Global Disaster: I Will Slay Gods In This Second Chance!-Chapter 63: Tsumogui

May 8, 2025.

Kasuragi Province, Tsumogui.

A white van eased along the road, steadily moving through the cramped, pale umber path.

As they neared Tsumogui, the mist in the surroundings grew heavier, completely shrouding the van.

Inside the van, the 13th Demon Hunter Squad was seated across from each other.

Everyone was silent, brows furrowing harshly, and eyes narrowed in alert.

Despite having four days to prepare, everyone’s hearts were still colored with unease.

After all, this mission was the first of its kind.

Fourth was a demon hunter’s favorite number, and first was their worst nightmare.

Contrary to the popular belief of other people, demon hunters weren’t just another term for awakeners, they possessed their own unique style of fighting, making them dangerous in a different way.

Unlike the heroes or hunters of other nations, Nihon’s demon hunters excelled in information gathering the most.

The most skilled demon hunters were those who knew how to observe quietly and conceal themselves patiently. They would only strike when they were certain of their success.

But in the month-long history of the Demon Hunter Association, no one had ever set foot, much less attempted to clear a Ghost Town.

Obviously, Ghost Towns only appeared recently, but that was the point.

What they were doing was something no demon hunter had ever done before.

In the updated manual, it was written that Ghost Towns were forbidden from entry to squads without a Vital Spark Awakener within them.

But for their squad to be able to take this mission, it was clear that their captain was a Vital Spark stage Awakener.

Knowing this, everyone managed to find a sense of comfort amidst the depressing and tense atmosphere.

Whether the 13th Demon Hunter Squad would become an unfortunate tale or a resounding success story depends only on their captain.

On the left side, Akihito’s hands interlaced nervously.

Even someone as upbeat as him felt terribly anxious at this moment.

But it wasn’t just him.

Seiji and Ayase wore similar expressions, their usual calm and indifference fading.

Ayase clenched the hems of her uniform slightly, her gaze distant, as if staring into space.

Seiji’s eyes were alert, his eyes fixed on the road as he drove.

Only Namita was relatively calm, but that was because of his experience as a detective and serial killer.

While everyone was in a tense mood, Zold closed his eyes and spoke.

"... You’ll be fine as long as you preserve. I’ll be in charge of killing the monster."

He paused, then continued solemnly.

"Just remember this... don’t kill yourself, no matter what."

Hearing that, everyone took a deep breath, nodding slightly.

Not long after, they finally arrived in Tsumugoi.

Hopping out of the van, Zold and others scanned the entrance of Tsumugoi, seeing a pale, gray mist fill the entire town.

Deep within the mist, human figures faintly appeared, but they were blurry and unrecognizable. Paired with the deathly silence in the surroundings, Tsumugoi resembled an ancient, abandoned graveyard more than what it used to be.

"Let’s go."

Zold didn’t waste anymore time.

Akihito and the others nodded, their expressions solemn.

After taking a deep breath, they quickly caught up to Zold’s back and entered Tsumugoi.

On May 6, 2025, the 13th Demon Hunter Squad began the first clearance of Nihon’s Ghost Town, Tsumogui.

Tsumogui, also known as... the passageway to hell.

---

The moment they set foot in Tsumogui, they all disappeared.

No, to be precise, it was as if they had all been separated by some force.

Zold opened his eyes calmly. He looked at his surroundings, not seeing any of the other members.

’... Did it sense my strength?’

He was isolated alone.

Then, he snapped his fingers, causing his own shadow to bubble slightly.

Two shadow copies of himself appeared, moving beside him.

’Shadow Copies can move here, that’s good.’

Before entering Tsumogui, he activated [Shadow Copy], sending a shadow copy of himself to each member.

That way, even if there were monsters they couldn’t handle, he could still save them.

Once he confirmed it, Zold snapped his fingers, dissolving the two shadow copies beside him.

Without wasting any more time, he extended his spiritual sense to the maximum, reaching most of the town.

But after a brief while, he sensed nothing.

It was as if the entire town was truly abandoned and had no sign of life, even monsters.

’It’s not a monster that kills its prey directly...’

From this, Zold inferred that this monster wasn’t the type to hunt its prey like a predator would.

Considering the atmosphere and overall environment, it was more likely the type to drive its prey to madness.

’As expected of unnatural monsters...’

He continued walking, checking if there was anything strange.

A moment later, something strange did happen.

Zold suddenly stopped, turning around.

From his back, the mist suddenly converged, transforming into multiple human figures.

Some of the human figures were as young as children, some were as old as a hundred-years.

But most importantly, Zold knew all of them.

He lowered his gaze, taking a deep breath.

Then, he raised his gaze, showing indifference.

’So it’s this kind of effect. The Shadow Copies are useless here...’

Seeing them, Zold quickly narrowed down the monster they were hunting.

The Abyssal Eye of Despair, a Tier II Demon-class monster with the proto-domain, [Heart Trial].

The [Heart Trial] had one singular effect: whoever set foot into its domain would have to confront their own heart to escape. If they were devoured by their own fears and guilt, then they never return to the real world.

Nagito was right to be worried.

This was the kind of trial that ignored a person’s strength entirely.

Once you were caught in this trial, it didn’t matter how strong you were. An Awakener was human just like everyone else, possessing insecurities, fears, and guilt.

Zold’s hands twitched slightly, a rare display of nervousness for him.

This trial was especially harsh for those who had deep trauma.

It so happens that all of the members of the 13th Demon Squad...

Were utterly broken people.

He exhaled softly, looking at the figures that manifested.

"13th Demon Hunter Squad... don’t die on me yet."