471 Sokou

Nishikyou, Ginza District.

On the topmost floor of a skyscraper, Taira no Masakado sat deep in thought with a glass of white wine in one hand, stroking his white beard with the other.

Suddenly, black fumes burst into the room before solidifying into an immaterial black skull in front of the bearded man. "Master, a strong one approaches from the west."

Taira no Masakado opened his eyes and strode towards the window. Through the glass, he could see a huge swarm of ghouls blotting out the western horizon. He set down his wineglass and turned around to retrieve his jacket. Putting it on, he coldly said, "Black Demon, keep them busy."

"As you command, Master." Melting back into black fumes that filled the room, the gaseous monster pulled itself out of the building and hurtled across the sky. The sky went dark as its body blocked out the sun. Pedestrians on the street hurriedly looked for shelter beneath it.