Seventh Street, 7:28 AM
Nicholas, Piers, and Evelyn strode down the street. Since it was still quite early, the sidewalks were mostly deserted, with only a few passersby scattered along the way.
Nicholas had reported for duty to join this mission as instructed by the letter delivered by Piers's bound spirit. Their current destination was a lodging house situated on 7th Street, the residence of the individual who had reported the supernatural incident.
"What kind of mission is this exactly, Vice-Chief?" Nicholas asked. Being his first official summons by the Order, it was only natural for him to be curious.
"That's difficult to say just yet. First, we need to verify the initial facts," Piers replied, clapping Nicholas on the shoulder. "For now, just watch and learn quietly, rookie. You'll understand soon enough."
Evelyn, walking close behind, maintained her usual stoic silence, offering no words to him as always. At first, Nicholas had suspected she harbored a dislike for him, but after getting to know her for a while, he realized she simply preferred her own company and disliked socializing with anyone.
Before long, they arrived at their destination.
Piers stepped up to Room 204 and knocked a few times. After a brief moment, the sound of the lock being undone was heard, and the door slowly creaked open.
"Who is it?"
A raspy voice drifted from within. Only half of the man's face was visible through the gap, but Nicholas immediately noticed haggard eyes—the look of someone who hadn't slept for days.
"Special Undercover Agent Hopton, York City Police Department."
Piers introduced himself, flashing an identification card for the man inside to see. Behind him, Nicholas raised an eyebrow in surprise.
It seemed that, aside from using the telecommunications company as a front, the Order also held considerable influence within the police force—enough to allow them to assume the identities of special officers with ease.
"I received a report that the night before last, you contacted the police about an unusual incident and requested an investigation. I've been dispatched by the Commissioner today to gather detailed testimony from you as a witness. May we have a moment of your time?"
Piers gestured toward Nicholas and the others behind him as he spoke. The man behind the door fell silent for a long moment before replying,
"I've already told them everything I saw. Right now... it's not a good time. You should leave."
With that, he tried to shut the door—but Piers swiftly wedged his foot in the gap, stopping it from closing.
"It will only take a few moments, Mr. Juan. We simply need to verify a few specific facts."
Juan struggled against the door for a few seconds, but it was futile. In the end, he let out a sigh and opened the door, allowing Nicholas and the others inside.
Inside Juan's room, everything looked plain and simple. Though not messy, there was nothing particularly noteworthy about it either.
The host gestured for them to take a seat at the small parlor table while he hurried to the kitchen to prepare drinks as a matter of courtesy. Though roughly the same age as Nicholas, the man looked significantly older. Dressed in white cotton pajamas, he clearly hadn't expected to receive guests at this hour.
Nicholas sat down on a chair next to Piers, while Evelyn remained standing, leaning casually against the wall nearby. Before long, Juan returned with four teacups in hand.
"I wasn't expecting any guests, so this is all I have. My apologies."
"You didn't have to trouble yourself," Piers replied with a faint smile.
"Actually, I've had a chance to skim the report on your statement, but I found it rather vague. That's why I wanted to hear it directly from you. I'd like you to recount the anomalies you witnessed that night. No matter how small the detail, please, feel free to speak openly."
If I tell you, you'll just think I'm crazy" Juan muttered.
" As a Special Agent, I've seen my fair share of strange things, I assure you—we won't judge you based on what you say."
Juan looked at Piers in silence before shifting his gaze to Nicholas, who offered him a friendly smile in return.
With a heavy sigh, the man in the pajamas finally began to speak.
"Room 205, right next to mine... belonged to a man named Cody. He didn't socialize with anyone much. To be honest, we weren't that close either, but since our rooms are adjacent, we talked from time to time. I remember him mentioning that he worked at a drainage facility near the river…" Juan began his story by tracing back to his neighbor
"It started around the end of last month... I began to notice Cody acting strangely. Usually, I'd see him leave his room at least two or three times a week, but for several days, I haven't caught even a glimpse of his shadow. Even his workplace sent people here to check on him; when I asked, they told me Cody hadn't shown up for work in over a week."
Juan's hands, still holding the teacup, began to tremble—like the part that truly disturbed him was about to unfold.
"It was the night of the 4th. I heard a commotion coming from next door—it sounded like people arguing, followed by a harrowing scream. I was certain it was Cody's voice. So I contacted the police immediately, and they arrived the next morning. After they forced the door open... they found Cody's body."
Nicholas noticed a trace of sorrow in Juan's expression. Even if Cody had only been a neighbor, the incident had clearly left a deep impression on the guy.
"Cody's remains were sent to the hillside cemetery. The undertaker who examined him said he died from a flare-up of a pre-existing illness. Since he had no relatives, the funeral was kept simple. Only a deacon from the Church of the Goddess of Love and Redemption came to conduct the rites. I attended the funeral that day… I saw it with my own eyes—his body was buried beneath the cemetery."
Nicholas noticed that when Juan mentioned the Church of the Goddess of Love and Redemption, he placed his hands over his chest as a sign of respect, indicating that this man was a devoted follower of that church.
The hillside cemetery likely referred to the very same graveyard connected to the drainage tunnels—the place where Nicholas had first awakened upon arriving in this world.
"When I went to the funeral, I accidentally dropped my wallet at the cemetery. So that night, I hurried back to look for it. The entire place was covered in fog… it was so dark I could barely see anything. Not only could I not find my wallet, I ended up getting lost inside…"
As he reached this part, fear began to seep from Juan's voice. His body and hands trembled uncontrollably, his expression filled with dread—as though he were reliving something truly horrifying.
"For a brief moment, the clouds parted and the moonlight shone down over the cemetery… That's when I saw a figure standing right in the middle of the cemetery. I was so relieved to see another person that I ran toward him… but before I could get close, he turned to look at me…"
Nicholas furrowed his brows. Ever since he learned of the existence of the Moon Worship Cult and the Moon God, his perception of the moon in this world had completely changed. Therefore, Juan's words put him especially on edge.
Sweat poured down Juan's body. He bit his nails hard, his lips trembling as he continued:
"It was Cody's face. He was wearing the exact same clothes he had been buried in. I saw it with my own eyes… a dead man—standing there alive. I swear on my life… I'm not lying!"
Nicholas quietly broke out in a cold sweat. If he calculated the time based on the man's story, this incident had occurred on the night of the 6th—the exact same time he had broken in to confront Antonio.
"Is it possible that it was too dark, and you might have mistaken Cody for someone else?" Piers, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke.
"I'm certain I didn't see it wrong. That person was definitely Cody! He was even wearing the same necklace I saw at the funeral!"
His voice was firm, as if trying to assert the truth of his words.
"Can you describe what Cody looked like at that time?"
"I was terrified... so I didn't get a good look." Juan stammered. "But his body was very pale like a corpse. His skin had started to decay, with some parts peeling off. That's all I remember."
These words made Nicholas think back to when Antonio transformed. It had started with his skin peeling away in layers. For a moment, he wondered if it might be the same case… but quickly dismissed the thought.
In Antonio's case, he had been transformed into a monster while still alive, after uttering the Moon God's name directly. But Cody had already died and been buried. It was unlikely to be the same kind of mutation.
"And what did you do after that?" Piers continued asking.
I ran in the opposite direction. I don't remember how long I kept running, but before I knew it, I was already outside the cemetery gate. The first thing I did was go straight to the police station. I told them everything I saw… but they looked at me like I had lost my mind." He raised his hands to hold his head, both knees drawn up in an embrace.
"...Or maybe I really have gone insane."
After that, Juan was no longer in a condition to answer any further questions. Nicholas, looking at the trembling figure, a strange feeling crept over him.
…Even though Juan's story was undoubtedly disturbing, it didn't seem like something that should have pushed him to this extent.
Nicholas could sense that there was some aura of misfortune clinging to the man before him. He could only wonder what it was all about.
"Alright, I understand the situation. We'll proceed with an investigation. Once we have any updates, the police department will inform you as soon as possible, Mr. Juan."
Piers gave Juan a final nod before catching the eyes of Nicholas and Evelyn, signaling that it was time to depart.
"If you encounter any problems, you can contact me."
Before leaving the room, Nicholas placed his business card on the table in front of Juan. His instincts told him he would meet this man again.
"...This is much more troublesome than I initially thought."
The moment they stepped outside, Evelyn clicked her tongue in irritation.
"I agree," Piers said while scratching his head lightly.
"Is it that serious?" Nicholas couldn't help but ask.
"Not really. Usually, the supernatural reports we get from the police turn out to be false alarms, just some people's imaginations running wild. But based on what we've heard, this isn't one of those cases. Looks like we'll be skipping lunch today,"
Piers said with a nonchalant shrug, while Nicholas couldn't help but curse inwardly.
'So you're just too lazy to deal with the usual cases, aren't you!?'
"This one might be a bit complicated. But it's ok, I'll fill you in on the way, rookie," Piers said while quickening his pace.
"Where are we going?" Nicholas asked as he hurried after him.
"Heh, I thought you'd have figured it out by now."
From their earlier conversation… the answer was already quite obvious.
"To the cemetery, of course."
09.11.550
Nicholas Parlay
Spirit medium (Éna)