Chapter 43: The Missing Corpse
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
The shopping center had been completely shut down to make way for the rituals led by Master Catch. Not even the designated safety pathways were left open. Therefore, the presence of a young man named Ethan inside the mall perplexed everyone. How had he slipped in unnoticed, especially when he wasn’t spotted during prior security checks? Had he been camouflaging himself amidst the regular shoppers? Or was he the mysterious entity they suspected had been lurking in the mall recently?
Miles took a moment to scrutinize Ethan, a plethora of questions brewing inside him. He struggled to comprehend the grim discovery he had made on one of his recent patrols: a lifeless, decomposed body. What was even more unsettling was the precision of the cut on the corpse’s neck, eerily reminiscent of those produced by industrial milling tools. Strangest of all, there wasn’t a drop of blood to be found.
Gathered together, Mr. Calm, the Mall Manager Li, and those aligned with Master Catch looked at Ethan, their faces a mix of shock and dread. Could he be a killer, an unhinged individual, or perhaps something even more sinister? Doubt and fear clouded their minds.
Ethan attempted a friendly gesture by extending his hand towards Mr. Calm for a handshake. Mr. Calm, however, drew back, anxiety apparent on his visage. “Who exactly are you? What’s your purpose here?”
With a calm demeanor, Ethan replied, “I’ve come with a business proposition for you, Mr. Calm. Now, are you interested in hearing it out?” With no response from Mr. Calm, Ethan pulled back his hand but maintained a non-threatening grin.
“What kind of business are you talking about?” Mr. Calm inquired cautiously.
Explaining himself, Ethan said, “From what I sense, your mall is haunted. The series of recent vanishing incidents? They’re the handiwork of this ghost. It’s somewhere here, observing us right now. I can help you deal with this supernatural nuisance, but it won’t be cheap – I ask for five million.”
Mr. Calm quickly pieced things together. This unfamiliar man was attempting to exploit the situation for money. Having already hired a professional for the job, why would Mr. Calm need Ethan’s help?
Master Catch, sensing Mr. Calm’s hesitation, interjected with a hint of derision, “Where are you from, young man? Are you familiar with the sacred practices we uphold? You barely look out of your teens. Do you even understand the principles of feng shui or the Eight Trigrams? I presume you’re just a novice. I’ll deal with Mr. Calm’s predicament. I advise you to depart without delay.”
Adding a warning, he said, “If you choose to linger, our security will ensure you’re removed.”
Amused, Ethan retorted with a mocking laugh, “An arrogant charlatan who’s lost touch with reality. Relying on feng shui? Perhaps that’s a successful ruse for the newly wealthy, but it’s of no use here. The ghost in this place is real. Your wooden sword and insubstantial charms are futile. Even summoning the Buddha won’t make a difference.”
He leaned in, his voice colder, “I’d suggest you choose your words carefully. Otherwise, I might just rip your heart out and make you eat it.”
The amiable mask Ethan wore moments before melted away, replaced by a deeply menacing look. He grabbed Master Catch by his collar, showcasing an unexpected display of strength, making it clear that his words were far from mere bluster.
As the tension escalated, an overwhelming sense of dread enveloped the room. Beads of cold sweat began to form on Master Catch’s brow. Ethan’s demeanor was chilling, more menacing than that of a seasoned criminal from a maximum-security prison. The malevolence he radiated was unparalleled, even when compared to the most notorious of convicts.
The icy atmosphere surrounding Ethan led Miles to a daunting realization: Ethan might be a ghost tamer like himself. Such individuals, when under the grip of these dark entities, would undergo a slow and stealthy transformation driven by the insidious intent of the spirit within. Disturbingly, Miles felt that he was beginning to undergo a similar change.
Mall Manager Li, now pale as a sheet, cried out in desperation, “Security, move in now! Detain this man and release Master Catch at once!”
Strong hesitated, clearly unsure about intervening, which caused Li to lash out at both of the security personnel in frustration. “What on earth is wrong with you two? Do you both want to be jobless? Act now!”
When Miles remained still, defiantly standing his ground, Li pointed an accusing finger at him, shouting, “What do you think you’re doing?!”
Miles, calm yet assertive, replied, “Remember, you dismissed me. I’ll hand over this uniform later, meaning I don’t owe you anything. It’s your mess; you handle it.”
He continued, “And watch your tone and that finger of yours. Your title may be ‘mall manager,’ but if you push me too far, I won’t hesitate to show you your limits.”
This audacity from Miles took Li by surprise. He was flabbergasted. When did security personnel become so defiant? In his mind, they should be obedient, not challenging.
Mr. Calm, sensing the deteriorating situation, stepped in, “Young man, I own this mall. If you assist us now, I’m ready to reward you with a substantial pay increase. How does that sound?”
Miles, not losing his cool, responded, “I’d rather choose a less risky occupation, but thanks for the offer.”
Mr. Calm then cast a withering glance at Mall Manager Li, one filled with disappointment and frustration. It was evident to Mr. Calm that Li’s incompetence was becoming a liability. Finding good help for the mall had always been challenging. They had finally found two promising young security guards, and because of Li’s foolhardiness, one was already on his way out, and now he was reluctant to assist in a dire situation.
“Contact the police,” Mr. Calm directed, barely concealing his anger.
Coming back to his senses, Li immediately reached for his phone to call the authorities.
It was at this point that Strong, albeit hesitantly, spoke up, “Let’s all just calm down and think rationally.”
It was clear he wasn’t keen on endangering himself over a job either.
Ethan’s chilling smile only heightened the tension in the room. “I assure you, I’m perfectly calm,” he said coldly, “If I wasn’t, you all would be lifeless by now.” With that, he released Master Catch from his grasp, letting the drained man fall to the ground like a discarded ragdoll.
“Sir, the police have been notified,” Mall Manager Li discreetly informed Mr. Calm. Nodding, Mr. Calm replied in a hushed tone, “Let’s tread lightly for now. It’s crucial we remain in charge of the situation.”
Mr. Calm’s eyes darted to the motionless corpse, the seeds of suspicion germinating in his mind. Could Ethan, the eerie figure now towering over them, be the malevolent force behind the recent disappearances in the mall?
Not missing a beat, Ethan addressed Mr. Calm, “I believe you should give my earlier proposal another thought. A mere five million to cleanse your mall of its ghostly inhabitants to ensure uninterrupted business. How about it?”
Mr. Calm, striving to mask his trepidation, countered, “Your fee is exorbitant.”
Ethan’s smile widened mockingly, “Considering this mall’s valuation, I find my price entirely justified.”
Pursing his lips, Mr. Calm hesitated, “Perhaps if you could provide a more reasonable quote, we could consider it.” He hoped to keep Ethan engaged, especially since the police were en route and he believed Ethan might be the malevolent force they were contending with.
Watching the exchange from a distance, Miles couldn’t help but marvel at Ethan’s audacity. Despite the global increase in paranormal incidents, many remained skeptical. A hefty five million upfront seemed implausible. Mr. Calm would likely be open to negotiations only after a firsthand encounter with the alleged ghost. Drawing from his own experiences with the likes of Mr. Beach, Miles reckoned he had a fair grasp of such situations.
But just as the atmosphere tightened to a near breaking point, a sudden “click” reverberated through the mall – pitch-black darkness swallowed the entire space. The unexpected blackout further unnerved everyone present.
Ethan’s face darkened, “This doesn’t bode well.” He instinctively looked up, and through the minimal light, discerned a shadowy figure by the fifth floor’s glass railing. Alarmingly, the figure seemed to be missing its head.
“So, you’ve decided to make an appearance?” Ethan murmured, hints of insanity creeping into his tone. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the elevator, rushing to confront whatever awaited upstairs.
Miles narrowed his eyes, trying to make sense of the events. He too noticed the figure on the fifth floor but felt a pungent aroma of decay originating from the ground floor. Were there two entities – one above and one below?
Suddenly, a harrowing scream sliced through the tense silence. Blush, a young employee in her mid-twenties, pointed frantically to a spot on the ground floor.
Mall Manager Li chided, trying to maintain some semblance of control, “Compose yourself! It’s merely a power outage. Now’s our chance to exit while that man is preoccupied. The police will be here soon.”
Blush’s voice trembled, “No, it’s not just the lights… the corpse he brought… it’s vanished.” She pointed to the previously occupied space, now eerily vacant.
As they surveyed the area and found it devoid of the body, a wave of terror washed over the group, exacerbated by the ever-growing, nauseating smell of decay that permeated the air.