I Reincarnated Into a Vending Machine - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Grudge

The preparations for subjugating the Ruler of the Netherworld in the Lamentations of the Dead Level are progressively moving forward .

The other hunters who knew of my existence quickly understood how convenient I was, and my daily earnings doubled . A number of teams wanted to solicit Ramis and me, but it seems that Leader Keryoil and President Bear put a stop to that .

That’s how the days went by, but recently there’s something that bothers me .

While I’ve been on full-throttle vigilant mode during the late nights when no one goes out, keeping watch against whether or not the Ruler of the Netherworld strike first against us, although that’s not the only thing I’m keeping watch against,  I happened to see a semi-transparent man appearing at the private residence opposite the inn, coming and going between the window and door every night .

Because of the semi-transparent body, I’m sure it’s a ghost demon, but to me, who’s been continuing to observe the monsters here, this one is projecting a completely different feel .

The others have a white, or else pale blue, semi-transparent body, but he has a black mist-like thing flowing from his body . And his face has an enraged expression . Clenching his teeth, with tears of blood flowing, he peers frantically into that private residence .

“Why… why did you do it … why-!”

If I had hair, they’d be standing on end, I bet, that curse he screamed while spraying blood . That ghastliness is to the extent that even my mechanical body feels fear .

—

On a certain day, after noon, President Bear suddenly came to talk . Next to him was the Principal .

“I heard that Hakkon keeps watch every night . Recently, has there been anything strange going on? In particular, around the private residence in front of you . ” (P Bear)

The timing is spot on . I had just been wondering how to discuss that area .

“Welcome . ”

“As expected, something has happened . Hakkon-san, did you know that recently, there has been repeated attempts at murder in that area?”

Oh yeah, it’s been a common topic among my customers . I think, the acquaintances of Sheemi, a widow, have been repeatedly attacked?

“Welcome . ”

“So you were aware . Those incidents were when a number of Sheemi-san’s friends were attacked, but we found that they were stabbed in the back by large stakes or small skewers in a number of places; no one has died, but as the days passed the wounds are getting larger . Like this, there will be deaths appearing sometime in the near future . This Sheemi-san’s house is the residence directly in front . ”

Aa, so that’s why the group that gossips almost all stare out straight ahead while talking, huh?

“And so, the person in question herself, Sheemi-san, has made a request to the Hunters Association . As for the Hunters Association, it’s currently the period right  before an important subjugation . They wish for an urgent resolution of the incidents so as not to leave anything distressing behind . This time, I have been entrusted with this incident, so I would like to enlist your help, but . ” (Principal)

So the Principal is in charge? But why? This kind of thing is like a detective’s work, right? Even if they didn’t purposefully have the Principal do it, if they assemble a large group of people to gather information, it would be more efficient .

“A, that’s right . Hakkon-san doesn’t know me very well . Just so you know, I have a blessing with the power of healing as well as manipulate light magic, so I have some confidence against the monsters on this level . ”

So she’s good with the bow and can manipulate healing powers and light magic? How I saw the Principal had changed in that incident with the punks, but looks like I have yet to see through her .

“As for the Hunters Association, they suspect that this incident might be a person with too much hatred who became a monster . ”

Anyone would get it after being provided with this much information . There’s no doubt that the ghost demon that peeks into the house every night is the culprit, or at least a related person . Then, I should show them what has been happened these few days .

I installed the <LCD Panel> function and played the images of that ghost demon that I had taken every night . I was worried about whether I could capture it, since it’s ghost-like, but it’s being shown without any problems .

“This, it’s someone who changed into a vengeful-ghost demon . ”

“No, President . It seems to still maintain a bit of its consciousness . If he had fully changed into a vengeful-ghost demon, then the people who were attacked would have been beyond saving . This person… I shall go question him . ”

E-, nonono!
I can’t see that person as anything but a vengeful ghost or evil spirit . It’s not someone you can have a decent conversation with . It’s way too reckless .

“Too bad . ”

“Oh my, Hakkon-san is concerned for me, ne . It will be fine, I’ve been involved in this type of matter a number of times . It’s said that the soul of one who completely turns into a vengeful-ghost demon cannot be saved . Right now, there’s still time for him to find peace . ”

“If Oxy says that, there’s no need for worry . I’ll leave it to you . ”

“Please do . ”

President Bear seems to have something nearing absolute trust towards her . Than, I can’t do anything but keep my mouth shut, huh? However, I will watch this thing all the way to its final conclusion .

—

Late at night, while I’m keeping watch as usual, the inn door opened and the Principal stepped out . She’s grasping her bow in her hand, so if the talk fails she’ll forcefully remove him, I suppose .

“Good evening, Hakkon-san . ”

“Welcome . ”

The corpse demons, bone demons, and ghost demons are already wandering around, so I was wondering whether or not they would want to attack the Principal, but the monsters just gave her a look and didn’t come near .

“It’s been a while since I’ve used this magic, but there aren’t any problems, ne . ”

When I stared at the woman who muttered so, I realized that a faint light was flowing from her body . I guess this confuses the enemy’s ability to recognize her?

“Hakkon-san . I’m going to gather information about Sheemi-san and the ones who were attacked from now on, but are you interested?”

“Welcome . ”

Of course I’m very interested . If you learn the truth behind that open rage on the ghost’s face, then I definitely want you to tell me .

‘I want Hakkon-san to be the witness for this incident . And, if you are able, just like what you showed us previously, can you preserve this scene?”

In other words, record it, na . She didn’t even need to ask . I intended to from the beginning .

“Welcome . ”

“Thank you very much . Then, I’m going to tell you the information I have about that woman . Six years ago, Sheemi-san lost her husband and became a single woman; in order to get a job for a female laborer, she moved residences to this level . ”

It’s possible to test your nerves and spend several days at this horror spot, but it takes courage to settle here permanently . It feels like, if you’re up for it, there are plenty of jobs available .

“Procuring work somehow, she became acquainted with a man . The two of them had a relationship where they lived together for a period of time, and it seemed like it was all clear sailing . That man was a painter, and he also painted a self-portrait, but this is it . ”

Spreading out the rolled up paper she took from her breast pocket, and there was the face of a thin and frail man . He looks like the type to be pressured into paying the asking price by a salesman .

“His name is Chikina . He wasn’t a famous painter, but one day this painting was spotted by a merchant man, and he was making preparations for a solo exhibition… when right before it he committed suicide .

E-, with that kind of timing? Even though he could see a glorious future, why would he find it necessary to commit suicide? No matter how you think of it, it’s weird . This should turn out to be a homicide, right?

“It seems like the cause of death was being stabbed in the chest a number of times by the handle of a paint brush . There’s almost no doubt it was a suicide . He had also left behind a suicide note . On it was written – even if he died, he would never forgive that person – and blood seems to have splattered on it . ”

What a grand death . Exactly what could the hatred be that drove him to stab himself numerous times with the handle of a brush until he died? A grudge where the hand that was about to grasp glory seized a paintbrush, stabbed himself numerous times, and committed suicide .

“Hakkon-san, don’t you think this portrait reminds you of something?”

Even if you thrust the portrait out in front, no matter how many times I look at it, I can’t see anything but a man with a faint smile … Oi, the contour of the nose . No, I see, so that’s how it is .

This man, he resembles the ghost man who peeks into the house every night . I didn’t notice because his expression is nothing like the original, but the characteristic nose and slim face is exactly the same as the man .

In place of a response, I played the image of the man who had become a vengeful-ghost demon on the <LCD Panel> .

“That’s right . He’s none other than Chikina . Why did he have such a hatred that turned him into a grudge monster? I understood when I talked with the victims, but all of them had one thing in common . That common thing is –“

As she approached the core of the matter, even though I was a vending machine, I was leaning forward to listen, when

“Why… why did you do it … why”

those grudge-filled words spilled out, and we heard the hatred-filled voice of man .