Technobreaker

What the heck is that?!

Please take your trash with you.

Beware of bears.

Are you well-protected from ghosts?

At a small campground dotted with commonplace signs, everyone present had fallen into a state of panic.

It was college summer break. A BBQ at the campsite. A lively mixed-gender gathering.

They had been enjoying this picture-perfect scene of summer just moments ago.

Die, happy people!

The cooler stuffed with food was shattered into pieces, tables were smashed, and the grill used for cooking meat was thrown into a nearby tent, setting it aflame.

This is crazy! She's out of control!

One of the young men screamed as he fled.

I won't let you escape!

Chasing after the scattering youths was a girl who, until moments ago, had been enjoying camping with them.

With bloodshot eyes that couldn't focus, and ignoring the injuries in her hands from recklessly destroying the camping gear, she pursued the youths single-mindedly, a kitchen knife gripped in her hand. It was clear what would happen if she caught up.

This is why I said we should've brought bear spray and talismans as well as mosquito repellant!

But man, that stuff's expensive! Plus, who would've seriously thought something like this would actually show up!?

As they desperately fled from their knife-wielding friend, the men shouted, trying to drown out their fear.

Uh, what do we do now? Call 110 . . . no, 119, right?!

Are you dumb? Those are for police and ambulances! What's the direct line to the Exorcists' Association again?

Anyway, even if we report it now, it's too late!

The girl, possessed by something inhuman, was almost upon them.

Although the men were physically stronger, the girl chased them as if unconcerned with her own body's limits. Their only options were to hide or barricade themselves in a distant management building to wait it out.

Woah?!

One of the men tripped and fell.

Die, normies!

With a scream that hardly seemed human, the knife came slashing down.

Ah!

It was at that moment, as the man braced for death, still confused.

Thud!

A dull sound echoed as a young boy suddenly stood between the knife-wielding girl and the fallen man.

That was close!

The boy, who seemed about high school age, caught the knife with his bare hand as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

That was a close call . . . If it was anything more than a Scale Two spirit, we'd have casualties by now.

As the men stood dumbfounded, the boy wiped off his cold sweat while muttering in a grumbling tone.

Hey Aoi! You can see her face now, right?

And the moment the boy called out to someone in the darkness . . .

Huh?

The woman holding the knife suddenly contorted as if being constricted by something, a look of agony on her face. It seemed as though her movements were being restrained by an invisible force.

You guys . . .

Despite doubting their eyes at the supernatural phenomena unfolding before them, the men were certain about the identity of the young boy who had suddenly appeared.

He was an exorcist, specially trained to combat malevolent spirits.

The uniform the boy wore was definitely from a well-known training academy. Though they were students by name, depending on their skill, they performed on par with the professionals that were often featured in the media.

It was unclear why exorcists were present without having been called, but this was certainly a welcome relief for the men.

Woah, what's going on?

Suddenly, the men's field of view was completely blocked, leaving them clueless.

Something had adhered to their faces, and their ears were roughly plugged.

Now's the time, Haruhisa! I've blocked the eyes and ears of the bystanders! Go ahead and use your Climax Technobreaker!

Idiot! You're being too loud, Misaki!

The faint sound of that exchange could be heard, in the next moment.

Aaah!

An exaggerated scream echoed.

Ah, what's with this Climax Technobreaker . . . Really, it's such a cursed ability . . .

The boy's voice sounded utterly fed up.

Then, for a brief moment. Just for a moment, the man's vision cleared, revealing an unbelievable scene.

He thought he saw a semi-transparent woman burst out from the body of the girl who had been holding the knife. She scattered into the air with a dazed expression.

It was a scene truly worthy of being called ascension. However, on the other hand, the state of the girl convulsing, her lower body dripping with liquid, seemed far from the sacred atmosphere of ascension.

What on earth was happening here before their eyes? Was this even an exorcism at all?

The man, lacking detailed knowledge of the exorcism industry, understood nothing.

Haruhisa. Haruhisa Furuya. Can you hear me?

A voice, seemingly that of a young girl, echoed in my head.

It's okay, I'm not anyone suspicious.

The voice sounded as if it was coming through a thick wall. It was scratchy and hard to make out.

There was a desperate sincerity hidden in the tone that drew my attention irresistibly closer to it. The voice seemed nearer now than before.

Please, Haruhisa. Listen to my request.

Request?

Yes, it's something very simple.

Well sure, if it's something I can handle.

Really? You promise?

Yeah.

Then once again, I'm counting on you, Haruhisa.

The girl cleared her throat and then continued, in a more formal and serious tone.