[Spirit of Lust] Chapter 206: What it entails. (Patreon)

“A hunting agency? What does that mean, exactly?” Amelia asked, brow furrowed in thought. “You’d go out and hunt supernatural beings?”

“Something along those lines,” Aoi said. “We’d work as private investigators, going out to find whatever is asked of us. You know about alchemy already, so you can understand the desire for supernatural ingredients. Blood from a certain monster, a rare kind of plant, the horn of a unicorn, things like that. Other kinds of requests would probably entail exorcism and extermination of supernatural phenomena as well. The difference with my previous job is that we’d be taking private requests and getting paid for it. I admit, part of my plan here is using whatever information we get and resources we can spare to pursue my own hunting, taking care of issues nobody cares to pay to have fixed.”

“And owning an agency dealing in such things would give us good reason to be allowed into underground dealings,” Cynthia said, nodding along. “You’d need a front, though, no? We can’t exactly advertise you publicly as a hunting agency.”

“Yes. A magic counseling office should serve well enough.”

“A bit on the nose, isn’t it?” Reina said. “Shouldn’t you hide it better?”

“You’d be surprised how effective hiding in plain sight is,” Nanami said. “The general public doesn’t take these sorts of names seriously. You get two or three customers hoping to learn tarot reading and runes and get laughed at by the rest. Then come the real customers who want you to take care of the possessed spirit living in the house they just bought.”

“There’s that, and… Well, to be honest, I’ve spent my whole life studying and fighting the supernatural. I… don’t have many other skills beyond that,” Aoi admitted with a grimace. “I know a few shops that hide under the guise of bars and restaurants, but that’s a bit beyond me.”

“Meanwhile, auntie is an expert on magic. If someone comes in asking if they’ve been cursed, she can genuinely help them instead of feeding them crap and selling them pointless rocks to heal their chakras.”

“And I’d like to pass on all those skills to you, William, if you’re up for it,” Aoi said, looking at him. “Like I said, this is a proposal. I will not force you to join us, but I believe working with us will give you a new perspective of the world you’ve stepped into.”

“...” Will looked down at his own hand. He let his aether flow into it, engulfing it in a gentle, purple aura. “I… started studying journalism just because I liked taking photos,” he said. “But even since I started to find out about magic… I can’t deny the feeling of satisfaction I get when I learn something new. I’d like to keep polishing these skills and learning new ones. As much of Ishtar as for myself this time.”

The prospect of going out and seeing more of the supernatural once held no appeal to Will. He would’ve preferred to be kept in the dark, away from all that complicated and dangerous crap. But after so much training, practice and testing his own skills against others… Seeing his own growth was… fulfilling.

Will smiled wryly. “I’m sorry. I think I’d like to give this a try.” His words were meant for those most worried about him, namely Reina, Ruth and Anna.

“Had a feeling you’d say that,” Reina said. “If so, then you better become so strong I don’t have to worry about you.”

“What she said,” Ruth agreed, hugging Will from behind after finishing up the dishes. “I’d rather you didn’t, but I think I understand. I’ll not burden you more by speaking against it.” 

“Just promise you’ll be careful,” Anna said. “I know you’re strong, and you have Ishtar with you, so I’m sure you’ll be fine, but don’t go around doing reckless things.”

“Believe me, I’ll be sure to stop him if he does,” Aoi assured her. “Of course, this all depends on whether or not our potential sponsors accept this proposal.”

Amelia sighed. “You’re talking business, Aoi, and that means profits. Can you guarantee this idea of yours won’t be a money pit?”

“I know the market for it well enough. I’ve done freelance work like this before, so my name should carry some weight in certain circles. I can’t guarantee success, but I’m fairly confident. Besides, the initial investment wouldn’t be high. We just need an office for now, some place not here.”

Will nodded. “Better not risk it.”

“And a salary,” Cynthia added. “All work must be properly compensated. That we’re close doesn’t change that. You look the type to work for free if you had to, Aoi.”

“She would,” Nanami said. “She has,” she corrected herself.

Amelia sighed. “Alright. We’ll need to go over the details, but I’m in.”

“Me, too. I’m not letting this opportunity slip past me,” Cynthia said.

Ruth grimaced. “I can understand Aoi’s and Will’s motivations, but… is money so important that you’d go into a dangerous business just to earn more?”

“...It does seem greedy, doesn’t it?” Cynthia admitted. “I guess it is, but money is power, safety, comfort, a key that opens doors. It’s not about money for money’s sake, but for what it allows you to do.”

“Everything in this world runs on money,” Amelia said. “Even charities need donations to carry out their work. In a twisted way, money is a system of trusts that needs no trust. It’s not flawless and it can be taken advantage of, but it’s what allows society to work the way it does.”

“I’d be a hypocrite to call you greedy,” Will said. “But… take it from me. Be mindful of your attachment to material possessions.” He looked up to the ceiling. “Who knows when some crazy spirit will take advantage of a moment of weakness to take your body for itself.”

All the women flinched at that, all except Aoi. It seemed Will put into words just what she had in mind as well.