"Ah, I'm starting to get a little hungry. I can suppress it, but that's not a permanent solution."
I spread newspaper on top of a streetlight in the park and looked out over the city, my legs dangling. Newspaper is an essential item for exploration, so I always make sure to pack a morning edition in my backpack. It's warm when you wrap yourself in it, and since the streetlight is covered in bird droppings, the newspaper lets me sit here without any problems.
I had some trouble with this on my first day, so I started bringing newspaper from then on. By the way, I did consider the option to "remove the bird droppings" when I first saw them, but my partner beat me to the thought with a firm "No way." It's both heartwarming and a little sad how well my partner understands me.
Anyway, four days have passed since I started this mission. I thought finding someone in just one day might be impossible, but searching for someone who doesn't seem to belong to any particular group has proven difficult. Church-related people, on the other hand, were easy to spot—they dressed like priests and nuns, and there were even a few women in white cloaks. Their outfits reminded me of Xenovia and the others' revealing battle attire from the original work, and I couldn't help but look away.
Just to be safe, I approached them while preparing to escape at any moment, but they didn't notice my presence. Thanks to that, I learned various things about the investigation's progress at the port. It seems girls can't help but chat when they gather together, whether in the open or in secret. However, my partner in charge of concealment said he'd been working all night, which made me feel guilty.
"This 'erase presence' ability really is like an assassin's skill. Convenient, but..."
Incidentally, this "erase presence" ability isn't strictly just erasing my presence. At first, it worked like that, but when I was walking down the street, a dog barked at me. When I tried to approach an animal, it noticed me immediately. Even though I'd erased my presence and form, the result was the same.
I tried to figure out the cause and concluded it was due to their heightened senses. No matter how much I erased my presence, they could still detect my footsteps, scent, or body heat if they were insects. It was a blind spot I hadn't considered. Stray devils have keen senses of smell and hearing—there might be other factors that could alert them as well.
I agonized over this at first. If I had to eliminate even my footsteps and scent, I wouldn't be able to use my three elimination slots anymore. After much deliberation, I came up with a brute-force strategy: "I just need to set it up so everything is eliminated." By redefining the concept of 'presence' as "all elements that allow the opponent to detect my existence," the animals no longer paid any attention to me.
Once again, I was amazed by the power of this sacred gear.
Additionally, through my assassin-style information gathering, I learned various things. The stray devil had been stopped by my brute force, and human bloodstains were found in the ruins of the warehouse where it had been hiding, confirming it as the cause of the recent disappearances. Dealing with the families of the missing persons and the media in that area was quite challenging, and while there were no leads on the culprit, there was also plenty of useful information, so the first three days weren't wasted. I also understand why they felt like sighing deeply. I'm truly sorry.
As for the fact that I, in a way, took the life of a stray devil, I was surprised, but that was all. Partly because I didn't do it directly, but I feel more anger than guilt toward him. Even if he was once human, he did something unforgivable. I don't intend to suppress my resistance to taking a life, but I will at least hold myself accountable. I defeated him, and I won't regret it.
"There were a few people who seemed to be related to devils last night. I don't really understand fallen angels, but at least there weren't any people walking around in bondage gear."
Whether they were devils or not, seeing them moving forward in the darkness of night without any light, even someone with poor night vision would understand. There were also a few devils with wings spread out, flying through the sky. They didn't seem to notice me, so I was confident my concealment had some connection to the three major factions.
I didn't know who the higher-ups were, so I didn't approach anyone who looked important. They were careful not to be seen by ordinary people, but they moved with confidence and stood out. On the other hand, people who didn't seem to belong to any group—perhaps because they were individuals without the backing of an organization like the church or the devils—seemed to move cautiously. Come to think of it, at night, when public eyes are gone, the three major factions become active. So it's only natural I shouldn't get too close.
"So it's possible they're conducting their investigations during the day, blending in with the crowd. If you want to hide a tree, hide it in the forest. Tomorrow's a day off, so I'll check out the back alleys and look for suspicious people."
I landed softly, avoiding the light, and made sure to throw the newspaper I'd used into the trash. Environmental protection is important.
As I was about to head home, I noticed someone sleeping on a bench in the distance. Sleeping in a park at night like this? I couldn't help but feel exasperated. With the missing person case and the unexplained port incident that just happened, this place should be safer than anywhere else right now.
I couldn't see their face because they were facing away from me, but judging by their height and build, they were probably an older man with black hair. His chest was rising and falling regularly, so he probably wasn't sick. Actually, looking closer, he was wearing a yukata. It was near the port, and the wind was cold enough to make him shiver. He'd definitely catch a cold. It wasn't winter, so he probably wouldn't freeze to death, but I couldn't help wondering if he was okay. Still, leaving him there and going home felt wrong. Should I at least wake him up? But I'm just a kid, and I didn't want to get involved...
I thought about it for a few seconds.
"Hello? Police? Sorry, there's a drunk person sleeping in a yukata in the park... Yes, it's definitely a yukata. I'm a little worried, so could you wake him up? Yes, I'll go home right away. It's been scary lately. Thank you for your concern."
I lowered my voice and hung up the public phone. Alright, let's go home. I don't really care, but I wish it had been a girl in a yukata. In the original story, there was an old man wearing a yukata... Thinking that, I stopped for a moment. No, that's impossible. I already called the police, and there's no way the top fallen angel is sleeping here. Azazel is a cool, slightly roguish old man. Yeah, so I didn't do anything wrong.
Well, I'm glad I didn't leave a good citizen out in the cold. I headed straight home.
"Huh, I thought it would be a bar or something, but it's a pretty solid building."
Luckily, my guess was right. I kept watch on the alley leading to the port, and a suspicious-looking man with a hood appeared. However, for some reason, even though I could see him, he kept slipping from my consciousness, leading me to suspect he was using some kind of technique. I switched from "Invisibility" to "Cancel the Technique Being Used on Me" and finally managed to get a clear look at the man. This sacred gear is way too convenient.
It seemed like some kind of technique designed to prevent others from focusing their awareness on him. No one else on the street was looking at the hooded figure. Even when someone glanced in his direction, their gaze was easily diverted. It's understandable that anyone would look at a suspicious hooded man like that.
It seems the sacred gear can nullify the effects of this kind of technique on me. Although his presence was concealed, I began moving cautiously, following the man. But how did he perform that technique earlier? If it was demonic power, he might be a devil, but he could also be a magician. Magic isn't supposed to be exclusive to non-human beings.
He's active during the day, so I think he's human, but I don't have any proof yet, so I'd better not do anything rash. But I don't think it was a particularly strong spell. If I follow him with purpose and focus, I think I can track him. When he disappeared, I didn't feel any strain on myself. For now, I'll put aside the things I can't figure out and observe his actions, looking for clues to his identity.
Thus, I found myself observing his mundane activities: lurking around the port area from a distance, hiding to gather rumors from local residents. From this, I concluded he might be an information broker. However, I didn't think he was a spellcaster or non-human. If he were non-human, he wouldn't bother with such tedious methods. If he could use magic, he'd gather information more efficiently.
Therefore, I decided to continue observing his work and tail him to the end. It would also be good practice for information gathering. Finally, after what seemed like an endless task, he stretched and removed his hood in a public restroom, then tried to board the train. I hurriedly followed him, but what should I do? It was rush hour. By the way, I'd already deactivated the "Spell Canceler" and switched to "Invisibility." The moment he removed his hood, the spell he'd cast on the outside world disappeared. What a convenient tool. I want one too.
After following him from the distant station where I'd gotten off for the first time, I finally saw the building he was heading toward. It looked like an ordinary office building. The possibility that the information broker might be an office worker made my cheek twitch. Additionally, it seemed like the entire building was under the same effect as the hood the information broker had been wearing.
Anyway, as soon as he opened the automatic door at the entrance, I quickly slipped inside and moved to the side. Inside looked like an entrance area with a few people, but no one seemed to notice me. However, it seemed my worries were unfounded. The people inside were clearly not office workers.
The information broker was talking at what looked like a reception desk, so I carefully observed the interior. The place wasn't very large. There was someone who looked like an employee at the reception desk, and a man leaning a large sword against the waiting chairs. The person over there seemed to be casually cleaning a handgun. If I were seen, I would definitely be violating firearms laws. It seemed different from what I'd imagined, but this was the place I was looking for.
I silently thanked the old man who had guided me here and spent the remaining time observing the people coming and going. Hiding behind a potted plant at the entrance, I watched the people entering and their behavior. Though it was a world I'd never seen before, it never grew boring. Mentally, I found myself wanting a cardboard box.
There were people who looked like bounty hunters or informants, others with suspicious faces, and even some timid-looking individuals caressing the blades of swords sheathed at their sides. Though the crowd wasn't large, it felt dense with interesting characters. I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding at the thought of potentially interacting with these people in the future.
For now, I'll observe this place and gather information. If it seems safe, I'll devise a plan to establish contact here securely. No matter how hard I try, I'm just a kid with no experience. It's only natural that people would find me suspicious, and I don't mind being underestimated, but I can't afford to be taken advantage of just because I'm new to this underworld business.
I know it myself, but I wish there was a way to change this cowardly side of me. I want to change, but... I don't think I can. As if in response to my thoughts, I felt a sense of affirmation from my partner. I felt like crying.
Before I knew it, three months had passed. At first, I snuck into the gathering of pseudo-freelancers at the company, but now I walk in through the front door with confidence.
"Ah, Master. Good evening."
"Hmm, oh, Shou. How's the information gathering going? Information gathering doesn't happen overnight. You have to keep your feet on the ground, look closely at every corner, and listen carefully to every detail. That's what's important."
"Yes, I always learn a lot from you."
I'm the type who avoids unnecessary conflicts, so I try to keep a low profile and be considerate of others. In simple terms, I just try to go along with what the other person is saying and avoid causing them discomfort. Of course, if I'm treated unfairly, I make sure to speak up, as things can escalate if I don't. From my past life, I know the importance of respecting those above me, and I also know that being favored by superiors can bring many advantages. Yeah, typical Japanese thinking, I guess.
By the way, I only treat people this way if I think they're worth it. There are plenty of intense people in the freelance world, and some of them probably think my attitude is weak and don't like me. I can't possibly get along with everyone. I don't want to grovel to such people, and I don't want them picking on me either. That's why I only come here when there are people who are either friendly toward me or indifferent.
"Still, you're really lucky. Just a moment ago, 'Great Sword' was here, and he got so worked up because his target escaped. It was quite a mess."
"Wow, really? That was close!"
By the way, I knew what was happening inside because I'd been spying on them with my sacred gear, so I avoided trouble by spending an hour browsing at a nearby used bookstore.
Anyway, the guy in the hoodie who'd been gathering information steadily was the one who told me about this place. He became my mentor in information gathering. Since then, I've been investigating this place for days, gathering information about the people who work here and the jobs available. As a result, I confirmed that this is a freelance job agency with established rules and order. I made up my mind to join.
The person I had my eye on to get inside was the man I'd been tailing back then. Since he was the first person I encountered, I naturally found myself watching him often, and thanks to the rumors I heard, I quickly got a sense of his character and personality. The method I came up with to get inside was to get an introduction from someone who works here. If a kid suddenly shows up at this place saying they want to work, they'd definitely raise suspicions at first.
I could use the information I'd secretly gathered to pressure him, but I'm the type who prefers to build bridges before crossing them. If I feel even the slightest unease, I'd rather take the longer, safer route, even if it means more effort. While I can use the sacred gear to gather information, there are still many unwritten rules in the underworld that can only be understood through actual experience. I figured it would be better to learn the ropes from a professional, so I wanted an introduction or a temporary guardian—a mentor.
The person who seemed to fit my conditions happened to be my master. He's been working in this world for a long time and takes pride in his work. His information-gathering skills are nothing special, but he has enough ability to survive in the underworld for so long. He also values trust in information and has a reliable personality that always repays favors. His tendency to talk too much is a flaw, but it's true that I learned a lot from him, so I made sure to take notes on important points.
"Still, it's been three months since you joined us. I was really surprised when a kid like you came to me saying you wanted to be an information broker."
"Master, you really took me in as your disciple, didn't you?"
"Hmph, your personality, the meticulously prepared information as a gift—that alone showed me your true intentions. The fact that you could investigate my background and bring me the information I wanted as a gift proved your ability. I've seen fools who underestimated children and lost their lives. I considered the possibility of lies, but I've been doing this long enough to know. Despite your age, your emotions were easy to read. You tried to look calm, but I'm sure you were panicking inside, weren't you?"
"You're right."
As expected of my master. He saw right through my shallow cunning. I decided it would be better to negotiate directly with him rather than trying to trick him. Furthermore, since I was asking him for a favor, I made sure to prepare a gift. The gift was information about the port he was looking for. Of course, I only told him what I'd heard from the girls in white robes.
Since he was investigating the incident, I gave him what I thought he wanted most. In exchange, I asked him to arrange for me to get a ticket into the underworld. He asked me various questions, and I answered what I could. In the end, he agreed to take me as his disciple. I was so surprised I couldn't hide it, but my master said mercilessly, "You can't do this on your own."
Three months have passed, and I now understand what he meant. Without my master, there would have been several incidents where I would have caused trouble.
By the way, Shou is my alias. Using your real name apparently means you're either extremely confident, have powerful connections, or are an idiot. When I was thinking of a name, I considered borrowing one from my sacred gear, but I found those names too cool to use, so I just took one from the word for "disappearance" (shoushitsu).
Even when I met my master, I was disguised, but he just dismissed me with, "Your disguise is terrible." Now it's loose, but I'm wearing my master's old robe. The hood that blocks perception has runic symbols on the inside of the fabric, so it was indeed a magical effect.
Apparently, it was created by a magician from the Magician's Association.
I never expected to hear the name of the mage organization from the original work here. Magic power is a privilege of devils, but I recall that Merlin, who appears in the Arthurian legends, analyzed demonic magic and developed magic that humans could use. Most of the humans who can use that magic belong to the organization led by Mephisto Pheles, who serves as a council member—one of the devils whose whereabouts are known in the human world outside of Kuoh Town. I think he was an old devil around the same age as the former Four Great Devil Kings. Well, I probably won't have anything to do with him.
Anyway, it seems magicians sell their works as a side job for research funding, and that's how they're being used behind the scenes. The effect is only to prevent ordinary people from noticing their faces, so it's probably fine to sell them for pocket money. I heard the name of the organization from the original work, but magicians, huh. I guess it's inevitable to be fascinated by the word "magic."
"So, what's your next job?"
"Things have calmed down at the port, so I'm thinking of going on a little trip to do some shopping. Keep next week open."
"Can we do it in a day? What about travel expenses?"
"Don't worry. I'm not going to make a penniless apprentice pay for it or keep you out late. It's just a little field experience."
Stop that smirking. For the past three months, I've been struggling to learn the rules here, so I haven't taken any requests. I did the minimum amount of information gathering, but I found out the port incident never reached my neighborhood, so I'm relieved. I think I heard something about the fallen angels getting into some kind of trouble with the police, but I'm probably just imagining things.
"Alright, let me teach you how to choose assignments today. If you get a weird one, you might end up taking a one-way trip to the afterlife."
"Yes, please do. Oh, I brought some Japanese sweets that you like as a thank-you gift. Please have some later."
"...You're really thoughtful. I'll take them."
Building rapport is important. Thanks to my past-life memories from simulation games and dating sims, I've got all the tips and tricks for raising people's favorability. Though, since there are few women here, my targets are mostly men.
In any case, my involvement in this other world had begun, step by step.
***
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