NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1
1.
The trainees in the cabin stopped their discussion and turned their attention to a young man not far away.
Seemingly unaffected by the discomfort of the hard seat or the noisy environment, the young man closed his eyes, resting his cheek on one hand, the other hand hanging down. A book slipped from his hand, and someone went over to pick it up.
“He seems to have fallen asleep. Let’s keep our voices down. He’d probably cry if he heard what we were just talking about, right?”
“Come on, kids these days are not that fragile. Look what he’s reading — ‘The Black Shrine Island’. It’s quite fitting, maybe the evil spirits like ‘Horse-headed Yaksha’ are also worshiped on Ye Island.”
“According to the book, the so-called ‘Black Shrine’ refers to shrines that haven’t been integrated. It’s a product of superstition, also known as a cult.”
“I wonder why there’s a kid on board. I thought we were all university students.”
“Could he be that genius who skipped grades and went directly to university in his first year of high school? I heard a professor mention him. His name is Susa Genji, I think.”
“Let’s not worry about that. But speaking of which, there’s a lesser-known second part of that myth. Do you want to hear it?”
“Sure, let’s go outside to talk.”
As the group of trainees went outside for some fresh air, the young man named Susa Genji opened his eyes and started to stretch.
He didn’t mean to deceive others; he just happened to overhear a crucial secret while resting with his eyes closed and, not wanting to alarm his companions, had to continue feigning sleep.
He picked up the unfinished novel, staring at its cover lost in thought — the ‘Horse-headed Yaksha’ with blue-black skin sat cross-legged on a dark blue lotus, holding an ax and a lotus, emitting a dark red aura against a black background, looking particularly eerie.
An isolated island where no one dares to approach, a formidable lord, taciturn villagers, deep-rooted superstitions, mysteriously missing friends, and horrific incidents…
Thinking of the plot in the book and the chatter of his fellow travelers, Genji couldn’t help but shiver — unfortunately, his father was also missing.
2.
Genji’s father, Susa Sumajin, was an upright historian who had received death threats from extremists due to his academic views.
Professor Susa didn’t want to involve his family, so he had to live separately from his wife and son. His wife, Chie, took their then 8-year-old son back to her parents’ house to lay low.
Perhaps due to the shock and the exhaustion of the journey, Chie, who already had a weak heart, soon fell ill and passed away unexpectedly. Afterwards, Genji’s grandparents became his guardians.
They often blamed their daughter’s death on their son-in-law, refusing to let Genji see his father. Helpless, Professor Susa had to leave the country to continue his research overseas, regularly sending living expenses to Genji.
“If your dad hadn’t been obsessed with uncovering ‘the truth,’ your mom wouldn’t have died. Ah, my poor Chie…” his grandmother would say, tears streaming down her face.
“Genji, when you grow up, don’t touch history or politics. Study science like your grandparents. If it wasn’t for him delaying Chie…” his grandfather would say, choking up with anger.
Genji grew up among these complaints but still missed the days he lived with his father.
Before the tragedy, Professor Susa used to take his family on trips whenever he had time. The family of three would trek in the mountains, fish by the stream, cook in the woods, and sometimes startle the sparrows in the fields with loud shouts.
Unfortunately, such tranquil happiness had long become a distant memory. After his mother’s death, Genji could only communicate with his father through phone calls and screens.
This year, Genji, who should have been a first-year high school student, was admitted to a national university through grade skipping. As soon as he received the admission notice, he immediately shared the news with his father.
However, as the holiday was about to end, Genji still hadn’t received any response.
To make matters worse, his grandparents, who had been raising him, had passed away not long ago, leaving only a small inheritance. Without his father’s support, Genji feared he wouldn’t be able to afford the high tuition fees.
Just when Genji was at a loss, a benefactor extended an olive branch to him.
3.
“I’m sorry to hear about the situation with the Odagawa family. Chie was my college classmate, and her parents were my mentors…” Professor Kanazawa said solemnly, removing his hat and bowing slightly.
Kanazawa Koji, one of the officials
responsible for the accelerated admission test, had been quiet during the interview, so Genji didn’t have a strong impression of him.
He hadn’t expected the professor to have such a connection with his mother’s family and to take the initiative to meet with Genji.
“Susa-kun, under these circumstances, you can apply for a student loan, but there’s another option. Our university has a joint training program with a research institute. Not only is the tuition free, but participants also receive bonuses and subsidies…”
“Eh?”
“The institute will arrange mentors and customize the teaching plan according to the student’s situation. As long as Susa-kun feels he has reached a certain level, he can apply for the exam. If he passes, he moves on to the next phase of study without having to progress year by year like ordinary students.”
“So, you’re saying I can join this program without paying, even earn money, and possibly graduate early?”
Seeing Genji’s spirits lift, Professor Kanazawa showed a gentle yet slightly bitter smile.
“That’s right, and after graduation, you can even work in the country’s top research institutes. But nothing is truly free. Once you sign the agreement, you’ll be sent to a remote island far from the mainland to assist your mentor until graduation.”
“I understand, thank you for your guidance, Professor.”
Conditions on the remote island wouldn’t be as good as in big cities. Living there would probably be like an ascetic life of simple meals and hard study. However, for a financially struggling minor who urgently needed to stand on his own, this was a small price to pay.
“There are some things it’s better to tell you in advance…”
Professor Kanazawa then told Genji about the ghost and deity legends of Ye Island, as well as the rumors of people going mad after being cursed.
“It’s okay, I’m an atheist.”
To Genji, humans were far more frightening than ghosts and deities. If it weren’t for certain people’s malice, his father wouldn’t have had to leave, his mother wouldn’t have died of worry, and the elderly wouldn’t have had to enter their graves filled with resentment.
Moreover, even if there were any supernatural beings, the Rakshasa ghosts had already been subdued by the Ghost Hunting Deity. Logically, the Ghost Hunting Deity should be a benevolent god who helps those in trouble. So, how could he be the one cursing people?
These rumors were simply illogical. Thinking this, Genji shook his head.
“I respect Susa-kun’s beliefs, but sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry. After all, you are the precious grandson of my two mentors, so I can’t hide the disadvantages of this project. Now, it’s up to you to choose.”
After saying this, Professor Kanazawa adjusted his glasses, his expression turning grave. Seeing Genji agree readily, the professor’s warm smile returned.
“No matter what, it’s amazing that a sixteen or seventeen-year-old child has such courage! Good luck then!”
Genji couldn’t help but wonder if it was his imagination, but he thought he saw a flash of cold light in the professor’s glasses.
Hmm, what exactly is the relationship between Professor Kanazawa and my mother? It seems too simple…
The boy didn’t dig deeper. With a mind full of questions and anxiety, he boarded the ship to Ye Island.