The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 167

If she's one of my comrades, then her actions were probably just a well-intentioned warning. If she's an agent from the Secret Service... then she's likely setting a trap. In any case, I must find a way to hide as soon as possible.

Without further hesitation, Detrick removed her waiter's attire, revealing her healthy, tanned skin and well-proportioned collarbone and waistline.

She was quite thin, but you could see some slight signs of exercise; she didn't appear frail. However, there were several crisscrossing white marks on her back, like faint traces left after she had been whipped as a child.

Soon, Detrick changed into a women's autumn coat, leather trousers, and a pair of Dr. Martens boots.

She had short, dark brown hair that hung around her ears, with six tiny eye-shaped hair accessories hidden behind her ears, making her look capable and energetic.

"call……"

While changing clothes, she discovered that she had lost something... the meat saw she had taken from the hunter's room had also disappeared without a trace.

But it was clearly tied around my waist, through my coat and undergarments, so how could it have been stolen? The key is that I was completely unaware of it, my subconscious and intuition seemed certain that the knife was still on me.

Damn it, if I'd known I'd run into this kind of trouble, why did I have to touch that doctor in the first place...?

Derica bit her lip slightly, feeling a little annoyed for a moment.

For a skilled raider, such a loss of composure is indeed rare. But there was nothing she could do; the blow from reality was too great... to the point that she was finding it difficult to accept.

"What's wrong, ma'am? Do you need help?"

A soft female voice rang in Detricka's ear, sending a chill down her spine.

"I am fine……"

As she tried to keep her voice calm, she slowly looked toward the source of the sound.

The doctor I had just seen was the one I had seen earlier.

She stood before the door, her amber eyes gleaming in the shadows, a half-smile playing on her lips.

"Oh, ma'am, you look very pale. Are you sick? It's true that you can easily get sick from the change in environment if you're not careful at sea."

"Or...did you lose something?"

As he spoke, Fran walked into the storeroom, and with a light lift of his hand, the metal door behind him was locked from the inside.

It was that doctor from before… As the metallic clang of the latch engaging rang out, Derica felt a heavy, almost viscous, suffocating sensation wash over her.

Escape? Where to escape to? To break through the window and jump into the abyss to commit suicide? Forcing a breakthrough is a pipe dream...

"Oh, if I may be so bold, could you tell me your name?"

Fran bowed slightly to her before asking his question.

“...My name is Detrika.”

Under intense psychological pressure, she did not use a pseudonym.

“I’m so sorry! Respected lady… I shouldn’t have offended you. Please don’t hand me over to the Hunters…”

"Your skills are so superb, do you also believe in the Six-Eyed God who 'knows what is lost'? Well, I will follow the rule of overstepping my bounds and offer you all that I have gained on this trip..."

Detricka's plea for mercy was decisive and thorough; she was almost kneeling down.

“Oh, dear Miss Detrica, I’m glad you’ve recognized your mistake. But, do you think it’s possible… that I am the Hunter?”

As he spoke, Fran gently lifted his slender index finger, and a crow landed steadily on it.

Its feathers were jet black and glossy, like layers of silk. In the shadows, a faint, deep blue light could be seen in its eyes... those were traces of the [Calling Bird's] secret arts.

You can call me Vivian.

Her words sent a shiver through Detricka's body, making even her breathing slow. Fear, like an electric current from a thunderbolt, instantly penetrated her body, surging into every limb and bone of the thief.

She had met Secret Service agents in her early years, but they only had a repulsive, sinister aura, far from the oppressive feeling of Ms. Vivian before her that made even the thought of running away impossible.

The person before me... probably holds at least a managerial rank.

"Ms. Vivian, are you planning to arrest me?"

Detricka's voice was slightly hoarse.

She no longer held out hope of escaping; she was only thinking about whether she could get a relatively minor charge... preferably one that could be bailed out.

"arrest?"

Looking at the trembling Derica, Fran couldn't help but smile.

“Silly child, if I were to put you in jail, why wouldn’t I just bring my colleagues along? The guy whose butcher’s saw you stole has been looking for you... I’m sure he’d be happy to teach you a lesson.”

Seeing that the person in front of her seemed to have other plans, Detrick breathed a slight sigh of relief.

As long as she doesn't end up in jail, everything is fine... But thinking of this, she felt a little uneasy again.

I've heard that some of the hunters in the Secret Hunters group are so obsessive that they're almost inhuman. Could it be that this lady doesn't even intend to give me the chance to go to jail?

The ocean is a treacherous place; anyone can be swallowed up silently and buried forever in its waves.

Under the watchful gaze of those amber eyes, Detricka felt a wave of weakness wash over her, finding it increasingly difficult to bear the mounting psychological pressure.

“Ms. Vivian, please tell me what you want, and I will give it to you. If it's something I have, as long as I can do it…”

"Don't worry, it's just a few simple questions."

Si Fran found a small wooden stool, wiped the remaining dust off the seat, and then sat down lightly.

Ling seemed quite interested at the moment, even having the leisure to gently stroke Crow Mu Ning's chin with her fingers. The latter squinted his eyes, clearly enjoying it.

Si said, "I will let you go after you answer, of course... provided that you are honest enough."

"Is there anything you'd like to know?"

Upon hearing Ms. Vivian's request, Detricka's eyes flashed with excitement.

The fact that Liu wanted to ask some questions meant there was still room for maneuver. It was said that the Hunter's Secret Court sometimes hired disciples of the Six-Eyed Raven as agents, a kind of special organization…

While she was still thinking of a way to escape, Fran began to ask questions.

"Miss Detrica, how much do you know about the Star Abyss Society?"

This question was not difficult for Detricka, and she quickly gave an answer.

"Most people in Gormouth have to deal with the Star Abyss Society... They set up ritual arrays in some cities using relics to ward off disasters that come with the tides."

“Even in Mordway, the capital city where the royal court is located, they make extensive use of their secret techniques.”

Upon hearing this, Fran casually crossed his legs, then raised his fingers and gently stroked the edge of his lower lip.

"The fool who wanted to see the stars in the sea's reflection has actually figured it out? That's rather unexpected..."

She made a rather intriguing comment before asking the next question.

"What about the Ant Scale Gate? How are those madmen doing these days?"

Fran is accustomed to asking questions from simple to complex, and her interest in the Ant Scale Gate cult is significantly greater than that in the Star Abyss Society.

After all, the god worshipped by the former had been corrupted and was nearly driven mad. In addition, He was constantly hunting Luyala in his dreams, trying to escape his predicament by using some trait of this mythical creature.

Oh, that's a "Sichen" suffering from a terrible disease. Such a high-profile patient is indeed quite appealing to Fran... How could she not pay close attention?

"Their sect has split."

As she said this, a hint of smugness flashed in Detrick's eyes.

In Gormouth, any ordinary question about the Star Abyss Society can be answered by asking in a tavern; any adult can answer it. But regarding the Antscale Gate… that's exclusive information held only by their own sect.

"Though named the Ant Mother, the true form of that deity is a 'serpent python'. After the worm infestation, deep black ants truly emerged from Her wounds. This caused a division among Her disciples regarding her faith."

"One part decided to maintain the pure original faith, while the other part decided to seek deeper enlightenment from the worms churning in the wound."

At this point, Detricka pursed her lips slightly, a hint of disgust showing in her eyes.

"I suspect that those disciples who chose the worm were already insane before they made the decision. No normal person would ever allow something like that to touch their mind and spirit..."

As a god of spies and thieves, the Six-Eyed Raven's disciples naturally also specialized in this art.

Derica knew quite a few secrets, which pleased Fran quite a bit, and she then asked her last question.

"By the way, how much do you know about that 'Nightmare' who was being hunted before?"

"That guy..."

Detrika narrowed her eyes for a moment, looking somewhat embarrassed.

In fact, she did know something about Nightmare Guest. But after all, that person was a disciple of the Six-Eyed Raven Cult, and to just reveal his information like that was somewhat like betraying a colleague.

"Hmm... the wind is very strong tonight. If someone unfortunately falls into the abyss, they probably won't hear any screams, right?"

Seeing that Derica hesitated, Fran raised his hand and gently stroked his cheek, his eyes playful and alluring, as if he were seriously considering the question.

"Gah."

Mu Ning, which landed on the back of her hand, chirped softly, sounding as if it were expressing affirmation.

“Wait, Ms. Vivian! Well, I don’t know much about ‘Nightmare’ either.”

Sensing the undisguised threat in the other party's words, Detricka immediately chose to compromise and began to carefully recount what she knew.

“Our disciples rarely communicate with each other, and I don’t know his name or anything about him. But I saw in the news that he attacked the Mirror of Enlightenment Club, so he must have needed the ‘lamp’ organ as the stolen item.”

"This is preparation for the high priest's promotion to the fourth tier!"

The thief spoke quickly, her face flushed slightly from holding her breath. After she finished speaking, she raised her eyes to secretly observe Fran, trying to gauge the hunter's current attitude.

"Don't be afraid, that was just a joke."

Fran gave her a harmless, business-like smile, with a hint of reassurance, as if he hadn't just issued the death threat.

After a moment, she spoke softly, breaking the somewhat tense atmosphere.

"Miss Detrica, you know quite a lot. Interested in becoming my informant? Excellent benefits, you know."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Yesterday's family dinner left some soup uneaten in the evening (it had burned out and turned into ashen snow).

Chapter Sixty-One: Long-Term Management

"Informant?"

Upon hearing Ms. Vivian's final request, Detrick breathed a sigh of relief, and the unease that had been churning in her heart gradually subsided.

Being able to act as an informant means you still have value to them. It prevents you from being discarded after the questions are asked.

"What do you think of this proposal, Miss Detrica? Of course, don't force yourself, I fully respect your opinion."

Fran sat upright on the wooden stool, his legs crossed casually, his fingers slightly interlaced.

"However, let me state upfront... I don't like being rejected."

She maintained her usual faint smile, making it impossible to discern her thoughts. The raven on her shoulder stood indifferently, its black pearl-like eyes blending perfectly with the shadows.

“Of course, Ms. Vivian.”

Faced with Fran's persistent questioning, Detrica nodded slightly and readily agreed.

While much of this was a feigned compliance born of desperation, it wasn't entirely perfunctory. The plunderer thief had no true loyalists; she was willing to trade with any customer who could afford the price.

As for whether she might betray the Six-Eyed Raven Cult... to be honest, she didn't care.

From the moment they become spiritually involved, every disciple of Tantric Buddhism has only one goal: to ascend that unspeakable, hidden staircase and strive their entire life to reach its end. And this is something that most can only be accomplished by purely selfish individuals.

"I just don't understand, what can I do for you?"

Detrika's doubts at this moment are perfectly reasonable.

Ms. Vivian's thieving skills far surpass mine; she likely possesses more than two of the "Raven" system's secret techniques and holds unimaginable spiritual awakening abilities. How could I possibly be of any help to someone like that?

Whether it's stealing treasures or gathering information, she probably won't need my help. There are even situations where I wouldn't even be qualified to appear...

Seeing that Derica had agreed, Fran then began to explain his commission and specific needs.

"Two things. First, keep an eye out for Nightmare Walker's whereabouts. Ideally, you'd like specific information about his movements or recent whereabouts."

“Okay, I’ll try to gather as much information as possible,” Detrick quickly agreed.

Tracking down the Nightmare Guest was an expected assignment, since the Hunters on the ship were probably after that guy.

I really don't know what got into that senior. He already had the materials for the advancement ceremony in Norrington, yet he still committed another crime. As a result, the Hunters caught him red-handed, and his wanted level kept getting raised…

Oh, it seems there was someone else in the audience who, after winning one vote, decided to try again, and ended up losing without any resistance.

Thinking of this, Detrick's lips stiffened slightly.