Honestly, at first, the teenage boy was crying his eyes out, but Duanmu Huai had no reaction.

Although these people were unlucky, in Duanmu Huai's view, they brought it upon themselves.

Generally, there are two types of protagonists in horror movies.

One type knows nothing, muddle-headedly stumbles in, and then gets haunted by ghosts.

The other has heard the rumors but insists there are no such things as ghosts, and then gets haunted.

If it's the former, Duanmu Huai is willing to save them. But the latter… well, that's about letting go of the hero complex and respecting their fate.

It's like when you go to a wildlife park and the guide tells you not to get out of the car. You insist on getting out, and then a tiger kills you.

Can you blame the tiger?

Or blame the guide?

Obviously, it's your own fault!

Similarly, those protagonists in ghost movies are just looking for trouble, going to vacation cabins or villas, where people warned them either not to go out at night or not to approach certain areas or simply not to go.

Did they listen? Of course not.

So being killed by ghosts is only natural, right?

These teenage boys are just like that. A perfectly clear ghost story says you'll easily get haunted if you go to that street at night, and you still insist on going. And you're not going alone; you're taking a whole group.

What, did you think a solo draw wouldn't yield results, so you needed a tenfold guarantee?

Well, congratulations, you got your guaranteed result.

So while the teenage boy cries and laments, Duanmu Huai remains unmoved inside. As the ancients said, "Even if you hear the Way in the morning, you can die in the evening without regret." You wanted to find ghosts, isn't this them coming to you, what's there to regret?

But when the teenage boy mentioned the Cosmic Light Sect, Duanmu Huai's spirit was instantly lifted.

"Tell me, what's the deal with this Cosmic Light Sect?"

"I'm not really sure…"

The teenage boy hesitated for a moment, but then obediently spoke up.

"I just heard the president say he joined this cult, and he wants all of us to join too. He said the cult can help us see through daily disguises, reveal the hidden truths behind the world…"

"So did you join?"

"I, I didn't!"

The teenage boy was startled, hurriedly waving his hand.

"I don't have that much money…"

"Money?"

"Yes, the president said to join the church, to prove your determination, you have to pay a membership fee of 5 million."

"......"

This cult organization suddenly became mundane.

But 5 million for these teenage students is indeed a huge sum, unless they're rich kids; otherwise, they can't afford it.

"What about the others? Did anyone cough up the money?"

Duanmu Huai listened and felt this cult organization was sounding more like a pyramid scheme.

"Of course not, nobody has that kind of money, but the president said there are more ways to join the Cosmic Light Sect, if you're willing to contribute, you can still join. So, so we started investigating the seven inexplicable events…"

"What does that have to do with your investigation of those ghost stories?"

"According to the president, if we can investigate the real seven inexplicable rumors, then we can join the cult and comprehend the truth… everyone thought it seemed interesting, so they…"

So you bet your lives on it, huh, haha.

"Have you contacted the Cosmic Light Sect?"

"No, the president seems to be communicating with them through email…"

This damned cult organization is as slippery as ever, even if Youko Shionji investigates through the internet, she probably won't find anything.

"So what's the deal with that book?"

"Ah, it's a magazine, the president bought a special edition about this city's seven inexplicable stories, and we're investigating according to what's written in it."

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Huai paused, then exchanged a subtle glance with Shajuye. Duanmu Huai remembered that the source of his investigation into Qianyuan Academy began with the disappearance of two female students, and the initial trigger was that one of the students was a supernatural enthusiast who wanted to participate in a supernatural magazine's spiritual photo contest, went to the air-raid shelter to take supernatural photos, and then courted death.

Duanmu Huai also remembered tracing back to the student disappearance incidents in Qianyuan Academy decades ago, those students went to the air-raid shelter for a supernatural magazine's spiritual photo contest!

Now here's another supernatural magazine… and it even records real haunted locations?

"Where's that magazine?"

"I'm not sure, it should be at the president's house."

"Do you know where the president's house is?"

"I, I do…"

"Alright."

Duanmu Huai slapped his thigh and stood up.

"Shajuye, have Youko investigate this matter, you know what to do. You, take me to the president's house."

"Huh?"

Faced with Duanmu Huai's swift actions, the teenage boy couldn't help but be a bit stunned.

"Alice, Medea, you stay at home."

"Satori wants to go too!"

Nemume Satori raised her hand high, but Duanmu Huai didn't mind taking her along.

"If you want to come along, come along."

It's as if she wouldn't come if he didn't let her, Duanmu Huai was certain that even if he didn't allow Mianmu Zuoniao to follow, she would still come.

The reason Duanmu Huai was in such a hurry was mainly because of the supernatural magazine. Actually, after the case at Qianyuan Academy, Duanmu Huai had sought out the literature-loving youth who wanted to enter the competition for the supernatural magazine special issue, wanting to see what it was all about. However, to Duanmu Huai's surprise, he searched for a long time but couldn't find the magazine. Duanmu Huai even inquired at bookstores, and bought a bunch of supernatural magazines to peruse, yet none seemed to be the one he was looking for.

Could it be this one that the president bought?

Duanmu Huai didn't know, but he would know if he checked it out!

He had a premonition that this magazine might be related to the Cosmic Light Sect!

The president's home wasn't far from here, because Duanmu Huai's office was located at the edge of the commercial district, almost at the junction between the commercial and residential areas. Although he didn't know why Duanmu Huai was doing this, the young otaku didn't intend to oppose it, hurriedly leading Duanmu Huai and Mianmu Zuoniao away from the office, heading towards the president's home.

However, even the best plan can hit a snag.

Just as Duanmu Huai and company were about to leave the commercial district, suddenly, several black cars drove up from a distance, blocking their path. Soon after, the car doors opened, and a number of men in black suits emerged from the cars, surrounding Duanmu Huai and the others.

Though dressed in suits, it was clear from their appearance that these guys weren't office workers, and the young otaku was even more terrified, turning pale.

"Who are you people?"

Duanmu Huai furrowed his brow, staring at the idiots blocking the way. He had finally found a clue and was unwilling for it to be cut off. Yet now, there's this group of idiots willing to waste his time?

"We have some business with that kid."

However, these men in suits looked at the young otaku and spoke.

"Me?"

Hearing the men in suits speak, the young otaku was momentarily stunned and looked at Duanmu Huai in surprise—he originally thought he was involved in some sort of gang vendetta, but it turns out these terrifying yakuza were after him?

He's just a middle schooler, how could he be related to the yakuza?

"What a bother."

Hearing the men in suits speak, Duanmu Huai furrowed his brow and then clenched his fists.

"I'll give you two choices, either get lost or die, the choice is yours!"

With Duanmu Huai's words, a fierce killing intent erupted from him, causing those yakuza to shudder and retreat in fear. Mianmu Zuoniao, on the other hand, was excited, her eyes glowing as she reached out to grip the sword hilt, her unfocused pupils spreading as she stared ahead—already considering which part of the opponent she should run through for fun.

"Stop!!"

Just then, suddenly a voice called out, and Duanmu Huai saw another neatly dressed man step down from the car... Hmm, how familiar is this scene?

Speaking of which, this person looks rather familiar.

"Mr. Duanmu, I didn't expect to see you here."

"You are...…"

"I am Tezuka."

"Oh...…"

Right, Duanmu Huai remembered, he was from the Hawk Moon Group.

"Although I want to ask you what you're planning, I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry now, can I speak with you later?"

"Of course, no problem."

Tezuka Renichi clearly had no intention of confronting Duanmu Huai and Mianmu Zuoniao head-on, he nodded and signaled the others to withdraw.

"Apologies, my subordinates lost their composure, please forgive us."

While speaking, Tezuka Renichi also looked at the young otaku.

"If you don't mind, could I accompany you, I have a little business with this child."

"Alright, just don't waste my time."

Duanmu Huai, of course, didn't care about the young otaku's fate, he just wanted him to lead the way.

So Tezuka Renichi also joined the group, continuing on.

Soon, they arrived at the president's home. Although the president's parents were saddened by their child's disappearance, unfortunately, Duanmu Huai had no mood to comfort them. However, fortunately, Duanmu Huai was somewhat well-known as a detective, and upon learning his identity, the president's parents believed Duanmu Huai was helping to find their missing child, so they cooperated readily.

Thus, Duanmu Huai smoothly obtained not only the supernatural magazine but also the phone and laptop used by the president, handed over by the president's parents.

Hmm, this should be enough.

"Alright, my business is done."

Leaving the president's home, Duanmu Huai was quite pleased. After all, according to many game, film, and novel clichés, if there's a crucial item, when attempting to retrieve it, it would either be snatched away or destroyed. In fact, before coming here, Duanmu Huai had prepared himself mentally, even beginning to imagine the president's home, along with the president's parents, being burned to ashes.

Turned out, getting such important items so easily was indeed delightful!

To be on the safe side, Duanmu Huai scanned them, so there would be no worry even if they got damaged!

With his spirits lifted, Duanmu Huai relaxed and curiously asked Tezuka Renichi.

"What are you here for? What do you want with this kid?"

"Hmm...…"

Hearing Duanmu Huai's inquiry, Tezuka Renichi revealed a complex smile.

"If it were anyone else, I couldn't say, but if it's Mr. Duanmu, it's fine. Do you remember, I once wanted to commission you to investigate someone?"

"I recall you saying that someone in your group accidentally killed someone while collecting debts?"

"That's right, in fact, not long after that, that person also died."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Duanmu Huai raised his eyebrow.

"Then what? What does this have to do with the kid?"

"I found out by chance, actually, the place where that junior clashed with the other party while collecting debts—was 'Hell's First District'."

"......…"

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Huai understood. Oh good, it was the victim's alliance huh?

But...… How can this be related to the yakuza?

Is this world intentionally forcing me to rely on this connection or what!

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