How to Play a Team Wipe Start?

Uesugi Tetsu was curled up inside the cold, metallic locker, peering outside through a tiny gap.

That thing... Kukuri should be long gone by now, right?

The abandoned campus at midnight was eerily silent. Not only was there no moonlight, but not even the sound of crickets could be heard.

Inside the locker, with his two equally cold brothers embracing him, Uesugi Tetsu thought:

"Trying to hide in a locker to escape an evil spirit like in the game is clearly a dead end."

Look at that, hiding got three of them killed. The three brothers were lined up neatly and lively, like an exhibit.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been his turn to transmigrate.

After spending a dozen seconds absorbing the remaining memories, Uesugi Tetsu gradually understood everything.

In short, their group of five agreed to come here at midnight for a courage-testing event—playing "Kukuri" in the legendary classroom where a corpse was hidden in the walls.

It was the Japanese version of Ouija boards, spirit boards, and the like.

But as the saying goes, it's easy to invite a god, but hard to send one away...

Not only that, but his good brother "Kumamoto" had specifically found a cursed Ouija board for the game.

--It was said that before, several high school girls used it to play Kukuri, and as expected, they all met with accidents.

The scene of several girls holding hands and jumping off the platform just before a train passed was simply unbearable to witness.

Recalling this, Uesugi Tetsu's brow twitched heavily.

Good grief, it even came with a bunch of soul rings.

You've stacked all the buffs, if an evil spirit doesn't show up, it would feel like a disservice to all your efforts.

There was no need to elaborate on the current situation. The original three buddies were already dead and gone, and one girl had died at the stairs before they even crawled into the locker to await death...

So now, that Kukuri must be chasing after the last remaining girl named "Tokugawa Ririko."

"Thank you, Ririko."

Uesugi Tetsu sincerely thanked the girl who bought him time with her life.

Without her, he might have kicked the bucket before he even had time to activate his cheat.

He closed his eyes in concentration, then opened them again.

A panel unfolded before his eyes.

[Uesugi Tetsu]
[Physique: 3]
[Willpower: 4]
[Charisma: 9]
[Spirit Arts: 0]
[Soul Ash: 50]

"Such a weak physique," Uesugi Tetsu muttered. "Such high charisma, am I supposed to seduce the ghost?"

But the problem was, if anything, Kukuri had no gender, so even if he could resist for a while, it would be useless.

Uesugi Tetsu continued to look down.

Below "Soul Ash," a faintly swaying, cold bamboo forest appeared, with the words:

[Newbie Exclusive Draw: Deep Bamboo Forest]

Followed by ominous-looking purple-black distorted text--

[First Ten Consecutive Draws Only Half Price!]

Alright, alright, you want to play the gacha game too, huh?

However, Uesugi Tetsu didn't complain too much. It was good enough to have a cheat, and the 50 Soul Ash needed for the draw was all provided by the three brothers in the locker. What more could he ask for?

Time was tight and the mission was urgent, no need for further ado.

Let's draw!

Instantly, the bamboo forest in the darkness began to shake, and nine faint white lights rushed out one after another.

Uesugi Tetsu ignored them, focusing all his attention on the last beam of light.

Guaranteed!

Come out with the guarantee!

As if hearing Uesugi Tetsu's thoughts, the bamboo forest began to shake violently, and the mournful cries of many children slowly emanated from within.

Finally, a dazzling purple light leisurely drifted out from the very center of the bamboo forest.

As the purple light dissipated, a delicate card with a green face, fangs, and a monstrous grin slowly floated before his eyes.

[Laughing Brahma (Young Form)]

Uesugi Tetsu narrowed his eyes. This didn't seem to be the guaranteed item anymore.

Although this gacha pool doesn't specify what the guaranteed drop will be, judging by the previous nine white lights, the guaranteed item would be at most blue or green rarity.

Getting a purple light was purely a stroke of luck.

Without overthinking it, Uesugi Tetsu began to examine the description and usage of the [Laughing Brahma].

[Laughing Brahma (Young Form)]

[Quality: Super Excellent]

[Rank: Half-Star]

[Max Rank: One and a Half Stars]

[Talents: Ghost God Power (Weak), Fearful Smile]

[--A Laughing Brahma that entertains itself by frightening and pranking children. It has not yet fully grown. However, perhaps its potential is far greater than this?]

The moment his consciousness touched the [Laughing Brahma], Uesugi Tetsu understood its actual use.

--He could use cards to transform into the demons and strange tales that exist in history and legends.

Not bad.

Uesugi Tetsu grinned.

Didn't that Kukuri just scare them out of their wits? He'd make the other party experience that feeling too.

This was a traditional virtue, known as "not reciprocating a visit is impolite."

But the Laughing Brahma's quality was only green "Excellent." Perhaps it was because it had the potential to be promoted to higher star ratings and quality?

He couldn't think of anything for now, so Uesugi Tetsu continued to browse the two talents.

[Ghost God Power (Weak): A Brahma is a ghost god. All Brahmas are born with a physique and spiritual power that ordinary specters and monsters can hardly reach, even low-ranking Laughing Brahmas.]

[Fearful Smile: The Laughing Brahma's smile is inherently designed to intimidate others. All beings who make eye contact with you will undergo a "Willpower Check" after you smile. If they fail the check, they will be forcibly stunned.]

The two skills were a perfect match. Without a second word, Uesugi Tetsu equipped it first.

In the metal cabinet, a mask with a blue face, fangs, and a sinister grin flew out, clicking onto Uesugi Tetsu's face.

His status panel immediately changed--

[Uesugi Tetsu (Laughing Brahma Avatar)]

[Physique: 3 → 10]

[Willpower: 4 → 6]

[Charm: 9 → 6]

[Spirit Power: 0 → 2]

In just a moment, he felt his unhealthy ordinary high school student body inflate like a balloon. His muscle lines became sharp and distinct, his calm heartbeat began to pound, the sound of blood flowing became clearly audible, and even his five senses sharpened.

He could even feel a strange, indescribable power flowing within him--this was probably the so-called spiritual power.

The metal cabinet, which had just barely fit the three of them, began to creak under the strain.

Uesugi Tetsu looked outside the cabinet again. The darkness that had been impenetrable now seemed as clear as daylight.

"That's about enough."

He recalled the old-faced Kukuri from his memory.

If he compared it to his current self, it was merely a slightly dangerous stray dog.

Crack--

His powerful fingers tore open the thin metal cabinet door. Uesugi Tetsu, now one with the Brahma mask, bowed and emerged.

It was then that he noticed his two brothers' bodies seemed to be closer to the outside of the cabinet, with each of them blocking half of his body.

Perhaps... they wanted him to survive more...

Uesugi Tetsu shook his head wordlessly, then crouched down to close the terrified eyes of his two good brothers.

The pupils beneath the Brahma mask were dark and cold, showing no emotion.

He wondered if that girl named Ririko, who had bought him time with her life, was still alive...

Just then, a loud crash of colliding objects echoed from at least a hundred meters away, followed by a girl's roar:

"You bastard, get away from me--!"

In the deep, silent night, Uesugi Tetsu heard it clearly. There was no doubt it was Tokugawa Ririko's voice.

The demon nodded knowingly, then sprinted out with heavy steps, his terrifying, monstrous laughter spreading like a shockwave through the eerie corridors:

"Ririko, don't panic! I'm coming to help you!"