Chapter 63: Departure
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
In a meticulous and well-coordinated effort, Miles and Ethan teamed up to tackle a ghost that had been terrorizing the local shopping mall. Although the ghostly entity was categorized as a Class C apparition – which would typically be less menacing – the duo soon realized that this was no ordinary ghost. Not only did they have to decipher its unpredictable behavior, but they also had to locate its true physical manifestation, all the while crafting a plan to safely contain it. Every step was fraught with danger, and any misstep could have had catastrophic results.
The gravity of the situation hit its peak when the ghost made a sinister attempt to possess Ethan, specifically targeting his arm. Only Miles’s quick reflexes and sharp instincts prevented what could have been a deadly encounter.
As the ordeal came to an end and Miles began to leave the mall, he couldn’t help but notice a group of police officers outside. Walking over with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, he commented, “Keeping busy, I see? Figured you’d be long gone by now.”
An officer responded with a mix of seriousness and jest in his tone, “Just doing my job. We aren’t the type to just walk away. How’s everything inside?”
“The mall’s safe now,” Miles replied with an air of authority. “No more spooky incidents. But, we did come across one of the missing individuals. As for the others… Well, I’ll leave it to you to connect the dots.”
Miles’s attention then turned to River, who stood nearby. Her appearance was disheveled from the ordeal, but there was undeniable relief in her eyes. She had been through hell and back but was now safe, standing next to Miles.
Feeling the need to keep moving, Miles said, “The mall’s secure. I’ve got other matters to handle. Call if you need more help.”
After expressing their appreciation and taking down his contact, the officers watched Miles leave. River, not wanting to be left behind, quickly joined him.
Miles, sounding somewhat exasperated, said, “Why are you following? Go home. Your family’s probably frantic after your disappearance. You don’t need to stick to me.”
River looked slightly hurt by his directness and playfully reminded him, “Didn’t I become your girlfriend? Or did you forget our chat in the restroom? And for the record, drop the ‘big sister’ act. I’m not ancient.”
With a smirk, Miles replied, “Since when did I agree to you being my girlfriend? Are you trying to pull one over on me?”
She huffed, “In the restroom. And about the age thing? I’m 25 – actually, 24, but 25 by lunar count. That’s young!”
Miles couldn’t help but tease her further, “I’m just 18. Or 19 by lunar years. So, ‘big sister’ it is. At least I’m not calling you ‘auntie’. Isn’t that thoughtful of me, Big Sister River?”
River’s countenance visibly shifted, revealing a blend of surprise and a smidge of deflation. She had always pegged Miles for someone in his mid-twenties, and his playful nickname ‘big sister’ for her now suddenly clicked into place. The revelation made her feel slightly less smug than before. In his eyes, she clearly embodied the traits of a protective older sister.
“With all my heart, dear ‘little brother’, thank you,” she voiced sincerely, “You’ve been indispensable today.”
Before Miles could make his exit, a figure swiftly approached him. It was Mr. Calm, who, with an evident air of deep gratitude, firmly clasped Miles’s hand.
Chuckling lightly, Miles remarked, “I was just doing my job, the one I’m paid for. There’s no need for such formalities.”
But Mr. Calm was insistent. “You’ve been a lifesaver, literally. Take this,” he said, extending a crisp business card towards Miles, “Should you ever find yourself in need, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Interrupting the exchange, an officer interjected, “Mr. Calm, your testimony isn’t complete. We’ll need you at the precinct later for an official statement.”
“A moment, officer,” Mr. Calm replied, slightly flustered. Then, turning his attention back to Miles, he continued, “Do keep me in mind. I’m Mr. Calm. Swing by my office sometime. Lunch is on me.”
The genuine gesture drew a newfound admiration in Miles’s gaze.
The shrewd Mr. Calm, true to his reputation, grasped the essence of nurturing professional ties. His approach was more seasoned and astute than the others. It was evident why he was at the helm of the business affairs here while Li played a secondary role as a manager.
“I’ll consider your offer,” responded Miles, taking the card and recognizing the potential advantage of this new association.
Given Mr. Calm’s affluent status, Miles was fairly confident that if ever he faced any financial woes, Mr. Calm would likely step in to help.
Lost in his thoughts, Miles grappled with the decision of his next destination.
His own apartment?
That was a firm no. With its walls echoing the eerie remnants of a spirit, it wasn’t just daunting but treacherously unsafe to dwell there.
“I need to find a temporary place to stay. Once Ethan identifies a willing buyer, I’ll need to supervise the deal. But first… this needs proper treatment to ensure its integrity.”
From his pocket, Miles extracted a small box adorned with what appeared to be gold foil. However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that this was no mere foil but genuine gold leaf.
Although dainty in appearance, the box was noticeably hefty, weighing a few kilograms at least.
And who would’ve thought? Within this gleaming container resided a captured ghost.
As Miles stood stationary, immersed in his thoughts, River, who had been following at a discreet distance, piped up, “Are you planning to walk the entire way? Don’t you have a car? Why on earth aren’t you driving?”
A smirk touched Miles’s lips, “Imagine someone like me owning a car. I don’t even have the luxury of a bicycle. So, why are you tailing me, dear ‘big sister’?”
Grinning mischievously, River shot back, “You might not have owned a car previously, but you certainly do now. I saw you receive it from Master Catch. Not just the car, but also a whopping eight million, some exquisite jade artifacts, and a designer watch, if I recall correctly. You can’t fool someone who’s seen the security footage.”
Chuckles escaping him, Miles admitted, “You’re right. I had almost forgotten about it.” Fishing out a key fob from his pocket and pressing it, an imposing SUV parked nearby responded by flashing its lights.
River’s eyes widened in recognition, “Now that’s a premium imported car worth around five million! Master Catch indeed suffered a hefty dent in his coffers handing that over.”
Miles sighed, “I’d honestly prefer the equivalent in cash. Keeping this car would mean eventually returning it to Master Catch.”
River winked, “Let’s get going then. And as for the car’s ownership, trust me, there are ways to work that out.”
With newfound enthusiasm, River hooked her arm through Miles’s, steering him towards the SUV. He looked at her, raising an eyebrow, “Aren’t we moving rather swiftly through all this?”
River replied cheekily, “Well, you saved my life. That alone puts you in boyfriend territory. And speaking of moving swiftly, how about we grab something to eat? My apartment isn’t far, you know.”
Miles shot her a skeptical look, “Is it me you want to dine with, or is it just me you want to dine on? I could use a place to crash for a bit though. Just so we’re clear: I’m not paying for any meals or rent.”
“Deal,” River exclaimed, her excitement palpable. “Let’s hit the road.”
River was no ordinary girl. A dedicated accountant by profession, she had always envisioned her ideal partner based on the parameters of success and security. After the harrowing supernatural experience, she believed that aligning her life with someone like Miles, who seemed adept at handling such mysteries, was her best bet for a safe future.
She surmised that if another ghostly episode were to arise, her chances of survival without him were slim.
As they drove off in the powerful SUV, River nestled comfortably in her seat, her face softly pressed against the window and a contemplative smile playing on her lips. She pondered, “So what if he’s a bit younger? Age is just a number, right?”
Miles’s actions in the following moment took River completely off guard. Without warning, his hand firmly grasped her throat, squeezing just enough to make breathing difficult for her.
Startled, River rasped out, “What’s gotten into you?”
Even as he held her, Miles’s eyes bore into hers intently, searching for any hint of deceit, “Earlier, I forgot to inquire. Did that mall ghost have a detached head? If it was headless, that’s one thing. But if it wasn’t, where would its head be now?”
Barely able to muster words, River replied, “I… I’m not sure. Could you perhaps be less aggressive with your interrogation?”
Recognizing his own brashness, Miles offered, “I apologize. I’m just on edge. I need to be certain about this ghostly matter. I can’t afford any surprise attacks.”
Easing his grip but still caressing her neck cautiously, he checked to ensure her head was indeed her own and not some ghostly substitute.
River shot him an annoyed glance, “Maybe a heads-up next time you want to inspect me? I promise I’d cooperate.”
She understood she was in no position to vehemently oppose him. Miles had proven to be adept at dealing with phantoms, and her survival possibly hinged on his expertise. Taking any missteps related to paranormal issues was a luxury she couldn’t afford.
Once his fingers traversed her neck and only found her soft skin, confirming her head was intact and original, Miles sighed in relief. It indicated River hadn’t been subjected to any ghostly manipulations during his absence.
Running a hand through his hair, Miles admitted, “I might have overreacted.”
Gently rubbing her throat, River responded with a hint of sarcasm, “You think? A gentler approach next time would be appreciated.”
Hmm… They definitely should have caught the ghost, but it is suspicious. Perhaps she has a mark like the female classmate, or perhaps the ghost, of unusual cunning and knowing it was about to face two ghost tamers, separated a piece of itself and made her unknowingly a ghost tamer so as to have a possibility of resurrection if things went south.
Given the main body of the ghost doesn’t have the same restrictions as the puppets, and it has some obvious intelligence, it wasn’t just luck that River survived in the bathroom. Maybe it just couldn’t be bothered, but that’s still an annoying risk of premature exposure. I somewhat doubt the ghost implantation was carried out at that time, although it’s possible, but the ghost may have kept her as “live prey” in anticipation of difficulties. There may be compatibility between people and ghosts, and some people are probably unable to become ghost tamers at all. She may have been spared because she was a suitable vessel.
I nicknamed this ghost a Dullahan, because it lacks a head and the possession attribute resembles riding on someone else’s body, but it is indeed strange for a Dullahan to have no head at all: they simply carry their own head. Like the eye was implanted in Miles, a spectral head could have been implanted in River. Probably, the puppet controlling abilities are tied to the ghost’s main body, and the head that became a ghost seed has a separate power we may not have seen. I don’t know any suitable legends about disembodied heads. The name “River” increases the odds of her becoming a ghost tamer, though. Mythology is rife with rivers of death.