The missing doctor
Hillston District, Quelaag Club.
It's around four in the afternoon, a perfect time for tea. In the spacious and bright restaurant on the first floor, round tables are arranged in a row, separated by screens, providing guests with a relatively private space.
Waiters moved through the restaurant, the rich aroma of black tea filled the air, and the clinking of cups and saucers, along with the guests' quiet conversation, created a refined and delightful afternoon tea scene.
"Can you tell me how your colleague went missing?"
Klein, holding a warm teacup, asked the renowned Surgeon across from him, Aaron Chris.
"My colleague's Rian Ryan Thomas. Last night, he had an emergency surgery that was added at the last minute. Because of this surgery, he left work a few hours later than usual, and when he left, only the on-call staff were left at the hospital."
Aaron, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, was tall and thin. Although he was usually somewhat aloof, he seemed uneasy at this moment. "At first, we thought Thomas was just too tired last night, which caused him to be a few hours late. But we didn't see him until noon, and even his family came to the hospital looking for him, saying that he hadn't come home last night, so we started to worry."
Did you call the police?
"Klein asked."
"I called the police, but the officers at the Sivellaus Yard, forgive my bluntness, but they didn't seem professional or concerned about Thomas's safety."
Aaron replied, his brow furrowing slightly, as if recalling something unpleasant.
Loen's police
Klein couldn't help but smile slightly, then quickly lowered his head and took a sip of tea to cover it up. "What did they say?"
"The officers thought Thomas had only stayed out one night and it wasn't anything to make a fuss about. Maybe he was out partying at a bar all night and still hungover; or maybe he went off to 'cure' some lady—that's ridiculous! Thomas is the most dedicated and restrained doctor I've ever met; he wouldn't abandon his patients to go off and cause trouble!"
Doctor Aaron rarely showed such emotion.
"Alright, Aaron."
Mike, the reporter standing nearby, laughed and said, "Don't be angry, listen to how our great Detective reasons."
Unfortunately, I'm not good at reasoning. How about I try Divination to find someone?
Klein muttered to himself.
"Have you searched the area from his house to the hospital?"
"We've looked, but no one's here."
Has he done anything unusual recently?
"No, it's the same as always."
"What about his financial situation? Has he borrowed money from anyone, or suddenly acquired a large sum of money from an unknown source?"
"None of these situations exist."
Aaron replied.
It sounds perfectly normal.
Klein thought to himself as he casually pulled a coin from his pocket with his right hand. He flicked the coin up, then let it fall freely into his hand, muttering to himself, "Thomas is safe now."
"Snap."
The coin fell, but he felt no Spirituality connection, perhaps because there was too little information available. If he wanted to investigate seriously, he would need to go to the hospital or the other person's home, which might take some time.
The problem is, Klein just doesn't have much time.
Recently, [The Sun] has been using his [All-Black Eye] to induce the Degeneration survey team members to reveal their true forms, requiring him to respond promptly and receive the item.
Not only that, he also asked Miss Justice to investigate the bookmarks in the Roselle Exhibition. There might be a "Card of Blasphemy" hidden inside. In addition, he was to attend the "Eye of Wisdom" gathering tonight.
Klein thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth.
"I'm sorry, Aaron. I've been busy with other cases lately and really can't find the time."
He said sincerely.
"I see, Sherlock. You don't need to apologize; it was my presumption." Aaron looked slightly disappointed upon hearing this. "I should have known. A famous Detective like you must have a lot of cases to handle."
You're overthinking it. I just happened to run into a bunch of things.
Klein thought to himself, then said to Aaron, "How about this, if the police really can't help you, I'll introduce you to other reliable Detective."
Isengard Stanton, Stuart. I have some connections in this circle.
"Okay, thank you very much."
Aaron breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this.
So Klein gave Isengard Stanton his contact information. After that, they chatted for a while, and then Klein made an excuse to leave.
A message came from [the Sun] that Degeneration cultists had come knocking, and conflict could break out at any moment.
City of Silver.
What's on you?!
What's on you?!
A somber, insane voice echoed in Derrick's room. He was shocked to see his former friend Dark becoming increasingly inhuman and showing great interest in the objects in his hands that possessed the aura of True Creator.
Give it to me!
Countless bloody strips of flesh sprouted from Dark's body, making him look like a Flesh hedgehog. He had completely lost his humanity, and only felt an immense Greed for that black eye.
"Boom!"
"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era."
Derrick swung his axe down, lightning Slash as it struck Dark's Distortion body, halting its movement. He took the opportunity to whisper the Honorific Name of Mr. Fool, followed by other incantations.
"Please accept his offering."
Call!
An invisible wind swept through the room, and the door to the sacrifice opened.
He has successfully revealed Dark's true state of Degeneration. Now, before he is stopped, he must return the [All-Black Eye] to Mr. Fool as soon as possible!
"Stop!"
In a Concealment corner, before the observer could stop him, Derrick had already successfully sacrificed the item.
"Swish swish!"
The dark shadows transformed into liquid, enveloping Dark and Derrick, who had become Flesh hedgehogs. The observer, seeing the sacrifice successfully completed, appeared somewhat angry.
He quickly subdued the two men and then led them rapidly towards the area where the City of Silver Chief was located, to inform him of what had just happened!
He moved swiftly through the dark streets, with occasional thunderclaps illuminating the street above. However, what the observer was unaware of was that, within his shadow, Dark, transformed Dark Monster, was still at work.
In the shadows, Dark's Flesh was deformed, except for his head, which remained intact. It opened its mouth and chanted softly.
"The Creator of everything."
That is the Honorific Name of the True Creator!
"Lord, please accept the sacrifice of your humble servant."
As Dark said this, blood began to flow from his nose and ears at the same time, followed by a grayish-white liquid.
At the same time, an unseen force began to emerge, transmitting its memories—all the scenes it had just witnessed and the prayers it had Derrick— to an unknown being.
Dear readers, my editor, Sister Jiang Cha from Group 10 [Douyin ID: Qidian Editor Jiang Cha], will be making her first live manuscript review appearance tonight at 9:30 PM on Douyin, together with Qidian editors A Pei and Lu Ming. Those interested can check it out.