Chapter 74: Is This Really a Problem That Money Can Solve?

"Hmm?" Hearing the contents of this viewer's letter, Qiao Qiao became a bit more attentive. Unfortunately, since this was selected from the channel's message board, there was no way to communicate with the person and learn more about the situation.

"Wait, why am I thinking about this?" Qiao Qiao suddenly realized he was instinctively pondering the exorcism process and muttered to himself. It was true he hadn't gone out on an exorcism for quite a while lately.

On the screen, Suzuka finished reading the letter and thought for a moment. "If it's a paranormal incident, I'm afraid there's nothing Suzuka can do about it," she said. After all, she was just a three-year-old fawn.

"But, if this Masked Monster gentleman wants an exorcism, I happen to know a rather skilled exorcist," Suzuka added. "How about this, I'll send you his contact information in a private message later~"

Wait a minute. Qiao Qiao realized that when Suzuka mentioned the exorcist she knew, wasn't she talking about him? No, no, he had no time for exorcisms lately. Finals were right around the corner; he'd only reviewed six times, and that wasn’t enough.

While he was lost in thought, Suzuka answered two more viewer letters and then ended the stream.

After much deliberation, Qiao Qiao found himself at Suzuka’s door.

Knock, knock, knock—

"What is it?" Suzuka quickly opened the door. She was wearing pajamas with a little fawn pattern, her short legs in pink slippers, looking every bit the image of homey comfort.

"The exorcist you mentioned on your stream just now..."

"Oh, so Qiao-san saw it too. I was just about to send him your contact info." Suzuka looked rather pleased, then gave him a reassuring look, as if to say, "Don't worry."

"No, what I mean is, I may not have much time to take on commissions lately. If it's an emergency, it might be better to contact Miss Sakura's team."

"Ah, I see." Suzuka nodded thoughtfully, then said, "But this Masked Monster fellow seems quite wealthy, and he's very active in my fan group. I really want to help him if I can." She showed Qiao Qiao the tips and gifts Masked Monster had sent.

Seven digits.

Ding-dong—

Just then, Suzuka received another message. "Wow, Masked Monster says he's willing to pay two million yen as a reward, as long as someone can solve his problem."

Could this really be solved with money? This was, after all, a matter as serious as the final exam results of a student at Peak City University Affiliated High School...

Qiao Qiao almost wanted to shout this out loud. But the amount Masked Monster was offering was simply too much to ignore.

"Tell him I'll go solve the problem tomorrow," Qiao Qiao said with a smile.

"Really? I thought you said you didn't have time?" Suzuka looked at him, confirming.

"Suzuka-san, there’s a saying in China: time is like water in a sponge—if you squeeze, you can always find some," Qiao Qiao replied earnestly. "Especially with a paranormal incident disturbing people’s lives—if I didn’t know about it, fine, but once I do, how could I sleep or eat in peace?"

"All right, then have Masked Monster download the Exorcist Association’s app, submit the commission with my code, and send over any relevant documents. I’ll start preparing tonight."

Seeing Qiao Qiao's enthusiasm, Suzuka looked a bit conflicted. "But I thought you had exams coming up?"

"Exams? The purpose of studying is to put knowledge to use when needed. If you ignore the world outside your window and only bury yourself in books, that’s blind scholarship!" Qiao Qiao explained.

"Okay, I’ll let Masked Monster know." Suzuka typed out a message and then, as if recalling something, added, "By the way, Qiao-san, you mustn’t tell Masked Monster anything about me."

"I understand," Qiao Qiao nodded.

...

Sunday.

Qiao Qiao didn’t wake Suzuka and even prepared a sumptuous lunch, leaving it on the table. He packed everything he might need, hopped onto his scooter, and set out.

His destination was the Tokyo Prototype Film Company in Chuo Ward. Despite the name, the company had no real connection to Toei; it was just an ordinary film and television company.

His client, Masked Monster, was the owner and director of this company. According to him, during the filming of a special effects TV series, strange incidents began to occur.

At first, there were frequent mishaps during filming. Later, the actor playing the monster inexplicably injured the colleague playing the super battle hero. The props department also often complained that the monster costumes kept moving to different places on their own.

After some discussion, Masked Monster suspected the company was haunted. As a loyal fan of Suzuka’s, having heard her mention paranormal and exorcism-related topics, he decided to seek out an exorcist.

All this information was included in the materials Qiao Qiao received last night.

Chuo Ward is the very heart of Tokyo’s 23 wards, the center of the nation’s economy, commerce, and information. For example, the bustling Ginza, the famous Tsukiji Market, and Nihonbashi, which appears in countless movies and TV dramas, are all located in this district.

His little scooter weaved among towering skyscrapers, a stark contrast.

Arriving at his destination, Qiao Qiao parked, registered at the front desk, and went up to the thirteenth floor. The building’s thirteenth to sixteenth floors all belonged to Tokyo Prototype Film Company.

Posters lined the hallway walls—anthropomorphic animal cartoons for children, films with a distinct Showa era vibe, and special effects posters of superheroes in skin-tight suits battling monsters.

"Super Battle Hero, huh?" Tokyo Prototype’s current hit was the "Super Battle Hero" series. The story centered around a protagonist who, after gaining superhuman powers, fights various monsters from outer space to protect Earth’s peace.

Because the alien monsters were gigantic, the protagonist would also become huge after transforming. Their battles in the city, with scenes of destruction, were especially thrilling and a hit with children.

Wait a second—wasn’t this the setting from Ultraman?

"Haha, I grew up watching these special effects shows myself. My favorite? Hmm, it has to be Ace," said a middle-aged man with a bushy beard who greeted Qiao Qiao, smiling.

He was the company’s owner and director, Eiji Onodera.

"Hello, I’m Qiao Qiao, an exorcist from the Exorcist Association," Qiao Qiao introduced himself. Chuo Ward wasn’t under the jurisdiction of the Shinjuku branch, but since this was a direct commission, there were no territorial restrictions.

"I’m so glad you could come. Frankly, we’ve already been off the air for a week—any longer, and we’ll be in real trouble," Eiji Onodera said as he led Qiao Qiao through the company. Many people in costume greeted them as they passed.

"We finished shooting all the outdoor scenes; all that’s left is the battle between the Super Battle Hero and the monsters, but then this started happening..."

Eiji Onodera was the second son of a family in international trade. Rather than join the family business, he’d been passionate about special effects since childhood. As an adult, he worked his way up the film industry, starting as an extra and learning step by step.

In a few years, he’d saved three million yen, then took the hundred million yen given by his family to start Tokyo Prototype Film Company. As for the three million, he used it to buy his own office desk.

"Money’s not the issue. When I make special effects shows, I never worry about profit," Eiji Onodera said, making Qiao Qiao a bit envious, as he led him into a spacious room. "But to disappoint the children waiting to see the Super Battle Hero in action? That’s out of the question."

He flicked on the lights.

Qiao Qiao saw monsters.

Countless monsters.