On a speeding bullet train, Ditto, transformed into the likeness of Kogoro Mori, traveled toward the commission site alongside Mob, Reigen Arataka, and Dimple.
At Aomori's request, Miko had joined them this time as Kogoro Mori's assistant, with Kikyo accompanying her.
"Ha! This client is a famous financial group. Not only did they reimburse our round-trip tickets, but the commission fee is also incredibly generous," Reigen Arataka said, his face beaming with excitement.
"Mob, you have to work hard this time. Don't lose to some scruffy middle-aged man."
"Okay," Mob replied.
The "scruffy middle-aged man," Kogoro Mori, ignored Reigen. He was busy looking at the train's interior and the scenery outside with curiosity; this was the first time the Pokémon had ever ridden a high-speed train.
"By the way, where did Dimple go?" Reigen asked.
Mob looked up at the ceiling, pointing his finger upward. "He's up there. That Kami-sama from the other day is there too."
"Oh, really?" Reigen suddenly lowered his voice. "Mob, could you beat that God in a fight?"
"How is that possible? He's a God!"
"No, Gods have different levels of strength. If he's just some unknown deity from the countryside, he's probably about the same level as Hikiko-san, whom we exorcised."
"Master, saying things like that will bring divine punishment," Mob said, shrinking his neck slightly. "He feels completely different from Hikiko-san."
"Kami-sama is broad-minded; he probably won't make things difficult for me," Reigen complimented insincerely before asking curiously, "What kind of feeling is it?"
"Light," Mob said. "A very bright light. More intense than the sun."
"More intense than the sun? Is he some kind of Sun God?" Reigen waved his hands and coughed twice. "Mob, you shouldn't gossip about people behind their backs. Especially not a God."
"Okay."
On the roof of the train, Dimple looked at Aomori with a flattering expression. "Respected Kami-sama, I can finally listen to your teachings again."
His current body was only the size of a fist, floating in the air like a green flame.
"Didn't we just see each other the night before last?" Aomori said with an inscrutable smile.
"That was just a quick meeting; it doesn't count! Besides, there were too many people then. I didn't have a chance to report my work to you, Kami-sama."
"Fine, speak then."
"Understood!" Dimple's expression instantly became serious. "Through my tireless efforts, the original LOL cult has been completely transformed into your image, Aosora-sama. Three times a day—morning, noon, and night—the believers offer their prayers to you."
"Hm, not bad. Anything else?"
The believer quest had long been completed, so this matter wasn't particularly important.
Speaking of which, Aomori had opened a [Smile Mask] from the quest treasure chest. Its effect was to increase the wearer's physical attributes based on their level of inner joy. For some, it was a great item, but for Aomori, it was merely a toy.
Hearing Aomori's emotionless response, Dimple wiped away a cold sweat and continued, "Also... also there's Mob. Even though he's just a boy, he hides a terrifying amount of energy within him. I've successfully gained his trust. Whatever you want to do to him, Aosora-sama, I can easily make it happen."
Sorry, Mob. Compared to you, the God's promises are much more enticing.
"I simply saw a rare, gifted individual among humans and wanted to cultivate him. Don't do anything reckless, or even I won't be able to save you."
"Yes, yes! Then from now on..."
"Stay by his side, help him become a king, and don't let his talent go to waste."
"Understood!" Dimple replied immediately, though he worried inwardly: With that kid's personality, it'll be hard for him to become a king.
"Also, Mori should have told you to gather intel on 'Claw.' Have you found anything?"
"Yes!" Dimple answered. "According to the statements from the 'Scars,' Claw has branch offices all over the world and has been recruiting espers. It's a terrifyingly massive organization."
So, he basically told me nothing, Aomori thought.
"Very well," Aomori nodded. "Their actions threaten human safety. Keep a close eye on them and contact Mori immediately if anything happens."
"Understood!"
"Dimple, do you know why I came with you this time?" Aomori didn't wait for an answer. "I see it, an evil existence that can threaten your lives. He's an old acquaintance of yours, too."
"An evil existence? An old acquaintance?" Dimple's face was full of question marks. He realized this commission wasn't as simple as it seemed.
Waving Dimple away, Aomori looked down and murmured, "I wonder if I can suppress him with my power alone now. If not, I'll have to trouble you."
Darkrai emerged from the shadow beneath his feet and nodded at him.
Me, Darkrai, Mob, Miko, and Kikyo... with a dream team like this, we should be able to handle anything easily. Aomori smiled.
…
The group disembarked and took a private car to their destination.
"So many people!" Miko exclaimed. Nearly a hundred people were gathered there.
"Are all these people invited?" Reigen Arataka wasn't worried at all. "It doesn't matter. Only we will get the final reward. Right, Mob?"
"Un."
No, no, no, you guys are being too optimistic. Dimple, who had received a hint from Aomori, had a bad feeling but didn't tell them. With Kami-sama here, no matter what evil exists, it shouldn't be able to cause much trouble.
The client soon arrived, surrounded by bodyguards. He was Masashi Asagiri, the president of the Asagiri Financial Group.
"Welcome, Masters."
In the large, sealed room, he stood before a wall and said, "I have no doubt about your identities as psychics, but I don't know if anyone here can save my daughter. I must ask you to keep the following matter a secret."
As he spoke, the wall behind him slid up, revealing a glass pane and a small room beyond. Inside, a girl was strapped tightly to a bed.
"This is a one-way mirror. We can see inside, but she cannot see us," Masashi Asagiri explained. "The girl on the bed is my daughter, Minori Asagiri, fourteen years old."
"I am certain she is possessed by an evil spirit. I have invited you all here to help remove it. Please, I beg you."
After the explanation, the psychics began to whisper among themselves.
"Is it really possession?"
"I don't feel any spiritual aura."
"Whatever it is, treating a young girl like this is going too far."
Reigen whispered to Mob, "Mob, what do you think?"
"There are no signs of it for now."
"I see. Is it some kind of adolescent mental illness?"
Ditto frowned; it also couldn't sense anything wrong. Kikyo shook her head as well.
Miko widened her golden Yin-Yang Eyes, looking at Minori. She felt something was off. "Even though there's nothing on the surface, I feel like an evil spirit is watching us."
Only Aomori and Darkrai, both incredibly sensitive to dark energy, sensed the darkness hidden within the girl.
Malice of this level... as expected, it's not simple.
Seeing the lukewarm response, Masashi Asagiri quickly added, "To whoever successfully exorcises the spirit, I will provide a special reward."
Upon hearing this, Reigen's ears perked up. He squeezed to the front. "No problem! We'll do our best to solve it for you!"
"Oh, and Mob, I'll give you a bonus too."
"A bonus?! My first bonus!" Mob's eyes sparkled.
"Hey, isn't it about time you realized your base salary is way too low?" Dimple complained from the side.
With Reigen taking the lead, others began to clamor as well.
"Wait, don't hog the credit!"
"Yeah, let us try too!"
Masashi Asagiri sighed in relief. "Then please decide the order of the exorcism via Rock-Paper-Scissors."
"Rock-Paper-Scissors?"
"Well, that's fair enough."
After a thrilling competition, Ditto, unsurprisingly, emerged victorious.
"How is that possible?" Reigen looked at his hands, questioning his life. "I'm supposed to be invincible at Rock-Paper-Scissors."
His technique was indeed outstanding, but unfortunately, he had encountered the non-human Ditto, whose kinetic vision and hand speed were on a different level.
"Kogoro Mori... it's him. I hear he's quite famous among the wealthy."
"I've heard of him too. A very strong newcomer."
Amidst the chatter, Ditto took Miko and Kikyo to Masashi Asagiri. "She is my assistant. Can they go in together?"
"Of course! I leave my daughter in your hands."
The group entered the girl's room. Their every move was watched by the psychics through the glass.
Seeing people enter, the girl said piteously, "Please, help me. My father might be possessed. He locked me up and keeps hitting me."
"No, no, I didn't hit her!" Under many suspicious glares, Masashi Asagiri quickly explained, "The evil spirit is intentionally trying to sow discord. Don't believe her."
"Enough acting," Ditto said expressionlessly. "I can smell the stench coming off you from miles away."
Since the opponent wanted to act, Ditto figured it could act as well to bluff her.
"Uncle, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
"Refusing to reveal yourself? Then how about this?"
Ditto walked over, raised its fist, and condensed its total energy. In the eyes of those who knew what to look for, it looked as if Ditto was holding a small sun. A dazzling light shone on Minori Asagiri's terrified face.
"T-Too impulsive! What if she isn't possessed?"
"A girl's body won't survive a punch like that!"
Under everyone's gaze, Ditto clenched its fist and swung down without mercy.
BOOM!
The one-way mirror shattered. Amidst the screams, the crowd saw Ditto's fist stop exactly one centimeter from Minori's forehead.
A purplish-red shield had blocked the punch.
"Minori Asagiri's" expression turned cold. A man's voice came out of her mouth: "How did you know? I shouldn't have left any openings."
"She really is possessed?!" The crowd gasped.
"Such strong, evil energy." Mob stepped in front of Reigen.
"It's him!" Dimple's face was filled with terror. "There's no mistake. This energy... it's definitely him!"
"Who? You know him?" Reigen asked.
"You should know him too," Dimple said darkly. "That is Keiji Mogami. The most powerful psychic from forty years ago. Back in my prime, he defeated me in a single blow. I only managed to escape by pure luck."
"Mogami... I remember imitating him when I first started in the business. But isn't he long dead?"
"That's why he turned into an evil spirit! Keiji Mogami... he is undoubtedly the most powerful evil spirit in the world!"
Watching its full-power strike blocked easily, Ditto's expression remained unchanged. It said calmly, "Did you really think I'd hit her? Just kidding, you idiot."
"Hmph. Nothing but lies." Keiji Mogami tore off the restraints and flicked his hand, sending Ditto flying. Ditto spun 1080 degrees in the air and landed safely.
Simultaneously, a beam of light arrived in front of Mogami.
BOOM!
Another explosion erupted. Miko, holding Kikyo's spiritual bow, watched the smoke nervously.
"D-Did it work?"
Under Kikyo's tutelage, Miko had learned to use the spiritual bow for exorcism. Normal spirits couldn't survive a single hit. Unfortunately, Keiji Mogami was no normal spirit.
He stepped out of the dust, completely unharmed. Looking at Miko's bright golden eyes, he became intrigued. "Yin-Yang Eyes? How beautiful. What a waste on you. Why don't you give your body to me?"
He had set his sights on Miko's body.
"I haven't lost yet." Miko gritted her teeth and pulled the bow again.
"Heh." Keiji Mogami moved like a phantom, shifting left and right so quickly that Miko couldn't aim.
Fortunately, Ditto rushed back in to engage him.
"Mob, go help them," Reigen said, sensing the situation was turning grim.
"Okay."
Mob expanded his esper powers, attempting to bind Mogami, but the spirit broke free effortlessly.
"Another unpolished gem? Interesting." Mogami noticed Mob's uniqueness.
"If they are unpolished gems, then what am I?" Aomori descended from the sky, wreathed in a radiant glow.
Seeing Mogami hold his own against three opponents, Aomori knew this wouldn't force out his true strength, so he made his entrance.
"You finally decided to show yourself?" With Aomori shining like a giant lightbulb, there was no way Mogami hadn't noticed him. "What are you? I've been curious about that myself."
Aomori smiled slightly. "My name is Aosora. I am a God."