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墨書 Inktalez
Recently, there has been a growing trend of deceased individuals coming to cross the river, even to the point where they have to wait in line.
"What kind of disaster has happened?" He hurriedly asked during a moment when I was free. "There are so many more deceased coming to take the ferry lately."
"Oh, it's nothing serious; it's the banquet. The annual feast I mentioned to you before has started, so naturally, the number of deceased who can gather the ferry fare has increased."
"I see, a year has passed already..." He suddenly looked around with a sense of nostalgia.
I glanced at him thoughtfully.
"If you have any plans, you should seize this opportunity and go back to gather your ferry fare. After all, during the banquet period, there are anonymous offerings everywhere, so gathering a gold coin is really not difficult."
Upon hearing this, he paused for a moment and then forced a smile, saying, "Well, I understand. I'll think about it..."
Seeing his still complicated and conflicted expression made me unable to suppress a sigh.
Not long after, several more deceased arrived, eager to board the ferry. I was busy mediating and had no time to think about him anymore.
****************************
"Ferry fare: one gold coin."
"Huh? That's too expensive! I only have a Silver Coin!" a certain deceased protested unhappily.
"Then please return to the living world and gather your ferry fare again. To take the ferry, it must be a gold coin," I replied flatly.
"Who said it has to be a gold coin? In any case, this money ends up in your pockets; you're just trying to extort me!"
"Ferry fare: one gold coin," I mechanically repeated.
"I don't care! I only have a Silver Coin; taking the ferry is my right! I want to board!" That deceased began to act unreasonable.
"Shut up! If you don't have enough money, get out of the way and stop wasting others' time crossing the river!" A burly man behind that deceased rudely grabbed him and pulled him aside. Then he stepped forward and handed over a gold coin. "I want to take the ferry."
Without hesitation, I accepted the gold coins and guided him onto the boat.
"Hey! Wait! I was here first!" The deceased, who had been pushed aside, stumbled a couple of steps and then turned back to protest unhappily.
"Hmph! If you don't have any money, shut up! Go back and gather your coins slowly!" The burly man displayed a victorious sneer at his opponent.
"Hey! Is it fair to cut in line like this? Is this reasonable?" The deceased shifted his complaint towards me.
"Ferry fare, one gold coin," I replied mechanically as usual.
Ignoring his outcry, I immediately set the boat in motion and left.
****************************
"Ferry fare, one gold coin," I extended my hand toward the other party.
The deceased in front of me was about to hand over a gold coin when suddenly another deceased jumped out from the side and stuffed several coins into my hand all at once.
"Move aside! I'll pay ten times the fare; I'm going first!"
"Hey! Just because you have money doesn't mean you can be rude! Get in line!" The deceased who was cut off complained angrily.
"What’s it to you? If you can offer a higher price, go ahead! If not, shut up and stop embarrassing yourself!" The wealthy deceased retorted arrogantly.
"Hey! You should judge this too; is it fair to cut in line like this?" The deceased protested to me.
I silently turned my hand over, letting the remaining coins clatter to the ground, leaving just one still in my grasp.
"Ferry fare, one gold coin," I said expressionlessly.
"Hey—" The deceased who was cut off wanted to protest further when suddenly there was commotion in the line behind us.
"Hey! Look! Money, money! Quick, pick up the coins!"
The originally orderly line fell into chaos, and I took the opportunity to guide the deceased who had paid onto the boat. Under the resentful gaze of the protesting deceased, I slowly rowed away.
****************************
Why am I not responsible for maintaining order?
Why do I just let those line-cutting guys run rampant?
Well, you see, I'm just a simple Ferryman who collects fees to ferry people across. Whoever pays me, I take them across the river; as for the deceased and the karma they create, it has nothing to do with me.
Moreover, this is the afterlife, a place of chaos in itself, so what order can we even talk about?
The busy and chaotic days are both long and short. In the blink of an eye, the Feast Period has come to an end.
After sending off the last deceased waiting by the beach, I couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.
Finally, it's over...
"…Thank you for your hard work."
The sudden voice startled me, and I slowly turned my head towards the source of the sound—
He was still there.
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