I Became a Ghostbuster

Once Walter was done paying for the painting, he looked for Lionel and found him standing in front of a showcase. "What are you staring at, Lionel?"

Although he wasn't in favor of the painting he had bought, he was still polite. The young man had helped him avoid paying thousands to a swindler. For that reason alone, he was thankful to him.

"Could you show this rock to me?" Lionel glanced at the assistant who was staring at them excitedly. Even though the man's eyes were filled with greed, he didn't mind it.

The shop assistant wasn't a bad person. He was merely greedy. He had never harmed anyone and his background was clean. So, Lionel didn't mind doing more business in his shop.

The assistant's eyes lit up when he noticed more business. So, he didn't hesitate and came over to help his customer look at the item he was interested in. However, his expression faltered when he noticed what the man was interested in.

A rock? 

Why?

What's so interesting about the rock?

However, he didn't comment about it and removed it for him to take a look.

Lionel nodded subtly to himself. The shop assistant wasn't forceful like the one he had reprimanded some time. He was accommodating and courteous.

While Walter and the assistant didn't find anything noteworthy about the rock, Lionel became excited as soon as it was taken out.

At first glance itself, his heart had settled on the rock. He didn't know but he was oddly attracted to it. His heart was asking him to buy it. Else, he'd definitely regret it. 

And Lionel didn't hesitate even for a moment. He wanted the rock and he'd buy it at all cost.

The moment the rock was out of the showcase, Lionel sensed a strong spiritual energy from it. Even though it was as only big as his palm, the energy in it was unbelievable.

Lionel's eyes twinkled in joy and he almost snatched the rock from the shop assistant.

"I want to buy this. How much is it?"

The assistant frowned on seeing his oddly thrilled expression. Doubtful, he examined the rock a few times. But he couldn't discern anything special about it. Not knowing why the young man was this enthusiastic, he stated a price that was within an acceptable range.

Fifty dollars.

Lionel was surprised once again. But he didn't hesitate to buy it. He had struck a bargain. 

While the assistant looked at him as if he was a rich fool, Walter started worrying about him. But he didn't know how to prevent him from squandering.

"I have other things I wish to buy as well," Lionel stated and the assistant cheered at his luck.

In no time, he had sold a painting, a rock, more than a hundred talismans, and ten cinnabar pens. 

"Please visit us again, customers." He handed the packed things to them and even beamed at them, hoping for them to visit daily.

"Have a good day!" Walter said with a gentle smile.

Lionel had a good impression of him. Even though he had charged them more for the painting and maybe even the rock, the talismans, and the pens were priced decently. His impression of him rose significantly and he even nodded at him before leaving. 

The shopkeeper watched with glee and waited until they were gone before running towards the inner room.

"Master, Master, Master," he shouted, happiness radiating on his face.

"Why are you shouting? Can't you let this old man sleep in peace?"

"Master, we had two customers today." The assistant didn't mind his scoldings and relayed the information.

"Oh, what did they buy?" The man didn't budge from his makeshift bed and kept his eyes closed.

"The king's painting by the counter, the useless rock in the showcase, and some talismans and cinnabar pens."

The old man's eyes snapped open and he stared at the assistant in surprise. "What did you just say?"

The assistant didn't dare meet the man's wise eyes. It was as if he could see right through him. He was scared. Yet, he didn't delay and repeated whatever he had said previously.

"Wise choice indeed."

"Master, I wonder why he bought that useless rock. Does he have some strange hobby?"

"A fool will never understand a wise man's actions." That was all the man said before he closed his eyes again.

The assistant was stunned and speechless by his snarky remark. But he didn't take it to heart and returned to the counter, humming a song in content. It was a wonderful day indeed.

Meanwhile, Lionel and Walter left the shop and entered the lane that led to the exit of the ancient market.

"Mr. Higgins, I am done with my shopping. If there's nothing..." 

"Sure, sure, go ahead. Thank you for today." Walter didn't hold him back anymore. It was already kind of the young man to help him evade the swindler, let alone help buy a painting. Even though he wasn't that impressed with what he had bought, he was still grateful.

Lionel knew what exactly was running in the man's mind. But he didn't take it to heart. Instead, he nodded at him and left the market.

Meanwhile, Walter decided to explore more and look for another painting. However, before he could even start, his phone rang and Walter didn't dilly-dally on seeing who was calling him.

"Dad..."

"Son, where are you?" The old man sounded cheerful and Walter scratched his head in wonder.

"I was buying something, Dad. What's wrong?"

"An important guest is visiting us today. Come home soon."

"Yes, Dad." Walter didn't dare waste any time. His plan to buy another painting had to be postponed for the time being.

When Walter reached home, the guest had already arrived and his family was attending to him.

"Son, you are here." His father beckoned him inside and Walter rushed in, only to halt for a moment when he noticed who the guest was.

Rufus Abernathy.

Walter was surprised and jubilant to see such a revered man at his house. 

"Hello, Mr. Abernathy." Walter was polite and greeted him happily.

"Hello, hello." Rufus was cordial and greeted him back. 

"Dad, I didn't know you knew Mr. Abernathy."

"It's a long story." His father brushed it off with a smile. But he didn't miss the scroll case his son was carrying and his eyes narrowed curiously.

"Son, what are you holding?"

Walter was embarrassed and he hid it behind him. "It's nothing, Dad. Nothing at all."

His awkward expression and unconvincing words only served to heighten the old Higgins' interest and he looked at his son sternly.

Under his scrutiny, Walter had no choice but to surrender.

"It's a painting. I chanced upon it and thought it looked nice." Walter glanced at Rufus discreetly and his heart dropped when he noticed that the man's gaze too was fixed on him.

"Would you mind if I take a look?" Rufus asked, much to his worry.

'Would I mind? Yes, I would mind. Who doesn't know you, Sir? You are the famous antique appraiser, Rufus Abernathy. I don't want to show this fake painting to you and embarrass my father.'

Walter was cornered and he didn't know what to do. He darted a pleading look at his father. 

Instead, it only backfired.

"Son, show him the painting."

Now, Walter had no choice but to show the painting to everyone. With a heavy heart, he opened the scroll case and unrolled the painting before placing it on the table for everyone to see.

Something surprising happened the next instant that made Walter go into utter shock.

Rufus, who was watching calmly, jumped to his feet and picked up the painting as if his life depended on it.