Chapter 364: The Human-Anomaly Marriage Bureau
When the light of the teleportation array dissipated, Kaito and Bochi were
standing on the street of a city within the Eldritch Realm.
It was the same city Kaito had visited previously—the one where Sora resided.
Compared to his last visit, the transformation was staggering. The ruins that
had once choked the streets had been cleared, and new structures were rising
from the foundations.
A team of Skeleton Workers was busy on a nearby construction site, passing
bricks and mixing mortar with mechanical efficiency. A few humans in work
jumpsuits acted as assistants, handing over tools and occasionally gesturing
toward blueprints while conversing with the Skeleton Foreman. The coordination
between the two species appeared to be functioning without a single logic error.
The pedestrian traffic had also increased significantly. Humans, various Undead,
Anomalies, and other fantasy entities moved through the streets in a
heterogeneous mix.
While the humans still maintained a degree of cautious body language, the era of
screaming and fleeing at the sight of a skeleton seemed to have passed.
"Whoa!"
Bochi perched on Kaito's shoulder, his body bouncing with excitement. His tiny
tentacles pointed in every direction like overactive antennas.
"Master, look! That human is helping the skeleton carry bricks! He's being
completely useless and the skeleton looks annoyed! Logic Error!"
"Master, look! That human is eating grilled skewers! That red powder they're
shaking on them is called 'chili flakes'! It looks like high-tier fuel!"
"Master, look! What do the words on that giant sign say?"
Kaito followed Bochi's gesture. A newly opened shop on the corner displayed a
massive wooden sign written in both Imperial Common and the local script:
[EVERNIGHT NOODLE HOUSE: AUTHENTIC IMPERIAL FLAVOR – SKELETON-COMPATIBLE]
"..."
How a skeleton is supposed to 'eat' noodles is a physiological variable I have
yet to audit, Kaito mused.
While Kaito was contemplating this undead academic mystery, Bochi had already
engaged his "Repeating Protocol," shouting out every sign in his field of vision
as if he had discovered a new continent.
"Imperial Grocery Store!"
"New World Barbershop!"
"Undead-Friendly Public Restroom!"
"Human-Anomaly Coexistence Demonstration Zone!"
"Bochi."
"Master!"
"Shut it."
"...Oh."
Bochi's body deflated instantly. He remained silent for approximately ten
seconds. Then, his black-bead eyes locked onto a particularly shiny sign, and
his tentacle rose uncontrollably once more.
Fortunately, Kaito pinched the slime's mouth shut before a single sound could
escape.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
"I said: Shut. It."
"Mmmph-mmph-mmph!"
The two of them—or rather, a skeleton and a glob of blue jelly—maintained this
awkward posture for half a block. Every passing pedestrian cast a wary glance
their way.
A human woman gripped her child's hand tightly, veering sharply to avoid them.
"Mama, that big bone-man is bullying the blue ball-ball."
"Don't talk, just walk!" The mother's face was pale as she practically dragged
the child away.
Only then did Kaito slowly release his grip.
"Master, that was excessive!" Bochi recovered his volume, his entire body
trembling with indignation. "I was merely reading the signage! Where is the
error in that?"
"You read seventeen of them."
"Only seventeen? I feel like there are at least thirty more on this street
alone!"
"Which is exactly why I told you to shut it."
Bochi puffed himself up. Although he lacked cheeks, the gesture perfectly
illustrated a "Pout Protocol."
Kaito ignored the protest. He was currently utilizing his Soul Link to track
Sora's coordinates.
Before leaving the Eldritch Realm last time, Kaito had placed an incredibly
faint Soul Marker on Sora. It served no purpose other than localization,
allowing him to verify her safety parameters at any time.
According to the marker's feedback, Sora was currently in the city's East
District.
"Moving out. Destination: East District."
"Is there anything fun in the East District?" Bochi's attention span reset
instantly.
"We're visiting someone."
"Who?"
"Someone you know."
Bochi tilted his body at a forty-five-degree angle, appearing to be in deep
thought. A few seconds later, his eyes widened. "Sora! It's Sora, isn't it?!"
"Correct."
"Hooray!! Amazing! I haven't seen Guide-Unit Sora in an eternity!" Bochi
transformed into a blue pinball, ricocheting between Kaito's left shoulder,
right shoulder, and the top of his skull. "Sora will be so happy to see me! She
promised to take me on a Museum Raid! Even if we did have that minor 'Logic
Error' last time..."
Kaito's mind flashed back to the "minor error." The time Sora took Bochi out and
Bochi "liberated" a twenty-five-ton industrial steel coil, consuming it because
he thought it was a doughnut. Or the time Bochi scared a truck driver so badly
he abandoned a full cargo load, causing a city-wide traffic collapse. Or the
time...
Forget it. Auditing his past failures is a waste of mana.
"When we arrive, maintain standard standby protocols. Do not cause a scene."
"By your command!" Bochi snapped to attention on Kaito's shoulder, his voice
full of vigor.
Kaito's confidence in this promise was roughly equivalent to believing an undead
could catch a common cold. Nevertheless, he carried the unstable blue projectile
toward the East District.
The transformation in the East District was even more pronounced. This was the
first "Demonstration Zone" to complete reconstruction. Brand-new commercial
blocks and residential towers were already occupied. The streets were cleaner
than in the West District, and every lamp-post had been replaced with Evernight
Imperial Models, emitting a soft, ethereal glow even during the day.
The density of the crowd was notably higher. There were even street vendors
lining the sidewalks. Among the humans were several Anomalies. Kaito's gaze
drifted over one stall.
The vendor was a pale-skinned Anomaly selling colorful candied hawthorns. A
wooden sign stood beside the tray: [HAND-CRAFTED. ZERO CURSE EFFECTS. CERTIFIED
BY THE IMPERIAL FOOD SAFETY COMMISSION.]
Kaito's soul-fire pulsed. It appears Greed's administrative system is indeed
yielding results.
He continued forward, following the Soul Marker's guidance into a secluded
alleyway. At the end of the alley stood a standalone storefront.
It wasn't a large shop, but the decor was meticulous. Two large red lanterns
hung at the entrance—a nod to the Empire's policy of respecting local human
traditions. On the side of the lanterns were intricate, golden cut-outs of the
"Double Happiness" character.
Kaito looked up at the sign above the lintel. Painted in bold, local-style
calligraphy were the words:
[THE FATE-LINK: HUMAN-ANOMALY MARRIAGE BUREAU]
Kaito's soul-fire blinked. He checked the visual data again to ensure there
wasn't a processing error.
Human... Anomaly... Marriage Bureau?
"Master, what kind of dungeon is this?" Bochi stretched his body upward, trying
to read the sign.
Kaito didn't answer. His cognitive processors were working at high speed, trying
to rationalize the combined meaning of those words.
Then, Kaito pushed open the half-closed door.
☆☆☆
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