Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 581 - 581 100

581: 100.

Hell’s Tavern 581: 100.

Hell’s Tavern The black volcano stood in the distance, the extended black ridges separating the boundless lava sea.

Aside from creatures of flame, even Advanced Demons dared not venture too deeply into this sea.

At this moment, a figure was walking slowly across the surface of the lava sea.

Wherever he stepped, the lava hissed and immediately cooled into black rock.

He walked step by step toward the distant black volcano.

…

A weathered, broken town stood conspicuously at the foot of the black volcano.

The buildings of the town had long been submerged by cooled lava, with half of each door hidden beneath the lava rock.

The origin of this town was untraceable.

Perhaps some Advanced Demons knew the story here, but Ruth clearly wouldn’t waste her precious soul on useless curiosity.

After stepping into town, Lu Li saw many skeletons by the roadside, some resembling humans and others not.

This town was nowhere near as safe as Ruth had claimed.

Traversing the entire town, Lu Li found the tavern at the edge of town.

Unlike the submerged buildings, this structure was built atop the volcanic rock.

It was clearly established after the last volcanic eruption.

Some strange, ugly mounts, full of Hell Creatures’ traits, were perched around the tavern.

“Don’t approach them, and they won’t attack you,” Ruth reminded from behind.

“By the way, don’t bring that Hungry Demon inside.”

“They will attack her?”

“No, but it might make you look bad.”

Passthrough the Hell Creatures, Lu Li reached the tavern door.

He turned to look back at Ruth before grabbing the doorknob.

Ruth, who had been close during the journey, stepped back and reassured: “Don’t worry, there’s no danger.

Also, I don’t want to be seen with you, so you first.”

Without saying anything, Lu Li turned back and pushed open the tavern door.

Bringing Whitely.

Ding-ding—ding-ding—

The crisp sound of the wind chimes echoed from behind the door.

The whispers around the tavern suddenly ceased for a moment.

All eyes turned toward the entering figure, their gazes following him.

The Hungry Demon by his leg went unnoticed.

Enveloped by the aura of Advanced Demons pervasive in the tavern, Whitely seemed extremely frightened, clinging closely to Lu Li’s leg.

Lu Li glanced over the patrons at the surrounding tables.

Void of souls, every being here was an Advanced Demon as Ruth had mentioned.

The scorching heat was left outside, the temperature inside the tavern comfortable for the soul.

Lu Li could almost guess why they were watching him, but pretending not to hear, he walked to the counter and sat down in an empty seat.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a lively new face,” a Humanoid Demon behind the counter took a deep breath, also ignoring Whitely, and focused on Ruth who had just entered: “Blind hunting demon, did you bring him?”

It almost looked human, except for the two black horns on its forehead that proved its identity.

As the Humanoid Demon finished speaking, the “patrons” of the tavern resumed their earlier activities, and the conversation around started again.

“I’m not blind, and I don’t know him,” Ruth answered irritably, sitting down at the nearest seat to the door.

Opposite her was an Advanced Demon that seemed to be made of rocks, with deep blue flames burning between the gaps.

Ruth’s sitting made the Advanced Demon retract some of its aura, turning the flames to a lighter blue.

Ignoring Ruth’s blatant cover-up, the Humanoid Demon looked back at Lu Li: “So, you know the rules here?”

“Trade,” Lu Li answered.

“You passed.

This drink is a welcoming gift,” the Humanoid Demon grinned, pulling out a cup filled with liquor from under the counter and pushing it toward Lu Li: “Shout out what you want to give or receive, and anyone interested will come to you voluntarily.”

The liquor in the cup swayed, Lu Li looked down, yet he didn’t pick up the cup.

“You’d better drink it; the welcome drink can dispel the toxins left in your soul by the hellish environment.

That’s a tip from a stranger.”

Lu Li picked up the glass and raised it to Ruth, “Thank you, unknown stranger I’ve never met.”

“Hmph.”

Ruth turned her head with a light hum.

“May I transfer it to other…

demons?” Lu Li asked the Humanoid Demon.

“You are now its owner.”

The Humanoid Demon indicated it didn’t mind how Lu Li used it and watched with interest as Lu Li bowed to feed the Hungry Demon at his feet with the newcomer’s drink.

Whitely knew this was what he needed, grinning and swallowing the whole cup of drink—no miracles occurred.

“The soul inside this shell of a Hungry Demon only sustains instincts, the newcomer’s drink won’t help it,” said the Humanoid Demon regretfully, then took another new glass from below the counter and pushed it toward Lu Li, “Consider it as having two new visitors today.”

“Thank you.”

Lu Li thanked the Humanoid Demon and drank from the glass.

Perhaps because it was not from Hell, Lu Li couldn’t taste anything from the drink.

It did have an effect, however, and after drinking it all, the relief deep in Lu Li’s soul felt like when he had first descended into Hell.

“Are you the owner of this tavern?” Lu Li asked.

The Humanoid Demon picked up the empty cup and smiled, “Just an old manager who can hardly walk.”

Its exposed wrist was covered in complicated black patterns.

“May I ask a trivial question?”

“If it’s not free.”

The Humanoid Demon’s response made Lu Li think of Hades, though the difference was one traded, the other was greedy.

The trouble was, Lu Li had no compensation to offer.

Tap—

A barely perceptible tap on the table came from behind.

The corners of the Humanoid Demon’s black eyes creased with a smile, “Someone has paid your tab.”

“The terrain of Hell is similar to that of the human world, correct?”

This could reduce the transaction cost, if he had directly asked how it differed from the human world, it might have cost more.

This question is not so trivial, but still not very expensive,” the Humanoid Demon replied with a smile: “Yes, Hell is like an immensely enlarged version of the human world.”

Everything was corresponding.

The grand, mountain-like black volcanoes, the lava sea beyond the black volcanoes.

Sugard Mountain, and the ocean.

“What about the proportions?”

“Some places differ greatly, some not at all.”

“Thank you.”

For now, Lu Li had no more questions—that counted as part of the deal.

“How much would it cost to rent a fast mount?”

“I don’t have any mounts,” replied the Humanoid Demon shaking its head.

“Shall I ask around for you?”

“That would be best.”

The Humanoid Demon nodded, then suddenly in a voice loud enough for the entire tavern to hear, called out, “Our new friend would like to rent a fast mount; anyone interested in making a deal, call out your prices!”

Nightmare Beasts, Skeleton Horses, Demon Eagles, voices as chaotic as those in a human tavern responded one after another.

Lu Li noted what the demons shouted, while carefully scanning over these patrons.

There was no soul like Ruth’s…

meaning Lu Li would struggle to exchange for the deal with his “Psychic” identity.