When Lorena learned that the evil spirits occupying the haunted house had already been eliminated, she didn't hide her disappointment at all. After all, she had originally wanted to perform the exorcism herself, but unfortunately…
"Huh? That fast?"
"I didn't expect it either. Those two idiots were stupid enough to make a move on the very day we moved in."
Facing Lorena's disappointment, Duanmu Huai helplessly spread his hands. He truly hadn't expected it either. According to normal horror movie logic, things weren't supposed to go like this—but unfortunately… these evil spirits didn't follow the script.
"By the way, did you get anything on your end?"
"Nothing at all."
Lorena shook her head.
"Although this place is great for night jogging, I didn't encounter anything."
"Sigh…"
Although he had expected it, hearing this answer still made Duanmu Huai somewhat disappointed. According to the files, the dates of the victims over the past few months had no pattern whatsoever—completely random. And the most annoying kind of crime was exactly this kind of randomness.
It reminded Duanmu Huai of a shocking serial assault case from long ago. The perpetrator's timing had no pattern either, driving the police crazy. Sometimes they would stake out for months with no activity, only for him to act right after they withdrew. Other times, he would commit crimes right under their noses during surveillance.
At one point, some officers even suspected the guy was deliberately messing with them.
Later, after catching the suspect, they learned his "pattern" was this—whenever he argued with his wife at home, he would go out and commit a crime that same night. If they didn't argue, he wouldn't. He didn't care at all whether the police were staking out or not…
Faced with that kind of logic, what could anyone do?
If this time's culprit was the same—only going out to commit crimes after arguing with his wife—then that would be truly hopeless.
Even menstrual cycles are predictable, but who can predict when a couple will argue?!
What are you, a fortune-teller?
In short, aside from waiting like sitting ducks, there was no better method for now.
After waking up and finishing breakfast, Lorena went out again—shopping while acting as bait. Meanwhile, Duanmu Huai returned to the Royal Academy to stake things out. If nothing else, just watching the youthful and beautiful girls there was already a kind of enjoyment.
Unfortunately, although it was a school, the students didn't wear those ultra-short skirts like in anime that barely cover the thighs. Almost all of them wore long dresses…
Well, it has its own charm.
After several days of covert investigation, Duanmu Huai had basically gathered information on all the teachers at the Royal Academy. Next, he just needed to match the intel with individuals, one by one.
For example…
There.
At that moment, a man in a brown suit carrying a briefcase entered Duanmu Huai's field of vision. The man looked ordinary, even a bit sleazy. What stood out most was how he clutched his briefcase like treasure, sneaking glances around as he walked—as if he were a thief.
Right, he was… Joseph Čapek.
Fixing his gaze on the man, Duanmu Huai quickly recalled the information. This teacher had a poor reputation among students—which wasn't surprising. Just looking at his sneaky demeanor made that obvious. Among female students, he even had the nickname "Briefcase Teacher."
Hmm…
Honestly, he ranks pretty high on my suspect list.
As for why? Simple.
Because hadn't there been characters like this in many of the animations he had seen?
An unpopular teacher suddenly gains hypnotic powers or some special equipment. In order to retaliate against student ridicule and vent his frustration, he uses his newfound ability to do whatever he wants to the students—turning them into obedient slaves—and eventually becomes the shadow ruler of the entire academy…
Weren't works like "After School — Wet X Uniform", "Hypnosis Academy", or "X Operation" basically all like this?
Based on my extensive experience browsing group X content—
this teacher definitely has problems!
No way he's innocent!
As if to confirm his suspicion, Professor Čapek walked across the square and approached a trio of beautiful girls, smiling as he struck up a conversation. The girls looked surprised. Then the blonde girl in front began talking with him, while the other two stood by looking uneasy and nervous.
Anyone with eyes could tell—although Čapek appeared enthusiastic, the blonde girl's expression wasn't good. She even seemed somewhat downcast. Combined with the nervous looks of the other two girls, it felt very much like forced interaction.
Hm?
At that moment, Duanmu Huai noticed the dazzling golden eye of one of the girls—and froze.
Isn't that the girl who fell into the river that day?
Didn't expect to run into her here.
He only felt a bit surprised and curious, not particularly concerned. But unexpectedly, the girl seemed to notice his gaze and looked over. When she saw Duanmu Huai, she clearly showed a shocked expression.
"???"
What's going on? Can she see me?
Duanmu Huai was stunned. He was currently using the Dark Raven Guard's stealth technique. Normally, even extraordinary individuals would have difficulty detecting him—yet it was completely ineffective against her?
Wait… could this be the power of the Golden Eye?
That strong?
Duanmu Huai didn't fully understand what the Golden Eye could do. Even players mainly valued [Illusion Immunity] and [Magic Resistance +80%]. As for the vague [Eye of Truth] trait—no one really understood it unless they had it.
But now it seemed…
this Golden Eye is seriously powerful!
I'm practically hiding in subspace—and she still saw me at a glance?
Although he wanted to believe it was coincidence, the girl was clearly staring at him. Left with no choice, Duanmu Huai nodded at her stiffly. She returned a slight nod.
Fortunately, the class bell rang at that moment, and the girl was hurried away by her companions. Otherwise, Duanmu Huai wouldn't even know how to explain things.
Sneaking a look is one thing.
Getting caught sneaking a look is another.
Good thing he had just been standing in the shadows and hadn't done anything weird.
It was like in some anime where the protagonist could move freely during stopped time, so he used it to lift girls' skirts in class—only to be seen by someone else who could also move in stopped time…
That's instant social death.
Thankfully, Duanmu Huai hadn't abused his invisibility to follow girls into changing rooms or walk around naked in the streets. If she had seen that, no explanation in the world would save him.
Thinking about it, Duanmu Huai shuddered.
That was close. Almost capsized in the gutter.
Now that someone could see him, he didn't dare wander around casually anymore. Before, no one could see him—that was fine. Now? One mistake and it'd be over.
Time to bail.
Since his stealth had been exposed, Duanmu Huai didn't dare continue wandering and returned to the apartment. He made another call back to Arkham.
Unfortunately, the news from the maid was still disappointing. According to her, quite a few people had come to buy warding or exorcism items—but almost no one wanted to commission Duanmu Huai.
A few days ago, a professor even came and bought several anti-evil charms—for use in field archaeology…
Damn it, Miskatonic University really knows how to get themselves killed!
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai gritted his teeth in frustration. He had forgotten how reckless those people were. When facing trouble, they never looked for detectives or police—they handled things themselves.
Before, they didn't even have equipment and still went in. Now that they had bought anti-evil items from his shop, they were even more confident!
Although using the Inquisition's relics meant becoming its follower—
it still pissed him off.
You guys are stealing my business!
But thinking again—
whatever.
If they can handle it themselves, it's probably nothing serious.
When they can't handle it, they'll come crawling back.
Late at night, Duanmu Huai and Lorena left the apartment and once again wandered aimlessly through the city, trying to find the rumored killer.
The fog-shrouded city at night was, as always, deathly silent.
On the dim streets, only gas lamps cast faint yellow light. Thick fog filled the air, making even buildings dozens of meters away appear hazy and unreal. Holding his cane, Duanmu Huai walked slowly through the shadows, watching his surroundings.
Ever since arriving here, he had done this every night.
But tonight… felt different.
Duanmu Huai could feel it—
the streets were too empty.
Looking at his pocket watch, it was nearly midnight. Normally, people would be home resting—but even then, there should be police patrols.
Yet for the past half hour, the streets had been completely deserted. Not a single patrol in sight.
Duanmu Huai became alert.
As the saying goes—when something is abnormal, there must be a demon behind it.
Tonight… I might finally get something big.
"AHHHHHH—!!!"
Suddenly, a girl's piercing scream rang out from the distance.
Hearing it, Duanmu Huai froze—then immediately looked up.
Found you!!
In the next instant, his figure flashed as he leapt forward, rushing toward the source of the scream!
As he sprinted—
he felt it.
The city had changed.
The lit windows around him had all gone dark. The fog city now looked like an empty black metropolis. Only Big Ben at the highest point still shone with golden light.
No… this isn't the fog city.
This feels more like subspace.
Gripping his cane, Duanmu Huai charged forward. His speed wasn't fast—but he had his methods.
"Hah!"
With a shout, he leapt onto the rooftops and advanced from above. Soon, his keen hearing caught hurried breathing and rapid footsteps.
Over there!
He turned, locked onto the direction, and rushed forward.
Then—
he found it.
Crossing another block, he saw a figure running down the street. Behind it followed a grotesque, terrifying monster.
Its massive body had iron ribs, inside of which was bound what looked like a corpse-like man. On both sides were enormous blade-like claws. Countless crimson eyes covered its body, staring forward.
Finally found you!
Duanmu Huai's expression darkened. He leapt into the air—and slammed down between the fleeing figure and the monster with a thunderous crash.
"Huh?"
The figure stopped, startled, and looked over.
"It's you?"
"Oh?"
Hearing the voice, Duanmu Huai turned his head.
A blonde girl in a black dress stood there, staring at him in surprise—her right eye glowing gold.
Her again?
Well… not surprising.
With the Golden Eye, getting dragged into weird shit is normal.
"...!!"
At the same time, the monster roared.
It glared at Duanmu Huai, its fury and greed unmistakable. Its massive blade-like claws swung wildly, as if ready to tear everything apart. The crimson eyes across its body glowed with vile, hateful light.
"…Golden Eye… give it… to me…!!"
I see.
So this thing is after the Golden Eye.
"That depends on whether you have the ability!"
Duanmu Huai's expression hardened. Gripping his cane, black flames erupted from his body.
"Die, monster!"