Dream Curse

That morning, Green was drinking tea in the Anomalies Bureau's Director's Office, as usual.

As Director, he had little to do beyond signing a few documents. Deputy Director Bobby and Lola, his assistant, were the ones buried in work.

But today, Green was waiting in his office because Lola had said she had something important to report.

A few minutes later, a knock sounded. Lola strode in, looking sharp in her black uniform, with a timid-looking man trailing behind her.

Green glanced at him. He knew the man: a black-market merchant who had once been haunted by an Evil Spirit and nearly lost his life.

"Oh? Isn't this Roddick? Whatever it is, sit down and tell me." Green gestured for them to sit and poured Roddick a cup of water himself.

Roddick accepted the gesture with nervous gratitude. He knew Green's standing now. Green was a truly powerful man who could have a rat like him killed with a single word, without lifting a finger. At least Lola was there, which gave him some reassurance. He trusted her; otherwise, he would never have risked coming to her this time.

"Thank you, sir!" Roddick hurriedly bowed and took the cup. It was hot against his fingers, but he did not dare set it down.

Lola found his pitiful manner rather amusing and spoke for him. "Director, Roddick brought me some important information. I thought it was serious enough to bring him straight to you."

"Tell me about it," Green said. Black-market merchants like Roddick did sometimes hear things others did not.

"The remnants of the Tower of Yin Spirits are active again," Lola said, growing serious. "Roddick has seen them in the Lower District several times, sneaking around. We don't know what they're doing."

Roddick nodded quickly and finally spoke. "Sir,