Chapter 8: The PSIA-Division 8

  Kayo continued his day in a fog, his mind replaying the rooftop confrontation on an endless loop. During mathematics, he found himself staring blankly at equations that once came easily to him. In English, he mispronounced simple words when called upon to read aloud. Even at lunch, sitting with Ishida in their usual spot, he couldn't focus on his friend's meticulously organized notes.

  "You seem distracted today," Ishida observed, adjusting his glasses. "More than usual."

  Kayo poked at his bento with his chopsticks, appetite diminished. "Just tired. Didn't sleep well."

  "It wouldn't have anything to do with our five new classmates, would it?" Ishida's question was casual, but his eyes were sharp behind his lenses. "They seem quite... interested in you."

  Kayo's head snapped up. "What do you mean?"

  "Simply an observation." Ishida closed his notebook with precise movements. "They watch you. All of them. Even when they're arguing with each other."

  Before Kayo could respond, the bell signaled the end of lunch period. As they gathered their things, Ishida leaned closer.

  "Be careful, Kinoshita. There's something off about them. More than just being foreign."

  Throughout the afternoon classes, Kayo could feel the weight of multiple gazes on him. The transfer students had positioned themselves strategically around the classroom—Ash directly behind him, Jack and Makarov on either side, Goto near the door, and Xin by the windows. A perfect surveillance formation. Whenever he glanced at one of them, they were either watching him openly or pretending to be absorbed in classwork.

  When the final bell rang, Kayo felt relief wash over him. He packed his bag quickly, planning to head straight home and process everything that had happened.

  "The Smiler stirred restlessly within him. "This is getting interesting," it murmured, its voice tinged with something like excitement. "Government agencies fighting over us like dogs over meat."

  "Not helping," Kayo muttered under his breath as he navigated the crowded hallway. He noticed that the transfer students were maintaining their distance but following his movements through the crowd. Their coordinated surveillance was unnerving.

  On his walk home, Kayo took deliberate detours, doubling back and changing direction to see if he was being followed. He caught glimpses of Ash's red hair disappearing around a corner, Goto's reflection in a shop window, and once, the unmistakable silhouette of Makarov watching from a pedestrian overpass.

  "They're not even trying to hide it," he thought grimly.

  When he finally reached home, his mother greeted him with her usual warmth. "How was school today, sweetie?"

  "Fine," Kayo replied automatically. "Just the usual."

  He retreated to his room, claiming homework as an excuse. Once alone, he removed his prosthetic hand and began his now-familiar training routine. The shadow hand materialized more easily than before, an aftereffect of his victory over The Gambler. He practiced intricate movements—picking up a pencil, turning the pages of a book, even typing on his laptop keyboard.

  "Your control is improving," The Smiler acknowledged reluctantly. "Though we need to work on your combat techniques if we're going to deal with those government dogs."

  Kayo ignored the comment, focusing instead on researching supernatural entities online. Most of what he found was clearly fictional or deluded ramblings, but occasionally he would spot something that matched his enhanced perception—a blurry figure in a video that had the telltale aura of a supernatural being, or a description that aligned too perfectly with what he now knew to be true.

  He spent hours watching supposed supernatural videos, dismissing most as fake. His enhanced vision allowed him to distinguish ordinary camera artifacts from genuine spiritual phenomena. None of what he found seemed substantial enough to warrant investigation.

  As evening approached, Kayo turned his attention to studying for tomorrow's physics test, trying to maintain some semblance of normal teenage life despite the extraordinary circumstances he found himself in.

  At precisely 7:42 PM, the doorbell rang downstairs.

  Kayo froze, instantly alert. The Smiler's presence surged forward, sensing potential danger.

  "Kayo!" his mother called from downstairs. "Can you come down? There's someone here to see you!"

  With practiced efficiency, Kayo reattached his prosthetic hand and pulled his sleeve down to conceal it. He took a deep breath, centering himself as he descended the stairs.

  Standing in the entryway was Goto, flanked by two men in crisp black suits with subtle earpieces. Though dressed in civilian clothes—a casual blazer over a white button-up shirt—Goto carried himself with unmistakable authority. The two men beside him stood with military precision, their eyes constantly scanning the environment despite their impassive expressions.

  "Ah, good evening, Kayo," Goto greeted him with professional courtesy.

  Kayo's mother hovered nearby, curiosity and concern mingling on her face. "This gentleman says he's a detective? Something about identifying suspects?"

  Goto smiled reassuringly at her. "Yes, ma'am. As I was explaining, we need Kayo to come down to the station to identify some men who might have been involved in his incident that night. It shouldn't take more than a few hours."

  The lie was delivered so smoothly that Kayo almost believed it himself. He could see his mother relaxing slightly at Goto's professional demeanor and official-looking credentials.

  "U-uh, yeah," Kayo stammered, picking up on the cue. "He's a detective working on my case."

  His mother's expression softened into relief. "Oh, I see. I'm glad the police are still investigating. That night was so..." She trailed off, the memory clearly still painful.

  "I assure you, Mrs. Kinoshita, we're doing everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice," Goto stated with such conviction that Kayo wondered if he was actually investigating the supposed 'attackers' as part of his cover.

  "Just be back before dinner, dear," his mother said, glancing at the clock. "Around nine?"

  "We'll have him back by then," Goto promised with a polite bow.

  As they walked to the waiting vehicle—a black sedan with tinted windows—Kayo felt a mixture of dread and curiosity. One of the suited men opened the rear door, gesturing for Kayo to enter first. Once inside, Goto slid in beside him while the two agents took the front seats.

  The interior of the car was immaculate and smelled faintly of leather and pine. A privacy partition separated the front seats from the back, sliding closed with a soft electronic hum as they pulled away from Kayo's house.

  "S-so where are you taking me?" Kayo asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

  Goto looked straight ahead, his profile illuminated by passing streetlights. "Division 8 of the PSIA."

  "And what is that?"

  "It's a division of the Public Security Intelligence Agency tasked with dealing with supernaturals such as yourself," Goto explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "We monitor, study, and when necessary, contain extraordinary phenomena that could potentially impact national security. You're a rare case, though."

  Kayo shifted uncomfortably in the plush leather seat. "What do you mean?"

  Reaching into his jacket, Goto produced a slim file folder with a red classification stamp across its cover. He passed it to Kayo, who opened it with trepidation.

  Inside was a detailed dossier on The Smiler—photographs dating back centuries that captured its shadowy form, historical accounts of possessions and subsequent deaths, scientific analyses of residual energy patterns, and psychological profiles of victims before their demise.

  "From what we have learned about the entity you call The Smiler, no one has ever survived possession from it," Goto explained as Kayo flipped through the disturbing documentation. "It's also classified as an S-rank supernatural—among the most dangerous entities we monitor."

  Kayo swallowed hard, processing this information. "So what does this mean for me exactly? Am I going to get dissected or something?"

  Goto's expression softened slightly. "God no. You're too valuable for that. A few blood tests, some scans, perhaps a demonstration of your abilities in a controlled environment—that's all for tonight."

  They drove in silence for nearly forty minutes, leaving the city behind and heading into an industrial district. Eventually, the car turned onto an unmarked road that led to what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse—its windows boarded up, exterior weathered by years of neglect.

  "This is a bit cliché," Kayo remarked nervously as they pulled up to the dilapidated structure. "Secret government facility in an abandoned warehouse?"

  Goto's lips quirked in what might have been amusement. "Hiding in plain sight works better than you might think. Besides, this is just an entry point."

  The car stopped at what appeared to be a loading dock. One of the suited agents exited first, scanning the area before opening Kayo's door. The autumn air was chilly, carrying the scent of rust and distant sea.

  Goto led the way into the warehouse, the two agents following behind Kayo like silent shadows. Inside, the space was mostly empty save for scattered debris and the skeletal remains of old machinery. Their footsteps echoed on the concrete floor as they crossed to the far wall.

  Goto approached what appeared to be a normal section of brick wall. He pressed his palm against a specific brick, revealing a hidden panel that slid open. With practiced movements, he typed in a code—45921—and stepped back.

  A seam appeared in the wall, widening to reveal an elevator that looked starkly out of place in the decrepit surroundings. Its interior was gleaming stainless steel, with a control panel far more sophisticated than any regular elevator.

  "After you," Goto gestured for Kayo to enter.

  Once all four were inside, the doors closed silently. A blue light swept over Goto's face—a retinal scanner—followed by a female computerized voice.

  "Identity confirmed: Goto Kinosaki, Clearance Level 4-Alpha. Welcome to Unit-4800."

  The elevator began its descent, moving smoothly and silently. Kayo's stomach lurched slightly at the speed, suggesting they were going much deeper than a typical basement level.

  "How far down are we going?" he asked, watching the floor indicator show negative numbers continuing to decrease.

  "Approximately 200 meters below ground," Goto replied. "The facility extends laterally for about three kilometers."

  After nearly a minute of continuous descent, the elevator slowed and came to a stop. When the doors opened, Kayo's jaw dropped involuntarily.

  Before him stretched an enormous underground complex that looked like something from a science fiction movie. The main atrium was a circular space at least fifty meters across, with a domed ceiling illuminated to mimic natural daylight. Multiple levels were visible around the perimeter, with glass-walled laboratories, offices, and what appeared to be containment areas.

  Personnel in various uniforms moved purposefully throughout the space—some in lab coats, others in tactical gear similar to Goto's companions, and still others in business attire. At the center of the atrium stood a holographic display showing what appeared to be a map of Japan, dotted with glowing markers of various colors.

  "Welcome to Unit-4800," Goto said, a note of pride entering his voice. "You never saw this place if you get what I'm saying, Kayo."

  "I... yeah," Kayo managed, still taking in the scale and technology of the facility. The Smiler stirred within him, its curiosity piqued by the surroundings.

  "This is... impressive," The Smiler whispered in his mind. "These humans have been busy."

  Goto led Kayo across the atrium, nodding professionally to colleagues they passed. Several staff members glanced curiously at Kayo but quickly returned to their tasks. It seemed visitors were rare but not unprecedented.

  "Unit-4800 was established in 1952," Goto explained as they walked, "originally as a research facility studying paranormal phenomena reported during the occupation. Over time, its mandate expanded to include monitoring, containment, and, when necessary, neutralization of supernatural threats."

  They approached a security checkpoint where Goto presented his credentials again. The guard, a stern-faced woman in a black uniform, scanned both Goto and Kayo with a handheld device that emitted a soft blue light.

  "Standard procedure," Goto explained when Kayo flinched. "Checking for possession, infection, or dimensional contamination."

  The device beeped when passed over Kayo's right arm. The guard looked at Goto questioningly.

  "Expected anomaly," Goto stated. "Pre-cleared by Director Tanaka."

  The guard nodded and waved them through. Beyond the checkpoint was a corridor lined with various research laboratories. Through glass walls, Kayo glimpsed scientists working with strange artifacts, analyzing data on multiple screens, and in one disturbing instance, examining what appeared to be a preserved humanoid creature floating in a tank of clear liquid.

  "That's a kappa," Goto commented, noticing Kayo's gaze. "Captured in Kyushu last spring. One of three specimens we've successfully contained."

  They turned down another corridor, this one leading to what appeared to be a medical wing. The sterile white environment was a stark contrast to the industrial feel of the rest of the facility.

  "Our first stop is a basic medical examination," Goto explained. "Nothing invasive—blood work, body scans, baseline readings of your physical condition."

  A doctor in a white lab coat was waiting for them—an older man with salt-and-pepper hair and glasses that magnified his eyes slightly. His name badge identified him as Dr. Yamamoto.

  "This is our subject?" Dr. Yamamoto asked, examining Kayo with professional interest.

  "This is Kinoshita Kayo," Goto corrected firmly. "And he is a person, not a subject."

  Dr. Yamamoto nodded, appearing chastened by the rebuke. "Of course. My apologies, Kinoshita-san. If you would follow me, we'll begin with some basic assessments."

  The examination room was equipped with medical technology that appeared far more advanced than what Kayo had seen in regular hospitals. Dr. Yamamoto was efficient but gentle as he collected blood samples, took Kayo's vital signs, and conducted a series of scans using machines Kayo couldn't identify.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Remarkable," the doctor murmured as he studied a holographic display of what appeared to be Kayo's nervous system. "The integration is unlike anything we've documented before."

  "What do you mean?" Kayo asked, unnerved by the doctor's fascination.

  Dr. Yamamoto gestured to the display. "Most possessions we've studied involve the supernatural entity overwhelming the host's nervous system—essentially hijacking the body. But in your case, there's a symbiotic relationship. The entity has integrated with your nervous system without destroying your original neural pathways."

  "Is that... good?"

  "From a survival perspective, yes," the doctor replied. "It's why you're still... well, you. Most possessed individuals lose their identity entirely within hours."

  After completing the medical examination, Goto led Kayo to another section of the facility. This area was more heavily secured, requiring multiple clearance checks before they were admitted.

  "This is our testing range," Goto explained as they entered a large, open space with reinforced walls. "We'd like to see a demonstration of your abilities, if you're willing."

  The room was approximately twenty meters square, with a high ceiling and observation windows along one wall. Behind the glass, several scientists and what appeared to be military personnel watched with intense interest.

  "What exactly do you want me to do?" Kayo asked, feeling self-conscious under their scrutiny.

  "Just show us what you're capable of," Goto replied, stepping back to give him space. "No pressure. We're merely establishing a baseline."

  Kayo took a deep breath, then removed his prosthetic hand, setting it aside. He closed his eyes briefly, focusing on the now-familiar sensation of The Smiler's power flowing through him.

  When he opened his eyes, the shadow hand had materialized—black as pitch with a faint crimson glow outlining each finger. Several gasps came from behind the observation glass.

  "Remarkable control," one of the scientists murmured, voice carrying through a speaker system.

  "Can you manipulate objects with it?" Goto asked.

  In response, Kayo approached a metal table set up in the center of the room. Various items were arranged on its surface—a pencil, a rubber ball, a glass of water, and what appeared to be a small lead weight.

  With careful concentration, Kayo made his shadow hand solid enough to pick up the pencil. He twirled it between shadowy fingers, then wrote his name on a notepad also provided on the table. Next, he bounced the rubber ball, catching it easily. The water glass proved more challenging—requiring precise control of the hand's solidity to grip without passing through.

  "Now try something more challenging," Goto suggested, watching intently. "Can you project the hand? Extend it beyond normal human reach?"

  Kayo nodded, focusing on a target set up across the room. He extended his shadow arm, stretching it nearly ten meters to knock over the target. The effort made him wince slightly—extended projection still taxed his stamina.

  "What about incorporeality?" one of the scientists asked over the speaker. "Can you control the phase state of the manifestation?"

  Understanding what they wanted, Kayo demonstrated by making his shadow hand pass through the solid metal table, then solidify again to pick up the lead weight from underneath.

  For nearly an hour, Kayo performed increasingly complex demonstrations of his abilities while instruments recorded data and scientists took notes. By the end, he was sweating from exertion, the shadow hand flickering slightly as his concentration waned.

  "I think that's enough for today," Goto announced, noticing Kayo's fatigue. "He's still developing his abilities."

  One of the military observers spoke over the intercom. "What about offensive capabilities? The Smiler entity is known for its lethal attacks."

  Kayo tensed at the question. Since his encounter with The Gambler, he had indeed practiced combat applications of his abilities but had been reluctant to explore the full destructive potential The Smiler offered.

  "That can wait for another session," Goto replied firmly. "Today was about establishing baseline parameters."

  After the testing concluded, Goto led Kayo to what appeared to be a conference room. Unlike the sterile environments they had been in previously, this space was comfortably furnished with a polished wooden table, comfortable chairs, and even art on the walls—traditional Japanese landscapes that lent the room a more humane atmosphere.

  A woman was waiting for them—middle-aged, with short, practical hair and intelligent eyes behind rimless glasses. She wore a tailored suit that spoke of authority without flaunting it.

  "Kinoshita Kayo," she greeted him, bowing formally. "I am Director Tanaka. Welcome to Division 8."

  Kayo returned the bow, uncertain of the proper protocol. "Thank you for... not dissecting me?"

  A smile briefly touched Director Tanaka's lips. "Contrary to what international agencies might believe, we do not make a habit of dissecting our citizens, especially uniquely valuable ones."

  She gestured for him to sit, then took a seat across from him. Goto remained standing by the door, a respectful distance away but still present.

  "I imagine you have questions," Director Tanaka stated, folding her hands on the table.

  Kayo nodded, gathering his thoughts. "Why am I here, really? What do you want from me?"

  "Directness. I appreciate that." She leaned forward slightly. "You represent something unprecedented, Kinoshita-san. A human who has not only survived possession by an S-rank entity but appears to be achieving symbiosis with it. That makes you both extraordinarily valuable and potentially dangerous."

  "I'm not a threat," Kayo protested.

  "Perhaps not intentionally," she acknowledged. "But the entity within you—this 'Smiler'—has a documented history of violence and destruction spanning centuries. Our concern is whether you can maintain control indefinitely."

  The question hit uncomfortably close to Kayo's own doubts. The Smiler had been surprisingly cooperative recently, but he harbored no illusions about its ultimate nature.

  "I'm getting stronger," he said finally. "Learning to control it better every day."

  Director Tanaka nodded. "That's precisely why we're interested in working with you rather than simply containing you. Your situation presents a unique opportunity to understand these entities better."

  "Working with me how, exactly?"

  "A partnership of sorts," she replied. "You continue your normal life—school, family, routines—while working with us to develop your abilities, hunt dangerous supernaturals, and help us understand these phenomena."

  Kayo blinked in surprise. "You want me to hunt supernaturals? For you?"

  "You've already begun hunting on your own," Director Tanaka pointed out. "The incident with the entity classified as 'The Gambler' did not go unnoticed by our surveillance systems."

  Kayo shifted uncomfortably, realizing his actions had been monitored. "That was personal. I needed to get a piece of my soul back."

  "And you succeeded," she acknowledged. "Impressive for someone with no training. Imagine what you could accomplish with proper resources and backup."

  The offer was tempting. Kayo had already committed himself to hunting down the supernatural entities holding pieces of his soul. Having government resources and information would make that task considerably easier.

  "What's the catch?" he asked, suspicion rising.

  "Regular check-ins. Compliance with certain protocols. And exclusivity," Director Tanaka listed. "The PSIA gets priority access to your abilities and any information you gather. No collaborating with foreign agencies."

  "Like the ones watching me at school?" Kayo asked pointedly.

  Director Tanaka's expression darkened slightly. "Precisely. Make no mistake, Kinoshita-san—if you don't work with us, one of those other agencies will eventually find a way to acquire you, willingly or otherwise. At least with us, you remain on Japanese soil, near your family."

  The implicit threat wasn't lost on Kayo. Work with the PSIA or risk being "acquired" by foreign operatives with fewer ethical constraints.

  "And if I refuse?" he asked, testing the boundaries.

  "Then you walk out of here tonight and return to your life," Director Tanaka replied simply. "But without our protection, I cannot guarantee how long that life will remain yours to control. The CIA, MI6, смерть-13—they're not known for taking no for an answer when national security is at stake."

  Kayo fell silent, weighing his options. The Smiler stirred within him, surprisingly amenable to the arrangement.

  "This could work in our favor," it whispered in his mind. "Access to information, resources, targets—all while maintaining your cover. We need allies in this world, even temporary ones."

  After long consideration, Kayo looked up at Director Tanaka. "I'll work with you, but I have conditions."

  "Name them," she replied, neither surprised nor offended by his counter-offer.

  "First, my family remains completely uninvolved and unaware. Second, I maintain my normal life—school, friends, everything. Third, I have final say on what missions I take. And fourth," he paused, ensuring his most important point was clear, "if I find a lead on another piece of my soul, that takes priority over your assignments."

  Director Tanaka considered his terms for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Acceptable, with one addition. When pursuing personal objectives, you'll take one of our agents as backup—Goto, preferably, since you're already acquainted."

  "Fine," Kayo agreed after a moment's consideration. Having backup when hunting dangerous supernaturals wasn't a bad idea.

  They spent the next hour discussing logistics—a secure communication device disguised as an ordinary smartphone, scheduled training sessions at the facility, protocols for reporting supernatural sightings, and emergency procedures if Kayo ever lost control of The Smiler.

  By the time they finished, it was nearly 8:30 PM. True to Goto's promise, they would have Kayo home before dinner.

  As they prepared to leave, Director Tanaka held out her hand—not for a handshake, but offering a small object. It was a sleek black card, no larger than a credit card, with no visible markings.

  "Your access credential," she explained. "It will admit you to any PSIA facility in Japan. Keep it secure at all times."

  Kayo accepted the card, surprised by the trust it represented. "Thank you."

  "One last thing," Director Tanaka added, her expression grave. "The foreign operatives posing as students—we cannot remove them without creating an international incident. Be cautious around them. They each represent agencies with their own agendas regarding your... condition."

  "I'll be careful," Kayo promised, tucking the access card into his wallet.

  As Goto escorted him back to the elevator, Kayo took one last look at Unit-4800—the massive underground complex hidden from the world, dedicated to secrets most people would never know existed. He was now part of those secrets, for better or worse.

  "Training begins Saturday morning," Goto informed him as they ascended toward the surface. "0800 hours. I'll pick you up myself."

  The ride back to Kayo's house was quiet, both of them lost in their own thoughts. When they finally pulled up outside his home, Goto offered a parting observation.

  "You made the right choice, Kinoshita. We're not the villains other agencies might paint us as. We're just trying to protect our country from threats most citizens can't even comprehend."

  Kayo nodded, stepping out of the car. "I hope you're right."

  As he walked to his front door, he could feel The Smiler's anticipation. Their partnership with Division 8 would provide resources, information, and targets—all things they needed to grow stronger. Whether this alliance would ultimately serve The Smiler's long-term goals remained to be seen, but for now, their interests aligned.

  His mother greeted him as he entered, asking about the "police station" visit. Kayo provided vague but plausible details, surprised by how easily the lies came now. As he helped set the table for dinner, he reflected on how completely his life had changed in just a few weeks—from ordinary high school student to supernatural entity host to government asset.

  And somewhere out there, watching from the shadows, was The Seller—the enigmatic figure who had started Kayo down this path. What role would they play in the days to come? And what about the presence that had frightened even The Smiler—the ancient, hungry entity that supposedly stalked them both?

  These questions would have to wait. For now, Kayo had homework to complete, a shadow hand to master, and apparently, a new job as Japan's youngest supernatural hunter.

  I'll rewrite this scene with more developed dialogue and tension:

  The Seller materialized without warning beside Kayo's desk, the air distorting like heat waves over asphalt before solidifying into his familiar silhouette.

  "WHAT THE FUC—" Kayo nearly toppled from his chair, heart slamming against his ribs.

  The Seller's lips curled into that unsettling smile. "Hello there, Kinoshita Kayo. Looks like you've been busy."

  "You can't just keep appearing like this," Kayo hissed, glancing nervously at his bedroom door. If his mother heard him talking to someone...

  "Well, I will, so get used to it." The Seller leaned against the desk, examining his fingernails with feigned indifference. "Look at you, though. Joining Division 8. Big moves, Kayo."

  "Y-yeah, I guess so," Kayo stammered, still trying to calm his racing pulse. "Why are you here?"

  "To sell you information, of course." The Seller's eyes gleamed with that predatory excitement Kayo had come to dread. "I've got some juicy intelligence."

  "About what?"

  "The people stalking you..." The Seller paused dramatically, "and the thing that's also stalking you."

  Kayo's brows furrowed. "W-wait, I just sold you a piece of my soul a few weeks ago. Why would I want to sell you another piece that I just got back?"

  The Seller's expression turned serious, all traces of playfulness vanishing. "Because you could seriously die. I'm not gonna lie."

  Kayo swallowed hard, feeling The Smiler stir restlessly within him. "F-fine. How much?"

  "Ten percent of your soul. Not much." The Seller's casual tone belied the gravity of what he was asking.

  After a moment's hesitation: "Deal."

  The Seller placed his palm against Kayo's chest. A cold sensation radiated through Kayo's body, like ice water flowing through his veins. He gasped as he felt something essential being extracted—a tearing sensation that wasn't quite physical pain but something deeper, more intrinsic.

  "Right," The Seller said, withdrawing his hand. "Besides the basic people stalking you, there's a shadow organization called RELIC. They're not evil, actually pretty good when it comes to supernaturals. Their main goal is to capture supernaturals peacefully and rebel against major government associations."

  Kayo nodded, still feeling lightheaded from the soul extraction.

  "Now for the thing that's stalking you..." The Seller's voice dropped to a near whisper. "It's called The Warden. No idea if Death-13 sent it after you or if it's just stalking you for fun, but you have to get stronger because there's no guarantee when it's going to strike."

  With a flick of his wrist, two manila folders materialized in The Seller's hands, appearing from thin air. "I'm going to give you two files—one on RELIC and one on The Warden."

  Kayo took the folders with trembling fingers. He opened the one labeled "WARDEN" first, scanning the Soviet-era classified document with growing horror. The details of the monstrous entity—its abilities, its origins, the warnings and redacted sections suggesting capabilities too terrible to document—made his blood run cold.

  CONFIDENTIAL - LEVEL 5 CLEARANCE REQUIRED

  DOCUMENT CODE: SCU-E-S712-3724-J CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET / SPECIAL ACCESS LAST UPDATED: ██/██/2024

  Entity Designation: S712 ("The Seller")

  Threat Classification: █████

  First Documented Appearance: ████, Kyoto Prefecture

  Current Status: At large, uncontained

  Containment Priority: Level ██

  Entity appears as a tall, slender humanoid figure wearing a white trenchcoat that seems to emit a faint luminescence. Facial features are reported to shift constantly, making consistent identification impossible. The only stable facial characteristics are described as mercury-like eyes and an unnaturally wide smile.

  Entity's voice is described as multiple voices speaking in perfect unison. Movement patterns exhibit non-human fluidity, often leaving trailing light artifacts visible to both normal perception and specialized equipment.

  NOTE: Standard photographic equipment fails to capture clear images of S712. Attempts with specialized ████████ cameras have produced only [REDACTED].

  ? Reality manipulation (Limited scope)

  ? Can perceive spiritual/supernatural entities across dimensional boundaries

  ? Apparent teleportation

  ? Soul manipulation/extraction

  ? ████████████████████████

  ? Can bestow supernatural perception on humans

  ? ████████████ without detection by most surveillance systems

  ? Knowledge of [REDACTED] rituals and incantations

  S712 self-identifies as a "merchant of death, life, and everything in between." Entity approaches individuals who have experienced supernatural encounters, particularly those who have survived possession attempts or entity attacks. S712 offers information, protection, or supernatural abilities in exchange for monetary payment or "pieces" of the subject's soul.

  WARNING: ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████ ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████ ██████████████████████████████ DO NOT ATTEMPT ████████████████████

  Subject encountered S712 following possession attempt by Entity S239 ("The Smiler"). S712 extracted approximately 25% of subject's soul in exchange for information on how to [REDACTED]. Subject subsequently developed ability to perceive supernatural entities and manifested [DATA EXPUNGED].

  Field Agent Note: Subject Kinoshita now exhibits █████████████████████████████████ and should be considered a valuable asset but potential security risk.

  Subject encountered S712 after [REDACTED]. Transaction resulted in ████████████████ ████████████████████████████████████████████. Subject expired 72 hours later. Autopsy revealed [DATA EXPUNGED BY ORDER OF DIRECTOR TANAKA].

  [ENTIRE SECTION REDACTED]

  Historical records suggest possible appearances of S712 throughout Japanese history, though confirmation is difficult due to inconsistent descriptions.

  Earliest verified reference appears in the ██████████ scrolls (circa ████), which describe an entity matching S712's behavioral patterns offering power to a local ████ in exchange for "a portion of his eternal essence."

  Significant activity spike noted during [REDACTED] incident of 1923.

  Theoretical Origin: [LEVEL 7 CLEARANCE REQUIRED]

  Standard containment procedures are ineffective against S712. Entity appears to exist partially outside conventional spacetime and can [REDACTED] at will.

  Tracking Protocol ████-B may temporarily monitor S712's movements through [REDACTED] signature detection, but effectiveness diminishes rapidly after approximately 72 hours.

  Emergency Protocol S712-Omega: In the event S712 attempts direct interference with PSIA operations or personnel, immediately enact ritual countermeasures detailed in Appendix F-23. Requires presence of at least 3 Division 8 Level 4 operatives and specialized equipment from Secure Storage Facility ██.

  ? S712 appears to operate according to a rigid but unclear ethical framework

  ? Entity consistently honors the literal terms of its agreements

  ? ████████████████████████████████████████████████████

  ? Multiple intelligence agencies worldwide have attempted to [REDACTED] S712 without success

  ? Suspected connection to [REDACTED] cosmic event of ████

  ? Possible timeline/dimensional traveler according to Dr. ██████'s analysis

  This entity represents one of our most significant intelligence gaps. Despite decades of study, we understand very little about S712's true nature or motivations. Most concerning is its apparent ability to transfer supernatural capabilities to ordinary humans through soul transactions.

  S712's documented interactions suggest it is positioning specific individuals across Japan, potentially as part of a larger [REDACTED]. Recommend immediate implementation of Project SOUL BEACON to identify subjects who have transacted with S712.

  PRIORITY STANDING ORDER: Any field agent encountering S712 is to maintain observation only. Do NOT attempt engagement without backup from Special Response Team Alpha-3. Do NOT accept any offers or transactions under any circumstances.

  ~ Director Tanaka Division 8

  ATTACHMENTS:

  ? Appendix A: Witness sketches of S712 from 7 confirmed encounters

  ? Appendix B: Transcript of S712 interaction with Agent ████ (DECEASED)

  ? Appendix C: [REDACTED]

  ? Appendix D: Soul fragment analysis from Kinoshita Kayo case

  ? Appendix E: Theoretical countermeasures (UNTESTED)

  ? Appendix F: Emergency containment rituals

  AUTHORIZED ACCESS ONLY

  Unauthorized access or distribution of this document is punishable under National Security Act Article 17, Section 8 with penalties up to and including [REDACTED].