Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 126 : A Shady Contract (2)

Let’s put together what is known about the awakener called Kogami Inari.

Her place of origin is unknown. However, her credentials are guaranteed by the Japanese Headquarters of the Awakener Association. In modern society, this level of guarantee can surpass even that of a nation.

Her age is also unknown. On paper she is listed as twenty, but the authenticity of that is doubtful.

Family ties? None. No close relatives or extended family members can be identified. Her family tree is a complete blank, as if she simply sprouted into existence one day.

Related to this, there are no records of her life prior to appearing in Tokyo.

Her first confirmed sighting was the day she appeared at the Japanese Headquarters of the Awakener Association. Before that, there is absolutely no record of her.

And that, in itself, is “impossible.” People may ignore what doesn’t interest them, but nobody could fail to notice Kogami Inari.

To put it mildly, she is a beautiful girl—with fox ears, a tail, and dressed in a shrine maiden’s robes. The notion that she could walk around and leave no trace in anyone’s memory? Impossible. In terms of sheer impact, the only thing that could surpass her would be unleashing a giant kaiju.

Now, as for her exploits… many of them are dazzling.

She cleared Tokyo Dungeon No. 2 with other awakeners. Witnesses from that time testified that she was strong, though she didn’t particularly stand out.

But afterward, she went on to Tokyo Dungeon No. 3, Dungeon No. 4, the temporary dungeon in Akihabara… and there are even reports that she entered the Dungeon No. 1 at the Association’s request.

She also cleared Saitama Dungeon No. 3, was involved in the recent incident in Fuchū, and cleared Shizuoka Dungeon No. 1. And astonishingly, these were done solo, at a staggering pace.

“…So what you’re saying is, Kogami Inari’s a promising rookie?”

In the corner of a certain office, a man muttered while flipping through a set of documents.

His name was Isurugi. He was the one called “big bro” among the men who had struck a deal one night with the “High Priest.” On the surface, this office operated under the name “Isurugi Staffing Services.” Inside, Isurugi sat with a freelance journalist.

“Strictly speaking, an exceptional rookie. You know how people say ‘once in ten years’ or ‘once in a century’? She’s that kind. You could call her a monster. Before long, the title of Japan’s strongest will belong to Kogami Inari.”

“I see, huh.”

Setting the documents down on the desk, Isurugi exhaled softly. To be blunt, he was disappointed—not in Inari, but in the journalist before him. He already knew all this. Honestly, anyone could gather this kind of information with a bit of time, effort, and money. He had hoped for something deeper, but… perhaps that was too much to expect.

“Well, that settles it. Doesn’t look like we can sign someone like her to a small-time outfit like ours.”

With his practiced business smile—the face he wore as a man of the surface—Isurugi handed the freelancer a thick envelope.

“The agreed payment. Take it.”

“Thank you very much. Please call me anytime if you need anything else.”

“Yeah. Later.”

After sending the man off, Isurugi flipped through the documents again. It was all information he already knew… and yet, even from that, some truths became clearer.

“What do you think, boss?”

“Not much. Strong, cute, squeaky-clean—she’s just a golden rookie. Almost too spotless, which makes it suspicious… Ah, here’s something—she crushed a thug awakener clan. But even that’s hardly noteworthy.”

Speaking to his underling Kawanaka, Isurugi organized his thoughts.

It was certain that Kogami Inari had the Awakener Association’s backing. But the theory that she was their agent? No longer likely. There was no pattern, no sign of a hidden agenda in her actions. One moment she was active around Tokyo, then she turned up in Atami. Then, out of nowhere, she moved into a luxury condo and invited her friends over. He’d checked those friends too, but they were ordinary awakener, with no connections anywhere. Aside from dungeon expeditions, she lived like a completely ordinary civilian.

“So basically… she’s just a strong awakener?”

“If you look at her alone, yeah. But that ain’t the whole story…”

From one perspective, she was simply “a lucky, talented awakener.” The very thought made Isurugi sick. People like that were the reason the world was unfair. Still, it was thanks to such unfairness that men like him had work.

“…Time to report to the boss.”

Isurugi pulled out the crystal orb given to him by the High Priest. At that, Kawanaka gave him a dubious look. He’d been saying the same thing all along, and Isurugi knew what was coming.

“Big bro… seriously, let’s drop this job. This isn’t just dangerous, it’s suicidal.”

“What’re you babbling about? All we gotta do is report what we’ve found, and it’s done.”

With that, this perilous task would be over. Isurugi began activating the crystal orb exactly as the High Priest had instructed.