Dokule was sent flying by the speeding carriage.
The reporter's body spun three or four times in midair before crashing to the ground several meters away. His chest was visibly caved in, and blood began pouring uncontrollably from his mouth, nose, and ears.
The sight left Scott and the two onlookers frozen in shock.
They had heard Arthur's curse against Dokule loud and clear.
Only moments ago, they had thought it was nothing more than an angry outburst.
But now?
A curse!
A real curse!
Scott looked at Arthur and sucked in a sharp breath.
He knew about curses!
Mr. Charlie had told him that a curse could only form when someone died bearing an immense sense of injustice.
It was virtually impossible for the living to curse another person. Even a master like Mr. Charlie needed extensive preparations to accomplish it, yet what had happened before their eyes was real!
That left only one possibility-
Arthur hasn't merely inherited Mr. Charlie's bloodline. He's surpassed him!
Arthur is...
A true master!
The instant that thought surfaced, the way Scott looked at Arthur changed.
Scott, who loved and pursued the mysterious from the bottom of his heart, felt not only astonishment now, but respect!
Didn't a true master deserve respect?
Compared to Scott's astonishment and respect, Fontel and Wiggins, who had been hired to come here, felt nothing but terror.
Dokule was dead.
He had died under a curse.
Then what about the two of them, whom Dokule had hired?
"Mr. Credos, we mean you no harm!"
"We were only deceived by this man!"
"Please forgive our ignorance!"
Both the well-dressed young man and the young man who had previously remained indifferent began pleading over and over.
Even heroes could not face death calmly.
How much less could two young men who were essentially just here to join the commotion?
Arthur ignored them.
He swore he really hadn't intended to kill Dokule just now. His original plan had been to scare him first, then find him that night and arrange an accident, something like carbon monoxide poisoning.
Who knew [Remnant Dark Serpent's Serpent Eye] would work so well!
Who knew a carriage would happen to come racing past right then!
Involuntarily, Arthur turned his gaze toward the carriage.
This was no cheap, two-wheeled Hansen Carriage with the driver stationed at the rear, but a four-wheeled Lada Carriage. Drawn by two horses, it was faster and steadier, with a cabin made entirely of century-old oak coated in dark matte paint. Its soft top was lined with velvet and covered with buffalo hide, and could be opened or closed at its owner's whim. It offered protection from wind and rain and was exceptionally convenient.
In South Los, oak represented glory, strength, and an indomitable spirit.
Velvet, meanwhile, was famously expensive.
Naturally, a Lada Carriage cost an enormous amount.
At the very least, ordinary middle-class people and the merely wealthy could not afford one.
Of course, to distinguish themselves from public carriages, ordinary middle-class and wealthy people would choose a Bloom Carriage, an enclosed, single-seat carriage drawn by one horse. Most of the time, however, these single-seat carriages were modified to have two facing seats, making them convenient for family use while also suitable for formal occasions.
With his predecessor's memories in his mind, Arthur knew perfectly well that this carriage's owner was either rich or of high status.
The driver only confirmed that impression.
He was unlike the average driver, who would panic after running someone over.
Upon realizing he had struck someone, this driver immediately pulled on the reins, jumped down from the carriage, and checked Dokule's injuries.
When he found Dokule's chest caved in and blood flowing from all seven facial orifices, leaving little chance of survival, he immediately hurried toward the street entrance-not to flee, but to report it to the police.
Because it was close to West Merck Avenue, the entrance to Kirk Street had not only a patrol officer but also a police booth.
Only after bringing the officer back from the booth did the driver approach Kirk Street No. 2.
"I'm terribly sorry that this happened.
"The police officer will handle the matter appropriately.
"If you need anything, please let me know."
The driver bowed politely and spoke with great courtesy, but the substance of his words was anything but simple.
He admitted fault from the outset, yet instead of immediately offering compensation, he said the police would handle it. Clearly, he was absolutely confident that his side would receive "fair treatment," eliminating any chance of inflated demands or extortion. Combined with the carriage standing in the road, that told everyone how they should act.
"You misunderstand. This wasn't your fault. The tragedy happened because Dokule rushed out just now."
Scott stepped forward to speak on everyone's behalf.
The young reporter concealed little of what had happened and gave an honest account. Though the two young men hired by Dokule were still frightened and unsettled, they could at least nod in agreement.
As for Arthur?
He stood silently to one side, taking an unobtrusive glance at the plainly dressed Wiggins instead. When the officer appeared, the young man had tugged down the brim of his hat to hide his face.
Afraid of the police?
And he's from the streets. A gang member? Or a pickpocket?
As Arthur pondered this with interest, he turned to examine the driver standing before him. The seemingly loose linen shirt beneath his suspenders had pulled taut when he bowed, bulging at the shoulders. His rolled-up sleeves exposed thick forearms, and his fingers had large joints and calluses over the knuckles. Arthur immediately decided that if he ever came into conflict with this man, he absolutely must not fight him at close quarters.
This driver doubles as a bodyguard. There's a dagger in his boot, and the driver's seat is covered with felt, probably concealing one or two firearms beneath it. There's no mud on the wheels, which means they've only been traveling around the Shire District within the city. And their speed just now means they're in a hurry...
No! That's not right!
They came from Dale Lane, where the residents are relatively well-off commoners. Although the rush of people heading to work is over by this hour, the busiest period isn't. Wives and younger sons who supplement their household income would all be heading out now!
Under those circumstances, entering Dale Lane in this carriage would itself be a serious waste of time.
With the aid of [Keen Eyes], Arthur swiftly gathered all the information, but soon spotted a contradiction.
Involuntarily, Arthur looked at the driver again.
As it happened, the driver had just finished listening to Scott's explanation and turned his gaze toward Arthur as well.
His eyebrows rose and his mouth parted slightly. Although he immediately returned to normal, his surprise was still unmistakable. What truly mattered, however, was the distinct change in the muscles around his eyes afterward, making even his faint crow's-feet more pronounced.
He's pleased. Is he holding back a smile?
Arthur immediately understood what was going on.
He sighed inwardly.
Dokule, you really had death coming!
Clearly, the driver before him had come for Dokule.
No!
More precisely, the person inside the carriage had come for Dokule!
Even if Arthur hadn't acted, the person in the carriage would certainly have killed Dokule.
In fact, they had probably changed their original plan the instant they saw Dokule rush out, ordering the carriage to accelerate straight into him.
Arthur had no interest whatsoever in their original plan.
What occupied him now was what he could gain from the situation before him.
Dokule, whom the other party genuinely wanted dead, had already been "killed ahead of time" by Arthur. Therefore, as long as they weren't fools, this would be treated as an accident.
They would certainly conceal their own involvement and begin widely publicizing the so-called "medium's curse."
Expand my influence and gain more XP!
That was what Arthur wanted.
As for anything more?
Dokule, lying nearby in a pool of blood, was the perfect example of what happened when greed emerged without sufficient strength to back it up.
Judging by their methods, these were not people who would be easy to deal with.
So Arthur looked at the driver, smiled, and said,
"This is a tragedy none of us wanted to see, isn't it?"
"Of course!"
"This was merely a coincidence, a tragedy brought about by coincidence!"
The driver emphasized this, then continued-
"After all, we came today to pay you a visit!"
Visit me?
Arthur's eyes immediately narrowed.
Before you continue