The painted traps of art worshippers, part 2

The secret lair of the cultists wasn't far—right under the art gallery. But the guard led Shin to the second floor of the building.

To the gallery curator's office.

The secretary told them with annoyance to come at another time; the guard's words convinced her to pass a message to the curator.

Soon, Shin was inside the man's office—alone, save for the middle-aged man wearing rectangular glasses sitting at a desk. The name plaque on his door said that his name was Otani Tasuku.

"Good morning, Hamlet-san," Shin addressed the man formally. Without waiting for an invitation, he sat on the opposite side of him. "I heard that you have a problem."

Tasuku, also known by the pseudonym 'Hamlet' within his cult, smiled at Shin with a hint of wariness. He was looking not right at him, but through him, as if trying to make eye contact with the demoness inside Shin's body.

He definitely sensed Tetsu. He probably thought she was the leader, and Shin was just his meat puppet—and that was because he didn't treat Shin like a kid.

"You already know how to address me, but I don't know how to call you, sir."

"Kugutsu Shin. The Horned King sent me to help with a certain person who gave you trouble."

Hamlet frowned and said in a respectful tone, "Of course, Kugutsu-sama—if this is His Majesty's wish, I will readily obey. But maybe you want something before discussing business? A drink, perhaps, or a snack? We have some special items stored for the sake of your kind… And surely His Majesty would want to hear about the successes of our work?"

Shin shook his head. Inside him, Tetsu sneered silently at the man. Like her, he didn't want to spend any more time here than he needed to.

"My time is important. Let's not waste it. After all," and there Shin had to force himself into saying it evenly, with Tetsu's growling in the background, "it belongs to His Majesty."

Whether it was Shin's expression, or the menacing aura emanated by Tetsu, but Hamlet didn't protest.

"Very well, Kugutsu-sama. But I don't think that this problem requires your intervention. I have it handled already. Of course, we are very honored to host His Majesty's trusted servant, but you don't have to strain yourself."

Shin narrowed his eyes. For several seconds, Hamlet stared back through the lenses of his glasses before looking down.

"A certain art journalist came to make a report about my gallery. I scanned his background, and found nothing suspicious, so allowed it—with careful supervision, of course. He wrote a splendid article that I was proud to see in the newspaper… But only a day later, he was found sneaking into our 'special' storage. The guards have failed to catch him then. They were punished for it, of course, and a new group was sent to apprehend the journalist at his home."

Hamlet paused. Shin nodded—so far, everything fit with the plot of the story about this place.

"And then?"

"The entire group was found dead. Three people with weapons, more than enough for a mere human… But their deaths were the work of higher beings." Hamlet exhaled with a mix of frustration and awe. "Somehow, he must've summoned one of your kind to his side and his body. Since then, we have only been watching him from afar. But as soon as our forces are ready, we will deal with that enemy."

Shin shook his head. "Just tell me where he is and don't interfere. This isn't a fight for mortals," he added haughtily.

It sounded laudable to his ears, but Hamlet swallowed it with awe in his eyes.

He was such a stereotypical cult-leader character that Shin couldn't find in himself to feel any emotion towards him—positive or negative.

Somehow, The Horned King felt more humane than actual people Shin met, except for Murai.

"Of course. But if you need assistance of any kind, it would be my honor to be of service," Hamlet assured.

An idea came to Shin's head. He smiled at it.

"Yes, actually. Funds."

"Right! The mortal world is controlled by money, after all." Hamlet nodded with a chuckle. "It must seem like such nonsense to you, when only power must give a person the right to rule…"

Thankfully, Hamlet didn't continue this lecture.

He gave orders to his people quickly, and although he gave Shin suspicious glances sometimes, he didn't doubt him outright. Soon, Shin had a thick wad of yen and an address of a hotel where his target stayed.

'See, Tetsu? Now we have extra money and don't have to search for this guy ourselves,' Shin said as he walked down the street to a phone booth. He planned to call a taxi.

'Yeah, that was very smart, partner,' she agreed. 'But these people! They are so stuck-up… Acting like they understand anything about us!'

Shin didn't know if she meant her and Shin, or demons in general, and didn't ask.

The taxi brought them to the edge of the city, where the driver tried to threaten Shin with a gun and rob him.

After Tetsu ate him, Shin just drove towards the target's address himself. At least he wasn't stopped by any police.

'But isn't this good? We had a meal, and you have a car now, my friend!'

'A car is good, but its seats are all bloody. Now I have to go home and change into new clothing. With that blood on my clothing, I will get arrested as soon as I step inside the hotel.'

'Let them try! I can always eat some more.'