Page 228 of Light Leech

“We already tried that,” Boyband said.

“Before we knew about this Dokkaebi thing and the Correction,” Ralia added.

Boyband shrugged. “I doubt it would have made a difference. Did you find anything?”

Denji shrugged, then shook his head. “If you went there before me, you probably saw more than I did. They’re already cleaning up your parents estate, but I’m sorry to say that I doubt there was anything they had anyways. Dokkaebi and the Correction are more elusive than any Beacon we know about so far. Sure, some hide their intentions like Nichley, but Dokkaebi is a different kind of enemy.”

“And that is?” Boyband asked.

“Unknowable. Nobody knows what it is. Your parents knew it changed the world’s narrative to fit the Gongtide’s design–”

“What about the moon? Tenma seemed confident that we could find them there.”

“Sure, but how are you going to get to the moon?”

Boyband shrugged.

“I’m not trying to diminish your hope, but we need to start somewhere realistic. We’re fighting the world’s education system. This is beyond your old master Deleon and Nichley. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m sure you all understand that by now. Nothing has been easy, but that hasn’t stopped you.”

“You act like you know us.”

“I’ve done my research.”

“How?”

“I gave the Luxists unrestricted access to the records of our recent work,” Ralia said. “Yes, I chose to make the decision myself so no whining.”

Boyband rolled his eyes. “So where do we go from here?”

“Where Bhate Tenma recommended, your old school.”

“Water Hills?”

Denji nodded.

“So… what’s your purpose here if you’re not going to tell me anything new?”

“I’m here to facilitate and provide guidance from a knowledgeable standpoint. I might not have the answers now, but I hope I can clarify some things you might discover.”

“I’m not looking for clarification,” Boyband said. “I want answers.”

“Kind of the same thing,” Abbas said.

“Piss off,” Boyband scoffed.

“We have to be patient with this one,” Ralia covered Boyband’s mouth. He fought, but her strength proved superior. “Real hands or not, I can still feel your tongue. I told you before that I like it. You’re staying like this until you learn to behave.”

I eyed Naoma. Both of us laughed. Relieved from the anxiety that racked us both, though temporary the reprieve would be.

“Go on,” Ralia told Denji.

He took a second to focus. Perhaps we were too much even for him. He might possess knowledge of Gong and the spirits of light, but that did not mean he had experience with them. If he was unnerved now, it would only get worse when I chose to explain Naoma’s therapist’s apparent gui-adjacent spirit.

“Right,” he said.

Ralia nodded, forcing Boyband to as well. “Go on.”

Denji smiled. “So, we need you to go to Water Hills and do as you do. Work your way up, figure out who owns whom, and so forth.”