Not a detective

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Riku Asakawa murmured.

"Yes, that's why everyone's experiences are different, and everyone's trials are different."

Minister Morita said.

Kirisame Aoi chimed in, "Back then, my 'eighth challenge' was you, Asakawa. I fought with all my might to defeat you in the virtual space, and that's how I became a demon-slaying expert."

...He never expected to be used as a hypothetical target. Asakawa Riku realized that this was similar to his mental training, only more general and realistic.

He replied with a smile, "You only defeated me back then; the outcome now is hard to say."

He was also curious about what kind of eight opponents he would see if he went in.

The misty sunflower should probably be included.

"Only by breaking through the 'impossible' in one's heart and defeating the imagined formidable enemy can one be qualified to complete the Orochi Trial."

As he listened to Ms. Sagawa's introduction, Asakawa Riku became more and more interested. In any case, he was determined to give it a try today.

But there's still one question: "But what's the connection between this Orochi Trial and the search for Asukai Uta?"

"Of course they're related."

Minister Morita patiently explained, "Don't forget, the so-called Orochi Trial is about challenging the strongest person in your mind... and the first one to give you a setback..."

"Asukaji Shi is also a strong person."

Asakawa Riku suddenly realized that this was the method he was trying to use to indirectly bring out Asukai Shi's appearance.

No wonder Kirisame Aoi asked him to come; it seems she had already planned this out.

"But isn't the opponent in that virtual space a fabricated illusion? Would it have self-awareness? And it's not the real person that's summoned, is it?"

"That's not how it works. Ms. Sagawa's ability works by using your memories to construct a world, and the characters created are also completed based on those memories, not just simple phantoms. So only your memories retain the impression of Asui Shi, and only you can reconstruct her true personality. This is our only chance."

"You remember Kirisame too, right? If we go in together, we'll have two chances, wouldn't that be better?"

"I'm sorry, Asakawa... When I was taking the test, I was thinking of taking this opportunity to get revenge, but she didn't show up until the very last round. I don't know if I was still resisting in my heart, or if I felt that I wasn't qualified to challenge an opponent of that level. In any case, I probably can't do it. If anyone can, it's only you."

Looking into those expectant eyes, Asakawa Riku knew he had no other choice.

He took a deep breath and made up his mind: "I understand, let me do it."

The Autumn of Orochi: Chapter Twelve - The Virtual Space

Minister Morita brought over a futon, and Riku Asakawa sat directly opposite Ms. Sagawa.

Ms. Sagawa stretched out her hand and placed it on top of his head, without pressing or making any other movement, just hovering it a few centimeters above.

Asakawa Riku waited silently for a while, even closing his eyes to begin meditating.

Until I was almost asleep, it seemed like nothing had happened.

"……what happened?"

“Young man.” Opening his eyes, Ms. Sagawa smiled and said, “You are too wary. You have put several layers of warnings and shackles on your mind. It’s not so easy to break through. You have to trust me and slowly let down your guard so that I can bring you into the virtual space. Otherwise, I can only wait here.”

Kirisame Aoi glanced at her master in surprise, only to find that Minister Morita had the same look of astonishment.

Clearly, they had no such experience during their own trials; they were simply absorbed into it instantly.

"Ok."

Riku Asakawa finally understood what was going on.

Having suffered many losses in this area, he became increasingly focused on his mental defenses, and even his magical defenses.

The solid barrier built up over time, like a fist made of nothingness, was actually enough to resist the infiltration of this superpowered individual. It seems to be quite effective.

He had actually suspected that the so-called "Orochi Trial" was a scam, and that the Ministry of Supervision had deliberately lured him here. In reality, this virtual space was not a place to challenge powerful enemies, but a virtual prison for dangerous criminals. Once one's consciousness was trapped inside, there was no way to escape. The Ministry of Supervision was deceiving him with this purpose in mind.

But in the end, Riku Asakawa decided to trust Aoi Kirisame.

Although their relationship didn't last very long, the bond from the past, as well as her current enthusiasm and childlike innocence, all reached Asakawa Riku.

He knew that this woman would never harm him.

Even if everyone else in the world schemes against him, Kirisame Aoi will never do the same. If there is any danger, she will definitely do everything in her power to save him.

This kind of trust is unreasonable and unconditional.

So, Asakawa Riku sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and slowly relaxed his mind.

But this change is slow, and Ms. Sagawa cannot construct a world in a short time. To further relax, the old woman's voice rang out in front of her:

"Have a chat with this old woman, young man."

"Chat, what should we talk about..."

"For example, is there anything else you want to ask or know? After all, I've lived for a long time and know a little about everything."

“Then I’ll ask.” Asakawa Riku had some questions he was curious about: “I already know the origin and principle of this [Orochi Trial]. The position of exorcist expert in the Inspection Department requires passing this test, but before the [Orochi Trial] appeared, how were exorcist experts selected? Also, since superpowers are all unique, and other countries and regions don’t have superpowered individuals like you and can’t construct virtual spaces, how did their Inspection Departments select exorcist experts? Did they all come to Tokyo for the test?”

"Hey……"

It seemed that Minister Morita was muttering something quietly to himself.

"Haha, you're starting with something confidential? No problem, since we're both examinees, I can tell you everything."

Ms. Sagawa kindly explained, “You may have some misunderstandings. Actually, the ‘Non-World Inspection Department’ is not an international organization. Although we are an independent agency, we are still under the jurisdiction of the Japanese government. In North America or Europe, there are other different supernatural power organizations. International cooperation is rare because superpowers are too sensitive, like dangerous weapons, and cannot be interfered with. Therefore, we know very little about other supernatural organizations. For example, we don’t know the number of employees, hierarchical structure, job classifications, etc. of the ‘Luoshan’ in China. As for whether there is a category like ‘Demon Exorcism Expert’ and what kind of assessment is required, that is completely confidential information.”

"I see……"

Riku Asakawa learned a lot, even though it was classified information, he didn't expect the other party to tell him so readily.

It seems their attempt to win him over is quite strong. But unfortunately... he seems to be more interested in his hometown, Luoshan, now.

It's yet another completely unfamiliar organization, and there may be even more mysterious and powerful figures, unknown systems, and so on... There's still so much of the unknown in this world waiting to be explored.

Thinking about all this, Asakawa Riku felt that the road ahead was still long and he was filled with joy.

Great……

Just as Asakawa Riku was about to say something and ask the next question, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

The world around us has disappeared—

Including their voices, Ms. Sagawa in front of them, Minister Morita and Aoi Kirisame beside them all disappeared.

He suddenly opened his eyes and found himself in a pale space, and even the futon he had just been sitting on was gone.

"Hey……?"

The person has disappeared, and there has been no response.

Looking out into the distance, even if you can see a hundred meters away, there is no shadow of a wall. There is no ceiling above your head, nor is there a starry sky. There is nothing here, it is spacious yet oppressive.

The light seemed to come from nowhere, and the ground was as hard as concrete. It was possible to tear it open if one wanted to dig, but Asakawa Riku knew that digging would most likely yield no results.

"This must be... the virtual space."

The ground is divided into brick-like squares, like the Batcave in Batman, which is very unique.

It is said that everyone's inner world has a different landscape. Asakawa Riku did not expect his to be so pale and boring. He thought it would be as Zen-like as a martial arts master.

He suddenly realized that this place was like a "boxing ring".

It's like the World Martial Arts Tournament in Dragon Ball, an infinite space with no buildings to hide in, just a fighting arena with no way out.

Asakawa Riku came with the intention of competing, so his imagination was extremely simple, removing any unnecessary impurities.

All that's left is the space needed for the battle, and that's enough.

Pure challenger.

"Just to my liking."

Asakawa Riku smiled and quickly familiarized himself with everything around him, since there was nothing he needed to familiarize himself with anyway.

The elements here, such as oxygen and gravity, are no different from those in reality, and in a fictional world, these are not really necessary to consider.

All I know is that in a normal city, it's not easy to find such a large area where he can fight freely.

This is a natural place.

He calmly and patiently warmed up, waiting for his opponent to arrive.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, the first enemy appeared in the distance.

—He was a handsome young man with long hair, wearing a white lab coat, and a slightly effeminate appearance.

Orochi's Autumn: Chapter Thirteen - Rematch with the Demons

"Ibuki Ren." Asakawa Riku greeted the person who had arrived.

This person looks familiar, and is someone I shouldn't forget.

Two years ago, in the winter, in the secret research institute called "Ryugu Palace" underground in Mount Oe, Kyoto, it was this doctor who planned all the human experiments.

Ren Ibuki is a genius. At a young age, he has mastered the key technology to catalyze superpowers and even went further, attempting to touch divine power with a mortal body.

Scientists, who should be respected, often lack moral constraints and ethical standards, and thus commit numerous cruel acts of human experimentation.

Two years ago, Asakawa Riku killed him with his own hands, and now the virtual space has brought this man back.

"Is this the afterlife... Asakawa Riku, am I going to die with you?"

Ren Ibuki walked forward with a cold face, his expression unwavering, his white coat seemingly fitting the scene perfectly.

He seemed unsurprised by his surroundings, merely glancing around: "Or perhaps technology has advanced to the point where it can preserve human consciousness, and my soul has been uploaded here?"

That's the mindset of a researcher; even in this situation, they're still thinking.

Actually, his guess was pretty close to the truth, but Asakawa Riku wasn't there to explain:

"Stop talking nonsense, let's have a fight."

He didn't want to waste his breath on a virtual ghost.

"...Or perhaps, I've already been used by you as a tool for your amusement, something you call out to spar with whenever you need it?"

Ibuki Ren slowly turned her head: "But it doesn't matter. Since then, I seem to have become addicted to this feeling... Maybe we'll get along unexpectedly well."

Without further ado, he pulled out two syringes from the inside of his white coat, inside which writhed a fluorescent purple liquid.

—Divine remedy and demonic poison.

There's no need to consider why these two original solutions still exist in this world, or why he was able to produce them out of thin air.

Since it's all fictional anyway, anything goes.

"...Two vials at once, this is brand new experimental data!"

Ibuki Ren gritted her teeth and fiercely stabbed the purple potion into her left hand and right arm respectively. In an instant, the purple potion twisted and turned ferociously, frantically drilling into her skin!

Asakawa Riku observed quietly, one hand behind his back, without making a move, but remaining in place.

If he were prepared, he could have rushed forward to stop Ibuki Ren from administering the medicine and destroyed the Shinbune Poison, but what would have been the point?

The purpose of the Orochi Trial is to challenge the strong. Asakawa Riku himself would not agree to winning by cheating.

And so he watched silently as excessive amounts of drugs were injected into Ibuki Ren's body, frantically altering his physique.

His bones grew twisted and contorted, almost piercing his skin; his body seemed stained red with blood; his muscles swelled and expanded, growing larger and larger until he was taller than Asakawa Riku.

Two sharp horns emerged from the top of its head, its face and pupils were ferocious, and its spine was grotesquely shaped; the evil spirit had descended once more.

"Ah ah ah ah ah!!"

Shuten-dōji reappears.

Asakawa Riku's expression was solemn. He could clearly feel that Shuten-dōji was stronger than before, probably because he had been given two injections at the same time.

That terrifying drug, created by nature itself, has the side effect of reducing lifespan by fifty years with each injection. Two consecutive injections are essentially a final, life-sacrificing act.

Ibuki Ren was noticeably taller than anyone I had seen before, almost a five-meter-tall giant, looking down from above with obvious power.

Perhaps this is its true glory, and the real king of all demons in the Heian period must have been like this.

But instead of retreating, Asakawa Riku advanced when faced with such an enemy.

"You did a great job! You did a great job!"

He smiled and began to feel grateful to the deputy minister of the inspection department.