Thud, thud, thud.
The girl came down from the second floor with a laptop in her arms and sat beside Akihi Yu, who was "zoning out."
"The government has publicly acknowledged the existence of the supernatural."
"Oh? That was quick~~"
Akihi Yu's eyes shifted, and his gaze fell on the laptop. It was playing the island nation's NHK 7 o'clock news.
Judging by the looks of things, every channel and platform was broadcasting it live.
"Citizens, rest assured. The Cabinet will protect everyone's safety!"
On the news, the island nation's prime minister announced solemnly:
"Effective immediately, every prefecture, province, and county will establish a supernatural countermeasures department under the Public Security Bureau, with Tokyo coordinating their efforts."
"Besides drills for earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, fires, and other disasters, schools will now hold supernatural emergency drills as well."
Alongside the island nation's prime minister, all the senior Cabinet officials stood in a row, their solemn faces serving as a backdrop as they lent their support to a slew of upcoming bills.
"The Metropolitan Police Department is establishing a 'Transcendent Countermeasures Division,' and the Self-Defense Force is forming a 'Special Reaction Force.' The government hopes that courageous individuals with a sense of purpose, willing to contribute to the defense of our nation, will join us."
"Here are the salaries and benefits for these departments."
With the tone set, the police and Self-Defense Force began recruiting in large numbers, offering significantly better salaries and benefits.
The scene then changed to footage of real combat: the Earthquake Catfish being blasted backward again and again by artillery, before finally vanishing in a cloud of smoke; and a colossal Rashomon being pierced and shattered by a tornado of rapidly spinning claws.
The footage also included two spirited female police officers in Exoskeleton Armor leaping from an armed