Otherworldly Demon?

"Dis!"

"Yes."

That feeling of your heart nearly leaping into your throat really wasn't an exaggeration. Kallen was experiencing it now.

As he looked at the child's drawing, recognized the killer in it, and involuntarily cried out;

the "killer"

had already appeared in the doorway at some point,

and had even answered with a:

"Yes."

That soft reply exploded like thunder in Kallen's ears.

Kallen, who had been sitting on the spring bed, instantly straightened his back and rose to his feet.

At the same time,

he closed the notebook in his hands.

"Were you calling me just now?" Dis asked.

"I... yes. I needed something."

Dis nodded. "I need to speak to you, too."

"Heh, what a coincidence, Grandpa."

"Come to my study."

"All right, Grandpa."

Dis turned and left.

The moment he heard the study door open, Kallen flipped open the notebook, tore that page straight out, and crumpled it into a ball.

Then he glanced at the glass of milk and the glass of water on his desk. In the end, he stuffed the paper ball into his pocket, abandoning the idea of swallowing it.

After leaving his bedroom, Kallen entered Dis's study.

The furnishings were no different from those of an ordinary study, with nothing especially luxurious or unusual about them. The chandelier in the center of the room was lit.

But Kallen remembered that Dis had used candles in the study that night.

Dis sat behind the desk. Kallen pulled over a chair and sat down quite naturally as well. At least, it looked natural.

For now, Kallen could only set the matter of the drawing aside;

first, he had no real attachment to his "parents." In fact, even in "Kallen's" memories, his impressions of his parents had grown almost indistinct. So whether Dis had really killed "Kallen's" parents, as the drawing depicted, wasn't actually a fundamental issue for him.

Besides, what he needed to do now was still to keep himself alive.

"Would you like to go first, or shall I?" Dis asked.

"You first, Grandpa."

"Your uncle told me what happened today, and about the new position he wants to arrange for you at the company.

"You've become so outgoing now. You can even help others work through their anguish?"

Kallen replied, "Precisely because I spent so long in anguish myself, I learned to listen and help others through it."

"Are you willing to do this work?"

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a member of the Immerlis Family. If I have the ability, I want to help the family. Not just the family business, but the people in it, too. My... family."

"A deacon's position has recently opened up at Mink Street Church. If you want to help and counsel others, that position would actually suit you better."

"I don't want to become a deacon at the church."

"Oh? Why not?"

"I want to act as myself, rather than... in God's name."

"Is there a difference?"

"A very big one."

"What difference?"

"I think the bonds between family members are something we're born with, not something bestowed by God. Nor do we need God to smooth things over between us."

"Go on."

"Uncle Mason needs money. Aunt Mary needs money, too. And after her divorce, Aunt Winnie actually needs money as well."

"The family isn't short of money."

"But the family still isn't wealthy enough."

"I don't really want my children to devote their lives to making money. There's always more money to be made, and there are actually more meaningful things in life."

"But most meaningful things are difficult to achieve without enough money."

Dis fell silent, and Kallen stopped speaking.

After a long while,

Dis broke the silence. "Are you very fond of money?"

"Grandpa, as I just said, Uncle, Aunt Mary, Aunt Winnie, and Mina, Lunt, and Chris, who are still growing up, all need money. Whatever my family needs is what I want to work for."

Dis reached for the teacup on the desk.

Kallen stood and picked up the thermos beneath the corner of the desk. "Grandpa, would you like fresh tea leaves?"

Dis shook his head.

Kallen poured in the hot water, put down the thermos, and sat back down.

"Do you think this will earn you all the money you need? I know you earned twenty thousand Lu Coins today.

"I'm actually quite curious myself. Why was that gentleman willing to pay so much?"

"Because he recognized its value."

"That's precisely the problem. People who recognize value are always in the minority. Those who also have money and are willing to spend it generously are rarer still."

"I'll think of other ways. I believe I can do it."

"All right." Dis took a sip of tea. "Now, tell me what you wanted."

"Grandpa, I'd like to resume my studies."

"Oh? You want to go back to school?"

"Yes, Grandpa."

"You just said you wanted to work for the family and earn money for us."

"I don't need to go to school every day. I can study on my own while helping with the family business, but I'll need your help arranging my enrollment."

"Are you planning to go to university, too?"

"I am."

"Which university?"

"Saint John University in Vienne. I've heard it's one of the world's leading universities."

"Yes, that's widely acknowledged. But do you think you'll be able to study there?"

"I think that as long as I study seriously and keep working hard..."

"No, no, no."

Dis interrupted Kallen,

"You've misunderstood me."

"What do you mean, Grandpa?"

"I'm old. When people grow old, they like stability. They like to see their children gathered around them."

Kallen froze;

in his original plan,

going to university in another country had been a good way for both sides to handle their relationship.

You know I'm not your grandson anymore.

You also know that I know you know I'm not your grandson.

With a legitimate reason, I'd leave Rojia City and Ruilan Country;

from my perspective, I'd finally have escaped this family. I'd be... free.

From your perspective, your grandson would actually still be alive, living somewhere far away, still studying. Distance could leave room for fondness and imagination;

wouldn't that be good for both of us?

Dis took another sip of tea and said, "I wouldn't feel comfortable letting you go so far away."

"But Grandpa... I'm already grown up. According to the customs of Rojia City, I've come of age now that I'm fifteen."

"In my eyes, you're still just a child. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless... I'm dead."

Until I die, don't even think about leaving this family.

Of course, you can choose to run away from home. But you're welcome to try.

Kallen parted his lips slightly and drew a breath. Then the faint stiffness in his expression softened into warmth once more. He stood and said with a smile:

"Actually, I couldn't bear to leave you either, Grandpa. Being able to stay by your side has always been my greatest happiness."

Dis nodded, then glanced at the study door, signaling that the conversation was over and he could leave.

Kallen turned around,

and his warm smile vanished, leaving only a grave expression.

When Kallen reached the study door, Dis's voice came from behind him again:

"Oh, one more thing."

Kallen immediately turned around, his smile returning. "Is there anything else, Grandpa?"

"The hospital sent word that he's awake. I have things to do at the church tomorrow, so go visit Mr. Hoffen on my behalf."

"All right, Grandpa. Thank goodness. God bless him. Mr. Hoffen is finally all right."

"Yes. Get some rest early."

"You too, Grandpa."

Kallen returned to the bedroom. Lunt, who had already washed up, was lying on his spring bed, ready to sleep. When he saw Kallen return, he immediately sat up to remind him:

"Kallen, Mom told me to remind you to eat your late-night snack."

"All right, I know."

Kallen saw three hundred Lu Coins tucked beneath the glass of milk.

He closed his eyes,

then opened them again.

Kallen opened the drawer, took out another thousand Lu Coins, and carried them, along with the three hundred, over to Lunt.

"Kallen... I can't take your money."

"Hold out your hand."

"Kallen..."

"Hold it out!"

Lunt held out his hand;

Kallen placed the thirteen hundred Lu Coins in Lunt's hand, then lowered his head, brought his face close to Lunt's, and said, enunciating every word:

"Don't disobey me."

Lunt pressed his lips together, but finally nodded.

Kallen straightened up, suddenly realizing that it really wasn't right to take out the emotions stirred up by Dis on Lunt;

so he reached out and gently patted Lunt's head,

reassuring him:

"I can earn money. I don't need your pocket money. Don't let your mother find out, and don't spend it recklessly, either."

"Yes, I understand. I'll do as you say."

"Go to sleep."

"Good night, Kallen."

"Good night."

Kallen sat back down at the desk, the desk lamp shining.

He took the ball of paper out of his pocket again and tried to unfold it, but halfway through, he crumpled it back into a ball.

He picked up the milk and drained the glass;

then he dropped the paper ball into the glass of water, picked up a spoon, and stirred the paper into pulp.

Once he had finished,

Kallen propped his forehead on his hand, his grandfather's words resurfacing in his mind:

"I wouldn't feel comfortable letting you go so far away... unless I'm dead."

Then when,

exactly, are you going to...

"Sigh."

With a sense of helplessness, Kallen picked up the bread on the desk and took a large bite.

In the end, he simply couldn't bring himself to utter that curse.

Although Dis had wanted to kill him-and, well, probably still did-he hadn't actually killed him yet. Before Dis killed him, Kallen was eating his food, drinking his drinks, using his things, and living under his roof. He really felt too embarrassed to resent him.

What else could I do?

Kallen spread his hands.

"May Grandpa live to a hundred."

If Dis wouldn't let him leave, then all he could do was hope Dis would live a long life.

Because Dis's words could have meant something else, too;

just as Ron had said he wanted to spend his very last Lu Coin before he died;

if one day Dis suddenly felt unwell and thought his days were numbered, then before he left...

Kallen licked his lips

and said mockingly to himself,

"He'd probably take me with him."

The study.

Puer, the black cat, paced across the desk.

"He kept talking about earning money for the family. He couldn't go three sentences without mentioning his family. How heartwarming, how moving. Dis, has he bewitched you?

"He just wants to hide behind his supposed status as family. He wants to use this so-called familial affection to hold you back. He's only saying these things to stay alive!

"Well,

"Dis,

"do you really believe he meant what he said?

"Or

"are you just deceiving yourself?"

Dis sat there without speaking.

Puer continued to pace back and forth across the desk with graceful feline steps.

"Look at you, just look at you. Is this still our Lord Inquisitor Dis?

"It seems our Lord Dis really has grown old. You've started worrying about family ties and forgotten your duties.

"Dis,

"have you forgotten how you killed your son and daughter-in-law back then?

"Why is it that now,

"faced with a grandson,

"you can't bring yourself to do it?

"And he

"isn't even your only grandson!"

Dis finally turned his gaze on Puer.

Under that gaze, Puer took a few small feline steps backward.

Then

Dis spoke.

"Order... Cage."

Black lines emanated from Dis, instantly enveloping the area around the desk and sealing it off.

"Dis, what are you doing? Don't do anything rash! I'm trying to wake you up, to warn you! I'm helping you!"

Dis's hand

landed directly on Puer's back,

then pressed

down.

"Aaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!"

Puer let out scream after scream.

Then

the screams turned into a cat's cry. "Meow!!!!!!!!!"

As he watched Puer suffer agonizing torment beneath his palm,

Dis remained expressionless

and merely asked in an indifferent voice,

"Are you telling me how to do my job?"

There was no business at home that day, and Mina, Lunt, and Chris had all gone to school.

After eating the breakfast Aunt Winnie had prepared, Kallen went downstairs and saw Paul and Ron sitting in the flower garden, chatting.

"Good morning, young master Kallen."

"Good morning, young master."

Ron was especially enthusiastic, thanks to yesterday's five hundred Lu Coins.

Kallen asked Paul, "Will you need to take the vehicle out later?"

Paul shook his head. "We haven't had any calls yet."

Ron said, "I think today should be nice and easy. Mr. Mason and Mrs. Mary aren't even up yet."

His uncle and aunt were sleeping in while there was no business.

"Paul, could you drive me to the hospital? I'm going to visit Mr. Hoffen on Grandpa's behalf."

"Of course, young master."

Using the Immerlis Family's vehicle for personal trips elsewhere was a little awkward, but going somewhere like the hospital was perfectly legitimate.

Back inside the vehicle that made its passengers suffer whether they were dead or alive, Kallen sat down on a cushion and remarked,

"We really could get a new hearse."

This one was a converted vehicle, after all. A proper hearse had a recessed section in the middle for the coffin, fixed seats and armrests on either side, and more room.

"Mr. Mason has wanted to replace it for ages, but Mrs. Winnie won't agree."

Paul started the engine, and the hearse began making its way down Mink Street.

"Paul, turn that way. Go past the terraced houses."

"Yes, young master."

But just as Paul turned onto that road, Kallen changed his mind. "Never mind, Paul. Turn back. Let's go straight to the hospital without the detour."

"Yes, young master." Paul showed no impatience whatsoever. His temper really was much better than Ron's, though a tip would instantly make Ron exceedingly enthusiastic, too.

Kallen had wanted to pass his uncle's first love's house again and glance at that second-floor window along the way. But then he remembered that Grandpa wasn't in the vehicle this time, and decided to abandon the idea to be safe.

About ten minutes later, Paul drove into the hospital parking lot.

"Young master, I'll wait for you here."

"All right."

Kallen got out and headed toward the inpatient building.

Only as he climbed the steps did he realize that he had come to visit a patient without even bringing any fruit.

Should I go out and buy some fruit or a bouquet first?

He hesitated for a moment,

but decided it was too much trouble. Never mind.

"Hello, could you tell me which room Mr. Hoffen is in?"

"Mr. Hoffen? Please wait a moment. I'll look it up for you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

The young nurse at the reception desk searched through the ward's patient register, glancing up at Kallen as she did so, a slight smile curving her lips.

Kallen continued to smile politely and waited patiently.

Since he had inherited this handsome face, he could only accept the troubles that came with it. Alas.

For instance, this young nurse was deliberately searching very slowly just so she could look at him a little longer.

Finally,

"Found him. Mr. Hoffen is in room 301, bed two."

"Thank you."

"Would you like me to take you there?"

"No, thank you."

Kallen took the stairs to the third floor. Room 301 was right by the stairwell, so he found it as soon as he arrived.

He pushed open the door. There were two beds inside. Mr. Hoffen lay in one, while a middle-aged woman in a caregiver's uniform slept soundly in the other, snoring softly. She hadn't even noticed Kallen opening the door and coming in.

The caregiver was slacking off.

Kallen stepped forward to wake her,

but just then,

Mr. Hoffen spoke.

"She works three jobs. She's exhausted. Let her sleep a little longer."

Kallen turned to look at Mr. Hoffen in his hospital bed. His head was bandaged, and he seemed to have been reading a newspaper before Kallen arrived. Apparently, he was recovering well.

"I heard you were awake, so I came to see you right away."

Having arrived empty-handed, Kallen sat down beside the bed.

A sneer appeared at the corner of Mr. Hoffen's mouth. "Disappointed that the fall didn't kill me?"

Kallen shook his head and said bluntly, "If I'd wanted it to, you probably wouldn't have reached the hospital alive."

Mr. Hoffen frowned slightly and asked in puzzlement, "What, you're not even pretending anymore?"

"What do I need to pretend about? I'm Kallen. That illness just changed me quite a lot. I nearly died, after all. It's perfectly normal for someone's personality to change a little after that, isn't it?"

"I'm curious why Dis is still letting you live."

"I'm Grandpa's grandson. That's a rather pointless thing to say."

"Don't you know what you really are?"

"I told you, I'm Kallen."

Mr. Hoffen raised his chin, revealing the cross necklace beneath his clothes.

"Take it off."

"All right."

Kallen reached out and removed the cross necklace from around Mr. Hoffen's neck.

Mr. Hoffen stared at Kallen

and said,

"Now I'll tell you what you really are."

"As expected of a philosophy professor. Actually, I'd be quite happy to discuss philosophy with you."

"Hold it!"

"What?"

"Close your hand around the cross!"

Kallen looked at the cross necklace dangling from his hand, which he had just removed from Mr. Hoffen's neck, and didn't move.

"What, afraid?"

"No."

"Then hold it. Once you've closed your hand around it, you'll understand exactly what you are."

"Mr. Hoffen, it's fine to enjoy divination as a hobby, but you really shouldn't get too obsessed with it. Otherwise, it'll affect your life in the real world."

"If you are one of those things, the moment you willingly grasp it, your soul will be annihilated."

"Are you telling a story?"

"Yes. So hold it. Play along and let me finish the story."

Kallen hesitated.

"What are you hesitating for? Hold it! What, are you even lying to yourself? Heh, heh, heh. I don't know why Dis is still letting you live. Perhaps he's grown old, too. So old that..."

Mr. Hoffen's eyes suddenly widened,

because he saw Kallen, sitting right in front of him, close his left hand around the cross.

One second,

three seconds,

ten seconds;

half a minute;

after grasping the cross, Kallen remained completely still.

Mr. Hoffen braced both hands against the bed and struggled to sit up, but just then, Kallen suddenly lunged forward and let out a shout. "Boo!"

"Ah..."

Startled, Mr. Hoffen lost his balance and fell back onto the bed, but his eyes remained fixed on Kallen in disbelief.

Kallen tossed the cross necklace beside Mr. Hoffen's pillow, spread his arms, and turned in a circle,

then said,

"Didn't you say my soul would be annihilated? Look at me. Why hasn't anything happened?"

"Impossible. This is impossible!" Mr. Hoffen began muttering to himself over and over.

"Get some rest. I'll come visit you again in a while. Hopefully, by then, things will be a little more normal up here." Kallen pointed at his own forehead. "Goodbye, Mr. Hoffen."

With that, Kallen walked out of the room.

"His soul wasn't annihilated by the Purification Artifact.

"Could I have been wrong?

"Is he really not an Otherworldly Demon?"

As Kallen walked down the stairs, the nurse at the reception desk gave him a sweet smile, and he smiled back.

He walked out of the inpatient building,

went down the steps,

but Kallen didn't head straight to the parking lot to find Paul.

Instead, he went to a corner of the hospital garden,

crouched down,

covered his mouth with his right hand,

and flailed his left arm almost frantically.

"Fuck... it hurts like hell!"

After shaking it over and over,

Kallen finally stopped,

held his left hand out in front of him, and slowly opened his palm.

A cross-shaped burn scar stood out starkly in the center of his left palm, but the wound seemed to have been cauterized, so no blood seeped out.

Staring at the burn mark,

Kallen sank into thought.

After a long while,

he voiced a question to himself:

"So... what exactly am I?"