Near Akihabara.
Kamijo Hospital.
The brightly lit hospital entrance stood amidst a stretch of dark, desolate road.
Though Kamijo Hospital wasn't located in a bustling district like Akihabara, it still occupied prime real estate in central Tokyo. Under normal circumstances, the area shouldn't have been this deserted.
Unfortunately, these were anything but normal circumstances.
Surveying the empty main road that techniques had cleared, the towering blond security guard—standing over 190cm with bulging muscles—chewed on a toothpick and mused aloud:
"From the perspective of modern society's energy supply, secret research facilities aren't actually suited for remote locations. Urban centres make far better sites."
"On one hand, the convenient transportation, electricity and water systems in metropolitan areas drastically reduce operational costs for large facilities, saving considerable funds."
"On the other hand, the massive urban population provides natural camouflage for such bases. With proper security measures, secrecy can be well maintained."
As the blond man spoke, a rustling sound—like fabric dragging across pavement—emerged from the unlit road ahead. Yet he continued his monologue:
"And within urban areas, hospitals make the ideal cover for secret facilities."
"Abundant utilities, numerous unquestioning medical staff, and plausible explanations for procuring and transporting restricted materials—all conveniently justified by a hospital's legitimate functions."
Clenching the toothpick between his teeth, the man focused on the pale-robed female figures materialising from the shadows.
"I suppose these advantages explain why you targeted Kamijo Hospital, even outside Akihabara?"
The dozens—perhaps hundreds—of identically robed, faceless women offered no reply, merely pausing briefly before continuing their advance. Their forms flickered between corporeal and spectral as they moved.
"Vengeful spirits?"
The blond man observed this with practised calm.
"True enough. Swarm attacks by quasi-Spirit Body entities are indeed the optimal counter to technological defences. And our SDS is internationally renowned for our technological expertise."
"Conventionally speaking, we'd be less adept at handling wraiths than other mystic side organisations."
"But... your intelligence appears outdated by about a year..."
As his words faded, the mechanical whirring of activating machinery filled the air.
Simultaneously, enormous magical circles several metres in diameter flared to life.
Behind these sigils, a colossal Skill Demon God erupted from the ground like a dark war deity, towering behind the blond man.
Then came the dazzling azure radiance of sorcerous energy.
HUM!!
The gathering power's resonant hum concentrated into brilliant beams converging at the Demon God's chest.
An instant later, a massive blue energy discharge descended, slicing through the landscape like a hot knife through butter. Everything ahead—including the top three centimetres of pavement—was erased from existence.
Vanishing alongside were the legions of white-robed wraiths.
They evaporated from this world without a trace.
It was then that the blond man stated flatly, devoid of inflexion: "Mass-produced Skill Demon God, Experiment C22 successful. Requesting confirmation."
Beep.
Only the blond giant could hear the sound.
And this voice belonged to Dr Verde from the SDS Research Department.
"Well done, M17."
"I've reviewed the data. As expected, Spiritual Power is a special kind of energy wave, and Evil Spirits are products of Spiritual Power combined with certain forces... Once we understand this, direct energy interference at equivalent levels is sufficient to eliminate these Evil Spirits..."
"The experiment proceeded surprisingly smoothly!"
"Thanks to these Evil Spirits, we've completed the final Spirit Body testing phase. The Skill Demon God tests are largely complete, meeting operational deployment standards. The only remaining issue is the energy supply..."
...
Beneath Kamijo Hospital.
Verde watched through surveillance as the deployed black Skill Demon Gods stood guard at the hospital entrance, observing the massive black power cables behind them. He murmured to himself:
"Indeed, electricity remains too inefficient... I need safer and pollution-free energy sources..."
As Verde muttered to himself, the blond giant M17 slowly raised its head, its electronic eyes automatically locking onto the northeast direction.
"Detecting energy transmission vector. Confirming coordinates... Suspected attack by unknown enemies at Juntendo Hospital. Confirming attack nature remains Evil Spirit-based."
"Query: Should we mobilise, Doctor?"
"Don't concern yourself. The Skill Demon Gods' energy transmission lines can't reach that far. Just deal with enemies that come within range."
"Understood, Doctor."
Through this exchange, M17 gradually fell silent, like an electronic device entering standby mode.
...
Meanwhile, at Juntendo Hospital.
Fully armed security personnel were frantically engaging the enemy. The staccato of gunfire rose and fell continuously, muzzle flashes spitting endlessly like unquenchable fire serpents.
"Enemies are Spirit Bodies! Quickly, switch to anti-Spirit Body ammunition!!"
"C and D Squads - use close-quarters techniques to suppress these Spirit Bodies, hold them back!"
"A and B Squads - reload immediately! E and F Squads - provide covering fire!! Move quickly!"
"Don't hesitate regarding hostages. Anyone possessed by Spirit Bodies is to be eliminated immediately!!"
"Understood!!"
During the command process, the head of security watched the vengeful spirits attacking the hospital with a ghastly pale face, tightly clenching his fist:
"No matter who you are, what your purpose is in attacking this place, or who's behind you – you're finished!"
"The Five Great Powers won't tolerate any voice daring to defy their will!"
...
"How terrifying~~"
On the rooftop of a distant commercial building, Enigma stood overlooking the Juntendo Hospital, where gunfire continued unabated. As if hearing something, she remarked with a smile:
"After this operation, the Hell Sect will be designated as terrorists, won't they?"
"It seems I'll have to withdraw from the Hell Sect for a while temporarily."
"After all, I'd rather not face the Five Great Powers' counter-terrorism task force."
As Enigma joked, a spider the size of a millstone slowly crawled onto the balcony and spoke impassively:
"Have you prepared the offerings, Greed?"
"All ready."
Enigma glanced at the silver-haired girl beside her with vacant eyes, then chuckled lightly:
"Though I must say, you've managed to shorten the ritual to under three minutes? That's quite efficient."
Hearing this, the Three-Eyed Spider replied calmly:
"Although we've temporarily suppressed the various forces in Akihabara through surprise, the Five Great Powers' strength still isn't something we can oppose."
"So all we can do is achieve our objective in the shortest possible time..."
As Three-Eyed Spider spoke, more millstone-sized spiders crawled up from the edges, lining up to form a black pentagram.
After the formation was complete, the numerous Three-Eyed Spiders melted into black-red liquid amidst painful wails, spreading across the balcony.
Having sacrificed numerous clones, Three-Eyed Spider remained expressionless as she coldly declared:
"Begin."
"The Flame Demon summoning ritual!"