Taking Risk

Peculiar or not, this world is just too cruel.

"Where can we find more informations about peculiars?"

"As of now, I don't know. But I will look into it."

At this moment, I have two choices—To do nothing or turn myself into a peculiar.

"Wait! Don't tell me you're planning on becoming one!"

"I'm actually considering it."

"Haven't you heard what I told you? If you do that, not only will you lose your freedom, you will also spend the rest of your life worrying if someone discovers your identity! You understand that, right?"

"Of course, I understand that much."

Hiding my identity? Ha! Isn't that my forte? Ever since I was thrown into this strange world, I have already been pretending as Jack Miller. Not even this guy knows I'm hiding my identity from him.

"I'm warning you, Mr. Jack. The world of peculiars is not a playground. It's a losing game from the get-go! And why would you even think of turning yourself? I'm starting to regret I even told you."

"..."

Why? I wonder as well! I could have just stayed the way I am right now. But doing so means I have to live the rest of my life walking on eggshells. And it won't be any different from the life I had. If there's anything I regret, that would be not taking any risk. I'm acting tough in front of my siblings but I've always been a coward who only knows how to play it safe.

It made me wonder. Had I been a risk taker before, would my life be any different? Though I was hardworking, I can't deny that I have let way too many opportunities go. Just because I was a coward.

If I become a peculiar, I admit it would be too risky. But not having any means to protect myself from this strange world equals death. Though the stake is quite high, it's better than cowering in fear for the rest of my life. It's to protect myself… and for my sanity.

"Ethan. Find me information on how to become a peculiar the easiest way."

"You're not listening at all, Mr. Jack!"

"Just do it."

Sighing in defeat, he nods loathsomely.

***

26th July 1521, Bloodhound Agency.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

As I opened the door to Mr. Alec's office, I saw Dominick, Alicia, and a young man probably in his 20s. He has coffee-brown hair that complemented his tan skin. Mr. Alec was looking at them silently from his table.

"I told you already, I don't want to! I don't like dealing with supernatural whatnots!"

"But Haru! Don't tell me you actually believe in ghost in your age? Come on, the pay isn't bad." Alicia said.

"Even if you pay me 1000 demi. I. DON'T. WANT. TO. I'd rather deal with smelly corpses than ghost."

"But ghosts don't exist Haru! Besides, what can a mere ghost even do? Pass through a wall?"

"Quit it, Alicia! You don't believe in ghosts but I do! There's so many back in my hometown."

"Oh? Please do tell me. Are you certain they're not just stories from your grandma to scare you?"

Dominick is still the same as ever. Despite Alicia and who I think is Haru's back and forth exchange, he just looked at them—uninterested. I wonder what could make him change his expression. Must be something interesting.

"Uhh… Guys? What are you talking about?" I interrupted.

"Oh! Silly us! Hello, Mr. Jack! This is Haru. And we're asking him to join us with the request we're about to take. It requires three people. Are you perhaps interested?"

Mr. Alec nods at me as soon as we made eye contact. While the guy, Haru, only stared at me. The same is true with Dominick.

"Good day everyone, I guess? I'm only here to get my pay with my yesterday's job. But depending on what kind of request that is, who knows? I might accept."

"It's from Mr. Logan, the founder of the Veritas Homes. 75 demi per head."

The pay isn't bad. It's a request for three people so he will be paying 225 demi? I don't expect this to be an easy job. And Veritas Homes? Isn't that where Miss Patricia's parents live? As much as possible, I don't want anything to do with that woman.

"What's the request?"

"Nothing special. We just have to do a night patrol throughout the Veritas Homes." Alicia said nonchalantly.

"But why do I get the feeling that it's not "nothing special" at all as you make it sound it sound to be?"

"Of course, there's a catch. Jack, is it? I'm Haru!"

I only gave him a slight nod before turning back to Alicia.

"Mr. Logan said there's been a woman crying while walking around the Veritas Homes every night. It's already causing a little commotion. He's thinking it must be a prank so he once sought the police but they found no one. So he was thinking it must be a ghost."

For some reason, the very first thing that entered my mind when she said that was peculiars.

"A ghost? Shouldn't he be seeking an exorcist instead of having us do night patrols?"

"You see, Mr. Jack. Mr. Logan is quite a reputable person. And people these days don't actually believe in supernaturals anymore. Much less an exorcist."

So he's afraid to ruin his image, huh.

"Then, count me in."

Though I find this whole setup a little sketchy, I am in fact very interested in this specific request. Because if I truly wanted to become a peculiar, I can't stay cooped up inside my little bubble of safety anymore. It's part of the risk that I have to bear from now on.

"Are you sure, Mr. Jack?" she exclaimed. Her eyes were wide from excitement. I can almost see stars twinkling from them.

"Yes, so long as it's only a night patrol. Nothing more."

"Great! It's settled then! Dominick, you, and me. We will be starting as early as tonight. Let's meet at the entrance of Veritas Homes at 5:30 p.m. sharp."

"That's fine with me."

"I'm surprised you're not even thinking about it too much, Mr. Jack," Haru interjected. "Aren't you afraid it might actually be a ghost?"

"Not really. A ghost is just a ghost. It can't hurt me. I'm more afraid with the living." Say, a peculiar.

"You have a point. But regardless, they're still scary! Some higher-level ghosts can even inflict you with nightmares so I hated them a lot. Though they can't kill us directly, they have ways with their mental tortures!"