Chapter 293 - 293 150

Words : 1229 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

293: 150. The Cost of Growth 293: 150. The Cost of Growth The flames licked the stone walls, casting a warm, bright glow in the windbreak. Midnight was still some time away, and the long night stretched on. The sea breeze brought the sound of nearby waves, reclaiming the space. After a brief silence, Lu Li asked, “What is in the cabin?” “Why do you want to communicate with the Followers?” Friday countered, as concerned with Lu Li’s thoughts as he was about the cabin’s occupants. “It’s normal for intelligent beings to want to communicate with other intelligent beings. There’s nothing special about that,” Lu Li answered. The shift in perspective wouldn’t change in a moment, just like Lu Li still habitually thought from a materialistic perspective, which was his biggest difference from the native humans of this world. “They are humanity’s enemies, though. Countless Exorcists have died at their hands over the centuries,” the hooded voice said with growing interest. “Enemies and communication are not incompatible,” Lu Li calmly replied. “Alright, you’re not wrong,” Friday said, noticing that Lu Li was still looking at her expectantly, so she added, “You’ll see it in the morning.” Her response remained vague. Lu Li nodded and then asked, “Did my case fail?” “Pretty much, Apprentice Investigator assessments require you to act alone, and I’ve already intervened.” Lu Li was silent, with no negative emotions visible on his face. He still had one more chance. “When will the Investigator’s rescue arrive?” “Not too long. If we’re lucky, we might see the Messenger tomorrow.” “Messenger?” “You’ll know when you see it.” A yawn sounded from under Friday’s hood. “I’ll rest first. Call me if there’s something you can’t handle.” Friday curled up her legs under the black robe, leaned her head against the warm stone wall, and a few seconds later, she lifted her head to look at Lu Li, “You wouldn’t consider becoming an Investigator by hiding the fact that I helped, then kill me while I’m asleep so no one knows I intervened, and you could become an Investigator, right?” “You’re too specific,” Lu Li watched Friday and said, making it sound like he should indeed do just that. Friday didn’t respond but tugged at her robe’s hem, “Don’t peek under my clothes while I’m sleeping.” She nestled against the stone wall, her breathing gradually growing steady. Lu Li watched silently for a while, then withdrew his gaze, added a log to the fire, and took two cans Friday had brought back from the sparks that rose. The cans hadn’t been opened yet. Friday hadn’t eaten all day, and perhaps had not drunk anything either. Placing the cans next to the stone wall, Lu Li’s gaze moved beyond the space of the beach chair, continuing his watch. Friday’s arrival hadn’t changed Lu Li’s plans much, but being alone and having company felt quite different, even for Lu Li. At least with a proper Investigator by his side, he could guard against external dangers more relaxedly. And he could get some rest after Friday woke up. This thought persisted until a cold light began to break outside. The night was fading away; dawn was breaking. After a troublesome first half of the night, the second half brought Lu Li a rare peace, aside from occasional illusions and whispering voices. Thinking about it, there hadn’t been any more peculiarities since Friday came back. Could it be related to her? Lu Li glanced at the still sleeping Friday, maintaining her sleeping posture against the stone wall, and moved away from the beach chair to exit the windbreak. The morning sea breeze blew head-on, black waves lapping the beach, the eastern horizon showing a hint of light, while lingering darkness still hovered above the island, outlining strange and grotesque forms. Today was the second day of survival on the deserted island. ... “The day has brightened again...” In the dimly lit Detective Agency, a murmuring voice slowly rose. On the sofa, a transparent figure hung its head low. Tap—tap—tap— Suddenly, heavy footsteps sounded from the corridor outside. The transparent figure on the sofa abruptly lifted its head, staring intently at the door. However, the footsteps did not stop; they passed the door of the Detective Agency and entered a household. The hope in the figure’s eyes gradually faded. “He told me he would return yesterday morning... ” Anna had been waiting all day, but that familiar figure never appeared. “Even you...” Anna dared not think of Lu Li being in peril; whenever she did, a severe, unbearable pain gripped her chest, as if her heart still resided within her ribcage. The last time she felt this way was when she was notified of her mother’s death. “If I had gone to sea with him...” Murmuring whispers echoed in the Detective Agency, the world outside the window grew a bit lighter than before, the once comforting noise of the neighbors now sounded grating. Equally grating was the reason Lu Li had not taken her with him. She was too weak, so much so that she would not only fail to protect Lu Li but could even burden him. “If I only had enough...” “Power...” A murky aura emanated from Anna’s ethereal body, erasing the human mark upon her, while, in contrast, her aura began to grow stronger. In the lightless Detective Agency, a peculiar dim shadow extended from her feet. Its color was very light, almost merging with the surroundings, hard to detect. “Still not enough...” Anna whispered softly, drifting towards the ceiling, passing through the roof, and appearing above the Long House. Smoke rose beside her from a chimney, drifting towards the densely gloomy sky. Anna’s diffused form hovered above the streets, her desire to grow stronger, yet not knowing what to seek. Drifting aimlessly, at one moment, Anna suddenly sensed a similar presence inside a house ahead. Her eyes regained their luster, the unseen ethereal figure floated inside the house. ... Blood in a dark red hue spilled over the entire wall and candlestick, the light from outside barely pierced through the thick curtains. A body leaned against the wall, eyes bulging, face frozen in its last terror. A ghost stood in front of the body, grinning cruelly, its mouth smeared with blood. Suddenly, sensing something, it turned its face and saw an exquisite, doll-like figure in a white long dress floating behind it. Beauty was fleeting, and the ghost walked towards Anna with a graceful smile, “Beautiful lady, I—” Its form suddenly froze, the face that remained graceful twisted and deformed, as if pulled apart by an extraordinary force, stretching and elongating like a reflection on the water. Snap— It was as if a blast sounded in the void, the male ghost suddenly exploded. Countless essences surged into Anna’s soul, strengthening her presence. “This power...” Anna felt the strength growing inside her. “If I had had it sooner...” A flicker of pain flashed through her clear eyes. “Still not enough...” The power she now possessed was insufficient to find Lu Li. Anna’s eyes gleamed with a new intensity, disregarding the corpse with a tragic death, she floated out of the house. Her conviction was firmer than ever.

Chapter 293 - 293 150

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