Mysterious Awakening

Unless supernatural events occur, there was no need for Miles to get involved. He could carry on with his job as a security guard.

After several laps around the mall with Master Catch, it was apparent to Mr. Calm that something was amiss. He didn’t even have to voice his concerns before Master Catch voiced his observation. “Mr. Calm, there does seem to be an issue with your mall. I sensed something unsettling the moment I left the car.”

A slightly perturbed Mr. Calm asked, “What precisely is the issue with my mall, Master Catch? Can it be resolved?”

Master Catch chuckled, “It’s somewhat complicated, but you’re in luck for having invited me. Others may lack the necessary skills to handle it. You seem to be blessed, I must admit. Yes, I can sort out your mall’s problems. However, I have two approaches – a temporary and a comprehensive fix. I wonder which one you’d prefer, Mr. Calm?”

Perplexed, Mr. Calm asked, “What’s the difference between them?”

Master Catch explained, “The temporary fix is straightforward. I will intervene, then everything here will naturally normalize, effectively stopping the incidents. But I can’t guarantee that similar situations won’t reoccur in the future.”

“And the comprehensive solution?” probed Mr. Calm.

Master Catch elaborated, “The comprehensive solution entails shutting down and relocating the mall. This place has some negative energy; similar occurrences might happen in the future.”

He continued, “Reflect on it, Mr. Calm. Weren’t there no more disappearances after you closed the mall?”

“Yes, yes, indeed. You’re absolutely right, Master Catch. The incidents ceased once the mall was shut,” Mr. Calm concurred, an expression of awe and deep respect on his face.

The expense incurred was justified in his view.

“But if we don’t relocate, what are our alternatives? Any suggestions?” Mr. Calm questioned, concerned about when his mall could reopen. Every day of closure equated to a significant loss of profits.

Laughing heartily, Master Catch assured him, “I’ve traveled a great distance to be here. If I can’t rectify your situation, how can I maintain my standing in this industry? It would be a blow to my reputation. But remember, the fee isn’t negotiable.”

“Understood, understood. Rest assured, Master Catch. I’ll bear all the necessary costs. Please guide me,” Mr. Calm responded promptly.

Master Catch approved, “I’ve surveyed your mall. For a comprehensive solution, I recommend sealing off the main entrance and creating a new one on the south side. The parking lot entrance to the right can stay as it is. I’ll provide you with the detailed renovation plan later. It’s not appropriate to discuss further here.”

Mr. Calm nodded in agreement, swayed by Master Catch’s proposal.

Meanwhile, Miles was eavesdropping.

He found Master Catch’s words insightful and sincere, more like those of a genuinely skilled individual.

However, he quickly dismissed that thought.

After some time, Master Catch’s apprentice brought in an array of peculiar items, seemingly getting ready to start work.

“Seal the main door,” Master Catch abruptly directed his apprentice.

“You heard him. Shut the door now.” A man in a tight-fitting suit approached Miles and Strong and commanded, “Quickly now, don’t waste time.”

“That’s Mall Manager Li, the boss’s right hand. It’s alright to cross anyone but him,” Strong warned, immediately moving to secure the mall doors.

Miles maintained a stoic face, showing no signs of irritation. He merely turned and aided in closing the doors.

“Lock it. Once locked, that entity won’t escape,” Master Catch ordered once more.

Lock it?

Miles hesitated, then questioned, “If we lock the doors, whether there is a spirit or not, it would be confined within this place along with the people. What if we need to evacuate?”

“What are you muttering about, newbie? Didn’t you hear the Master? Hurry and lock the door,” Mall Manager Li chastised after seeing Miles’s slow progress.

“Alright then. In the end, if anything truly occurs, you’ll be the one trapped, not me. It doesn’t make a difference whether I lock the door or not.” Miles inwardly thought.

Click.

He locked the main entrance and let it be.

However, upon observing Master Catch’s flamboyant actions following the preparations, Miles couldn’t resist picturing lively background music in his head, making the fraudster appear strangely charismatic.

“Heh” Unable to suppress his amusement, Miles burst out laughing. But, realizing the inappropriate timing, he swiftly covered his mouth.

“Who, who just laughed?” Master Catch swiveled around from the ritual table and demanded.

“Was it you? As a security guard, are you prepared to take the blame if your distraction disrupts the ritual?”

Miles responded earnestly, “Master, you’re mistaken. I merely sneezed. Furthermore, I’m a dedicated security guard who underwent professional training by the company. I wouldn’t laugh lightly, no matter the situation.”

Strong gave him a peculiar look from the side.

When did you, the newbie, get training?

“Let’s not have a next time,” Master Catch stated, visibly displeased.

Miles felt Mall Manager Li’s piercing glare on him, but he simply disregarded it.

Soon, Master Catch recommenced his ritual.

Nonetheless, his gestures and the rhythm of his bobbing head bizarrely matched the imaginary beat. Once again, that contagious background music echoed in Miles’s mind.

Unable to resist, he chuckled softly to himself.

However, somehow, Master Catch seemed to possess exceptional hearing.

“You’re still laughing? Enough is enough.” A bit sensitive, Master Catch tossed down his tools in a fit.

“You needn’t show up for work tomorrow. You’re dismissed.” Mall Manager Li promptly walked over and pointed at Miles, declaring, “Don’t even dream about receiving this month’s salary.”

Miles smiled and responded, “I’m sorry, I gave it my best shot. Usually, I don’t laugh unless it’s really beyond my control. Feel free to proceed as you see fit. I’ll just observe. I’m leaving tomorrow anyway. I’ve only been here for a day, so getting paid or not doesn’t matter to me.”

Mall Manager Li was so frustrated that he felt like venting his anger. Exclaiming in frustration, “Who on earth hired this security guard? They’re answering for this!”

But just at that moment, an object abruptly plummeted from the upper level.

“Bang!”

The resonant sound of a heavy object striking the ground echoed throughout the area.

“What just fell?” Everyone gasped in astonishment.

But when they hurried over to investigate, the sight sent a wave of shock through the crowd, with the more squeamish ones screaming in terror.

A body, more precisely, a headless, unclothed body in an advanced state of decay, emitting a ghastly odor.

“Don’t be so dramatic, it’s merely a body. I stumbled upon it after a brief search. It likely belonged to one of your lost mall patrons. This place is indeed haunted. It’s amusing how you, the boss, engaged some fraudster to swindle money. If they were truly capable, people like us wouldn’t be necessary.”

A young man, seemingly in his early twenties, clad in a short-sleeved shirt and gloves, leisurely descended from the fourth floor in the elevator.

“You, who are you? Security!” The boss, Mr. Calm, urgently called out.

“There’s no need for security. Allow me to introduce myself first. I’m Ethan, formerly an electrician, now specializing in addressing supernatural occurrences. Mr. Calm, I believe today would be a good opportunity for us to get acquainted.”

The young man known as Ethan extended his hand with a grin. Despite his smiling face, his chilly demeanor was somewhat disconcerting.

Upon hearing his words, Miles’s expression tightened, “Could this guy be another ghost tamer? If so, is he here to poach business?”