OJTTEG-Chapter 10: Just Wait, I'll Scare Her to Death (Patreon)

So dirty, it looks like it needs a good wash, Ormond thinks.

"...Senior."

"Senior? That's an interesting name."

"Uh-huh..."

"Sure, as long as it gets its vaccinations on time at the pet hospital," Ormond replies. "Clearly, you have a kind heart, and I like that about you."

……

This truly feels like a hell-level challenge.

Haunter slowly walks to the other side of the car and opens the passenger seat door. His short-sleeved shirt is nearly soaked through.

It's not fear; it's excitement.

Every cell in his body is screaming at him...

Run!

He's facing someone he can't possibly handle. If he doesn't run now, when will he?

It's clear he's stepping onto a path of no return. Whatever happens next, there's no going back.

Should he escape?

His body hesitates, still lingering in the aftermath of narrowly escaping death.

He has to admit, it's quite thrilling.

If he chooses to run, will he ever encounter such an opportunity again? He might end up like a regular person, never seeing a single mysterious creature in his lifetime. Not every day do distant relatives come to reclaim you.

More importantly, Haunter remembers a certain unscrupulous deity telling him that if he ever becomes uninteresting, it will personally eliminate the creature known as Haunter.

Damn it.

It's like making a huge mistake and being summoned to the principal's office, pacing at the door for ages, realizing that whether you run or go in, you'll inevitably have to face the principal.

But even in a losing situation, the choices he makes still hold meaning.

In reality, he never really had a choice.

Bring it on!

"I really deserve this."

Haunter chuckles coldly and climbs into the passenger seat.

……

……

On the highway, a blue car zooms by—it looks like a race car.

Zooming in, the car's interior isn't luxurious but very comfortable, with its streamlined body providing excellent grip on the road.

It's so comfortable that it makes you want to floor the gas pedal.

Naturally, the driver is speeding.

"Even on the highway, it seems like we're over the speed limit," An points out.

"Don't worry, my ID will smooth things over," Ormond replies casually, turning on the CD player. Some old songs start playing.

He glances sideways at the young man in the passenger seat, who is intently reading the adoption documents.

With his credentials, he managed to clear all obstacles and complete all the paperwork in just a few minutes.

"Isn't that called abusing authority?" An asks again.

"I'll be careful, don't worry. If another car approaches, the navigation will alert me, and I'll slow down."

Ormond raises his hand, showing a phone screen full of maps, as an electronic voice chimes in.

"Google Maps at your service."

"Listening to such old songs and then talking about using navigation... it's like a caveman suddenly using a knife and fork."

"That's no way to talk about your father," Ormond sighs, seemingly reminded of someone comparable.

"You’re sounding more and more like Dilandra..."

He seems to realize something and falls silent.

……

What do you mean by "more and more like"?

Listening to the idle chatter beside him, Haunter frowns as he flips through the documents in front of him. They've already visited the orphanage and the civil affairs bureau, and now they're on their way to his new home. All his belongings are stuffed in the trunk.

Alright, Haunter admits he jumped onto this pirate ship in a moment of impulse, and now he constantly feels like a pair of blood-red eyes are watching him from behind.

The person in the back seems to be constantly looking for a good opportunity to get rid of him.

So, what can he do to prolong his life?

He just needs to buy some time to figure out a way to deal with this situation. Or perhaps... make her think... Haunter is a tough nut to crack!

With this realization, it's like a light bulb goes off in Haunter's head. His hand stops petting the cat, and Senior looks up at him, puzzled.

Haunter narrows his eyes.

Why hasn't this mysterious being eliminated him right away? She clearly knows who he is!

Since there's no turning back, he might as well make a big splash.

At that moment, Haunter notices a rest area along the highway, and the car begins to slow down.

"Sorry, kids, I think I need to take a break here—I might have had too much tea while chatting with the orphanage director," Ormond says as he steers the car into the rest area and quickly heads to the restroom.

The car falls into a quiet lull.

An feels a bit uneasy with the silence. She pulls out her phone and starts mindlessly scrolling, her fingers almost unnaturally pale. Through the rearview mirror, it's clear she's just trying to pass the time without any real purpose.

It's understandable. According to psychology, everyone has a personal space—about a meter or so—and if a stranger encroaches on it, it can make you feel uncomfortable.

In the confined space of the car, Haunter has already invaded her personal space.

"Could you please close your eyes?" An finally speaks up, unable to tolerate his constant observation through the rearview mirror.

"I might be tempted to gouge them out."

"You can try," Haunter responds with a nonchalant expression.

"What do you mean?" An asks, puzzled. Just moments ago at the school gate, this boy seemed so fearful, yet now he appears defiant.

"Nothing much, just saying that if you want to make a move, you can do it anytime," Haunter replies with a sudden smile. He reaches into his pocket and hands something to the girl.

It's a handgun, its serial number scratched off, resembling a Glock.

"A gun! Where did you get a gun?" An becomes alert, refusing to take the weapon, instead extending her sharp nails. "What are you planning to do?"

"You love your father dearly, and that's your fatal flaw," Haunter shrugs, continuing to stroke the cat in his arms. "The gun is fully loaded. You can try shooting me in the head—just a hint, this is your only chance to take me down."

"What are you? What do you want?" An's eyes suddenly turn blood-red.

That chilling sensation creeps over Haunter once again, the feeling of having his soul laid bare.

Could she really see his soul?