Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 833 - 26. Leviathan Church followers

Chapter 833: 26. Leviathan Church followers

The blazing fire illuminated the entire town.

The sky was shrouded in the darkness akin to a Lightless Night, with torches casting people’s silhouettes, yet they remained unchanged by the arrival of eternal night.

Some people gathered at the town entrance, seemingly engaged in some trade. Katerina avoided the area and reminded Lu Li not to stare excessively.

The distinction of Leviathan Town was reflected in its people; most hunters appeared exhausted and gaunt, the residents’ issues were more severe. They showed a sickly sallow hue from long-term water scarcity, saggy skin hanging on emaciated frames.

Even the heavily polluted Scavengers leaning on the streets looked healthier than the local residents.

"Follow me." Katerina whispered, becoming more cautious than in Tang Ge Town, as she led Lu Li to the Hunter’s Guild.

"They’re very short on water." Lu Li found this peculiar.

Even with a prohibition on drinking water, they shouldn’t be lacking to this extent.

"It’s because the religious atmosphere here is intense... you know what I mean." Katerina tried to make herself seem less abrupt.

The residents worshiped Divinity and thus adhered to the rules.

Katerina had visited Leviathan Town a few times and knew where the local Hunter’s Guild was located.

A few minutes later, they arrived in front of a building distinct from the surrounding ones. The emblem on the wall was a shield with a crossed dagger and Flintlock Pistol.

"Spirit-Calling Gun..." Lu Li whispered its name.

"Yeah, but it’s unaffordable, and it makes a lot of noise. It can barely be used in safe zones."

Katerina once saw someone use it, and when the trigger was pulled, the roar echoed across the wilderness, leaving nothing behind once the surging anomalies retreated.

Pushing open the door to enter the Hunter’s Guild, they were hit by a choking smoke smell mixed with various scents, hovering like a thin mist below the ceiling.

The hunters in the guild were somewhat better off; aside from the prevalent frailty, they showed fewer symptoms of water deprivation.

Katerina ignored the covetous glances around and headed straight for the counter.

"Commission or collection." The skin sagged, severely dehydrated staff member asked weakly, her voice almost drowned in the noisy guild.

"Selling intelligence."

"Public or private."

"Public."

The surrounding noise slightly quieted as the words fell, with some gazes focusing on Katerina.

Public intelligence usually meant "a shareable piece," especially for those who heard it first.

"Just say it out, and we will assess your intelligence har...," the dehydrated staff yawned sleepily.

Katerina, intending to mimic Lu Li’s calm tone, said, "A nearby Ghoul’s Lair is migrating, preparing to expand into Ghoul Town."

The Hunter’s Guild was suddenly enveloped in silence following Katerina’s announcement.

The hunters all looked over, none with joy. For the town, for everyone, the emergence of Ghoul Town was a big problem, offering no profit, only danger.

Packs of Ghouls were never something solitary hunters could contend with.

In the silent hall of the Hunter’s Guild, only drowsy questions persisted: "Where is it?"

The calm yet weary staff seemed to hear a trivial piece of information.

"About 15 miles south of the Ghoul’s Lair, you can track them by following their traces." Lu Li’s calm voice sounded.

The staff scribbled it down, asking, "May I have your name?"

"Katerina. Bee Sting Katerina." Katerina hurriedly said.

"We will verify the information; it will take some time. Once confirmed, you can collect your reward at the Hunter’s Guild."

"How long will it take?"

They wouldn’t stay long, and Katerina would leave Leviathan Town at the latest when the eternal night withdrew.

"It depends on whether... haa... it’s urgent or distant.", the yawning staff replied.

Katerina didn’t think the town would investigate during the eternal night, so it seemed she wouldn’t get the reward soon.

"Someone’s following us."

As they stepped out of the Hunter’s Guild, Lu Li’s voice rang out.

Katerina stopped and turned around; the two figures following them did not turn away but slowed down slightly before approaching.

"We mean no harm." The burly man spoke in a muffled voice.

The Leather Armor indicated the man’s identity, and the skin not covered by armor was keratinized like fish scale scabs.

The other figure was as short as Mole, just not as stout.

"I’m Boulder, we heard your intelligence in the guild and want to team up to explore the lair." His words were brief and straightforward.

Despite the danger of ghoul migration and expansion, hunters could still profit.

Abandoned Ghoul’s Lairs often held valuable items, like victims’ belongings.

Katerina was somewhat tempted, but she didn’t trust others and shook her head to refuse, "We have other matters to attend to."

The profit from "selling" Lu Li outweighed exploring the Ghoul’s Lair; it was currently the most pressing matter.

Boulder said nothing, turning away decisively with his companion.

Following Katerina were not only Boulder but another group, lurking like mice, peeking from an alley. Katerina, with disdain, flashed black blinding in her left eye, deterring the sneaky regular hunters from continuing to follow.

On their way to the inn, they saw several carriages gathered at the western exit of Leviathan Town, reportedly preparing to venture into the wilderness shrouded in the eternal night.

Lu Li observed a large caravan among the convoy, carrying a faint whiff of the wilderness—maybe that was why the convoy was venturing into the wilderness during the eternal night.

Entering the inn, Katerina was about to rent a room when a group of figures entered.

"Honorable cultists..."

The emaciated innkeeper lowered his head in pious reverence.

Two robed cultists approached from outside. Their cloaks were longer than Lu Li’s, trailing like a veil on the ground, moving as if almost gliding.

"The church has confirmed your intelligence... what do you want..."

The voice spoke from the shadow of the cloak, accompanied by faint murmurs.

"A sum of money."

Katerina instinctively blurted out, then remembered the convoy she saw, adding, "And I hope we can travel with the caravan to Ghost Town."

Clatter—

A bag of coins was tossed to Katerina, the dry, slender claw beneath the cloak flashed briefly.

"The convoy will accept you..."

Katerina caught the heavy bag, quickly expressing her gratitude. Suddenly, she noticed the shadows under the cultists’ cloaks turning toward Lu Li, seemingly observing him.

"The Pure Unbeliever... Leviathan Church welcomes your visit anytime..."

The murmured prayers accompanied as the cultists drifted away from the inn.