Could it be a burglar? But the doors and windows are all locked, and we had the best locksmith in Vista install them.
Sherwood listened intently, but the sound didn't return; it was as if he had imagined it.
He thought for a moment, still feeling uneasy. He put down the ring, opened a drawer, took out a revolver, stood up, and quietly walked to the study door, pressing his ear against it and breathing softly.
Sherwood's heart raced as he tried to hear what was happening outside; the voices came through the door.
"So what is he doing now?"
"Now, we're practically heart-to-heart with each other; he's probably right there by the door, listening to us talk."
"Then we've been discovered...!"
"Yeah, so use all your strength to kick the door open."
Sherwood was shocked. The next second, the study door was kicked open. Caught off guard, Sherwood was knocked backward by the door and stumbled a few steps before falling to the ground.
He looked up and saw a hooded man standing in the doorway, holding a cane, and pushing the revolver that had fallen to the ground into a corner.
"Don't move," the man said.
Another person wearing a hood strolled in slowly from behind and looked around the study.
Sherwood stared at the two robbers. "Who... who are you?!"
The first robber let out a vague "uh," while the second robber shrugged. "Even though you asked so sincerely, I won't be so merciful as to tell you. First, guess who we are."
"You're here to rob us..."
"Heh, maybe it's the Joint Investigation Bureau checking the water meter in the middle of the night."
Upon hearing "water meter check," and noticing the two men's attire, Sherwood's eyes widened; he instantly recognized them. "You're those two from the black market!"
"That's right. After all, we didn't change our clothes. It would be crazy not to recognize us." The second robber nodded. "Since you recognized us, you know why we're here, right?"
What do you want?
"Three things. First, we've double-crossed each other, so the ring is ours."
Sherwood was somewhat unwilling, but looking at the number one robber who had kicked open the study door, was carrying a cane, and was taciturn, he didn't dare to say a word.
Judging from their demeanor, he was certain that although the second robber talked a lot, the real danger was definitely the first robber, who was undoubtedly the kind of ruthless killer who would silently chop people into mincemeat.
The number one robber noticed Sherwood's gaze, looked away, and avoided eye contact. In Sherwood's view, this was an indication of suppressing his brutal, savage nature.
The second robber continued, "The second thing is that I want to ask you why you were willing to spend 20 pounds to buy this ring."
Sherwood sounded a little guilty, "Aren't you guys interested in this ring too...?"
"Nonsense, we're interested because we know the details of this ring. Your willingness to pay for it means you also know the details, so we should ask you where you got that knowledge."
"I only chose it because of its ability to maintain youth; I don't know anything else about it!"
"He's not being honest; we'll have to use some methods."
Sherwood shrank back. "What do you want? I warn you not to do anything rash..."
"That's just empty talk. Do you think I need to warn me if I'm going to mess around?" The second robber pointed at the first robber. "Do you know what he's been up to lately?"
"He owns a ferocious hunting dog. A while ago, he and his dog hunted down and killed a young girl in the wilderness. Not only did he unleash the dog to ambush and tear her apart, but he also broke her arm and watched her bleed slowly..."
Sherwood's gaze involuntarily drifted to the silent figure in the doorway. The hood obscured the person's expression, and the silence was more oppressive than any threat.
He imagined the deranged killer chasing him with his hounds, imagined his limbs being broken, lying in a pool of blood, the hounds pounce and tearing him apart...
"Drag him away, let him experience this too," said the second robber.
"No, no, no!" Sherwood quickly said, "I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything!"
"That's more like it. Now tell me, why were you willing to spend 20 pounds on this ring?"
"I... I heard someone mention this ring at a gathering before."
What kind of gathering?
"It's a gathering of people interested in mysterious things, where they get together to exchange ideas and information. Participants come from all walks of life."
Who mentioned this ring at the rally?
"He was... I don't know his real name. He called himself a ' Bachelor,' and everyone called him a master. He was highly respected at gatherings and had a deep understanding of mysticism."
"That time he spoke of Wonder, mentioning Relic of the deceased gods, said to contain the remnants of divine power. If one could find them, one could obtain a portion of that divine power... Among the Relic he mentioned was the Ring of Morzul..."
Does that Bachelor appear often?
"He only recently appeared at the rally, but because he was invited and vouched for by the organizers, and because he is indeed very knowledgeable, he quickly won everyone's trust."
Who was the organizer who invited him?
"I don't know. The organizers have never shown up. Before each gathering, we receive an invitation to inform us of the time and place. The location is not fixed; sometimes it's at a member's residence, and sometimes it's a rented hotel conference room."
"Oh, quite mysterious. Looks like I'll have to ask more questions." The second robber nodded. "Then, the third thing, on behalf of the Joint Investigation Bureau, is that I need you to provide a detailed statement regarding the suspicious Wonder you purchased on the black market tonight, and the gathering you attended."
Sherwood froze, his expression shifting from confusion to disbelief, then freezing on anger. " Joint Investigation Bureau... you're from the Joint Investigation Bureau?!"
"Didn't I already say 'maybe'?"
"How dare you treat me like this?!" Sherwood's voice rose several octaves. "This is trespassing! This is coercion! I'm going to see your superiors! I'm going to make sure you lose your jobs!"
Faced with Sherwood's rage, Carlo shrugged. "See? Just as I predicted."
Isaac smirked. This was truly a case of unreasonable arguments meeting violent law enforcement; there was neither truth to it nor any way to explain himself.
He was about to ask what to do next—whether to contact the Joint Investigation Bureau or take Mr. Sherwood away directly—when he saw Carlo turn his head toward the window.
"Oh?"
Before Isaac could even grasp the meaning of that "oh," everything around him suddenly stopped, and all sound faded away.
Isaac was unable to move, but his mind remained active.
This is... the boss's Check Domain? What happened?
Then he heard Carlo's voice. "Sigh, it seems I'm still too good-natured. I only made this guy suffer. Someone wants him dead."
"Never mind. Can Isaac Lessing deflect an incoming bullet with something? Check value 40, Dexterity bonus 12, final value 52."