Volume 8 Chapter 8 The Challenges Of Behind-The-Scenes Work
The Seijo branch of the Anti-Demon Special Forces is where Tsukiko and Kagami Ayaka belong.
Although the fact that there are many members of the Try Order within the Anti-Demon Special Forces is currently being kept hidden, Ayaka had sensed the subtle changes within the organization.
"She can't be found..."
The person she murmured about was none other than Kushina Mikoto, a high-ranking member of the Try Order.
Not only did Kushina steal Sharla's magic under the guise of an Anti-Demon Official, but she recently executed the kidnapping of Hinata Yukari as well.
The Anti-Demon Officials who were protecting Hinata are still in recovery after the attack.
As a result, Hinata seems to have awakened as a magician, for some unknown reason.
It is also Ayaka and the others' responsibility for dragging a woman who was supposed to walk a bright path into this darker one.
Ayaka ponders. Surely, Yuusuke feels the weight of all the responsibility and is prepared to carry that burden throughout his life.
But that's absurd.
He is just kind, holding his own sense of justice and fighting against the harsh reality that comes his way, only protecting what is within his reach.
Until now, it has been a battle between people from different worlds, so there was a sense of detachment among the Anti-Demon Officials, as if it were someone else's problem. But Kushina is different.
There is corruption lurking within the Anti-Demon Officials.
It is an existence that should not exist.
Yet, it remains undiscovered.
And the movements of headquarters are strange as well. Considering that there has been a traitor within the Anti-Demon Official, she expected them to take more significant actions, but their response seems weak.
Currently, the Seijo branch is taking command, and headquarters reluctantly responds to requests for support. It's a situation like that.
If the Anti-Demon Officials at headquarters were to move in earnest, they would be able to search more extensively.
Now, drinking a strong cup of black coffee to wake herself up and trying to suppress her irritation, she was approached by one Anti-Demon Official.
"Kagami-san."
"What is it?"
The face of the Anti-Demon Official is gloomy. In addition to pure exhaustion, it was immediately apparent that the news he brought was not good.
"There's another 'Hitogata.' It's near that house."
"Ugh, how bothersome."
Ayaka and the others have another problem that they are currently troubled by.
That is the 'Hitogata' mentioned in the conversation just now.
It is a "Mystery" that has been frequently seen in Tokyo recently, and the reason for its name is that in most cases, it is a silhouette of a black doll.
Type of Disaster: Type B.
The Type B Mystery is a threat to human life, affecting multiple individuals.
However, there have been no reported cases of humans being killed by the Mystery.
The Mystery has a purpose, stemming from its birth and causality. It may exist solely or pose harm to humans.
The Humanoid is peculiar among the Mystery. It shows little interest in ordinary people, only reacting to Anti-Demon Officials and magicians.
And after fighting satisfactorily, it disappears without killing.
It is not a mere natural occurrence of the Mystery.
However, its true intentions are unknown.
An unpleasant premonition lingers like mire, with its identity remaining a mystery.
Since it has manifested as a Mystery and poses a danger to humans, it cannot be left unattended.
"I understand. Who is available right now?"
"Well..."
"I'm sure someone must be here. We need at least three people. It's about time we get to the bottom of this and find out the truth."
"No one is here."
"What? That can't be true. Granted, we don't have many people, but no one at all?"
"Well, if we push ourselves, we can manage, but everyone is being overwhelmed by overtime work. I don't think we can purify properly."
"I'm working the same hours!"
"It's just Kagami-san being weird..."
Don't call people "youkai" like that! She thought to herself as she looked around the branch office.
She had gotten so used to the sight that she hadn't been conscious of it, but the room was indeed filled with bodies lying around, whether they were unconscious or sleeping, she couldn't tell.
Even Ayaka, as skilled as she was, couldn't kick them awake and send them off to fight.
"There's no helping it."
"What should we do? I'm sorry, but I can't fight."
"I know. I'll go."
"Kagami-san? But Kagami-san has been overworked for ages!"
"I understand that well."
"Well, in that case, let's have Isumi-san go. Fortunately, she lives nearby."
The house mentioned by the Anti-Demon Official is where Yuusuke, Tsukiko, and the others live. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Seijo branch. Sending Tsukiko is not a mistake.
However, Ayaka shook her head.
"No, that won't work. She's putting all her efforts into something else right now, and we can't disturb her."
"In that case, contact headquarters."
"How long do you think it'll take for headquarters to send support? Besides, I'd rather do it alone than work together with headquarters right now."
The current state of headquarters doesn't seem reliable. It's better to be alone than to worry about the possibility of being stabbed in the back.
"But, we can't just let Kagami-san go alone. The opponent is Hitogata, and there's no guarantee you won't be killed."
"Even if you say that, there's no one else who can go."
While answering, Ayaka pondered. What would happen if she became unable to move, worst-case scenario? Yuusuke and Tsukiko were the strongest when it came to combat ability, but malice from others reached out from even darker places.
The only one who can protect such people is Ayaka.
When she thought about who else she could rely on, one person's face appeared in her mind.
She didn't feel like it, but she was confident that he would come right away. With a slight sense of guilt and anticipation, Kagami took out her smartphone.
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