Chapter 10: Demon, You Are a Demon
Just as before, Yumesaki felt no rush whatsoever. The pressure rested entirely on Asahi Tanaka's shoulders.
Now that he had lost possession of that paper, which was currently held by Yumesaki, his life could be snuffed out at any given moment.
Because of this reality, Yumesaki held all the cards.
After another long pause, Tanaka's voice returned over the line, "I am terribly sorry, but I cannot reveal that to you."
"Is that so?" Yumesaki let out a drawn-out sigh, his tone relaxed, "In that case, I must offer my apologies to you as well."
"Huh?" Tanaka stammered, caught off guard.
Yumesaki continued, "Because I have already begun writing your name. But don't worry, so far I have only written the first two characters, Tanaka. The final character has yet to be touched, so I can grant you exactly three minutes to think it over."
"Furthermore, I am currently brainstorming a suitable cause of death for you."
"What sort of demise do you think would suit you best? Being slaughtered by a Youkai, falling from a massive high-rise, or perhaps getting crushed by a speeding vehicle the moment you step out of your house?"
Asahi Tanaka felt a wave of profound dread wash over him. The hand gripping the phone shook uncontrollably. The mere act of visualizing those horrific scenarios left his entire body trembling with intense chills.
"You monster... you are a demon!" At this precise moment, Tanaka's mental fortitude shattered completely.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Yumesaki's gaze drifted down toward his own fingernails, inspecting them as though observing a delicate blossom. His tone grew increasingly casual, "To think you would call me a demon... I am truly flattered. It has been a very long time since anyone offered me such high praise."
"Moreover, let me remind you, you now have exactly one and a half minutes remaining."
"The cause of death has been officially decided."
"And the entire event will be recorded in vivid detail, before being uploaded across various internet platforms."
Overhearing this exchange from the side, Nakiri Senzaemon felt a sudden jolt of terror, the hairs on the back of his neck standing completely on end.
This method ensured the target would find absolutely no peace, even in death.
Taking a life was a simple matter, but this particular approach was excessively ruthless.
If he were to place himself in Asahi Tanaka's shoes, he would rather throw himself in front of a moving train immediately than endure that kind of public humiliation.
One had to at least leave a clean legacy behind in the world.
Without giving Tanaka any room to process the threat, Yumesaki's voice pressed onward, sounding like a haunting specter.
"You now have half a minute remaining."
"Hmm... we are down to fifteen seconds. Your name is only missing one final stroke."
"Ten seconds, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!"
"Oh? You still refuse to speak?"
Yumesaki expressed a hint of genuine surprise, given that even after the final second had ticked away, the man on the other end had offered no verbal response.
If it weren't for the heavy, labored breathing echoing clearly through the phone's speaker, Yumesaki might have assumed the man had passed out from sheer terror.
"I must say, I admire your resolve, Asahi Tanaka. Initially, I took you for a cowardly rat who only knew how to murder people from the shadows, but I never expected you to possess such a stubborn spine."
Yumesaki spoke with an air of absolute gravity, "Well then, I shall see you in the next life, Asahi Tanaka."
"Wait a minute!"
Right at that critical juncture, Tanaka let out a frantic, desperate shriek.
At this exact moment, absolute terror had completely torn through his heart and soul, destroying his resolve. "I will talk! I will talk! I will tell you everything! That paper was given to me by the leader of the Star Religious Group! He... he is the one who handed it over to me!"
The Star Religious Group?
Yumesaki's eyebrows arched in curiosity. Had he not watched Jujutsu Kaisen in his past life, he would have remained entirely clueless as to what kind of organization this was.
Within the lore of Jujutsu Kaisen, the Star Religious Group traced its origins back over a thousand years.
During that ancient era within the Japanese Jujutsu world, three great families arose. At the same time, an immortal sorceress named Master Tengen emerged, utilizing her barrier techniques to establish a protective shroud over the entire nation of Japan.
However, she was required to periodically utilize an ordinary human possessing a unique physical constitution—known as the Star Plasma Vessel—sacrificing their life to merge with her. This was necessary to maintain her human form; otherwise, she would undergo a forced evolution and transform into a mindless Cursed Spirit.
The ordinary humans who came to worship Tengen as a deity eventually established the Star Religious Group.
Later on, the organization was forcibly seized by the modern-day curse user, Suguru Geto.
Suguru Geto subsequently installed himself as the Leader of the Star Religious Group.
However, within the context of this specific world, Yumesaki wasn't entirely certain if the origins of the Star Religious Group had undergone some form of alteration.
After all, this world was an amalgamation where all manner of spirits, phantoms, and monsters ran rampant, and even major protagonists had already met their ends multiple times.
It was entirely reasonable to expect that the history of the Star Religious Group had shifted as well.
"The Star Religious Group?"
Upon hearing that specific title, Nakiri Senzaemon's expression couldn't help but turn remarkably solemn.
Yumesaki glanced over at him, inquiring, "Do you possess knowledge regarding this Star Religious Group?"
Nakiri Senzaemon nodded slowly, "The Star Religious Group boasts an incredibly lengthy history. According to ancient lore, its origins are intertwined with the legendary Onmyouji, Abe no Seimei, the very figure who penned the Senji Ryakketsu."
"During the absolute zenith of this sect's influence, they possessed enough leverage to sway the decisions of His Majesty, the Emperor himself."
"However, in later years, the organization was officially branded as a heretical cult by the authorities, prompting an unprecedented, widespread purge against its members."
"From that point onward, the Star Religious Group retreated from the public eye, operating entirely within the shadows."
"Throughout historical records, every single instance where the Star Religious Group resurfaced has invariably coincided with a period of massive upheaval."
"There are even persistent rumors suggesting that the tragic demise of Oda Nobunaga at the Honno-ji Incident was orchestrated behind the scenes by the Star Religious Group."
"Consequently, those who hold the reins of political power view the Star Religious Group as an absolute taboo. The moment any regime secures control over the nation, they immediately move to suppress the sect, leaving no trace behind."
"This continuous persecution has caused the growth of the Star Religious Group to suffer repeated, severe setbacks."
"It is only within these past few years that the Star Religious Group has begun to show clear signs of a modern resurgence."
Hearing this explanation, Yumesaki couldn't help but let out a quiet whistle of appreciation. The Star Religious Group within this Crossover World had indeed experienced a drastic transformation.
It held no connection to Tengen, but was instead linked directly to Abe no Seimei.
More importantly, why did the historical trajectory of this Star Religious Group bear such a striking resemblance to the clandestine activities of the White Lotus Sect?
Could this narrative be accurate?
Yumesaki spoke into the phone once more, addressing Asahi Tanaka, "So, you obtained that specific sheet of paper directly from the hands of the Star Religious Group?"
"Yes... that is absolutely correct."
"In that case, clarify this for me: how exactly did a man like you manage to acquire an artifact of this nature from them, and why would the Star Religious Group willingly hand over something so immensely powerful to your custody?"
Faced with Yumesaki's demanding pressure, Asahi Tanaka offered no further resistance. His psychological defensive line had been utterly demolished, leading him to abandon all pretenses of secrecy, spilling every detail regardless of its sensitive nature.
"I... I am actually a member of the Star Religious Group myself."
"Roughly ten years ago, during the period when I had just established Asahi Heavy Industries, I found myself constantly stressed over the future of the business. It was during that vulnerable time that an incredibly influential figure approached me, introducing me to a vast network of highly lucrative corporate ventures."
"As a direct result, Asahi Heavy Industries began to expand at an astronomical rate."
"However, our rapid growth inevitably began to infringe upon the established interests of several powerful factions, causing my company to face severe, continuous harassment from various underworld syndicates."
"It was then that this same influential individual introduced me to the Peace Society."
"With the enforcement capabilities of the Peace Society backing me up, my business operations instantly stabilized and fell into a smooth, highly profitable routine."
"Then, precisely three years ago, I accidentally stumbled upon the truth that this prominent figure was, in reality, a high-ranking member of the Star Religious Group."
"I was absolutely terrified at the time, but unfortunately, I had already reached a point where withdrawal was entirely impossible. My financial and personal ties to the Star Religious Group ran far too deep; that individual could have easily ended my life and ensured I left no grave behind with a mere flick of his finger."
"I had no choice but to remain completely submissive."
"In order to alleviate my anxiety and keep me compliant, that influential figure not only initiated me fully into the ranks of the Star Religious Group, but also bestowed that specific sheet of paper upon me."
Yumesaki turned his head to look at Nakiri Senzaemon. The elderly patriarch offered a firm nod, confirming that Asahi Heavy Industries had indeed experienced a sudden, meteoric rise in wealth a decade ago, establishing its president as a vulgar, unrefined nouveau riche.
Yumesaki pressed further with an intrigued tone, "Then tell me, who exactly is this influential figure you speak of?"
Asahi Tanaka lapsed into a sudden, rigid silence.
Yumesaki remarked with an amused tone, "At this stage of the game, don't tell me you suddenly intend to safeguard secrets for the opposing party? Do you honestly believe that the information you have already disclosed doesn't qualify as a complete betrayal of his trust?"
After a long, agonizing pause, Tanaka's trembling voice vibrated through the speaker, "No... it is not that... I simply... I am physically incapable of pronouncing that influential figure's name."
Yumesaki's eyebrows shot up as realization instantly dawned on him.
"Someone went ahead and placed a Binding Vow upon you, didn't they?"
"Yes..." Tanaka whispered weakly.
"Excellent. In that case, let us arrange a face-to-face meeting." Yumesaki finally revealed his true intentions, offering a calm, reassuring smile, "I shall personally come to your location and assist you in dismantling that Binding Vow, and in return, you will disclose every single detail to me."
Following another heavy bout of silence, Asahi Tanaka finally conceded, "Very well."
"Then inform me, where are you located at this exact moment?"
"I am currently in transit, making my way back to the corporate headquarters. I should arrive back inside my private office in approximately ten minutes."
"Perfect. In that case, I shall pay a visit to your corporate office in precisely ten minutes to seek you out."
With those final words, Yumesaki terminated the call, handing the phone back to Nakiri Senzaemon.
Nakiri Senzaemon extended his hand to retrieve the device, his voice laced with a deep sense of caution as he inquired, "Mr. Yumesaki, do you truly place your trust in the words he just uttered?"
Yumesaki offered a subtle, knowing smile and replied, "I do not believe a single syllable that came out of his mouth."
"You suspect he is actively spinning a lie?"
"It is of no consequence." Yumesaki sliced off a piece of steak, tossed it into his mouth, and began to chew contentedly, "Regardless of whether he is fabricating a falsehood or speaking the absolute truth, the moment we stand face-to-face, I possess the means to extract every shred of hidden information from his mind."
"Is there no concern on your part, Mr. Yumesaki, that he might be orchestrating a dangerous trap for you?"
Nakiri Senzaemon couldn't help but feel that Yumesaki was displaying an excessive amount of self-assurance.
If that man, Asahi Tanaka, had truly aligned himself with an entity like the Star Religious Group, this entire situation could quickly escalate into an incredibly severe crisis.
The Star Religious Group was by no means an opponent to be taken lightly.
An organization that had managed to survive with such resilience despite facing continuous, brutal suppression and systematic purges by the ruling authorities possessed an unfathomable depth of power. No one truly knew the full extent of their capabilities, but one could easily deduce that they were a massive leviathan lurking deep beneath the surface of society.
Stepping forward with such absolute certainty... could it truly be completely safe?
"Mm, there is no need for concern."
At that exact moment, Nero, who had been thoroughly enjoying her exquisite meal, let out a proud yet entirely elegant laugh. "No matter how formidable the adversaries my Master faces might be, the very instant I take the field, any potential problem will vanish into thin air."
She deftly maneuvered the knife and fork within her hands, executing a series of precise, sweeping cuts that divided the steak before her into perfectly uniform portions, demonstrating an exceptionally high level of blade mastery.
Yumesaki smiled warmly, reaching over to gently pat Nero on the head as he spoke, "Thank you, Nero. But on this particular occasion, everything is well within hand."
"I am entirely capable of handling this matter on my own."
The Yumesaki of today was no longer the helpless individual who had first experienced transmigration without a single scrap of power to his name.
The current version of himself had successfully integrated the abilities of multiple Devil Fruits within a single vessel, alongside undergoing the physical enhancement of the Superhuman Serum. His overall combat capability had undergone a staggering, revolutionary advancement.
A mere corporate executive like Asahi Tanaka amounted to absolutely nothing in his eyes.
Even if there truly was some sort of elaborate trap laid out awaiting his arrival, it would utterly fail to restrain him. This was the foundation of Yumesaki's genuine, unwavering confidence.
Nero understood this reality perfectly well.
After all, even her own signature technique, Thrice Setting Sun, had been successfully replicated by Yumesaki. When it came to his personal safety, there was absolutely no reason to harbor any anxiety whatsoever.
"The time has come. It is about time for me to make my departure."
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