164 Miserable Wretches (1/2)

The color of fresh blood was reflected in Klein's eyes as they intently locked onto the flowing liquid.

Just then, there was a light cough from within the house. Old Neil spoke with a raspy voice, ”Dunn, why are you here?”

Dunn's gray eyes were extremely deep. His mellow voice replied calmly, ”I heard that you're sick, so we came to visit.”

There was a sudden silence in the house. A few seconds later, Old Neil roared in anger and terror, ”No! You're lying!”

Without waiting for Klein and company to say a word, his tone suddenly became weak.

”Yes, I know my condition isn't quite right.”

Old Neil… Klein closed his eyes, but the bloody liquid that was seeping through the gap of the door didn't cease.

Then, Old Neil raised his voice and said, ”All this time, I've never hurt anyone, nor have I thought of hurting anyone! I never—I never betrayed the secrets of the Nighthawks, one even one! At the most—at the most, I've made claims for undeserving expenses. I really haven't committed any evil!”

”Klein!” He suddenly shouted like he usually did. ”I told you about the maxim of the Mystery Pryers, 'Do as you wish, but do no harm.' I still live by this saying. I'd rather be patient—I'd rather endure than do things that will harm others…”

With that said, he pleaded sincerely, in fear, ”Dunn, Royale, Klein, go back. Go back. Wait till tomorrow—by tomorrow, I'll be back to normal. I swear—I swear to the Goddess, I wouldn't harm anyone. Really!”

Dunn closed his eyes and asked extremely gently, ”What do you plan on doing? What have you been trying to do all this while?”

”Me?” Old Neil was confused at first before he described with a tone filled with hope, ”I'm trying to resurrect Celeste. Dunn, I found a way, I'm on the right track!

”You should have heard about it. Back then, I made a mistake during the ritualistic magic to treat her illness, so I failed. I failed to save her. I now know it was because I had yet to master mysticism. But now, I now have enough knowledge and experience to complete everything! It's regrettable that I wasn't inspired by the maxim of the Mystery Pryers and Daly's example. I missed the best opportunity. If-if I was a High-Sequence Beyonder, all of this would become extremely easy.” As he spoke, Old Neil's voice sounded tearful, ”No, I cannot give up again… Dunn, go back. Go back, please. I beg of you.”

Klein clenched his teeth as he heard the Captain ask emotionally, ”How do you plan on resurrecting Celeste?”

Old Neil instantly became very excited.

”I'll use the 'Alchemical Life' method to create an immortal body for her. Dunn, you might not know of it, but Sequence 4 Beyonders from the Church of Mother Earth are good at this. The corresponding Sequence in the Savant pathway can barely do it as well. Yes, I will complete it with the aid of God's favor.

”Then, I'll summon her spirit from the spirit world and pray for God's help to combine her spirit and body together.

”Isn't it a great idea?”

Dunn lifted the corner of his lips forcefully and said, ”Yes, it's a great idea. Old Neil, let us in. Perhaps we can help you.”

”… Dunn, are you still not willing to let me off the hook?” Old Neil pleaded, ”Go back, just go back. I'll return to normal tomorrow, really. Dunn, I swear I'll never steal your coffee beans again. Klein, Royale, I swear I won't make you help me with my undeserved claims! Really!”

In Klein's and Royale's blurry vision, Dunn lowered his head before lifting it up again. ”Old Neil, you're misunderstanding something. We're here to visit you. You are our teammate. You're sick, and you aren't well. We definitely needed to visit you. Open the door. Let us see you so that we can be certain. If you're really okay, we'll return immediately. As you know, there are especially many missions recently. We have to monitor the asylum while we take care of various other sudden incidents.”

Old Neil hesitated for a moment before saying, ”There's really nothing serious about my condition, really. I'll recover by tomorrow.”

The bloody water that flowed out through the gap under the door went down the stairs, towards the stone path, and onto the garden's soil.

”Old Neil, we've known each other for about fifteen years now, right? We've worked on countless missions together. I'm really concerned and worried about you. I have to see you with my own eyes before I'll be at ease,” Dunn said gently.

”… Alright,” Old Neil pouted. ”There's really nothing wrong with me.”

With a creak, the door opened slowly. Klein quickly wiped his eyes and allowed his sight to return to normal.

Then, he saw that the carpet in the lobby was red and sticky, covered in blood and hair.

He looked forward and up, only to realize that the living room's floor, ceiling, round table, piano, and chairs were all covered in the same disgusting, sticky and hairy liquid.

Old Neil's head hung in the air, connected to the ceiling by a thick liquid. His forehead and cheeks each had a pair of eyes. They were cold and ruthless eyes with no eyelashes.

The piano's keys were dancing on their own, playing a melodious tune.

”Dunn, look. I'm really okay,” Old Neil said with a radiant smile. ”Royale, Klein, you think so too, right?”

The moment he opened his mouth, Klein saw the same thick, hairy, and bloody liquid flowing inside it.

Dunn's gray eyes shimmered as he chatted like everything was normal.

”Old Neil, where did you learn the Alchemical Life and resurrection ritual from?”