Basement on the Fifteenth Floor

"Chang'an, what's wrong?"

As I asked proactively, I was the first to step out of the entryway, casually closing my front door behind me to prevent Maza, who was hiding in the bedroom, from overhearing our conversation.

My friend seemed a bit puzzled that I had deliberately chosen to have our talk in the apartment building's hallway, but he didn't question it. Instead, he greeted me first. "I saw your text saying you were taking leave from school. Are you feeling unwell, or is there an emergency? If it's not a good time, I can come back another day."

"It's fine. I just don't feel like going to class today." I brushed off the matter of my leave and steered the conversation back to him. "Let's talk about your problem first. You don't look well, and you specifically came to see me. Is there something you need my help with?"

"Yes, there is..." His attention was more easily drawn than usual, and he was clearly preoccupied. "This matter... I can only discuss it with you."

"Oh?" I immediately became interested. "Could it be..."

Before I could probe further, he cut straight to the chase and admitted, "It's exactly what you're thinking."

I nodded, as expected.

I knew all too well how my friends and others viewed me. If there was any topic that required me specifically as a consultant, it would only be something of a supernatural nature.

While I had visited the parties involved in supernatural events many times myself, it was rare for them to seek me out for consultation.

Moreover, this time, it was my friend seeking my advice. He wasn't some clueless fool lacking basic scientific common sense, nor was he someone who would deliberately spin a tale to amuse me. The clues he brought me were something I had to take seriously.

At this thought, Maza's words from earlier suddenly echoed in my mind.

-- "I... am not like you. I'm a jinx."

-- "People who are with me, people who get involved with me... always get entangled in bizarre events that defy common sense, far more than others."

Wait, she had just brought this up, and now something related to the supernatural was coming my way. Could her power of misfortune actually be at play?

Has it really become this effective? This is too much, too soon... I mean, trouble follows close behind.

Or was it just a coincidence?

In my opinion, Maza was an utterly incredible girl. If this matter had any causal connection to her, even an unseen one, then I would need to elevate my level of concern to the maximum.

However, to be completely honest, without concrete evidence, even I couldn't treat Maza's "jinx" claims with 100% seriousness.

"Since you have time, let's go to where I'm staying now," my friend suggested.

Maza was still at my place, and I didn't want to go far.

"Can't you explain it here first?"

"You can... but..." He hesitated. "But this matter, if you don't see it with your own eyes, you might not even believe me."

"Is that so..."

"Are you really too busy with an emergency to spare time? Then I can wait until you've resolved it."

Despite his words, my friend's eyes were filled with eager anticipation. If I refused him here, he would undoubtedly be devastated.

I held up a hand to signal a pause. "Give me a minute to think."

My friend could only patiently wait, while I lowered my head in thought--

What I initially wanted from Maza was nothing more than the secret she was hiding, and she had revealed it all. So, my task could be considered half-completed.

The other half of the task was to verify the truth of what she had told me.

That is, to take care of her for a few days until she recovered to the point where she could use her superpowers. Everything depended on whether she could truly use them. In other words, Maza's situation had now shifted from an "urgent matter" to something that "cannot be rushed."

I wanted to keep a constant watch on Maza, but I couldn't just stay cooped up at home until she recovered-- no, wait, maybe I could? I could order food deliveries, and staying indoors with the door shut was entirely feasible. More importantly, I was willing to do it.

However, after careful consideration, I made a different decision, albeit reluctantly.

"Let's go. We'll leave now."

"Great!" My friend's face lit up with joy.

"Wait for me for a moment. I need to pack a few things at home. I'll be quick."

I asked my friend to wait outside, then closed the door behind me. Back inside, I went to the bedroom to inform Maza that I would be going out for a bit. Maza didn't seem to connect her declared "jinx constitution" with such a swift turn of events. She merely cautioned me to be careful when I went out. To prevent her from retrieving her handgun, I took my backpack with me, hiding the firearm in its deepest compartment.

Since Maza couldn't move freely now, I didn't need to worry about her leaving on her own while I was gone. However, my concern made me overthink, and I was afraid she might run away while I was away. My accompanying my friend now also served another purpose.

Being alone could best reveal a person's true, natural state. I wanted to see what Maza's state would be at my home when I wasn't present.

To achieve this, I needed to set up "surveillance cameras" in my house.

Naturally, such devices couldn't be set up properly within such a short timeframe while also evading Maza's senses. Besides, I wasn't the type of person who would have hidden surveillance cameras ready in my home at all times.

Therefore, I would use my superpower here.

Returning to the entryway, I turned and extended my fingers towards the empty air.

Regarding the specifics of my superpower, I'll keep it a secret for now.

In reality, the power I wield isn't so complex that it needs to be concealed to this extent. On the contrary, it's likely a very simple and common power in the world of superpowered individuals.

However, my friend might be taking me to witness an event related to the supernatural soon, and in such a special situation, this particular power might find its use. Many characters in fantasy stories demonstrate their abilities while explaining their power system; I've always longed for a scene like that and wanted to try it out.

For now, I'll reveal just a "tip of the iceberg" of my power.

A small, orange-red point of light appeared on my fingertip, fluttering into the air like a firefly. Then came a second, a third, a fourth...

Over a dozen "fireflies" dispersed one after another into various corners of the house.

These little things shared a spiritual connection with me. They were my "eyes" when I wasn't physically present.

After making these arrangements, I turned and opened the door, saying to my friend waiting outside, "Sorry to keep you waiting, let's go."

He was eager, and we went downstairs together, left the complex, and headed in the direction of his place.

I silently used "Hotarubi" to sense the images and sounds from my home.

Strictly speaking, the information shared by "Hotarubi" wasn't visual or auditory. If I had to describe it, it was like my imagination uncontrollably painting pictures and sounds in my consciousness.

I'm sure many people have experienced a climactic scene from a movie replaying in their minds, or a catchy song looping endlessly after hearing it. It's pretty much like that.

When I first left, Maza, who was in the room, showed no reaction, just sitting silently on the bed. But as time passed, she seemed to become generally convinced that I wouldn't be returning anytime soon. The gentle expression on her face quickly faded, replaced by a cold and numb look.

She immediately got out of bed, put on her slippers, and slowly moved to the entryway. Then she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, looking around.

Is she preparing to escape?

My heart skipped a beat, and I wanted to turn back immediately.

But before I could even turn, she went back inside the room and closed the door behind her.

My friend noticed my troubled expression.

"Acheng, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just suddenly felt like sneezing..."

I calmed my racing heart for the moment and continued to spy on the mysterious and beautiful girl, trying to figure out her every move.

Maza was tense, like a small stray dog just adopted by a stranger, looking around the room. She would occasionally glance back towards the entryway, likely on guard against me returning unexpectedly.

She also rummaged through nearby items, picking them up only to carefully put them back in their original places. It didn't seem like she was searching for anything specific, but rather trying to investigate my background.

Perhaps it wasn't just me who found her full of mysteries; from her perspective, I was likely just as enigmatic.

Realizing this, I felt a little happy—was I a "mysterious character" too?

Her initial attitude towards me, this "suspicious" individual, was prickly, showing clear resistance and aggression. However, after I dealt with the police, she suddenly backed down. I had wondered if my act of feigned kindness had fooled her, but now I understood.

The reason she suddenly became more accommodating was likely based on a very practical reason—I had a gun.

Yet, even in such a disadvantageous position, she never tried to placate me. Was it because she possessed extraordinary integrity, or did she think such a drastic change in attitude would only make me dislike her more?

Ultimately, why did the police identify her as a serial killer?

Why was she wearing a hospital gown when I first found her? Had she been in a hospital before? Perhaps she was a patient who escaped from a mental institution, and everything she told me was the ravings of a madwoman?

I wasn't in a hurry to get answers anymore. There would be plenty of time later. I wanted to savor this unusual cohabitation experience slowly.

My friend, looking preoccupied, sat down with me at a nearby tea restaurant, and I shifted my focus to him.

"To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings later, I need to explain everything clearly before I show you that thing," he said with a grave expression.

"Go ahead," I gestured.

He first posed a question: "You still remember where I live, right?"

"I do, the house where someone died," I replied.