Steam Old Days: The Extraordinary Begins with a Corpse Collector

Lyndon had seen many disgusting corpses: some chopped into pieces, some bloated in the river, and some disemboweled and hung in churches.

However, none of this frightened Lyndon; at most, it made him feel a little nauseous.

But this time, Lyndon truly felt fear.

He was quite certain that he wasn't going crazy.

The effect of [Overclocked Senses] is to enhance all of his senses, including touch.

Just now, as soon as Lyndon's fingers touched Mr. Wendell's body, a slight throbbing sensation came from Mr. Wendell's heart.

The pulse was very fast and fleeting; an ordinary person might not even be able to feel it.

But how could a body that has been dead for three days still have a heartbeat?

Lyndon's eyes were dark. He felt a chill run up his spine and his forehead was covered in cold sweat.

"Is he still alive?"

An absurd idea popped into his head, but Lyndon quickly dismissed it.

Wendell's condition didn't look like that of a living person at all.

This strange anomaly made Lyndon hesitant to act rashly.

He never wanted to get involved in this matter alone.

Moreover, what I have to deal with is a nightmare.

Although there is no evidence that touching or coming into contact with a corpse killed by a nightmare will cause the nightmare to target you.

But how many people are willing to risk their lives to try it?

Lyndon didn't want to either; he was only willing to see Wendell's body because Emily had been kind to him.

He covered Wendell's face again with the blanket.

After extinguishing the candle, Lyndon picked up his bag and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"What's wrong, Mr. Lyndon? Even you won't help me collect my husband's body?"

Mrs. Phoenix felt a sense of despair upon seeing this; she had seen Lyndon's helpless expression far too many times.

"I'm sorry, madam..."

"Linden said in a low voice."

These words sounded particularly heavy in the long corridor.

Mrs. Phoenix swayed, almost fainting.

Fortunately, Emily reacted quickly and caught her mother in time.

"Lord, why is this so..."

Mrs. Phoenix lamented.

Seeing his wife's suicidal expression, Lyndon hurriedly explained:

"Madam, you may have misunderstood me."

"What I mean is, your husband's situation is somewhat special, and I can't handle it rashly. I suggest having someone from the church examine him first. So, was your husband's body examined by the church?"

After hearing Lyndon's explanation, the mother and daughter breathed a sigh of relief.

Emily comforted her mother, then told Lyndon:

"We did ask the church for help, but the church said that there have been several nightmare attacks in Rice City to the east recently, and the local area is short-handed, so they urgently transferred a lot of people there and told us to wait."

As she spoke, Emily asked a servant downstairs to bring her a letter.

"Look, this is the letter the church sent us this morning."

Lyndon took the letter; the letter paper was thick paper used by the church and had a watermark symbolizing the church's emblem.

The letter contained exactly what Emily had said.

Due to the emergency in Rice City, the team of deacons and priests who handle "psychic paranormal events" has been temporarily reassigned. Mrs. Phoenix has been advised to temporarily seal the room and wait patiently. They have contacted other qualified professionals for assistance and are expected to arrive tomorrow evening.

"Tomorrow night..."

Lyndon repeated the contents of the letter in a low voice, folded the letter in half, and handed it back to Emily.

"Since the church said someone will come to handle it tomorrow night, let's just wait."

Lyndon said nonchalantly.

"Are we just... just waiting like this?" Mrs. Phoenix was incredulous at Lyndon's solution.

"Yes, madam. I can tell you now that your husband's body is in a very strange condition and must be examined by special personnel before it can be placed in the coffin."

"Acting rashly could very likely have some negative consequences."

"So waiting is the best option right now. Mr. Wendell has already been lying in his bedroom for three days, so two more days won't make a difference."

"I'll find a place to stay temporarily before the church people arrive. If everything is alright, I can go back to work. Goodbye, both of you."

As Lyndon spoke, he picked up his canvas bag, preparing to leave the house.

As Mrs. Phoenix saw Lyndon about to leave, she suddenly cried out, "Mr. Lyndon!"

Lyndon paused, looking at the lady with a puzzled expression.

Mrs. Phoenix grabbed Lyndon's arm with surprising strength.

Her eyes, hidden behind the black veil, were fixed on him.

"You can't leave. For God's sake, please stay here. I'll have the servants prepare a room for you."

No? I want to leave because I'm afraid of staying here.

What's the point of me living here? To fight aliens in my dreams?

Lyndon initially intended to refuse his wife's request.

Mrs. Phoenix winked at her daughter, signaling Emily to come and try to persuade Lyndon.

Emily had never seen her mother so distraught, but she understood what her mother was thinking: her mother saw Lyndon as her last lifeline.

After all, he was the only one still willing to help them.

With this in mind, Emily stepped forward, her clear eyes filled with pleading.

"Linden, my mother has been in a bad mood these past few days. She really needs some security, and the hotels in the new town are quite expensive. Why don't you stay here? We won't charge you, and we'll even prepare your meals. How about it?"

Emily stepped forward and grabbed Lyndon's sleeve.

The mother and daughter, one on each side, held Lyndon in place, unable to move.

Lyndon looked at the two of them helplessly, feeling like he had been taken advantage of.

Finally, he put down his bag, his voice tinged with weariness.

"Okay, I'll stay."

Upon hearing Lyndon's promise to stay, the lady immediately released her grip, a look of relieved gratitude on her face.

"Thank you, Mr. Lyndon, thank you."

The lady lifted her skirt and slightly bent her knees, then urged the servants to quickly prepare the best room.

It seems they're afraid Lyndon might change his mind.

"So you're still not letting go?"

Lyndon turned to look at Emily, whose hand was still tugging at his sleeve.

Upon hearing this, Emily abruptly withdrew her hand, and two blushes quickly rose on her fair cheeks.

"Yes, I'm sorry."

She lowered her head shyly, her fingers nervously twisting her dress.

The feet, encased in calfskin boots, were turned inwards, with the toes touching.

My heart was pounding in my chest.

Emily's mind was a complete mess.

She only remembered the first time she met Lyndon.

Back then, Lyndon was a dashing gentleman, and his brown eyes seemed to see through the fog.

Later they became friends, went out for coffee together, went boating and fishing in the park together.

Those days were the most beautiful and relaxing time in Emily's memory.

Even when they were apart, she could always think of Lyndon's brown eyes.

Upon meeting again, Emily felt something stirring and throbbing within her.

"I need to say something..."

Emily thought, trying to calm her racing heart.

Finally, when she raised her head, her lips parted slightly, as if to say what was in her heart, she found herself all alone in the corridor.

Lyndon had long since disappeared, leaving only his patched canvas bag on the ground.

……

While Emily was still lost in her own thoughts, Lyndon had already secretly left the house.

He strolled along Rose Street, attracting the attention of many passersby.

It wasn't because he was handsome; it was just that his low-class attire attracted the attention of respectable people.

However, Lyndon paid no attention to the strange looks he was receiving.

He just thought that the air here was better, at least there was no black smoke coming from those factory chimneys.

Lyndon wandered aimlessly and unknowingly turned into a relatively bustling street.

As he passed a shop, the aroma of malt liquor wafting from inside caught Lyndon's attention.

The shop's sign reads "Old Oak Barrels".

It looks like a tavern.

Lyndon leaned close to the tavern's glass and peered inside.

Then I saw the bartender pour a full glass of amber-colored beer and place it on the bar counter.

Snowflake-like foam flowed down the side of the cup.

Lyndon couldn't help but swallow hard, but unfortunately he didn't have much money on him.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

The man was wearing a bright red suit, and his hair was meticulously styled, combed straight back.

"Alastor? What's he doing here?"

Lyndon was surprised at first, then he grinned mischievously.