She is not an investigator.

It wasn't stiff or forced; it was just ordinary, heartfelt joy.

"..."

The smile stopped.

She suddenly froze on the spot, gently touching the corner of her mouth.

The initial feelings of ease and joy were suddenly overshadowed, replaced by an almost suffocating and angry feeling.

An extremely dangerous and highly aggressive desire.

"…strangeness."

She shouldn't have these emotions; perhaps it's because she's naturally like this, her emotions rarely change.

Therefore, this change in her made her react instantly and take corresponding measures.

She pulled out the ceremonial dagger and plunged it into her arm without hesitation.

Crimson blood slid down her arm almost instantly, and the piercing pain made her frown immediately.

Then came more.

Pain, despair, and other negative emotions that could destroy a person's mind all rushed into her head, but somehow they dispelled the madness and anger.

She pulled out the dagger, and the wound vanished instantly, leaving only a wisp of deep red mist, not belonging to the blood, floating in the air above the office.

It has nowhere to go and is constantly dissipating, but Momokawa can sense the emotions contained within it, as well as the restlessness and destructive desire.

"Write it down...and wait for her to come back."

Momokawa didn't know what it was, but perhaps it would be a good idea to write it down and inform Igris when she returned.

It's just unknown how long it will take to dissipate.

…………

The sun set, and soon only the streetlights illuminated the streets. It was then that Igris returned to Constantine's office. (The last line appears to be a fragment and doesn't translate directly.)

Upon seeing her, the other two nodded, indicating that the operation could begin.

The doors and windows were sealed off, and Wilson lay on the bed, tightly bound to it by countless steel chains.

As he finally relaxed and closed his eyes, Igris and Constantine took a few steps back to observe his changes.

Soon, steady breathing resumed; he had fallen asleep. It might have been a little too fast, but considering he hadn't slept for about three days, it seemed quite normal.

"Hopefully, this will actually lead to some clues."

Constantine sighed, seemingly not entirely trusting of the plan either.

Igris did not reply; she continued to gaze at the sleeping Wilson, as if lost in thought.

But in reality, she wasn't thinking about anything; she was simply watching.

"—"

Clang!

The chains rattled.

Wilson remained lying in bed with his eyes closed, but the chains binding his arms were stretched taut at that moment.

"…really."

What did you find?

Igris shook her head and said thoughtfully.

“He was indeed asleep, but he wasn’t dreaming, and the change didn’t seem to be caused by himself.”

boom--

Before he could finish speaking, the chains snapped, and in an instant, Wilson was freed from his restraints on the bed.

He stood on the floor with his eyes closed and his breathing steady, clearly still asleep, but his body had already begun to move on its own.

“Constantine, try to trap him.”

"I'm trying..."

The shadows, like a swamp, tried to trap his body, but he made no response or attempt to move.

As a result, Constantine never knew whether he had succeeded or not.

He moved just as Igris was about to approach.

His body shot out at incredible speed, tearing through the shadows and crashing heavily into Igris's body.

This was not an unconscious act; his purpose was aimed at Igris, and his actions were clearly directed at her.

Boom-!

Before making full contact, Igris raised the hilt of her sword, forcefully blocking the impact aimed at her.

With a heavy thud, Igris's figure was jerked backward, her wrist twisted into an indescribable shape.

"What incredible strength..."

The firelight restored her dislocated arm, causing her to furrow her brow deeply.

Wilson was clearly a normal human being, but in the instant of contact, the aggression he displayed was far greater than that of a human.

Is this because of his past identity, or for some other reason?

The Bizarre Stage Play – The Book of Secrets: Chapter Twenty-Five, Red Mist

“Igris—”

"I'm fine. He came for me? But that probably means I don't have to worry about him running off and harming other people."

Igris shook her wrist, which was recovering, but then frowned in distress.

She is skilled in combat, especially in annihilation warfare, and she is always very experienced in how to kill her opponents.

But now, it's clear she can't do that, and with Igris's small frame, it's even less likely she could subdue someone who's ridiculously big and strong.

Not to mention that Constantine was even disabled.

"If I break his leg, will he blame me?"

"...?"

Igris received no answer, but she was no longer going to hesitate, because the other party was not going to let her off so easily.

She slightly turned to dodge the oncoming punch and grabbed his arm in a backhand, trying to block his next attack. However, the force with which he pulled his arm back was so great that it almost sent Igris flying.

Just as he regained his balance, another punch came hurtling towards him, but before that, a black curtain separated him from Igris.

boom--!

With a heavy thud, the curtain of darkness was shattered, and this unreasonable force was even able to penetrate Constantine's darkness.

But behind that darkness was Igris's face, tightly wrapped in layers of bandages.

"—"

Bang

Boom-!

Igris suddenly crouched down, grabbed a chair from the side, and smashed it into the other person's leg. The powerful impact even broke the chair leg, but the other person did not lose their balance because of the attack. Instead, they smashed it down on Igris without hesitation.

Before the punch could land, it was blocked again by the flying chair. Even though it was easily punched through, Igris' figure appeared behind him at that moment.

"Constantine!"

Darkness enveloped Igris's body as her elbow slammed heavily into the back of Wilson's head. The instant the attack struck, Igris didn't stop, instead kicking his shin, sending him crashing to his knees and losing his balance.

Seizing the opportunity, Constantine charged forward without hesitation, using his body weight to knock the creature to the ground, where countless shadows locked it firmly in place.

Soon, his struggles ceased, and he became quiet, seemingly finally falling into a peaceful sleep.

If he didn't have those extra wounds, he would most likely be very happy.

"Found it...!"

The instant Wilson stopped struggling, Igris also saw the crimson mist suddenly rise into the air.

The mist was not transparent; it swirled within its deep red exterior and grew fainter and fainter, as if it might disappear at any moment.

"What is this thing..."

"do not know."

Igris frowned, but still subconsciously took out the strange book called the Book of Secrets and tentatively took a few steps closer.

In those few steps, without even getting any closer or actually touching the mist, an invisible anger suddenly rose within her.

Without any source or reason, it suddenly rushed into her brain, trying to rob her of her reason and drive her body.

"This is…"

She felt the changes within herself, the boiling blood in her veins, and the restless spirit within her.

She started to feel itchy, her hands itchy, and she couldn't help but want to grip her weapon tightly, pull the trigger, and launch an almost indiscriminate attack on everyone around her to vent her anger.

But this method is so low it's almost a joke.

"This is probably the effect this thing had on him, but we don't know where it came from or whether it's an isolated case."

Igris shook her head and turned to look at Constantine.

"But I guess the pollution is enough to warrant the intervention of the Special Investigations Department."

“Calling the police is a good idea, and our mission is already complete.”

Constantine helped Wilson, who was lying on the floor, onto the bed, talking to him while watching Igris's expression.

He was seeking Igris's opinion and also observing her situation.

Because he noticed the change in Igris's tone, it was always better to remain vigilant, no matter what.

"How this matter is handled afterward is none of my business. I'm just here to help. The decision is up to you."

The bandages on Igris's body quickly disappeared, revealing her expression to Constantine.

"Igris...are you alright?"