I Created Urban Legends in Parallel World-Chapter 18: Ghosts, Grudges, and Anomalies

I Created Urban Legends in Parallel World

[Original – YakuMan]

[TL – MiT7]

[PR – Spades]

Chapter 18: Ghosts, Grudges, and Anomalies

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"Unkillable?"

Aoji watched Koike Oto's shocked expression and patiently explained. This assistant would stick with him until she died—he didn't want a rookie dragging him down.

At the very least, she needed to grasp what they'd be facing.

"Since you've studied ghosts, grudges, and anomalies, you should have some basic understanding."

"Ghosts come from people who die tragically or naturally of old age. They're mostly harmless, even benevolent. When we encounter them, we usually help them pass on."

"Grudges, though, are born from intense resentment at death—a lingering hatred fused with a soul that hasn't dissipated. If you're strong enough, destroy them on sight. If not, run and call for backup to take them out."

"As for anomalies..." Aoji's breath hitched at the word, a weight pressing on him. It meant the unsolvable, the undying.

"Anomalies can't be killed or solved. Only another anomaly can confront or destroy one."

"And us humans? We figure out their killing patterns, try to avoid death. If we're lucky, we find a rule to exploit and trap them in one area."

"That's it."

"Know why I didn't just order the MPD to block 2ch?" Aoji asked calmly. "That post is a window into Hell Girl. Close it, and something horrific might happen."

"Like what?" Koike swallowed hard.

"Like... the moment the forum's blocked and the post vanishes, everyone in Investigation Division 1 and Cyber Division drops dead."

That's why he'd asked how long she'd trained. A three-month assistant wouldn't ask something so naive.

Seeing her incredulous stare, he didn't soften it. "Don't think I'm cruel. If they all died, it'd be a trade for critical intel. Ordinary lives don't weigh as much as ours."

"But since 2ch's blocked and Investigation's still calling you, Hell Girl's relatively tame."

"Then..." Koike gritted her teeth. "Should we block the Hell Correspondence site too?"

Aoji gave her a surprised look.

Koike forced a smile. "If we block Hell Correspondence, regular people can't reach Hell Girl anymore, right?"

"You said anomalies can't be killed but can be contained."

"Hell Correspondence is clearly the real link to her. Block it, and she can't kill anymore, right?"

"Not bad," Aoji said, impressed but quick to douse her hope. "Cyber Division couldn't handle a post on a basic forum. You think they can block Hell Correspondence?"

Koike froze, realization dawning.

Cyber Division had likely tried already. The site was still up—they'd failed.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

She gave an awkward laugh and fell silent.

The info dump had overwhelmed her, but she didn't doubt him. Aoji had no reason to lie.

"Know why Special Division sent you to me after just three days?"

Seeing her confusion, he continued coolly, "Investigating anomalies means facing all sorts of bizarre dangers. One slip, and you're dead. Assistants? They're there to make the mistakes."

Koike paled.

"So, here's your choice: go back to Special Division. Quit or keep training—it's up to you. Stay, and you follow my orders completely. If I say die, you die. Ten minutes to decide."

"No need," Koike said, clenching her jaw. "I'll stay as your assistant."

Her family was poor. Since childhood, she'd sensed strange things. A week ago, Special Division recruited her as an inspector's assistant.

The pay? Two million yen a month. Die on the job, and they'd pay her family thirty million in compensation.

Training paid too—but just 200,000 yen monthly.

Her dream was to live like other girls—buying good food, clothes, makeup, and supporting her family. This was her shot, and she wouldn't let it slip.

Aoji studied her, then nodded slowly. "Hope you don't regret it." He pushed the car door open. "Let's go. We've wasted enough time—time to dig into this case."

That morning, the MPD got a tip from a student named Akatani Yota.

He'd claimed that two days ago, his classmate Aida Daichi had a dark, bluish curse doll—identical to the one in the 2ch video.

The lead caught Aoji's eye, so he and Koike came to Aoshiro High in person.

He agreed with Investigation Division 1: the straw doll was key. But while they saw it as a case-breaker, he saw it as a way to understand Hell Girl.

Two days had passed, though... Hopefully, Aida Daichi hadn't pulled that string.

With that, Aoji strode into the school.

He didn't seek Aida Daichi directly. Instead, he went to the principal's office. After Koike flashed her MPD badge, the principal, visibly nervous, agreed to cooperate.

After calling a teacher, the principal wiped sweat from his brow, eyeing the strange man cautiously.

Neither wore uniforms, but he didn't dare slack. Koike seemed normal enough, but this "Aoji" was odd.

Young-looking, yet white-streaked hair. Bundled up tight, hands in sleeves, only his head exposed, squinting behind round glasses.

One glance from him, and the principal felt stripped bare.

Standing near him brought an eerie chill—unsettling.

Keeping his unease hidden, the principal smiled warmly. "Officers, did this Aida Daichi student do something wrong?"

Before Koike could answer, Aoji pointed out the window at a small lake. "What's that?"

The principal glanced out, explaining carefully, "That's our school's scenic spot, Shinshin Lake. Students eat lunch there during break."

*Knock, knock, knock...*

A tap at the door followed.

"Come in."

A teacher entered with two students.

One was quiet, the other visibly rattled.