New chapter released! Sending out some comment red envelopes for everyone~ Mwah~
Chapter 6: Seal of Osiris (6)
“..”
Old Man" froze, it took a long time before he squeezed out a single sentence: "So you..
My intermittent deafness is acting up; I didn't hear a thing!
Wood emphasized loudly.
.. Alright.
Old Man" sighed, turning his head to look at Peterson in the Electric Chair, his features instantly contorting: "—Oh no!
What's wrong?
Wood looked toward the sound and discovered that the cold water soaking Peterson's feet had all evaporated without him noticing; the wood of the basin was black and scalding hot, emitting a burnt smell.
W-what is going on!
There's no time to explain! We must stop immediately!
Before the words had even faded, Old Man used his hands, clad in insulated gloves, to pull down the circuit breaker.
Crack—Snap!
Sparks flew from the circuit breaker, white smoke and a burnt smell rose from the surface of the gloves.
Peterson on the Electric Chair did not wake up; spiderweb-like bloody cracks appeared on his dark face, the rubber straps securing his limbs began to deform and melt.
What do we do now!
Wood was so anxious he was at a loss for what to do: "He looks like he is in extreme pain."
Yes, we are about to face—
Is this the real world?
Peterson, sitting in the Electric Chair, suddenly opened his mouth and uttered clear sentences, his tone so eerie it sounded as if hundreds of bees with vibrating wings were gathered in his vocal cords.
Th-th-this..
Wood's tongue trembled with shock, yet a mysterious surge of heat rose within his body, driving him—
Raising his left hand, he shouted at the unknown entity occupying Peterson's body, "I command you to return Peterson's body to him immediately!"
Who are you? By what right do you command me! You are nothing more than—
What am I?
Wood's voice became incredibly cold, faint flashes of lightning flickered deep within his green eyes.
[—It's, it's.. Aaaaaah!]
After the extremely tragic scream, Peterson opened his eyes again, his cracked and bleeding lips letting out a hoarse, weak voice: ".. Water.. I need water.."
Here—
Old Man took the cold water from Wood, who was still immersed in the joy of driving away the unknown, fed it to Peterson.
Peterson drank the fresh water greedily, his burning body temperature rapidly subsided.
Phew.. This is delicious! This is the best water I've ever had in my life.
“Mm.”
Old Man" snorted. Once he was certain that the consciousness currently inhabiting Peterson's body was indeed Peterson's, he untied the rubber bands binding his hands and feet and asked in a businesslike manner, "What did you gain in the gap between the mortal world and death?
I—
Peterson glanced at Wood standing to the side.
Old Man" sneered, "If Wood hadn't been there, your body wouldn't belong to you anymore!
Just now—
Mm, you were almost possessed by that thing over there just now.
.. Thanks.
Peterson said somewhat stiffly, then immediately added, "This is only the second time in my life that I've said 'thank you' to a white person; the first was Boss Jason."
I understand, I completely understand.
Wood feigned a calm and composed demeanor as he stepped forward, flanking Old Man on one side and Peterson on the other to help up the still-limp Peterson, while inwardly—
(Thank you! Boss! Thank you for infusing power into my body, making an ordinary person like me repeatedly become the center of everyone's attention, even Peterson, who usually looks at me with such disdain, said thank you to me!)
At this moment, Peterson suddenly looked up again and said haltingly, "Can we exchange contact information?"
..
..
—What is your answer?
In the luxurious, quiet room, Master sat on a large sofa, tilting his head as he asked Wood, who was still immersed in excitement, his gaze filled with profound meaning.
How can I answer that? My new phone is still waiting for me to take it home at the shop..
Wood looked at Master with a pitiful expression: "Boss, could you—"
No!
Master refused resolutely.
But I'm a special consultant for the Special Events Investigation Department now; how can I not even have a mobile phone?
Didn't Jason give you an Emergency Communicator?
He did.
That's fine then.
But—
Wood tried to persuade the man, but the latter shook his head, stating unshakeably, "Once you have your own phone, you won't be able to resist making mistakes, leading yourself into an even greater debt crisis."
But..
You can offer countless 'buts,' but I have only one 'but' in response—but I do not believe your promises.
“..”
Wood felt helpless. He walked up behind Master with puffed cheeks and began to rub the man's shoulders in an attempt to please him. "Boss—"
What is it?
Master reached out and took the hand that was kneading his shoulder.
I've been so obedient and worked so hard; can I ask my Boss for a reward?
What do you want?
Hand—
No!
Master interrupted Wood without mercy.
Wood changed his tune decisively, saying obsequiously, "—Boss, thank you for giving me so much last night, allowing me to perform excellently while working with Peterson and earn everyone's admiration and praise."
And?
I.. I want some more..
Wood said with a flushed face.
Oh?
Master's voice grew shadowed: "Why do you want more? Do you like Peterson? Do you want to show off in front of Peterson? To win his worship and admiration?"
N-no, it's not that, I just.. I..
Just what?
Without the power Boss continues to lend me, Peterson and the others will soon realize that I am actually nothing.. I've worked so hard to earn their worship and admiration, to become their center of attention. I don't want to lose these things, I don't want them to mock and insult me once they know the truth.. I..
You crave Peterson's approval? Because you like Peterson?
How could that be! I don't like him! Not even a little bit—mmph!
His voice broke into a whimper halfway through, as Boss forcibly hauled his over the back of the sofa and pressed his down beneath him.
—Boss?
You can have as much as you want, but you must swear that you don't like Peterson! And that you don't like anyone else but me!
O-of course..
Wood spoke without a second thought, his green eyes reflecting the man's handsome, classical, perfectly proportioned face.
Really?
Really, of course it's true.
Then—
The man lowered his head, his voice brushing against his earlobe like a damp veil: "Prove it to me."
How.. how can I prove it..
Wood's cheeks flushed crimson, his mind filled with intimate images of physical entanglement.
What do you think?
Master's voice grew lower and lower, his hand gradually slid down until it landed on a certain place.
Hmm?
.. Hmm.. Ah!
..