Supernatural Investigation 101: Chronicles Of Nakashima Wakana

The rocky land is charred, slathered with ashes with fumes coming out of the cracks. The air is filled with a noxious smell of sulphur. Under the starry sky, Choi Minho stares at the bubbles rising on the surface of the yellow lake.

The entrance to the Vermillion Phoenix's Abode has been denied to him. 

He's been here before. 

Back then, he was looking for the gates to hell. Opening the gate of hell wasn't something an eleven-year-old child could go. He didn't have magic. 

He pushes away the memories. Right now, it's not the time to reminisce. Choi Minho inhales the air, feeling tired. The Phoenix has taken an offence. Maybe he shouldn't have lost his temper back then. If this phoenix doesn't meet him, how would he change her mind about inviting Wakana? 

If Wakana never gets the invitation, then…

Choi Minho massages his forehead. Is that even possible? It's strange that Akabane Houmi hasn't sent an invitation to Wakana. The cards have shown nothing. Then, what should he do? Everything has gone out of control because he fell into the temptation. He should have never introduced himself to Nakashima Wakana.

He furrows his brows when his phone starts ringing. Who could be calling him now? When he sees the name on the phone, his expression turns dark. There are times when he regrets buying phones. This moment is one of them. 

"Hyung." He stares at the bubbles in the water. Deep lines form on his forehead when he hears the command. It seems that Sung Jun Hyung won't let him go. He ends the calls and dematerializes from the spot. In the next instant, he's standing in front of the Sung Manor.

The manor is the same. 

This chaotic place… He heaves a sigh. He walks to the door and rings the bell. The door is opened by one of Sung Jun's sons.

"Who I am?" A boy in his late teens asks him with a smirk. 

"Se-Yong, it's getting old." Choi Minho walks past him. There are three sets of triplets and a girl in this family.

"Uncle Choi, why do you always get it wrong?" Sung Se-Joon makes a face. "You can read my mind if you want to know the answer."

"You will show me things that I don't want to see." Choi Minho stops and looks over his shoulder. "Last time, you showed me the image of two men being…" He closes his eyes. Sung boys are notorious. He's a straight man. Why would he like seeing gay p.o.r.nographic images? No, he wouldn't like watching other images in his nephews' heads either.

"Nami showed it to us." Sung Se-Joon shudders when he recalls the original video. "It's only natural for you to suffer with us, Uncle. Our eyes have been tainted."

That Nami…!  Why should he suffer because they were? He shakes his head. "Where is Noona?"

"She fought with Father and went to the lower world to get a drink." Sung Se-Joon laments, "I can't go because I have exams."

"Nami went?" Choi Minho frowns. The house is unusually quiet. Nami is definitely not old enough to visit the lower world. 

"No, she's at grandfather's place." Sung Se-Joon looks at his father who is climbing down the stairs. "Uncle, Father is here."

He turns to look at Sung Jun. It's been years, but Sung Jun still looks the same. However, there's a different look in those honey eyes. There is a certain calmness. However, Fang Aisa still feels the same. Perhaps, she's turning more childish with time.

Maybe he's the only one who thinks that. 

Sung Jun gives him a nod and gesticulates him to follow. They go to the sitting room. After they are seated, Sung Jun tells him calmly, "I called you here for Dierre Virevo. She's going to the supernatural investigation agency."

"Is she right for that place?" Choi Minho knits his brows, concerned about the safety of two clueless mortals in that bas.e.m.e.nt. "I thought that you were going to pardon her crimes."

"Pardoning the crimes isn't enough." Sung Jun leans back and crosses his fingers on his knees. "The rehabilitation and mentorship programs haven't been much of a success. Creatures like her have inherited the distrust that her ancestors had on the Council. At this rate, nothing will change. Supernatural Investigation Agency is also an effort to find a way for the hidden world and the human world to coexist. Maybe there will be a time when the supernatural world doesn't have to hide from humans."

"That is nearly impossible." Choi Minho raises his brow. It's not that the supernatural world is completely hidden from the humans. Humans like him and Nishimura Soichiro are aware of it. A part of the authorities of nearly all the countries also knows about it. But humans are always afraid of the things that they don't understand.  

"It might be." Sung Jun acknowledges it. "However, we can't stop making efforts in that direction. I need your help in this."

"Mine?" Choi Minho narrows his eyes. 

"The supernatural investigation agency will make use of the gifted ones in the future." Sung Jun reveals to him, "But I heard that Ms Nakashima failed the evaluation."

"She doesn't have enough mental strength to avoid the glamour or compulsion." Choi Minho pauses when Sung Jun raises his brow. Does he know? He can't possibly know. "I suppressed her abilities. It's best if she never uses her abilities again."

"Train her," Sung Jun speaks with a light tone. "You know the gifted ones best. Whether she works as an investigator or not, she needs a mentor. Since you are going back as Dierre Virevo's guardian until--"

"Wait, Hyung." Choi Minho grimaces. "Why am I her guardian?"

"You asked me to help her." Sung Jun c.o.c.ks his head. "Do you think that I will let a dangerous creature like her go free? You are going to help that girl settle in the human world. Teach her how to behave like a human and how not to kill people. You can endure her gaze. You should be able to teach her how to control the intensity of her powers. She might be able to look at someone without killing them."

Choi Minho takes a deep breath. He can't go back there. 

When Sung Jun senses his reluctance, he adds, "The problem is that nobody likes being around a girl who can kill with eyes. Dierre Virevo is one of her kind. She must be taught how to protect herself and how to live in human society."

Current changes in the Council focus a lot on the creatures like this. The goal is to find a way for humans and these creatures to find a balance. The Council approaches the gifted ones too. In the past, humans like Nakashima Wakana were ignored by the Council. His brother, Choi Minjae, would have lived a different life if the Council had offered similar mentorship to the gifted ones in the past.

However, the changes take a while to take effect. Thanks to the Council's bad reputation, neither the gifted ones or the stray supernatural creatures trust the Council much. Then again, there are people who are unhappy with the changes. 

"Dark organizations target creatures like Dierre Virevo. Most creatures like her don't want to live that kind of life. In the past, they didn't have a choice. But now, they don't see any choice. If Dierre Virevo can get over her hatred for humans, we might have more creatures who would come forward to take help." Sung Jun's eyes twinkle in amus.e.m.e.nt. "In addition to that, I think that you are suitable to help your ghost… I mean, Ms Nakashima since you are already acquainted with her. You even saved her life with Dierre Virevo's help."

Choi purses his lips into a thin line. He has no doubt that Sung Jun already knows. "How much do you know, Hyung?"

"I know that you were looking for someone." Sung Jun smiles at him. It's a piece of old news that Minho was looking for a ghost and a person. He has kept a watch on Minho. "It was odd that you suddenly decided to be a part of the supernatural investigation agency. I heard that you also brought Akabane Houmi to save that woman. You won't go that far for just anyone."

That's how he found out? Choi Minho is at a loss for the words. His actions were rather… not low key.

"I guess that it's related to the vision that Orana showed you." Sung Jun ponders, "I have heard about gifted ones being scouted by the dark organizations. What is her ability grade?"

The magic and spiritual energy have different rank systems than the gifted ones. The gifts are measured on a grade scale with E being the one with the lowest intensity and A being the highest. The difference between each grade is too high. Grade E, D, and C usually have one ability with a difference in intensity. Grade A and B have multiple abilities. Again, the difference between grade A and B is the range and intensity.  

"It's D, " Choi Minho says solemnly. 

Grade D is not harmful. Then, why did he suppress her ability? Suppression of the ability is done in cases when it's dangerous to the person or the society. Sung Jun inquires, "After possible awakening?" 

After a long silence, Choi Minho reveals it to him, "No, Hyung. Her grade would be R."

Grade R is given to the ones who are highly dangerous and unstable. There are only two R-graded talents in this world. If he includes Wakana, it should be three.