Zongman I fight weirdness in everyday world

The chief of the Metropolitan Police Department was slightly stunned at first, then revealed a look of joy.

"Good, good, thank you for your understanding, then Councilor Sato..."

"If you want to die, you can go in and try."

Hearing this, the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department's expression froze, instantly dispelling the thought of entering the tower. At the same time, he realized that something was not quite right. After all, Councilor Sato's injuries didn't seem that serious, but why...

Did he just stay inside the entrance of the tower, shouting for help, but not come out himself?

Seeing the Metropolitan Police Department's bomb disposal team, who had just placed the explosives, starting to dismantle the explosives installed around the tower without even taking a breath, the audience in front of the TV felt a little comical.

Sakurajima Mai seemed to see something, and whispered to Yae Hoshi beside her.

"From the beginning, you never thought of actually blowing up this tower, did you?"

"Of course."

Yae Hoshi said in a flat tone.

"There are still hundreds of staff members missing in the TV station, and they are likely trapped in this white tower."

"Can you be sure they're not dead yet?"

"Yes."

Yae Hoshi pointed to Councilor Sato standing at the door. The other party seemed to feel that his plan had been exposed, and no longer looked weak and injured, but instead had a狰狞扭曲 twisted expression.

"Otherwise, why would he lure me into the tower? Kyoto City cannot have such a serious disaster that could cause drastic changes in the underworld, especially when there are still mysterious enemies watching in the dark."

"I understand."

Without Yae Hoshi's special explanation, Sakurajima Mai already understood why he clearly intended to enter the tower from the beginning, but still asked the Metropolitan Police Department's bomb disposal team to set up explosives.

He just wanted to see if this on-site commander could become an assistant.

The answer is no.

Admittedly, this on-site commander of the Metropolitan Police Department doesn't know the truth of the world, nor does he know about spiritual abilities, but... former Criminal Affairs Bureau Chief, Special Operations Team Leader Yagami Soichiro, didn't know at first either.

Even in the operation to return Onimaru Kunitsuna to its rightful owner, the "Mask" at that time was not a hero, but a wanted criminal.

Even so, simply because somewhere in his heart felt touched, Yagami Soichiro chose to assist.

Such awareness, such resonance in thought, is the most important reason why he can become an assistant.

Worrying about his future, afraid to make decisions, and afraid to take responsibility for blowing up a tower, such a person cannot be trusted even if he becomes an assistant, and there is even a risk of betrayal.

"I still have to think of a way to get Chief Yagami back."

...

After all the explosives were dismantled, Yae Hoshi glanced at the on-site commander of the Metropolitan Police Department standing there, his voice carrying a smile, but the words he spoke seemed quite meaningful.

"This Commander Officer, the safety of the periphery is your responsibility."

"Okay... okay!"

The person who was suspected to be Councilor Sato, who had been standing at the entrance, seemed to know that the "Mask" group was ready to enter the tower and that his goal had been achieved. His figure dissipated like smoke and disappeared in an instant.

After seeing the "Mask" group enter the white tower, the on-site commander of the Metropolitan Police Department breathed a sigh of relief.

He was not originally from the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department, but was transferred from another place after Yagami Soichiro resigned to take responsibility.

Speaking of which, this current Criminal Affairs Bureau Chief and Special Operations Team Leader, the middle-aged man who took over Yagami Soichiro's duties, was quite unlucky.

In name, he was promoted, that's right.

But the reason why Yagami Soichiro could be in charge of the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department's real power was not only because of the title of Special Operations Team Leader, but more importantly, his achievements and his reputation in the hearts of grassroots police officers.

It's not that he can control the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department by being the Special Operations Team Leader, but after he controlled the Kyoto Metropolitan Police Department, he became the Special Operations Team Leader.

And the one who took over now... obviously doesn't have the ability and personal charm of Yagami Soichiro.

Moreover, Kyoto City, where incidents occur frequently, is a hot potato.

Not only the cases themselves, but also the many questions from the outside world about "Mask", as the leader of the Metropolitan Police Department, he needs to respond with extreme caution.

In simple terms...

This Commander doesn't have the ability to become Yagami Soichiro's successor, and he can't withstand the pressure he feels in this position.

"Do you want to be free from it?"

A strange whisper sounded in the ears of the on-site commander of the Metropolitan Police Department.

...

At the same time, Yotsuya Miko, who entered the white tower, saw that the huge tower was empty, with only a spiral staircase, like a road to the sky, pointing to the top of the tower.

And next to the stairs, on the ivory-white walls, were hung all kinds of badges, and many publicity photos with Councilor Sato as the protagonist, which looked like they had been carefully taken.

"What exactly is this..."

Hearing Yotsuya Miko's murmur, Yae Hoshi said in a calm tone.

"This should be the area in Sato's heart, composed of desires. For him as a councilor, every time he accepts a TV interview, he can gain more popularity, and this spiral staircase represents the pinnacle of power he reaches through propaganda speeches that guide people's hearts and public opinion, which is the highest point of the so-called ivory tower."

Hearing this, the three members couldn't help but be stunned. Amano Hina asked suspiciously.

"This... did you taste this too? Your tongue is too amazing..."

After saying this, Amano Hina noticed that Sakurajima Mai and Yotsuya Miko were looking at her strangely. She was stunned for a moment, then quickly waved her hands, shy and flustered.

"No... I didn't mean that... don't get me wrong..."

Sakurajima Mai gave an accurate retort.

"Since you know we're getting the wrong idea, it proves that the thing we're getting the wrong idea about... you've also experienced it, right..."

Noticing that the three girls were staring at him intently, Yae Hoshi didn't panic at all, showing the composure of a harem god.

"That's natural, I treat everyone equally. Each of you is the most important person to me. Of course, this kind of thing can't be biased."

"You always have so many fallacies..."

Just as the few people were talking about this, they suddenly saw one after another stiff-faced humanoid creatures appearing in the spiral staircase. Although their appearance was like humans, their every move was lifeless, giving people a feeling of the uncanny valley.

"That is..."

Yotsuya Miko narrowed her eyes slightly, and had already drawn out Mikazuki Munechika from her waist. The light golden spiritual power shone in the white hall of the ivory tower.

"Could it be that this represents the image of the people in Sato's heart? Puppets at his disposal..."

Unconcealed killing intent bloomed in Yotsuya Miko's golden eyes.

"Just like that, eliminate all the puppets, reach the top floor, and then resolve this incident."

As she spoke, she had already rushed onto the spiral staircase, looking at the creature with the appearance of a young human woman, its joints twisted like a wooden doll, and unhesitatingly swung the blade in her hand.

"First one."

As for Mai Sakurajima and Hina Amano, they were naturally not as fierce as Miko Yotsuya. Although their physical abilities had been enhanced through infusion, directly confronting enemies head-on was not their style.

"Suzuhikohime!"

"Hiyoribou!"

Accompanied by the crisp sound of bells and a flurry of falling cherry blossom petals, the true forms of the two girls' souls appeared simultaneously, quickly arriving on either side of Miko Yotsuya, assisting her while also cleanly and swiftly slaying the humanoid puppets.

"Weaker than I imagined."

Watching her Suzuhikohime slaughtering in all directions on the spiral staircase, instantly killing several humanoid puppets, Mai Sakurajima muttered to herself.

The soul manifestations of her and Hina Amano were not the type particularly skilled in combat. Suzuhikohime was a control type, while Hiyoribou was a support type, changing the weather and controlling the battle environment.

To be instantly killed by their soul manifestations…

That's about the strength of a lower-middle-tier evil spirit from the Reverse World.

Is it a little too weak?

But soon, Mai Sakurajima and Hina Amano realized that they had thought too simply.

Each time they stepped onto a new floor, although they weren't fighting the puppets face-to-face like Miko Yotsuya, they could clearly feel the enemies becoming stronger through their connection with their soul manifestations.

Although the increase in strength wasn't much…

But how many floors did this towering ivory tower have in total?

If the strength increased like this on every floor, the closer they got to the top of the tower, the more difficult the battle would become.

"Haa…"

Mai Sakurajima adjusted her breathing, looking at the humanoid puppets blocking the staircase, and said softly to Hina beside her.

"Hina, conserve some of your stamina for now. Just have Hiyoribou's light slightly suppress the enemies' movements."

Immediately afterward, she spoke softly again.

"Miko, pay attention to those spiritual cherry blossom petals. I'll have Suzuhikohime use spiritual power to restrain the enemies' movements. When you see the cherry blossom petals appear, attack directly. Try to minimize the consumption of stamina and spiritual power. This will be a war of attrition."

Because she was wearing an earpiece, even though Miko Yotsuya was at the front, some distance away from Mai Sakurajima, she could still clearly hear her whisper, gripped the Mikazuki Munechika in her hand, and nodded slightly.

"I understand."

Watching Mai Sakurajima, Hina Amano, and Miko Yotsuya each performing their duties, finally starting to fight as a team, Yoru Hoshi nodded in satisfaction, silently following behind, not choosing to take action, only observing the surrounding situation and those expressionless marionettes, pondering in his heart.

This place is indeed similar to Rikka Sakurakawa’s… or rather, Izanami’s Yomi-tsu-hirasaka, a unique area composed of distorted desires.

Logically speaking, a mere Ama-no-jaku, an evil spirit, shouldn't possess such power to cause this level of influence on the real world.

And after entering this tower, Yoru Hoshi had already sensed it.

Indeed, this isn't the power of the Ama-no-jaku, but the power of Councilor Sato.

Just as he and Light Yagami represent "Kira" and "Mask," these two images draw power from people's faith and feed back into themselves, Councilor Sato, controlled by distorted desires and fused with an evil spirit, is also using a similar method to unconsciously create this tower, symbolizing his distorted desires.

As for the differences between such "Sanctuaries" and the Domains of proper spiritualists like Ultra Rare Club, based on the existing information, Yoru Hoshi could only speculate on one point.

"Sanctuaries" are dominated by evil spirits. When Councilor Sato and Rikka Sakurakawa still possess reason, they cannot actively open them.

Domains, however, are a user's own ability. Besides consuming power and burdening the mind, there are no other negative effects.

To put it bluntly, although Rikka Sakurakawa calls existences like her and Councilor Sato spiritualists, in Yoru Hoshi's view, it's purely a case of fraudulent claims.

Unable to control their own power, unable to maintain a clear mind, and how long they can resist being possessed depends entirely on the mood of the fused evil spirit. Is this worthy of being called a spiritualist?

Fortunately, the tower formed by Sato's distorted desires is very suitable as a training instance for Mai Sakurajima, Miko Yotsuya, and Hina Amano.

Their spiritual power and physical abilities have been enhanced, but their combat experience must also keep up.

…

Meanwhile, outside the tower.

The on-site commander of the Metropolitan Police Department now had a somewhat strange look in his eyes and expression.

He called the leader of the Mobile Unit's demolition team to his side and slowly spoke, issuing an order that made the other party feel unbelievable.

"Replant the explosives. After planting them, immediately prepare to detonate."

Hearing this, the demolition team leader's expression changed, and he hesitated.

"But… 'Mask' and his three assistants… are still in this tower. Shouldn't we wait until they come out before…"

"Humph."

The Metropolitan Police Department's commander changed his previous submissive appearance when facing "Mask," gritting his teeth, and even revealing a hint of hatred in his eyes.

"Clarify your position! You are a member of the Metropolitan Police Department, and you should obey my orders! 'Mask' and his assistants are originally criminals. We cannot determine the risks posed by this tower. Are we going to disregard the safety of the citizens for the lives of a few criminals!? Plant the explosives!"

Hearing this, the demolition team leader's face showed hesitation, but he finally raised his head, looked directly into the commander's eyes, and said firmly.

"I refuse to obey such an order."

The commander did not expect his subordinate to give such an answer, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Very well, you are dismissed!"

At this time, he could no longer maintain his sanity and could only hear a voice whispering in his ear.

As long as he blew up this tower, he could resolve this incident and also eliminate "Mask," the criminal that even the former Special Operations Unit leader, Soichiro Yagami, had failed to solve.

The first contact with "Mask," coupled with this sudden, illogical ivory-white tower, had completely overwhelmed the mind of the current Special Operations Unit leader, allowing him to be easily bewitched by the whispers of evil spirits, completely losing his reason.

"You…"