The building became a pillar.
The building became a road.
The building became a stake.
Thus, Loa would ride the pillar, stroll along the road, and finally be tied to the stake, settling in this building. Though it seemed polite at first glance, this method, bordering on violent, was not suitable for summoning Loa in Vodou, nor did it differ from invoking an angel for its blessings.
In a word, this was heresy.
A way to summon Loa as one might command a soul through a Book of Magic.
Naturally, such methods should not summon Loa.
Dwooong-!
Boom-!
He has come.
Loa has arrived.
Thanks to the ritual twisted and turned by Jinseong, Loa descended upon this place.
From the smoke, a form began to emerge clearly, taking the shape of a black human figure.
The figure, dressed in a well-fitted suit, slowly revealed its body, clacking a phallic-shaped staff against the ground.
Then, like performing a tap dance, it rhythmically struck the ground with its shoes while continuing to shake its legs, dancing joyfully until its full form was complete.
And at last, the shape revealed itself.
It was the visage of a handsome man with a stark white face.
Any stranger witnessing this might mistake the figure—sporting a black hat, a black suit, and a strikingly white face, all while dancing with delight—for a pop star. It possessed an alluring charm that could truly be enchanting and remarkably handsome.
What a queer behavior to continue even after the face was revealed!
In one hand, it held a glass that had magically sprung from thin air, and in the other, the phallic staff. It leaned back, sipping the liquid in the glass as if it were expensive whiskey, tossing the empty glass aside, stroking the phallic-shaped staff with both hands.
The movements, swaying up and down, were closer to playful than lewd, making it impossible for anyone watching not to laugh.
Watching it play with the staff and seeing Jinseong show no reaction at all, it even began to tuck the enormous phallic-shaped staff between its legs, gyrating its hips.
It felt less like encountering a solemn supernatural entity and more akin to watching a cheeky friend who enjoyed vulgar jokes.
Yet, because such a comical sight was before me, caution was paramount.
That being was not human.
Even though it resembled a person and conveyed a sense of familiarity, it wasn’t human.
Especially considering the true identity of the Loa Jinseong had summoned—
It was imperative to be cautious.
“Ghede.”
Ghede.
Loa of graveyards and death.
A Loa reborn from a dead soul, friendly yet dangerous.
[You know me. Hounkan? Or perhaps, Mambo? Ha-ha-ha!]
Upon hearing Jinseong call, Ghede laughed jovially.
[Oh, judging by your response, you’re a Hounkan, huh? Don’t take it too personally! In this modern day and age, how on earth can one distinguish between a man and a woman at a glance?—There are men who look like women, women who look like men, men in women’s clothing, women in men’s clothing, men with their lower halves cut off, and women with something added on—it’s overflowing! This is a valid and quite reasonable question! Ha-ha-ha!]
While holding his lower half in his mouth, Ghede stuffed the staff back between his legs.
Then, tilting the staff to aim diagonally, he started to sway his hips left and right, up and down.
It was a spectacle that seemed on the verge of being utterly ridiculous.
Further, his actions were rude and crude.
Had Jinseong been a person obsessed with manners, he might have taken offense.
But Jinseong showed no visible reaction to Ghede’s antics.
No, it would be more accurate to say he felt no emotion at all.
What the ‘Loa’ was doing was—
Nothing much different from what a ‘Fairy Mimicry’ would perform.
『Loa Mimicry.』
What’s created by imitating a fairy is called Fairy Mimicry.
Then what do you call something made by imitating another?
If it’s created by imitating an angel, it’s called Angel Mimicry, and if it’s made by imitating a demon, it’s Demon Mimicry. And logically, something made by imitating a Loa is called ‘Loa Mimicry.’
And whatever is imitated is merely a fake.
An existence that merely reenacts a legend, a folktale.
A being that moves based on what has been recorded and remembered.
Yet simultaneously, a powerful entity that poses a threat to those who summon it by faithfully fulfilling its role.
Thus, precautions were all the more necessary.
Aligning oneself with that role-play was the only sure way to achieve safety.
“I find myself in the presence of the Loa that governs over the land of the dead and the place where death rests.”
Therefore, Jinseong displayed the appropriate respect to Ghede.
The first was to accurately mention Ghede’s role, showing through that acknowledgment that ‘I respect you.’
“Honored to meet the great Loa and the great pioneer who seeks to overcome the inevitable death of reproduction.”
And the second was to include lowbrow jokes and humor that Ghede enjoyed, welcoming him with words that would not feel base but would ensure the listener realized the intended meaning behind the jokes.
[Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Good, good! You’re not a stiff and boring fellow, and I rather like you!]
Ghede beamed at Jinseong’s joke.
It wasn’t just a smile; it seemed he truly couldn’t help but laugh joyously, clutching his belly.
He even nearly dropped the huge phallic-shaped staff between his legs in an exaggerated burst of laughter.
After a long fit of laughter, Ghede conjured a glass in his hand.
The glass held an unknown liquid, close in color to reddish-brown.
He brought it to his lips, about to take a sip when—
Swoosh!
He splattered it all over Jinseong.
Right in the position of the genitals, no less.
However, Jinseong, as if anticipating Ghede’s action, deftly turned his body and dodged the liquid. The splatter missed the empty spot he’d just occupied, splashing meaningless onto the ground.
And at the moment it splattered, an overwhelming stench filled the air.
A spicy smell.
An atrocious aroma, pungent enough to irritate the eyes and nose.
While Jinseong caught a whiff of that scent, he addressed Ghede.
“Ghede, this is too much of a prank.”
[Oh, a prank? Isn’t that a procedure you Hounkans always carry out when accepting us?]
“That’s the act of foolish individuals who distrust Hounkans to gain faith. It’s a story that doesn’t apply to you or me here. For you, the drinks diminish, and for me, the spicy liquid touches my genitals, causing stinging, burning pain— an act that benefits no one.”
[Aw, you’re no fun.]
Ghede pouted as Jinseong dismissed his prank, gulping down the drink in his hand.
With each gulp he took, the acrid scent spread in every direction, far distinct from the smokiness— resembling more the horrific scent of setting off tear gas.
[A pity you don’t know the magnificence of this drink made from a blend of Carolina Reaper and Boot Jalokia! ]
He stated, picking up his staff once more.
Snap.
Crack.
The staff in his hand twisted as it gradually began to change shape.
The end still resembled a phallic form, yet white lumps began protruding all over, transforming into the shape of human bones. Then, the apparent bones began to intertwine around the staff, exuding black smoke through the gaps between the bones, continuing to form a skeletal figure.
Ghede gazed at Jinseong with his white-painted face.
And he asked,
[So, Hounkan, what do you want from me?]
“I simply wish for you to safeguard this place, just as you watch over graveyards and calm the wrath of the dead.”
[That building of yours is as tall and imposing as your thing. Can’t seem to calm it down, can you? Do you need to find a woman for that?]
Ghede chuckled at Jinseong’s words.
Pretending to listen to Jinseong’s request with one ear while letting it flow out the other, he even threw a joke back at him.
His attitude was excessively rude, contrasting sharply with Jinseong’s polite demeanor.
[To calm something down, shouldn’t you find a woman? If you called Mami Wata, she’d probably jump right to it, but I guess you don’t know how to summon her? I’ve seen her bring the dead, and I’ve never seen a Loa who loves young men more than her! Plus, seeing your delicate face might lead her to want to knock your head off and drag you to the afterlife, just like a Valkyrie from another neighborhood! Ha-ha-ha-ha!]
Clack.
Bang.
Ghede couldn’t contain his glee, drumming the staff on the ground.
[Young, handsome. In addition, your body is clean and pure. But given your conduct, you seem quite accustomed to women—how strange and peculiar! They say media is advanced these days; did you receive some indirect training through such means? I can’t comprehend how this is possible! Furthermore, it seems you could somewhat match my vulgar jokes—looking at your youth, conduct, and demeanor, it doesn’t add up! Ha, you sure are bizarrely strange— just like a revived soul buried in a grave that starts dancing! ]
“Flattery, I see.”
[Well, it looks like watching you should be entertaining! I see that you give off a spicy smell that enjoys hot food, so dining together could be fun. And despite your pure body, you seem well-experienced in charming women; seeing how that plays out would be amusing too. Would the women tussle, or would they establish order? Or maybe— you aren’t interested in such things? Hmm? No, judging by your experience and mine, it seems unlikely—! Ha-ha-ha!]
“Your words are much appreciated.”
[Oh, you’re dodging the question so casually. Who would see you as a pure young man? Fine, let’s settle this place as quietly as a graveyard. That ‘place’ indeed! Ha-ha! Just as a tall structure fosters peace in a home, I shall likewise do it! For I am Ghede, charged with reproduction!]
Laughing, Ghede raised his staff high.
Then he slammed it down against the ground.
Boom-!
[Hounkan! The contract is sealed! This place shall be as peaceful as a graveyard that we guard!]
Ghede shouted, downing the drink that carried an immense spicy aroma once more.
Then, he laughed giddily until he seemed to vanish into the smoke—
[Oh, right, this is a service. I said I would make it peaceful like a ‘graveyard,’ so I wasn’t planning on catching rats—]
Extending only an arm through the thick smoke, Ghede tossed something in front of Jinseong.
It was a rat corpse.
[It’s not a rat; it just took on the appearance of one, which is quite unappealing. So it’s a gift! Ha-ha, don’t eat it, though; it doesn’t seem beneficial for your vigor!]
With that, Ghede tossed three rat corpses at Jinseong and completely vanished.
As Ghede disappeared, the thick smoke that had spread throughout the floor cleared away, and the flames of the tablet extinguished entirely. The nearly melted candle now turned a deep purple, and the tablet made from pure wax was stained with dirt.
As if time had passed and left its mark.
In the now empty and quiet space, Jinseong slowly moved.
“Hmm.”
He examined the rat that Ghede had thrown.
Both its weight and feel were no different from that of an ordinary rat.
Yet upon closer inspection, something seemed off.
Snap.
Jinseong raised a finger and twisted the rat’s head off.
As the neck was removed, blood gushed forth, and a spinal cord dangled from the neck stump.
Jinseong reached out towards that spine.
“This is intriguing.”
He wore a thoughtful smile at the metallic touch, utterly unlike an ordinary rat’s.
