Mystery: The Witch of Desire

Dunn also stepped forward to greet Daly and naturally took the woman's leather suitcase from her hands:

"I thought you would come by train."

Dai Li smiled and said:

"That would certainly save more time, but as someone on night watch, it is also very necessary to check the situation at each port along the way."

Dunn nodded slightly, agreeing with Daly's statement.

"So, did you find anything?"

Daly gave a mysterious smile:

"Of course, we have made discoveries."

She paused, staring intently into Dunn's deep eyes, and said meaningfully:

"I've discovered that Tingen's nights are definitely the most beautiful. How about we grab a drink on such a lovely night?"

Dunn smiled; he was used to Daly's unpredictable thinking. His voice was low and gentle as he spoke:

"Sure, but let's wait until we finish our mission. We finally managed to get you as our helper from Ahowa County, so we need to make the most of you."

"Sigh, this is really boring. Our Captain Dunn is still only focused on his work."

Daly spread her hands, seemingly making a teasing remark to Dunn, before asking seriously:

"So, how much intelligence do we have so far? What is the date of the Rose School's operation? What is the probability that it will take place in Tingen? Have we found any trace of 'Nightingale'?"

Dunn thought for a moment, then said seriously:

"The specific date of the operation is still uncertain, but I think it's not far off. Recently, cult activities have become increasingly rampant, and it's hard to say whether they are preparing for the final stage of the sacrifice; the Kingfisher Bar has experienced a serious pollution outbreak, and according to the analysis, there are remnants of high-sequence pollution from the alien pathway at the scene. The alien pathway is one of the main pathways of the Rose School, which is also the key reason why Akhova County agreed to transfer you from Enmat Port... Also, traces of pirate activity have recently been discovered in Tingen City. It's really one bad thing after another."

Dunn paused, then continued:

"As for Nightingale, we have not received any news about her. According to the intelligence from our superiors, she disappeared after entering Rune, and no one has seen her since."

As Dai Li processed what Dunn had said, she combined it with her own thoughts and slowly sorted out her ideas.

Suddenly, she chuckled softly and asked:

Why did you use "she" to refer to the nightingale? Is it because the name nightingale itself sounds feminine?

Seeing Dunn nod in agreement, Daly said thoughtfully:

"It's normal that we haven't heard from her. She's suspected to be a Sequence 6 Faceless Person, who can disguise herself in various forms. Perhaps, gender is no longer an important thing to her."

The two boarded the carriage that was already waiting there and sat down facing each other inside.

"Should we go check out the Kingfisher Bar first?"

As soon as she sat down, Daisy offered her suggestions, showing that she was still very concerned about the Kingfisher Bar.

After a moment's thought, Dunn nodded, tapped on the partition, and instructed the driver to turn onto Iron Cross Street.

The carriage wheel creaked as it turned, just about to turn around—

boom!

A deafening explosion rang out, and a powerful shockwave spread across the ground, causing the entire carriage to shake violently, and the curtains to flutter loudly in the airflow.

Dunn's expression changed drastically. He immediately raised his hand and patted the side panel, ordering the driver to stop. He quickly lifted one of the carriage curtains and stared sharply into the distance, where he saw a plume of thick black smoke accompanied by flames shooting into the sky, particularly glaring against the night sky.

"That direction is... Jinwutong District?"

Dunn's eyes were filled with surprise and doubt.

"I don't recall any large factories in the Golden Phoenix District, so why did such a violent explosion occur?"

Dai Li also leaned out the window, her expression grave.

"Could it be..."

The two exchanged a glance, both anticipating a terrifying possibility:

A cultist's sacrificial ritual!

"Quickly, to the Golden Phoenix District!"

Dunn immediately instructed the coachman, and the carriage sped towards the Golden Phoenix District like an arrow.

Just minutes after the carriage left.

A small, single-sailed, rowing boat silently approached on the distant Tasok River. This kind of boat was not capable of sailing on the open sea; it had clearly been launched from a large sailing vessel. Its low-slung hull glided almost against the dark water, without lights or a sound, silently making its way to the shore, relying only on the darkness and the shadows of the riverbank.

…………

Chapter 92 Bound

Iron Cross Street, Riverside Theater.

The tenth performance of "Forest Spirits" was in full swing. The theater was brightly lit and bustling with noise. The clamor of the crowd was like an ocean of desire, surging and sweeping, wave after wave. The sound of the explosion in the distant Golden Phoenix District had become very faint by the time it reached this place, swallowed up by the noise in the theater. Not a single audience member noticed anything unusual.

Xia Lani, who was singing passionately on stage, suddenly raised her eyes, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

She slightly raised her chin, her posture becoming even more upright, and her originally gentle singing voice suddenly gained a touch of secret elation and allure, each word clearly piercing through the noise and resounding throughout the entire theater:

"Great Mother,"

Great Father,

We call upon you,

We yearn for you.

We pray for your arrival…

…………

A deafening blast of air, carrying a shockwave, crashed into the villa in Teyvat. The entire pane of glass facing the street shattered instantly, sending sharp shards flying in all directions. The once elegant and leisurely banquet hall descended into chaos. Guests screamed in terror; some frantically covered their heads and crouched for cover, while others stumbled and ran in all directions. Dishes and plates were overturned, tables and chairs were knocked over, and the elegant attire was mingled with the panicked figures.

Mr. Teyvat, who was entangled with Mrs. Sharon, was startled. He jumped up in alarm, hurriedly put on his clothes, and ran out.

Mrs. Sharon, who remained on the bed, frowned slightly, a hint of confusion and doubt flashing in her eyes.

She picked up a mirror from the bedside table, gently stroked its surface, and muttered something to herself:

The cause of the explosion.

The mirror was completely blank, and no image appeared. Mrs. Sharon's doubts deepened. She quickly straightened her clothes, stood by the window, and looked at the firelight not far away.

Mr. Teyvat rushed downstairs and hurriedly summoned the butler and servants, shouting anxiously:

"What's wrong? What happened?"

The butler, looking equally uneasy, said:

"Sir, I just sent someone out to gather information, but they haven't returned yet. Please wait a moment..."

Mr. Teyvat, panting heavily, suppressed his unease and began to fulfill his duties as host, reassuring his guests:

"Please be patient, everyone. Our villa is safe and nothing will happen. The police will be here soon."

His reassurance was not unfounded. The Golden Rooster District is an affluent area in Tingen City with a high level of security. At the slightest sign of trouble, the police would arrive to maintain order and prevent the interests of these wealthy residents from being harmed.

Emily was also startled by the explosion. She looked around in a panic, trying to find Levi, whom she hadn't seen since she came out of the bathroom.

Just then, she saw Elizabeth and Melissa rushing downstairs, so she hurried over to greet them and asked:

"Elizabeth, Melissa, have you seen Lyon?"

Elizabeth blushed, somewhat embarrassed to answer, but Melissa nodded and said:

“Mr. Lyon is in the storeroom on the second floor, um… we made a mess of it, and he’s helping us tidy up.”

Emily was taken aback, somewhat confused about what Levi was doing there, but given the unknown crisis at hand, she instinctively wanted to be with Levi.

After a slight hesitation, Emily headed for the stairs. She climbed to the second floor, walked along the corridor to the corner, and stopped in front of the storage room.

The door was ajar. Emily knocked and asked:

"Revi, are you in there?"

There was no answer, only a cool breeze seeping out, mixed with strange rustling sounds, creating an eerie atmosphere. Emily felt a sudden tightness in her chest, a bad premonition rising within her.

The room was pitch black; the light from the corridor barely penetrated a few steps before being swallowed up by the thick darkness. Emily tiptoed, calling Levi's name softly in a low voice, glancing around fearfully.

Just then, she heard a rustling sound not far away, accompanied by a wet, sticky wriggling sound, like a soft creature moving through the mud.

"Rive, is that you there?"

Emily called out cautiously as she slowly approached. After a few steps, she came into view a pile of boxes, each about a meter square, from which the unsettling sound emanated incessantly.

"Rive, is that you? Don't scare me..."

Emily's voice was trembling, and her body was shaking with fear, but she was worried about Levi's safety. After a fierce internal struggle, she slowly leaned closer.

Just as she approached the pile of boxes less than five meters away, a sudden change occurred. An arm, covered in blood, suddenly stretched out from a gap in the boxes and struggled desperately.

Emily's gaze froze instantly: she saw it—the dark pattern on the sleeve of the garment was the suit she had bought for Levi.

"Revi!"

Emily screamed in anguish and rushed over without thinking. Her thin hands braced against the cold, rough surface of the wooden crate, and she pushed and moved it with all her might. She didn't even notice that her fingernails were cut by splinters and bled. She had only one thought in her mind—to rescue Reeves who was trapped underneath.

Before she could move an inch, a wet, sticky tentacle suddenly darted out from the crack in the wooden crate, as swift as a venomous snake, and instantly coiled around her waist and abdomen. The touch was icy cold, carrying a putrid, fishy smell, and the sticky liquid smeared on her skirt, emitting a rotten stench.

Emily froze, a gasp caught in her throat. Instinctively, she tried to back away and break free, but the tentacles tightened as if they were alive, the force almost crushing her bones. Then, with a muffled bang, the stacked wooden crates shattered into pieces. Amidst the flying splinters, several sticky tentacles, as thick as an arm, shot out from the rubble, instantly binding her tightly. Emily's limbs were firmly bound; she couldn't even move her fingertips.

The fragments of the wooden crate fell to the ground, completely exposing the scene beneath Emily's eyes—a familiar figure lay on the cold ground, its entire body covered by countless tentacles, with only its limbs vaguely visible amidst the writhing of the tentacles, stained with dark red blood.

Emily's gaze was fixed on the mass of tentacles, her heart clenching as if gripped by an icy hand, her breath catching in her throat. In the brief pauses between the tentacles' slow writhing movements, a pale, familiar face flashed before her eyes:

“Rive…”

Emily's tears welled up instantly. She saw that Levi's eyes were bloodshot, and he could only let out a hissing "heh heh" sound from his throat, like a dying beast. His chest was pierced by several tentacles, and large amounts of blood gushed from the gruesome wound, soaking the ground beneath him. The blood mixed with the sticky liquid secreted by the tentacles, emitting a suffocating stench that filled the dark room.

Chapter 93 The Witch's Extraordinary Characteristics

"Rive, what's going on...?"

Emily wept bitterly, barely able to make a sound, only able to murmur softly, her fingertips reaching futilely towards the figure enveloped by tentacles, pleading for Levi to look at her one more time.

As the tentacles tightened, a suffocating sensation surged into her brain. She felt her consciousness gradually being pulled away, and the scene before her eyes gradually blurred.

"Rive, Reive..."

Emily felt powerless and sensed the approach of death. With her last strength, she could only shout desperately, hoping to receive a little warmth from her family before she died.

“Rive—”

After a heart-wrenching scream, a mouthful of blood, sweet and metallic in flavor, gushed from her throat. Emily's vision went black, her last vestiges of consciousness vanished, and her body slumped limply, allowing the tentacles to entwine her freely.

Then, everything went black, and she lost consciousness.

……

Reeves awoke from his daze and seems to hear Emily's desperate cries.

"Emily? Where are you!"

He recalled the moment he activated his spiritual vision, when several tentacles hidden in the box shot out at a speed far exceeding his reaction time, instantly wrapping around his limbs and torso. Levi immediately tried to activate Mirror Stand, but was shocked to discover that these tentacles possessed some kind of spatial restriction ability, rendering Mirror Stand ineffective.

Next, he had no choice but to struggle and fight back with all his might, but he was eventually firmly controlled. The powerful squeezing of the tentacles almost suffocated him, and he could hardly stay conscious, falling into a state of chaos.

These tentacles were mutated vines, carrying the filthy desires of that evil god. Levi could feel the presence of the female statue inside him. She was trembling, cheering, and leaping with joy, eagerly releasing enormous energy, wanting to corrode his body from the inside. Meanwhile, the tentacles tightly wrapped around his body from the outside, wishing they could crush him into dust.

Reve, now fully conscious, struggled desperately. If he didn't seize this opportunity to change the situation, he would soon fall unconscious again under the intense pressure.

He strained to stick his head out and saw what was happening outside:

Emily was tightly bound by several tentacles, her head drooping limply, her once bright and beautiful eyes tightly closed, devoid of any life.

"Emily!"

A surge of heart-wrenching grief and indignation suddenly rushed into his mind. Levi twisted and tore at the tentacles on his body like a madman. He struggled with all his might to free one hand and dip it in the blood that kept gushing from his chest, but his other hand and most of his body were firmly restrained, and he couldn't reach the mirror in his pocket at all.

His struggles failed repeatedly, and despair, like icy river water, engulfed him. His hard-won consciousness dissipated once more, and Levi had a vague premonition—this time, he would never wake up again.

Just as he was falling into despair, a cold, icy light suddenly flashed by in the distance.

Levi strained to lift his eyes, his gaze piercing through the dim air of the storage room, landing on the table not far away where Elizabeth had held her ceremony. The mirror still sat quietly in its place, the black cloth covering its surface having been lifted at some point, revealing its cold, gleaming surface.

Reeve suddenly reached his hand, stained with warm blood, towards the mirror, trying to bridge the seemingly insurmountable distance. No matter how much he struggled, his fingertips couldn't touch it at all, but this was his last glimmer of hope.

He stared intently at the mirror, staring and staring, betting all his remaining willpower on this last sliver of faint hope.

However, nothing happened.