Earthbound Spirit

Just as the officers lifted the head chef, a sudden change occurred. Countless streams of black gas suddenly rose from his body, thick as ink and giving off a nauseating stench. They spread rapidly, nearly corroding the hands of the officers holding him, frightening them into quickly letting go.

The head chef's body began to swell at a visible rate. His once-fitting clothes stretched and tore apart, exposing the jet-black skin beneath, where bizarre patterns had emerged like demonic tattoos.

"What is going on?" one officer shouted in terror, his voice trembling.

"This is bad, he's trying to escape!" Another officer realized something was wrong and swiftly drew his gun, firing at the head chef.

However, the bullets struck the head chef's body as though they had hit steel. After sharp clanging sounds, they bounced to the floor, utterly ineffective.

At that moment, the head chef opened his mouth and let out a deep roar, like an enraged bellow from the abyss of hell. Then, a stream of black mist spewed from his mouth, sweeping through the entire room like a whirlwind. The black fog was intensely corrosive and toxic, leaving the officers struggling to breathe and their eyes stinging.

Akako Koizumi was frantic as she shouted, "Everyone, get out now! It's dangerous here—the thing has appeared!"

"Miss Koizumi, is that the earthbound spirit you mentioned before?" Ran Mouri asked, utterly confused.

"That's right. If my guess is correct, this head chef killed those victims and offered them to the earthbound spirit. He even gave his own soul to it." Akako Koizumi stared resolutely at the scene before her, knowing that the situation had already spiraled out of control. "We have to leave immediately!"

Just then, a hazy figure gradually emerged from the black mist. Though its exact appearance could not be seen clearly, an overwhelmingly powerful presence could be felt.

"So this is an earthbound spirit... But this completely defies scientific principles!" Conan muttered under his breath.

The earthbound spirit spoke in a low, raspy voice. "Trying to run? None of you will leave here alive today..." Before it could finish, it suddenly spread a pair of enormous black wings and lunged at them.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Inspector Megure led his men in firing continuously at the earthbound spirit, but the effect was negligible.

The earthbound spirit easily dodged the bullets, circling the group as if mocking them. Inspector Megure's face turned ashen as he realized that ordinary weapons were completely useless against it.

"Damn it!" he said through gritted teeth. "Notify headquarters and request backup!"

However, the gale generated by the earthbound spirit's wings swept up the surrounding objects. At that moment, the entire hotel was uprooted and hurled down toward them.

At that critical moment, a golden barrier protected everyone.

"This is..." Conan's eyes widened as he stared in shock at the golden radiance enveloping them. Like a solid shield, it wrapped tightly around them all.

"Ai, you're amazing!" Ran Mouri said curiously.

Everyone followed Ran Mouri's gaze and saw Ai standing there, tightly gripping a stack of yellow talismans in her hand. Mysterious light flickered across them, as if they contained endless power.

It turned out that Ai had bought all these yellow talismans from the chat group marketplace, including many charms personally drawn by Uncle Jiu. The one she was gripping now was the Golden Light Protection Talisman, a powerful charm capable of protecting herself or others from the harm of evil forces.

Although she had not possessed many points herself, only a two-digit amount, she had a husband with plenty of points—Lin Yu. Lin Yu had now entrusted all his points to her, making her a true rich woman. Thus, she could use these talismans however she pleased without worrying about spending points.

"Everyone, we're safe for the moment." Ai smiled faintly and greeted them warmly.

Akako Koizumi's eyes widened as she stared at Ai in disbelief. "Miss Haibara, you actually possess such powerful talismans! Where in the world did they come from?!"

Ai Haibara lightly waved the talisman in her hand, the corners of her lips curving into a mysterious smile. "That's a secret."

However, when her gaze shifted to the earthbound spirit, the smile slowly faded from her face, replaced by a stern and vigilant expression.