17 A Mystic Investigation (1/2)

Just as Dante finished saying those words, the atmosphere suddenly got weird. The remaining duo stood with different thoughts in their heads, and Garett felt that he couldn't be sure of whom to trust anymore.

So they really moved in and acted as new tenants and neighbors to monitor me... Garett felt stifled as he didn't do anything that warranted this kind of attention! Well, at least not that he remembered.

”What did I do to deserve this?” He lowly mumbled, feeling the weight of the situation and unsure of his fate. Because of things that he couldn't even remember, he became entangled with two major organizations in the kingdom!

Even if the experienced hunter duo surely had heard his mumbling, they abstained from commenting. Sometimes it was better to leave one with their own thoughts, even more so if you were related to the situation in one way or another.

Talking would only aggravate the situation.

Dante stood silent for a second before turning, his objective clear to follow the shade and end this investigation as soon as possible.

Alice also wasn't one to linger, even with her carefree attitude, she was still experienced enough to understand this kind of things.

...

Climbing the set of stairs with Garett in tow, the duo understood that every floor had three apartments, and every single one of those apartments had the same old and dilapidated exterior.

Using the artifact, Dante was able to focus on that specific shade and followed her to the outermost residence. This apartment stood at the back, giving a clear view to the side alley and easy access to the emergency stairs that one could use as an escape route.

”The landlord has keys to every room, in case something happens to the tenant or someone stops paying rent. We could ask hi-” Garett's monologue was interrupted by the noise when Dante unexpectedly extended his hand and turned the handle, the door emitted a deep squeal while opening, as it was characteristic from every old door.

”It was open.” Dante spat while glancing at Garett, his eyes conveying a lot of information.

I can see that, Captain. Are you sure you can just enter people's houses without any kind of permission? The churches really do whatever they want... Garett finally felt that being a hunter wasn't so bad. During an investigation, Dante didn't even bother to look for permission before barging into private propriety!

The place was simple. A single bed stood far from the main door, and one desk was placed not too far away, as one would notice, the place was simple and, other than the commodities that accompanied every single apartment in this complex; there wasn't much extra furniture.

”It's obvious the suspect was prepared to abandon this place at first notice, captain,” Alice noted after entering, her face serious as she analyzed for any information that could have been left behind.

”Yes, but they left during the last few hours in a hurry, not having the time to erase every single clue. Even if it could erase all traces in Garett's apartment, it's unlikely that he was able to use an ability like that in quick succession.” The captain concluded and, while still using the artifact, started to focus on the shades, looking at every single one of them to discover something that was left behind.

”Captain,” Alice's voice was heard just after she entered the crampy living room; a great amount of alarm was undoubtedly permeating her voice.

”Yes?” He answered as he made way to her, still analyzing every single shade revealed by the artifact. ”Hoh.”

Garett wasn't too far behind Dante when he heard the surprised interjection, and he hastened his pace, not preparing himself for the scene he was about to see.

A bloaty corpse occupied the crampy living room floor, its bluish skin exposing the time of death. The surrounding was painted with dry blood, and the strong smell inundated Garett's nostrils.

Even if he studied with bodies in the past, this was the first time Garett saw such a horrendous sight, the disgusting smell only accentuating the impact the scene left on him.

”B-blurgh” He felt his insides churning as the strong urge to vomit clouded his being.

”Are you okay, kid?” Dante worriedly questioned, his eyes never leaving the bloated corpse. ”You can wait outside if you want.”

”No... There's no need. The state of the corpse tells it wasn't killed too recently.” He resisted the screaming desire to turn around and leave while starting to use his shallow knowledge to analyze the scene. ”And the blood trail shows the body was dragged here after being killed at another place.”

”Yes, at least a few days ago.” Dante nodded, not much surprised by Garett's capabilities in accessing the situation. Obviously, he had already studied Garett's past quite extensively.

”There's also something else, Captain.” Alice piped after the duo was engrossed in studying the corpse. Her finger pointing at the wall to the left.

Repossession.

The bloody words were painted in blood, using the language of the Age of Carnage. And different from the blood littering the floor, the blood was relatively fresh and bright.