The Okinawa Case Files

"Status!"

Name: April Frost

Age: 13 (20)

Level: 14

Experience Points: 2900/3200

HP: 2700/2700

MP: 3800/3800

Authority Level: 7

Authority Points: 14/70

Life Points: 3000

Stats:

>Strength: 868

>Intelligence: 857

>Agility: 876

>Stamina: 858

>Defense: 848

Allocated Stat Points: 0

Wow. Look at these stats. They really jumped a lot higher than the last time I leveled up! And it hasn't even been that long since I leveled up!

[Answer. You have been fighting stronger opponents now so your rewards and growth are also on a higher scale than back in Mt. Ilihan.]

Makes sense. Still, it's not normal. Even I know that much. It probably has something to do with my <Super Growth> skill.

As for my skills, they didn't really level up since I didn't use them as much than I usually do during a fight, but if I probably get into another fight and have the opportunity to use them, they might level up! And I have one new skill which I created using <Create Skill>!

It's <Border Barrier>! It's only Level 1 now, but I'm sure it will level up and I can finally fight at my own content without worrying about any damage!

I so look forward to that.

With this, I'm getting closer to my goal!

***

Hmm… Clothes, clothes… Sylvia likes loose clothes and Klint likes his silk pajamas. I should pack those for them.

Hmm? A phone call from Sakura-nee? Wait, who changed my ringtone anyway? I remember setting another song.

"Yes Sakura-nee?"

"Come to my office and bring some refreshments."

Is she serious? She is, isn't she?

"Any particular drink you want me to bring?"

"Tea would be nice, but not Japanese tea. Our guest seems not to like it."

Huh?

At least let me retort before you drop the call!

Seriously that woman! She really goes at her own pace at all times.

I should just probably do what she said. At least I can tell her about my plans about staying in the hospital to look after Klint with Sylvia.

***

I chose to bring earl grey tea to Sakura-nee and her guest. I wonder who her guest is. She usually informs us ahead of time when she has guests coming over.

Wait, I just realized and remembered something. Didn't that paladin, Gio, say he would be seeing Skaura-nee? Is he the guest Sakura-nee said to not like Japanese tea? That guy is still here!

Why?!

I knock on the door.

"Come in." responds the voice I recognize as Sakura-nee.

I slowly open the door, balancing the tray on my other hand and enter.

I was right! Gio is still here!

"Good timing April. Come serve the tea."

What is she on about now? This is really unusual.

"Ah! It's the bratty demon sympathizer!" exclaims the Paladin.

Who is he calling demon sympathizer? Somebody has to correct this guy's way of thinking.

I can't help but roll my eyes. I should just focus giving them tea and return to what I was doing. I can always ask Sakura-nee later about my plans.

Maybe I should just text her? Now that's a convenient way.

"Take a seat April. I want you to hear this."

"Eh?"

From the looks she's giving me, she's not kidding.

I sit on the vacant chair, which happens to be across Gio.

*SIGH*

Might as well get over this.

"Lady Sakura, we are discussing about sensitive and confidential matters! I cannot condone the presence of a child, more importantly a demon sympathizer, in it!"

"Hey! Can you stop calling me a demon sympathizer?" I lash out, finally fed up with him. "There's a difference between demon sympathizer and being friends with a demon! Especially one who's contracted to an onmyouji! If you see me as a demon sympathizer in that light, then you should also call Mister Hiiro and big sister Sakura demon sympathizers!"

"You brat! How can you casually address the Maiden of the Stars?"

"Ha? How is that my concern? Big sister Sakura is big sister Sakura! Why do you care about how I address her? We live under the same roof and she asked me to call her that!"

Uuuugh! He's really pissing me off! How can he stoop this low just to argue with me? He's too-

Wait. I suddenly feel a little chilly.

I turn to my side and see Sakura-nee with a disturbing smile on her face. Hiiro-san, who's standing just a bit ways behind her, is sighing in disbelief and is chuckling to himself.

Did he lose his mind or something?

On the other hand, the interpreter is already on his knees and is shaking, fear evident on his eyes. Even Gio is sitting rigid on his seat.

"Sakura-nee?"

"Are you two done?" she says in a calm manner, but I can tell that she's definitely angry. "You two sound like cats screeching at each other."

"Lady Sakura, I cannot just disregard such an attitude! You're the most powerful and most important person in Japan, perhaps in the entire universe! How can I-"

"Enough Mr. di Angelo and return to your seat. You're dealing with a thirteen year old child who hasn't even hit puberty yet. You're a grown man, do not stoop so low."

Why do I feel offended even though I know she just defended me? And wait, the most important person in the universe? What does he mean by that?

Slayer, do you know anything about that?

[You do not have sufficient Authority Level. Please raise your Authority Level.]

Ha? You're not even willing to share such information? Isn't my <Appraisal> and authority level high enough?

[Affirmative.]

Ugh. Slayer is just making my day worse than it already is.

"April!"

"Yes!"

Geez. I actually got lost in my thoughts.

"Stop being lazy and actually listen."

"Yes Sakura-nee."

"April, I know you've been snooping around for information lately."

Eek! She knows? How?

"I presume you are already aware of the Okinawa Case Files?" I nod my head.

It's one of the things I came across with while studying Japan's supernatural culture.

Okay… I may have been or may have not been hacking the police database for such type information regarding supernatural cases. Those were definitely under a lot of locks, but I managed to crack them.

Hahaha!

Ehem! Kidding aside.

"Give me a summary."

"Okay. The Okinawa Case Files is…"

The Okinawa Case Files is a collection of supernatural cases from the Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan; from simple disturbances, to murders and even cases of being spirited away. Whether it's purely between the supernatural or between humans and supernatural, everything is placed in the Okinawa Case Files.

"Very good. You actually really did read it."

I was already sweating buckets of cold sweat. Sakura-nee can really be intimidating.

"I… err…"

"Don't try to defend yourself. I already know you have another skill set other than fighting and being a troublemaker."

So being a troublemaker is a skill set now?

"What do you remember to be the most recent case in the Okinawa Case Files?"

The most recent? That would be…

"The cases of missing nuns and female teenagers. There are currently three nuns and three girls missing in the span of three months."

It's actually a very interesting case, other than the whole gory details of the deaths that are connected with the missing cases. Yes, there are deaths in it. And most of those who died are priests…

Wait…

Is that why this guy is here? Priests work for the Vatican! And those priests were probably not ordinary priests either!

"Same incidences are happening all over the world, as well as in different parts of Japan, not just in Okinawa." Sakura-nee says. "We do not know why whoever is doing this, doing this, but it's not something we can turn a blind eye on. As of now, the Onmyouji Union and Sector Zero, the ones in-charge of the supernatural in Japan, already have their hands full with some other cases."

"Are you telling me you can't help us with this?" Gio retorts, I can feel the anger rising in him. "This happened in your territory! Shouldn't you bear the responsibility as well?"

"I didn't say we won't lend a helping hand, after all Okinawa Prefecture is Japan's last land in its southern borders. It's just that our men are thinly spread right now and we can't offer the assistance of the people who usually deal with this matter."

I have a bad feeling about this.

"So, I have a proposition to make. Take April, Shizu and Niklaus to help you."

Sakura-nee… Why are you doing this to me?! I have to stay in the hospital with Sylvia and Klint you know?

"Huh? You want me to bring kids with me? You want me to bring 'this' kid with me?! You have got to be kidding me?!"

Hey! That should be my line!

"Sakura-nee!"

"No buts April. I already talked to Shizu and Nik, and they already agreed. Summer vacation will start in two days anyway so they should have no problems with school. And Mr. di Angelo, this is the best I can do for you."

"Lady Sakura, I am still the paladin of-"

"I know. But I seriously can't lend you any more of my men. And you don't have to worry. The three are very capable and can handle themselves. If you can't accept that, then you can head to Okinawa yourself with your interpreter and handle things solo."

Waah. She really moves at her own pace.