"What do you think of detective novels, brother?"

"Me?"

Standing on the deck, Duanmu Huai admired the endless sea view while glancing at Shajuye beside him.

"Why would you ask me this question?"

"Because isn't brother a detective? Have you ever encountered murder cases like those in detective novels?"

"No."

Duanmu Huai shook his head decisively.

"Things like locked-room murders, I've never even seen them."

Duanmu Huai wasn't lying; though he had indeed solved some regular murder cases during his time as a detective, most were crimes of passion, though there were some premeditated ones. But in those cases, the criminals mainly focused on hiding the bodies, unlike in detective novels where they claim to have alibis or commit locked-room murders, such things are rarely seen.

"I think so too... After all, they're too bizarre, and the method of locked-room murders may not succeed; if it fails, wouldn't they be exposed?"

"Is this the content of the novel you're reading now?"

Duanmu Huai glanced at the novel in Shajuye's hand, and she nodded.

"Of course, not just me; Alice Phil and Miss Medea are also reading."

As she spoke, Shajuye turned and looked around, seeing the two women lying on sun chairs not far away, sipping drinks under umbrellas while reading detective novels.

Yes, after they came to this world and learned Duanmu Huai's identity, they expressed their desire to help him be a good assistant... Although Duanmu Huai felt that being an assistant didn't matter, if they wanted to help him, reading detective novels would be less useful than horror novels... No, it should be going through campaign logs instead.

"After all, the situation this time is quite complicated, isn't an isolated island the most likely place for a murder case?"

Rather than murder, I think it's more likely to involve the Ancient Dominator.

Of course, Duanmu Huai hadn't forgotten the previous experience at Hidari Island, which made Mary always think Japanese festivals required sacrificing a few people for fun... Naturally, Duanmu Huai's shadow was obtained there too, not that he minded.

However, a place like an isolated island can indeed easily give rise to the Ancient Dominator or Outer God, and it's not impossible for an entire island to become corrupted.

Speaking of which... building a hot spring hotel on the island... this won't be some Okinawan Loli Island, will it?

"I sincerely apologize, Mr. Duanmu, for making you come in your busy schedule..."

At that moment, a voice came from nearby. Duanmu Huai turned to see Bai Fan Meijia standing there, bowing her head to him.

"It's nothing, after all, it's also work."

Duanmu Huai waved his hand.

"And you're bringing us along on your yacht, that's enough."

Tsk tsk, rich people really are different. In this world, Duanmu Huai is considered wealthy too, as his high success rate in completing commissions leads to generous bonuses from clients.

For Duanmu Huai, buying yachts or even private planes is very doable. However, he usually doesn't have such needs and isn't interested in the leisure activities of wealthy individuals, so he just lets the money sit and collect dust in the bank.

But tagging along like this isn't bad either. After all, Duanmu Huai doesn't particularly like going out to sea, especially in Cthulhu's world; most of the time, it's safer for people to stay away from the sea.

Duanmu Huai even suspected whether this thing could hold up until he and the others returned safely.

After all, it doesn't look like something capable of charging at Cthulhu.

"Well, since we're idle, let's talk about the situation over there."

"Alright."

Hearing Duanmu Huai's request, Meijia didn't refuse, nodding as she took out a map and placed it on the table. Alice Phil and Medea also crowded around, curiously looking at the map.

"The place we're heading to is Shannon Island, just a typical outlying island approximately two hours away from the mainland. There's a village on the island, known for its fishing industry, making it somewhat famous. So, the White Sail Group sent people here to investigate, eventually signing an agreement to build a hot spring resort community on Shannon Island."

While speaking, Meijia extended her hand to point at the map.

"The village is located on the south side of the island, a small settlement. Whereas the White Sail Group's hotel is built in the deep mountains, partly due to a discovered hot spring, and partly thanks to the excellent environment here, which can withstand typhoons and avoid accidents."

While looking at the map, Duanmu Huai nodded silently; the island formed a C shape with raised mountains, and the village was in the inner side of the gap, making it a semi-inland sea. Thanks to the protection of the mountains, it didn't fear typhoons, marking it a rather good spot.

No wonder the White Sail Group chose this place for a resort.

"The hot spring resort is divided into two parts: one consists of hot spring inns, mainly styled after Japanese traditions for short-staying guests, while the hotel and villas are designed in Western style for long-term residents. However, there aren't many permanent residents yet..."

"Tell us about the disappearance incident, what's its relation to the Curse?"

"Well... I heard that this island had a legend long ago, saying people would disappear without reason back then, leaving everyone worried. Later, a high monk arrived, telling the villagers of a demon causing this, and that those who disappeared were eaten by the demon. The villagers, terrified, sought the monk's help. He agreed and sealed away the monster, after which no more disappearances occurred... Of course, it's a story passed around orally on the island, so its truth is hard to verify."

Just like there once was a mountain, with a temple, where an old monk told stories?

"Is that it? Since people are disappearing again, they think it's a demon at work?"

"Not just that; I heard the village's shrine was attacked, and it was the villagers who went to pray at the shrine early in the morning who noticed the strange situation and hurriedly went to notify the village chief, only to find he was missing..."

"Did they report it? What does the police think?"

"The police investigation hasn't yielded any results yet, and I'm not too sure about the situation......"

At that moment, Alice Phil suddenly reached out her hand, pointing at the map.

"Is this the shrine?"

"Ah, yes......"

Looking at the direction Alice Phil's finger pointed, Meijia nodded her head. Alice Phil stared at the spot, then her finger gently moved across the map.

"......."

"What's wrong, Alice?"

Seeing Alice Phil's thoughtful expression, Duanmu Huai asked, and Alice Phil exchanged a glance with Medea.

"I have some ideas, but let's check the situation once we get to the site."

"Toot----------!!"

Just then, accompanied by the sound of the whistle, the island and the lighthouse on the horizon became clear.

Though it was a small island, its level of modernization was beyond Duanmu Huai's expectations; he had originally imagined this to be a backward place. However, the whole pier looked very clean and spacious, and the road along the sea was quite straight, with many buildings beside it, mostly restaurants and the like.

According to Meijia, this is all part of the White Sail Group's development plan. After all, they intend to turn the entire island into a tourist holy land, so complete modernization is naturally necessary.

Stepping onto the pier, Duanmu Huai glanced around.

An isolated island far from the mainland, missing persons cases.

Yes, pure Cthulhu style.

This feels just right.

Just wondering who's playing tricks this time.

Of course, assuming it's really the Ancient Dominator.

"Miss Bai Fan."

At this moment, a middle-aged man in a suit walked over, respectfully bowing to Meijia.

"This is the hotel manager, Mr. Kashiwagi Xiu."

Meijia introduced him to Duanmu Huai and the others, then looked at the suited man.

"Mr. Kashiwagi, these are the guests I invited. I imagine you already know the situation."

"Yes."

The middle-aged man's attitude was indeed very respectful.

"Everything is ready, please follow me."

Soon, the group boarded a bus that came to pick them up and headed toward the hot spring hotel. Taking the opportunity, Meijia asked Manager Bai Mu about the current situation.

"The current situation...... The employees are still somewhat stable emotionally, but so far, there have been six missing cases, and everyone is indeed a little anxious."

"Wait, six cases?"

"Yes, after that, there were two more missing cases, and now the police have already started an investigation. However...... not much progress has been made."

"Didn't the police plan to search the mountains or anything?"

Hearing this, Duanmu Huai asked, and Manager Bai Mu shook his head.

"No, this has always been a small place with insufficient police force, the entire station has only ten people. Although the village's Hunting Friends Association organized several small-scale patrols and searches, nothing was found."

Speaking of which, Manager Bai Mu also frowned.

"Miss, I think we should try our best to contain this matter. Reporting to the police will only make those opportunists aware of the island's oddities; nobody knows if those reporters will sensationalize and distort reports, damaging the reputation of Bai Fan Company......"

"........."

Faced with Manager Bai Mu's advice, Meijia lowered her head in silence, while Shajuye looked at her worriedly. Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow, staring at Manager Bai Mu. From a commercial standpoint, what Manager Bai Mu said was right, as the White Sail Group spared no expenses for this project, which was evident from the fully modernized village. If the missing incidents were to spread, being reported by the media might attract some people fond of unusual mysteries.

But this was clearly not what the White Sail Group wanted; they're pursuing an upscale route, targeting upper-class service, not attracting strange people chasing supernatural events.

So, from the perspective of the White Sail Group, it's the correct approach to suppress this matter as much as possible.

"Don't worry."

Looking at the silent Meijia, Duanmu Huai reached out and patted her shoulder. Hearing Duanmu Huai's words, Meijia lifted her head and gazed at him.

"Mr. Duanmu?"

"Did you forget? This is why we came."

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