Mr. Death in the Steam World

Moen felt like his nails were digging into the flesh of his palm.

This flower could have just killed him, so why is it wasting its breath talking to him here?

There's only one explanation—it was truly afraid that after his death, the Death Note would be lost forever.

It's gambling, gambling that he'll give in for Clara. If that's the case, why doesn't it gamble with it?

"Yes, you can kill her."

He deliberately made his voice hoarse, revealing a hint of madness.

"If you dare kill my sister, I will bite my tongue and kill myself immediately."

Seeing the smile on the other shore flower gradually fade, Moen felt much more at ease, but he still spoke slowly and deliberately.

"I swear, you'll never get what you want after I'm dead."

"Only I know where it is in this world."

The room fell silent once again.

That was a long, suffocating silence.

The vines remained wrapped around Clara, but they did not tighten their grip any further.

The Flower of the Other Shore stared intently at Moen, feeling his back soaked in cold sweat.

Finally, the flower on the other side of the river smiled.

Its smile was no longer sweet and relaxed, but instead became ferocious and cold.

"Interesting, very interesting."

The vines slowly loosened, and Clara's body immediately slumped onto the sofa, her face as pale as paper.

"It's just an insect, yet it dares to bargain with me here."

It paused, then didn't continue.

But Moen could see that the blood-red vines were beginning to recede from around the house.

The other party has backed down, but now is not the time to relax.

"Tonight, give me an address, I'll deliver the goods there, and you release the person now."

"No," the Flower of the Other Shore said softly, "You deliver the things first, then I'll release the people."

Why should I believe you?

"What gives you the right to negotiate with me?"

The voice of the other shore flower was filled with frenzy and impatience.

"I haven't immediately crushed you and your sister into a bloody mist; that's already showing you the utmost patience."

"Don't test my limits, you bug!"

The vines tightened instantly, leaving a bloody gash on Clara's neck—then loosened again in an instant.

It saw Moen pull a pistol from his pocket, press it against his forehead, and look completely insane.

"...But you can rest assured, I have no interest in this body. An ordinary human girl is not worth my time at all."

The tone of the other shore flower immediately softened, but she could not hide the coldness on her face.

"All I've ever wanted is that thing you have."

It gave a location name, probably on the other side of Kansas City.

"Tonight at midnight, no exceptions."

"Remember, deliver the goods in one hand, release the people in the other."

Moen didn't speak. He knew he couldn't ask for anything more; after all, he was the one who couldn't afford to lose.

"My eyes and ears are always watching you. If you dare to play any tricks—"

The vines completely retracted from Clara's body, disappearing without a trace as if they had never existed.

The cottage returned to its usual state, with its worn-out sofa and mottled brick walls, only now it was a bit messy.

If it weren't for the faint floral scent still lingering in the air, Moen would have almost thought that everything just now was an illusion.

He glanced at the clock on the wall; it was already 10 a.m.

Only fourteen hours left.

Moen sat in the house and first reviewed what had just happened.

The only thing he could see was that the Flower of the Other Shore desperately craved the Death Note's ability to "come back to life."

This most likely indicates that its lifespan—or rather, its flowering period—is nearing its end.

Moreover, it repeatedly yielded to the "bug" it mentioned, and its desire for the Death Note probably exceeded Moen's imagination.

If he does nothing and waits until midnight to "deliver the goods," there is a very high probability that the other party will take care of him after succeeding, and he will have no means of countermeasures.

Rather than living in fear of being monitored by the so-called informants mentioned by the other shore flower, he might as well stop acting altogether and do everything in his power to find a way to get rid of them.

Whether we die now or launch a grand plan, we will still die. Since we are going to die anyway, is it alright to die like a dead flower?

Moen once again unleashed his super execution power.

At noon, he rushed back to the school and explained the whole story to Professor Pip.

He used the simplest language to recount everything he had seen and heard in the old chemistry building the previous night, the truth about the other shore flower, and how that flower was now targeting his sister.

Professor Pip remained silent for a long time after listening.

He walked to the window, turned his back to Moen, and placed his hands on the windowsill.

Moen couldn't see his expression, only his slightly trembling shoulders.

Finally, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"That Leonard guy..." Professor Pip shook his head with a wry smile, "He's always wanted to study supernatural powers, he's thought about it his whole life."

"During that exploration of the ruins, he found the flower of the other shore and was overjoyed."

"I've advised him many times to throw that thing away, but he always seems indifferent, saying he's just studying it and nothing will happen."

"By the time he finally came to me to confess, it was too late to turn back."

He turned around, his eyes red-rimmed, but his tone was unusually calm:

"Marcus, I'm asking you, what are you going to do?"

"That flower has taken my sister hostage. Tonight, either it dies, or I die."

Pip stared at him for a while, then nodded without asking any further questions or offering any advice.

He simply took out a small package wrapped in oilcloth, placed it on the table, and untied it.

Inside were six brass-cased bullets, slightly longer than ordinary bullets, with fine patterns engraved on the bullet heads, resembling some kind of runes.

There was also a row of test tube racks with eight sealed glass tubes inserted on them, each containing a liquid of a different color.

"A specially made armor-piercing round, the warhead is mixed with refined silver and birch resin, which has an additional killing effect on that flower."

Pip pushed the bullet in front of him.

"These reagents... some are potent anesthetics, some are corrosive liquids, and one tube contains concentrated holy water."

"I don't know if you'll need it, but it's better to bring it than not."

Moen stared at Professor Pip in astonishment:

"Professor, these things..."

Professor Pip did not answer his question, but simply said:

"After Leonard disappeared, I always wanted to avenge him, but I only collected the tools, not the courage."

"Marcus, you deserve them more than I do."

Without further ado, Moen carefully collected all the bullets and reagents, then turned and headed for the door.

"etc!"

Pip called out to him from behind, and Moen stopped.

"...This is my proof; you can use it to look up information."

"Be careful. If things get out of hand, run if you can."

Moen solemnly accepted the certificate, but did not nod.