Top 40 - Extra
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Immediately, the curse inscription crawled over Miko's body.
Knock, knock, knock.
Car doors slammed outside, and the knocking followed.
Touko stepped forward and opened the door.
"You are…?"
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Yotsuya. We're from the Exorcism Society, here for Miss Yotsuya Miko."
"Here are our credentials."
The visitor was Kishida Itsuki, official ID in hand.
"You're looking for Akuto-kun, I suppose—please come in."
"Akuto-kun…?" Kishida frowned, puzzled that Mrs. Yotsuya would call her daughter Miko by a boy's nickname.
It was clearly a male form of address.
They had already confirmed that Akuto was a fake name.
Still, Kishida didn't expose the fact.
"Sorry to intrude."
They sat in the living-room; Touko served tea.
Akuto sat at one end of the sofa, phone in arms, paying them no heed.
Just as Kishida opened his mouth, Akuto's icy voice cut in.
"You have three sentences to explain why you're in my house."
"Miss Miko, we mean no harm."
"One."
Akuto counted, unhurried.
"We apologize for the unannounced visit; we tried calling, but your phone was unreachable."
"Two."
Akuto's scarlet eyes locked on Kishida; his Cursed Technique was ready to activate.
Cold sweat the size of beans rolled down Kishida's forehead—he'd seen that silent, devastating slash before.
"We represent the Exorcism Society. We'd like you to join, and we've brought the reward for eliminating the Card Society."
He squeezed his eyes shut after spitting it out.
The expected attack never came.
Kishida cracked his eyes open to find Akuto studying him with amusement.
Letting out a quiet breath, Kishida inhaled again:
"What do you say?"
"What's in it for me if I join?"
Kishida paused briefly.
"Plenty. An Exorcism Society license is equivalent to a Police Station badge—technically superior."
"You'll gain access to classified case files and can accept exorcism commissions for fees."
"Plus you can buy cursed-energy items—like this sword."
He gently stroked the blade at his waist:
"A katana passed down from an Edo-period daimyo, nicknamed 'Youtou Kiri-maru'; it can wound Cursed Spirits."
"The organization has many such artifacts."
Akuto cared nothing for trinkets.
What interested him was the archive access.
It might hold clues about the finger.
Even if not, he could post bounties for others to search.
"What rank will you give me? There must be ranks—spirits vary in strength."
He had no intention of grinding levels or becoming anyone's dog; if the rank was too low they could drop dead.
"S-class."
Kishida's face shone with awe.
"Only four S-class psychics exist nationwide; you'd be the fifth."
Akuto gave a slight nod—acceptable.
"Fine, I accept."
"But I only do what I feel like. This isn't negotiable—it's a warning."
Kishida's mental boulder finally rolled away.
"No problem. Please download the Society's app."
Following the instructions, Akuto registered.
Within five minutes his account was approved.
A golden capital "S" blinked beside his name.
"This is the reward for wiping out the Card Society—an S-level mission: five hundred million yen."
"Since you lacked an account, we prepared an anonymous bank card."
"Future payments will go straight to your in-app wallet."
"I'll take my leave."
After Kishida left, Akuto glanced at the card on the table.
Honestly, five hundred million was nothing special.
Tokyo real estate was insane; in prime Shibuya, decent places cost fifty million… per square metre.
So five billion bought you roughly ten square metres in Shibuya—enough for a toilet.
In Japan, the ultra-rich lived in mansions—high-rise flats with full amenities, hence the sky-high prices.
Just then the door was knocked again.
Touko opened it to find a stern, imposing middle-aged man.
"Is this the Yotsuya residence?"
"Yes. May I ask—"
The man's face broke into a smile.
"I seek Lord Akuto. Please accept my humble visit and this gift."
Touko eyed the offerings: top-grade Hokkaido dried scallops, a wagyu gift set, and a cluster of muscat grapes—all premium.
Their value went without saying.
"This… this is too much."
"It's to thank Lord Akuto for saving my son—please accept; otherwise I'll remain uneasy."
Touko relented and led him to the living room.
"Lord Akuto."
The man bowed a perfect ninety degrees.
Akuto glanced up—Tozuka?
"Any results from what I asked you to look up?"
Tozuka's face stiffened. "The item is ancient; the files are scattered—my people are still searching."
"I'm here for another matter."
"Please sit; let's talk."
Touko poured more tea, feeling like a maidservant—though if pouring tea earned hundreds of millions, she'd gladly keep pouring.
"Thank you, madam."
Once seated, Tozuka pulled a document from his briefcase and slid it over.
"Besides my auction house, I invest in property."
"This is a luxury condo in central Shibuya—260 m², four beds, two living, one dining, all en-suite."
"One living room's been turned into an entertainment lounge."
"It's on the twelfth floor, overlooking Shibuya with excellent transport links."
He nudged the papers closer, "Please accept it."
The lavish description left Touko—and even Miko—dumbfounded.
Shibuya, a 260-m² condo… that had to be worth hundreds of billions.
And he was giving it away?
"Sir, this is far too valuable—please take it back."
Touko's face was grave; she knew nothing came free.
A gift this staggering meant mortal danger lay ahead—why else offer trillions of yen?
"It's my sincerity—please."
Tozuka looked Akuto straight in the eye without a hint of pretence.
"Akuto-kun, you…"
"Accept it, Touko."
Akuto yawned.
"You can go. Report back when you find the item."
Overjoyed, Tozuka sprang up and practically fled, thanking them repeatedly.
"Akuto-kun, that was reckless."
"The rich aren't fools—they always want something."
Touko watched Akuto, worried.
"Too noisy."
"Why do I have to keep living in this cramped place? A servant should do servant work."
Akuto had already guessed: Yaeko must have told Tozuka about spirits, so the man now believed.
Hence the apartment—he wanted Akuto as a neighbour.
If the sky fell, Akuto would hold it up.
And would Tozuka really lose money on the deal?
Unlikely.
Property values around one of only five S-class psychics in the country were bound to soar.
Tripling in price would still draw takers.
"Tozuka's one shrewd businessman."