She is not an investigator.

"The Lord is merciful. He is always willing to forgive the sins of his newborn children. And so... just as you see, this city was born."

"Oh…"

Igris scoffed, finding their foolishness laughable.

"So what? What price did they pay for their actions that made a city that had just experienced a disaster acknowledge them and stop pursuing the matter?"

"strength."

"...?"

The old priest's expression suddenly turned serious, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile.

"There's nothing to talk about those things now. After all, too much time has passed, and we've been living peacefully ever since... Getting back to the point, Igris, I know you know about the Lower City, which is one of the reasons I specifically asked you to come here."

"Is this some kind of task they're planning to assign me again..."

"You guessed right."

The old priest stroked his beard and continued speaking, meeting Igris's strange and irritated expression.

“Something seems to have happened in the lower city recently. I don’t know the specifics, but their leader may be changing hands, which is rare and not something we expected. So I hope you can investigate and make sure they are still safe enough.”

"Then let me ask you."

Igris crossed her arms impatiently, her brows furrowed in frustration.

"Why should I help you with this? What's in it for me? And why me?"

"Ah, one at a time. I'm getting old, and my mind isn't as sharp as it used to be."

He fiddled with his fingers and spoke slowly.

“I know you must have some goals for coming here. Investigating the lower city a bit more wouldn't be a bad thing for you, and you probably wouldn't particularly object. As for the benefits, like I said before, they bring us extremely powerful strength, which not only we can utilize, but also you. As for why you…”

He paused deliberately and explained in a serious tone.

“This matter can only be handled by outsiders. We cannot go directly to the lower city, just as they must abide by the rules. If they break the rules, they will face an even more difficult struggle. Therefore, this matter is indeed more suitable for you to handle.”

As he spoke, he winked and said in a comical manner.

"If you refuse, I'll have to find someone else. But it's true that a powerful outsider like you is quite rare."

"Alright, I promise you, but you must tell me what exactly this so-called powerful force they give you is."

"Of course, no problem. Come with me."

The old priest seemed to be in a good mood. Although he had expected that Igris would not refuse, he still felt particularly happy when the plan succeeded.

"Are you really willing to be used like this?"

Just then, the administrator's voice rang out, interrupting Igris's thoughts.

She always appears so suddenly; Igris will get used to it sooner or later.

"This is a win-win deal. He gets what he wants, I get what I want, and I can even get paid. Why not?"

"You always think you're so clever. In this situation, you shouldn't get involved with either side. Being alone means you'll have more flexibility in your stance. Otherwise, you'd be betrayed without even realizing it."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

“You always know what I'm saying.”

The administrator fell silent again, probably completely speechless at Igris.

In her view, this matter didn't involve such complicated circumstances at all. She just needed to find out about the recent rumors and then rush over with a knife.

Getting involved in the conflicts and conspiracies between the locals and the lower town, as she is doing now, would be the most unwise thing to do, even if she is an outsider.

Rather, it's precisely because she's an outsider that if anything unexpected happens, they can immediately sever ties with Igris, and she'll bear all the consequences alone.

Why can't this idiot understand?

Do we really need to make her suffer a loss before she learns a lesson?

The administrator became increasingly angry, and even considered using someone else's account.

But even if she wanted to, she probably couldn't, and Igris wouldn't even give her the chance to appear in reality.

So besides talking about it, she really doesn't have any other options right now.

It is embarrassing.

The bizarre stage play - The City of Gluttonous Bloodthirsty Thugs: Chapter Twelve, Please, Don't, Seduce Others!

The old priest led Igris to a small house in the backyard.

It is very small; compared to the entire church and even the entire courtyard, it appears extremely small and is almost difficult to notice.

Of course, what's different from its exterior is its interior layout, which completely overturns expectations.

Pure white walls, a long underground corridor, stark white lighting, and countless petri dishes and test tubes underground.

It's hard to imagine that such a laboratory is located in the courtyard of a church.

"The power you're talking about... it couldn't be..."

You guessed it.

The old priest chuckled, picked up a green reagent, and gently shook it.

"These things are the source of pollution in the lower city. Or perhaps it shouldn't be called pollution? After all, compared to pollution, it seems more like a direction of evolution. As long as it is injected into the body, even ordinary people can quickly possess physical qualities that surpass those of ordinary people."

Hormones? Or something more special?

Igris had seen many similar things that could enhance the human body for a certain period of time, but afterwards, a much heavier price was often paid.

"So, what is the price?"

"Of course not. If I had to say something, it would just be that there are fewer and fewer of these things available."

Unexpectedly, the old priest gave Igris an answer she hadn't anticipated.

How could there possibly be something in the world that has absolutely no negative effects and can strengthen the body simply by using it?

"Ah, of course, it's not entirely without effect. After all, it originated from that disaster, so after the injection, the recipient's psychology might undergo some subtle changes... For example, a liking for greater power, perhaps stemming from an evolutionary instinct? Who knows, but..."

He rubbed the reagent in his palm, put it back on the tray, and said with a smile.

“Not all seekers of power lose themselves. You should understand this better than I do, shouldn’t you?”

"...I understand, but this kind of thing is useless to me, so I'll waive the reward."

"Hmm—that would be perfect."

Looking at the sly smile on the other person's face, Igris strongly suspected that he knew Igris would never want such a thing, so he took it out to pretend to be innocent in front of Igris.

However, Igris really didn't need such a thing. After what had happened before, she deeply understood that excessive power was not necessarily a good thing for her. What she needed was a more stable mind and a strong heart, otherwise she would easily lose control.

So thankfully, she has now found that delicate balance and is temporarily out of the risk of getting out of control.

So she doesn't want to cause herself any more trouble now.

"Also, I know your idea is simple: just go directly to the lower city, look for clues, and kill any guys who block your way. But the lower city is their territory, and this idea will only make your situation more dangerous. So you might try to infiltrate them."

As the old priest spoke, he handed a brooch to Igris.

"Wear this, and in their eyes you'll look like a real vampire. But be careful not to let it come into contact with the sun, or it will lose its original function by the next night."

A dark red rose brooch, very pretty, should also be an unusual item with limitations, but its function isn't particularly powerful, which fits her first impression of this kind of fashionable junk.

"Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

That's all, that's all. I wish you all the best.

Igris nodded and was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something and turned to look at the old priest.

"What about my salary for today?"

"...? Of course I'll give it to you. After all, I can't let you come all this way for nothing, can I?"

Igris nodded in satisfaction and left the incongruous little house.

The moment she left, the administrator's voice rang in my mind.

"Can't you talk to me first before getting involved in anything in the future? Anyone with eyes can see how weird that old man is, and you're actually willing to work for him?"

"Didn't I already say that... Besides, it's my business to go to the lower city, find out what I need to know, and tell him what I need to know. My stance is still free, so you don't need to worry too much."

"You're too naive. Do you really think he won't have some backup plan?"

"Even if that's the case, it's nothing. After all, if something really goes wrong, the contingency plans he left behind might become the fuse for conflict between the upper and lower cities. Besides, I'm not afraid of anything. Even if everything is messed up, I still have you."

"...Let me make this clear beforehand, even if you beg me, I won't help you."

Igris didn't speak, but just squinted her eyes with amusement.

The phrase "stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside" perfectly describes the administrator. She clearly cares, but she can't bring herself to complain, so she awkwardly spouts nonsense. However, if a real, unsolvable problem arises, she will absolutely not stand idly by.

How delicious, Miss Manager!

"I don't have to work today, so I can go home early."

Igris glanced at the still-early sky and suddenly felt an impulse.

An urge to go back to that blocked street.

Last time, the gunshots probably attracted the attention of the sheriff who was patrolling nearby, and this time Igris will probably have more time to check the situation there.

For example, how many hidden vampires might exist on that street?

However, before that, it would be better for Igris to change out of her nun's habit, since wandering around in a nun's habit during the day would be too conspicuous.

"Ah! Igris! Are you leaving?"

Just as Iglis arrived at the church door, she was called again by the nun, her colleague, a cheerful girl who always liked to chat with her.

Every time, someone would come over and say hello to her when she arrived and when she left.

"Indeed, the old priest said that my work for today is over, and I may not be coming again anytime soon."

Although Igris and she weren't very close, Igris told her about it to avoid her waiting for her to come over as she did every day.

Upon hearing this news, she was visibly taken aback and nodded with a somewhat unpleasant expression.

"Okay, alright... then, goodbye?"

"...Speaking of which, what's your name?"