Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: House of Ghosts - 3
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It was a satisfying workout.
While Red Mask lay sprawled out, completely spent and even her mask off as she panted for breath, I made a round trip to the workshop.
"Good work."
"D-Does... th-this... really... make me... beautiful?"
"Of course it does."
According to Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, unlike ghosts that were merely spirits, yōkai with physical bodies could change their forms through training and actions.
No matter how I looked at her, the slit-mouthed woman seemed closer to a yōkai than a mere spirit.
Which meant that with training like this, reshaping her body should be entirely possible.
"To be blunt, the only ones who could ask if you're beautiful are those weaker than you."
"Th-That's... true."
"So what happens if you get stronger? What if you surpass all those who've called you ugly so far—those you couldn't handle before?"
Red Mask's face lit up with an expression that screamed, Is that possible?!
It was like she'd had a grand epiphany.
"So let's train hard from now on."
"O-Okay."
"Here, take this and apply it to your face three times a day."
"Wh-What's... this?"
"It's an ointment that helps heal wounds. I made it myself, so it should work great."
I did rough work too, so I never knew when I'd get hurt. That's why I'd prepared a few potions infused with magic.
This was one of them.
"I don't know why your mouth is torn like that, but it seems like that's why you're obsessed with beauty. Obsession is just another obstacle on the path to strength."
If she wanted to become more beautiful.
If she wanted to grow stronger, she had to let go of that fixation.
"Th-Thank... you."
"No problem. Get some good rest tomorrow, and come back the day after. If you don't..."
"If... I don't?"
"I'll come find you."
She grinned wickedly while lying there, then slowly faded away.
Guess that was it for today.
Time to sleep.
...
There was no time to rest the next day either.
I went out to the field, weeded, planted the seedlings I'd ordered.
In my spare time, I read grimoires and practiced magic.
It was a truly hectic schedule.
In the midst of it all, I uploaded the workout with Red Mask, and it hit the gallery.
I didn't know why they ignored Red Mask and focused on me, but the attention wasn't so bad.
-Grrr.
"Oh, did I use it all up?"
The lamp flickered as I fed Arthur.
Being a high-lumen bulb, it didn't last long.
Guess I'd have to order more lamps tomorrow too.
As I mulled over my tasks while handling chores,
-Ring ring!!
My phone rang.
A call at this hour?
"Hello."
-Mage Yoo Wol-young. This is the Hunter Association.
"Ah, yes. Hello. Did a request come in?"
-Not exactly a request... more like an invitation to a meeting. Could you attend? Tomorrow would be ideal. We'll of course compensate you for your time.
"Sure. No problem on my end."
-Then we'll see you at the Association tomorrow.
What could they want me there in person for?
Well, the meeting fee was sweet, so I couldn't say no.
-Grrr...!!
The lamp flickered again.
Who was it tonight?
-Sob. Hic... sob... heh heh sob...
She's here!
I pulled out my instruments and the home karaoke machine I'd ordered yesterday—my secret weapon.
Modern delivery was so fast; it arrived in just one day.
"Tonight, we sing."
I handed the mic to the woman approaching with bloodshot eyes.
...
Yesterday was fun.
I had no idea how a ghost knew idol songs, but she belted them out like a pro.
And who knew Arthur was such a party animal?
He really shook those tambourines.
Even the grimoires got hyped and screamed along.
Luckily, my house was in a remote spot with no neighbors, so we didn't have to worry about noise.
"Yawn..."
"You look tired."
"Yeah, we had a blast last night. Came back from the tower this morning too."
My tower climb was going smoothly.
Currently on the 13th floor.
Nothing special yet.
"13th floor? You've climbed pretty high."
"Yeah."
Maybe because my rating was Extra, there were more and varied monsters than in Hell mode.
Still, Arthur and my magic handled them easily...
The gallery said the difficulty spiked from the 15th floor, so I should prepare soon.
"What'd you do for fun?"
"Heh heh. Wanna see?"
I showed her the video from last night, and the Association staff's face changed.
"...Uh. Um. Th-That headless knight is..."
"Like family to me."
"...Why are the books floating around?"
"My grimoires. They're family too."
"...Then the one in mourning clothes holding the mic is..."
"Last night's guest."
"......M-Mage, I heard your place is haunted... Is that...?"
"Ghost. Spot on."
"You can party with ghosts like this?!"
"Ghosts love this stuff."
Since ancient times, dance and music were thought to soothe spirits.
Didn't shamans sing and dance during rituals?
"She sings great, right? Said she'd bring friends next time."
If ghosts and yōkai frequented the place, it'd build up spiritual energy, boosting magical effects.
Then my fields and home-grown stuff would thrive.
"Ah. Haha..."
"Wanna come?"
"N-No! I'm good!"
Parties are more fun with more people.
Oh well, if she's not into it.
"Mage!"
"Huh?"
It was Choi Yu-ra, daughter of President Choi Seong-cheol.
Where was her sister? She came alone?
Behind her came high-ranking Association officials and hunters I'd seen on TV or online.
"Oh? Hey."
"Knew you'd show."
One familiar face among them.
Neia.
The mage I'd teamed up with before.
"What's this about?"
"Something about rifts."
Neia sat naturally beside me and pointed ahead.
Only after the Association President entered did the meeting kick off properly.
"As you all know, Choi Yu-ra and Choi Yu-jeong have returned from a rift."
Surviving a rift where missing hunters were declared dead.
It was astonishing.
It meant others who vanished might be findable too.
"Let's hear from Choi Yu-ra."
"Yes."
The chattering President handed over the mic.
Choi Yu-ra bowed slightly in greeting, then spoke.
"After getting lost in the rift with my sister, we arrived at..."
Was anxiety surging?
Recalling memories from such an unstable state wouldn't be easy.
"A truly horrific place."
The conference room buzzed.
She trembled for a long while before pulling something from her pocket.
The sachet I'd given her before.
She sniffed it, calmed, and continued.
"Monsters covered the skies, earth, and seas. Multiple moons hung in the sky, and non-human entities ruled."
"No way..."
"And there, we found other missing hunters."
"Really?!"
The room grew even noisier.
The President quieted them and called on me.
"These two were rescued by Mage Yoo Wol-young. Mage, can you save them too?"
"Hmm... How many were there?"
"Hundreds, from what I saw..."
"Hundreds. That's not easy."
"But you saved those two."
"One or two? Sure. But multiples? Problems arise."
"What kind?"
"Bringing hundreds here creates a path. Like a trail forming when people pass through woods?"
And that path would be so clear, it could let alien beings into our world.
Neia's face hardened at my words.
"That's..."
"No way at all?"
"Not exactly... You know how illegal immigrants launder through multiple countries? Same idea—route through several places."
"Several places like...?"
"Several. One being Hell."
"Hell?"
"Not metaphorical Hell—actual Hell. Possible?"
"Negotiate with demons."
The room erupted again.
The President calmed them and asked cautiously.
"Could we ask you to do it? The Association will support whatever you need."
Not just him—many in the room looked hopeful.
Couldn't let that down.
"Haha. Don't worry."
...
I got materials from the Association, stopped by the mart for suitable offerings, and headed home.
Lots to do.
Back home, I dove right in.
Drew an inverted pentagram symbolizing demons in the workshop,
lit red candles to summon them,
marinated meat with spices, herbs, and Himalayan pink salt for the offering.
The rest I'd grill and eat.
Loaded with herbs and spices, it'd be delicious.
After finishing other preps, I called the grimoires at the right time.
"Grimoires, assemble."
The three grimoires took position behind me.
Arthur drew his sword and stood ready.
Alright, prepped.
Time to call.
"Demon who represents Hell, I've prepared a place for negotiation. I bid you take your seat."
Wonder who'd come.
Hopefully someone reasonably strong, with a good head on their shoulders...
"Who summons me... You again?!"
"Gah."
I knew that voice.
A sharp beauty with red hair and spear.
Leraje.
"You like me or something? Why keep calling?"
"What nonsense is..."
"At this point, I gotta suspect... Anyway, fine. Rematch time!!"
"Later for fights. Called you for negotiation. See this?"
I pointed to the end of the workshop.
Seeing the Virgin Mary statue barring combat here, Leraje grimaced.
"This is why mages are a pain. So? Why'd you call... Hm?"
She tilted her head.
Looked around.
"...Hold on. Wait."
Her eyes fixed behind me.
Behind me?
Nothing special...
The summoned grimoires reacted.
The moment she saw them, Leraje's face stiffened.
"Uh. Um. Hey. You... y-you okay?"
"Why?"
"No... having three grimoires with you..."
Horror filled her eyes.
"Why wouldn't I be sane?"
Even asking why...
"My kids are good."
"...First time hearing a grimoire called 'good.' Do you even know what they are?"
"They're proud, don't like each other much, but they listen when I talk. Don't badmouth them."
I said it straight.
Arthur.
Secrets of Light and Shadow.
Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.
Silence of the Lambs.
All like family to me.
"Uh... yeah. Whatever. If you're happy."
"Something to say?"
"Lots, but I'll pass."
Just say it if you want to.