historical

Climbing the building that stood more than 50 meters was easy for Kai, who had fused with Ibaraki Douji. In just two big jumps against the railing, he had arrived at the top of the building.

It was no exaggeration that he felt strangely happy to be able to do that.

"It's a bit fun."

When he landed on the edge of the building, he made a small jump toward the roof and canceled his fusion. Black smoke leaked from his body, and Ibaraki appeared beside him from the accumulated smoke.

She smiled softly at him and nodded her head. Kai nodded back, then turned around to the center of the roof.

A white book with a golden rim was floating there, covered in a pale blue Spirit Power that belonged to the Alchemist. The book was similar to the one Alchemist had in hand, but with a reversed color.

The one Alchemist held had a black cover with a silver skull, while this book had a white cover with a black skull and two bones crossed each other like a Jolly Roger of a pirate group.

He didn't know what made them different, but he was sure of one thing.

"Is that thing the one that fueled this whole barrier?" It wasn't a question but a confirmation.

"Yes, Master. That thing leaked the Spirit Power that keeps the barrier up. Usually, Slayers use a Talisman, but they can replace it with anything that can keep a Spirit Power as long as the user is skillful enough. Of course, a Mythical being like me and you, Master, can create a barrier without using anything."

Ibaraki also confirmed it.

Destroying that thing would put this barrier down. But that book also looked somehow important, making him hesitate a bit.

"Is there a way to reserve the book instead of destroying it? That might be a clue to finding the Alchemist's goal."

Right. Besides the paper that he kept in his pocket after Ibaraki made sure there was nothing wrong with it, this book was the only clue he had about that mysterious Alchemist.

He felt like that strange man would show up again in front of him and create some trouble. If possible, he'd like to know more about Alchemist first so he could determine whether that man was his enemy or not.

Because from what the Alchemist had said, Kai noticed a few things. Such as the Alchemist belonged to a certain organization, and the strange man had met with Boogeyman's real body.

Maybe because he had fought the Boogeyman's fake body before, but he somehow was fixated on that Mythical creature. There was a force driving him to find the Boogeyman's real body.

"It is possible." Ibaraki looked at the book and raised her right hand. A black Spirit Power seeped out from her palm, covering her fist.

"I can destroy the Spirit Power around the book with mine. It will take a few seconds, but it is possible to preserve the book instead of destroying it."

"Oh! So it's possible!" Kai exclaimed happily. The more clues about the Alchemist, the better it was. "Then I am counting on you, Ibaraki."

"Yes, Master! Please wait here, as it will create a somewhat strong shockwave!" The Oni girl warned and walked toward the book. A confident look was plastered on her face as her disguise fell, exposing her red horns.

She skipped happily, being depended on by Kai.

'I am finally useful to Master! Hehehe.' She thought as she stopped in front of the floating book.

The Oni girl extended her hand and commanded her black Spirit Power to engulf the pale blue one. Her Spirit Power had unique properties.

If Amber's Spirit Power properties were fire, then she was something similar to destruction. As an Oni, a fighter race, no one would be able to beat her in a one-on-one fight, except for Shuten Douji and Kai when he properly mastered his power.

The black Spirit Power slowly took over the pale blue one, eating it as she used it to replenish her missing one from the fight earlier. Her lips curled into a grin, something she didn't realize herself.

Once again, Oni was a fighter race. Even if they were shy in their daily lives, their blood would get excited when they were fighting. Ibaraki Douji wasn't an exception. On the contrary, if she met a really strong opponent, she would lose her mind.

The one that stopped that was fusing with Kai.

'A little bit more.'

Clearly, the pale blue Spirit Power was quickly devoured by Ibaraki's black one. Her Spirit Power was stronger; hence she devoured it quickly and without any backlash.

Soon, the Spirit Power was all consumed, and the book fell to the ground with a soft thud. The barrier also got lifted. The commotion sound from the ground reached the building he was on, but Kai ignored them as he saw something unexpected.

"Oh!"

A surprised sound rang on top of the room where the place was supposed to be out of reach by a normal person.

Kai stood idly, confused, as Ibaraki also turned toward the new presence. She tilted her head in wonder as she too recognized the person standing near Kai.

Slowly, she walked toward Kai while planting her gaze on the new person after picking up the book from the ground.

There was supposed to be no one on the roof. It was something strange.

"Old man John?"

Yes. The person who was supposed to go fishing with his grandpa was standing near him, looking at him with a troubled expression while holding a binocular.

"Why are you here?" He asked curiously. There was no need to be wary of the old man. John had no ill intention, and Kai knew that.

That was also why Kai didn't attack Alchemist at their first meeting. The Alchemist was.. strange. That strange guy had no ill intention toward Kai at all.

"Hmm.." Old man John hummed, stroking his chin. "I am here to enjoy some wind?"

"There is no way that's true, old man John." Kai let out a sigh as he put his hands on his hips. "I should've known this. If my grandpa was a part of Supernatural World, clearly his friends are too." He continued as John smirked.

"But, what are you doing here? I won't question you about why you hide your identity from me, but I am curious about what you're doing in this place."

John looked at him while narrowing his eyes slightly. He glanced at Ibaraki before heaving out a sigh.

"Well, it's a bit complicated." The old man said, letting out another sigh. "A retired old man like me has nothing to do, so I am helping the young people from my previous work. Don't worry about me." He waved his hands at Kai, dismissing him.

Kai was still curious, but it seemed like the old man wouldn't answer his question. Why were all the old men around him so stubborn and hiding a lot of things? And how did they be so calm in the face of Mythical beings, unlike other people?

There were many mysteries surrounding those old men.

'I bet old man Billy is also part of the Supernatural World. What's their goal, really? And why did they not say anything to me? Are they just retired, just like what old man John said just now?'

If that was true, then that didn't concern him at all. Whatever it was, the fact that even a retired old man like John had made a move right now meant there was something wrong in the city.

So, he needed to ask.

"Is there a danger approaching New York City?"

Old man John looked at him with a judging gaze. He then snickered and grinned.

"Don't concern yourself, brat! If you are worried about the safety of your restaurant, then don't worry. Chinatown will be safe from any problem."

'He didn't seem to be lying.' Kai thought.

"In that case, I will believe you, old man John. Just.. don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need help."

"Hah! What can a greenhorn like you do?! At best, you will be a hindrance!" The old man laughed, and so was Kai. He knew that John was only joking and didn't mean that seriously.

After they were satisfied, John had a rather serious face as he pointed at the book in Ibaraki's hand.

"Also, Oni lady. Can I get that book? That will bring trouble for you and that brat."

"This?" Ibaraki raised the book in her hand and turned to Kai. "What to do, Master?"

Kai fell silent as he looked at old man John. Unlike earlier, there were oppressive feelings coming from the old man. The feeling he felt when he was in front of Shuten Douji that night. Not as strong, but similar.

"Let's just hand the book to old man John, Ibaraki."

"A-Alright." The Oni girl nodded and handed the book to John, which he received with a warm smile.

"Nice decision, brat. That quick decision will save you from trouble one day." John grinned at Kai and put the book in the bag he had brought. "Well then, I will leave now. Also, don't leave Chinatown for the next week if possible."

After he left the warning, John's body disappeared in a blur without leaving any trace. Kai and Ibaraki were left on the roof, amazed.

***

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