According to common sense, that's how it should be.

Who would use the "Calamity Box," a double-edged sword, if not driven by deep hatred?

"This I am not very clear about... When I met Fukuda and Inuzuka in May, the two of them seemed to be getting along very well, at least there was nothing forced in their interactions."

Otomoto Ai stated truthfully, then added, "However, it's possible that something happened after I left. That is also a possibility."

Just a month had passed, and what exactly had happened in that month that would lead Inuzuka to use the "Calamity Box" to curse Fukuda?

Thinking about this, Beichuan Si raised another question,

"Is there anyone else who is particularly close to both of them?"

Since you can't start with the deceased, just go directly to those who were on good terms with them while they were alive.

Otomoto Ai quickly grasped Beichuan's meaning, pondered for a moment then immediately said, "I remember Inuzuka has a sister, and he is very close to her."

"Then please contact her for us. To investigate, we at least need to know what exactly happened."

After saying this, Beichuan Si stood up and casually picked up his shoulder bag from beside the hospital bed.

"What do you mean by that, Brother Temple?" Otomoto Ai looked at Beichuan Si with sparkling eyes.

This usually calm and energy-conserving young girl rarely showed such an excited expression.

However, Beichuan Si did not pay attention to her expression. He simply slung the shoulder bag over his shoulder, turning his head slightly,

"Don't act rashly on your own; you can inform me if there is any news. I can help with this,"

Beichuan Si paused, then continued, "After all, I don't want to see Hui Li lose a good friend."

After saying this, Beichuan Si greeted the others and then pushed open the hospital room door without hesitation and left.

Seeing his straight back, without a trace of confusion, Takiyama Nanako couldn't help but blurt out,

"So... so cool."

The trio next to her silently nodded in agreement with Takiyama Nanako.

Beichuan Si's consistently calm and reliable demeanor calmed their originally somewhat panicked movements.

That was just too cool!

As they were all silently reflecting, a cheerful voice suddenly came from outside the hospital room, "Ah! Miori, Ai, and Nanako! You all are here?! I thought you all had left!"

The lively Beichuan Huili stood at the door, looking curiously at the group.

Seeing Beichuan Huili's still innocent and lively appearance, Sakura Miori and the others couldn't help but associate her image with that of Beichuan Si from just before.

After a moment—

"It doesn't seem like it," Sakura Miori shook her head as she looked at Beichuan Huili.

"Ah? Doesn't seem like what?" Beichuan Huili looked at her, puzzled.

"It really doesn't," Sakurai Saki added.

"??? Saki, what are you all talking about?" Beichuan Huili was completely baffled.

"Not alike, not alike at all," Takiyama Nanako came over and patted Beichuan Huili on the head.

"...Me..." Beichuan Huili pursed her lips, looking at Otomoto Ai as if asking for help.

These friends often teased her like this, but Otomoto Ai had always been on her side—

Just as Beichuan Huili was thinking this, Otomoto Ai also chuckled and shook her head, following up with, "Really not alike."

These siblings, whether in terms of temperament or way of thinking, were nothing alike at all.

"Uh..."

Beichuan Huili, rebuffed even by Otomoto Ai, incredulously stepped back two steps, her eyes reddening, and after a while, she voiced her grievance,

"Temple, Brother Temple! They are bullying me!"

Beichuan Si had no idea what had happened after he left, as he had quickly returned home to start preparing ingredients for dinner.

After handling the ingredients, Beichuan Si calmed down and opened his system menu.

He usually didn't care much about the skill points on his system menu, but this time it was different.

"Upgrading Necrosis Therapy requires a Soul Fire and 8 skill points…"

8 skill points weren't a big problem.

Dealing with Nao Ruyue, a mid-level average wraith, the system had generously awarded him 6 skill points. However, he hadn't managed to obtain the crucial Soul Fire artifact.

A Soul Fire, a rare item obtained only by resolving the resentments of wraiths, had been achieved by Beichuan Si only twice so far.

The first was with Sakura Yuki, and the second time at Mirror Apartments with Mana Feituo.

"This means I can't upgrade Necrosis Therapy for now," Beichuan Si shook his head.

Michika Nakajima's surgery was coming up, and although Beichuan Si seemed calm on the surface, he was actually quite concerned—if he could upgrade Necrosis Therapy just one level... even if Michika Nakajima's surgery failed, Beichuan Si was confident he could save her life.

But he still lacked 2 skill points and a Soul Fire…

Part of the reason Beichuan Si had agreed to Otomoto Ai's request was due to this consideration.

If he could resolve the 'Catastrophe Box' incident successfully, and acquire the skill points and Soul Fire... Then securing Michika Nakajima would essentially be guaranteed.

Moreover, strengthening Necrosis Therapy again would be beneficial for Beichuan Si, especially as the wraiths kept getting stronger, hastening the need for faster healing methods.

"Catastrophe Box…"

According to Otomoto Ai, it was a cursed artifact legend circulating among high schools in Yamanashi Prefecture.

There wasn't a bit of information available on it in Tokyo…

Beichuan Si went online to search, but found only scant information.

Having reached this point, Beichuan Si decided to make a phone call to Shen Gu Mirai.

He first pulled up the contact list to find Shen Gu Mirai, then dialed the number, and the call connected almost instantly.

The entire process took less than two seconds.

Shen Gu Mirai on the other end didn't even take a second; she answered the call instantaneously.

This gave Beichuan Si the odd impression that Shen Gu Mirai might actually be waiting beside her phone.

He shook his head to dispel this bizarre feeling and spoke, "Hello? Mirai?"

"Mr. Temple, what do you need?" Shen Gu Mirai's voice was somewhat leisurely.

"It's like this, I need some help with finding some information. It would be best if you could find it, but it's not a problem if you can't."

"What is it?" Shen Gu Mirai skipped the usual pleasantries and asked what Beichuan Si needed.

Seeing Shen Gu Mirai so direct, Beichuan Si didn't beat around the bush and immediately replied,

"It's about a cursed artifact legend called 'Catastrophe Box' that's circulating among high school students in Yamanashi Prefecture. I'm hoping you can help me look into it."

"Catastrophe Box...? Hmm...I think I understand. What do you plan to do after investigating this cursed artifact? Go to Yamanashi Prefecture? Did something happen there?"

Before Beichuan Si could answer, Shen Gu Mirai had already started thinking:

"Hmm… we can disregard classmate Magong, Miss Qiuxiao and I often keep in touch and she has no connection to Yamanashi Prefecture... The only slight connection is… Ah! I see. I remember Huili had a friend, right? I've met her several times, named Otomoto Ai. Isn't she from Yamanashi Prefecture? Did something happen there?"

It had to be said, Shen Gu Mirai deserved her reputation, her sharp mind managing to piece together many things with just a little thought.

"It's exactly as you think, so I'm counting on you, Mirai."

Without hesitation, Beichuan Si responded to Shen Gu Mirai.

After all, the two were practically an old married couple, and there was no reason to hide anything.

"Leave it to me then. Hehe, you'll owe me a reward afterward!"

On the other end, Shen Gu Mirai hummed and then hung up the phone.

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