A New Incident
October 01, 2026. Thursday. 00:47.
UCIA Japan Branch Investigation Base:Ground Base.
Operations Room.
I fell asleep. That feeling lasted only a brief moment before I was rudely awakened by an emergency contact. It said there would be an emergency meeting in the Operations Room from 1:00. I immediately changed clothes, quickly fixed only my hair, and hurried to the Operations Room.
”Good morning.”
Honestly, everyone looks sleepy. And it can’t be helped. Kamikura and I still manage to get some sleep, but Chris and Hayama seem quite sleep-deprived due to the high alert state continuing since the 27th. Besides her normal duties, Chris also handles alert surveillance with drones and cyberspace monitoring. It seems she automates it with VARIS as much as possible, but her fatigue just keeps piling up.
Hayama seems to be having trouble adjusting the newly delivered equipment. Apparently, the individual differences are quite large, and it’s taking a considerable amount of time to adjust everything to a uniform level. From what I hear, their performance is vastly different from normal firearms. There are also miscellaneous tasks with various related parties regarding material procurement.
”Mornin’ Asami… Or rather, I haven’t slept though. There’s coffee too, but an energy drink might be better.”
An energy drink depicted with glowing seven-colored letters. It says things like gaming specs, but why are these kinds of things always so overly colorful? I pull the tab and drink it for now. The taste is good.
Chris is distributing energy drinks to everyone. I think Chris is wonderful for being able to be considerate so casually. I am self-aware that I can hardly do that sort of thing at all.
The Chief entered the Operations Room.
”Everyone. Sorry to gather you all so suddenly. There was a contact from Public Security about 30 minutes ago. An incident has occurred.”
As the Chief said so, Chris operated her terminal.
”…It’s quite a shocking video, so please don’t be surprised.”
Then, Chris projected the video onto the large monitor.
”This is…”
I involuntarily muttered. The disastrous scene projected on the monitor… Everyone is glued to it.
”The victim is Masakazu Sakano. 49 years old, male. His body was found on the roof of Luminous Tower, a high-rise building in Shibuya Ward. The cause of death is exsanguination due to massive bleeding. With both his hands and feet nailed down with something like rusted nails, and pinned to a wall, Public Security believes there is a possibility he was murdered after undergoing some kind of torture centered around his private parts.”
”This is terrible. The damage to the genitals is severe. I feel like he was injured with a small blade as if being toyed with. There is trauma all over his body, but were they injuring him so as not to inflict a fatal wound…?”
Hayama observes with deep interest. Indeed, there doesn’t seem to be any major bleeding that would be a fatal wound. He is covered in blood all over his body, but the countless wounds themselves felt small.
”For the record, the victim had committed numerous sex crimes in the past. All of them were extremely vicious, involving the rape of multiple women. Elementary school girls were also among the victims of his sex crimes. Well, he was the lowest kind of criminal.”
The Chief spat out the words.
”And, naturally, the roof is normally kept locked, right?”
Hayama asked the Chief.
”Yes. We’ve instructed the management company to make sure the door leading to the roof stairs is securely locked, and security checks it every day. The victim, Sakano, was last seen far away in Katsushika Ward. A street surveillance camera caught him entering a pachinko parlor just after 20:00. However, the street cameras didn’t capture him leaving the parlor. Public Security is currently investigating the cameras inside the parlor.”
”For an AW’s doing… this method is quite different. The target is male. And he wasn’t skeletonized, but tortured to death as if it were a grudge murder. The perpetrator probably holds a strong murderous intent or grudge against the victim. Otherwise, they couldn’t commit such a gruesome murder. Seeing how his genitals were thoroughly mutilated, it might be related to his past victims of sexual assault.”
I honestly stated what I felt.
”…You’re right. As Himemiya says, it’s highly likely a murder driven by a grudge… Situationally, an AW probably killed him, but I doubt their purpose was mere revenge.”
Kamikura said.
”There are two possible scenarios. Someone wished for revenge against the culprit using the power of the ring. The other is that someone who turned into an AW took personal revenge. I don’t think they have a noble purpose like Judgment. I believe it’s highly likely an AW defector.”
When I said that, the Chief spoke up.
”An AW defector… From now on, let’s use the word for defector: Defector. We will call those who have a high probability of being one, AD. For now, Public Security is investigating the scene. What we can do is control information and devise future countermeasures.”
At that moment, a communication came in from VARIS.
<Chief Hardy. Incoming call from Director Totoki of the 7th Division, Public Security Police. Connecting.>
VARIS immediately connected the call. It seems to have learned from past responses.
<This is Toki. I have finished investigating the site.>
”This is Hardy. Thank you for the on-site investigation. Did you find any clues?”
Looking back, AWs never leave any traces. It might be the same this time, but…
<Regarding that, there is something I would like to discuss with you directly. I also have a subordinate I would like to introduce again… Would it be alright if I visit you there at 10:00 a.m.?>
A subordinate he wants to introduce again. Could it be that instructor…?
”Understood. Please leave the information control to us. We will be waiting for you.”
After the Chief said that, the call ended.
”…So, Public Security is coming tomorrow. Remember that guests are allowed in the reception room and the dining hall, but everywhere else is off-limits. Also, I expect several schoolgirls from the Alsard Church will be coming for training from now on. They are now permitted to enter the training room as well.”
”Understood.”
Everyone replied.
”Come to think of it, I heard there’s a girl who defeated Kamikura? Was it Kirimine? Volunteering to become the Chief’s apprentice shows she’s quite a promising girl.”
”I just let my guard down and she scored a point. I wasn’t beaten.”
An exchange between Hayama and Kamikura.
”The opponent had Hojo’s spiritual protection, after all. It’s been a while since I felt so fired up. The participants in my training are those three: Kirimine, Matsuyuki, and Tachibana. Hojo is also supposed to come along as an attendant just in case. That girl also has a level of spiritual ability that leaves others in the dust. I think it would be wonderful if she could learn close combat too, but…”
”Hojo-san’s physical abilities are… But in exchange, she specializes in spiritual abilities…”
I said. As expected, I feel the Chief and Hojo-san don’t make a good match. Besides, I hear she will be granted the rank of priest soon. My true feeling is that I don’t want to get her too involved in combat, but she is also a member of AMGE. However, rather than close combat, she is suited for medium- to long-range battles. It might be inevitable if she wishes for it, but…
”Chris, leave the information control to VARIS and rest for today. Everyone, make sure to get a good sleep. Dismissed.”
And so, we all went to get some rest…
October 1, 2026. Thursday. 09:56.
UCIA Japan Branch Investigation Base,
Ground Base. Reception Room.
The reception room was probably the least used room in the base. The chicly decorated room had a rectangular table and enough space for about 15 people to have a meeting. Around 9:50 a.m., Tetsuya and his subordinates arrived. The group arrived in two cars. Tetsuya seemed to be moving alone. From the driver’s seat of the other car, Kujo, Mizuhara, and a woman I had never seen before stepped out.
We guided the 7th Division of Public Security to the reception room.
”We’ve been waiting for you, Director Totoki.”
The Chief and Tetsuya exchanged brief greetings.
”Let me introduce her to everyone at UCIA. This is Inspector Shisei Reiko, newly assigned to our 7th Division.”
A woman dressed in a gray suit stood up from her chair and greeted us. Unlike Mizuhara’s pantsuit, she was wearing a tight skirt. She had straight black hair that reached just below her chest. One eye was hidden by her hair, and to be honest, she seemed quite suspicious. She wore an eerie smile.
”I’m Shisei Reiko. Nice to meet you…”
A small, low voice. In terms of communication, she seemed to have quite a bit of difficulty.
”…Well, she’s a subordinate with quite a strong personality. But her abilities are certain. She might cause some trouble, but I’m counting on you.”
”By the way, who exactly is she…?”
The Chief seemed quite curious. I also felt Kamikura sending a sharp gaze toward Shisei. Hayama did too.
”Ah, she’s quite special in many ways… She’s originally from the 6th Division of the Public Security Police, a department that specialized in anti-spiritual incidents. She noticed the existence of AWs five years ago and had been conducting her own investigation.”
And Tetsuya said.
”She succeeded in making contact with an AW and obtained its magical power. In other words… it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her an AW.”
(!?)
With those words, Kamikura stood up, quickly drew his gun from his holster, and aimed at Shisei with both hands.
”Calm down. Shisei has the magical power of an AW, but she is not an enemy. She’s currently cooperating with our investigation. Thanks to Shisei’s abilities, we found out a lot from yesterday’s scene as well.”
Despite Tetsuya saying that, Kamikura didn’t lower his gun. And the Chief wasn’t stopping him either. I could feel her casually preparing to draw her gun from under the table at any moment.
”Tetsuya… Where is the proof that this woman is an ally? The murderous aura emitting from her. Can’t you guys tell that it’s clearly something alien?”
Kamikura was on high alert. And so was I. I braced myself to draw my gun from its holster at any time.
”Everyone at UCIA. Shall I show you the proof that I am not an enemy…?”
Saying that, Shisei placed her palm on the table and quietly closed her eyes. Then, a small flame emerged from her palm and gradually turned into a blazing sphere. Once it reached a certain size, Shisei opened her eyes.
”Burning you all to death right here and now would be effortless… The fact that I’m not doing so is proof that I am not an enemy…”
The sphere of flame generated by Shisei briefly expanded, then instantly vanished with a gust of hot wind as she made a gripping motion with her hand. That heat swept through my upper body for a moment. Everyone was astonished by this. Chris looked extremely terrified…
”Wonderful… You all have good eyes. There seem to be two kittens as well, but especially you three are nice… You must have killed quite a number of people.”
Shisei looked at Kamikura, the Chief, and Hayama with an eerie smile.
”Shisei. That’s enough. You should be aware of what will happen if you disrespect the people from UCIA, right?”
Tetsuya glared at Shisei.
”I’m sorry. As you can see, she’s a subordinate with too strong a personality. I apologize for her discourtesy. I am truly sorry.”
Tetsuya, Kujo, and Mizuhara bowed their heads. Shisei also slowly bowed her head.
”Director Totoki. If this were the case, I would have liked you to inform us beforehand…”
The Chief seemed to be feeling resentful. And understandably so. It was an opponent who suddenly made such a threat. Everyone must be feeling uncomfortable. As for Chris, she must be feeling quite terrified.
”I am truly sorry. Chief Hardy. Now, let me explain what we found out at the crime scene. There shouldn’t be any misunderstandings. I apologize again and again, but I’ll let Shisei give the explanation.”
Tetsuya bowed his head deeply. Everyone from Public Security bowed their heads again.
”First, what we found out at the crime scene… There is no doubt that it was the work of an AW… And… it’s not a low-level one. It’s an AW with quite strong power…”
Shisei began to speak with a gaze as if looking into deep darkness.
”The residue of a powerful magical power. The AW that killed him… probably had some purpose… I couldn’t feel any desire for revenge; they must have tortured him to death while laughing and enjoying it. However, I can also feel a little bit of hatred… In my spiritual vision… that’s how I felt…”
Kamikura finally lowered his gun. And he asked Shisei.
”You said your name is Shisei. You said you have the magical power of an AW, but can you use spiritual vision? Why don’t you tell us everything about how that came about?”
Shisei slowly looked toward Tetsuya.
”Kamikura, Shisei is a woman with a naturally strong spiritual sense. As I mentioned earlier, she made contact with an AW five years ago and succeeded in obtaining magical power. She can manipulate magic like she just did, and she can also use spiritual vision.”
Even as Tetsuya explained, Kamikura questioned further.
”What I want to know is, why is someone like that your subordinate and cooperating with the investigation? You said she’s originally from the 6th Division of Public Security, but why is someone who made contact with an AW and obtained magical power… in the Metropolitan Police Department?”
”Director Totoki. It might be better… if I explain…”
When Shisei said that, Tetsuya nodded.
”As you’ve been told… I was originally in the 6th Division of Public Security, where I handled many investigations specializing in anti-spiritual incidents. I was mainly in charge of spiritual vision, but… due to the repeated demands for spiritual vision… my mind and body became unable to endure it…”
Shisei spoke while breaking off her words here and there.
”The existence of AWs. I had felt it for a long time… Having used too much power and become unable to use spiritual vision… I was treated like disposable trash… And, in the midst of despair… I met her…”
I unconsciously held my breath…
”She said she would give it to me if I wanted magical power… She, who called herself the Magician… gave it to me…”
Shisei closed her eyes and spoke…
”And I… used that power to burn them to death… Everyone in the 6th Division who used me as much as they could… and trampled on my feelings. The flames changed shape as I wished, and their death agonies echoed pleasantly… I trembled… at that magical power, and at the sight of the hateful ones screaming in agony… At that moment, I heard the Magician’s voice…”
Shisei said.
”’Congratulations. You have fulfilled your own justice. From now on, call yourself the Fool, and fulfill that duty’…”
Everyone fell silent at Shisei’s past…
”After that, I was arrested and confined in a special facility… though I had no intention of running away… I met the Director there, and was released on the condition that I cooperate with the investigation… leading up to now…”
Shisei continued.
”I apologize… for earlier… But is it right… to point a gun at me just because I’m an AW?”
Shisei stared at Kamikura with her eerie eyes.
”…My bad. But we’re being targeted by an AW and nearly got killed. I didn’t hear any prior information about you from Tetsuya. This is a military facility. If I feel even the slightest danger, I will point my gun. I hope you understand that much.”
Kamikura countered.
”I apologize for not conveying prior information about Shisei. But Shisei is treated as top secret even within Public Security. Considering the possibility of an information leak, I thought I’d tell you directly here. As a result, I caused you all sorts of trouble… and for that, I am truly sorry.”
Tetsuya bowed deeply once again. Kujo, Mizuhara, and Shisei followed suit.
”Please raise your head, Director Totoki. We understand about Shisei-san. As Kamikura said, we have our own stance to maintain. Please forgive our discourtesy.”
When the Chief said that, we began discussing the future investigation.
”According to Shisei, there seems to be some kind of strong spiritual reaction in Tokyo over the past few days. It’s possible another crime could occur in the near future. And we should be able to convey information about the cult that worships AWs very soon. To be honest, we’re placing quite a heavy burden on Shisei. As you can see, she has a very strong personality, but I would appreciate your understanding.”
Tetsuya said. I thought to myself… this woman named Shisei, perhaps she was originally a very brave and kind woman…
Judgement had said.
”A trivial matter can cause the heart to flip dramatically into darkness. Even those with pure and righteous hearts can fall into a dark, deep abyss depending on the trigger.”
However, the trigger that caused Shisei to take action wasn’t trivial. The piled-up dissatisfaction and the feeling of being betrayed by the comrades she trusted turned her into an AW.
Perhaps she had felt some kind of pleasure in passing judgment with that immense magical power, but I also felt that she was fighting that drug-like emotion and holding her ground…
I stood up from my seat and held out my hand to Shisei, who was sitting in front of me.
”Let me introduce myself again. I’m UCIA Special Agent Himemiya Asami. I look forward to working with you, Inspector Shisei Reiko.”
Shisei stared at my extended hand in surprise. After a moment’s pause, Shisei stood up and shook hands with me.
”Once again… nice to meet you…”
I felt like she smiled slightly… but I couldn’t be sure. Her hand was surprisingly cold.
After that, the Chief, Kamikura, Hayama, and Chris also shook hands with her. Come to think of it, I had never shaken hands with Kujo and Mizuhara either. We all shook hands once again.
”I’m glad we could understand each other safely. When Kamikura drew his gun, I wondered what would happen, but it seems you’re still as quick to resort to violence as ever.”
Tetsuya said to Kamikura with a slight laugh.
”I don’t want to hear that from you, bringing an AW here out of the blue. Your secrecy hasn’t changed since the old days either.”
Kamikura said, spitting out the words.
”Chief Hardy. I’m sorry, but is there a place to smoke on this base? I want to give everyone a short break. Would it be alright to use the dining hall?”
The Chief answered Tetsuya’s question.
”Yes. If you’d like, you’re all welcome to have lunch. Our cook is excellent, after all.”
”We appreciate that. We’ll definitely take you up on the offer.”
Everyone left the reception room. And Tetsuya called out to Kamikura.
”Kamikura… keep me company for the first time in a while.”
After buying canned coffees in the dining hall, the two headed to the smoking area next to the base’s rotary. I also bought a canned coffee and followed them.
”Tetsuya, did you ever smoke?”
He didn’t seem to be smoking at the safe house, but…
”Yeah, I’ve been busy lately. I started because I wanted some kind of stress relief, and I got hooked. But it doesn’t contain nicotine or tar. It’s a modern kind that isn’t addictive or harmful to the human body.”
”Kamikura, you smoke too. You used to smoke, didn’t you?”
Tetsuya offered Kamikura a cigarette and a lighter.
”…Well, why not.”
Kamikura put the cigarette in his mouth and lit it.
”Contains no nicotine or tar, huh. That’s quite an interesting cigarette…”
Tetsuya and Kamikura smoked quietly. I watched them while drinking my canned coffee.
”Kamikura… I’m sorry about before…”
Tetsuya said.
”About that time? I don’t care. Come at me anytime you feel like hitting me with a wooden sword. I’ll take you on.”
Kamikura said quietly.
”What are you talking about? No fighting, you two.”
It seemed something had happened between them in the past, but strangely enough, the atmosphere wasn’t hostile.
Being like this reminded me of our college days. Tetsuya and I used to keep Kamikura company while he smoked all the time.
”Kamikura. I heard from Asami that a lot happened in the past. But isn’t it about time you stopped trying to look tough all by yourself? Both Asami and I want to laugh together as the three of us again, just like the old days. Although you were always an unsociable guy who rarely smiled…”
Kamikura puffed on his cigarette.
”…I certainly warned you, but it seems both you and Himemiya are quite eccentric. I can’t stop you anymore.”
Kamikura flicked the ash from his cigarette and continued.
”Tetsuya. To drag someone like that out means you must be prepared for the consequences. But be careful. The magical power of an AW, which transcends human understanding, should make anything possible. She’s already on the verge of being swallowed by darkness as it is.”
The smoke from Kamikura’s cigarette wavered in the air.
”I appreciate your concern. But Shisei cannot kill me. I’ve taken out insurance, too. Besides, I hear Shisei was an incredibly quiet and timid woman. That’s probably why the people in the 6th Division used her as they pleased… I feel sorry for the deceased members of the 6th Division, but I can’t think of Shisei as the bad guy.”
”I see. The quieter a person is normally, the more terrifying they are when they awaken to their anger. Her past sins won’t disappear, but I want to believe she can atone for them… You’re a kind guy. If you can save her heart… then save it.”
Kamikura extinguished his shortened cigarette.
”I’ll return those words right back at you, Kamikura. Worry about yourself before worrying about others. Both Asami and I are worried about you. Let’s drink together, the three of us, for the first time in a while. I have some top-grade stuff prepared.”
Tetsuya took out another cigarette and lit it.
”Well… I’ll think about it once this incident is settled. The situation might be getting worse than we expected. If the worst comes to the worst, you protect Asami. AWs have already begun moving in secret all over the world. If they cause an incident all at once… we won’t be able to handle it.”
Kamikura said quietly.
”Of course I’ll protect Asami. But you’re in this too. When Asami was harassed on the college campus, you were the first to throw a punch. Even though there were five of them. If I hadn’t joined the fight, even you would have been beaten. Whenever Asami got tangled up in something, the two of us always protected her.”
Tetsuya said with a nostalgic laugh.
”She’s always getting tangled up in things. Delinquents and womanizers. And this time, a powerful AW called Judgement. Honestly, she’s a troublemaker, but that’s just how she is. It can’t be helped.”
Kamikura snorted a laugh.
”What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t make it sound like it’s my fault. They just swarm around me on their own, so I can’t help it.”
I retorted unintentionally. I absolutely didn’t think I was at fault.
”Well, I understand Kamikura’s point, and I understand Asami’s point. It can’t be helped. Bugs flock to Asami because she’s just that beautiful of a flower.”
Tetsuya laughed. Being like this made me feel like I was back in my college days. I didn’t like Kamikura snorting a laugh at me, but the fact that he laughed at all made me genuinely happy.
Little by little is fine. If Kamikura’s heart can heal its wounds, even just a little at a time.
”Should we eat soon? You should eat before you go. Our cook makes good food. Even if he’s just an ex-Navy SEALs cook.”
”What is that supposed to mean? I can’t tell if it’s going to be good or bad.”
Joking around, the two of them went into the base. Watching their backs, I was smiling…