I'll need a vacuum.

62

The next day was a busy day : we planned to go directly to the temple that I had visited with Nanami during my week's vacation with him. After packing food to sustain us through the day, we began the difficult hike which consisted of getting in the car and going straight there, with potato chips in the car in case we were craving something. The ride was completed in less time than I expected, and we found ourselves in the forest, facing a small temple made of light wood, with talismans hanging on the four corners and a well-kept garden. The unpleasant monk from last time was sweeping the dead leaves from behind. We waited calmly at the entrance to the gate, and Nanami observed the surroundings with interest. After too long, I realized that it might be appropriate for me to do the same, using occult energy to scan the premises. Despite these last months of trainings and the battles that I had bravely faced, I still did not have the reflex to “see” the environment. I was thus able to discover that the temple was bathed in energy, not the same as that of the curses, nor that of the exorcists, a different energy which illuminated it like a small beacon in the mountain. I had a feeling that this energy repelled the curses, and I remembered Nanami's words last time : my curse had reacted to the energy released by the temple. I scrutinized my hand, trying to make out an aura but nothing. I moved forward to go through the gate, expecting to be struck down on the spot, but like the time before, nothing happened. I turned to Nanami, worried:

"Do you see something that has changed in me ? Did my curse react ?"

He looked at me and shook his head.

"No, it didn't. I thought it would be as noticeable as last time but it seems that it has calmed down since your resurrection. Maybe your death has stopped it ?"

I blinked, surprised. I did not think about that ! If the curse was intended to eliminate me, perhaps it had disappeared the moment I died ? In which case, there was no longer any reason to look for a way to exorcise myself ! Damn, that would be great !? Problem solved without me having to do much ?!

We entered until we reached the temple square, and waited for someone to notice us. Politeness prevented us from entering without invitation. There seemed to be no one there other than the sweeping monk, and after several minutes of silent waiting, I forced myself to cough to get his attention. He turned around suddenly, surprised to see us. He hadn't noticed us. He immediately frowned and his face looked even more unpleasant.

"What are you doing here ? What do you want ?"

I blinked, annoyed by his misanthropy and held back a sigh to calmly respond:

"Hello, we would like to speak with someone from the temple for a...um...spiritual matter. Do you have such a person here ?"

He looked me up and down before saying coldly:

" No. Go away. You are disturbing the energies of the place by staying here with your negative waves."

I raised an eyebrow, starting to get more and more annoyed with the guy.

" What do you mean by negative waves ? Because that’s actually what we come for."

He turned his back on us instead of answering us and resumed his sweeping.

" Hey! What do you mean by negative waves ?"

I raised my voice, my anger being heard this time. I didn't come back from the dead to have some old fool with a broom walk all over me.

" I am talking to you."

He ignored me, sweeping louder so he wouldn't hear me anymore. The old geezer was starting to break my balls, I wanted to take his broom and shove it in his ass ! I took a step towards him when Nanami held my shoulder and spoke :