Chiba City, Sōbu High School.
Dusk.
After finishing the "Classical Club" activities, a clean-cut male student with an M-shaped fringe and slightly curly hair, carrying a shoulder bag.
His handsome face held a moderate smile.
Looking at the girl in a khaki JK uniform, with long, black, silky hair cascading over her shoulders, his seemingly calm demeanor hid a hint of anxiety.
"Shirotani-san, see you tomorrow."
"Just stay calm and ignore the existence of ghosts, they won't be able to hurt you."
Shiraishikawa opened the door of the clubroom, before leaving he didn’t forget to remind Shirotani Miko of her emergency measures in case of encountering ghosts.
As a time traveler.
Born into this world 17 years ago, his parents died in an accident, leaving him a vast inheritance. Even relying solely on the inheritance.
He could have lived a comfortable life in Tokyo.
He was admitted to Sōbu High School with excellent grades, and when he realized his surroundings were filled with characters like Hibino Yui and Chitose Ai, he reluctantly confirmed it was a normal everyday world based on the popular anime series.
However,
At the start of the new semester, two transfer students joined their class.
Shirotani Miko, who possesses the ability to perceive spirits, and Yurikawa Hana, who has an innate affinity for attracting spirits, destroyed the peaceful high school daily routine.
"Thank you, Shiraishi-san."
Suddenly awakening to the ability to see things ordinary people couldn’t see, Shirotani Miko was greatly impacted by the change in her life. Making sure there were no ghosts in the empty corridor, she let out a sigh of relief: "Does this really work?"
"Of course."
"Thank you, Shiraishi-san."
#
Leaving the club together with Shirotani Miko, ignoring the ghosts emitting black aura in the corridor, constant prompts kept appearing in his ears.
「You have embarked on research into ghosts, experience +130」
「You witnessed ghosts firsthand, your Spirit Sight ability has improved, experience +80」
...
「Name: Shiraishikawa」
「Gender: Male」
「Age: 17」
「Occupation 1: Student Lv5 (Max)」
「Core Skill: Lifelong Learning (Max)」
「Basic Skills: Japanese Lv5, Mathematics Lv5, English Lv5......」
...
「Occupation 2: Exorcist Lv4 (510/500)」
「Core Skill: Forceful Exorcism (Max)」
「Basic Skills: Spirit Sight Lv5, Adamantine Body Lv4, Vitality Lv2, Purification Lv1」
「Note: You have extensive theoretical knowledge about exorcism, but lack practical experience. Completing your first exorcism will unlock a new occupation panel.」
...
As a time traveler.
Shiraishikawa's cheat ability was the occupation panel. By successfully unlocking an occupation panel, learning knowledge and skills related to that occupation.
He could level up his skills.
In the everyday world of anime series, through hard work he could become an all-rounder.
Then.
After encountering Shirotani Miko in the new semester, he unexpectedly activated the supernatural occupation "Exorcist" in this normal everyday world, and began to learn various theories.
The experience he gained had already reached a bottleneck in his occupation level.
He needed to complete an occupation breakthrough quest, only then could he unlock a new occupation.
"No way, are you actually going to exorcise?"
After separating from Shirotani Miko at the train station platform, Shiraishikawa looked at the constantly changing scenery outside the window, falling into a brief contemplation.
He carefully examined his occupation skills.
Forceful Exorcism.
As long as he had the upper hand during confrontation, he could forcibly perform a purification ritual on ghosts, an inescapable capture method.
Possessing Spirit Sight comparable to Shirotani Miko, Adamantine Body could shield him from any attack by ghosts, and during exorcism he would have boundless vitality.
Currently, it's all quite normal...
However, the final skill "Purification", was Shiraishikawa's bodily fluids... entering the ghost's body, causing a seal and continuous purification effect.
The style gradually became familiar.
Isn't this simply the "Strong and Powerful Exorcist" occupation template from that "R18" anime series?
The key is that the ghosts existing in this world, without exception, are all ugly, stinking monsters emitting black aura.
He couldn't do it!!
"I can't possibly be stuck as an Exorcist, can I?"
Shiraishikawa muttered softly, confirming that in this world, which was no longer mundane, no ghost could hurt him. But Shirotani Miko’s problem.
He still couldn't solve.
The train was approaching its destination.
“...”
"Let's go home first."
He shook his head lightly, carrying his shoulder bag, left the train station platform and walked towards his apartment building. It was almost evening.
The streetlights hadn't turned on yet.
As a result, the surroundings were a little dim, occasionally people rushing home from work passed by, and he could see ghosts standing under the streetlights.
Sensing Shiraishikawa's unique presence.
Ghosts that Shirotani Miko would avoid and fear, wishing to burrow directly into the ground. Even getting close would feel like being scorched by the blazing sun.
"Alright..."
"It's just the same old normal world."
He clearly realized this.
The key was, he couldn't possibly forcefully bind Shirotani Miko to him, using his unique Exorcist abilities to achieve a protective effect, could he?
When you come to the mountain, you will find the road.
As Shiraishikawa walked towards the apartment building, the phone in his trouser pocket vibrated suddenly. Upon closer inspection, he found that the phone number was unknown.
In this situation...
It was probably a resident in his apartment building, looking for him for something?
Without hesitation, he picked up the call.
"Hello."
As soon as he finished speaking, a clear female voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hello, you can just call me Miss Mary. It's a pleasure to meet you."
“...”
"Do you need anything?"
"Are you currently at the intersection of Nagasawa 2-chome? Please wait there for a moment. I'll be there soon."
“...”
Shiraishikawa simply glanced around, having no recollection of "Miss Mary". As for how she knew his location.
Was it probably a prank?
He directly hung up the phone, but the phone interface remained frozen. Still the same lively and cute female voice, but now it carried a chill.
"Why did you hang up Mary's phone?"
“...”
Hearing the other party's name again, Shiraishikawa's expression gradually became strange. Suddenly, he remembered... the urban legend they discussed in the "Classical Club" today.
The urban legend.
The so-called Mary, was the "Miss Mary's Phone" from the urban legends.
It is said that after a "Mary" doll was abandoned, it carried resentment from being left behind. After answering the phone, it would follow the person who answered the phone forever.
Until it was right behind them.
Shiraishikawa's expression turned strange, he couldn't help but ask: "Excuse me, are you... the Miss Mary from the urban legends?"
"Haha, some people do call me that."
"Trash~"
"Don't think about hanging up the phone, I'll follow you until I'm right behind you. If you're not happy with that, then I'll make sure you die understanding?"
"?"
The smell of a female ghost, even through the phone, it could be detected.
According to the urban legend of "Miss Mary's Phone", the other party would follow him, getting closer and closer, stimulating his emotions through the phone.
The overall method was like this.
Considering it was dangerous to answer a phone while crossing the road, and he needed to max out his Exorcist occupation level, he had to complete an exorcism!
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to acquire other occupations.
Currently, with all the skills he possesses, there's no need to worry about safety. If he really wanted to find a malevolent spirit to complete his Exorcist breakthrough quest.
Alright.
It's clearly easier to accept the familiar urban legends series.
Shiraishikawa thought it over quickly.
He then suggested: "Miss Mary, it's dangerous to answer a phone while crossing the road. If you're looking for me, come to the 625 apartment in Nagasawa 3-chome."
"I'll be waiting for you in room 1501 on the top floor."
“...”
The phone fell silent for a moment, then came a chilling laugh, the tone disdainful: "Looks like you already know what's going to happen."
"However, trash~ you're going to experience something even scarier!"
"Okay."
Shiraishikawa nodded lightly, the first exorcism experience, he had to have some ceremony. Hesitating, he suggested: "Remember to dress cute."