It was indeed a slow day at The Mongoose Revolution. We hadn’t gotten many jobs lately, for some reason.
I decided to pay Gef a visit in his office out of curiosity. Torridge was twirling his model gun as usual, and Gef sat at his desk, fidgeting and seemingly anxious.
I just don’t understand.
Don’t understand what?
People should be clamoring for us to exterminate monsters.
That’s been on my mind too. Thankfully, Namako got another job, so we might stay afloat for a while, but…
That’s relieving news, at least. But maybe other spirits are doing our job for us, or…
The Byakumon hype has reached here?
That’s also a possibility. Perhaps other humans have realized that these monsters are more than just pests…
We heard someone knock on the door. Who could it be?
I’ll go get that.
Torridge walked to the door, and what was on the other side of the peephole seemed to confuse him.
It’s…a guy. A human, I think.
A human? Perhaps a new client? Let them in!
Torridge opened the door. In came a human with a suit, a briefcase, and slicked-back hair. He had a smirk on his face, and I got the feeling that he wasn’t here to hire us.
Hello? Who are you?
The name’s Waka Ryujiro. Legal representative. Wa-got that?
His attitude right out the gate was certainly something… He flashed his badge at me, too, presumably to prove he was legitimate.
Good day… Waka-san.
Listen. I’m here because my client has a bone to pick with you.
What did we ever do?
You think you have the authority to do whatever you want just because there are a few monsters roaming around?
That’s our job. We exterminate monsters in a discreet and efficient manner.
But what if I told you it cost someone’s life?
Well, we’d have to be held responsible. Wait, don’t tell me—
You murdered a beloved pet.
A beloved pet? Oh, dear!
Let me guess. A Byakumon, or whatever you call it.
Bingo. And I’ve got proof that you murdered it!
Waka pulled up his suitcase and showed us a frozen bird-like monster. I certainly didn’t recall freezing one recently, though…
My client’s mourning as we speak. Got anything to say before you make reparations? A hundred-thou oughta be enough to cover it.
A hundred-thousand? We don’t have that kind of money!
Then I’ve got no choice but to have you thrown in the slammer.
Hold on, Gef. Let me handle this.
I walked up to Waka.
You really think I’d fall for your tricks, Waka? This just looks like a monster you threw in a freezer.
Objection!
Where were we, a courtoom?
Can you prove that it wasn’t you who did it? I know about your cryokinesis.
Then let me ask you something. What’s with the dent on its head?
I knew you’d ask that! Clearly you smashed that thing on the head before you froze it and left it to die! That’s just plain cruel!
… Not to mention that I would’ve brought the monster here after I froze it, how do you think I bludgeoned it? You think I used my hands?
You obviously used
a weapon made of ice and smashed the poor thing.
You seriously think I went through that trouble instead of just freezing the thing?
You never know with spirits like you. Maybe you’re just sadistic like that.
…This is irritating.
Sounds like you’re just about ready to give up.
Hold it. What’s with that stain on your briefcase?
Huh?
Did you seriously forget to wipe that stain off before coming here?
I…
And you’ll see that the edge of your briefcase matches up perfectly with the dent on this monster’s head…
Hold it! You can’t prove that I killed that monster! You’re just shifting the blame! Besides, you can’t prove that the blood belongs to the monster!
Oh, I can. You’ll see from the dent on its head that it has
yellow blood, which all monsters have. And the stain on your briefcase looks pretty yellow…
Hold it! Y-You’re just making stuff up!
Face it, Waka. You tried to frame me, but you failed to leave behind the smoking gun that proves you killed this monster. And what if what you said was true, and you just killed someone’s beloved pet…
No… No… O-Objection!!! I-It was just a random monster! I swear!
So you admit it. We don’t have to pay reparations if that’s the case.
Damnit… Nooo!!!
Waka just…broke down in front of us.
Who are you working for, anyway? Why are you trying to shut us down?
I…can’t tell you that. Please, just let me go!
Well, what do we do, boys?
I say we call the police.
I agree. If nothing else, we can at least make sure he does no further harm.
I froze the doors shut, just in case Waka did anything funny. It would take a while before the police showed up, but Waka stayed silent.