Multiverse Anime 21-25

Title: The Shinomiya Family

The next day.

A piece of news that shook the entire world spread.

Egyptian Mythology has been annihilated!!!

Including Amun-Ra the Sun God, the entire Ennead and other gods affiliated with Egyptian Mythology, all were massacred, as if a true Ragnarök (Twilight of the Gods) had occurred!

Ragnarök happening in the modern era!

The Kings of Gods, Devil Kings, Dragon Kings... the world’s top experts who had just received this news could hardly believe it, thinking there was some information error.

However, after repeatedly verifying several times, they accepted this reality with horror. They all immediately stopped all their affairs, tore through space, and traversed the void.

But, after seeing the scene of Egyptian Mythology before them, everyone fell silent.

Egyptian Mythology, which was originally like a holy land, now became barren, truly transformed into a desert. Countless chasms and trenches covered the entire land. The thick smell of blood filled the nose and mouth, as if taking a deep breath meant a mouth full of fresh blood.

Even if they exerted their perception power to a depth of three feet, they felt not the slightest breath of life.

“Gluk... Egyptian Mythology has truly been annihilated!!!”

A Main God from a certain god system looked at the scene before him with fear on his face.

For thousands of years, many second- and third-class god systems had been annihilated. However, this was the first time a main god system possessing a Transcendence like Amun-Ra had been annihilated.

“Amun-Ra’s body lies there, while the other gods are all dead without remains.”

“Who did this?!”

This brutality made these gods unconsciously feel fear in their hearts.

“Quickly return to the god system, raise the alert to the highest level.”

Odin immediately turned around and took Thor back to Norse Mythology.

The other gods also realized something. They no longer cared about the ruined Egyptian Mythology, and one by one quickly returned to their respective god systems.

“What’s wrong?!”

“Haven’t you noticed yet? The sword rays remaining in the ruins of Egyptian Mythology, the cyan sword rays—“

A Main God explained with a serious expression.

“That’s... Emperor Shin!”

After this reminder, everyone remaining there understood.

The perpetrator who annihilated Egyptian Mythology had absolutely no intention of hiding it. The cyan sword rays remaining throughout the ruins of Egyptian Mythology were so conspicuous.

Emperor Shin!!!

He had reason and motive to attack Egyptian Mythology.

Everyone knew that Emperor Shin was very strong, but he single-handedly destroyed an entire main god system, once again updating their understanding of his power.

At the same time, they increasingly understood that the relationship between the God of the Bible and Emperor Shin was clearly extraordinary. Otherwise, Emperor Shin would not have completely destroyed all of Egyptian Mythology just because of the God of the Bible’s words that seemed like arrogance.

The reason why the rulers of the main god systems earlier rushed back to their god systems to be on alert was clearly because they feared Emperor Shin’s attack, lest they suffer the same fate as Egyptian Mythology.

“One person subdues all gods, the number one of all time!”

This scene made many gods sigh.

Indeed, an extraordinary great figure had emerged in this weak human race!

As the gods and experts felt fear and trepidation towards Emperor Shin’s actions.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In a Western-style house.

As the mastermind, Kanzaki Hikaru received a phone call that made him slightly dizzy. A majestic voice accompanied by mocking and affectionate tones came from the other end of the phone.

“You rotten brat, usually you’re so humble, not showing off, but this time the commotion you’ve caused is really not small. If I hadn’t used the Shinomiya Family’s power, your current residence would surely be surrounded by media.”

“Uncle Shinomiya, I’ve caused trouble for you again.” Hikaru said apologetically.

He understood in his heart that since the Eternal Beauty List revealed his romantic history, this ‘Uncle Shinomiya’, Shinomiya Gan’an, the head of the Shinomiya Family, who cared for him greatly, even more than his own son, must have endured no small pressure for him.

Think about it, the Shinomiya Family’s son-in-law suddenly revealed to have so much romantic history, and also has a current girlfriend. This clearly tarnishes the Shinomiya Family’s face, and rivals would surely use this to stir things up.

Although things like this are very common in these chaebol families, sometimes, everyone knowing in their hearts is one thing, and being exposed to the public is another.

“You rotten brat, I postponed my morning meeting not to hear your apologies. If you really want to apologize, move to the Shinomiya Family’s house and live with Kaguya.”

“Uncle Shinomiya, you know...”

Hikaru was just about to refuse, but his words were immediately cut off by Gan’an.

“This time you must listen to Uncle. It’s very dangerous for you to live alone outside now.”

“This matter is decided. I’ll have someone move your things to Kaguya’s house this afternoon!”

After those words were spoken, he gave Hikaru no chance to refuse at all, directly deciding without prior consent.

“This, Haizzz...”

Hearing the phone continuously beeping busy tone in his ear, Hikaru helplessly shook his head.

This time he couldn’t avoid it.

“Sei-chan and Mio have both gone to dimensional rifts to train. It’s no problem to stay there.”

After thinking about this, Hikaru went out and prepared to go to school.

Strictly speaking, he was still a high school student, a third-year student at Private Toyogasaki Academy.


-

Title: Coincidental Encounter

The area where Toyogasaki Private Academy is located is in Chiyoda District, Tokyo.

Chiyoda District takes forty minutes by subway from Edogawa District, where Hikaru is currently. Therefore, he always leaves home early.

With Hikaru’s power, let alone just from Edogawa District to Chiyoda District, even from Japan across the Atlantic Ocean, it’s only a matter of moments. However, just like going to school, he himself greatly enjoys the ordinary life where he does what he should do at a certain age.

Like a true ordinary person, fully blending into clothing, food, housing, and transportation, enjoying the pleasures that only ordinary people can experience.

Currently, he is no longer the Emperor Shin revered by the gods, but merely an ordinary third-year student at Toyogasaki Private Academy, a senior to the new female students.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

“Good thing I got dressed early, otherwise I would definitely be mobbed like a monkey.”

In the crowded subway car, Hikaru, covering his face with a mask, listened to the bustling conversations around him.

The topic of conversation was, of course, the currently hottest Eternal Beauty List.

Currently, there is nothing on the internet or in the real world as popular as this. If a celebrity released an album or movie now, it would likely not only be deserted but also heavily criticized with various comparisons.

It must be admitted that with the appearance of the Eternal Beauty List, everyone’s aesthetic standards have risen to a higher level. Celebrities and divas who were previously adored are now considered bland ordinary women, not even worthy of being supporting characters, let alone called goddesses.

Only those on the Eternal Beauty List are symbols of true goddesses. This also caused countless girls to dream of getting onto the Eternal Beauty List; even if it was only in the last rank, they would be satisfied and enjoy the sensation of being adored by thousands.

As for the problem that makes Hikaru feel helpless now, it’s that these people are talking about the Eternal Beauty List, which is fine, but don’t let half of every fifty sentences spoken be about him, especially the overflowing hatred and slander, which makes him shake his head helplessly inwardly.

For heaven’s sake, it’s clear that every time he was the party unilaterally broken up with, why is it now, in everyone’s perception, that he is like a scumbag who starts a relationship and then abandons it.

“Indeed, men in front of women, especially beautiful women, are always the weaker group.”

Moreover, the reasons for his breakups with Kasumigaoka Utaha, Kochou Kanae, Isayama Yomi... and others cannot be explained in just a few words.

As Hikaru’s thoughts drifted, suddenly, a warm soft body directly bumped into his arm. And, his first instinctive reaction was:

(Students nowadays grow up so well.)

“Sorry!”

Then, a very small, shy, mosquito-like apologetic voice sounded in his ear. This was Hikaru. If it were someone with poorer hearing, it’s estimated that more than eighty percent wouldn’t be able to hear what the little girl in his arms said.

It was then that Hikaru focused on observing the little girl who bumped into his arm.

Wearing the same school uniform as him, she seemed to be a student of Toyogasaki Private Academy. However, judging from her school badge, she was a new first-year female student, with black hair and black eyes, her eyes full of shyness. Her beautiful features were covered by a mask, but from her figure, which was in no way inferior to Utaha’s, it could be seen that she was definitely a very beautiful new female student.

“Oh, it’s her!”

Hikaru couldn’t help but be curious and activated a bit of his perceptive power to peek at the face behind the new student’s mask, and she was as gentle and beautiful as he imagined.

Moreover, he knew this new student, of course, only unilaterally. She was Katsura Kotonoha, ranked eighty-five on the Eternal Beauty List.

Her ranking was much higher than Utaha’s and Eriri’s, placing her below Kanae, Shirayuki Hime, and Kaguya.

Hikaru didn’t expect to meet her here. What a surprising coincidence.

“Hey, brat, get out of the way, don’t mess with us.”

Three masked thugs with malicious intent surrounded Hikaru, continuously threatening him.

Kotonoha hadn’t fallen into his arms due to the subway’s shaking, but rather because she was being harassed by these thugs. She continuously retreated until she finally bumped into him.

In Japan, especially on crowded subways, thugs who harass women often appear. Although they don’t dare to do anything overtly, harassment and taking advantage are certainly unavoidable, which is utterly disgusting.

“You clearly have enough power to defeat them, why didn’t you act?”

Hikaru didn’t pay attention to the thugs’ shouts in his ear. Instead, he lowered his head and whispered into Kotonoha’s ear.

Perhaps because this was her first intimate contact with the opposite sex since childhood, especially the strong masculine scent, Kotonoha’s face turned very red, and her head became muddled.

“Your weakness will only make them more audacious.”

Hikaru gently grasped Kotonoha’s delicate hand, and amidst Kotonoha’s shy yet confused gaze as she slightly regained her senses, he pointed towards the malicious thugs who were getting closer.

*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*

Kotonoha could clearly feel several arrow-like attacks blossoming from her fingertips. They were cyan.

“Aaaahhhh...”

Accompanied by several painful screams like slaughtered pigs, the attacks directly penetrated the lower bodies of the thugs. A large amount of blood flowed out. They knelt on the ground, wailing in pain, scaring other passengers nearby to repeatedly retreat.

“This...”

Kotonoha felt a little uncomfortable seeing this scene. However, before she could say anything, the subway stopped at a station. Hikaru immediately pulled her out of the subway.

“Mistakes made must be courageously borne. If you encounter people like that again, teach them a lifelong lesson directly. That can also prevent others from becoming their victims.”

After exiting the subway station, Hikaru released Kotonoha’s hand. They both walked side by side towards the street leading to Toyogasaki Private Academy.

“Thank you, Kanzaki-senpai.”

Kotonoha was silent for a few seconds, then said in a soft voice, “Next time, I will.”

“You know me?!”

Hikaru was surprised that Kotonoha immediately recognized him.

“Kanzaki-senpai is quite famous at school.”

Kotonoha took off her mask, showing a shy smile.

“Famous, huh? I guess now not just at school, but all over the world too.” Hikaru said with a wry smile.

Kotonoha just smiled faintly. She certainly knew what her senior’s words meant. However, in her heart, she didn’t think her senior was an irresponsible scumbag who just abandoned people.

There must be a special reason, there must be...

“We’re here!”

As Hikaru and Kotonoha talked, they had already arrived at the gate of Toyogasaki Private Academy.

Students radiating youthful aura flocked into the school, radiating youthful spirit and vitality to each other.

Kotonoha, who had just removed her mask, attracted a lot of attention. And, Hikaru beside her certainly couldn’t be avoided. In an instant, he was recognized by many people, with expressions of anger, envy, hatred, and resentment.

Seeing the bastard who kept snatching their goddesses, now already having Mio, who is ranked third on the Eternal Beauty List, still not enough, he even came to spoil the remaining goddesses of the Eternal Beauty List at Toyogasaki Private Academy.

Isn’t it said that a rabbit doesn’t eat grass near its burrow? Why does this bastard continuously pull grass near his burrow instead?

However, even though they were very angry, no one dared to pick a fight with Hikaru. They could only watch him enter the school with Kotonoha.

After all, the name Kanzaki Hikaru was a ‘taboo not to be disturbed’ at Toyogasaki Private Academy. The arrogant seniors whose arms were broken and legs were broken were still lying in the hospital, even missing college entrance exams, delaying their future for life.

Hikaru could ignore those gazes, but Kotonoha was not that thick-skinned. Her head was almost buried in her rapidly developing chest.

“Let’s part ways here. See you, new student.”

Third-year and second-year students at Toyogasaki Private Academy are not in the same school building. Second-years are outside, at their current location, while third-years are inside, near the stadium.

“...See you, Kanzaki-senpai!”

Kotonoha felt a little sad for no clear reason, staring blankly at Hikaru’s tall and slender back as he left.

“Route E5685.”

This was the subway route she took today. Previously, she was always driven by the family chauffeur. This time, because the chauffeur was on leave, she had to take the subway herself to go to school. Although some unpleasant things happened, she met Kanzaki-senpai...


-

Title: Just Onmyōdō

“Isn’t this our Mr. Scumbag?”

As soon as Hikaru stepped into the third-year classroom, he heard Utaha’s cynical voice.

“Our great playboy, it turns out he’s extended his hand to the new first-year female student. You’re really not afraid of hurting your current girlfriend’s feelings.”

What caught the eye first was Utaha’s beautiful legs wrapped in black stockings, slender and straight. Her soft and beautiful facial features were filled with dissatisfaction, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips. It seemed Utaha had seen the scene when Hikaru entered the school with Kotonoha.

The other people in the class looked at Hikaru with mockery on their faces. Although envy, hatred, and resentment in their hearts reached their peak, beyond that, they had no other choice. After all, they lacked the ability to pursue the goddesses on the Eternal Beauty List, let alone make them ex-girlfriends.

Seeing Hikaru, the ‘great scumbag who starts and abandons relationships,’ being ridiculed and harassed by his ex-girlfriend, an inexplicable sense of balance arose in their hearts. See, a scumbag is still a scumbag; sooner or later, he’ll be exposed by the goddesses.

They now wanted Utaha to scold Hikaru even more harshly, until finally making him cry in pain and suffer severe wounds. That would be satisfying.

Of course, this was just fantasy, and clearly unrealistic.

Hikaru ignored Utaha. He walked straight to his seat in the back. He saw a beautiful woman with long black hair beside him whose head was continuously bowed on the desk, asleep. He placed a box of pure milk on her desk and tapped it, saying, “Don’t forget to drink!”

“...Mm!”

A lazy, still-sleepy snore sounded.

“Hey, are you listening to me or not!”

This scene immediately made Utaha’s ignored dissatisfaction surge sharply. Hikaru dared to flirt with another girl right in front of her! Although she knew their relationship, being unhappy was still being unhappy. Who knows if this ‘night cat’ has the same intentions as that defeated golden dog.

“I heard. No need to remind me specifically.”

Hikaru sat down, looked at Utaha whose face was full of dissatisfaction, and said boredly, “In short, you’re jealous. I shouldn’t flirt with others, but should flirt with you, right?”

“...”

The other people in the class were shocked by Hikaru’s astonishing statement.

Goodness! There’s such a strong explanation, and he dares to say it.

Is this the difference?!!!

“...No!?”

Utaha denied loudly and shyly.

“No, huh.”

Hikaru propped his chin and teased, “That’s strange. I didn’t flirt with you, why are you reacting so strongly? Tell me, ex-girlfriend number whatever, right?”

Hikaru deliberately emphasized the words ‘ex-girlfriend,’ as if afraid Utaha wouldn’t hear.

*KRAK!*

The pen in Utaha’s hand immediately snapped in two. Veins bulged on her forehead, and the nerve called rationality gradually collapsed bit by bit.

This sentence truly poured oil on the fire; the wound wasn’t small, and the insult was even stronger.

Hikaru saw Utaha was almost reaching the explosion threshold, so he had no intention of teasing her further. He immediately closed his eyes and ignored her, waiting for class to start.

“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry... I must not get angry. If I get angry, I’ll fall into this person’s trap.”

Utaha continuously took deep breaths, calming the emotions that kept surging in her heart. At the same time, she stared at Hikaru with ‘hatred,’ wanting to tear him into thousands of pieces to satisfy her grudge.

This man was like her sworn enemy. Just like the defeated golden dog facing her, ‘a few light words’ were enough to make her angry. She was also like that when facing this man. With just words, he could easily manipulate her emotions.

Until the teacher arrived in the class, Utaha finally swallowed the suppressed anger in her mouth.

Class time was always boring and monotonous. As soon as class started, many students’ minds had already drifted to other things.

“Paper wad!”

A paper wad suddenly flew onto Hikaru’s desk. It was thrown by Touma Kazusa beside him, who had woken up at some point, secretly drinking the milk he had given her.

Hikaru opened the paper wad. In delicate handwriting, it was written:

[Do you know about onmyōji? Real onmyōji, not the made-up ones in fictional stories.]

Hikaru nodded towards Kazusa.

He was a bit puzzled; why was his childhood friend, who had always aspired to become a world-class pianist like her mother since childhood, suddenly asking about ‘onmyōji’? Although she was currently in her ‘rebellious phase’...

He had never had deep interactions with onmyōji, but he had dealt with them superficially.

Seeing that Hikaru knew, Kazusa wrote again on a piece of white paper, then crumpled it into a ball and threw it at Hikaru.

While opening the paper wad, Hikaru thought somewhat helplessly.

Their distance was so close; handing over the white paper directly would suffice, why crumple it into a ball and throw it? Or, is this a ‘class tradition’?

[Onmyō Agency, Exorcists Group, Onmyō Academy, which do you think is better?]

“It seems these factions have already started acting.”

Seeing this, Hikaru understood.

The emergence of the Dimensional List, as well as the newcomers on the Eternal Beauty List, had clearly become targets of tug-of-war for all powers. After all, with the granting of rank rewards, they also had talent worth recruiting.

Take Kazusa as an example. If Hikaru remembered correctly, her rank on the Eternal Beauty List was seventy-two, and she received Intermediate Physical Modification. This not only allowed her to obtain physique comparable to ghouls but also 100% enabled her to activate the Ghost-Seeing Ability.

Talent like this was more than enough to step into Onmyōdō. More importantly, the Eternal Beauty List was updated once a month. This time’s newcomers were very likely to be on the next list. If her rank rose a few more levels, the rank rewards obtained would also rise one level higher.

Situations like this would naturally tempt those factions.

Factions under the god and demon races like Onmyōdō also had self-awareness. They knew that the newcomers in the top fifty ranks of the Eternal Beauty List not only had non-weak power or extremely surprising identities, which they absolutely dared not touch.

So, they all directed their targets to the bottom fifty ranks of the Eternal Beauty List. Of course, among the bottom fifty ranks, there were also those from chaebol families like Shinomiya Kaguya, Shirayuki Hime... Even if they didn’t join these powers, they could obtain training paths through the power of their chaebol families.

It was estimated that Utaha’s side had also been approached by powers for recruitment.

Back to the topic.

Hikaru wrote down everything he knew, and also added suggestions.

[Onmyō Agency, Exorcists Group, and Onmyō Academy are all official Japanese onmyōji organizations. However, the duties and responsibilities of the three parties differ.]

[Onmyō Agency is responsible for eliminating spiritual disasters and exterminating yōkai. They are affiliated with traditional Onmyōdō, have the Twelve Divine Generals, and are the strongest faction.]

[Exorcists Group is responsible for eliminating impurities, also exterminating yōkai. They are proficient in the Spell Installation method, have the Twelve Guardians, and their power is second only to the Onmyō Agency. It should be mentioned that the Commander of the Exorcists Group is Tsuchimikado Arima. Tsuchimikado’s control over it is very deep.]

[Onmyō Academy, founded by Tsuchimikado Yakōu, is a place to train apprentice onmyōji. It has the weakest power.]

[If you want to join, it’s best to choose the Exorcists Group, followed by Onmyō Academy. As for the Onmyō Agency, it’s a place of trouble; don’t go there.]

“...”

Then, Hikaru handed the white paper to Kazusa.

While secretly drinking the pure milk, Kazusa seriously looked at the contents of the white paper, continuously making her own judgments in her heart.

The teacher at the podium: “😐”

Seeing the small movements of Hikaru and Kazusa, but could only let it be. The problematic students in this class were not his business.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

*🔔🔔🔔!*

The bell rang.

The teacher tidied up the items on the podium and immediately announced that class was over.

Instantly, all students were like wild horses set free, noisy sounds rising and falling.

However. Kazusa ignored them. She stood up, threw the empty pure milk box in her hand into the trash, turned towards Hikaru, and said, “No need for milk for the next few days. I plan to take a few days off.”

“Already decided.”

“Yes!”

Kazusa nodded and said, “This is the only way I know to get closer to you faster right now.”

“I don’t like that ambiguous distance.”

Hearing Kazusa say that, Hikaru nodded. At that moment, he also realized that Utaha had left at some point and didn’t come to ‘argue’ with him as usual.

“If there’s a problem you can’t solve, come to me. Just mere Onmyōdō.”

Hikaru’s words did not only refer to the Onmyō Agency, Onmyō Academy... individually, but the entire onmyōji community.

Just mere Onmyōdō. To others, this might sound arrogant. Even the god and demon races dared not deny this great human heritage so lightly. However, to Hikaru, it was not boasting at all, but reality.

If he wanted, uprooting Onmyōdō would be far easier than massacring the entire Egyptian Mythology.

“If there really is a problem I can’t solve, I’ll come.”

Kazusa smiled meaningfully.

Hikaru’s words made her feel very sweet in her heart. Even if the other party only said it, she didn’t care at all.

Then, Kazusa walked out of the classroom.


-

Title: Anteiku Shop

During lunch break.

On the rooftop of the third-year school building, Hikaru lazily sunbathed under the sunlight, stretching his body. At the same time, looking down from this high place, he could see the most beautiful view of the entire Toyogasaki Private Academy.

It had to be admitted, this was a great spot for viewing the scenery.

“It seems Kazusa has already made her choice.”

Hikaru, who was admiring the beauty of Toyogasaki Private Academy, suddenly spotted two familiar figures, one in front and one behind, one white and one black, entering his view.

The one in the back, dressed in black, was naturally Kazusa. While the one in front was an elegant woman like nobility, with a beautiful appearance. She wore a wide-brimmed white hat, a white European-style dress, and always carried a fan in her hand. Hikaru also knew her; she was Mitejima Subaru, the Heavenly Empress (Tenko), one of the Twelve Guardians in the Exorcists Group. She was the strongest woman among the Twelve Guardians.

“Not bad. Choosing the Exorcists Group is stronger than Onmyō Academy in several aspects.”

Because of Hikaru’s advice, the possibility of Kazusa choosing the Onmyō Agency was very small. Her choice would only be decided between the Exorcists Group and Onmyō Academy. He was quite satisfied with the current choice of the Exorcists Group.

If one wanted to systematically step into Onmyōdō, Onmyō Academy was the best choice. After all, Onmyō Academy was the enlightenment seed of Onmyōdō and a fully systematic onmyōji educational organization.

Although Onmyō Academy was independent, its involvement with the Onmyō Agency was still too complicated. If one made a wrong step, students could be dragged into unspeakable conspiracies.

Since Kazusa wanted to step into Onmyōdō and focus on training, it was natural for her to stay away from sources of trouble like that.

Meanwhile, the internal dynamics of the Exorcists Group were far more harmonious. All enemies and threats almost always came from impurities. Additionally, with Kazusa’s physical strength obtained after Intermediate Physical Modification, the Exorcists Group’s Spell Installation path was also very suitable for her.

“Kotonoha, Eriri... these people shouldn’t make hasty choices. After all, behind them are Japan’s high society families.”

Hikaru muttered to himself, “Those who can enter that class, the foolish and shortsighted ones have all been eliminated. They know that these newcomers on the list are the keys to their family’s future prosperity. They will definitely find ways to discover the most beneficial training paths for them.”

“This doesn’t need me to worry too much.”

As Hikaru was about to lie down on the lounge chair beside him, rest for a bit, and then continue with afternoon classes.

Suddenly, a few more people appeared in Hikaru’s view from above, more precisely, a trio that was completely beyond his expectations. As he was thinking whether to pretend not to see anything and avoid them, unfortunately, he was spotted first.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Below the school building.

“Kasumigaoka-san, our Supernatural Disaster Countermeasure Room is usually abbreviated as the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room, mainly responsible for eliminating evil spirits. Of course, we are also responsible for some spiritual disasters, but cases like that are very rare...”

Tsuchimiya Kagura explained various situations to Utaha, who had just joined the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room, while walking.

Although it had been explained before, the details hadn’t been covered.

Actually, she herself hadn’t been in the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room for long. Yomi, who was more experienced, should be the one to explain this, but Yomi, walking ahead, had no intention of paying attention to them.

“Ah, thinking about it, it’s true; those two are love rivals.”

Kagura sighed inwardly, thinking to herself.

Utaha also looked displeased. The two of them might find it hard to get along.

Suddenly, Yomi, walking ahead, stopped. Kagura behind her couldn’t brake in time and directly bumped into her.

“Ouch ouch...”

Instantly, Kagura couldn’t help but rub her small nose that hurt from the impact, and asked in confusion, “Yomi-senpai, what’s wrong?”

“Found you, still trying to hide!”

Yomi pushed her foot against the ground, and her entire body danced in the air, using the outdoor AC unit on the school building as leverage, leaping towards the rooftop.

“Who?!”

Kagura became even more confused.

“Hmph, it’s Hikaru!”

Utaha said displeasedly.

“Hikaru Nii-san!”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

As Hikaru wanted to retreat, it was already impossible. After several leaps from Yomi, her favorite sword Shishiō (Lion King) was already unsheathed and placed at his neck.

“Placing a Demon-Exorcising Sword at an ordinary person’s neck damages the image of an exorcist.”

Hikaru extended a finger and tapped the Shishiō at his neck.

“You’re an ordinary person?!”

Yomi said sarcastically to Hikaru, “If you’re an ordinary person, even evil spirits would repent.”

At that moment, Kagura also climbed to the rooftop with Utaha.

“Hikaru!”

When Utaha saw the Shishiō sword placed at Hikaru’s neck, she unconsciously wanted to save him. However, then, she remembered that the woman in front of her was this man’s umpteenth ex-girlfriend. As soon as she remembered that, she became angry and thought, let him be beheaded.

“Long time no see, Kagura. You’ve become even more beautiful; no wonder you made it onto the Eternal Beauty List.”

Hikaru smiled and greeted Kagura. However, with the Shishiō sword at his neck, the scene looked strange.

Kagura’s rank on the Eternal Beauty List was fifty-four, four ranks below Yomi, who was at rank fifty. However, with the development of Kagura’s appearance and physique, this rank would clearly rise.

“Hikaru Nii-san!”

Kagura greeted Hikaru with a bit of shyness mixed with joy.

“Hey, don’t you dare harass Kagura!”

Yomi threatened with the Shishiō sword.

Hikaru shrugged, “Alright, alright. If I want to harass Kagura, I’ll give you prior notice, oh flower-protecting hero. Now, can you remove the Shishiō sword from my neck? It feels uncomfortable.”

The first sentence made Kagura’s face slightly flush, and also made Yomi glare in anger. However, she still sheathed the Shishiō sword back into its scabbard.

Hikaru unconsciously massaged his neck, then said to Utaha, “Utaha, you really chose an organization with no bright future.”

Hearing this, Yomi almost drew her Shishiō sword again.

“I should have chosen the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasure Headquarters, an organization with a military background like that.”

“That has even less future.”

Hikaru shook his head and said, “Forget it. Maybe a ‘small workshop’ like the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room is more suitable for you.”

“You! Who are you calling a small workshop!”

Yomi truly couldn’t hold back, grabbed Hikaru, and scolded him.

“Compared to the Onmyō Agency with hundreds to thousands of people, you all with less than ten people, calling you a small workshop doesn’t seem wrong.”

Hikaru pushed her hand away.

Yomi wanted to retort, but she couldn’t say anything else. After all, this was a fact. In this regard, they indeed couldn’t compare to the Onmyō Agency, so she could only endure the shame and anger. However, she still muttered.

“What’s so great about the onmyōji in the Onmyō Agency? Most of them are trash with almost zero practice.”

Hearing this sentence, not only Hikaru, even Kagura shook her head. It was truly said with one hundred percent prejudice and hostility.

If the Onmyō Agency was that bad, how could they become the giant dominating Onmyōdō.

“By the way, since you’re here by chance, there’s something I need your help with.”

“No time!”

To Yomi’s invitation, Hikaru immediately refused firmly. Just one look and he knew it must be trouble.

“No time...” Yomi glanced at him and said, “I think in this school, no one is more free than you. This time, you have to go, like it or not.”

Next, Yomi ignored Hikaru’s refusal, directly requested school leave for him that afternoon, and took him out of the school gate.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

On the streets.

Four people, three stunning beautiful women from the Eternal Beauty List, and Hikaru who was somewhat reluctant.

Normally, a quartet like that would attract extremely high attention.

However, the pedestrians on the streets seemed to ignore them, like ordinary passersby seen everywhere. This made Utaha feel very strange.

“Kasumigaoka-san, this is a presence-reducing talisman. It makes others unconsciously ignore us.”

Kagura explained, holding a faintly glowing talisman.

Utaha was shocked. This was the first time and the most direct she had seen supernatural power, besides that Dimensional List earlier.

Ten minutes later.

The four of them arrived in front of a coffee shop on the roadside.

Anteiku Shop.

Seeing the name of the coffee shop, Hikaru immediately knew the reason Yomi came here.


-

Title: Surprised Yamashiro Hayato

“Welcome!”

As soon as Hikaru and the other three pushed open the door to Anteiku Cafe, Irimi Kaya’s greeting was heard.

(It’s them. And him—)

Seeing Hikaru and the others walk into Anteiku Cafe, Irimi Kaya, Koma Enji, Kirishima Tōuka... the staff, as well as some customers, were surprised at first, and then became delighted.

The entrants on the Eternal Beauty List were truly like big stars.

The reason why Anteiku Cafe was more crowded than usual at this moment was because Kirishima Touka and Fueguchi Hinami, two entrants on the Eternal Beauty List, were here!

Now, they didn’t expect to still be lucky enough to see three other people, especially Kagura and Yomi, whose ranks were much higher than Touka and Hinami. The only drawback was that there was a very annoying playboy behind them. Thinking that two of them were the man’s ex-girlfriends, their moods became even more displeased.

Some of these customers were hidden ghouls. They looked at Kagura and Yomi with bloodthirsty greed. It was an aroma they had never smelled before, which made their mouths water profusely.

If it weren’t for respecting Anteiku Cafe’s rules, someone would surely have already attacked to hunt.

However, even so, the gazes of these ghouls made Utaha instinctively shudder, and she unconsciously moved closer to Hikaru’s side.

“Seeking death!”

Hikaru’s eyes slightly cooled.

*SHUA!*

An invisible spiritual pressure instantly shattered the minds of all these ill-intentioned ghouls.

*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*

Five or six ghouls lost their lives without emitting a single scream, and one by one fell to the ground silently.

This scene not only frightened the ordinary people beside them but also startled Kaya, who was preparing to welcome Hikaru and the others. She had no idea what was happening. Why had these ghouls all fallen to the ground, even completely losing their breath of life.

“These customers have just sampled our shop’s newly released sake with a very high concentration and got drunk. I will ask someone to help them rest on the second floor.”

The manager, Yoshimura, explained with a friendly smile on his face.

“Oh, I thought it was something else, turns out they’re just drunk.”

“Really, if you can’t drink, don’t drink.”

“...To get this drunk, the concentration must be very high. I might try it later.”

“...”

“...Are they really drunk?”

“...”

Instantly, Anteiku Cafe became bustling with conversation. Clearly some believed Yoshimura’s words, and clearly some did not. However, for most customers, this was a trivial interlude, and it did not affect their purpose for coming here at all.

Yoshimura looked at Hikaru and the others with complicated and respectful eyes. Then, he and Enji carried the ghouls, who appeared drunk to outsiders but were actually dead, to the second floor.

“Excuse me everyone, what would you like to order?”

Kaya, holding the menu, smiled with a hint of apology.

“One Sea of Stars Ice Cream.”

“I’ll have the same as Yomi-senpai.”

“...Black coffee.”

“...”

“Alright, please wait a moment!”

After saying that, Kaya left with the menu.

Meanwhile, Hikaru and the others sat in the back row near the window.

“What happened to those people just now?!”

As soon as they sat down, Utaha immediately asked.

She didn’t believe that those people were truly drunk from sampling this coffee shop manager’s newly released high-concentration sake, as claimed.

To get drunk at the same time, that was too coincidental. Most importantly, there wasn’t the slightest sign of intoxication in the cold, bloodthirsty gazes they showed when looking at them.

“Dead.”

Yomi said very calmly, as if she were talking about a trivial, unimportant matter.

“Dead?!?”

These words made Utaha unable to stay calm.

Previously, as an ordinary high school student, the word ‘death’ was very distant from her, in every sense of the word.

“No need to be surprised. You’ve joined the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room. Things like this you’ll often encounter. At that time, what you’ll face will no longer be ghouls, but true evil spirits.”

“You did it!”

Utaha stared at Hikaru in surprise.

“Otherwise? As soon as they show murderous intent, they must be prepared to be killed.”

At that moment, Utaha realized that not only Hikaru, but also Yomi, and even Kagura, who was much younger than her, seemed accustomed to this.

“Is this the world Hikaru lives in...”

Utaha felt as if she had touched a little of the essence of the mystery that plagued Hikaru. Then, she asked curiously, “The name Ghoul sounds familiar. Intermediate Physical Modification in the rank reward is to gain a physique comparable to a ghoul. So, what exactly is a ghoul?!”

“Ghouls are a demi-human subspecies that can only eat human flesh, fluids, or coffee. In normal circumstances, their appearance is no different from ordinary people, but when fighting or eating, their eyes will turn into red-black Kagune, and their physical strength far exceeds the limits of normal humans.”

Kagura helped to explain.

“Isn’t that the ‘flesh-eating ghost’ in urban legends? Turns out it really exists.” Utaha was surprised.

“The Dimensional List is an extraordinary existence. You’ll realize later that whether it’s ghouls, demons, angels, gods... they are nothing before the Dimensional List.”

Hikaru interrupted suddenly, with a hint of thought in his eyes.

“Dimensional List, huh?!”

Yomi, Kagura, and Utaha fell silent for a moment, their minds racing.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

On the second floor of Anteiku Cafe, in a room.

“Manager, these ghouls truly look like they died naturally. Not the slightest wound was found on their entire bodies.”

Enji and Renji, who had just returned from outside, carefully examined the ghouls lying dead on the floor.

“No wounds!”

This very strange way of dying, Yoshimura, who had seen much, was not unfamiliar with it.

There were too many people in this world capable of doing something like this. It was ridiculous that many ghouls still adhered to racial supremacy, completely unaware that ghouls were the most pitiful creatures in this world.

“Did they happen to pass by, or...?”

Yoshimura had suspected the perpetrator from the beginning.

“Coincidence, the possibility is small. They should have come for Touka and Hinami.”

Yoshimura knew in his heart that after the appearance of the Dimensional List, it would not be easy for Anteiku Cafe to continue hiding. Perhaps, the entire ghoul race would be fully exposed to the eyes of the world in the near future.

“You two take care of these ghoul corpses first. We’re closing early today.”

After saying that, Yoshimura went downstairs. He was not at ease leaving the ground floor to Kaya and the others.

◆━⊰⊰✧⊱━◆

“This is Anteiku Cafe. Such lowly ghouls dare to learn to do business like humans.”

Across the street from Anteiku Cafe, five men in black suits stood behind a young man, and the young man curled an arrogant and disdainful smile at the corner of his lips.

This person was Yamashiro Hayato, one of the Twelve Divine Generals of the Onmyō Agency, a disciple of the Kurahashi Family, a direct student of Kurahashi Genji, and affiliated with the Spell Investigation Department. His purpose in coming here was, of course, to recruit the two entrants on the Eternal Beauty List at Anteiku Cafe.

However, Hayato was very displeased with this.

In his eyes, lowly ghouls, even if they could make it onto the Eternal Beauty List, it was just luck. A lowly race was still a lowly race. Touching Onmyōdō was a disgrace to them, and they were absolutely unqualified to join the Onmyō Agency.

Unfortunately, not everything could be decided by him.

“...M-Mister... Those are people from the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room, and also...!!!”

As they were about to cross the street and enter Anteiku Cafe, suddenly, one of the men in black suits, trembling as if terrified, pointed to a figure visible in the window across the street.

“Just the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room, why be so tense.”

Hayato frowned, displeased.

There was nothing strange about the presence of people from the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room here. After all, many forces were vying for every entrant on the Eternal Beauty List.

Besides, the small organization of the Super Disaster Countermeasure Room did not have the background and strength as powerful as their Onmyō Agency.

Those two lowly ghouls, if not foolish, should know how to choose.

“No... Mister, that person, that devil is also there!!!”

The man in the black suit said with fear on his face.

Instantly, Hayato’s body trembled. He looked in the direction the man in the black suit pointed, especially after seeing that familiar figure, his entire body also began to tremble, as if he had seen the most terrifying sight in the world.

Arrogance, haughtiness... all shattered into pieces at this moment.

“Damn it, why is he here... Go! Quickly go!!”

Hayato hurriedly fled into the distance. He had to get away from this place before that person noticed him.

Only someone who had truly seen him in action could truly understand the horror and fear of that widely rumored playboy.

How ridiculous.

Everyone seemed to think Kanzaki Hikaru was just a playboy with abundant romantic luck. Even the Onmyō Agency and his own master half-believed and half-doubted the words he had spoken before.

Just wait, when this devil shows his true fangs, they will all understand.

But, perhaps at that time, the nightmare would truly arrive.