Chapter 183: Rogenzai
Chapter 183: Rogenzai
Although there were some twists and turns along the way, in the end, the current director of the Kagami God Room, the eleventh “Tōshō” Rogenzai, did not refuse Raisu’s request and agreed to meet with him.
The Kagami God Room was arguably the most mysterious “department” within the Fang Hunter Organization. Its independent nature made people wonder if this department operated separately from the Fang Hunter Organization.
“That’s actually the case. The Kagami God Room isn’t completely restricted by the Executive Department. It has a lot of freedom in recruiting personnel and funding sources. Especially after the eleventh Tōshō Rogenzai took charge of the Kagami God Room, it became even less controlled by the higher-ups.”
Walking with his assistant Kitano down the pure white corridor, Raisu spoke in a hushed voice: “Considering the special status of the Kagami God Room, the Executive Department can’t easily intervene. Although the Tatsumiya and Yaburuma families are very unhappy about this, as long as Rogenzai remains the director of the Kagami God Room, there’s nothing they can do…”
The Tatsumiya and Yaburuma families had been involved in and responsible for the management of the Fang Hunter Organization since its establishment. Each generation of these families had outstanding “Artifact Successors,” which was why the Tatsumiya and Yaburuma families held considerable influence within the Fang Hunter Organization.
“Wow! This tangled web of factions within the organization sounds like a headache just hearing about it…”
“That’s right. The key point is that we have to understand; otherwise, who knows when we might step on a landmine!”
The two turned a corner and entered a long corridor. On their right, they could see one floor-to-ceiling glass window after another.
“I had heard about it before, but this is really…”
He stopped with a bitter expression, standing behind a large glass window. Inside was an underground laboratory where hundreds of culture tanks emitting faint fluorescent green light were placed in the pitch-black space. A few lab workers in white coats could be vaguely seen bustling around the laboratory.
Kitano also saw the underground laboratory and was visibly shocked, his mouth slightly agape.
“Alright, stop looking…”
Raisu turned around and quickly walked away.
“Wait, what are those ‘things’? What is the Kagami God Room doing?”
“…They are Corpse Hounds.”
Raisu didn’t turn back, his voice growing even lower.
“It seems the Kagami God Room has been capturing and researching Corpse Hounds for a long time. What you saw is probably part of their research…”
“There are so many underground… could they all be?”
“I think so.”
Raisu could only sigh helplessly.
The two took the elevator down to the underground level. After the elevator doors opened, they walked through another corridor. At the end was a huge valve.
“Creak!”
After verifying their documents with the armed guards at the door, the mechanically controlled gate slowly opened automatically.
Instantly, strong light poured in, and both Raisu and Kitano smelled the scent of grass.
“This… this is…”
Kitano could hardly believe his eyes.
Nearby was a lush green lawn, with brightly colored flowers and plants clustered in flower beds. Under the artificially planted trees was soft shade, and through the tree branches, a cobblestone path could be seen.
“Mr. Raisu, and Mr. Kitano, what are you doing here?”
A figure approached them and spoke first, sounding very surprised.
The two also showed equally surprised expressions because the person who appeared was the young lady of the Tatsumiya family, Tatsumiya Marie.
She wore a black combat suit, her originally graceful curves hidden beneath the tactical jacket. Nanoceramic armor plates were added to her chest, abdomen, and other vulnerable body parts. Every inch of her body was fully armed, and at her waist was one of the Twelve Artifacts she had succeeded to, the “Hakutaku Blade.”
“I’m here investigating leads about the ‘Fang Hunter Killer’ and planning to gather some information at the Kagami God Room. By the way, why are you here…”
Raisu glanced behind her and noticed several more men and women in combat suits approaching.
With just one look, he recognized many of them as members of the “Special Operations Team” directly under the Executive Department.
The Tatsumiya family was originally responsible for the Executive Department’s protection duties, and the Special Operations Team was essentially the military police of the entire Fang Hunter Organization. It was really puzzling why they would come to the Aobanuma Research Institute, which belonged to the Kagami God Room.
“We received orders from above to come here specifically to help the Kagami God Room transport an important item.”
Tatsumiya Marie gave a brief explanation. Her personality was always decisive and efficient. After speaking, she left through the gate with the Special Operations Team.
“Well then, gentlemen, we’ll take our leave…”
After the group left, Raisu and Kitano looked at each other.
“The Kagami God Room specifically asked for the Tatsumiya young lady and the Special Operations Team for an escort mission? What kind of game are they playing here?”
“Anyway, it has nothing to do with the purpose of our visit, so let’s not overthink it…”
While they were whispering, they heard a clear voice from behind.
“Are you Mr. Raisu from the Mobile Operations Room?”
The two turned around and saw a man wearing a long coat. His black sleeves embroidered with gold edges gave him the feel of a religious cleric’s robe.
He was thin and tall, with silver-gray long hair. His face made it hard to pinpoint his exact age, but his eyes shone with intelligence, and coupled with the glasses on his nose, it reinforced that impression.
“I believe this gentleman here must be Mr. Raisu’s assistant, Mr. Kitano. It’s a pleasure to meet both of you. Please, follow me!”
He made an inviting gesture to the two men.
________________
After saying, “Since you are guests, it would be rude not to offer you tea,” the man who introduced himself as the director of the Kagami God Room, the eleventh Tōshō, Myojin Rogenzai, received the two.
He led them to a room resembling a Japanese-style tea room and personally prepared tea for them.
“Very few guests come here. I only have ordinary tea bags bought from the convenience store. My apologies.”
As he said this, Rogenzai took out tea snacks like yōkan and monaka.
“You two have come a long way. Is there something important you need?”
“Yes, one of the main reasons for our special visit to the Kagami God Room is to investigate some clues related to the ‘Fang Hunter Killer’…”
Raisu got straight to the point and directly stated his purpose.
“I wonder if Mr. Myojin has heard about this matter.”
Rogenzai took a sip of tea and smiled slightly: “Sorry, I’ve been here at Aobanuma for so long that I’m inevitably a bit out of touch with outside events. This is the first time I’m hearing about this. Could you please explain in detail?”
“Of course.”
Raisu naturally had no reason to refuse. He recounted all the incidents related to the “Fang Hunter Killer” to Myojin Rogenzai in full detail.
“I see. No wonder you came all the way to the Kagami God Room…”
Rogenzai put down his tea and stared directly at Raisu sitting opposite him.
“Mr. Raisu, you want to investigate the Exorcism Blade in the ‘Fang Hunter Killer’s’ possession. That’s the real reason you specifically came to the Kagami God Room this time, right?”
“That’s correct.”
Raisu said seriously: “From the descriptions given by the survivors, the blade held by the ‘Fang Hunter Killer’ doesn’t appear to be an ordinary standard-issue weapon but rather an ancient model. Furthermore, that blade couldn’t possibly be a variant sword reforged from a broken blade picked up by stray users. This can be seen just from how cleanly and efficiently he kills Corpse Hounds…”
The effectiveness of variant swords against Corpse Hounds is definitely inferior to that of genuine Exorcism Blades. Just from this point, some clues can be analyzed. Additionally, based on its appearance, it is also an ancient-style weapon, quite different from the uniform standard-issue Exorcism Blades used by modern Fang Hunters.”
After finishing, he took out a drawing. It was a depiction of the Exorcism Blade held by the “Fang Hunter Killer,” created by a specialized forensic artist based on survivors’ memories and repeatedly revised.
Rogenzai glanced at the drawing, and his eyes instantly showed confusion. But quickly, he hid the doubt in his eyes. As if to cover up this reaction, he seriously shook his head and said to Raisu: “I’m truly sorry, I haven’t seen this sword before. I suggest you check the internal database of the Kagami God Room. Information related to Exorcism Blades is all logged there, and it should be relatively easy to search…”
“That’s a real shame.”
Raisu was also helpless. For a moment, he noticed a change in Myojin Rogenzai’s expression, but such a slight shift in attitude alone couldn’t prove anything.
“Sorry, gentlemen, I have some work to attend to this afternoon. If you have any needs, please contact Omura. He is my assistant and can provide you with any help you require…”
Myojin Rogenzai stood up straight after putting down his tea, intending to end this brief meeting.
“Please wait a moment, Mr. Myojin.”
Raisu also straightened his back and bowed formally.
“I have one last question?”
“…”
Myojin Rogenzai stayed silent, just quietly watched him.
“Have you ever heard of the name ‘Seven Cedars Village’?”
At that moment, Myojin Rogenzai, who was about to turn away, twisted his face back. His eyes instantly turned fierce, but soon he returned to a calm expression.
“Mr. Raisu, can you tell me where you heard the name of this village?”
The fish finally took the bait.
The moment Myojin Rogenzai’s expression changed, Raisu felt a chilling cold on his back, as if he were in the polar regions.
Feeling deeply uneasy, he still forced himself to speak: “While investigating information about the ‘Fang Hunter Killer,’ I accidentally came across a clue. Whether it’s misfortune or luck, I found it an interesting piece of news. It’s said that this village suddenly disappeared from the map twelve years ago…”
Myojin Rogenzai stared at Raisu with expressionless eyes. The atmosphere in the small tea room became unusually tense. Even Kitano felt an inexplicable pressure and remained motionless, though the cold sweat on his forehead betrayed his feelings.
After a long while, Rogenzai finally reined in his aura. The strange energy overflowing from his body gradually faded from the room. He then gave a light smile: “Mr. Raisu, I think we can talk a bit more…”
He was about to say “a while longer,” but at that moment, a sharp alarm, loud like a siren, rang out.
“This…”
Raisu and Kitano were startled. Soon, they recognized it as the facility’s alarm.
“My apologies, it seems there’s some trouble at the Aobanuma Research Institute!”
Myojin Rogenzai curled his lips into a faint smile.
“When this alarm sounds, it likely means someone from outside is trying to break into the research institute.”
“What?!”
Raisu and Kitano exchanged glances, stunned. It took them a while to understand what Rogenzai meant.
——————————
Fang Jing was in a fairly good mood.
The key information he got from Hodai Shiki had been a decisive help.
“The Aobanuma Research Institute… I’ll have to go there eventually…”
First, he retrieved his “blade,” then boldly picked a car parked by the roadside.
The owner was probably killed by a Corpse Hound. Fang Jing found the remote key on a male corpse.
Only a few people escaped alive from that offline gathering. They drove away from the scene, while more died at the site.
“The new phone I bought ended up with Suda. I wonder where he is now…”
Well, it didn’t matter—that phone had no other information anyway.
Fang Jing casually searched the car and unexpectedly found an old city map.
“I’ll navigate by the map! Hope I can make it to Aobanuma smoothly…”
The trunk door kept making “thumping” noises, as if something was tossing around inside. If you looked closely, you could see some blood seeping out from the trunk lid’s gap… It was the unlucky Corpse Hound he stuffed inside, beaten into a pulp, still desperately regenerating in the trunk.
That was one of the earlier trio, a lower-tier Corpse Hound from the “Baiqian” branch. According to him, just three months ago he was an ordinary person, selected through a hidden webpage by a higher Corpse Hound of the Baiqian branch and turned into a lower Corpse Hound.
For some reason, all the sub-branches had been frantically converting lower Corpse Hounds lately.
Baiqian was originally a small branch with no more than twenty members, but in just a few months, their numbers more than doubled.
It seemed like the various Corpse Hound factions were recruiting wildly, desperately expanding their forces.
“Well, that’s not my problem to worry about.”
Fang Jing knew exactly what his goal was. He turned the car key, gripped the steering wheel, stepped hard on the pedal, and started the car.
His next destination was Aobanuma. According to the method Hodai Shiki told him, there were actually two ways to remove the mark on his neck—the “Jaw Seal.”
“Demar the Corpse Hound didn’t lie to me. If I find the Clan Heir of the Phantom Jaw branch, take their heart, and swallow it, I can directly break this ‘mark.'”
In theory… that was the easiest method. Killing the strongest Clan Heir of the Phantom Jaw branch among the three main Corpse Hound branches would completely remove this nuisance. But practically speaking, it was also the hardest way.
The “Clan Heir” could become a future King’s Nightmare, with combat power surpassing ordinary Elder Class Corpse Hounds. Hunting such a being would naturally be extremely difficult. Most Fang Hunters wouldn’t consider this method.
“The ‘Jaw Seal’ is a rare curse used by the Phantom Jaw branch against enemies. Among the three main branches, only ‘Phantom Jaw’ uses this method. It’s been at least forty years since any Fang Hunter was unlucky enough to encounter this.”
Hodai Shiki naturally didn’t realize he was talking to such an unlucky person right then. He kept speaking tactlessly: “Fang Hunters who get hit with this curse are usually those targeted by the Phantom Jaw branch, with deep grudges between them—a blood feud. Even though the Phantom Jaw branch is extremely crazy, they wouldn’t casually mark ordinary Fang Hunters with this curse.”
Hearing this, Fang Jing felt helpless. According to Hodai Shiki, being targeted by Phantom Jaw and marked with this curse was an extremely rare experience even for Fang Hunters.
The second method Hodai Shiki told him was simpler than the first.
This was a secret known only within the Fang Hunter Organization, and only older-generation Fang Hunters knew about it.
“The second method can’t completely remove this ‘curse mark,’ but it can reduce the effects of the ‘Jaw Seal’ by nearly half. This method is quite brutal, and currently only the ‘Yaguruma’ family within the Fang Hunter Organization knows it.”
The second method was called the “Cypress Substitute Method.” Using this secret art required killing a Medium and taking their heart for a ritual. If the ritual succeeded, it could also lift the threat of the ‘curse mark.’
“The second method means dealing with the Yaguruma family inside the Fang Hunter Organization. It’s a ritual-like secret art, and only their clan members know the full procedure. That’s a bit troublesome for me…”
He didn’t think too much about it. He’d go to the Aobanuma Research Institute first. From the intel he got, it seemed the Corpse Hounds planned to strike today.
Timing-wise, it matched what Demar said. With luck, he might just run into them.
“After killing the Corpse Hound Wei Gu using the ‘Seal of the Asura Hand,’ a strange ability activated…”
He glanced at the skill list under the Seal of the Asura Hand.
A symbol appeared there: For each mutant lifeform hunted, gain 0.01 feedback in Stamina Attribute.
“So, the more Corpse Hounds I kill, the more my stamina can grow. But only 0.01 stamina per kill is way too stingy.”