through the alley, perfectly avoiding all the projectiles.
His physical skills were more than enough to handle the chaotic situation.
Dazai Osamu looked unwell; he had a headache. It was alright if they were enemies, but these were just ordinary people.
The headache wasn't from danger but from the trouble; he was being effectively stalled, and every second of delay carried an increased risk of 307 and the possibility of Fyodor's escape—all the variables were increasing.
Meanwhile, Ango Sakaguchi was coordinating the actions of all parties in a makeshift command vehicle.
The Special Abilities Division personnel have secured the main entrance to the apartment building and are reassuring residents floor by floor, implementing limited evacuations. The spread of rumors online has also been somewhat contained.
But just then, a new intelligence report was urgently sent over.
"Mr. Sakaguchi!" an intelligence officer reported urgently, "A powerful energy fluctuation has been detected rapidly approaching the apartment! It's Chuuya Nakahara, a member of the Port Mafia and a gravity manipulator!"
Inside the command vehicle, Ango Sakaguchi frowned instantly. At this critical juncture, the appearance of the Port Mafia members had already complicated the already complicated situation even more. He immediately connected with his subordinates on site and Kunikida Doppo.
"Attention all units, Port Mafia executive Chuuya Nakahara is approaching. His purpose is currently unknown. Please remain on high alert and do not attack without orders." He quickly issued the order and then contacted Kunikida Doppo: "Kunikida-kun, the Port Mafia has arrived. It's Chuuya Nakahara from the Port Mafia. The situation is unclear. Prioritize indoor security and avoid unnecessary conflict."
Within ten seconds of him finishing speaking, a new situation arose.
Another encrypted communication channel was forcibly accessed, and a deep, slightly cold voice came from the other end of the channel, not Chuuya Nakahara's signature irritable tone.
"Ango Sakaguchi from the Special Abilities Department?" The other person's voice, transmitted through the electricity, carried an undeniable air of authority.
"It's me. May I ask who you are?" Ango Sakaguchi calmly replied, his fingers flying across the control panel to locate the signal source and confirm the other party's identity. The result made him slightly taken aback—the signal source was the □□ building.
"I am Hirojin Ryūrō," the other party introduced himself. "I am writing to you on the orders of Chief Mori."
"We have been informed of the basic situation regarding the Cursed Eye incident in the wall crack that you are handling."
Ango Sakaguchi's heart leaped into his throat; the Port Mafia's information network was indeed terrifyingly efficient: "What advice does the Port Mafia have on this?"
"I dare not presume to offer my advice." Hirotsu Ryūrō's tone remained calm: "Chief Mori believes that an out-of-control and continuously growing ghost story, especially given its nature and current rate of spread, will cause damage to Yokohama's order regardless of faction. Allowing it to develop unchecked will harm the interests of everyone, including the stability of some locations and personnel under the □□."
"Therefore, the leader proposed a limited, temporary cooperation."
"Cooperation?" Ango Sakaguchi's voice was emotionless as his mind raced, weighing the options.
"Yes, our cadre, Chuuya Nakahara, has arrived near the scene. His mission is to assist in controlling the situation and preventing the impact of the ghost story from expanding further, especially physical damage."
"In exchange, we hope that after the incident, the Special Abilities Division can share some non-core research reports on such 'non-supernatural anomaly events,' and that □□'s assistance in this incident needs to be formally recorded to demonstrate our contribution to maintaining stability in Yokohama." Hirotsu Ryūnō calmly presented his conditions.
Sakaguchi Ango remained silent for a few seconds. Cooperating with the □□ was tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin. What Mori Ōgai undoubtedly wanted was valuable information and the opportunity to legitimize his existence in official records.
However, it must be admitted that under the current circumstances, if Chuuya Nakahara's combat power could be used to combat the ghost stories rather than create chaos, it would be a great help.
Especially since they had just received news that Dazai Osamu was currently being held back and the situation inside was critical.
“Agreed.” Ango Sakaguchi made a decision based on efficiency: “We accept the temporary cooperation proposal. Chuuya Nakahara must follow my temporary coordination, which is limited to controlling the situation of the ghost stories. He must not take action against members of the Armed Detective Agency or innocent civilians. The details of the cooperation will be discussed later.”
“A wise choice. Chuuya-kun will receive the instructions.” Hirotsu Ryūnō said, then cut off the communication.
Ango Sakaguchi immediately reconnected with Doppo Kunikida: "Kunikida-kun! The situation has changed! The Port Mafia has proposed a temporary cooperation, and Chusho Nakahara will assist in suppressing the ghost story."
"Remain vigilant, but treat him as a non-hostile unit for now. His objective is to control the destruction. I will try to coordinate his actions. Repeat, prioritize dealing with the strange tales!"
Inside room 307, Kunikida Doppo heard the latest instructions coming through his earpiece and almost thought he had misheard.
Cooperate with [unclear]? Or with that Nakahara Chuuya? But Sakaguchi Ango's calm voice and the grim situation left him no time to hesitate.
“…Received.” Kunikida Doppo replied with difficulty, while making a complicated gesture to the sweating Tanizaki Jun'ichirō: “The situation has changed. The Port Mafia may be here to help. Hang in there!”
Almost simultaneously, heavy and steady footsteps sounded from outside the corridor. They were not destructive, but they carried an invisible sense of oppression, and finally stopped outside the door of room 307.
Then, there was a light knock on the door.
Thump, thump, thump.
Kunikida Doppo took a deep breath and gave Tanizaki Junichiro a wink, signaling him to continue maintaining his ability. However, Kunikida Doppo couldn't find the time to open the door. He wanted to say something to the person outside, but the other person was clearly impatient and kicked the door open.
Outside the door, Chuuya Nakahara stood there, still wearing his signature black suit and hat. His cobalt blue eyes swept over the eerie scene inside, and his brows furrowed in disgust.
"Tsk, what a disgusting scene." He raised his hand to press down the brim of his hat.
Kunikida Doppo remained on guard: "Chuhara executives, I hope you will keep your promises. The priority now is to protect Mr. Takeichi and ensure the completion of the ceremony, preventing further leakage and damage from what's in the crack."
"Stop being so verbose, I know what to do." Nakahara Chuuya interrupted him impatiently, his gaze fixed on the crack from which eyeballs and malicious tentacles kept emerging, and his body began to glow with a familiar dark red gravity ability light: "This filthy thing is infuriating to look at... just crush it with gravity!"
A terrifying gravity was instantly applied to the crack and the material gushing out. The twisted tentacles and the surging eyeballs froze, as if they were being squeezed and crushed by an invisible giant hand, making a teeth-grinding crunching sound.
The rate at which the cracks expanded was clearly suppressed, and even the eerie scraping and whistling sounds seemed to be suppressed by gravity.
Junichiro Tanizaki immediately felt the pressure ease and looked at Chuuya in astonishment.
Kunikida Doppo was also taken aback, not expecting the other party's cooperation to be so... immediate and drastically effective.
However, the being within the rift seemed to be thoroughly enraged by this sudden and powerful attack.
More matter surged forth, even attempting to coalesce into larger, more distorted forms, resisting the crushing force of gravity.
Countless eyes spun wildly in the darkness, all focused on Chuuya Nakahara, a chilling, bone-deep hatred piercing him.
Chuuya clicked his tongue, but a hint of excitement curved his lips beneath his hat brim: "That's more like it! Come on, watch me send all of you shady characters back to hell!"
The battle has escalated in a different form.
Seeing this, Kunikida Doppo immediately rejoined the battle, swinging his short stick at the tentacles that were trying to bypass the gravity field and attack Takeichi and Kobayashi Yuta from the side.
-----------------------
Author's note: I've corrected the typos and grammatical errors I found.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
