*Chapter 99: Bad Luck Message?

"Eight Feet Tall!"

"Bloody Mary!"

"Half-Body Specter!"

"Kuchisake-onna!"

...

The notes on the desk and the photos and annotations on the whiteboard were all centered around these "folklore" topics.

Moreover, each record was incredibly detailed.

As if they had really happened.

If you set aside the prefix "I heard from a friend" before each record, and another "my friend's friend heard" prefix, it would really seem like it was true.

"A 'Folklore Research Institute' like this?"

Goethe murmured to himself.

But there was no trace of rejection in his tone.

Because, in his view, these folklore tales might be real.

Some truths are always revealed in absurd ways, or rather, they are hidden within the absurd.

For example, the seven mysterious events of a certain school: six of them are just to hide the one that holds the truth.

Moreover, Goethe had already encountered the supernatural.

So what was there not to believe?

"One week!"

"One week to adapt to this identity!"

"And then..."

"Complete the main mission while doing everything I can to find the [Bloody Honor]!"

Goethe habitually set a preliminary plan for himself.

As for how to find the [Bloody Honor]?

With the insight gained from the previous "Secret Realm," Goethe already knew where to start.

'Mordewis'!

Judging by the earlier hints, it was clear that the "Mad King" had also visited this "Secret Realm."

So, there was a high probability that descendants were left behind. Perhaps they wouldn't be massacred like in the "Anchor World" or the previous "Secret Realm."

But there should, or possibly could, be one or two who encountered misfortune.

He just needed to focus on those one or two.

"By the way, I also need a pendulum!"

"Maybe I could try using a crystal pendant?"

Goethe thought to himself as he began to carefully review the materials that "he" had collected.

Gradually, the sun set, and darkness fell.

The heat in the air dissipated, leaving behind a sense of coolness.

Goethe raised his hand and pressed a switch on the wall.

Bright lights immediately illuminated the entire room. Outside the window, six or seven crows perched on the trees, their silhouettes visible in the light.

However, they showed no fear or intention to fly away; they simply stood on the branches, watching their surroundings like sentinels—as Goethe naturally made full use of the [Ominous Sound].

The moment he entered the "Secret Realm," Goethe had the [Raven Spirit] gather as many [Crows] as possible within the limit.

After a few hours, there were already some results.

The nearby crows had all been gathered.

And crows are social birds.

Goethe believed that soon, he would have nearly a hundred sentinels.

Stretching his body, Goethe prepared to continue reading.

He had to admit that the "folklore" collected by "him" was quite fascinating, even worth reading as a novel.

Especially under the bright light.

In the "Anchor World" and the previous "Secret Realm," kerosene lamps, gas lamps, and candles were still the main sources of light.

Not only were they unsafe, but they were also not as bright as electric lights.

"Thank you, technological progress!"

After a sincere compliment, Goethe turned his attention to the notebook in his hand.

"The content is detailed, and the pacing is good. If I run out of money, I could consider publishing a new serial."

Though not a truly accomplished writer, "Marple" had a decent level of reading comprehension.

Putting down the notebook, Goethe picked up another one, but before he could open it, his attention was drawn to the door.

Someone was coming!

Through the [Raven Spirit]'s vision, Goethe immediately saw two uniformed individuals approaching—a man and a woman.

Police?

Did 'I' do something wrong?

There was no memory of that!

Goethe was certain that "he" hadn't done anything that would warrant a police visit.

As for himself?

He had just arrived—how could he have possibly attracted the attention of the police?

Knock, knock, knock!

As Goethe pondered, a knock sounded at the door.

"Hello, we are the police. Here are our credentials. There are a few things we'd like to ask you about—please don't worry, it's just a routine inquiry, not an interrogation."

When Goethe opened the door, the male officer spoke kindly.

The female officer, on the other hand, was scrutinizing Goethe.

She appeared to be in her early twenties, with short, neat hair and sharp eyes. Her posture was as straight as a javelin, and Goethe noticed a familiar "blood and fire" scent from her.

"A soldier?"

Goethe guessed.

His gaze swept over their credentials.

The male officer was named Shuster.

The female officer was named Ann.

Goethe nodded in cooperation.

"Okay."

He stepped aside, inviting them into the room.

"Are these the projects of the 'Folklore Research Institute'?"

"Quite unique!"

Shuster remarked curiously as he noticed the photos on the whiteboard.

The male officer had a round face, a clean appearance, and a baby face. His physique was average, and if not for the uniform, it would be hard to imagine him as a police officer.

"Would you like some water?"

Goethe didn’t answer the question and instead asked one of his own.

In this single-room research institute, the only available beverage was water.

"Thank you."

Shuster immediately expressed his gratitude.

"No need!"

Ann refused curtly, the female officer directly asking her question.

"Do you know Laura?"

"Laura?"

Gawain frowned.

"Laura von K. She's also a senior at Green High School," the policewoman added in more detail.

As she spoke, an image of a pretty, youthful girl appeared in Gawain's mind. He had seen her a few times at school, but they had never been close, merely passing by each other.

"I know her, but we're not really acquainted," Gawain replied truthfully.

"Is that so?"

The policewoman stared at Gawain, who met her gaze without flinching.

After three seconds of silence, Shuster, who was nearby, couldn't help but clear his throat.

"Sorry, Ann didn't mean anything by it. She’s just from a different background."

"Laura von K. recently jumped to her death, and we found a text message from you on her phone—sent around 2 PM today. Do you remember what you sent?" Shuster asked, trying to ease the tension.

"That 'Bad Luck Message' was sent by Laura von K.?" Gawain was surprised.

Not surprised that Laura sent him such a message, but surprised that she even had his number. It wasn’t as if she could have randomly picked it from the student contact list, right?

"Yes. You didn't know? It's been quite popular among the girls recently," Shuster continued.

"I knew it was popular, but I didn't know Laura von K. was the one who sent it," Gawain replied honestly.

The policewoman began to survey the room, pacing like a tiger.

For the next ten minutes, Gawain and Shuster exchanged questions and answers. Shuster was very polite. It was clear that he had already determined Gawain was an innocent bystander in this case.

Until—

"Shuster?"

"Come back quickly with Ann! Another student just jumped at Green High School!"

The urgent voice came through Shuster's walkie-talkie.

"Mr. Winchester, thank you for your cooperation. If we need anything else, we’ll contact you again!" Shuster said his goodbyes to Gawain.

The policewoman was already rushing out of the room.

Gawain hesitated for a moment before following them.

It wasn’t out of curiosity.

It was because of the main quest: [Become a recognized folklorist within three months].

As a qualified 'folklorist,' how could he stay out of a case involving something like a 'Bad Luck Message'?—Even if, strictly speaking, the 'Bad Luck Message' should be classified as an urban legend.

But investigating an urban legend as a folklorist isn’t excessive, right?

Sitting in the taxi, Gawain once again appreciated the advancement of technology.

Not that carriages were bad.

But taxis were faster, more stable, and had air conditioning.

"9 yuan."

Looking at the meter, Gawain took out a 10-yuan bill. After receiving the change from the driver, he stepped out of the car.

With a glance at the 123 yuan left in his wallet, Gawain's attention was caught by the crowd.

A police line, officers, and onlookers.

There was no need to ask; Gawain knew where he needed to go.

Instead of pushing through the crowd, Gawain chose a higher vantage point.

Immediately, he saw a body covered with a white sheet.

Crimson blood had seeped through, staining the fabric.

Several police officers were setting up a tent around the body.

The two officers he had just seen, Shuster and Ann, were questioning witnesses and investigating the rooftop with the remaining officers.

"Did you discover the body first?"

"Yes—no, we found it together."

"School lets out at 4 PM. Why are you still here so late?"

"We wanted to lay flowers for Laura, but who knew—who knew that Laura's friend Lise would also get into trouble!"

"It’s the 'Bad Luck Message'!"

"Yes, it’s the 'Bad Luck Message'!"

"I didn’t forward it, I deleted it. What should I do?"

"Thank goodness! Thank goodness!"

"I forwarded it!"

...

Faced with a group of students, Shuster, Ann, and the others were having a hard time getting clear answers. The frightened students did their best to cooperate, but their stories were disjointed and incoherent.

Especially when the 'Bad Luck Message' was mentioned, their fear and anxiety intensified.

This left Shuster, Ann, and the others with a headache.

They, of course, didn’t believe in the so-called 'Bad Luck Message.'

Even though two 'suicides' related to the 'Bad Luck Message' had occurred.

But it had to be a coincidence.

Or perhaps...

There was some connection they hadn’t yet uncovered!

And that connection was the key!

Shuster, Ann, and the other officers were all convinced of this.

But where was the connection?

No one could say for sure.

As time passed and night fell, Shuster, Ann, and the others had to conclude their questioning.

"Everyone, calm down. Please head home for now. We’ll come back tomorrow for more detailed interviews!" Shuster said routinely.

Immediately, the group of students began to leave, reassured by their teachers.

But at that moment—

"Wait!"

(End of Chapter)