Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Is Chapter 110 still not over?

After finishing the case, Li Wei rushed off to have lunch.

In this era, there is no crime of obstructing investigation. If the butler had done that in modern times, he would have detained you for ten days or half a month. But in this era, they would have to handle it internally.

Since it was suicide, what's left is a family matter. Even an upright official can't settle family disputes. Li Wei is a detective, not an upright official, so he naturally just ran away.

"I never expected that solving the case would be so easy."

Seated at the dining table were still Mr. Howard, Miss Anne, and Mrs. Molly. Levi solved the case in just one morning, even before lunchtime, which truly broadened their horizons.

"With the development of technology, solving cases will become easier and easier in the future."

Li Wei took a bite of his steak and began to speak.

"Fingerprints and footprints will become standard tools for solving cases in the future. Technologies like gunpowder reaction are also developing. In the future, we might be able to tell whether someone is male or female, old or young, just by looking at a single hair that has fallen on the ground, and even directly compare them to identify each other..."

"It's really amazing."

Mr. Howard listened with deep emotion.

"If that's the case, then solving cases will be much easier in the future."

"Can you really identify someone just by looking at a single hair? Is such technology even possible?"

Mrs. Molly, on the other hand, found it hard to believe and asked curiously.

The one who answered this question was not Levi, but Anne.

“I heard from my classmates in the biology department that the current mainstream biological research is to study the shape and structure of biological cells through microscopes in order to understand their morphology and function. I think from a biological point of view, the cells in the human body should also have similar parts, just like fingerprints. As long as we compare the same cell structure, we should be able to identify them.”

"Hmm...that's about it."

Li Wei looked at Annie with some surprise. He had to admit, this young lady was indeed clever. He had only mentioned hair, and she had already thought of DNA testing.

"So, cases like this aren't actually that difficult."

As Li Wei spoke, he cut another piece of steak.

"Although it's difficult to determine the crime scene from the scene alone, there are still footprints, traces, fingerprints, and gunpowder residue. So even if the person involved refuses to speak, the clues obtained through technology are enough for us to reconstruct the crime scene. I think future court trials should also take these factors into account, rather than simply relying on witnesses and testimonies to convict. After all, these changes are significant, but the evidence itself is objective and neutral and will not be altered by them."

"Oh, so that's why you wasted time doing those things?"

Mr. Howard finally realized what was happening.

“That’s right, photos, recordings, statements, gunpowder reaction test reports, doctors’ autopsy reports, footprint and fingerprint identification reports… With these, anyone can draw conclusions, instead of relying solely on detectives’ guesses and deductions…”

"So, won't the role of detectives become less and less important in the future?"

"That's it."

Li Wei shook his head, not saying much. Technological advancements are a good thing. We can't really rely on just a few famous detectives to solve cases; what kind of mess would that be…?

"Ding dong."

However, at that moment, Li Wei heard a voice in his ear. Li Wei glanced at it and saw the system pop up in front of him, displaying a line of information.

[User solved 1 case]

[Received +1 Beginner Treasure Chest reward]

There's a reward? I thought there wasn't.

Looking at the prompt before him, Li Wei didn't say much. Throughout the entire case, the system hadn't given any notifications. He'd assumed the system only cared about supernatural events, but it seemed it also cared about ordinary cases. However, the system simply didn't issue any missions, making it somewhat like completing daily tasks.

Let's keep it for now and talk about it later.

Li Wei withdrew his gaze, silently recited a phrase in his mind, and then the system obediently withdrew the notification.

After lunch, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. Li Wei had originally planned to go to the pool to watch the excitement, but the social atmosphere of this era wasn't so open, and women didn't have bikinis to wear; they were all wearing one-piece swimsuits with short sleeves and shorts. This held no appeal for Li Wei, who had seen countless swimsuit shows in later generations, so he decided to just go back to his room and sleep.

Oh, right, there's also a treasure chest.

Back in his room, Li Wei summoned the treasure chest with a wave of his hand.

The box was neither too big nor too small, and its appearance resembled the reward chests that appear in online games. Li Wei looked at the box, then reached out and patted it. The box opened with a click, and a silver light emerged from within.

Then, the box disappeared, and what appeared in front of Li Wei was a set of clothes.

Top hat, shawl, long-sleeved trench coat, gloves, trousers and boots... The quality is quite good, it looks like leather, and it's very practical for movement.

Li Wei nodded and looked at the introduction below.

[Hunter Set: Everything you hunt becomes your prey (Stealth +1%, Damage to monsters +1%)]

Hmm... It's kind of like fashion, and it even has some stat boosts? Sounds pretty good.

Li Wei then discovered that after opening the treasure chest, a new "wardrobe" had appeared in his system. He tried clicking on it, and in an instant, his clothes changed from a suit and tie to a black hunter's outfit that looked quite elegant yet dangerous.

Hmm, it seems pretty good, quite nice-looking, and it even supports one-click outfit changing?
Li Wei looked at himself in the mirror with satisfaction, then deactivated his equipment. He then saw his clothes disappear quickly, and he returned to his original suit and leather shoes.

I didn't expect the system to have this ability... Not bad, not bad.

Li Wei nodded in satisfaction. Attributes were secondary; the one-click outfit change was incredibly convenient. He'd seen many movies where ambushes were launched while the victim was asleep or showering, when they were least expecting it. With this one-click outfit change, Li Wei wouldn't have to worry about running around naked in the streets if he encountered any sudden threats.

Yes, that's very important.

For Li Wei, the matter was simply over.

The story of Porto quickly spread among the first-class passengers.

This was actually quite normal. Although Li Wei and his companions were too lazy to spread gossip, there were quite a few sailors present at the time. Other first-class passengers were curious and sent their servants to inquire about the situation. When they presented a few bills, the sailors readily admitted whatever they had to say.

Some reporters even rushed to the telegraph office and paid a hefty sum to send the news back to the newspaper. By tomorrow morning, the entire imperial newspapers might be reporting the story of the Porto family heir's suicide during his honeymoon.

However, this has nothing to do with Li Wei.

He eats and drinks as he pleases, enjoys the scenery, and lets the puppet bird out to see the world. That's how he lives his life, isn't it?

But for others, it's not like that.

For example... those unlucky security guards.

"I said, we really have to be on duty today."

Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Security Guard A said in a low voice, while Security Guard B sighed. "What else can we do but keep on guard duty... Besides, wasn't that young lady's body already moved to the ice cellar?"

"That's what you say... Doesn't it make you feel awkward?"

"Of course I feel awkward..."

As they talked, the two turned to look at the stairs above. For security guards, serving first-class passengers was a very good job. Although they occasionally had to help with luggage, generous guests could easily slip them a small tip, which would make them happy for a while.

But... now, the thought of that luxurious suite in Area A where someone died makes them feel disgusted.

The people on the ship were all somewhat superstitious, and now, on the very first night of the Far North Star's maiden voyage, someone had died, and it was a woman who had committed suicide.

The security guard, a former sailor, felt a chill run down his spine just listening to it, sensing that this voyage was going to be anything but smooth.

It's like being cursed.

Just then…

"Waaaaah—!"

Just then, a strange voice suddenly rang out, causing the two security guards to tremble.

The sound was like both crying and laughing, sometimes loud and sometimes soft, it was almost like...

"What did you hear?"

"I didn't hear anything..."

"Yes, it must be an illusion, an illusion..."

"Hey, you two!"

Just as the two security guards were comforting each other, a woman's voice rang out from behind them, startling them so much that they almost jumped up.

They turned around and saw Selena, dressed in her pajamas, standing on the stairs, frowning and staring at them.

"Did you hear that?"

"I...I didn't hear that!"

"I do not have either!"

"Nonsense! I didn't expect you to react like this. Come with me!"

Faced with Selena's order, the two security guards had no choice but to nervously walk up the stairs. When they followed Selena to the door of the luxury suite, they saw the butler Byrne and the maid Chris already standing there, while the other two security guards also looked at their unfortunate comrades with pale faces.

The reason they had that expression was very simple: the eerie sound was coming from the luxury suite!
"Open the door!"

Selena gave the order through gritted teeth, and the security guards were startled when they heard her words.

"We don't have the key."

"The suite key was taken back by the inspector general."

Butler Byrne then spoke in a low voice.

"This suite is completely locked and cannot be opened at all."

"Then smash it open! Quick, I want to see who dares to play tricks on us, the Porto family!"

Selena was clearly furious. Her sister had just died, and now someone dared to cause trouble right under their noses!
"this……………"

"Quickly, I'll give you a hundred pounds!"

"…………………"

Faced with the temptation of money, the four security guards exchanged glances.

There are so many people here, what's there to be afraid of!

So they got ready and aimed at the door.

"one two Three!"

With a shout, four security guards rushed forward and slammed open the locked door!

Then they looked ahead, and then…

"Whoa!"

"Help!"

The four burly men were now deathly pale, trembling with fear. Seeing their state, Selena frowned slightly, then stepped forward.

"What did you just see...?!"

Selena looked ahead, then screamed and plopped down on the ground.

"Second Miss! Are you alright?"

Seeing Selena like this, the butler and maid rushed over, while Selena tightly grasped the butler's hand.

"Quick, quick, quick, go find the detective!!"

For Li Wei, the second night after boarding the ship was truly unbearable.

He was speechless, especially when he was woken up by the knocking on the door.

Levi got out of bed, opened the door, and saw Miss Chris, the maid, standing there with a deathly pale face.

"Detective! Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened!"

"What's wrong, Miss Chris? Please calm down."

Seeing Chris's state, Levi quickly comforted him, and Chris took a breath before speaking again.

"It's haunted!"

"…………………Um?"

(End of this chapter)