Chapter 25: The Crow Tengu

“According to the on-site surveillance, the supernatural being is identified as a Crow Tengu. Its strength is enough to easily decapitate an adult, and it possesses a pair of wings on its back enabling flight.”

Still Chief Inspector Nin, but now a very different man, Yuya Asakawa reported.

The large screen repeatedly played the surveillance footage.

The image of the Crow Tengu was strikingly clear.

“Crow Tengu…” Director Shirouma felt both uneasy and excited.

The excitement stemmed from the reappearance of a supernatural entity, and not just any—this was the indispensable Tengu from the legends of the Neon Realm.

The unease arose because this Crow Tengu had appeared directly in Tokyo. Given the power it had displayed and the Metropolitan Police Department’s delayed response, it was capable of stirring great chaos in the bustling city.

“How about America’s side?”

“The information has been temporarily sealed off. As far as I know, they’re unaware that I am remotely commanding the situation.”

“Good. Dispatch Squad A and Squad B immediately. The reconnaissance unit must closely monitor the Crow Tengu’s movements and deploy officers to evacuate areas where clashes might erupt.”

Although this would likely provoke a reaction from the Americans, emergency measures took precedence. They had missed the chance with the Three-Tailed Bone Cat the first time; this time, the Crow Tengu had to be taken down.

The enemy clearly underestimated modern technology. If they could capture it through surveillance before the Americans reacted, the gates to the supernatural realm would open to them!

“Also, summon all those folklore experts. And Master Chiriku… no, forget it. Master Chiriku is currently recuperating and must not be disturbed.”

Although the shrine priests, head priests, and ritual masters had found nothing upon returning to their homes—no trace of their treasured relics—they still possessed extensive knowledge and could be of some help.

As for Master Chiriku, considering the injuries he sustained during the battle with the Umbrella Man in Adachi Ward, Director Shirouma chose not to disturb him.

Yes, to communicate promptly with Master Chiriku, the Metropolitan Police Department specially commissioned a batch of professional equipment for supernatural communication.

Sighing inwardly, Director Shirouma wondered how well Master Chiriku’s injuries were healing.

If possible, he wished to contact him, but most yokai were beyond hope. Alas, the police desperately needed to harness supernatural power under their control.

———

Crow Tengu.

As a member of the Tengu, the Crow Tengu traditionally appeared under the command of the Tengu and Great Tengu in myth and legend.

Compared to the latter two, the Crow Tengu’s strength seemed relatively weak. Although there were powerful yokai among them, most Crow Tengu were feeble, leading to the perception of them as weak creatures.

Yet, no matter how weak, a Crow Tengu was still a yokai.

Spreading its wings, it flew in the air. Below, pedestrians hurried about, rarely glancing upwards, especially with the tall buildings obstructing the view, making it difficult to spot the Crow Tengu in the sky.

———

Below, in a quaint café, Sonoko Suzuki, freshly out of school, stirred her iced latte with a spoon, her eyelids drooping as she glanced at Shinichi Kudo, absorbed in his phone.

“Hey, I’m saying, you’ve been glued to that phone since school let out. Got a criminal on there or what?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

To Sonoko’s exasperation, Shinichi simply replied with his usual three-word mantra.

Ran Mouri smiled wryly. “Ever since Shinichi saw that live stream from Adachi Ward, he’s been like this all the time.”

“The explosion in Adachi Ward was clearly not normal, but the Metropolitan Police Department is brushing us off. I’m determined to find the truth,” Shinichi said resolutely.

Especially after his usually infallible father’s connections failed him this time, he felt even more compelled.

Hearing this, Sonoko blinked and, pinching her chin, recalled, “Adachi Ward… I think my family told me recently not to go there. They said something was wrong, but when I asked, they were all secretive and evasive.”

Shinichi’s eyes lit up instantly.

“That’s right! Adachi Ward must be hiding something. I checked the streamer’s schedule—they broadcast almost daily, but after that incident, their account was suddenly deleted. Something’s definitely wrong!”

“Shinichi, keep your voice down. Don’t disturb the others,” Ran gently chided, offering an apologetic smile to the patrons who had glanced their way.

“…” Sonoko’s lips twitched in impatience.

She really shouldn’t expect much from this detective idiot. Even when just grabbing coffee after school, he could spin all this out. If he loves murder cases so much, why not just cuddle a corpse to sleep?

Taking a sip of her coffee, she glanced sideways out the window.

“Hey? What’s that?”

A black dot was approaching in the sky. Sonoko squinted instinctively, watching the increasingly distinct shape.

Wha—

Before the last thought could form, the sound of shattering glass snapped her back to reality.

“Bang!”

A tremendous crash sent countless shards flying. The immense kinetic force and its wide range of effect swept through the café, striking nearly everyone inside.

Cuts, punctures, screams, and cries filled the air.

A fierce gust howled in, and Ran, quick to react, grabbed the stunned Sonoko by the neck and pressed Shinichi’s head down under the table.

When the commotion subsided, a ‘horn’ first emerged atop the table, followed by three pairs of cautious and curious eyes.

The entire café was ravaged by the violent windstorm: plates and cups shattered on the floor, several solid wood tables overturned, two unlucky shopkeepers pinned beneath the wreckage, and a massive crystal chandelier flickered ominously on the ground.

It was the hour when school let out, and this café—well known among students—was crowded with many young patrons as well as passersby drawn by the noise outside.

———

All eyes were fixed on the lone, peculiar figure standing amidst the chaos.

“Crow wings, samurai sword, straw raincoat, yamabushi… a Tengu’s attire?”

Cosplay?

That thought flickered briefly.

“Swish!”

The gleaming white blade caught the warm light inside the café. A crisp slicing sound rang out as a splash of vivid crimson sprayed.

One of the shopkeepers pinned under the table was cleanly bisected.

The broken table and the grisly scene tightened everyone’s nerves.

“Murder! Someone call the police!”

“Quick, call the cops!”

Such a shocking scene stunned the peaceful students and overworked office workers alike.

The silence shattered; chaos erupted instantly.

The Crow Tengu looked down arrogantly at these fragile humans, its gaze filled with disdain.

Humans were truly lambs to the slaughter. Such weaklings dared to seize this world while gods, demons, and yokai were away—unforgivable.

Let it be known by the great Shiramine Sagamibou’s underling that these weak humans must learn their place!

———

At the Metropolitan Police Department, Director Shirouma gasped sharply, clutching his chest.

“Miss Suzuki’s second daughter is in that area? We must get her to safety immediately!”

Eyes wide, he stared at the screen displaying the mapped-out zones, his heart pounding wildly.

The Suzuki family—a powerful conglomerate…

If this young lady were to die in Bunkyo Ward…

Hiss—

———