21st Century Necromancer

Although the name Supernaturalist Association, or the Mystery Enthusiast Association, gives an impression of profound mysteries, Chen Yu felt that the interior of the association's office wasn't much different from a regular company's office when he followed the receptionist inside.

Cubicles, desks piled with paperwork, employees busy as if they were corporate drones—if it weren't known that this place was the Supernaturalist Association and that occasionally these people showed a hint of Supernatural Power, like using little white paper figures to move documents or paper cranes to pass notes, Chen Yu really would have thought this was just an ordinary company office instead of Japan's supernatural regulatory body.

"Looks a bit disappointing, doesn't it? Actually, every Awakener who comes here feels the same way. With the name of the Supernaturalist Association, one expects it to be filled with the elite Supernaturals of all Japan, with every person being Expert Level or even Master Rank Supernaturals, and there should even be Legendary-rank Supernaturals anchoring the place.

Only that would befit the reputation of a national Supernatural regulatory body," the receptionist guiding Chen Yu said, possibly guessing what he was thinking, or maybe because most Awakeners who came here had similar thoughts, her tone carrying a slight sense of helplessness.

"Disappointed is not the word I'd use, just a bit strange. Why does it seem that everyone working here is an apprentice? I haven't seen a single formal Supernaturalist," Chen Yu said, expressing his puzzlement.

Of course, this world wasn't like the mythical ones where Legendary beings were as common as dogs or Demigods roamed the streets, but surely there should be at least some presentable Supernaturalists in the office, not just a bunch of apprentices who clearly had yet to complete their training, right?

"Because only apprentices are willing to do these tedious clerical jobs. Which formal Supernaturalist would want to do such things? Isn't it better to spend time honing one's powers, striving to break through to Expert Level sooner?" A man passing by seemed to have overheard Chen Yu's question and responded with a bit of a grievance, even stopping to look at Chen Yu.

Examining the man who had just interjected, Chen Yu couldn't help but give him a careful once-over. He could sense that this Supernatural's aura was stronger and more mature than those of the other apprentices in the office—without that restlessness and immaturity. It was clear that his grasp of his own powers had reached a certain realm.

Even if he wasn't a formal Supernaturalist, he was likely only a step away from it.

"Minister Tsuchimikado!" The receptionist saw the man and quickly bowed to greet him.

The man didn't seem to care much, waving his hand dismissively, but his gaze turned to Chen Yu, scrutinizing him with a flippant tone, "A newbie? Another wildcat Supernatural who's been tricked into joining by some clown. Ha, those guys are really bored, tricking these kinds of wildcat Supernaturals to join the association and become their lapdogs. Hey, newbie, what's your trade?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Do you have a Formal Rank? You're not just an apprentice who's started out, are you?"

Chen Yu furrowed his brows at the man called Minister Tsuchimikado, easily catching the scent of alcohol on him. Seeing the receptionist's embarrassed expression, Chen Yu suddenly felt that this Supernaturalist Association was a bit different from what he had understood, and he started regretting coming here today.

"I asked you a question! Newbie!" The man was displeased to see Chen Yu just frowning at him without responding, and he pushed his hand towards Chen Yu.

However, before his palm could touch Chen Yu's clothes, a white Bone Spear appeared out of nowhere, pressing against his throat.

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Chen Yu let go of the aura he had been concealing in his body, and the commanding presence from the Life Level increase he'd gained since advancing filled the entire office, instantly making everyone feel as if they were being watched by a ferocious beast. The man whose throat was under the Bone Spear's pressure fell completely silent, as if frozen.

The Bone Spear pressing against his throat didn't make the man feel endangered, but the oppressive aura emanating from Chen Yu—a higher Life being—did instill in him a sense of terrifying threat. It was as if his life was like a candle flickering in the wind, and with just a blow from Chen Yu, his existence could be extinguished.

"Master Rank..." "Is he really a Master?" "Is this the aura of a Master Rank?"

Chen Yu's aura retracted as soon as it had spread, not continuing to pressure the whole office, and had it not been for the Bone Spear still relentlessly pointed at the man's throat, one might have thought it was all an illusion.

But this quick release and withdrawal of his aura was no illusion. The office workers were mostly Supernaturals, albeit unpolished apprentices, yet they could sense the aura of a superior being, which led to a ripple of murmured conversations.

"Now I ask, you answer," Chen Yu said to the man in front of him, whose throat he was holding at spear-point. He moved the Bone Spear just enough for the man to speak.

"Please, ask away, Master. I'll answer anything I know!" The man's attitude took a complete 180-degree turn, looking at Chen Yu respectfully. If it weren't for the Bone Spear not being completely removed from his throat, he might have already knelt before Chen Yu.

"What did you mean by your earlier words? Why are there no high-level Supernaturalists here?" Chen Yu asked his first question.

"The Supernaturalist Association was actually established after World War II, under pressure from the Americans. In fact, aside from some wildcat Awakeners and minor sects, the vast majority of Japan's Supernaturalists are governed by Temple Shrine Shinto, Yin-Yang Dao, and Kasumi Hall. These three authorities have not entrusted the management of Supernaturalists to the association.

The existence of the association is merely a superfluous liaison between the three parties," the man answered.

Seeing that Chen Yu was listening intently, the man continued, "Initially, when the association was established, each faction did send higher-level Supernaturals to take seats and put on a show for the Americans. But as time went on, especially after Japan's post-war economic boom and entrance into the bubble economy, there has been a continuous effort to shake off American influence over Japan.

Naturally, the association became a target of the three major factions. Not only did they withdraw the high-level Supernaturals stationed at the association, they started treating it as a redundant, message-exchanging venue. Only the unwanted apprentices and members from each faction are sent to the association.

Moreover, although the association was originally meant to register all Supernaturals in Japan, due to the influence of the three major factions, this function has largely become for show. Only wildcat individuals or minor sects come to register in an orderly fashion, while the factions with lineage and heritage have gradually come to ignore the association's existence."