ตอน 9: Chapter 8 Pale Moon
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The black cat's little paws moved away, and Wayne was attracted to the white specks of light that had appeared within him. He closed his eyes to sense them, finding a glimmer of light in the endless darkness.
A round, bright moon.
The moonlight was like water, and the halo was like silk.
The clean and gentle moonlight flowed slowly like water, the shimmering flashes elegantly peaceful, enveloping the ground in a very tender manner with its clear radiance.
Everything was so comforting that it put the heart at ease. Wayne was so absorbed that he could not extricate himself, feeling as if the Goddess was wrapping her arms around him. A pale hand brushed across his cheek, making him wish for nothing more than to avoid all conflict, to cast aside the endless darkness, and to snuggle forever into the soft embrace of the Goddess.
It couldn't be wrong, big is justice, and the Moonlight Goddess looked like a proper Goddess.
As Wayne stared at the Magic Seed, the eerie Book of Greed also looked over. The Great Eyeball in the center of the book cover moved chaotically, changing Wayne's focus.
Under the new perspective, the scene became suddenly blurry, shrouded in a layer of gray-white mist.
A pale moon.
A pale moon replaced the bright one, with pixels so bad they seemed like a bootleg version. Everything was covered by a gray-white filter. The earlier elegance and tranquility were gone; upon closer inspection, the pale moonlight was pocked and full of dense black and gray spots.
The decrepit and decadent lone moon was filled with desolation and decay. The more he stared, the more uneasy he became, and the more mad he felt.
Wayne: (一`´一;)
Frickin' book, look at the mess you've made. Hurry up and turn back on the Goddess's beauty filter!
Just when Wayne was lamenting that all the world was bleak, the uneven surface of the Book of Greed began to pulse like breathing, removing the gray and black. The bootleg quality returned to high definition Blu-ray, and the moonlight became sanctified once more.
The Goddess's filter was back!
It was likely that he had peered at the true visage of the Goddess or maybe because the Goddess of Death's devotees surrendered without any principles. Wayne really couldn't respect the gods of this world. He didn't pay attention to the flawless white, turning his gaze instead to the Book of Greed.
Next to the Great Eyeball, a slightly smaller eye opened, its eyeball gray and lusterless, completely dull.
Wayne paused in surprise, not understanding what had happened. He suspected the Book of Greed had upgraded, but it hadn't; the content of the book was the same as before.
There had to be something extra...
The Magic Seed left by Monica was still there. The Book of Greed did not crave magic power outside of its owner, hence it didn't touch the 'Potato'.
This gave Wayne some relief. True to the code he had written, even with new features emerging, it remained full of integrity, just like him, not predating on what was freely given.
Monica had transferred most of her magic power into Wayne's body, triggering such an intense emptiness that she wanted to lie down and rest. Yet unwilling to get too close to Wayne, she was about to drop her guard when William saw his chance and scooped her into his arms.
"Monica, upsy-daisy."
Wham!
"Ouch!"
At this moment, much like another time, Veronica subdued William with her astonishing arm strength and snatched the black cat from his hands.
Monica didn't wish to comment on their scuffle. She said to Wayne, who was silent with his eyes closed, "Don't be anxious. The concentration of magic power is not an overnight thing. Being impatient will only backfire. Relax, don't tense up, and feel the Magic Seed I left behind. The Moonlight Goddess will guide you to your own magic."
Upon hearing this, Wayne opened his eyes, nodded, and closed his eyes again to concentrate.
Monica was very attentive. It was her first time guiding someone else in their practice. Although they hadn't established a master-disciple relationship, she felt no less nervous about her first teaching experience. She hopped out from Veronica's embrace and began to circle around Wayne's feet.
Veronica shot a jealous glance and snorted coldly, motioning to William with a hooked finger, "Clean up and lock all these guys in a box. Remember to knock them out."
William nodded. They were still in school; fighting was fine, but killing was out of the question.
In accordance with Veronica's plan, to prevent Death Walkers from receiving the information, not a single follower of the Goddess of Death could be allowed to escape. They would be locked in a box and placed in a different warehouse. Tomorrow, they would contact the school through carrier pigeons, asking the teachers to clean up.
The Death Walkers would be pursued personally by them as well, to also unearth the curse laid upon them.
The sooner the better, especially with graduation looming; they couldn't delay any longer.
Veronica didn't set off for Caforno Town on the outskirts of Lundan City that very night. She was in a hurry, but Monica needed to rest and replenish her magic; they could only leave the next morning, no matter how quick they wished to be.
...
Lundan, fog and cold lights.
When the night shrouded the earth, the entire city quickly quieted down, or perhaps, it was no longer the sounds of mankind that dominated the dark.
The Warehouse District was particularly true to this, with workers going home early or heading to crowded bars, or finding love in the streets, and discussing the meaning of life. Large areas were devoid of people, with flickering streetlights in the fog casting an eerie environment.
The wind whispered through, slinking between each warehouse building and intersection, occasionally screeching like the wail of ghosts.
Whether true cries or false, Wayne only knew that 'people' surrounded him on all sides. He could clearly feel that many pairs of eyes were watching him.
Having too strong a sense of perception wasn't good; Wayne felt Drifting Ghosts everywhere, as if just reaching out could pull one from the mist.
Out of double caution, he stayed close behind William.
After walking for a while, William turned around and said coquettishly, "Wayne, can you not follow so closely? It makes me feel really insecure. How about this, you go in front."
Heh, no way!
Wayne ignored William and persisted in following behind him. Then, Veronica, holding the black cat, asked, "Wayne, do you have a car?"
You Mages still need a car, why not just snatch one?
Wayne shrugged and realistically said, "I don't have a car, but I can get one. The speed will depend on the money—the more you give, the faster I'll get things done."
"Can you drive?"
"I can, but I'm not skilled."
"That's good."
Veronica nodded, took out a stack of bills with the Queen's portrait from her wallet without counting them, and handed them to Wayne, along with a list of supplies. She instructed Wayne to have everything ready by 10 a.m. the next morning.
Wayne took the money and tentatively asked, "Do I have to go as well?"
"You don't have to, but if you miss this time, who knows when the next opportunity to lift the curse will come. With bad luck, this might be your only chance," Veronica said slowly.
Is it really that scary?
Wayne didn't understand and instinctively looked at William, who nodded emphatically. Wayne then chose to believe Veronica.
Wayne: "..."
This is terrible. I'm actually more willing to trust a gay man than a beautiful girl!
Speaking of the curse, Wayne indeed saw an opportunity to push his luck. He wasn't longing for magic power, but the genuine hunger pangs were real. The Book of Greed hadn't absorbed the curse energy, so currently, to break the curse, he had to follow Veronica and William.
"Gru gru gru~~~"
Hungry.
The nights in Lundan City are undeniably dangerous; it's a common occurrence to read in the newspapers about citizens disappearing while walking at night. Coupled with the elusive urban legends, the night in Lundan City becomes even more mysterious.
But more terrifying than danger is the lack of money. The affluent West District and the North District brag a colorful nightlife and Central Lundan? No need to mention. It's bright all year round, the prosperity increased at night to the degree outsiders would break their heads trying to get in. It's heaven.
Fortune smiled on Wayne as he managed to catch a taxi, which saved him from dying of hunger before returning to the Detective Agency.
Feeling guilty, William voluntarily prepared a feast, but before Veronica could pick up her knife and fork, Wayne gobbled up all the food.
Veronica looked unemotionally at William: "What are you waiting for, get to the kitchen!"
"We used up all the groceries I bought this morning. Only potatoes left."
"..." x2
Veronica: Potatoes aren't bad; they're better than an empty stomach.
Wayne: Today I'm showing mercy, giving the potato another chance to prove itself!
————
After eating his fill, Wayne continued sensing magic power. Monica, a highly responsible senior teacher, sat at her desk, hands folded, tutoring students on their homework, and preached the kindness of the Moonlight Goddess to the lost lambs.
For instance, the guiding moonlight allowed them to navigate the fog unimpeded because of the Moonlight Goddess's blessing.
Having witnessed the true visage of the Moonlight Goddess, Wayne was skeptical of Monica's words. He didn't voice his doubts. What the teacher said was law; a well-behaved and obedient good student that exponentially increased Monica's sense of accomplishment.
Great Goddess above, this believer has potential!
Two hours later, in an attempt to brownnose his black cat teacher, Wayne asked which brand of dried fish the teacher liked. The teacher walked away with a black face.
Wayne, with his sharp eyes, saw two little bells.
Turn around, black face...
Understood. I'll find a saucy little female cat for the teacher when no one's around.
Because staying up is harmful to health, Wayne decided to pull an all-nighter.
The result was not great; he started nodding off as dawn approached and had a brief nightmare that woke him up in fright.
Or one might call it a hunger dream.
In the dream, he feasted and cleared out one plate after another, eating so extravagantly like a starving ghost. He knew it was because of the curse, but others would think he was gobbling up potatoes to end his own life.
To the side was a flustered William, constantly coming up with new potato dishes. Seeing his food devoured entirely by Wayne and none left, he couldn't help but show a bashful and blissful face.
After waking up, Wayne covered his face with his hand. Daytime thoughts bring nighttime dreams; he understood the principle. Dreaming about hunger made sense, but why was it William? Wouldn't a well-put-together Monica be more appealing?
As he was pondering, he heard noises from the kitchen, which touched him greatly.
There's a saying that's quite true: gay men may have ulterior motives, but they all have a warm heart.
Take William for instance. Despite looking rough on the exterior, like a violent maniac, he was gentle and kind. Whether it was the warm defense magic he wielded or getting up before dawn to cook for him, all proved that William was a genuinely good man worth deep friendship.
This man is great to get along with!
Wayne: (는_는)
Damn it, Wayne, calm down. He's CPU-ing you!
Don't fall for it, a boy must always be vigilant in front of a gay man, and not give him a chance to take advantage from behind.
"Wayne, it's time to eat. You still have errands to run!" William shouted hoarsely.
"Coming."
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