Mutagen



Day 341 - 11:57 AM - Sumida River, Kachidoki Docks, Kachidoki, Reclaimed City, Ruins of Tokyo

The first unfortunate death on the human side finally occurred. Compared to the number of deaths that already occurred among the Demons, it looked negligible. However, the number of people fighting the Demons in this battle was smaller in the first place. Even a single death was quite a significant number.

Worse, despite the deaths among the Demons, their number barely thinned at all.

The death of their teammate prompted the other "inevitable sacrifices" that Keiji brought to strictly work together. They stopped relying solely on their guns and swords and used their [Mutator] and [Evolver] abilities. All of them were [Ability Holders] that the Mitsui Clan hired to be under their wing. They were unlike the other "teammates" raised by the clan using their own methods.

Of course, the [Teketeke] immediately pounced her way to try and kill the new humans before her. But since the humans were already aware of the danger she posed, she failed to make another immediate kill. Making it worse for her, several of the Onmyojis focused solely on her to stop her rampage.

Seeing that no one else died too soon, Keiji had a bit of relief inside him. He could not have them getting killed too soon. At least wait for the army to arrive. And when his eyes fell on the dead body of the victim of the [Teketeke], his eyes had a flash of emotionlessness. It was as if he was looking at a useless piece of trash.

"What a ruthless guy."

Mark made another murmur as he sensed Keiji's inner emotions. But then again, it was not surprising. After all, he was the same person who tried to end his own sister's life without remorse.

Putting the comments of the spectators aside, Keiji held his sword. It was an average-sized katana, although it was clearly not an average sword. The katana in Keiji's hands was a weapon that could harm Demons, a [Blessed Weapon].

Mark remembered encountering those things when he fought the elite special soldiers of his country. It was not surprising to see one here, especially in the hand of a successor of a family deep in both financial and historical riches.

And as Keiji waved his sword, his elite-trained movements showed a beautiful flow as he began the slaughter of the incoming Demons. He was a powerful swordsman in his own right but also a skillful Ninja on the other hand.

Keiji, however, was not focused on the killing. He might be fighting, but he avoided clashing with the powerful Demons, and those same Demons seemed to be avoiding him too. His eyes wandered around, looking for things that went wrong with the plan, and what he observed would make him decide what to do and report to the clan.

And the most pressing issue that Keiji found was the barrier and a specific individual. Keiji's eyes fell on the Maiden fighting the powerful [Yuki-Onna] on the same footing.

Ise Tsubasa, the current prodigy of the Ise Clan. She was the Grandniece and Direct Disciple of the Priestess. And, of course, one of the greatest thorns in the neck of the Mitsui Clan.

Keiji continued to look around and observe while his hands were dyed with the blood and dust of the Demons he killed. The other Onmyojis were not that noteworthy. In his observation, Ise Tsubasa and the barrier were only hindrances to the clan's plan for it to proceed forward.

And at the right moment...

"They're here..."

Mark made another comment as someone familiar entered his detection range.

The sea of Demons made way like how Moses parted the Red Sea. The strange scene gathered everyone's attention except those tightly bound to the fight while facing a powerful enemy.

And in walking in that path that the Demons made was a group of three people.

Looking through her binoculars, Spera flinched a bit as she saw the group.

It was Shin, together with the two familiar women. The [Siren] sisters, Yoko and Tsukiko. The three of them were all members of Spera's previous group.

The members of Mark's group also watched the epic scene of Demons parting to make way for their powerful allies. It was like a movie scene to introduce the villains.

But then, Mark had a thought. The sisters were [Sirens]. Creatures of the Greek Myths. Yet, they were here in Japan and even had Japanese names. To magical creatures, names had an important meaning. As such, their names should not be fake. It made Mark curious how the two of them became creatures from another country born in Japan.

Well, it should not be that surprising. Mark had already encountered a few misplaced creatures. One of Teremillio's wives was a [Koropokkuru]. Another was one of Diwata Hiraya's Generals who was a [Living Armor]. Since a few creatures from other countries were found in his country, it should not be surprising if the same thing happened to others.

With the appearance of the three, the battle would finally tilt to the side of the Demons.

And here, Keiji sighed as he lowered his sword. This was the time for him to decide what to do. Would he continue with the initial plan, or should he join forces with Shin directly?

Such an important decision was in Keiji's hands. After all, it would dictate the reputation of his clan.

The initial plan was to let the Demons invade, kill a good amount of the inferior class along with the powerful hindrances, and the Mitsui Clan would sweep in to become the new heroes and rulers of the Reclaimed City. It was all while eliminating the Temple and the members of Auraboros. It was such an ideal plan.

But now, it was clear that something was not right. Keiji could feel the eyes of the Onmyojis being wary of him and his group. It was as if they knew that he and his clan sided with the Demons.

Nonetheless, Keiji did not want to go to that conclusion immediately. After all, both the Priestess and the Empress walked into the trap they set up. If they knew that something would happen and the Mitsui Clan sided with the Demons, they would not stupidly walk into the trap. And now, both the Priestess and the Empress were missing. Once they returned, the two would only see the sea of Demons and the ruined Reclaimed City.

And at that time, Gar'Vlam would be here too to end the two's lives.

If Shin appeared here ahead of time, it meant that the Demons already noticed something wrong. And Shin would not hesitate to ask Keiji what was happening. In this case, pretending to be on the Reclaimed City's side was out of the question.

Seeing the familiar appearance of Shin, the nearby four Onmyojis sent a barrage of attacks immediately. All of them knew Shin, the Traitor of Mankind. A [Humanoid Demon], who received his demonization directly from a [Demon Deity].

Shin had already killed quite a number of Onmyojis ever since he became what he currently was. There was no doubt that he was hated by the members of the Temple.

Unfortunately for the Onmyojis attacking Shin, with a flick of his hand, the space in front of him was torn. The incoming attacks were invalidated before they even reached the target.

At that scene, Mark's eyes lit up. The ability [Space Slasher] had clearly evolved.

[Psycast Abilities] could change after being transferred to their [Inheritors]. Mark had already experienced this one. However, although far rarer than an individual surviving the apocalypse alone, [Psycast Abilities] could evolve through specific and obscure conditions.

And as the name implied, [Space Slasher] allowed its user to channel the ability through a sword and slash through space. But just now, Shin clearly tore the space before him with just a flick of his finger.

Rather than [Space Slasher], it might be more appropriate to now call it [Space Tear] instead. And now, it had become a far more troublesome ability.

[Space Slasher] was a powerful ability. One direct hit and a slash could tear an opponent apart instantly. However, it had a great drawback. Its distance was reliant on the length of the user's sword. All the way back in Eriellis, General Eigrid used a greatsword, and that was how far he could slash through space. Another drawback was that since the ability relied on sword slashes, a smart enough enemy could just avoid the trajectory.

However, the current evolved ability Shin acquired seemed to have its previous limitations released. It became an absurdly powerful and troublesome ability.

But rather than being afraid, Mark was excited. During the entire time, Freed survived Eriellis' apocalypse, he had only seen five [Psycasts] who evolved their abilities. It was only five among thousands of surviving [Psycasts]. Once Mark retrieved the ability from its unworthy successor, it meant that Mark would have an [Evolved Psycast Ability] to utilize.

Mark became eager to jump into the fray. However, Mark still held back. It was not the right time.

So, for now, Mark would let the residents of this country settle their scores first.

Mark glanced at several hidden parts of the docks. The Priests that maintained the barrier aside, there were other players still hiding in the dark.

Back at the frozen river, the Onmyojis focused their attacks on Shin. Bolts of lightning flashed, fireballs flew, and wind blades slashed. However, none of those attacks reached their target, as all were torn apart by the tearing of space created by Shin at every flick of his finger.

Shin continued walking and, after getting annoyed by the flimsy attacks barraging his way, Shin made a glance towards the women on both sides.

"La, la, la~"

"Na, na, na~"

The two clasped their hands to their chests and sang a hymn.

As the hymn entered the ears of the opposing Onmyojis, their eyes dilated as their bodies froze where they stood. They tried to resist, but the more they did, the more their heads felt bursting.

And at this opportune moment, the weaker Demons swarmed the incapacitated Onmyojis, biting and tearing the poor Exorcists with their teeth and claws.

In that instant, four elite Onmyojis fell victim to the ferociousness of the Demons of Japan. They could not even utter their final screams as their bodies were torn to shreds while still alive.

The other nearby Onmyojis wanted to help those foolish four, but Tsubasa was entangled with the [Yuki-Onna], and the others were facing the ferocious [Teketeke]. None of them could turn their backs on their opponents, as doing so would risk their deaths.

While Keiji was still contemplating what to do, he noticed Shin staring at him. With that, Keiji shrugged as he gave up trying to follow any other plan. Shin would clearly ask him what was happening, and everything they were hiding would be revealed with such a question.

Well... If the clan could not rule through heroism, they could rule through fear. Keiji was the current successor of the Mitsui Clan. His words and decisions were the clan's words and decisions.

If anyone disagreed, Keiji could just make them follow his sister.

Without any further resistance, Shin reached Keiji. But to the surprise of Keiji's innocent followers and teammates, Keiji was not raising his sword to face the enemy.

"What is happening here?" Finally, the expected question from Shin entered Keiji's ears. "This isn't part of the plan."

Shin looked around, his eyes falling on the nearby Onmyojis and the new barrier blocking the Demons' advance.

With a nonchalant attitude, Keiji replied.

"This isn't part of our calculations, either. It seemed that there are other hands, something outside our influence at work in the shadows."

"Which means you have no idea what is happening, either."

Shin understood what Keiji's convoluted reply meant.

"Indeed, unfortunately. I am also here to seek those uncertain factors."

Keiji nodded.

At this time, a shout entered Keiji's ears.

"Keiji-sama! What is the meaning of this? You're colluding with the enemies?"

That shout came from one of Keiji's "inevitable sacrifices." It held the question that the others also had after seeing Keiji converse with Shin.

And in response to that betrayed question, Keiji removed his glasses and wiped the lens with a handkerchief. The moment he put the glasses back on, all he saw were the dead sacrifices killed by his other subordinates.

"There's no use for them to be alive any longer," Keiji turned his back to his dead underlings. "We need to get the hindrances out and conquer the city."

And here, with Keiji and Shin in the lead, the Demons began the second wave of their invasion, starting with the elimination of the members of the Temple.