VIP Early Access
Eksklusif untuk member VIP
Password Protected
Chapter ini dikunci dengan kode khusus
Chapter 40 - Yo-han's Bizarre Vacation (8)
Chapter 40: Yo-han’s Bizarre Vacation (8)
TL/ED – Enuma ID
You know those horror movie endings where, whether it was zombies or monsters, after everything’s finally over…
The protagonist stares out the window of a moving bus or car with exhausted eyes, and that’s where it ends?
Personally, I wanted to drape a nice blanket over myself too.
Е̃n̊ùm̆ӑ
‘Hnng… so much happened. I don’t want to say a word.’ Like that, making some vague excuse.
I wanted to hop into a vehicle prepared by a government agency, slap on an exhausted expression, and call it a wrap on this whole ordeal, but…
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“You really did a lot this time. Great work, Kim Yo-han ssi of the Agency for Paranormal Response.”
…naturally, that’s not how it went. I slowly turned my head toward the voice coming from behind.
I looked at the composed, beautiful black-haired woman who had come up to the rooftop.
It was the real Shin Si-on of the Agency for Paranormal Response.
W̊ e̊b̄ ṅ о̊ v̆е̃ l Еn ũ ḿ â
I’d seen her coming up to the rooftop, and our eyes had met, so I expected she’d come. She sure got up here fast, though.
“It’s been a while. Sorry for impersonating you.”
I shifted my gaze halfway around, turned my body, and spoke with a polite expression.
“I’m not proud of it, but… there’s a saying about white lies, you know.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Yeah, I told a few lies to prevent chaos.
Si-on gave a small shake of her head.
W̌еb̈ nо̊v ѐl̀ E n ŭ mа̀
“No, I wasn’t trying to blame you at all. That was my attempt at a joke… I’m sorry if it came across as sarcastic.”
“I think it was a good choice to prevent confusion.”
Then she continued in a calm voice.
“It’s just that I heard you also drew a firearm.”
“……….”
Those survivor bastards… I went and saved their lives, and they just can’t keep their mouths shut.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Well, I’d expected as much.
When a government official asks about anything unusual, there’s really no reason to keep quiet.
On top of that, while the gun was necessary for survival in that situation, and I’d enjoyed myself…
I’d gone as far as spraying bullets at zombies. There was no way to hide it anyway.
Even if I denied everything right now, they’d find the shell casings during the scene investigation.
So what I needed to do now was…
Е̊n û m̄ а . і̊ d
Si-on gently held out her palm toward me, and I pulled the pistol from my coat and handed it over, saying shamelessly,
“Let it slide just this once.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
The plan was to be reasonably honest. Beg her to look the other way just this once. Please.
I knew it wasn’t a proper solution or a real excuse.
But the only alternative was killing everyone here and going on the run.
I wasn’t even sure I could pull that off, and the risk was too great.
É.ǹ ǔ m̌ā. і̇ d
So I’d just throw it out there and see what happens.
“Sorry I didn’t mention it. I picked one up from that ranch basement last time. The world’s a dangerous place, you know.”
I subtly gestured with my eyes toward the zombie corpses strewn across the rooftop.
How should I put it? Gun possession is a crime, sure, but doesn’t it seem a bit small-scale when you’re facing a horde of zombies?
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Si-on accepted the gun Yo-han had willingly handed over and thought to herself.
‘…What is he thinking?’
W̊ е̃.b̄ ǹо̌v e l Е.n̂ ū mа̄
His confession and the gun had come far too readily. Si-on’s eyes studied Yo-han carefully.
It was only her suspicion, but he could be the true owner of <De Vermis Mysteriis>, a Grimoire classified as a national-level disaster.
Nothing was confirmed, but if there was even a possibility, it couldn’t be ignored.
‘…He’s cleanly admitting to a crime unrelated to the Grimoire. Cutting off loose ends?’
Yo-han and Si-on. Their calm, dark eyes met.
Si-on watched Yo-han and thought.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Unlike herself, whose emotions rarely showed on her face, his expression was composed yet appropriately tense for the situation.
…Was it genuine? Was he acting? She couldn’t tell.
Honestly, just standing in front of Yo-han like this made her tense and frightened.
I watched Si-on’s face and thought.
Her composed face made it hard to read her expression. She had an ice-cold aura about her.
Though I suppose her eyes were serious… yeah, her gaze was fixed solely on me. It was unsettling, like she was peering into my very soul.
Е̊ nu m̄ а
She probably had “Yo-han, suspect, eliminate” typed into her brain. She was a scary woman.
“………….”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
For a very brief moment, the two of us silently sized each other up.
It was like two hedgehogs prodding each other with their quills.
Meaning it was a pointless exercise. Both of us were cautious. Information was scarce.
Staring at each other like this wasn’t going to resolve anything.
Еň um а
Si-on decided to confiscate the gun for now and probe Yo-han.
“…I can understand. You seem to frequently find yourself in dangerous situations.”
“I can handle the firearm issue on my end.”
Si-on spoke carefully.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“However, in order to do that, there are things you’ll need to tell me, Yo-han ssi. I’ll need them when I submit the paperwork later.”
Of course, if pushed into a corner, Yo-han might bring out his Invisible Familiar…
Еǹ u̇ m̈ а̂
Perhaps it was already summoned and standing behind her…
But based on the survivors’ testimonies, it was a matter that required procedural confirmation.
“I’ve been told that you drew a Magic circle, prayed… chanted an incantation, and reduced the zombie horde to dust.”
An investigator running away because she was scared was simply out of the question.
Being scared was one thing; she would not run.
“Please be honest with me.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Si-on’s calm, dark eyes turned toward Yo-han.
“Are you a Wizard, Yo-han ssi?”
“……….”
That was a question in name only. It was essentially saying, you’re a Wizard, aren’t you.
I deliberately pretended to think it over, pausing for a moment.
Then I nodded.
Е n̈ u_ṁ а
“…A Wizard. Yes, I suppose so.”
After openly using flashy Magic like that, I’d expected that question would obviously come.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“I’ll trust you and tell you, Si-on ssi. I don’t know about others who might need to know, but.”
“…Still, please keep it somewhat confidential.”
I didn’t trust her at all. I was just saying it to set the mood.
I pulled the Grimoire from my bag and showed it to Si-on.
Е̊ n̊ùm а
One way to protect a secret that must never be discovered is to reveal a different, bigger secret to cover it up.
<The Lesser Key of Solomon>
At the appearance of a completely unexpected Grimoire, Si-on’s eyes wavered dramatically.
“…!?”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
It wasn’t <De Vermis Mysteriis>, it wasn’t some bait-and-switch. It was <The Lesser Key of Solomon>.
Si-on’s reaction was similar to the Necromancer’s when he’d seen <De Vermis Mysteriis> instead of <The Lesser Key of Solomon>.
Wе bn̈ о̀ vе̄ l̊ En.u m̈а̊
Something I’d noticed during my earlier encounter with the Necromancer.
Even after taking a heavy hit from my Pentacle Magic at first, he’d been fixated entirely on <The Lesser Key of Solomon>.
As if he assumed I had no other means of magical attack.
He hadn’t anticipated the existence of another Grimoire at all.
I’d somewhat expected it, but…
Just because I’d picked them up at secondhand bookshops and bazaars didn’t change the fact that Grimoires were apparently incredibly rare items.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Rare enough that no one would ever expect a single person to possess two of them.
So I’d use that to my advantage. Apparently, framing Kim Mi-ryeo last time hadn’t been enough.
Officially, I was not the owner of <De Vermis Mysteriis>.
I was the owner of <The Lesser Key of Solomon>. I’d never killed anyone with this Grimoire.
“I happened to come across this book, and I’ve been getting caught up in strange incidents ever since. Of course, the Magic written in it is also what kept me alive.”
I spoke to Si-on with a serious expression.
Ẽn ú.m̃а . і̄.d
“In the sense that I’ve used Magic… yes, Si-on ssi, as you said. I suppose Wizard is the right word.”
Given that Wizards targeting Grimoires might keep showing up, just like this time.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
If I kept getting wrapped up in incidents, I’d need to use Magic to survive. Hiding it forever would be exhausting.
So I’d give her the information that I was the owner of a Grimoire.
Either way, let’s see how our dear Si-on ssi of the Agency for Paranormal Response decides to act.
Si-on’s eyes, which had been studying the cover of the Grimoire, wavered for a moment before settling.
Е̂ṅ um̆ а̃
“…I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting that particular book.”
“No, it’s fine.”
A cold wind swept past the two of them. Si-on opened her mouth.
“Thank you for telling me.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Normally, it was one Grimoire per person. It wasn’t a set rule, but barring special cases, that was how it worked.
If that was the case, then had she merely been wrong to suspect Yo-han? Was he not the owner of <De Vermis Mysteriis>, not the true culprit of the university murders?
Е n̄ ŭmа̊
…But what if Yo-han was a special case? She needed time to think.
“Yo-han ssi, for now, I’ll handle the firearm issue by filing paperwork under the Agency for Paranormal Response’s civilian collaborator firearm lending program.”
Si-on spoke while looking at Yo-han.
“However, that would mean you’d need to cooperate on certain cases at the Agency’s request. Would that be alright?”
I considered Si-on’s offer.
It would be better not to get involved with the Agency, but… I just kept getting tangled up with them.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Well, some of it was my own fault, but if things had come to this, it might not be so bad to steal glances at internal information from the position of a collaborator.
A little self-rationalization for the sake of my mental health.
I answered as a freelance Exorcist, a Ghostbuster.
I gave Si-on a faint smile.
“As long as it’s not unpaid.”
I’m a good Wizard. I’ll prove that I’m not an evil Wizard.
Е́ n ù m̌ a. і̇ ḋ
Though I’m not sure the word “good” could ever really precede “Wizard”.
Si-on gave a small nod.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“Of course, there will naturally be compensation. Then I’ll go ahead and file the relevant paperwork.”
My gaze and Si-on’s met.
Si-on wrapped up the conversation in her composed tone.
“You must be exhausted after everything that happened today. I’ve kept you too long. I’m sorry.”
Ẅе̊ bṅ оv̆е̂l̃ Е n ùm̀а̀
“There’s a bus waiting below. Please go down and rest.”
It seemed we were both on the same page for now, at least. We needed time.
“I’ll hear the details about the Grimoire and the incident at a later date. Thank you for your cooperation.”
“No, I should be thanking you for letting the gun thing slide.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
I honestly hadn’t expected her to let it go. Of course, she had other motives, but still.
Just as I passed Si-on and stood at the top of the stairs leading down from the rooftop.
W̊ е b́n о v e l̇ Ӗ nùmа̌
Si-on’s voice came from behind me.
“Meat and milk.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I checked the bus. You packed meat and milk in an ice box again this time.”
I stopped walking and slightly turned my head. Si-on’s words hung in the air.
“I was just curious. Sorry.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
I turned my head back and looked down the stairs. My eyes narrowed.
“Yeah, well, I like them. Meat and milk.”
I said it in a nonchalant voice and headed down the stairs just like that.
Thud, thud, thud.
And then…
Having read its master’s will, Grizzly lifted its hand from above Si-on’s head.
W̃ еb_nо̌ v ӗĺ Е n u m.ă
It dispersed and returned inside the Grimoire, <De Vermis Mysteriis>.
***
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
When I climbed aboard the bus the Agency for Paranormal Response had prepared.
I could see the other survivors scattered about, each sitting in their own seat.
Ellie and the orphans were there, and Soo-ah too.
I seemed to be the last one. Ellie spotted me and,
Е́ n̄u m̀ à. i d̃
“Yo-han ssi…!”
She looked like she wanted to say something, but the others had all collapsed from exhaustion now that the tension had broken.
She bowed her head in thanks and went back to looking after the kids.
When I sat down in a suitable empty seat, Soo-ah suddenly got up from her spot and sat down next to me.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“I saw you talking on the rooftop. Did you get scolded for the impersonation? Oh, it wasn’t me who told them.”
“I didn’t really get scolded.”
Е̄ ṅ_u̇ m̊_а̄. і d
I gave a halfhearted reply and looked out the window. The bus started moving.
‘Hmm… so this is how it ends after all?’
I gazed out the moving window with weary eyes.
…And then Soo-ah, staring out the window with distant, tired eyes, spoke.
“Mister, so does that mean it’s all over now?”
My eyes narrowed.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Fuck… she stole my line.
Since there was no one behind us, I reclined my seat back and said,
“Hell if I know, kid.”
“Aw, what’s that supposed to mean!”
The bus pulled away from the campground and moved forward.
Konten Bab Belum Tersedia
Bab ini belum memiliki konten teks atau sedang dalam proses penyuntingan.
