Jobless Rising! ~I’ve Become a NEET. I Acquired Lewd Skills and Lived a Life of Sex in the Other World and in Japan. Before I Knew it, I Was Impregnating A Harem of Ladies?!~ - Chapter 78: The First Patrol

Chapter 78: The First Patrol

Leaving the family restaurant, we began our nighttime patrol of Tokyo. Right now, we’re walking through the bustling downtown streets.

By the way, Cui’s out of the bag, flitting around nearby.

“Hey, Minato. On average, how many people do you purify of Oni energy per patrol?”

“It varies. Sometimes zero, but there’ve been times I purified over ten.”

“Ten!? That sounds rough…”

“Rarely, those corrupted by Oni energy band together. Especially in a city like this… it happens more often.”

To purge Oni energy, the standard method is to weaken the target and then hit them with Kyōshin technique. Apparently, there are other ways, but this is the least hassle and quickest.

“How long does it take to purify one person?”

“That depends on the degree of Oni energy corruption… their rank. For instance, a Tōki, the lowest rank, can be purified forcibly without even knocking them out.”

“Huh…”

“Of course, it also depends on the one casting Kyōshin. For me, even a Hakki-class is a split-second job.”

“Is that so?”

So, it comes down to the Oni’s strength and the purifier’s skill. Weakening them first is ideal, and that’s where I come in.

But true Oni—those beyond purification, no longer human—are all formidable in their own right. Harakara, with her Oni Eye technique, was dangerous even in Cui’s eyes.

“Real Oni like Harakara don’t show up often, right…?”

“I told you, meeting an Oni is rare. They tend to work in the shadows, avoiding attention.”

Those newly corrupted by Oni energy gain strength beyond humans and often rampage impulsively, getting caught by Tényōshū.

True Oni, though, seem to have more stable minds. But most use their awakened powers for some kind of mischief.

“Harakara’s a bit different, though.”

“How so?”

“She prefers fighting strong opponents. At least, she doesn’t go around attacking random civilians.”

“Really…?”

“She’s probably looking forward to a rematch with you. For now, I doubt she’d bother fighting anyone else.”

“What!?”

She’s got her sights on me!? I mean, the way she left kinda hinted at that…! But I didn’t even give her my name, and I’d rather never cross paths again!

Recalling my fight with Harakara, I felt my spirits sink. That brawl hurt like hell…

That’s when three young girls approached us, each carrying a cloth bag that likely held a bamboo sword.

“Good work, Minato-sama.”

“Yes, good work.”

…Yup, called it. Definitely Tényōshū-related…!

Two of the girls looked like high schoolers, but one seemed in her early twenties, maybe a college student.

She felt close to Kurumi’s age. Probably their chaperone or something. All three turned their eyes on me.

“Minato-sama! Could that be…!?”

“Yes. My attendant, Kougou Touya.”

“Eek! I knew it!”

“But… he looks totally like a civilian, doesn’t he…?”

Yeah, they’re sizing me up. Unlike that Mahara brat, though, they don’t seem hostile.

“Hey, Touya-san, is it true you took down the Mahara heir so easily?”

“Oh, that punk? Yeah.”

“Whoa, it’s true! That’s amazing!”

Their interest in me faded quickly as they started sharing info with Minato. Patrols are on a duty roster, but the areas aren’t strictly assigned, I guess?

“Lately, there’ve been more people corrupted by Oni energy around here than usual. Please be careful, Minato-sama…”

“Oh, speaking of which! I saw Amari-chan earlier!”

“Amari?”

“Motomune Amari. You know, from the Motomune family…”

“Oh!”

Another new name. Well, no surprise—I’m still a newbie.

“…What about Amari?”

“Well, it’s not her duty day, but she was carrying her sword. And she went into a club with some friends!”

“A club…?”

“Yup. I was like, ‘Amari-chan’s out having fun…’”

A club…!? Can minors even get in!? Well, some places allow it for entry alone. Bet they’re drinking and smoking, though! Probably waiting to get hit on! Man, what a life!

…And there I go, piling baseless prejudice on this Amari girl I’ve never met. No clue how old she is, but based on their tone, she’s probably around Minato’s age.

Minato, listening, put a hand to her chin, deep in thought.

“…What’s the club’s name?”

“Shooting Star. It’s been getting some buzz lately.”

“Thanks.”

After wrapping up with the trio, we were alone again. Minato immediately pulled out her phone, checking Shooting Star’s location.

“Something up?”

“…That Motomune Amari we mentioned? I don’t like her.”

“Oh…?”

What’s this? Some girl-on-girl drama? Better not dig too deep.

“She picks fights just because I’m a Kokuryouin. Her talent’s below mine, but her attitude’s huge.”

“Uh… huh…”

“But if she’s got time to play around, she’s definitely the type to hone her sword and techniques.”

Minato closed her phone and started walking.

“For someone who sees me as a rival—unwarrantedly, mind you—going to a club for fun doesn’t add up.”

“Maybe she’s just cutting loose? She’s still a student, right?”

“It’s common to carry a sword even off-duty, but… something feels off.”

Looks like we’re heading to Shooting Star.

I don’t know Amari personally, and if Minato’s got a bad feeling, I’ve got nothing to add.

Right then, Cui swooped down from the sky onto my head.

“…Your bird’s really sharp.”

“Right?”

Seems her sky stroll’s over. Cui spoke in her usual loli voice.

‘Shooting Star. A bar-like place run by Ryūseikai, causing a stir in Tokyo lately.’

She was listening… Her hearing and intel-gathering are unreal…

‘By the way, Ryūseikai’s been distributing something called methamphetamine. That male idol who got arrested recently? He bought it from them.’

“For real!?”

Cui’s bombshell info made me shout. Minato gave me a puzzled look.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Uh… nothing…”

Cui makes her voice audible only to me, so Minato didn’t hear a thing…

‘Despite their looks, many are freakishly skilled fighters with no sense of restraint. Even Ishitate’s group is struggling with their turf being encroached.’

That’s… well, I mean…! No, wait…!

(They’re dealing meth!? And committing violence? That’s not normal human thinking…! Nine times out of ten, someone corrupted by Oni energy’s involved…!)

From what I’ve learned, that’s a reasonable guess.

Then I remembered Minato’s words—the magical promise that she’d grant any request if I performed well, a perfect motivator.

“Hey, Minato. I’ve got some prime intel.”

“What is it?”

“That Shooting Star place, run by Ryūseikai? They’re up to some serious shady stuff. I’m thinking Oni might be involved.”

I couldn’t mention Cui, so it came out vague as hell.

No specifics, no evidence. But Minato didn’t press, instead mulling it over.

“Did that girl figure out Ryūseikai’s tied to Oni on her own…? Was she at the club for an investigation, not fun…?”

The classic beauty muttered to herself by the roadside. Meanwhile, Cui dropped even heavier news.

‘Hm… I was just tuning my ears to Shooting Star. Some guys leaving the place said three girls, including Motomune Amari, are about to be gang-raped.’

“What the hell!?”

‘The guys leaving were pissed they couldn’t join in. If you want to see the gang rape, you’d better time your visit to the club.’

“I don’t wanna see that! Oi, Minato! We gotta move!”

“Eh!?”

“Come on! Your friend’s in danger!”

“She’s not my friend…!”

“Just move!”

I grabbed Minato’s arm without waiting for a reply and sprinted in the direction Cui indicated.