If the enemy’s objective was a diversion, then something else must be happening elsewhere.
What does that mean?
“Tch, we’re already on the defensive.”
It might be an exaggeration to say what we’re doing here is futile, but it’s certainly like pouring water on a scorched stone.
And it means our movements are exactly as the enemy calculated.
Only they are proceeding according to plan; we’ve been forced to take a detour.
Realizing this, I started running to gain some leeway to leave this place as quickly as possible.
I’ll overlook some physical exertion.
Right now, all that matters is improving work efficiency.
I’m shifting into a higher gear, trading stamina for improvements in breathing techniques, how I apply force to my body, and running speed.
“Surveillance team, I need confirmation. Are you currently monitoring only the vicinity of the shrine?”
“Roger, we’re currently monitoring a radius of 500 meters centered on the shrine. Another team is observing other shrines doing similar actions. What about it?”
I can perform parallel tasks without even thinking about them now. My body has become a mechanism optimized for efficiently taking down fanatics. But my mind is working on something else.
“Confirm. Are there any groups exhibiting suspicious activity in the vicinity, excluding the shrine?”
“Roger, no signs of riots or ritualistic magic in the 500-meter radius.”
The surveillance team’s response made me doubt my gut feeling for a moment, but I deemed it too risky to dismiss it outright and decided to gather more information.
“You said the other shrines are the same, but am I correct in understanding that a riot broke out after the bomb was dealt with?”
“That’s right. We’re currently working with the police to suppress it, but what’s your point?”
“To confirm again, are the shrines the only land connected to the ritualistic activities you mentioned in this disturbance?”
“I don’t understand the intent of your question. What are you trying to ask?”
The more I hear about the current situation, the more my uneasy feeling turns into a conviction.
It’s common to act based on assumptions.
When you act with 80%, no, 90% certainty, and succeed nine out of ten times, people tend to place a certain amount of trust in that behavior and those deductions. This tendency becomes even more pronounced in larger organizations. Past experience is a great asset. However, it can sometimes become a thick fog that obstructs our vision.
“…This is a conjecture, but there’s a possibility that this commotion is a diversion. I have grounds for this. I’m requesting to establish a communication channel to the on-site commander.”
I felt that there was a tendency for this to be the case towards the field command. Something was being overlooked. That’s what I realized during that exchange. That’s why, even though it’s almost a conjecture, I deliberately phrased it in a way that suggested confidence, requesting a direct line to the top rather than just a liaison. There’s no time to hesitate about defusing a bomb after seeing the fuse. However, I understand that what I’m suggesting might be unreasonable. I’m just a helping hand, an outsider. I’m not part of this organization. Naturally, I have next to no influence. They are responding to me only because they acknowledge I’m needed. If I interfere further, I might even be rejected. Yet, I can’t afford to overlook the danger.
“… ”
Silence from the other end of the communication. The atmosphere isn’t good. I anticipated this, but my position is only secured by borrowing Kirie-san’s umbrella. They likely expect some fighting capability from me, but nothing more.
“…Seriously, being dispatched is tough.”
Working in an unfamiliar environment is, frankly, difficult. But if I were going to give up, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place. So, I’ll do what I can to get my point across.
“Well, I’ll just keep working hard, I guess. After coming this far, slacking off isn’t my style.”
Anyone can simply wait for a response without doing anything. But if you intend to get your point across, that won’t suffice. There are countless things that can be done simultaneously to make sure not even a second is wasted. There’s always something to do while waiting for a response. And since I joined my current company, my efficiency in multitasking has improved. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to do work other than being on the front lines during battles. Seamlessly doing one thing while thinking about another has become standard. This doesn’t lead to mistakes. Even now, my body is efficiently dispatching the two fanatics who attacked me. If they attack simultaneously, I just need to stagger their timing. One step to the back left, and the attacker on the left will have to move first, while the attacker on the right will be obstructed by their compatriot and forced to delay their attack by at least one count. That one count is enough for me. I’ll create a barrier using their inability to friendly fire. First, I’ll aim to neutralize that barrier.
“…Explain the grounds for that.”
It was only when I was about to do so that I finally got a response. They clearly sounded reluctant. It seems they had to speak with a superior, as they couldn’t simply dismiss my claims. But personally, they probably wanted to ignore me; no one likes being lectured by an upstart newcomer, especially an outsider. It can’t be helped, I suppose.
“Understood.”
Even with their attitude, I can’t show my own. If I do, this conversation will be over.
“Firstly, I find it odd that after the meticulous preparation for this attack, they switched to a different plan after the bombing failed. There’s no advantage in switching to a riot just because the bombing failed. If they were going to do that, a more efficient approach would be sporadic guerrilla tactics, especially with this much force. Taking hostages from civilian homes would also be an option.”
So, I fulfill my obligation to explain. While fighting, I sequentially explain the hypothesis I’ve constructed in my mind. First, the lack of apparent benefit in the enemy’s actions.
“There’s no reason to openly declare a terrorist act. Placing bombs in facilities would be more efficient than such conspicuous actions. Yet, the enemy constantly tries to draw attention. Halting the television broadcast is another example. Even after failing, they deliberately chose rioting.”
And I convey the nuance that the act of terrorism is merely a means, not directly connected to their objective.
“From this, it’s clear that the enemy’s objective is the collection of negative emotions, but that’s only a process.”
“A process? What do you mean? The enemy’s objective here is supposed to be the contamination of the seal by causing deaths. It’s not easy to prepare bombs in Japan. There’s also a possibility of simply lacking materials.”
I had anticipated a counter-argument at this stage. Based on the prior information, the enemy’s objective was the release of something that the organization had sealed away. However, that was just the most likely possibility, not a certain piece of information.
“There’s no point in discussing possibilities. The situation is changing by the minute. We must do what we can.”
Therefore, I need to make them see it not as something to be refuted, but as an issue that requires simultaneous action. While I’m thinking about this, the enemy, indifferent to my convenience, presses on with their own agenda, attacking me. I strike the opponent’s jaw with the heel of my palm, and while they’re defenseless, I deliver a powerful blow to their solar plexus. Even if they’re numb to pain, they can’t move if they can’t breathe. Glancing at the opponent collapsing to their knees, I turn my attention to the other attacker.
“Listen carefully. The enemy doesn’t care about the means. While causing deaths might be the ‘most efficient,’ it’s not the only method. This suggests their actions might be different from what we’re assuming.”
As before, the fanatics’ eyes are clouded, and their unfocused gaze glares at me. I swing my sword, which has already chipped from repeated use, towards me. For a moment, I wonder what these fanatics are thinking, feeling, and why they are acting this way, but I can’t let my focus waver. I tighten my lips, and my body moves reflexively. The attack that’s coming has been calculated to avoid hitting my subdued comrades nearby, but otherwise, it’s a chaotic attack. Dealing with it is easy. As they bring their sword down, I grab their wrist and throw them. Then, as they crash to the ground and drop their sword, I deliver a punch to their throat. A blow that could crush their throat if I misjudged the force, but if I control it well, it can restrict their breathing and immobilize them.
“They didn’t care which method. Whether it’s fear or death, they can obtain negative emotions. There must be a place where they are accumulating it. What they use that energy for is up to them. You people are more knowledgeable about that. What it might be used for. We’re out of time. Hurry and find it.”
“…I will file a report.”
“I’m telling you again, hurry. If my prediction is correct, the enemy’s plan is significantly advanced.”
A successful bomb terror would have been ideal, but it seems they wouldn’t have been satisfied with just that. If prevented, they gain nothing, but if successful, they gain a massive amount of negative emotions. Bombing offers the latter, while riots, though taking time and certain to be suppressed, guarantee a certain amount. It’s well thought out. If the leader’s speech, designed to incite unease, is also part of the演出 to accumulate fear, then we need to hurry even more.
“Whew, at least the evacuation is complete.”
Maintaining my guard, I glance around and see the last young couple running in. The gathered civilians have been successfully moved to the slightly elevated stage, and we’ve managed to surround them. However, the bomb terrorist group, whom I’ve subdued, is also among them. I’ll have to act while guarding the bombs. I want to tell them they can rest now, but the fanatics show no sign of stopping. I chastise myself for underestimating their faith, and while pondering what to do, the decision is already made. We will simply intercept. The rest will be resolved naturally by others, I assume.
“Well, one more job, I suppose.”
Ah, if the mastermind is found after all this setup, the organization will likely deploy their own forces for face-saving reasons, not using me. There’s no need for me to continue to trouble myself with this. The end of my work, which started in the New Year, seems to be in sight. I suppress the urge to sigh.
“Jiro, it seems the next job isn’t here, but somewhere else.”
However, it appears the gods are displeased with me for not visiting the shrine for New Year’s. My mother taps my earpiece, telling me it’s a call. That sight alone gives me an ominous feeling. Ah, I have an ominous feeling. I said it twice because it’s important.
“Jiro-san, can you hear me?”
“Yes, I can hear you, Kirie-san. Please excuse me while I’m working.”
Instead of the surveillance team’s voice, I hear Kirie-san’s calm tone. The atmosphere makes me hope the current operation is over.
“Please leave that task to the personnel we’ve prepared. We’ve sent a transport for you. You and your sister need to head to the designated location.”
My movement, intended to provoke the fanatics to show how busy I was, stopped dead.
“…I’m not a regular employee of your organization, you know.”
I subtly implied that I’m a dispatched worker, preempting the main point Kirie-san is about to make. Otherwise, I sense I’ll be dragged into more trouble. I’m already involved in a troublesome situation early in the New Year. I’ve done what I needed to do. All I want now is to welcome a peaceful New Year.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of spare personnel. We can discuss your remuneration later, so let’s postpone further discussion for now.”
However, Kirie-san is my mother’s sister. She clearly separates her personal and professional lives and cuts through my objections. I’m not asking for money. I want to scream that I want to be sent home, but…
“Jiro.”
My mother, laying a hand on my shoulder, shakes her head left and right as if to say it’s not over yet. Looking at her expression, it’s clear that it is indeed not over. I want to let out a sigh, but if it’s work, then so be it.
“Understood.”
I assent, and as the sound of a helicopter approaches, several dark figures descend. All of them are clad in black gear, holding guns.
“This is my organization’s anti-riot unit. No one will die. Jiro-san, sister, we’re short on time, please hurry.”
“Tch, you’re a demanding bunch. Haven’t you started acting like your mother?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Then my mother, grabbing the lowered rope, is hoisted into the helicopter. I follow suit and am also airlifted.
“So? Where are we heading, Kirie-san?”
Safely aboard the helicopter, it immediately takes flight towards our destination. This is the time to explain our next task. When I ask Kirie-san where we’re going, she replies:
“Yes, Jiro-san, it seems your prediction was correct in the worst way. We’re heading to the foot of Mt. Fuji, the Aokigahara Forest.”
She names Japan’s most famous mountain.
“There, an astrologer claims a ritual is being performed. Something malevolent is being summoned.”
And in a place infamous for other reasons, something even worse seems to be happening.
Today’s word:
Don’t let your guard down. Work always falls upon the unguarded!
Ah, the one who starts something suffers the most.
That’s all for this installment.
As always, thank you for pointing out typos and for your comments.
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*The first volume has been decided to be published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018. The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19. The third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content includes revisions and additions to the material posted on Shosetsuka ni Narou, with an unpublished interlude included. Please check out the new volumes!
A comic adaptation has also been decided for Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third”.
