Morpheus was certain that the biochemical virus in this world hadn't reached such a terrifying level.
It couldn't possibly infect an entire universe.
But he wouldn't underestimate it either. After all, even Onmyoryoji, exorcists, and youkai—supernatural beings—could be infected. That was, frankly, a bit unbelievable.
Clearly, this wasn't an ordinary biochemical virus.
He had underestimated this chaotic, messed-up world.
The fact that it could produce such a virus was, indeed, hard to imagine.
But on second thought, in a world this chaotic, the emergence of such a virus didn't seem all that strange.
Who knew what kind of materials these viruses were made from?
Morpheus asked again, "Miko, in the future you saw, aside from Japan, did any other parts of the world experience a similar crisis?"
Miko shook her head. "No."
"Only Japan?"
"Yes."
Morpheus keenly sensed something off. Only Japan was affected, and nowhere else in the world.
No matter how you looked at it, that was downright bizarre.
Could it be that some organization or mastermind was using Japan as a testing ground?
If that were true, who could this organization or mastermind be?
The first suspect that popped into Morpheus's mind was the infamous… Umbrella Corporation.
There was no helping it—in the realm of biochemical crises, this company was the absolute expert.
And, conveniently, they had a branch office right in Tokyo.
The fact that the biochemical crisis first erupted in Tokonosu City, so close to Tokyo, was far too coincidental.
Perhaps he should pay a visit to that branch office.
Morpheus's eyes flickered as he made his decision.
"Alright, I've got the gist of it."
With a wave of his hand, Morpheus reassured Miko and Hana. "It's just a minor incident. You two head back. I'll take care of this little matter."
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
At Totsuki Academy.
Erina was in her kitchen, preparing a fish.
Suddenly, Hisako entered from outside.
"Miss."
"You're just in time, Hisako. I'm planning to make pan-seared tender fish for Lord Morpheus tonight. Come help me out," Erina said without looking up.
Hisako didn't move immediately. Instead, she said, "Miss, there's a girl named Saeko Busujima outside Totsuki Academy who wants to see you."
"See me?" Erina looked up, her expression indifferent. "I've never heard of this Saeko Busujima. She's not another third-rate chef thinking they can impress me with their cooking, is she?"
"No meeting."
She was busy preparing dinner for Morpheus. Where would she find time to meet some irrelevant person?
Hisako hesitated before saying, "Miss, this Saeko Busujima doesn't seem to be a chef. She's the heir to a kendo dojo."
"Huh?" Erina paused her work. What would the heir of a kendo dojo, someone completely unrelated to her, want with her?
If it were the heir of a restaurant or diner, that might make sense.
But a kendo dojo heir looking for a chef like her?
Was she supposed to cook for their dojo or something?
That didn't seem right.
At that moment, Hisako continued, "Miss, this Saeko Busujima is unusual. She seems to know your secret."
"Secret? What secret?" Erina asked.
Hisako replied, "She knows about Gourmet Cells."
Erina froze.
Only three people knew about Gourmet Cells: herself, Hisako, and Morpheus.
Morpheus knew because of his unique identity.
Hisako knew because Erina had told her personally.
So how did this Saeko, someone completely unconnected to her, know about this?
Had she also entered the Gourmet World?
But Erina didn't recall seeing this woman there.
Her curiosity piqued, Erina didn't stop her work but said to Hisako, "Let her in. I want to see who this Saeko Busujima really is."
Hisako nodded and left the kitchen.
Shortly after, she returned with a spirited young woman.
Erina glanced at the girl. On the surface, she looked like a perfect Yamato Nadeshiko.
She didn't seem like the heir to a kendo dojo at all.
Her figure was top-notch, arguably even surpassing Erina's.
Erina's figure was already exceptional among her peers, yet Saeko's seemed to edge hers out slightly.
It was almost unthinkable.
But when Erina met Saeko's gaze, she was startled by the piercing intensity in her eyes.
Saeko's gaze was like an unsheathed blade, razor-sharp, capable of slicing someone in half if they weren't careful.
Erina could hardly believe that a woman who looked like a Yamato Nadeshiko could have such a cutting gaze.
In that moment, her interest in this Saeko skyrocketed.
"Saeko, right? Tell me, how do you know about Gourmet Cells?"
Hearing Erina's question, Saeko took a deep breath and said slowly, "If I told you that you were the one who told me about Gourmet Cells, would you believe me?"
"Huh?"
Erina couldn't help but give a "Are you kidding me?" look. "What nonsense are you talking about? We've never met, and I don't know you. How could I possibly tell you something like that?"
Saeko's lips curled into a smile, shattering her Yamato Nadeshiko image.
From a gentle woman, she transformed into a death-dealing shura.
"I'm not lying, Commander."
"You did tell me about Gourmet Cells."
"But not now—in a future where lives are as cheap as ants, and devils and zombies run rampant!!!"
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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