Chapter 315: The Ultimate Patchwork Monster

After entrusting household matters to Asaka Akihime, Fang Cheng left with Kanzaki Rin at dawn.

Kanzaki Rin drove while throwing documents at Fang Cheng containing details about the Truth Cult. This cult promoted apocalyptic theories and was internationally recognized as dangerous. Unlike the Blissful Faith’s minor disruptions in Area 11, the Truth Cult had expanded globally, establishing branches worldwide.

The cult’s founder, Asahara Nikkou, originally an ordinary man, later claimed to achieve “ultimate enlightenment” in the Himalayas and boasted supernatural abilities like levitation. He declared anyone could gain similar powers by following his teachings.

Starting as a yoga class, the Truth Cult quickly turned extremist under Asahara’s leadership. In a world where supernatural powers existed, cults thrived easily. The Truth Cult forced followers to surrender all possessions, selling Asahara’s hair, blood, and even bathwater as sacred items while enforcing brutal rituals.

Dissenters faced imprisonment or death. Through fear tactics, the cult maintained absolute control. Asahara, a madman, divided humans into “god-like humans” and “animal humans,” advocating the latter’s extermination.

The cult stockpiled poison, rifles, biochemical weapons, bombs, and hallucinogens to destroy Area 11 and create their utopia “Shambhala.” After multiple atrocities, Area 11’s government crushed them. Asahara was executed, forcing the cult underground.

Fang Cheng noted the Truth Cult was a chaotic mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. They even claimed superiority over India’s Shiva worship. Fang Cheng remarked Asahara’s death spared him modern internet backlash.

“Documents say the cult’s headquarters is in Nampoku Village between Gunma and Nagano,” Fang Cheng said. “Are we heading straight there?”

Kanzaki Rin kept driving. “Their leader’s hiding there, but we need a guide. The Countermeasures Department planted moles. I contacted a surviving one. We’ll infiltrate through him before acting.”

Fang Cheng approved the simple operational plan, knowing complexity bred problems.

Leaving Tokyo’s city center, they entered drone-patrolled suburbs. Kanzaki handed Fang Cheng a map. Beyond Tokyo’s borders, roads worsened with homeless encampments and ruins.

Danger increased in lawless zones. Biker gangs ambushed lone cars, while road traps forced stops for ambushes.

“I miscalculated,” Kanzaki sighed at a giant pit blocking their path. Even if Fang Cheng lifted the car over, more pits likely awaited.

“Should’ve listened to me about not driving.”

Fang Cheng summoned a giant Blood Eagle and told Kanzaki Rin to toss their luggage and equipment onto its back. He coated their car with Steel Blood to retrieve later.

“Can’t you make this thing bigger?”

Kanzaki Rin frowned at the cramped space on the Blood Eagle’s back. The limited area left them squeezed together after storing their gear. She strongly suspected this guy did it intentionally.

Fang Cheng spread his hands. “Any bigger and we couldn’t fly.”

Kanzaki Rin reluctantly climbed aboard. Fang Cheng settled behind her with legs apart, appearing to hug her from behind. As the Blood Eagle ascended, fierce winds pushed her backward against his chest.

When she tried leaning forward, Fang Cheng held her. “Stop squirming. You’ll fall and turn Rin-chan into road paste.”

Kanzaki Rin thumped his arm in annoyance.

The aerial view soon distracted her from their close contact. Their airborne speed proved much faster than driving – the twenty-hour suburban car trip to Kamimura Town now took five flying hours. This western Gunma Prefecture town sat two districts from Nampoku Village.

Kanzaki Rin messaged their mole about arriving early and discussed Truth Cult plans with Fang Cheng until sleep claimed her. Exhausted from late-night research, she dozed off against the rushing wind. Fang Cheng shielded her with his ability until they reached Kamimura.

The abandoned town in southwest Gunma once housed Area 11’s first dinosaur tracks. Now its 2,700 residents were gone.

They spotted movement moments after entering Kamimura. Under stormy afternoon skies, dilapidated buildings loomed ominously. Fang Cheng shook Kanzaki Rin awake.

Below on crumbling streets, a vehicle fled from chicken-sized crows spewing corrosive black slime. The acid spit pocked the ground with deep pits and chewed through the car’s frame.

“That’s Kaneda Hideki!” Kanzaki Rin shouted, fully alert. “Save him now!”