Pathway to Japanese Literature

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BakuōAuthor: Unno Juza

Original Title	獏鸚
Author	海野十三
Genre	Detective & Mystery
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	In 1930s Tokyo, private detective Homura Sōroku and his companion stumble into a labyrinthine mystery when a cryptic phrase—“Bakuō”—emerges from a torn document. Drawn into a shadowy feud between rival gangs vying for a vanished millionaire’s fortune, Homura deciphers coded clues pointing to an imminent catastrophe. His investigation intertwines with Reiko Mihara, an enigmatic actress entangled with the Akatsuki Group, whose botched film dialogue hides a cipher linked to a vault of unimaginable stakes. As Homura races to unravel layers of deception—mythical beasts, gangland conspiracies, and cutting-edge talkie technology—the line between reality and illusion blurs. With time ticking toward an explosive climax, every decoded fragment deepens the enigma: What monstrous secret does “Bakuō” guard? And who will control its power? A taut thriller where whispers of folklore collide with modern intrigue, leaving readers breathless for answers.