Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week-Chapter 428 - 426: The Evil of the Human Heart Far Exceeds that of Monsters_1

「Evening.」

The western room in the corner on the second floor of the Tsuhara Research Institute was brightly lit.

Jelle was organizing the information collected by the Department of Intelligence. He had been transferred to this research institute on Thursday of this week. It was already Saturday, so he had to compile all the information gathered during the day into one file. Then, he would use the CIA’s internal network channels to send it to Jack’s email.

Following the President’s mention of the Different World, information about it was no longer solely handled by the Special Intelligence Investigation Department. It had become the work of the entire Japan branch. The Department of Intelligence had also received the relevant authorization, permitting them to collect and review those reports. Jelle had access to all information regarding Dio. After all, the KGB was aware, so there was no reason to keep their own high-ranking officials in the dark. Of course, this was limited to him; staff below the director level still lacked the authority to know such secrets.

Jelle wasn’t clear about the situation in other countries. Those matters were beyond his authority. He only knew of several incidents in Japan involving Low-Level Demons causing trouble.

For instance, there was Chainsaw Mary, classified by the CIA as a legendary monster. This entity would constantly call the victim before the killing, reporting its own itinerary. Where did the phone come from? Why did it know the victim’s number? No one knew. The victims ranged from leaders of extreme feminist and animal rights groups to fraudsters, totaling six deaths so far. The perpetrator had yet to be caught. The entity’s itinerary remained unknown, though call records revealed a number had been used. However, the CIA could find no records for that phone number.

There was also the Heart-eating Demon, judged to be a standard biological monster. It possessed the ability to camouflage like a chameleon, blending its skin with walls and telephone poles, making it indistinguishable from its surroundings. According to eyewitnesses, the Heart-eating Demon was short, less than a meter tall, with powerful claws capable of easily tearing out a person’s heart. Its primary targets were those who coerced others. Whether men or women, their hearts would be gouged out; its methods and motives remained unclear.

The frequency of these monsters appearing in Tokyo and other places was gradually increasing. Moreover, their chosen victims seemed to be specifically targeted. Many speculations existed, with two being the most credible. One was that higher-level demons were controlling these monsters. The other, proposed by Jack, was that Dio was orchestrating these events, bringing monsters from the Different World into reality to accelerate his harvesting of wicked souls, as all the victims were evildoers. This latter speculation was widely accepted among the upper echelons, though some still clung to the former, hoping to find new Angel Envoys to counterbalance Dio.

Jelle finished organizing his files, clicked his index finger to send the email, and heaved a heavy sigh. He wasn’t particularly worried about the affairs of the Different World, be it Angel Envoys or monsters. All the CIA could do was observe or capture Low-Level Demons for research.

Now, what worried Jelle more was the CIA itself. Less than a month after Director John had left, that fellow Jack was already eager to eliminate dissidents. He had fabricated issues to trouble Jelle, even transferring him to this research institute. His malicious intent forced Jelle to be wary of him using dirty tricks to strip him of his position as Director of Intelligence.

The evil in human hearts is far more lethal than demons or Angel Envoys. Jelle mused. Ever since joining the CIA sub-bureau, he had trodden carefully, as if on thin ice, yet his position was still coveted.

KNOCK, KNOCK. Someone rapped at the door. Jelle quickly drew the gun at his waist and asked warily, "Who is it?"

"Director Jelle, it’s me." Hearing a subordinate’s voice, Jelle relaxed slightly but still moved to the side of the door before saying, "Mary, come in."

The door opened, and a young, blond man stepped in, smiling. "Director Jelle, the drone hasn’t detected any abnormalities in the vicinity. Please rest assured."

"Mary, drones can be hijacked," Jelle said, his expression stern. "I’ve taught you that while drones are useful, you can’t rely on them too much. You must witness things with your own eyes. Go patrol the perimeter." He believed Jack’s unwarranted transfer to the research institute wasn’t without ulterior motives; Jack definitely intended to catch him in a dereliction of duty. Regrettably, Jelle couldn’t complain to Director John about Jack. He had to bide his time, gather evidence, and then turn the tables.

"You’re right, sir. I’ll inspect the perimeter immediately." Mary bowed.

Jelle was pleased with his humble attitude and nodded. "Go ahead."

"Yes, sir." Mary exited the room, closed the door, and turned to face the empty corridor, bathed in stark white light from above. Outside the window, the night was dim. A faint smile touched the corners of Mary’s lips, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Jelle isn’t the one intentionally concealing information. This is the perennial arrogance of high-ranking officials, believing their lofty positions grant them complete control over their subordinates, forgetting that ambition isn’t exclusive to department directors. There’s also me, the Assistant Director.

If Mary could help the Director get promoted during a crisis, he could transition from Assistant Director to Director of Intelligence. His power was entirely based on manipulating people’s desires. By speaking ambiguously, he allowed subordinates to interpret his suggestions as the Director’s ideas. Naturally, those eager for promotion would side with him, collectively working to place the Director in the sub-bureau chief’s seat. However, his original plan hadn’t included provoking conflict between the Director and the sub-bureau chief. Everything was supposed to proceed quietly. He didn’t know why, but ’that person’ had suddenly turned his attention to the six major conglomerates and found their discrepancies.

Jack is indeed formidable to be considered for sub-bureau chief. But I’m not worried. If necessary, I can establish certain ’understandings’ with the KGB—not traditional contact, but a tacit agreement, leaking some intelligence to gauge their reactions and gain their support. We’re all intelligent people; some things are best left unsaid.

Mulling over his next move, Mary walked out of the research institute. The moment he opened the door, the night air felt exceptionally fresh. The air in the mountains was distinctly different from the city.

Mary took two steps forward and suddenly realized something was wrong. It was too quiet, unnervingly so, as if no living soul was nearby.

His heart lurched. He spun around, seeking cover, but his vision blurred. Nausea welled up, and he crumpled to his knees. Poison gas? The thought seared his mind. He was horrified. The use of poison gas was strictly regulated. Is that bastard Jack actually resorting to this? There are two platoons of U.S. Army soldiers here!

He struggled to lift his head but collapsed. Years of painstaking effort to climb the ladder could be undone in seconds by poison gas. Mary lost consciousness.

「...」

Kajiyama Arisa wore a gas mask, her hands trembling slightly. She had never killed before. Now, in her first act of killing, she had taken the lives of two U.S. Army platoons and nine colleagues from the underground level.

She felt deeply conflicted. Was this truly worth it? she repeatedly asked herself. But then she recalled the inhumane treatment No. 9 had recently endured. How could they treat No. 9 like a lab rat?

Those researchers had forcibly grafted Cyclops monster cells onto the clever, gentle, and sensible No. 9. They had modified his limbs and administered increased doses of Superhuman Potion X. While he howled in agony from the rejection, the researchers calmly discussed and documented his reactions.

Kajiyama Arisa’s turmoil gradually subsided. Those weren’t people; they were demons. Killing them doesn’t matter. She steeled her resolve. I must save No. 9. It’s my responsibility.

Kajiyama Arisa walked to No. 9’s laboratory door and entered the password and her fingerprint. Since she was on duty tonight, opening his door wouldn’t trigger any alarms.

Inside the brightly lit, sparse laboratory, painful moans echoed. A white blanket covered a figure huddled in the corner, resembling a frightened child alone at home.

A pang of heartache struck Kajiyama Arisa. Never before had she met anyone like No. 9—someone willing to listen to all her troubles, to every word she said, and to support her unconditionally. He’s better than my father and mother, she thought. He’s the only one in the world, my family, who truly understands me. Even if voicing such thoughts would invite ridicule, Kajiyama Arisa firmly believed No. 9 was incomparably precious to her.

"No. 9, are you alright?" she asked. "I have some highly effective painkillers here. Take one quickly."

No. 9 turned his head. His forehead was slick with sweat, but his clear, lake-blue eyes held no trace of resentment. "No," he said softly. "If I do, you’ll be scolded by them."

"It’s okay. I’ve already neutralized the U.S. Army soldiers outside and those demons downstairs with research-grade chemical gas. Take the painkiller, then put on this gas mask. We can escape the research institute and find a secluded place to live together, just the two of us, relying on each other." Kajiyama Arisa pictured the scene. Usually, I don’t understand what love feels like, but now, I think I’m beginning to.

"Really? That sounds wonderful," No. 9 said, his voice gentle. "I hope I can always be with you too." He took the painkiller she offered, tossed it into his mouth, accepted the water she handed him, and gulped it down.

The painkiller wouldn’t work instantly. He waited a moment until the throbbing in his arm gradually subsided. It seemed to be better. No. 9 stood up and pulled Kajiyama Arisa into an embrace.

The sudden hug made Kajiyama Arisa’s heart flutter, and a blush crept up her cheeks. Her heart pounded. Don’t be like this! she thought, even as her arms instinctively tightened around him.

"Yuza, I love you," No. 9 whispered tenderly in her ear. Then, in the peak of her happiness, he swiftly twisted her neck and pulled off her gas mask.

Gazing at the blissful smile frozen on her face, No. 9 bent down and kissed her lips. "Yuza," he murmured, "I really do like you. It’s just a pity... I want to see the world outside. I can’t fulfill your dream of a secluded life together. But at least you can depart this world holding onto that beautiful wish, happily."