Chapter 139: We Are Professional Commentators

"Teacher, teacher, over here, over here."

Asano Ariko waved for Qiao Qiao to sit down.

"It was quite a hassle. I had to explain things to the staff for a long time before they finally agreed to let us drive the car inside," Qiao Qiao said casually as he took his seat.

"A car?"

"Yes. Since I don't have a driver's license, Maki-san was the one driving, but the staff felt the vehicle was far too dangerous and nearly blocked us from entering."

"Dangerous?"

Asano Ariko was puzzled. What kind of car could look so dangerous at first glance?

"But after some proper communication with the staff, they finally understood us."

*Proper communication?* Asano Ariko seemed to realize something. She hoped those staff members had good insurance.

"Today is the Obon festival, so the power of the supernatural will be stronger," Asano Ariko said, looking at the six screens behind the commentary desk as they flickered to life, projecting the perspectives of the five shrine maidens.

"Welcome everyone to the Exorcism Tournament. I am the commentator, Nishimoto."

"And I am Higashino."

The two commentators began their broadcast.

"Today, we have the Shimogamo Shrine. Hmm, speaking of Shimogamo Shrine, their performance last year was not very good, was it?"

"That’s right. Before the exorcism officially begins, let’s take a look at the data for this year's participating shrine maidens. First up, we have... hmm?"

"What is it, Nishimoto-san?"

"I recall that the team leader position last year was held by shrine maiden Niiki Maki. I didn't expect it to be Sasaki Haruka this year."

"Let's look at Sasaki-san’s stats. Hmm, she seems quite mediocre in all aspects."

The first screen displayed Sasaki Haruka’s hexagram stats, which were almost entirely at the lowest levels. The sixth screen then cut to a live feed of her.

"?"

The audience at the venue froze upon seeing the feed. What was she doing?

Sasaki Haruka set down her backpack, pulled out a transparent plastic bag, and extracted several rod-like objects. In less than two minutes, those rods and other uniquely shaped parts were assembled into the form of a firearm.

A firearm?

"...Nishimoto-san, that is a gun, right?"

"...Indeed, it is a gun."

The two commentators hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It seems Shrine Maiden Sasaki might have modified a model gun for the exorcism. We have seen such examples in the past."

On screen, Sasaki Haruka suddenly began to undress.

"???"

"Nishimoto-san, is she taking off her clothes?"

"It certainly looks like it. Perhaps it's because the weather is too hot?"

Sasaki Haruka removed her white shrine maiden robe, but underneath was not a thin *hadajuban*, but a deep green tactical vest with a complex structure and several pockets, and under that, a long-sleeved camouflage uniform.

Camouflage?

Beneath her *hi-bakama* (scarlet pleated trousers) were thick combat pants and mountain boots. After folding and packing her shrine maiden clothes away, Sasaki Haruka pulled a spherical object from her bag.

It was a helmet.

"Nishimoto-san, is that a helmet?"

"It certainly seems to be one, though it looks quite different from a standard motorcycle helmet."

Sasaki Haruka put it on. The helmet provided excellent protection for her head while maintaining visibility, and a low-light night vision device was attached over her left eye, allowing her to see in the dark.

"Nishimoto-san, this equipment is very professional."

"Indeed. Wait, is this an exorcism tournament, or a military exercise?"

"L-let's look at another shrine maiden."

"Yes, yes. The second contestant is Kitagawa Ryoko from the same shrine...!"

When the cameras turned to Kitagawa Ryoko, the audience was shocked once again. She had also shed her shrine maiden robes. Beyond the same tactical vest and camouflage uniform as Sasaki, Kitagawa carried even more gear: a blast shield that could expand to cover a person, a shotgun strapped to her back for quick deployment, and a massive, heavy-looking hammer at her waist. Her tactical backpack seemed to hold even more strange gadgets.

"???"

Is this really an exorcism tournament?

From the first-person perspective of each contestant, one could clearly see their movements. It didn't strike anyone before, but looking at Kitagawa’s feed now, it felt remarkably like a first-person shooter game.

"That hammer must be very heavy, Nishimoto-san."

"It certainly looks that way. Shrine Maiden Kitagawa seems very confident in her physical strength."

"I have a feeling our jobs today might be quite difficult."

"Higashino-san, perhaps we should look at the next contestant."

The camera cut to the third person, Hashimoto Kotone.

"????"

The sixth screen showed nothing but a forest. Although the tracking device indicated her general location, even the *shikigami* controlling the cameras couldn't seem to find her.

"Nishimoto-san, where is Shrine Maiden Hashimoto?"

"I’m not sure. Let’s look at her first-person perspective."

The two commentators looked at Hashimoto’s feed. She was crawling in the grass, watching an abandoned house in the distance. Beside her were two massive rifles. No, one of them was more like a cannon. She had blended perfectly into the environment; it was impossible to distinguish her with the naked eye.

"Is this a new style of Japanese bow? The design is truly unique, haha."

"Shrine Maiden Hashimoto doesn't seem to have any intention of moving. Although the rules allow it, can she really perform an exorcism from such a distance?"

The camera jumped to Hayami Nanase. She hadn't hidden herself. She, too, had swapped her robes for a tactical vest and camouflage. However, she remained stationary.

"Nishimoto-san, is Shrine Maiden Hayami making a phone call?"

"No, that doesn't look like a cell phone."

Hayami Nanase placed a black box into the grass. Several antennas rose from the sides, and the device began to glow with the light of electronics. After placing it, she picked up a controller, and three screens rose from an open case she was carrying. Beside her, a spider-like object with four rotors quietly ascended.

Unlike the firearms, Hashimoto’s specialty seemed to be in a different field.

"Well, haha, it seems our exorcism techniques are keeping pace with the times, wouldn't you agree, Nishimoto-san?"

"Indeed, Shrine Maiden Hayami’s style of exorcism is quite unique."

"Let’s look at the final contestant, Niiki Maki. If I recall correctly, she is the strongest shrine maiden at Shimogamo Shrine."

The camera moved to the fifth position, Niiki Maki. Other than being dressed like the others, she had no surprising equipment.

"It seems this is the style of Shimogamo Shrine now. It’s a huge contrast to last year, Nishimoto-san."

"Certainly a completely different style."

The two looked at Niiki Maki. She seemed to be speaking. Through the camera, the venue heard her voice.

"...This is Uruz 6, ready and standing by. Exfiltration is possible at any time."

"?????"

What kind of call sign was that? Was this really an exorcism tournament?

While everyone present was bewildered, only Qiao Qiao nodded in satisfaction.

9:30 PM.

The Shimogamo Shrine Exorcism Tournament officially began.