Mystery: The Undead Don't Die from Linking the Fire

Chapter 4: On the first day of work, I was sent out on fieldwork. Are you trying to exploit the surplus labor force?

"Creak!"

Standing at the entrance of the detective agency, Yu Jin walked straight forward and pushed open the slightly ajar door.

The first thing you see is a spacious and bright hall with soft classic sofas, upholstered chairs and a light wood coffee table.

There is also a reception desk that looks like a bar.

At this moment, three men and women were sitting on sofas or armchairs, seemingly waiting for something.

One of the men, wearing a gray trench coat, was holding a page of documents with a livid face, his teeth clenched as if he wanted to tear the paper to shreds.

"I'm looking for Al Hassen."

Ember's gaze swept over the three of them before he slowly spoke.

"Are you the newcomer this time?"

Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately looked at Yu Jin, and the man in the gray trench coat even glared at him with hostility.

Even the other two people standing nearby had incredibly strange expressions on their faces.

"I am Al Hassen."

The middle-aged man in the gray overcoat stood up and walked straight up to Yu Jin, saying rudely, "You're the most rude newcomer I've ever met!"

Ember calmly stared at Al Hassen, wondering why the other man harbored such hostility towards him.

But since he's an NPC, you can tolerate his bad attitude for now and kill him after the quest is over.

Ok.

Except for Patch.

Have you had similar work experience before?

Seeing that Ember didn't retort, Al Hassen felt like he'd punched a cotton ball and changed the subject, somewhat annoyed.

"no."

Ember shook his head slightly; he didn't even know what a Night Watcher was.

"No?!"

Al Hassen's voice rose another decibel, his furious appearance making one suspect he might erupt into a beating at any moment.

"El!"

The black-haired woman, around thirty years old, dressed in men's clothing, with a beautiful face, shouted a warning.

"I know!"

Al Hassen took a deep breath and said somewhat irritably, "Newbie, come with me. You're lucky to be sent out on fieldwork right after you arrived."

Upon hearing this, both the woman and the other indifferent man with a scar on his face were somewhat surprised.

However, he did not refute it, but slowly stood up and followed Al Hassen to walk backward.

Ember silently followed behind them.

He only glanced at the page of information that Al Hassen had placed on the table as he passed by the sofa.

"Name: Ash Black... Given this member's special abilities, his initial weekly wage may be slightly higher than that of ordinary members, tentatively set at £100 per week."

Furthermore, during special periods, the sect may designate the tasks assigned to a member as appropriate, but the member may refuse if they have a legitimate reason, and no one may force them to comply.

"..."

Yu Jin withdrew his gaze.

He seemed to suddenly understand why Al Hassen had been so hostile upon their first meeting.

Al-Hassen led the group through the long corridor to an office at the far end.

Pushing open the door, one finds that the office is empty, with only a gray stone staircase leading downwards.

Elegantly designed gas lamps illuminated the walls on either side of the staircase, their steady light dispelling the darkness and bringing peace.

Go down the steps to a flat area paved with stone slabs.

Gas lamps, enclosed by metal grids, were also embedded in the walls on both sides, casting long shadows of the group.

And on the wall, there is a 'badge' at intervals—

Its style is similar to the "Night Badge" possessed by Ember, but it also seems completely different.

After traveling all the way, finally...

A large double door of black iron, engraved with seven holy symbols, appeared before them.

Al Hassen walked all the way to the black iron gate and knocked on the door.

The door was slowly opened from the inside, and an old man dressed in a black robe appeared in their sight.

"We've come to retrieve the sealed item '2-049'."

Al Hassen spoke in a slightly respectful, low voice.

The old man glanced at him silently, nodded slightly, and then turned and went into the darkness at the doorway.

Soon after, they got what they wanted—

A black iron-colored box.

The box is engraved with glittering stars and a crimson full moon, and it exudes an invisible sense of sealing.

"Level 2 sealed artifact, dangerous, must be used with caution and restraint."

The old man handed the black box to Al Hassen, his voice hoarse as he reminded him, "Once you leave the Gate of Charnis, you'll have to find your own way to suppress its influence."

"I see."

Al Hassen nodded solemnly, took the black box, and placed it on the ground.

The moment the black box left the door, Al Hassen and the other two became extremely wary.

"They are afraid."

Ember silently wondered, "Fear of that box? What's inside?"

The next second, Ember saw them both make the same move at the same time—

He bent his arms, then stretched them out, stretched them out, then bent them again, repeating this cycle without interruption.

Suddenly, a violent knocking sound came from inside the iron-black box.

So much so that its surface bulges up again and again.

thud

咚咚

Dong dong dong

As the sounds of pounding grew more frequent, it seemed as if something inside was awakening.

For some reason, almost subconsciously, a thought popped into Yu Jin's head—

It contained a wooden puppet.

Those were fragments of embers reminding him.

The next instant, Al Hassen’s “bending and extending arm movement” suddenly became stiff, as if gears were not lubricated or joints were covered with rust.

The woman next to him reacted quickly and gave him a push.

Then, Al Hassen resumed his normal movements and quickly picked up the box on the ground and walked outside.

The other two remained with their arms outstretched, following behind him, ready to leave.

"What are you standing there for? Follow me."

Al Hassen snapped, took two steps, then turned back and continued, "There's one more thing. If you don't want to die, follow their actions. Don't blame me for not warning you."

Yu Jin silently followed behind the others, tentatively making the same bent-arm extension motion.

But after walking a short distance, the black-haired woman's movements suddenly became awkward.

The scarred man reacted quickly and shoved him.

Al Hassen quickly handed the box to the woman.

This process was repeated, and whenever someone's movements became clumsy, the box would change hands until they returned to the detective agency.

At this moment, three more unfamiliar extraordinary individuals appeared in the detective agency's lobby: two men and one woman.

One of the men looked much older and was clearly the highest-ranking of the three.

The girl with chestnut hair stood obediently beside Simon, a faint smile on her delicate face revealing two small dimples.

"Simon, Eve, I'm leaving this place to you."

Al Hassen nodded slightly to the three people in the living room.

"rest assured."

Simon laughed and said, "You guys better be careful, or you might miss Eve and my wedding next month."

"A jinx."

Lolota rolled her eyes. "I really don't know what Eve sees in you!"

"Lolota, have a safe journey."

Eve stuck out her tongue but didn't argue. She just smiled and waved gently at the group.

To prevent the effects of the sealed artifact from leaking out further, the group didn't waste too much time.

He then boarded the carriage that had been waiting at the door.

"call."

The woman carrying the suitcase placed it inside the carriage, breathed a sigh of relief, and then climbed out of the carriage.

He readily took the driver's seat.

After all, she was just affected, and she won't be affected again in a short time.

I don't know if it's because she's been having a lot of bad luck lately, but this is the third time she's been "hit".

The contents of the box, however, seemed tireless, continuing to smash the metal box relentlessly.

Not long after, the indifferent man who had been pushed by Al Hassen immediately got up and took the driver's seat from the woman.

"What is this?"

As the carriage slowly started moving, Yu Jin suddenly asked.

"Sealed item '2-049'".

Al Hassen glanced at him and said calmly, "It can slow down those around you. If it's not noticed in time, the 'slowed' person will gradually be controlled by it. However, under normal circumstances, it will prioritize affecting humanoid creatures within a five-meter radius. The closer they are, the easier it is to be selected. But it can only affect one person at a time, and it will not affect the same person consecutively."

"So as long as at least three people surround it, people in the distance will not be affected."

Yu Jin understood. So that's why they took turns carrying the boxes?

However, the box containing the puppet can influence those around it...

Ok?

Ember frowned.

No, my memory is too hazy; I can't remember clearly.

I just don't know why, but I seem to have never been affected by it...

Just as he was thinking this, Yu Jin's sixth sense suddenly alerted him, and he quickly lowered his arm as he was bending it.

Al Hassen, standing to the side, changed his expression slightly and immediately wanted to reprimand him.

At the same time, Ember felt an invisible pressure descending upon him.

Then, Ember raised his left arm.

"clang!"

Parry!

"Bang!"

The puppet that was smashing the box suddenly fell silent, as if it had been stunned.

"Were you affected?"

"You've gotten rid of the influence?!"

Al Hassen and the woman spoke almost simultaneously, and after exchanging a glance, their expressions turned to one of utter shock.

PS: I've played the Souls series, at least Bloodborne.

The most direct evidence is 'German Sparrow' and 'Yanan'.

Gehrman is a hunter from Bloodborne, and Sparrow is undoubtedly a character from Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow.

As for Ya Nan, it goes without saying that she made it explicit.

In addition, the phrases "Tonight, Gehrman joins the hunt," "Megau's nanny and Mego Oss," "Miss Sharon and the doll girl," etc., all give a strong sense of déjà vu.

(End of this chapter)