Chapter 28: A New Host

"You knew that gun was problematic all along, and that the living spirit inside is of the Dragon Race, didn't you?"

"It is Odin's weapon, a relic of the Dragon Race, so she must be of the Dragon Race as well..."

"Do you remember what she taught you?"

"Marksmanship, combat, and... revenge."

"Tell me about her identity. How much do you know about her?"

"She said she would help me get revenge and find my father. I trust her. She has always been helping me. She is my teacher..."

"Now, tell me about that elevated highway and those shadows. You barely made it out, didn't you?"

"Those shadows were all dead. They wanted to tear me apart. They wanted to reclaim Gungnir, and she was the one who saved me..."

"Think carefully. What else do you know about that gun? How did you lose it? You remember the location where it was lost, don't you?"

A constant, static-filled crackle echoed, as if responding to the wind and rain outside the window. In the attic of the small chapel, the Vice Principal stared intently at the digital recorder before him, while Angers held a glass of red wine, quietly watching the rain outside.

The conversation continued. The boy's breathing became exceptionally heavy; he seemed to be deep in recollection. The sound of the static and the storm grew sharper. The Night Watchman frowned, feeling as though he were watching a horror movie.

"In the sea... she fell into the sea!"

The breathing stopped, and the boy's voice cut off abruptly. Angers turned off the recorder. "I hypnotized Chu Zihang earlier when I went to see him; he doesn't even know it himself."

"I originally suspected there was something wrong with his bloodline. Pure-blooded dragons cannot be hypnotized, but since his frostbite was so severe and he didn't seem like a dragon, I decided to test it. I didn't expect to uncover so much."

"Sounds like science fiction," the Vice Principal said.

"It does. According to legend, Odin's weapon is called Gungnir, but there is no reason for this weapon to have chosen him. Even he cannot explain why."

"Can the living spirit within a weapon really go this far?" The Vice Principal frowned. As the top alchemist among contemporary hybrids, he found this unclear. "It sounds absurd."

"Perhaps it is not merely a living spirit," Angers said slowly. "Based on Chu Zihang's description, this does not sound like a living spirit at all, but rather like a Dragon King."

"A Dragon King incarnated as a gun?" The Vice Principal's brow furrowed deeper. "I have never heard of such a thing. Dragon Kings have this skill? I thought they could only disguise themselves as humans at most."

"I have already sent people to salvage it, but the probability of finding it is very low," Angers said. "This, in turn, confirms for me that Chu Zihang is just an ordinary hybrid; his father even died at the hands of Odin."

"And what is this 'Odin' business? I wanted to ask earlier—why are things from mythology showing up?" The Vice Principal scratched his head vigorously. "This is too chaotic. Could it be that Chu Zihang is suffering from a mental breakdown?"

"It is indeed chaotic, but Chu Zihang is the center of it all. Therefore, Chu Zihang cannot die right now. Until I figure out the secret he carries, I cannot let him die."

"Are you going to go against the Gattuso family, then? They won't listen to you. They are a group of stubborn old fossils."

"They won't listen to me, but for the time being, they can't do anything about me either. Not unless they can find someone to replace me."

The rain grew heavier, drumming against the glass. The old man's silhouette was lean and rigid; even though he wore only a suit, he exuded the majesty of a warrior clad in iron armor.

He spoke with measured, mocking gravity:

"But unfortunately, it seems they cannot."

...

In Japan, hidden within a bustling city street, flanked by the towering white walls of skyscrapers, the sunlight was completely obscured by the high-rises, and a trace of chill permeated the narrow road.

At the end of the road stood a massive, square building, exuding an air of archaic antiquity.

Various luxury cars pulled up to the entrance one after another. Red taillights flickered, heavy doors opened, and out stepped all manner of high-society figures.

A handsome man in a black trench coat pushed open the door of a black Hummer, unfolded a large umbrella, walked around to the other side, and opened the door.

A girl, wrapped tightly from head to toe, stepped out, looking at her surroundings with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"This is an auction, Erii. If you see something you like later, just tell your brother, and I will buy it for you," the man in the black trench coat said softly.

The girl, bundled up completely, nodded gently. She reached out to grab the man's sleeve and showed him a small notebook hidden in her hand.

On it, written in delicate calligraphy, were the words: Brother is back, Erii is very happy.

Source Zishin offered a helpless smile.

This was the second week since Source Zishin had returned from his advanced studies at Cassel College. He had taken on the role of Director of the Japan Executive Bureau, handling a myriad of trivial matters, only finishing everything these past two days.

He hadn't played video games with Erii for a long time. The day he returned to his room after finishing his work at the Bureau, he had seen the girl standing quietly at the door, holding two game controllers, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, her face devoid of expression.

Only then did Source Zishin realize that during the time he had been away in Japan for his studies, Erii must have been very bored; no one had kept her company to play games, and no one had been there to be with her.

Feeling a sudden, inexplicable guilt, Source Zishin decided to take her out for a stroll. As luck would have it, there was an auction, so they came.

Erii had never been to an auction before. Source Zishin led her through a dimly lit corridor where the scent of perfume drifted in the air, and the bare shoulders of fashionable ladies shimmered with silver powder under the lights.

This luxurious and surreal environment piqued Erii's curiosity. Suddenly, the space ahead brightened, opening up wide as if golden light were pouring in from all directions.

A sense of extravagance hit them. Everything was draped in ornate, dark red. One giant crystal chandelier after another dispelled every shadow, and wherever the light touched, it was gilded and resplendent.

Source Zishin led the girl to their seats. Erii felt as though her eyes couldn't take it all in, looking around curiously until all the lights went out, leaving only one to illuminate the auction stage.

The auctioneer was a charming girl who could stir the atmosphere with just a few words. Even though the lots were unremarkable, under her explanation, they seemed to take on new significance.

Source Zishin had no need for anything at this auction; he was merely accompanying the girl. Erii spent most of the time looking on with curiosity, but every time Source Zishin asked if there was anything she liked, she simply shook her head.

Source Zishin did not push her, just accompanied her quietly, until the auction reached its end and the final novelty item was brought out.

Erii suddenly froze. She stared intently at the lot and reached out to grab Source Zishin's sleeve.

Source Zishin was startled. "What's wrong?"

As he asked this, he looked toward the stage and saw that the item was a long spear made from tree branches. It was very small, only about the size of a palm, looking like an exquisite trinket.

And the catalog listed it simply as a decorative art piece.