unseen transaction

Chapter 9: "The Unseen Transaction"

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the darkness outside began to recede, banishing the shadows that had shrouded the Midnight Kitchen. Kaito Nakahara, the ghostly apparition, vanished into the morning light, leaving Asher to ponder the strange encounter.

The silence that settled was oppressive, heavy with the weight of unspoken questions. Asher's thoughts turned to the creatures that roamed the night, their existence a dark and foreboding presence. He had learned that they emerged at 6 pm and disappeared by 4 am, their last attack occurring around 3 am. The knowledge brought a sense of relief, but also a growing unease that lingered like a shadow.

As Kaito departed, a faint, yellow glow emanated from his body, taking the shape of the number 10. The digit hovered in the air, pulsing with an otherworldly energy that seemed to reverberate through the kitchen. Asher's eyes narrowed slightly as he reached out to touch the glowing number, but his hand passed through it, as if it were a spectral illusion.

The mystery was compounded when the number 10 drifted towards the broken table, settling upon its surface. In an instant, the wood began to repair itself, the splintered fragments reassembling into a seamless, unbroken whole. The table's transformation was nothing short of miraculous, its weathered surface now gleaming with a newfound freshness.

Asher's eyes observed the transformation with interest, his expression calm and calculating. "Is it a payment? Like coins?" he whispered, his voice low and even. The notion seemed to intrigue him, and he stood there, lost in thought, as he considered the implications.

After a moment, Asher's gaze shifted away from the table, his eyes scanning the kitchen with a thoughtful expression. He seemed to be weighing his options, considering the potential benefits and consequences of this mysterious transaction.

Finally, with a quiet nod to himself, Asher turned away from the table, his movements deliberate and calm. He walked towards the small room, the blankets beckoning him to rest. The events of the night had been exhausting, and Asher's eyes felt heavy with the need for sleep.

Asher lay down on the blankets, his eyes closing as he surrendered to the darkness.