Chapter 3: The Shibuya Incident

The Shibuya Incident was a cursed spirit uprising that took place in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. The cursed spirits used the special-grade cursed tool, "Prison Gate Boundary," to seal away the strongest sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, gaining a brief window of freedom. Sorcerers rushed to the scene, fighting desperately to save countless lives trapped in the subway station.

This brutal battle nearly leveled Shibuya and had profound repercussions for the subsequent storyline.

“Tomorrow—tomorrow is the day the Shibuya Incident happens!” Chen Lai was somewhat excited. With so many cursed tools and spirits appearing in this battle, the chance of finding rare items would be even greater!

Countless professional gold farmers monitored live streams of various game worlds daily, waiting for major events to break out. Large-scale chaos was a prerequisite for significant loot drops.

Unfortunately, these gold farmers lacked detailed knowledge of each world’s storyline. Players had to pay each time they entered a game, and their time inside couldn’t exceed one month—otherwise, they would fail to evacuate and lose all their in-game assets.

Thus, no gold farmer would settle permanently in any dungeon; everyone waited for big events to dive in and farm.

Chen Lai was different. He knew when these major events would occur and, if possible, could even trigger them early!

A penguin waddled to the shore. Beyond the endless snowfields lay hundreds of deep-sea whirlpools, dark and foreboding, as if ready to swallow anyone whole.

These were the entrances to various dungeons, known to players as the "Great Whirlpool."

Along the long shoreline, many penguins called out “1000-yuan escort service,” a derivative business that safely guided children into the dungeon worlds for a fee. After all, there were plenty of malicious gold farmers who wouldn’t spare even the children’s equipment.

Wobbling, Chen Lai approached the whirlpool belonging to the Shibuya Incident and dove in.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Battle preparation music played.

[Confidential – Shibuya Incident (Entry Asset Requirement: 50,000 Yuan)]

[Pre-battle preparation time. This game session lasts for one month. Evacuation from the designated location before time expires is mandatory. Timing starts upon entry.]

[Your in-game items: Black Flash (C-rank), a skill capable of special critical strikes, valued at 45,000 Yuan]

[Cursed Energy (D-rank), essential for sorcerers—without it, cursed spirits cannot be seen, valued at 5,000 Yuan]

[Bank Balance: 100,000 Yuan]

These were the items originally purchased by the previous owner. Entering the Shibuya Incident with just these two was like walking in unarmed.

Fortunately, Chen Lai had taken out a small loan, giving him more options this time.

“Sell Black Flash and Cursed Energy.”

“Check Heavenly and Curse Binding items.”

Chen Lai executed the commands swiftly, his mind already forming a complete plan.

Black Flash and Cursed Energy were sold at their original prices. Luckily, Deep Sea Company didn’t haggle over item prices; otherwise, Chen Lai would have been in trouble.

His total assets rose to 150,000 Yuan. Chen Lai’s gaze shifted to the Heavenly and Curse Binding items.

[Heavenly and Curse Binding (B-rank): A curse that strengthens the body but causes the cursed to lose their cursed energy. Valued at 150,000 Yuan.]

“That’s the one!” Chen Lai pressed the purchase button. He knew this single Heavenly and Curse Binding item wouldn’t be much help on its own—it would only make him cannon fodder in a battle swarming with special-grade curses.

But that was fine; he had a plan.

[Current main weapon: Heavenly and Curse Binding (B-rank). Battle entry conditions met. No recovery items purchased. Proceed with deployment?]

“Is the deployment point random, or can I choose?” Chen Lai asked eagerly, with only this question remaining.

[Deployment occurs randomly in an uninhabited area near the incident. Evacuation points refresh every ten days.]

“No problem. Deploy!”

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The battle music swelled once more. Bubbles from the Great Whirlpool enveloped Chen Lai completely.

[Confidential – Shibuya Incident]

[Deployment Time: October 30th, 6:00 PM]

[Deployment Location: Shibuya Tram Line 3]

[Wishing you a pleasant game. May you strike it rich in one round.]

...

Tokyo, Shibuya Ward.

The afternoon snow distorted the sunset’s rays, blending an advertisement for okonomiyaki with a picture of a glamorous female celebrity into an oddly harmonious sight.

A tram passed through Shibuya. Inside, a salaryman opened his bento box beside a small cup of sake.

Thud!

A noise came from the seat behind him. He didn’t turn around—mealtime shouldn’t be disturbed by boring passengers.

He arranged his disposable chopsticks, clasped his hands, and quietly muttered a pre-meal phrase: “Itadakimasu.”

But then, he helplessly watched a bulging-veined arm reach from behind and snatch his bento.

“Oh, bluefin tuna bento with sake? Living the good life, huh.”

A young male voice came from the back. Chen Lai stood up, snatched the chopsticks from the salaryman’s hand, and drained the sake in one gulp.

The salaryman dared not speak, anger held back. The young man’s muscular build beneath his shirt was intimidating. As a sedentary office worker unaccustomed to exercise, he could only swallow his resentment.

Chen Lai glanced at the bento’s value—it showed zero.

This was normal. In this world filled with cursed energy, gold and red currency only applied to cursed energy-related items.

However, bento boxes were edible. Players in the game world still needed to eat; starving to death meant evacuation failure, a punishment tantamount to being lost forever.

“Burp~”

Chen Lai devoured the salaryman’s bluefin tuna bento swiftly. Throughout the meal, the salaryman watched longingly but dared not ask for it back.

Finished, Chen Lai tossed the empty box on the table and patted the salaryman’s shoulder with greasy hands.

“Thanks for the meal. Didn’t expect you islanders to be so hospitable. Consider this meal my payment, and here’s a piece of advice.”

“From today until the end of next month, leave Shibuya. Go anywhere you want—just don’t stay here.”

With that, Chen Lai kicked and shattered the tram window. Amid the salaryman’s stunned gaze, he swam out of the carriage like a fish.

Outside lay bustling Shibuya. Schoolgirls strolled arm in arm after class. Despite the winter chill, their black tights and scarves still carried a youthful charm.

Chen Lai jumped down from the moving tram, landing steadily amid the astonished girls.

What kind of superhuman was this? Was the US military testing a new Captain America in Japan?

Chen Lai dusted off his clothes, feeling fantastic. The 150,000-yuan Heavenly and Curse Binding truly made a difference to his physique.

“Hey, you there, little lady.”

Chen Lai pointed to the prettiest schoolgirl among them and waved.

“Huh? Me?” Yosuke Toyokawa blinked in surprise, pointing at himself, then glanced at his friends—only to find they had already run off.

“Yes, you. Don’t stare… your friend just left. I’m not a bad guy—just unfamiliar with the local area. Help me find my way, and I’ll pay you.”

Chen Lai spoke rapidly, his thoughts clear. He needed to confirm one thing—the location of the building where the spirit “Heavenly Tyrant” Fushiguro Toji was summoned during the Shibuya Incident.

To farm items in a dungeon with danger levels maxed out, he needed power. The most readily available power was to recruit Fushiguro Toji as a substitute fighter!