Nothing is owned by me
Chapter 8
Mantle's Schnee Haunted House Report
Status: Near Closing
Good Reputation: Five(+6)
Daily Visitor Number: Eight(+8)
Monthly Visitor Number: Eighteen(+8)
My Team of Ghosts, Ghouls, and Grimms: Chill, Boarba the Boarbatusk (Sealed)
My Item Storage: Grim liquid X 1, A Mortician Guide
Unlocked Achievement: Newcomer at Nightmare Town
Current Available Scenarios [Set Pieces]:
– Night of the Living Grimm –She made a mistake but was it her fault? Why was her village destroyed? Are Grimms salvation or are grimms death: 0.5 Star(+0.5)
– Minghun [Nether World Marriage] – Couple torn apart in the living world, bound together forever in the nether world, sharing the same grave, never found happiness in death. Scream Factor: 1 Star(+0.5)
Employees Performance Report:
Chill: The playful grimm
Housing: Heart (Effect: Increase each active scenario rating by 0.5)
Character: She is a playful and innocent grimm always searching for someone to play with.
Relation: Think of you as a fun companion
Abilities:
Illusions: Chill is a master at crafting illusions that are tailored to her needs. She can create illusions of people, objects, or environments, making them appear real and interact with them as if they were tangible. Her illusions can also affect the emotions and thoughts of those who perceive them, allowing her to manipulate the perceptions and reactions of others.
Poppy's Playtime: Chill can tap into the deep-seated fears and desires of the people nearby, using her illusions to create a customized, terrifying experience for them. She can bring their darkest nightmares to life or create situations that prey on their deepest insecurities and turn them into a game.
Weakness: Chill possesses less physical strength than other Grimm and can easily be defeated in hand-to-hand battles. Her illusions are weak against individuals who have a semblance similar to her power and will not completely work on them. Chill's abilities can also trigger past traumatic fears in people, causing them to enter a state of frenzy and madness.
"Your tea is ready Boss" Poppy called out as she handed the tea to Whitley
Whitley took the tea from his employee Poppy/Chill in somewhat of a daze, if he had not seen her true form and abilities he would never have believed that this girl was the same terrifying creature of darkness that was described in the black scroll.
After Team FNKI departed, Whitley was successfully able to sell a few more tickets and some souvenirs, making today the most profitable day of the month.
He didn't let the team off the hook without consequences. Whitley agreed not to publicize the matter, but only if they signed a private contract and publicly endorsed his haunted house as safe, entertaining, and the most thrilling adventure they'd ever experienced, suitable for all ages. In addition, they were obligated to cover all damages to his property, including interest, from their own pockets. Whitley also ensured that he could call on their services as a Huntsman team, and they would be obliged to provide assistance free of charge. He included extra clauses for other conditions he believed he could potentially exploit.
Understandably, Team FNKI was unhappy with the terms, but they had little choice. Whitley held the advantage, and refusing his offer could mean the end of their reputation and careers. Reluctantly, they signed the contract.
Whitley anticipated that Flynt would immediately contact General Ironwood about the situation. Aware of the General's proactive nature, he expected some form of intervention. Fortunately for Whitley, he had a skilled lawyer on his side, who had already begun preparing the necessary paperwork, including the contract stipulations, which would be sent directly to the Atlas Head office.
Although General Ironwood was a powerful figure on the battlefield, his influence in bureaucratic matters was limited. Navigating the complex legal system to find a loophole to help Team FNKI would be a formidable challenge even for him.
He sighed, recalling that his plan for the day was supposed to be simple: "Use Poppy." Poppy's ability is perfect for his haunted house. With her power, he could easily create the atmosphere for a chilling scenario and give his visitors the best fright of their lives.
At first, he was worried that using a Grimm against visitors might be a bad idea. However, after Poppy demonstrated that her illusions were just minor mental tricks and mood-setters, he approved of the plan. She was unlike the dangerous Grimm in Remnant; she was just a little beautiful doll who wanted to have fun. After confirming that she knew all the "rules," Whitley could sit back, relax, and let his haunted doll work her magic.
With Team FNKI he also wanted to do the same, use Poppy's illusions to scare them and send them on their way. However, after witnessing the rude and arrogant behaviour of Flynt and Ivori, he changed his mind. They had the audacity to try to enter his haunted house without tickets!
Whitley quickly informed Poppy of the change in plans and instructed her to use a more intense form of playtime instead of minor illusions—non-lethally, of course. His plan was flawless: he would trap each member of the team in the house and let Poppy handle them. It worked on Neon, but when he tried the same with Flynt, unexpectedly, one of his mannequins came to life and started chasing Flynt. And that Neon girl rather than screaming like a good guest went into some state of frenzy and started reciting some nonsensical poem. He had to knock her out himself so he could take her out.
As if the situation wasn't already precarious, Ivori made things worse by releasing an Alpha Beowolf from some damn mirror that was inside the scenario. Thankfully his employee was present there and able to save Ivori and Kobalt in the nick of time. It was only due to his Boarba boy sacrifice that they were able to stop the monster and save the day/haunted house.
Whitley knew Team FNKI would demand answers once they awoke and if he cannot give any explanation his haunted house will be closed down. He cannot let that happen, he knows he cannot fight them in a battle of strength but he can fight them in a battle of wits.
He was also irritated with Team FNKI. They were the reason he changed his tactics, they were the reason his Boarba boy was sealed, and they were the reason that his haunted house almost got destroyed. Before Flynt could push him into the corner he decided to strike first and clean them out and surely rest is history. Now he has four unpaid huntsmen-in-training which he could easily exploit to his whims.
Whitley thought to himself, "So I did inherit some scoundrel traits from you, Father. Didn't you always say unpaid labour is the best kind of labour?"
Despite his success, Whitley felt a pang of guilt for exploiting Team FNKI in this way. Flynt had undoubtedly annoyed him, but manipulating people's emotions and fears for his own gain left a sour taste.
"I probably should thank you again, Uncle. If you hadn't made me read those books on Atlas laws, I might not have been able to save the haunted house today," Whitley said with a bitter smile as he sipped the tea Poppy had given him.
The strong taste nearly made him do a spit take. "What did you add to this?" he asked Poppy.
Poppy smiled and replied, "I added a little bit of everything! Was it good? Did Poppy win?"
Whitley chose not to respond and simply set the tea aside.
'Well, I cannot expect a grimm to know how to make tea. But if she is really taking over all Zen and Azure tasks, I need to give her some serious training. I should have modified those contracts before hiring her'
He was jolted out of his reverie by Fiona's voice. He looked up and saw her storming towards him.
"Boss!" Fiona exclaimed. "Those students were such nuisances, they caused a lot of damage inside the scenario," she said indignantly.
He recalled that he had sent Fiona for an inspection round.
"Have you checked everything?" Whitley asked with a nervous smile.
"Yes, the north was relatively intact but the east part of the scenario was completely ruined as if there was a huge brawl there. I can't believe those academy students are training to be huntsmen, they act more like bandits with their reckless behaviour," Fiona fumed.
"Don't worry, Fiona. I'll take care of Team FNKI. Have you also completed my other task? Are all the mannequins tied up and all the mirrors removed from the scenario?" Whitley asked with a hint of concern.
"Yes, Boss! As you said, I've tied up all the mannequins and covered the mirrors with black cloth," Fiona replied.
"You didn't look into any of the mirrors, right?"
"No, Boss! As you instructed, I didn't look at the mirrors; I just pulled them down using my semblance, Pocket Dimension," Fiona answered.
"Great! Really great! … umm … Aren't you going to ask why I asked you to do this?"
"No, Boss. I knew it would be part of a new scare you were planning for visitors. You put so much effort into creating these scenarios, but seeing those Ironwood thugs destroying your hard work makes my blood boil," Fiona replied, clenching her fists.
"Boss I know you are under a lot of financial pressure recently" Fiona sat down beside Whitley. "Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine. You can rely on me, I have friends who can also help you, we will stand with you even if we have to face general ironwood ."
Whitley looked at her with gratitude. 'What an understanding employee... I really need more employees like her.' He glanced at Poppy and suddenly got an idea.
"Fiona, let's put the past behind us and focus on our current situation. Instead of harbouring resentment, we should take pride in our new employee. You see, Poppy, despite being new, managed to singlehandedly repel Team FNKI and even frightened them to the point of fainting," Whitley gestured towards Poppy.
Poppy's ears perked up as Whitley showered her with praise.
"Indeed, she was the best," Fiona admitted, looking impressed.
"You weren't kidding when you said you found exceptional talent for the job."
Whitley smiled, "You could say I have an eye for talent."
"Poppy is a phenomenal actress, and her skills will undoubtedly elevate our haunted house to new heights. However, I believe there's still room for growth. As the saying goes, a sapling cannot grow without sunlight, the same can be said that a junior will always need guidance from a senior."
"You want me to train her, boss? I don't think I can compare to her. I knew Ironwood's goon's standards are falling day by day, but I'm still not certain I could achieve such a feat as she did today," Fiona appeared perplexed for a moment.
"Don't sell yourself short, Fiona. There are many things you can teach her. You see, Poppy is not from around here and recently moved to Mantle. She doesn't have anywhere to go, and most of her life was spent by herself. That's why I hired her in the haunted house and gave her a place here. She may be an exceptional actor, but she still lacks in many other areas where you can help her. I have complete confidence in your abilities, Fiona. With your guidance and expertise, Poppy can reach her full potential and contribute even more to the success of our haunted house," Whitley encouraged, knowing that Fiona had a bleeding heart.
Fiona's expression softened. "Alright, boss. I'll do my best to train Poppy and help her hone her skills."
Whitley smiled gratefully at Fiona, "Thanks, Fiona. I'm sure with your help, Poppy can 'UNDERSTAND' and 'FOLLOW' the right path, right Poppy?"
Poppy's eyes widened as she caught Whitley's meaning and gave him a determined look.
"Right, Boss! Ms Fiona, I'm looking forward to getting some good strategies and walkthroughs. Can you help me?"
….
After closing the haunted house for the day, Whitley conducted a thorough inspection of the east side scenario. As Fiona had mentioned, there was extensive damage from the battle between his Boarba boy and the Alpha Beowolf. It would require a significant amount of Lien to repair the damage.
"This is terrible for business. I don't have enough Lien to fix the scenario. I'll have to permanently close the east side, which will reduce the capacity of the haunted house to only half."
He knew he could rely on the 'Minghun' scenario, but that scenario required more than three employees and he wouldn't risk opening it until he was sure it was safe. After hiring Poppy as an employee, the black scroll increased the scenario rating to 1 star. The effects of the 0.5-star rating had already wreaked havoc on half of his current scenario, so he needed to be cautious when inspecting the others.
Whitley examined the two houses on the east side and noticed that compared to the exterior, the damage inside was minimal.
One might observe that these houses were unlike the others in the middle because they were not originally part of this scenario. While middle houses are in mistral architecture, the one in the east resembles that of Vale. This is because the scenario was initially planned on the north and middle part only but when he saw too much space was getting wasted his uncle suggested moving a few set pieces from lower floors that are not used.
When he opened Night of the Living Grimm, his primary motive was to make a quick profit. In a place like Remnant, it's challenging to find horror fans, so this scenario was designed not for horror enthusiasts but for the general public. Night of the Living Grimm doesn't have an intricate story or plot; the goal is simply to roam freely and survive. His employees would dress as Grimm and randomly appear to frighten visitors. Needlessly say this was not his most impressive work, and he sometimes does feel guilty that he is not giving visitors the scare they deserve, to counteract this whenever new visitors went to this scenario he gives them some history of the haunted house, half of which he also doesn't know is true or not, his uncle told him so he continued. Another thing he gives his visitors is just some random made-up task so that their mind keeps occupied and they keep searching the scenario.
"I can be patient as Team FNKI makes their payment, but it will still take several months to receive the full amount, and I can't afford to lose business now. With loan deadlines approaching, I need to act. Should I personally inspect the Minghun scenario?" Whitley seriously considered that if he could just confirm everything was in order, he could still use the scenario with some adjustments.
He moved towards the hallway and went on to check the 'Minghun' scenario. As he was about to enter into the scenario by opening its metal door. He heard a voice that gave him goosebumps instantly
"Whitley..." A haunting, gentle voice seeped from within the Minghun scenario.
"What in the world! Is someone - or something - inside?" Whitley's heart raced in fear.
"Whitley..." The voice sounded vaguely familiar as if he had heard it before.
"Wait! Isn't that the same spine-chilling voice I encountered during the Nightmare mission? First the Beowolf in the first scenario, and now this spectral woman's voice. Did the sinister black phone unleash Grimm monsters into all my scenarios?"
The metal door groaned and creaked as if some malevolent force was trying to break it open from the inside.
Instinctively, Whitley retreated a few steps back.
Despite the fear gnawing at his insides, Whitley mustered his courage and stood his ground, he took out his Mortician Guidebook and clutched it tightly.
"Miss... or whatever monster you are, listen well. I possess the power to summon Grimm. You don't want to face someone with such abilities. You know your friend Beowolf, it is already defeated."
As Whitley spoke, the pounding intensified, transforming into a demonic cacophony. Cracks began to form on the sides of the metal door, and black smoke, thick with the stench of death, seeped out from within the scenario.
Whitley felt a paralyzing dread like he never had before, his vision blurred, he felt that he was losing consciousness. The scenario door swung open with a guttural screech, revealing a blood-red world inside, pulsating with malevolence.
"Whitley …" The voice came again, it was more gentle and soothing.
He tried to stay awake and could make out a figure approaching him: a woman with golden hair cascading like a shimmering waterfall, offering a stark contrast to the blood-red world around her. Her eyes were a captivating shade of blue, reminiscent of the deepest ocean, and he had never seen such mesmerizing eyes before. Her face was exquisite, reminiscent of a regal princess, and her smile was ethereal, radiant, and unlike anything he had ever witnessed.
In spite of her breathtaking beauty, Whitley's instincts were sounding an alarm, urging him to flee. He sensed an overwhelming danger emanating from the woman, a sensation entirely foreign to him. He attempted to muster his strength, but it seemed to escape from his body like sand slipping through an hourglass, leaving him weak and vulnerable.
"Whitley …" The woman called again, her hand almost reaching his face.
Whitley's bravery held steadfast. His heart raced, but he refused to succumb to the terror. He clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and braced himself as the woman's hand reached his face.
The black scroll in Whitley's pocket chimed. All the sense of danger vanished, and he felt as if everything had returned to normal. He slowly opened his eyes and found himself standing in front of the still-locked Minghun Scenario door. There were no pounding, creaking, or cracks. Everything appeared normal.
"What the hell?"
He took out the black scroll, and his eyes widened as he read the content:
"Due to the unforeseen and malevolent factors lurking within the Minghun Scenario, its rating has been adjusted to ? stars. The scenario has been locked down until the danger level is accessed. It is advised to stay away from this scenario. Remember, you have only one fragile life; tread carefully."
"Congratulations you have gained the attention of a special baleful spectre and received a special item: A cursed love letter"
"Her eyes exposed, cheeks white as ash, the moment she fell off the building, she became the taboo of the school. In red dancing shoes and a blood-dyed uniform, even her name became something that was only uttered in frantic whispers. People pretended that she didn't exist, until one day, someone started receiving her love letters again.
"Getting a Baleful Spirit on your first day, unlocked Rare Title: The Specters' Favored.
"The Specters' Favored: When you equip this title, there's a chance you might receive help from the spectres."
"You gotta be kidding me?" Whitley felt something in his pocket - a letter with a bloody lipstick mark on it.
His hands trembled as he unfolded the letter.
Whitley's eyes scanned the letter, his heart pounding in his chest. The words, written in an elegant, youthful script, seemed to shimmer on the page, as if infused with a mysterious energy.
Dear Love,
I hope you don't mind my writing to you like this, but I just had to tell you how much I admire your courage. The way you've been standing bravely against the Mistress is truly inspiring, and I can't help but be drawn to you.
I know we haven't met, but I feel a connection between us. You have this incredible talent that I find intriguing and captivating. I would love to meet you in person and talk about everything we've experienced.
The world we're in is filled with danger, and it's not easy to find someone who's willing to stand up against it. I think you're special, and I believe we could have a unique bond. I hope that we'll have the chance to meet soon so that we can explore this connection further.
Looking forward to that day,
I love you
Your Secret Admirer
Whitley gazed at the letter, a whirlwind of emotions churning inside him. He had received a love letter, the kind of letter many people dream of getting. Yet, he felt an inexplicable sense of dread, so overwhelming that he would rather jump off a building than face the prospect of meeting this mysterious admirer.
"Who would have thought the first love letter I've ever received in my life would be something like this…"
"Mr. Whitley!" He looked around to see his employee Poppy, in her doll form, approaching him. For some reason, she also had his other doll with her.
"Poppy, what are you doing here?" Whitley asked.
"Min Chen told me you needed help, so Poppy came immediately," Poppy explained, pointing to his other doll.
"Min Chen? You can talk to her?" Whitley was surprised.
Poppy nodded. "She told me you were in grave danger and asked me to come here immediately. As per the rules, I am obliged to provide any assistance."
Whitley was surprised to learn that, but he decided to address the danger he had found himself in first. "Yes, I need your help. Can you check this letter and tell me anything you can find about it?" Whitley asked, handing the love letter to her.
Poppy examined the letter carefully. Her brows furrowed and she sniffed the letter to confirm something before throwing it away. "Boss! This is not good!"
"This is a letter from a red specter, powerful red specter, and she has her eye on you now!" Poppy exclaimed.
Whitley wasn't expecting such an extreme reaction from a Grimm like Poppy. "What do you mean by that? Is she a Grimm, like the Alpha Beowolf?" Whitley was nervous; he didn't want to face a situation like that again.
"No, Boss! You can't classify red specters among Grimm. They're the ones that even Grimm fear. A red specter's power eclipses Grimm by several magnitudes. Even Chill cannot do anything against them." Every word from Poppy seemed like a horror story to Whitley's ears.
A threat greater than an Alpha Grimm! A danger that even Grimm fears! He felt like his entire world was spinning.
`Calm down, Whitley, calm down! Poppy knows so much about them. Maybe she knows a way to escape them.`
"Poppy... is there nothing we can do to get off this specter's radar? Do you know anything I can do? Maybe someone else can help me?" Whitley pleaded.
"Boss, once the red specter chooses a target, they never leave. They'll chase them to the edge of the world, and even in death, they'll keep their target's soul in their possession. The only way to defeat them is through direct confrontation. No normal specter or Grimm can match them. The only ones who I've heard have fought them are some silver-eyed warriors, but they don't exist now," Poppy explained, crushing Whitley's hopes.
He sat down on the ground and looked up. `Ha, so this is the end. At least I know how I'll die. I should start preparing for my obituary. Sorry, Uncle, this failure couldn't bring the haunted house to success. Sorry, Sister...`
"Boss! Why are you looking so worried? You know wizards are always exceptions to most things. You have the spellbook; why don't you use some flashy spell and turn that specter to dust?"
Whitley sprang up immediately and reached to hug Poppy. Poppy was a bit surprised by his action but accepted the hug. "Yes, you're right, Poppy! I am a wizard. My spellbook will surely have something."
He took out his Mortician's Guide and held it in front of him, like before, and spoke loudly, "Ok, Book, listen carefully. I'm in grave danger now; give me a spell to keep that red specter away from me."
The book in his hand remained stationary. Seeing this, Whitley tried again. "Book, give me a spell to defeat the red specter." Again, nothing happened.
"Book! BOOOK! Hocus pocus, give me a spell!" He tried again and again, but nothing happened. "Abracadabra, Book, open sesame!" And again.
"Boss, you know you need to open the book to read the spell; books don't work that way," she said, trying to control her laughter.
"I know..." Whitley grumbled, hiding his embarrassment. `It worked this way last time! What does a Grimm know?`
He opened the book the normal way and tried to flip through its contents. To his dismay, he couldn't understand anything except the Grimm summoning spell and the pill spell he knew. The rest of the words were just a jumbled puzzle.
As Whitley was confused, the black scroll chimed.
"The current understanding of the haunted house owner is still low. This message is for the purpose of clarifying to the haunted house owner that if he wants to continue his profession as a Grimm Mortician, he needs to complete his daily missions and unlock new scenarios to gain a deeper insight into the other world."
"Black SCROLLLLLLLLLLL!" Whitley screamed.