Chapter 42: Ethan
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Unless something truly extraordinary and out of the ordinary happened, there was no reason for Miles to intervene. He should just continue with his daily duties as a security guard until the right moment.
As Mr. Calm took several laps around the large shopping mall accompanied by the esteemed Master Catch, he began to notice that something didn’t seem quite right. The very ambiance of the mall felt off, even though he couldn’t put his finger on what was wrong. But before he could voice his concerns aloud, Master Catch, with his keen intuition, commented on the situation. “Mr. Calm, there’s definitely something unusual about this place. I felt a distinct disturbance the moment I stepped out of my car.”
Surprised and somewhat taken aback, Mr. Calm questioned, “What do you mean, Master Catch? Is there a problem with my mall that I’m unaware of? Can it be fixed?”
Master Catch, with a slight chuckle, responded, “The situation is intricate, but you’ve made a wise choice seeking my expertise. Not everyone is equipped to deal with matters of this nature. It’s fortunate that I’m here to assist. I can provide solutions to address your mall’s anomalies. However, I offer two distinct approaches: a short-term solution and a more permanent one. Which direction are you leaning towards, Mr. Calm?”
Looking puzzled, Mr. Calm inquired, “Could you clarify the difference between the two?”
Master Catch went on to explain, “The short-term fix is simple. I’ll step in and employ some tactics to stabilize the current situation, which will halt the ongoing anomalies. However, this doesn’t ensure that similar disturbances won’t surface again.”
“And what about the long-term solution?” Mr. Calm asked, his curiosity piqued.
Master Catch expanded on his previous point, “For a lasting solution, we would need to consider closing this mall and finding a new location. There’s a certain negativity attached to this place; unless addressed, similar disturbances might emerge down the line.”
He then added, “Consider this, Mr. Calm. Haven’t the mysterious disappearances stopped since you temporarily closed the mall?”
With realization dawning on his face, Mr. Calm agreed, “Indeed, Master Catch. There haven’t been any further incidents since we shut down.”
In Mr. Calm’s opinion, whatever he had spent on seeking Master Catch’s expertise was worth it.
“But if we decide against relocation, what are our other options? I’m concerned about the loss we’re incurring with every passing day the mall remains closed,” Mr. Calm expressed, clearly worried about the financial implications.
With a hearty laugh, Master Catch reassured him, “I’ve come a long way to address your concerns. Failing to resolve this would damage my esteemed reputation in the field. However, please remember that my charges are non-negotiable.”
Feeling optimistic, Mr. Calm replied, “I understand. Whatever expenses arise, consider them covered. Please lead the way.”
Master Catch, with an air of authority, informed him, “Having inspected your mall thoroughly, my recommendation for a permanent solution is to seal off the main entrance and construct a new one facing the south. The right-side parking lot entry can remain. A detailed renovation plan will be shared with you later. Discussing the specifics in this setting isn’t suitable.”
Impressed and convinced by the expert’s proposal, Mr. Calm nodded in agreement.
Unbeknownst to them, Miles had been surreptitiously listening in on their entire conversation.
As he listened to Master Catch, he found the man’s words not only persuasive but also genuine on the surface level. Of course, Miles knew better and didn’t buy the story one bit.
A while later, a young apprentice of Master Catch entered the area, carefully placing a variety of curious and arcane items on a table. The assortment hinted at some ritualistic process about to commence.
“Ensure the main entrance is sealed,” Master Catch instructed his apprentice with a tone of immediacy.
Reacting to the directive, a sharply dressed man wearing a suit that clung to his frame approached Miles and Strong. His demeanor was authoritative as he ordered, “You heard the instruction. Close that door promptly and without delay.”
“That’s Mall Manager Li,” Strong whispered, his voice low, filled with caution. “He’s the right-hand man of the owner. Trust me, you don’t want to get on his bad side.” Taking his own advice to heart, Strong promptly moved to assist in securing the main entrance with locks and chains.
Miles, for his part, remained unfazed. His expression didn’t betray any hint of annoyance or agitation. He simply pivoted and lent his efforts to shut the door.
“Ensure it’s locked. Once it’s locked, the entity – if there is one – won’t have an exit,” Master Catch reiterated with a sense of urgency.
Seriously lock the entrance?
Miles momentarily hesitated. With a tone of genuine concern, he inquired, “But if we lock this entrance, any ghost, real or not, would be trapped inside along with everyone here. Should an emergency arise, how will we evacuate safely?”
With a scowl forming on his face, Mall Manager Li reprimanded Miles upon seeing his reluctance, “What’s taking you so long, rookie? Did you not hear Master Catch’s directive? Lock that door without further delay!”
Miles couldn’t help but ponder, “If something truly supernatural does take place, you’d be the one ensnared within, not me. Does it truly matter whether I follow through or not?”
With a resolute click, he turned the key, locking the entrance firmly in place.
However, as he watched Master Catch’s following dramatic actions and preparations, a whimsical tune began playing in Miles’s head. This made the supposed expert appear oddly theatrical and entertaining.
Unable to hold back his mirth, a chuckle escaped Miles. Immediately realizing the gravity of the ongoing ritual, he swiftly covered his mouth, hoping no one had noticed.
However, Master Catch, with heightened senses, instantly turned to confront the source of the disruption. “Who just disrupted the environment? Was it you, guard? Do you understand the repercussions if your carelessness interferes with the ritual?”
Attempting to salvage the situation, Miles replied with sincerity, “Master, you’ve misunderstood. I merely had a sneeze. And for your information, I’m a diligent security officer, trained meticulously by our esteemed company. I wouldn’t let out even a giggle, regardless of the circumstances.”
Strong threw a quizzical glance at Miles, silently questioning, “When exactly did you undergo this training?”
Hoping to end the disruption, Master Catch remarked with a hint of annoyance, “Ensure there isn’t a repeat of this.”
Throughout this brief altercation, Miles could feel the weight of Mall Manager Li’s gaze scrutinizing him from afar. But he chose to brush it off, focusing on the unfolding events instead.
Master Catch then resumed his elaborate ritual. Yet, every movement, every subtle turn of his head seemed to match the playful tune that resonated in Miles’s mind.
Despite his best efforts to suppress it, a soft chuckle bubbled up from Miles.
To his dismay, Master Catch’s exceptional hearing didn’t miss the muffled sound.
Upon hearing yet another chuckle from Miles, Master Catch’s patience wore thin. “Still laughing? This is getting out of hand!” The visibly agitated expert abruptly dropped his tools with a clatter, his irritation palpable.
Without missing a beat, Mall Manager Li swiftly approached Miles with a stern expression, declaring, “You can consider your employment here terminated. And don’t even entertain the idea of getting your wages for this month.”
Responding with an unexpected calmness, Miles quipped, “My apologies for the disruption. It’s rare for me to lose control over my laughter. I guess today was an exception. Regardless, do continue with your rituals. I had planned on leaving this job tomorrow anyway. Given that I’ve only worked here a day, the matter of my salary is inconsequential.”
Mall Manager Li’s anger bubbled to the surface, his face turning a shade redder. “Who in their right mind hired this joker? Whoever made that decision will answer for this!”
Yet, before another word could be spoken, a sudden and loud crash interrupted the standoff.
“Bang!”
The echoing sound, reminiscent of something heavy making contact with the floor, reverberated throughout the vast space.
“What on earth was that?” Everyone’s attention shifted instantly, expressions of shock and confusion painted on their faces.
But as the crowd congregated to inspect the source of the noise, their expressions quickly morphed from curiosity to sheer horror. Several individuals couldn’t suppress their shrieks upon witnessing the sight.
What lay before them was a grisly scene: a decaying, headless corpse, stripped of clothing and emanating a nauseating stench.
A young man’s voice, nonchalantly cutting through the heavy atmosphere, remarked, “It’s just a body, no need for such theatrics. I found it after a brief search upstairs. Judging by its state, it might belong to one of the many individuals reported missing in this mall. You must admit, it’s amusing how you, Mr. Calm, were duped into hiring a charlatan, thinking they’d solve your problems. If experts like him were truly effective, folks like me wouldn’t have a job.”
Descending from the fourth-floor elevator, a young man, possibly in his early twenties and dressed in a casual short-sleeved shirt and gloves, entered the scene.
Clearly taken aback, Mr. Calm hastily shouted, “Who is this intruder? Security!”
Holding a placating hand, the young man introduced himself, “No need to panic or call security. My name’s Ethan. I used to work as an electrician, but now I deal with otherworldly matters. Mr. Calm, I think it’s high time we become acquainted.”
With a smirk and an outstretched hand, Ethan’s seemingly amiable demeanor was undercut by an unmistakable coldness that made his true intentions hard to discern.
Observing this newcomer, Miles couldn’t help but feel a pang of suspicion. He thought, “Is this guy also a ghost tamer? And if so, is he here to snatch away the job at hand?”