Chapter 122

The explosive Mr. Sawyer referred to was a mixture of nitroglycerin and other substances, a specially manufactured agricultural explosive that was less powerful but safer compared to other explosives of the time.

They were purchased to cultivate a piece of wasteland next to Sentinel Hill, but due to a miscalculation, only half of it was actually used.

"Using explosives—to reclaim wasteland?" Hope's knowledge increased.

"Blast those annoying big rocks. You can't expect to move those waist-high rocks entirely by manpower," Mr. Sawyer said. "That was six months ago. We originally intended to sell the rest, but couldn't find a buyer, so they've been sitting there until now, and they've finally come in handy."

Dr. Morgan added, "Without these, it would be very difficult to buy explosives and have them delivered now."

Also in useful was Dr. Morgan's small truck, which he had driven there to haul away the Great Night Hawk's carcass, now being used to transport explosives.

Mentioning the Great Night Hawk, Dr. Morgan looked at Hope meaningfully. "Elizabeth said you killed that big guy."

"Yes." Hope didn't think there was any need to hide these things from Dr. Morgan at this time.

"You—" Dr. Morgan hesitated for a moment, "After that, did you sense anything unusual?"

abnormal----

Hope described the mental block he experienced after hearing the Night Hawk's cry.

He then touched his back. "Do you need me to show you the feathers growing on my shoulder blades?"

Dr. Morgan shook his head. "We'll talk about it later. We have other things to do right now. But don't try to kill the Great Night Hawk again."

Hope recalled the Affliction he felt after the Great Night Hawk's death—he certainly wouldn't do it again, but Dr. Morgan must have had other reasons for saying so.

"Why?" Hope asked.

"That's Night Hawk that eats people's souls. Killing it won't bring relief to the souls it devours," Dr. Morgan said. "That confused soul will come into your body—it may be unconscious, but there will definitely be some remnants that will affect you—maybe you won't be yourself anymore."

Causes impact----

Hope roughly understood what Dr. Morgan meant—memories and personality could be tainted by that flawed soul.

That dark figure----

Old Whateley's younger brother, Number One Hope's great-uncle----

Hope has not yet found any effect from the shadowy figure on him.

He attributed this to the blessing of the King of Kings.

They stopped talking about the Great Night Hawk, Paul, Mr. Sawyer, and Dr. Morgan began discussing the details of using explosives.

Hope knew nothing about it and could only listen from the sidelines.

But just then, Corey's phone rang.

Paul answered the phone, glanced up at Mr. Sawyer, but quickly looked back at Dr. Morgan: "It's your friend calling. He dialed Mr. Sawyer's house, and Mrs. Sally Miller transferred the call here."

Mrs. Sally Miller was Mr. Sawyer's maid.

Dr. Morgan walked over, and as he passed Hope, he patted Hope on the shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Hope asked, puzzled.

"Do you remember why I wanted to rescue you from the Whateley House?" Dr. Morgan said. "Now, it seems an accident has occurred."

The doctor took the receiver. "Yes, I can hear you. Go ahead, Jack."

"The Necronomicon is with me." A jumble of voices came through the microphone. "Professor Rice has kept it very well. He did a great job, changing the location of the Necronomicon beforehand, otherwise Professor Armitage and I would have been too late."

"But the problem now is that Oliver is in Wilbur's arms, Wilbur, unable to find the Necronomicon, went straight to the Skull Museum."

Dr. Morgan sighed, "He clearly knows the use of the skull."

He frowned and said, "Find a way to subdue Wilbur and get the skull. Ah, Hope Love thinks so too."

But Jack acted as if he hadn't heard him. "Now I want to ask you what to do next. We're currently at a stalemate with Wilbur, and we're considering whether to use the Necronomicon to swap skulls with him."

"Damn it!" Dr. Morgan cursed, his tone barely managing to remain calm. "He's invading now, you should shut him down—"

He let out a sigh of relief, "Don't trade with him. Wait a little longer. Don't forget, we've already promised that book to Hope Love."

Dr. Morgan held the microphone out to Hope.

Hope knew Dr. Morgan was trying to use his position to offset Oliver's influence, so he stepped forward. "Yes, Mr. Jack, I think we've already agreed that the book is mine." He paused, considering his words: "And, in any case, don't give it to Wilbur."

"Okay," Jack replied, "Although I'm neither a librarian nor the head librarian, well—anyway, I'm here now. I'll reserve the book for you."

"Alright." Dr. Morgan took back the microphone. "Forget Wilbur, just bring the book back—damn it, if Wilbur attacks you, you'll defend yourself, right?"

"Ask them where they are," Hope said before Jack could answer.

Dr. Morgan looked at Hope and then said, "Jack, where are you now?"

"Library."

"I know you're at the library, but the library is too big; I need a more precise location."

There was some noise coming from the microphone; it seemed Jack had moved the microphone away and was asking other people questions.

"Second Circulation Desk," Jack said.

The Second Circulation Desk? Hope was learning for the first time that the Phillips Library had two reading desks.

"On the fourth floor," Dr. Morgan explained to Hope. "You'll see them once you're on the fourth floor; the stairs to the fourth floor are opposite the Skull Museum."

The Skull Museum is on the third floor.

The doctor took out his revolver and dagger from his pocket and handed them to Hope.

He saw Hope awkwardly trying to open the wheel, so he looked at Paul.

Paul gave Hope a quick lesson on how to use a revolver:

Pull the trigger, pull the trigger again, and then, after all six bullets are gone, throw the pistol away.

Dr. Morgan then asked Jack, "Is Wilbur there too?"

"Yes," Jack replied, "Professor Rice Professor Armitage are talking to him—don't worry, he can't hear what we're saying."

"That's good," Dr. Morgan said. "You must protect Hope Love."

Jack was a little stunned. "He's not here."

"He's downstairs from you, he'll be here soon," Dr. Morgan said. "Also, if anything happens between Wilbur and Hope, that's their business—of course, protect Hope Love."

Dr. Morgan hung up the phone.

He turned around and saw that Paul and Mr. Sawyer both had their eyes closed.

He coughed.

Mr. Sawyer opened his eyes and looked around. "Where did that young man go?"

"He's not involved in our bomb-laying project," Dr. Morgan replied. "He'll be in charge of other things."