The Warlock named Niss was making steady progress. He was on the verge of stripping away the monster's flesh layer by layer and subduing it completely when Luther suddenly spoke up, telling Klein and the others to step back.
His Secrets Suppliant eyes saw it clearly. The Warlock's display was impressive, and it was working. But as the surface curse fell away, something deeper was exposed. A dark aura of Degeneration and evil lurked within that body, and even the glow from the Warlock's powder could not conceal it.
As the flesh vanished, a vague human figure emerged. The darkness within was about to break free.
But no one else could see it. They only saw that Niss's ability was working. The Nighthawks of Enmat Harbor brightened, hoping their only lead might give them a way to solve the case.
Leonard and Klein heard Luther's quiet warning. They glanced at him in surprise, then followed his lead and took a step back, leaving the others in front of them.
"Phew."
As the last of the powder fell, the monster went completely still, reduced to a humanoid form lying facedown on the ground. Niss let out a long breath and said gravely, "I've removed the distortion of its flesh, but it won't stay alive much longer. You'd better investigate it quickly, whether through Spirit Channeling or Divination."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Niss. I'll—"
Edward's smiling reply was cut short as the monster lying quietly on the ground suddenly moved!
"Roar—"
It raised its head. A shrill, piercing roar burst from its mangled mouth, as though a knife had been driven deep into everyone's soul!
Buzz!
Even though Luther had prepared himself, his mind still shook. Fortunately, the Phantom Tide was already surging through him, warding off most of the damage.