20

Beyond the Veil: Kiran's Supernatural Hunt

Chapter 20: Losses Over Gains

Kiran looked at her and then shifted his gaze to where she was looking, at the picture of a smiling soldier next to the young woman.

"Is he your brother? He was a good soldier." Kiran said it with a gentle voice. After saying that, Kiran turned around and walked towards the exit.

"Good soldier? He was just stupid for dying," the girl muttered quietly. Hearing the emotionless words from the girl, Kiran furrowed his brow and turned around.

"Pain stimulates us to become stronger; maybe in a few years, you'll understand how bright and brave your brother was." Without waiting for a response, he left the building and got on his motorcycle. When he was about to start the engine, he looked at the girl coming out of the building.

'That uniform is the same as that girl's...' Kiran thought to himself as he looked at the uniform of the girl who was leaving.

"Hey! Do you want to have lunch?" Kiran asked, looking at her with a slight smile. The girl shook her head without showing interest.

Seeing the girl's strange attitude toward someone her age, Kiran said with a bit more confidence, "You really don't want to eat? My treat."

"Fine!"

The girl approached Kiran's motorcycle and hopped on. Her uniform consisted of a short skirt with a white T-shirt and a tie. Due to the cold, she was wearing sports pants under the skirt, which gave her confidence and ease in getting on the motorcycle.

"By the way, my name is Kiran. What's your name?" Kiran asked casually while handing her the protective helmet.

"I know you; I'm Lisa..."

"How do you know me?"

"I just saw you in some photos my brother took on his phone."

Kiran nodded as he started the motorcycle and accelerated. It would be very strange for this girl to decide to have lunch with him if she didn't know him. However, due to the emotions of losing a loved one, she might not be thinking too much at the moment before making decisions.

Later, Kiran was at a famous restaurant in the area, having lunch with Lisa.

"Have you been to this place?" Kiran asked, trying to start a casual conversation and get to know the girl a bit more.

"No, it's my first time visiting this place. I heard from my friends that it's quite expensive; is it okay?" Kiran looked at Lisa for a moment and replied with a smile, "Don't worry; as I said, my treat, so you can order whatever you want."

"Thanks..."

"By the way, do you have any other family besides your brother?"

Lisa paused for a moment while looking at the restaurant menu and replied in a natural tone, "I live with my aunt; my brother was the only family I had since my parents died in an accident."

Upon hearing this response, Kiran scratched his head uncomfortably and tried to say some words of comfort. "At your age, I didn't have parents. I know it's difficult, but you can overcome it as you focus on your goals. The government will give you a considerable amount of money to live comfortably for most of your life; you have to do things right from now on as you make decisions from now on."

"Well, it's the only thing they can do since my brother died for the army." Lisa replied while looking at a dog being walked by its owner in the distance.

She was right; recruits in this division joined for the significant benefits offered by the government. If you worked for a considerable time, you would be given a car of your choice, and for each anomaly your team eliminated, in addition to money, you could get a decent apartment in expensive places like Seoul.

In South Korea, having an apartment and a car could be considered a lifetime achievement. Most people work until they're old just to pay off the loan for a small apartment.

But there was something that the numerous soldiers didn't know and wasn't disclosed when they joined this special government division. No one had lived more than three to five months fighting dark entities; so far, hundreds to thousands of soldiers worldwide had died in battle.

How hadn't civilians found out? Simple: cover the deaths with fake wars and nonexistent battles; silence people who want to draw attention on the internet in hundreds of different ways.

All countries agreed to keep silent for as long as possible. No one wanted their people to panic in fear of death, and it would affect many things that were already difficult to maintain.

chaos they wouldn't want to face.

After finishing the meal, just as they were about to leave, Kiran asked Lisa, "Does your uniform belong to a high school?"

He had to get that answer after seeing the drawing of that strange girl who bumped into him a day ago. Kiran was curious about the possible incident.

Most anomalies were extremely cunning and had many unique methods that could not be found.

Kiran's goal this time wasn't just to find out if Lisa knew that girl by pure chance, but also to find out if there was anything out of the ordinary.

"Yes, how else would I be wearing this uniform?" Lisa replied, puzzled. The few words she said were in a cold, monotonous tone, and Kiran, as a man who experienced every kind of pain a living being can experience, knew that this girl was suffering in silence.

But now, regardless of whether the world was celebrating, there was a football game, or even the pet you loved so much died, investigating the dark entity was a top priority.

"Have you heard at your school about a girl your age acting out of the ordinary?

After asking that question, Kiran hoped to get at least one response.

Lisa hesitated for a moment and replied, "There was a girl from a different class; about a week ago, she started acting very aggressively. She's been absent for many days due to a supposed illness."

"Oh?"

"Have you heard anything about her lately?" Kiran asked, interested in such an event.

"No, but I can give you information if I find out anything about it," Lisa said as she handed him her phone to save her number.

"Alright, I'd appreciate that." Kiran took the phone and quickly recorded her contact number; any information provided by her would be valuable.

After saving her contact number, Kiran handed her the phone and said, "Don't get personally involved in this matter; it can be quite delicate and confusing. However, aren't you curious about my interest in her?"

Lisa looked Kiran in the eyes and said casually, "I know pedophiles very well; you're definitely not one of them. My brother also asked strange questions and gave very strange warnings; I guess I've gotten used to that kind of behavior."

Kiran stood up and paid the bill for the meal. As he approached Lisa, he asked, "Will you go back to school, or do you want me to take you home?"

He had considered that she would take a few days off, but considering the valuable school grades for her future, he asked with little attention.

"You can drop me off near the school; I'll walk from there. I don't want strange rumors about a non-existent boyfriend." Lisa said as she left the restaurant.

"A pretty strong girl," Kiran thought as he left the restaurant.

Ding

Just as Kiran was about to leave, he heard his phone ring, and when he looked down, he read a message from Emma.

"[Emma: I'm at your apartment, and I must say it's a real mess; the plant I gave you is completely dry. [If it weren't for the training campaign, I would have come earlier.] "

Kiran smiled slightly, then remembered if he left something important outside, but knowing his friend, she definitely wouldn't look through his things. Therefore, he replied immediately: "[Help me clean up; I'll bring you a gift later.]"

"[Emma: Well, I don't have much to do anyway; see you later.]"

Like him, outside of work friends and such things, Emma also didn't have anyone Kiran would remember, so this kind of close friendship was normal between them.

"Well, let's go; I have some things to do."