Carefree Path of Dreams

“Mister Investigator, is this ghoul really dead?” Nietzsche stared at the ghoul’s body on the ground warily. “According to Mr. Andy, ghouls are incredibly difficult to annihilate. Even if their physical bodies die, they will often leave behind a gluttonous desire…”

“Brat! Don’t believe in rumors like that! For heterogeneities like ghouls, I’ve solved more than one large group before…” Clayon furrowed his brows in dissatisfaction. “And scientists have grabbed a few experimental bodies for scientific research and analysis. They aren’t that terrifying… In comparison, those wizards are much more troublesome to deal with because they’re too similar to humans and are often hiding among us…”

After saying that, he looked at Simon. “Of course, you’re not one…”

“A ghoul, an extraordinary creature, actually died so easily…” Simon finally uttered after some time.

“You shouldn’t think too highly of such heterogeneities. Moreover, ghouls are considered low-tier heterogeneities. In the past, they were easily killed by horsemen with swords, let alone I used a gun with enchanted bullets!”

Clayon revealed the holster at his waist. “As an unclassified Extraordinary, tell me your choice!”

He glanced at the Arank behind Simon and had clearly recognized his identity.

“Do I have any other choice?” Simon shrugged. “But although I’ll follow your orders, I won’t send myself to the death unconditionally!”

“Naturally! You don’t have to think of us at the Investigation Agency as too despicable. There are quite a few external members like you and peripheral informers…”

Clayon looked at Vivienne and then Nietzsche. “The only reason why I revealed this to you is that I also have the intention of developing you as informers. There aren’t many dangers, and you can even receive an additional stipend…”

“I-I need to think about it!” While Miss Vivienne was hesitant, Nietzsche was extremely excited.

“All right. Neither of you are allowed to leave until tonight’s matter is over, so you’ll have some time to think about it!” Clayon smiled, seeming extremely confident.

“Are you really planning to eliminate the ghoul lair?” Vivienne’s voice trembled slightly, feeling chills down her spine when she saw the monster on the ground.

“Of course… Do you think ghouls are wild beasts? They have intelligence too. After suffering tonight’s setback, they might shift immediately or even split up, making the following work much more difficult!”

Clayon shrugged. “Of course, you don’t need to worry. I naturally won’t do something so dangerous alone. I’ve already called for reinforcements!”

Wuwa! Wuwa!

After he finished speaking, ear-piercing sirens grew increasingly louder.

A group of men in black appeared in the surrounding, and Clayon’s attitude changed. He acted like a general as he issued orders calmly.

“Get in!”

Simon and Nietzsche sat uncomfortably in the back seats, watching numerous police cars form a long convoy and drive through the streets of Kimbert City.

Ten minutes later, the surrounding buildings became scarce as they arrived at a pier.

“I initially thought that ghouls preferred dark and dirty environments and would definitely choose some sewer space as their lair, but it was unexpectedly Wesley Pier!” Clayon got out of the car, slightly surprised. “Although there are sewer connections here as well, their motive clearly isn’t this…”

Vivienne was looking inquisitively at the men in black around them. There were at least a hundred of them, holding various types of weapons with strange shapes.

I didn’t even know about such a great force hidden within Kimbert City… Wait! Perhaps they were urgently transferred over from other cities. Have Mr. Clayon and the Federal Investigation Agency been dealing with monsters like these all this time?

She suddenly felt her desire seem to deviate.

“Occupy the high ground and surround them!”

“Arrange the firepower net, prepare the explosives, and be ready to blow up the pipelines! We can’t give them a chance to escape…”

These men in black were all well-trained and had a clear division of labor, reminding Vivienne of the military.

Furthermore, no one knew how Clayon was communicating with them. At this time, the patrols and night watchmen on the pier all disappeared, and the entire place became eerily silent.

Shortly after all the preparations were complete, they started surrounding an ordinary-looking warehouse.

“This is… the ghoul lair?” Simon was slightly trembling, let alone Nietzsche.

“All right, Mr. Extraordinary, I need bait, so please have your ‘toy’ enter…”

Clayon smiled slightly as he waved his hand, and a few men in black put a black armored suit on Arank.

Explosives? Simon’s eyes twitched, knowing that Clayon must have already discovered that Arank was a Flesh Puppet controlled by him. Too bad… I have no other choice!

He gave the order, and the emotionless Arank took big strides forward into the massive warehouse.

Bang Bang!

After opening the door, a burst of cold air came out of it. There was frozen pork and beef hung all over the place, appearing to be a massive meat freezer.

However, there were also other items… human limbs and bones!

Creak! Creak!

Chewing sounds echoed as over ten ghouls started encircling and launched an attack.

Ow Ow!

Arank roared furiously and sent a ghoul flying with a punch. However, this was not enough to change his fate as a few ghouls bit his four limbs and neck.

Kaboom!

The next moment, a terrifying explosion emerged, and half the warehouse blew up.

Flames rocketed into the sky as flesh and blood flew.

Nietzsche felt his ears buzzing as he was swept to the ground by the shockwave. While he was struggling to lift his head, he saw many men in black calmly firing their guns, forming a firepower net.

The ghouls had their heads blown off and collapsed.

“Be sure to clean up the battlefield properly!” Clayon calmly directed the follow-up cleaning.

Nietzsche finally regained his senses and said in disbelief, “A huge ghoul lair annihilated just like that?”

Simon, who was beside him, had a wide-opened mouth. This had obviously left a deep impression on him as well.

“On this planet, we humans are the true masters!” Clayon said proudly. “You should be rejoicing in the fact that you met me first!”

However, Nietzsche was thinking about something else. Ghouls aren’t terrifying at all… Sure enough, Mr. Andy is a big liar…

…

Two days later.

The newspapers had already reported the explosion at Wesley Pier. The official explanation for this incident was a gas leak.

Fang Yuan walked out of the police station and stretched his back. “Good morning, Mr. Nietzsche… Congratulations on finding a new job!”

“…” Nietzsche looked at Fang Yuan but was completely speechless. He was thinking about the conclusion of the investigation.

After a search and professional appraisals, Old Man Javier’s Convienence Store had contained mostly counterfeit goods or items to deceive others, especially that gold-coated copper talisman with the sun insignia. Only Voodoo Rituals was a true extraordinary item, and it was only accidentally acquired.

As for the so-called Ghoul Talismans, they were also all fake. The so-called ghoul claws inlaid in them were all dog claws!

It was also concluded that the ghoul attack on the international fugitive Capone was merely bad luck and pure coincidence.

This was the Investigation Agency’s assessment, and Nietzsche had no doubts about it. The reason he found Fang Yuan was only because he still had one last doubt. “That… Sin Imprint… how did you know about it?”

“Sigh… After coming into contact with so many extraordinary items, I’m bound to feel things differently!” Fang Yuan said with a certain sadness.

On the road, Morigu had already hired a carriage and opened the door for him.

“Don’t say anymore, you big liar!” Nietzsche yelled, deciding to no longer believe anything that this black-hearted, profiteering boss said.

“Oh, Little Mister, your attitude makes me really sad… Originally, I was planning to introduce you to a treasure I’m about to acquire—a late painting of the great artist Master Vincent. For just ten gold punks, it’s an absolute steal!”

Fang Yuan feigned a helpless sigh.

Nietzsche’s heart moved, but he maintained his emotionless face. “I will no longer believe you or anything in your store! They’re all fake!”

“Oh, that’s a shame…” Fang Yuan shrugged and said meaningfully, “The influence and contamination of ghouls aren’t easy to get rid of… Young man, the guidance of destiny has started. You have to work hard!”

Smack!

He got into the carriage, shut the door, and told the coachman to return to his store.

“He’s truly… a foolish and pathetic being…” After sending the carriage away, Morigu sighed. “He’s clearly in danger yet knows nothing at all! How pathetic!”

For an investigation of this level, even Morigu’s ability to manipulate dreams and illusions was enough to fool them. Fang Yuan had not needed to act at all.

“But this is also what makes it interesting, right?” Fang Yuan laughed.

…

On another side, Nietzsche found an apartment according to an address given to him.

“This is one of the Investigation Agency bases in Kimbert City. Now that you’re one of our informers, you have to come back here once every week to report new information. You will receive a stipend of three silver sols every month, and your bonus will depend on the importance of the information you bring back. Any questions?”

Clayon cut a piece of medium-rare steak and put it in his mouth, showing a look of delight. “You can only truly enjoy the natural flavor by not adding any additional seasoning!”

“No questions!” Nietzsche took a deep breath. “I wish to join you! What do I have to do?”

“We have to observe you for a period of time, and you will also have to pass tests!” Clayon replied with a smile. “Come, let me introduce you to your boss here… Oh yes, I have to mention that the steak Mr. Hannibal makes is truly delectable!”