After Alex Carter saw off the two members from the Heavenly Path Department, he resumed watching his TV series.
"Tsk tsk, this show is such a mess! The lead guy likes the lead girl, she likes the second lead, and the second lead has a crush on the lead guy... Twisted! But... I love it!" Alex chuckled as he watched.
"Is anyone here? I need to place an order."
A voice interrupted his viewing.
Alex paused the series and turned to see a young man in black sportswear entering.
Spotting potential business, Alex's eyes brightened. "Have a seat, let's talk."
The young man sat across from Alex, hesitantly saying, "I think I might have encountered a ghost."
Alex's interest piqued further. "Tell me everything."
The young man took a deep breath and began, "My name is Michael Chen, a student at Oceanview University. Three days ago, I and some friends decided to play the Pen Fairy game..."
As Michael recounted the events, Alex grasped the situation. Three nights ago, Michael and some classmates played the Pen Fairy game. During the ritual, a girl quit out of fear. Though disappointed, they didn't think much of it.
Until last night, when one of the boys suddenly committed suicide by jumping off a building. On the day of the incident, the boy seemed dazed and sluggish, looking dreadful.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Michael and his friends were at a loss. By chance, he stumbled upon a trending ghost investigation video online and, through contacting the streamer, found Alex's office.
"I didn't expect you to find me through that livestream," Alex mused, feeling as if a new world of opportunities was opening before him. If he could leverage ghost-catching videos to boost his popularity, more clients might come knocking.
Money flowing in!
Excited by the prospect, Alex said, "Wait here for a moment."
Michael watched as Alex scribbled something on a piece of paper.
"Are you drawing a talisman?" Michael asked, feeling more confident about the upcoming ghost hunt.
"Draw what?" Alex frowned. "I always use moral persuasion to deal with ghosts. Are you questioning my business skills?"
Moral persuasion?
Michael recalled the video where Alex slapped a female ghost and stuffed it into a sack. He paused, then nodded slightly, "You have a point."
"Finally done!" Alex exclaimed, putting down his pen and taping a notice to the door.
Michael squinted at the paper, and the corners of his mouth twitched.
**Wanted: Photographer**
**Requirements: Obedient, bold**
**Base salary of $3,000, with bonuses**
Michael grew anxious. "Boss, I'm talking about the Pen Fairy!"
"Why can't I recruit people while dealing with the Pen Fairy?" Alex asked, puzzled.
"..."
Michael felt increasingly unsure about Alex's reliability. But with no alternatives, he said, "Boss, I really have no choice. You're my only hope."
He pulled out a stack of cash, "This is $3,000. I've been saving it for a long time. I hope it's enough."
"Seeing your sincere face, I'll take the job. Otherwise, I wouldn't," Alex said, quickly pocketing the money and patting Michael's shoulder. "I never said I wouldn't help. Don't worry!"
Alex pondered the situation. Stopping the ritual midway likely angered the Pen Fairy, leading to the tragedy. Typically, ghosts capable of killing have a ghost power value of at least 50. Even among ordinary ghosts, that's quite strong.
Selling it could earn several hundred ghost points!
A fortune!
"Boss, you seem happy?" Michael asked, noticing Alex's grin.
"I'm not, don't spread rumors," Alex replied seriously. "Such a dangerous ghost should be sent to the mines to dig... I mean, it should be exterminated!"
Alex rummaged around his office.
"What are you looking for?" Michael asked.
"A tool to catch ghosts," Alex replied.
Michael felt a bit more reassured. Maybe Alex wasn't as unreliable as he seemed.
Just as he thought this, Alex pulled out a... sack from the drawer.