Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work

Tiger-Hour Blade.

A blade said to have been forged in a ritual timed to the Tiger year, month, day, and hour—all under the Tiger sign—to repel ghosts in the past.

Especially the one now held in the hands of the Team Leader of Xuanwu Team 3 at the Bureau—this one wasn't even sharpened. It was crafted entirely as a ceremonial weapon.

But precisely because of that, it displayed unparalleled power in supernatural disasters.

"Hup."

Naturally, it couldn’t be used in just any supernatural disaster.

Nor could just anyone wield it.

—The conditions: A situation where something wicked and depraved, taking the form of a ghost or calamity, invades directly.

Only when these criteria were fulfilled to near perfection would its true power be revealed.

However, in most supernatural disasters, people usually stumbled into a haunted area or got dragged into it.

In contrast, a case where the enemy invaded was far rarer. And even then, it was uncommon for the threat to be judged as entirely depraved.

But—

"Perfect."

The team leader's hand trembled as if seized by a thrill.

Because the target had invaded a zone she herself managed as an employee.

And, because it had cast off the mask of the friendly theme park mascot!

The pieces fit together like a perfect puzzle, a rush of exhilaration rising in her chest.

"Ha!"

Thus, the pure, tiger-aligned energy that surged along a half-formed sword sign became lightning and struck down the depraved and wicked entity.

With overwhelming force.

Utterly!

Aaaaaaaah!

"ARGH!!"

The ground shook so violently the tremor reached all the way to the distant shelter. The deafening thunderclap rippled outwards in waves.

Dust and debris from ruined architecture billowed into the darkened air, obscuring vision for a moment—

"...!!"

The remains of the resort building, crumbling and ablaze.