Cebu.
Morning of February's 30th day.
At Minglanilla Street, two people, who had just left home early, were walking towards a nearby spectral Detective Agency. As they halted under the detective agency, one of them the woman, appeared surprised. She rubbed her eyes, blinking them twice, as he re-check the template atop the agency for the second time. However, the bolded, artistic words [Fengxian's GUARANTEED detective agency] with the domineering slogan below it [If you have the money, no ghost-demon that I, Long Fengxian, can't slay.]
At the instant, the woman saw that she fumed in anger. No one with a rational mind would be fool by this naked scam. The capitalize bolded GUARANTEED instantly made her crossed this agency out.
As she looked around, she even saw some people shoot the template a weird glance before shuffling away. She tried her best to remain calm and exchange glances with her husband, "Are you sure that we need to consult a spectral detective? Eliza could have been gone for few days like the usual. Although she didn't return like the usual day she will, I believe that when she gets bored she'll be back."
"I know you silly woman," The middle-aged man, who was next to the middle-aged woman, helplessly smile, "but have you heard about the recent rumor that has been circulating for a while now? A newly ghost-demon was sighted near the peripheral area on our barangay. Few stray cats have gone missing, I couldn't help but worry for her. We have to consult a spectral detective, what if something had happened to her?"
"I get it. I get it," said the woman. She then left her gaze away from him and pointed her hand to the detective agency whom she thought was a fraud business. She angrily voiced out, "Consulting a con artist? Are you out of your mind, Bobby?! Why not consulting the 2-star Spectral Detective, Robert Buenaventura, or the well-known 3-star Spectral Detective, Zackary Xander?"
The man shrugged in response, "Are you crazy? Those people are the icing on the cake. They ask for high payment! Do you think people like us can afford them???"
The woman angered subsided a tiny fraction but still wanted to refute, however, her husband continued, "Also, don't worry. This agency is not a scam. According to one of my colleagues, the one who recommended me this place, the owner of this detective agency is not worse than a 1-star spectral detective. Remember Marcus? The guy I told you about his house that had been cursed by a ghost-demon? This spectral detective was the one that had solved that case."
"Oh," The woman was stunned. Indeed, she remembered her husband telling her such a story. With a hint of interest, she asked, "What is his detective rank?"
Spectral detectives have ranks upon them, bestowed by the Detective Industry. The highest-ranking was Heavenly King. Followed by five star, then four-star, three-star, two-star, first-star, and lastly the lowest level, Entrepreneur.
"Entrepreneur."
"What?!" The woman almost fainted.
An entrepreneur? What did that mean? That means this detective was a new spectral detective with little no experience!
The Fengxian's GUARANTEED detective agency was a low-rise building that was only two-story tall. Besides the idiotic template, the building was painted in blue, appearing decent to the eyes. As for the couple, they argued about this detective agency until they eventually decided to settle here for few reasons. First, Entrepreneur's spectral detective fees were cheaper than higher-ranked detectives, costing around 900-7000 Philippine pesos (20-150 dollars); depending on the difficulty of the request. Lastly, there were no last. It was just the middle-aged woman being skeptical of this detective agency. She still believed that this is a business of a con artist.
As the couple knocked on the door, an adorable, crimson-fur dog opened the door. They looked at him with adoration. Although they only keep cats, they love animals.
"Oh clients," the crimson dog was ecstatic of their arrival. "Are you here for an invocation?"
Once again, the couple's adoration intensified. These kinds of speaking animals were rare beasties. Ever since the catastrophe long ago, every animal gain supernatural powers. Even their cat, Eliza, could speak.
"Are you the Detective's sidekick?" Although they hadn't been into a detective agency, the middle-aged woman still had the knowledge that every detective had their sidekick. Since this dog was capable of speaking, he was probably the sidekick of the detective of this agency.
"Yes, this bro is the boss, ehem, the sidekick." The crimson dog wagged his tail, obviously becoming impatient with them, "Anyway get to the point, and state your business."
"Oh, we're here to seek help. Our cat, Eliza has gone missing, I hope you can relay this to Sir Detective." The middle-aged man saw that the crimson dog's impetuousness, so he get on with it.
"You have the money?" The crimson dog suddenly said, "Well, how about this. If you pay me in advance, I'll give you a discount. 30%. What do you think?"
"This…" The couple was stunned.
This adorable dog seemed eager to have the payment. Isn't he just a sidekick?
"Well, can you notify Sir Detective about this first?" The middle-aged woman was fond of animals, she wasn't a bit offended by his aggressive behavior.
"Fine. This bro will notify that piece of shit." The crimson dog was annoyed, wagging his tail. He said, "Precious guests, please take a seat first.
Meanwhile, in the opposite room, Long Fengxian had just woken up. As he stretched his muscles, Crimson, his adorable, ehem, hardworking sidekick, barked in front of the door. Hearing his soft growls, Fengxian smiled.
Hai, this silly dog.
Although Crimson is a bit silly sometimes, he was actually an adorable, ehem, hardworking sidekick. Look he even woke up earlier than his boss, taking care of his food. He couldn't find a better sidekick than him.
As Fengxian was thinking, Crimson barks died down. He yawned, preparing to open the door. As it opened, Crimson's vicious look suddenly appeared in front of his face, landing a clean hit over his cheek with the usage of his tail.
At that moment, the just awoken Fengxian was caught surprise, so he lost his balance and collapsed on the floor. Without even able to catch his breath, Crimson hopped over his head. His butt trampling over Fengxian's face.
F*ck! Alright. Alright. Fengxian changed his mind. Crimson is abominable, an arrogant little piece of shit. A f***ing crazy mongrel!
"Your sister!" Fengxian gritted his teeth, exerting his strength, and pushed his sidekick away, "What the actual f*ck you did that for?"
"Bark! Bark!" Although Crimson could speak, he still barked two times to show off his might and his sharp teeth, "There are clients outside. You lazy piece of shit. Quick, accept this job or I'll bite your ass. This bro still needs his spiritual bones. Stop idling. Grrrr..."
"Oh, clients?" At that moment, Fengxian suddenly felt the strong smell of money, his body becoming energetic in the blink. He had even forgotten the rude behavior that his adorable, no, demanding sidekick and bolted straight through his closet. Then after telling Crimson to entertain the clients, he washed his face and wore his tuxedo. After that, he shuffled out of his room.
Eh. Wait a moment.
Fengxian stopped on his tracks and swept his gaze.
In every angle, he appeared ordinary. He can't afford to show up like this. That would be downgrading his status. What would the clients say if they saw him like this? No matter what, he had to wear, uh, right a flat cap and a good shade, for some extra mysteriousness on his appearance.
Just kidding.
At this moment, Fengxian was already at the front of his agency. He arranged his necktie and hummed a few notes. And only when he was satisfied did he opened the door.
Inside the agency two people were sitting in the guests' lounge, sipping water. They wore matching shirts. As Fengxian looked at them, he realized that they were married.
Eh?
They seemed to be restless. As Fengxian thought, he realized that opposite them, Crimson laid on his seat like some sort of a dragon boss, casually lazing around a spiritual bone, making noises on his sharp teeth.
This is atrocious! Extremely atrocious!
Fengxian was furious. Despite his easy-going nature, seeing crimson acting like this, he couldn't suppress his anger. He even almost rush and punch this arrogant dog, wanting no more but to beat him to the pulp.
Just kidding.
They were still guests around, he could endure. He decided that later, he should punish this dog.
I should cut his spiritual bones' supplies for reflection.
As Fengxian thought of that, he cleared his throat and secretly slapped Crimson on his butt. The latter instantly screamed, however, he didn't erupt and continued playing with his spiritual bone. It was something gifted by the clients.
Fengxian sat opposite the clients and rubbed his hands together, "Hur Hur, a couple matched by heaven, how are you? What's your business? Did you bring the money?"
In few seconds, Fengxian thrown questions after questions. Although the couple wanted to answer his first question, they weren't even able to open their mouth when he spoke like a rapid spokesperson. They suddenly felt that although the dog and this detective had different demeanors, they still had a similar trait…they seemed to love money so much. Even that dog had asked them the money in advance and begged them with adorable, blue eyes for a spiritual bone.
Although the middle-aged man wanted to familiarize himself with the Detective, he changed his mind and went ahead to state the purpose, "We indeed have the money. But Sir Detective, are you really able to help us?"
Fengxian suddenly felt that this guy had brain problems. Isn't this a detective agency, why would he even ask such a thing? He said, "Did you read the template in front of my agency? It said GUA-RAN-TEED."
The middle-aged woman couldn't remain silent, still skeptical of this detective. "Are you speaking for real? If you don't mind, did some guy called Marcus came here?"
"Marcus? Of course, he was here." Fengxian said calmly. However, his inner thoughts were different.
Who the f*ck is Marcus?
Did he even have such a client?
"This…" The middle-aged woman had nothing to say, "Alright. We'll hire you."
Fengxian calmly nodded his head, as if the lie he told them didn't affect him.
After that, the couple began narrating their problem.
A moment later, Fengxian understood a fraction of the problem. First, the couple introduced themselves. The middle-aged man was Bobby Tugonon and as for the middle-aged woman, she was Cheena Tugonon. They were married for about ten years now, however, Cheena had never birthed a child for some reason. It was later revealed when they seek the help of a doctor that Bobby had male fertility, which means he was unable to have babies. For that reason, the Tugonon couple decided to adopt a rare animal. Her name was Eliza and she had been with them for roughly a year now.
According to the couple, Eliza was a party animal, always hanging out with her few cat friends. Although she only has the ability to speak, unlike the rarest types of beasties, the Tugonon couple was happy to have her and treated her more like their own child.
Usually, Eliza would hang outside and return home after a few days. Her usual disappearing time interval was three days, but these days, she hadn't returned even after 4 days had passed by.
Furthermore, the Tugonon couple heard that their barangay, Tubod, had a rumor circulating that there was a recent ghost-demon appearing there. As for the reason they know, it was because there were many stray cats or even rare pets, like Eliza, who had gone missing. Naturally, the Tugonon couple was alarmed by this news.
"Alright," Fengxian understood the dire situation and calculated, "Covering up my traveling expenses, investigation talent, food expenses, and finding Eliza. The total amount I'm expecting is around…8,000 php (roughly around 170 dollars). Hur Hur, is that alright?"
Crimson who had just finished eating his spiritual bone interrupted, "Hey! You piece of shit. This bro will take 60%, yours 40%."
Hearing that, Fengxian almost wanted to strangle this dog's neck.
"What?!" Cheena's cup almost shatter. "8,000???"
An entrepreneur spectral Detective was actually asking for 1,000 more php than the Detective Industry's law and regulation about the payment of them. Are they hallucinating?