The past was built upon collecting unique characteristics.

Upon hearing what the other party said, Morian's expression remained unchanged.

Regardless of whether the perpetrator is a vampire, many serial killers prefer to target "rich people," taking their valuables afterward to exchange for money or collect. So it's not surprising.

This does not indicate that the hunt was targeted at a specific purpose, nor does it reveal the killer's selection criteria.

Morian nodded thoughtfully, then asked:

"So the valuables on the body were indeed taken?"

"Yes, I saw it very clearly." Fellman's face was still pale.

The guy gave him a pleading look and said:

"That's all the information I have. I don't know anything else... That's really all."

That's all? Morian fell silent, feeling that he hadn't gained much from his visit tonight.

After all that trip, all I got were some vague clues.

The only thing that can be confirmed is that the perpetrator was most likely a vampire, otherwise the corpse would not have exhibited those characteristics.

Without medical equipment, it is extremely difficult to drain all the blood from a person in a short period of time; it requires extraordinary methods.

Surely it couldn't be that someone saw the rumors and deliberately impersonated vampires to satisfy their own perverse tastes, right?

After taking one last look at Fellman, who was sprawled on the ground, Morian stood up, casually took off the fur hat from Fellman's head, and tossed it back to Buck in the crowd.

He was about to leave when he suddenly turned around and looked at the messy scene, then at the bitter-looking boss behind the bar, and gave an order to the men who had attacked him.

"You will be responsible for compensating for the losses suffered by the tavern tonight."

After saying that, he walked out of the tavern without looking back.

No one refuted this.

The thought of having to use his meager savings to make compensation made Fellman so angry he wanted to curse, but he quickly suppressed the urge.

Who knows if that "monster" might suddenly turn around, or be secretly observing from outside?

He cautiously glanced towards the doorway, making sure it wasn't pushed open again, before letting out a long sigh of relief.

Let's just honestly pay the compensation...

……

The breezy street remained deserted at night, a stark contrast to the bustling scene inside the tavern, as if they were two different worlds.

Because of its proximity to the port, the howling night wind felt even colder, causing passersby to tighten their collars.

Morian walked back the way he came, sorting through the information he had gained that night.

According to Fellman's description, all the victims dressed up carefully and wore valuables before they were killed.

This does indeed fit the behavior of some vampires. After all, that elegant and ancient race has always had a certain morbid aesthetic, and they are equally strict with themselves.

They would appreciate beautiful prey just as a connoisseur appreciates a work of art.

Thinking of this, Morian couldn't help but sketch out an image in his mind.

For example, an elderly gentleman wearing a standard stand-up collar coat with a red lining, perhaps with family rings and other jewelry on his fingers, holding a wooden cane, exudes the elegance and composure unique to the aristocracy in every gesture.

Of course, these are just some stereotypes, things he'd seen in movies before... He'd never actually seen what real vampires look like.

But the other party's mention of "ritual characteristics" bothered him somewhat.

In the extraordinary world, rituals often signify more complex purposes.

If the perpetrator was simply looking for food, there would be no need to risk being caught by committing multiple murders, leaving such obvious traces each time.

Morian couldn't remember which book he had read in which it stated that vampires did indeed need to drink blood.

However, the amount needed each time is not much; usually 500 ml is enough to meet the needs for several days.

Moreover, they can use animal blood as a substitute when necessary to temporarily satisfy their desires.

"Never mind, I'll come back here later to do some on-site investigation..." Morian smiled wryly and decided to go back and rest first.

While pondering, he unknowingly passed through several dimly lit streets and returned to his office on Slan Street.

……

The next morning at eight o'clock, the office door was pushed open.

Morian casually took off his hat and hung it on the cloakroom by the entrance, then took the newspapers he had just bought and went straight back to his bedroom.

He got up from his desk, took out a detailed map of Bet City from the drawer, and spread it out on the table.

He then compared the locations of the murders reported in the newspapers with the locations on the map.

These newspapers were all outdated reports, some from three days ago and some from a week ago, but they happened to record the locations where the first few victims were murdered.

According to the newspaper, the first case occurred in an abandoned market on Xunfeng Street, which had been overgrown with weeds and moss due to long-term neglect, leaving dilapidated stalls there.

The victim was a woman in her thirties who did not appear to have come to the abandoned market on her own initiative, but rather was brought there by the perpetrator.

This also suggests that the abandoned market was not the primary location of the crime.

The second incident occurred on the southern section of Xunfeng Street, near the post office.

Morian took out a pen and an ink bottle, dipped the pen tip in the ink, and marked each crime scene on the map.

The locations of all four cases were quickly marked, and four areas were delineated on them.

These locations appear to be randomly scattered throughout the area, without any discernible pattern, just as the killer seems to be committing murders randomly, without any apparent logic.

But when he looked at it from a more holistic perspective, he still noticed something was wrong.

The marked locations on the map seem to connect to form a pattern!

He quickly picked up his pen and connected the locations one by one.

The lines intertwine and crisscross, passing through various areas, outlining unfamiliar contours, and finally converging and stopping at a certain point.

It's right near that tavern from last night!

"This is... a pentagram?! No, it's a pentagram missing a point?" Morian's eyes widened in surprise.

The locations of these four murders, when viewed on a map, form a fragmented pentagram!

The missing last piece happened to be the area I passed by yesterday, the neighborhood where that tavern is located.

The pentagram has many meanings in mysticism, but in certain taboo rituals, it can also be used for summoning or sacrifice.

If the killer is indeed performing some kind of ritual, then this fifth case, which has yet to be completed, is likely the final step in that ritual.

Looking at the missing part, Morian fell into deep thought.