New Faces

Shoving the depressing thought to the back of my head, I went back to the apartment. And when the night came, I arrived at the mourning castle—arriving using the same method we used last time. Of course, Ethan was with me. His bruise seemed to have healed already as it was gone. But tonight, he was more serious than usual.

We were greeted by Hariric with white smoke puffing out of his nostrils. And no need to mention that he doesn't hide his animosity towards Ethan at all. But despite their sharp glares, they didn't argue. Hariric simply led us going to the room where we gathered last time.

Everyone was already there. Victor and Monica, Mr. Chaffer, and of course, Mr. Vlad. The frogs wearing cowboy hats are also there, almost completely merged with the background.

But there was one person I have yet to meet before. He was seated on a flowery chair. He wore dirty blue overalls, a striped long-sleeved shirt, and a straw hat. He looked like a normal person around the age of fifteen. But I am certain that this guy is far from normal. He wouldn't be here at all if he was, obviously.

"Ahem! You're here at last. Quick. Have a seat." Mr. Vlad greeted us as soon as we entered. "And by the way, this one here is Aylmer. He's also part of this… err little gathering of ours." The new guy shot me a boyish grin.

I nodded at him and took the seat between Ethan and Hariric. Everyone was watching me making it awkward. I felt so out of place. It didn't really help that the new guy, or shall I say Aylmer is looking at me ever so intensely.

When everyone was finally seated, the door creaked open. And a person… no, a lump of bones sauntered into the room. And yes, I'm not mistaken for calling it a lump of bones. Because, unlike Victor and Monica who were just human skeletons, this fellow over here is a skeleton mishmash of different animals.

Its head belonged to a cat, and its elongated neck down to its feet seemed like it belonged to a chicken. While its arms were that of an orangutan, too long and too big for its body. By the way that it was moving, it looked more like a marionette than a skeleton.

"Where's your owner?" Mr. Vlad asked. But obviously, since it doesn't have a throat, there's no way it can speak. Instead, it started moving in an exaggerated manner. Doing some sign language, I supposed. Mr. Vlad facepalmed himself watching it and shook his head in resignation.

It limped towards the bizarre-looking chair that was as though it was made with just stacked bones and climbed on it.

But somehow while looking at it, I can't help but compare it to the ones in the Bloodhound Agency. The ones Mr. Alec loved so much. But they can't be the same thing, right? I haven't seen this in all of his collections. But… who knows? Because if I think about it, Mr. Alec is kinda weird. Especially his ways of running a business.

Mr. Vlad clapped his hands, gathering everyone's attention. And looking at him, he didn't seem to have any plans in introducing us to our new bony pal.

He stared at me for a few seconds before clearing his throat. "Tonight, you're gonna try your luck becoming a peculiar," he said. But though it was clear that he was speaking to me, his eyes were scrutinizing Ethan. The person in question was hard to read. He's not acting his usual self at all. If anything, he appeared to be slightly tensed.

"And so… where was I? Oh! Yes, peculiars. In order to become a peculiar, you need to meet with a primordial being. The one who existed from the beginning of time. I assume you already knew this as I'm guessing Ethan must have told you."

"Uhh… yes. He did told me. But Mr. Vlad, I've been meaning to ask you this. But why all of a sudden?"

"To tell you the truth. I never wished to drag you into our mess but since encountered a devourer no less, I didn't really have a choice. So to speak, from now on, you'll be part of us," he told me. "Besides, you seem to have a talent for attracting unnecessary attention to the point of getting cursed."

"Okay, I get it. But what am I getting out of this?"

"Well… haven't really thought of that. But protection maybe. And oh! An alliance with us too," he said as he spread his arms. "Your situation isn't exactly safe, you know?"

Protection? That's exactly what I need. And indeed, I wouldn't say my situation is the safest. Heck! I don't even know if I'll wake up to see the sun tomorrow.