Chapter 67: You’re Overthinking It.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
When faced with a similar challenge, every individual often makes different decisions based on their unique perspectives and experiences.
Knowing full well that Miles had the ability to control or interact with ghosts, River did not distance herself from him. Instead, she placed her complete trust in him, hoping he’d always be on her side.
Only by going through painful experiences can one value life’s simpler and more beautiful aspects even more. In the same vein, only those who have encountered evil spirits firsthand can truly understand the sheer joy of just being alive.
In a world where safety and security were no longer guaranteed, River was willing to find solace under the protective wing of Miles, even if there was a chance he could turn into one of those malicious ghosts.
River, with concern evident in her voice, commented, “Gold prices are on the rise again. How did you predict this ongoing trend? I’ve been closely following the market, and to me, it looked like the peak was already reached. The market seems due for a downturn soon, especially considering the slow decline after a quick spike. At this stage, investing such a large sum of ten million seems extremely risky.”
She was seated comfortably in front of her computer, dressed in a simple nightgown. The screen displayed the fluctuating trends of gold prices.
The gold market had opened that day with a noticeable dip but then witnessed a dramatic surge. Miles’s choice to invest such a huge amount appeared to be a stroke of luck or perhaps insight.
Miles replied with a hint of casualness, “I’m not an expert in stocks. I just have a hunch that gold prices will keep rising. My goal is to make some extra money on the side.”
With a spark of curiosity, River asked, “Do you have some sort of insider information?”
“Just a guess,” Miles replied nonchalantly.
But his humble response seemed to be masking a deeper understanding. Gold had evolved from a mere currency to a strategic asset that nations deemed essential. A surge in its price was bound to happen.
River began suspecting that Miles might be hiding some vital insights. How could he predict the gold market so precisely otherwise?
Furthermore, his reputation as a ghost tamer had earned him immense respect from figures like Captain Bright. Miles was far from being just an ordinary security guard.
With this newfound revelation, River’s admiration for Miles grew manifold. She even went to the extent of investing her own savings, which amounted to several hundred thousand dollars in the gold market. She chose a high-risk leverage strategy, aiming to maximize her returns with minimal investment.
However, with high rewards come high risks.
River, feeling emboldened, voiced, “Considering your confidence in the gold prices, I’ve decided to make a significant investment through high-risk trading. I’ve used my own money, so if things don’t go as planned, don’t blame me.”
“As long as you’re investing in gold, I won’t interfere,” Miles replied with an air of assurance.
“Alright, trust me on this,” River said, her determination palpable.
Miles seemed unfazed by her approach to trading. Instead, he spent his free time browsing a specialized website meant for ghost tamers. This exclusive platform, created collaboratively by various countries, was only accessible to ghost tamers recognized by HQ.
The primary goal was clear and straightforward – to deepen and broaden their knowledge in the specialized field of ghost fighting.
Yet, as Miles scoured the website, he was surprised to find no mention of the malevolent spirit that had surfaced just the day before.
“It’s hard to believe that such a significant event has gone unnoticed,” Miles pondered. “It’s almost as if they’re deliberately hiding this from the public eye, perhaps to avoid causing a panic.”
He shook his head, frustration evident in his eyes. This gap in information underscored his suspicions about the collaboration between nations.
While on the face of it, these nations seemed to be working together within the global ghost tamer organization, it was evident that regional divisions and loyalties persisted. Each country, or perhaps each region, was more concerned about safeguarding its own agenda than truly sharing information.
For the past few days, Miles had preferred the sanctuary of River’s apartment, staying indoors and engrossed in his research.
On the other side, River was wholly engrossed in tracking the market. She jubilantly shared that their initial ten million investment had grown twofold. Seeing the numbers climb day by day filled her with an exhilarating rush, making sleep elusive as if she was personally earning every penny.
But this morning, Miles’s routine was disrupted by an unexpected call.
William’s voice echoed urgently from the other end, pressing for a face-to-face meeting to discuss something important.
After weighing the pros and cons, Miles concluded that meeting William was the best course of action.
“I’ll be stepping out for a bit,” he told River.
“Where to?” she inquired.
“Just a brief walk in the vicinity,” he replied vaguely.
“Will you be back by tonight?” River’s voice held a hint of concern.
“Definitely.”
With a nod, Miles left the apartment. As he made his way through the bustling streets of Spear City, it struck him how ordinary life continued despite the rising tide of supernatural occurrences around the world. Most people seemed blissfully ignorant of these events, engrossed in their daily lives.
Sometimes, he mused, being unaware was perhaps a blessing in disguise.
Lost in thought, Miles rolled down the car window, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively sidewalk. After a deep sigh, he continued on his way.
Soon, he reached the pedestrian street where he had agreed to rendezvous with William. William was already there, seemingly in a tense standoff with another man.
“I’m not here to prove a point or showcase my dominance,” William declared fiercely. “But everyone should know that once something is taken from me, William never lets it go.”
Hearing this commotion, Miles approached and called out, “William! What’s the fuss about? Why did you call so early?”
William, recognizing Miles’s familiar voice, looked up and visibly relaxed. “Miles, over here,” he signaled, then turned to the stranger and remarked, “Today’s your lucky day.”
Curious, Miles asked, “Who was he? Seemed like you two were about to come to blows.”
William chuckled, the tension from earlier replaced by amusement. “Some young punk jumped the queue to buy ice cream. Just wanted to remind him of some basic manners.”
Miles raised an eyebrow, taken aback by the triviality of the matter.
“Let’s not dwell on it. There’s a café right around the corner. I’ve got something crucial to discuss,” William steered the conversation.
They soon found themselves seated comfortably inside a cozy café…
“So, what have you been up to lately? Are you still working at that mall? I stopped by yesterday and got wind of a murder incident. The entire establishment is completely sealed off now. Isn’t Mr. Calm the owner of that place?” William inquired.
Miles’s eyebrows shot up, surprised, “How do you have all this intel?”
“Well, my dad’s company was the main architect who designed that mall. I reached out to him to get more details. Tell me straight, is the mall haunted? Rumors have been swirling,” William pressed on.
Taking a moment, Miles admitted, “You’re right in your assumptions. There was a haunting at the mall.”
William smacked his forehead, “I had this gut feeling! Whenever a place gets sealed off like this, it’s usually because of supernatural activity. First the old school, then that residential complex, and now this mall. Honestly, it feels like there’s no safe spot left on Earth. If there were flights to Mars, I’d buy the first ticket.”
The unease was evident on William’s face as he pondered the escalating supernatural occurrences.
“Don’t worry, the issue at the mall has been addressed. Now, tell me, what was so urgent that you wanted to meet?” Miles prodded.
William hesitated for a moment, then said, “I had this unsettling experience I wanted to share with you.”
Raising an eyebrow, Miles prompted, “Go on.”
With a deep breath, William began, “Last night, I was engrossed in a game of PUBG on my PC. The weird part was when I was about to win. The player count showed I was the only one left, yet out of the blue, I was killed, with ‘Game Over’ tauntingly flashing on the screen.”
He continued, “Had it been an isolated incident, I would’ve shrugged it off. But the exact scenario played out three times! It felt so eerie. It was as if I was up against a ghost in the game. I was so rattled that I couldn’t get any sleep. That’s partly why I was craving ice cream this morning, to shake off the unease.”
Miles, stifling a smile, said gravely, “William, I think you’ve mistaken a gaming cheat for a ghost.”
William’s eyes widened in astonishment, “So you mean it was just a cheater in the game? Not some ghostly gamer?”
With a reassuring nod, Miles clarified, “Exactly. You haven’t encountered any spirit. It’s more likely you faced a player using cheats. They managed to outsmart you thrice using unfair means.”
Relief washed over William’s face. “Phew, for a moment there, I thought I had stumbled upon a supernatural entity in the game.” He paused, gathering his thoughts and absorbing the new information.