>>5769853>>5770173>>5770259You pore over the disturbing results of your autopsy, frustration evident in your furrowed brows. "This can't be right," you mumble, unable to reconcile the internal damage you've observed with any known medical phenomenon. Aika, watching intently from the side, interjects, "The others had the same inexplicable findings. All internet recluses, vocal in their extremist beliefs. Someone or something targeted them." You shudder, "So we're looking at a serial killer, but one that can do... this?" You gesture toward the mangled remains, the man's internal organs were destroyed from inside. Aika's gaze meets yours, her expression unwavering. "Mr. Ohta, you're still trying to fit everything within the framework of modern science. I need you to open your mind and look elsewhere. How about folklore?" The sterile cold of the morgue seems to seep deeper into your bones, and you involuntarily shiver. "Folklore?" You echo skeptically, wiping your tools clean. Aika nods, her tail, an odd detail you've only now noticed, sways animatedly behind her. "Yes, you know, legends, myths. Japan is rich in them." Her eyes twinkle, contrasting with the stark reality of the morgue. "There are stories of entities that don't just destroy the body but consume the soul, feeding on the darkness within. Perhaps this is one of those times where myth and reality blur." A skeptical frown etches your face, but your intrigue wins out. "You believe one of these legends is behind these deaths? It seems... far-fetched." She shrugs lightly. "Many things in this world don't fit within the neat confines of science, Mr. Ohta. Sometimes, looking to the past can help explain the present." You..
>.. are convinced there's a logical explanation behind this.>.. delve into ancient legends, searching for any clues to make sense of the situation.>.. join Aika in uncovering the truth, driven by your professional curiosity. 