The Frye Family, Three People

The voice was too short, and the emotional fluctuations caused severe voice distortion. In addition, the voice transmitted over the phone was already unclear, making it difficult to distinguish the voice.

Paul was the first to shake his head.

A few seconds later, Mr. Sawyer also shook his head. "I can't think of anyone."

Dr. Morgan sighed, then turned back to continue working with Professor Rice on the unfinished ritual plan.

But Mr. Sawyer was not giving up. He took the phone from Jack, hung up the call, and dialed an outside number.

A man answered the phone, "Hello."

"Bishop, are you alright?" Mr. Sawyer asked.

"Mr. Sawyer? Yes, I'm fine. Is there something urgent? You know, it's currently—"

"No, nothing's wrong." Mr. Sawyer hung up the phone before the other person could finish speaking.

Without pausing, he quickly dialed a new number.

Paul initially stood beside Mr. Sawyer, but soon moved on to Hope.

Hope looked at Mr. Sawyer, puzzled. Paul explained to Hope, "He probably wanted to call every user on this phone line to find out the source of the call just now."

Hope closed his eyes, and in the darkness, his attributes and some other things became apparent:

Self-Being: 1.26, Spirit Body: 1.10, Self-Sense: 0.57, Inspiration: 0.11, Wilbur: 0, 3

Presumably because Wilbur wasn't killed by Hope herself, the second-to-last number remains zero.

The last number, which was originally reduced to zero when Hope used the "Exchange" to remove the disappearance from Oliver's skull, was already consumed again.

Three more people have died—it must be the person on the other end of the phone.

He opened his eyes, but didn't tell anyone else for the time being.

He noticed that Paul's expression was somewhat subtle, not as warm and friendly as before.

It's because I'm too nervous----

No.

Hope quickly figured out the reason.

Paul was present when Dr. Morgan shot Lavinia.

Hope patted Paul on the shoulder, hesitated for a moment, and said nothing.

Paul seemed to feel a little better because of this.

The blond youth couldn't hide his distress, nervousness, and confusion, but he still managed a smile.

"Where was that Monster when you last saw it?" Hope asked.

Jack answered Hope: "It's on Sentinel Hill. That thing has always been entrenched on the Sentinel Hill —but it shouldn't be there now."

"That Monster —it's absolutely awful," Paul said.

At this moment, Dr. Morgan suddenly raised his head. "I think Professor Rice and I have completed this ritual. Now, is there anyone willing to act as bait?"

Although he was asking a question, he was looking directly at Jack.

"Why not you?" Jack asked.

"I need to prepare for the ceremony," Dr. Morgan replied.

"You can complete the ritual first, and then act as bait."

Professor Rice explained on behalf of Dr. Morgan: "He can't do that because someone has to keep the ritual running continuously—it's not the kind of ritual that can operate independently once it's set up, and I can't do that."

"Okay." Jack nodded, glancing at Hope.

Hope looked at him too. "What are you doing?"

"Since it's bait," Jack said, "Running fast isn't enough; you need bait that's attractive enough."

"I can't ride a horse," Hope said. "Nor can I drive, and I have a hard time using my magic in front of that guy. If you want me to run there—that's murder."

"It's alright, I can ride a horse and drive a car," Jack replied. "You can ride whichever way you want. If you're light enough, I can even carry you on my back. You don't have to think about anything or do anything; you just need to take a little risk."

The plan was roughly in place, but neither Paul nor Mr. Sawyer received a small task.

This might sound somewhat dismissive.

But perhaps having already witnessed the Transparent Monster firsthand, neither Paul nor Mr. Sawyer raised any objections.

Professor Armitage ----

He didn't participate in their conversation, but continued drinking his coffee.

Hope noticed a small Briefcase at Professor Armitage's feet.

The Briefcase was silver with a metallic sheen. Although it was hard to see clearly, Hope guessed from its obviously extraordinary appearance that the Briefcase must be quite valuable.

I wonder what's inside.

Mr. Sawyer hung up the phone again, and this time, he didn't call back.

"Found it?" Paul asked.

Mr. Sawyer nodded. "Most residents didn't sleep well today, only Elmer the Frye family didn't answer the phone."

Hope noticed that Paul seemed relieved; the the Frye family probably didn't have any of his relatives or friends.

"We're going to the Flye House," Dr. Morgan said.

No one objected to him.

That was the end of it.

But after repeated persuasion from almost everyone, Mr. Sawyer finally agreed to stay.

Today's events clearly shocked and exhausted the old gentleman; he didn't even notice the tear in his "Agricultural Chairman" armband.

Dr. Morgan, Professor Rice, and Professor Armitage chose to travel by car, with Professor Armitage still carrying his small Briefcase.

Hope, Jack, and Paul opted to ride horses.

Jack turned out to be quite skilled at riding; the horse from Corey's stable was even more docile under his saddle than it was under Paul's. Riding was a better option for the work they were about to do.

Hope rode with him on the same horse, sitting behind him.

Paul rode the other horse and led the way for them.

Unlike Jack's smugness, Hope was much more nervous.

Not to mention riding a horse, this was almost the first time Hope had ever actually seen a horse.

He was able to sit on it with the help of both Jack and Paul.

Professor Armitage suggested that Hope travel by car first and then mount the horse once they arrived, given Hope's poor physical condition.

But Jack flatly refused, with good reason. "That's precisely why Hope should sit on the horse and get used to it. Even if he really can't ride a horse due to health reasons, it's good for him to know in advance."

He persuaded Professor Armitage, and he also persuaded Hope.

Paul actually found a two-person saddle.

After mounting the horse, Hope felt that it was somewhat familiar.

Dr. Morgan, who was passing by, paused for a moment. He handed Hope a bottle of Spirit-Infused Water with a spray nozzle, and while looking at the horse, he said, "This is Jenny II, the most docile, loyal, and courageous horse I have ever seen. Paul said that Jenny II is far inferior to Jenny. If what he said is true, then Jenny must be an exceptional horse."

Dr. Morgan looked at Jack: "There used to be another horse named Jack, but unfortunately Jack was a coward and ran away, abandoning us. Luckily Jenny II is still here."

"I think it must be the owner's fault," Jack said. "If it were me, it wouldn't have run away."

Hope wasn't listening to their conversation; he looked at Paul with surprise at the name "Jenny II".

Paul smiled. "Actually, the idea that Jenny II is inferior to Jenny is probably just a misunderstanding on my part. Jenny II might even be better than Jenny. You might not believe it, but that Monster was on the mountaintop, and Jenny carried me, Mr. Sawyer, and Dr. Morgan back here."