Chapter 2: The Detective's Last Words |
“This kind of last will and request… it’s obviously not normal.”
Shade, whose hand was being held by the man on the bed, showed little emotion on his face. However, he was acutely aware of the peculiarity in this situation: a detective who precisely predicted his own death, took in a not-so-bright vagabond right before dying, and even left all his possessions to this person—all for the sake of a seemingly simple request. This “simple” request could not possibly be as simple as it seemed.
The man was likely not just a detective, but Shade, who had taken over this body, was even less of an ordinary person. Even if the original Shade didn’t understand the truth, the foreign visitor now in his place understood one thing—he shouldn’t get involved in something that screamed trouble from the very start, or else...
“If you don’t agree, I can guarantee that after I’m gone, you won’t receive a single penny of mine. None of this will belong to you. You’ll go back to being a vagabond, with no gas lamps, no fireplace, no meals, not even a bed. You’ll return to the life you had before...”
But Shade had to agree. In this world, he had nothing. Comparing the two paths—becoming a vagabond and starting over, or getting involved in troublesome affairs in exchange for wealth—neither seemed appealing. But he had to choose one.
Besides, having heard all of this already, he was already involved. Trying to withdraw was no longer an option. Shade understood how to assess the situation and weigh his circumstances.
“It’s just… could the death of Mr. Sparrow Hamilton be related to something extraordinary? Or perhaps to the voice in my head?”
He wondered but couldn’t analyze further. To his surprise, the voice in his head reappeared at that very moment:
“It is extraordinary. He died because of a 【Relic】. This has nothing to do with you.”
“【Relic】?”
In the ancient, refined language the woman used, this was a specific term. Different languages carried varying depths of meaning, and in hers, this term held immense connotations—“sealed objects,” “containment items,” “cursed artifacts,” and the like.
Shade was grateful he could understand this language. From the term, he gleaned the meaning: “a special item capable of wielding extraordinary power, but extremely dangerous.”
This gave Shade some unsettling suspicions about the nature of this world.
“Then, who exactly are you?”
The voice didn’t explain the term, so Shade asked inwardly. From its responses, he knew the voice was a thinking entity.
“I am you.”
The whispering reply sent shivers down Shade’s spine with its soft, low tone.
Shade let out a light scoff. He was sure this body belonged to a man; the voice couldn’t be the original owner.
As he looked at the gleam of the bedside lamp illuminating the rigid, lifeless skin of the man on the bed, Shade spoke:
“I understand, sir.”
“Shade, I have ten minutes left. If you have any more questions, ask them now.”
The man’s words carried great weight, his tone laced with fatigue. Shade knew that if everything the man said was accurate, the answers to these questions would be key to his survival in this world. He had to tread carefully.
“Your death… it doesn’t seem natural.”
Pretending to be slow-witted, Shade spoke deliberately. This question was critical—it concerned whether whatever caused the detective’s death might affect him as well.
“We never discussed this before, and I know you’ve been worried... Don’t worry about it. My impending death may frighten you, but there’s no need to worry. My death won’t implicate you. I need you to complete a task three months from now, so I can guarantee that. Those who kill me will never appear again. After all, we ordinary people aren’t worth their attention.”
The man revealed a significant amount of information without holding back.
“Ordinary… people?”
Shade hesitated for real this time.
“You don’t need to understand. Even I don’t fully comprehend it. Those Ring Warlocks, who wield the four elements of 【Miracles】【Enlightenment】【Blasphemy】【Whispers】… the five True God Churches, the three Grand Arcane Academies… this terrifying world… Forget what I just said. You’ll live better that way. Remember, you know nothing.”
The man emphasized this as much as his strength allowed. Shade merely nodded, committing those terms to memory.
“All right, I know nothing.”
He guessed “Ring Warlocks” referred to the mystics of this world, and 【Miracles】【Enlightenment】【Blasphemy】【Whispers】 were part of some kind of power system. The True God Churches and Arcane Academies were likely the dominant forces among these mystics.
A regular detective couldn’t possibly know this much. Sparrow Hamilton clearly had many secrets.
Shade didn’t press further. Instead, he focused on extracting more voluntary information from the man in the limited time left.
“How should I live after your death? I know nothing about detective work and am barely literate.”
Although time was running out, Shade spoke slowly, both to maintain his pretense and because he hadn’t yet mastered this language. This felt like trying to walk during a race—it was frustrating.
“It doesn’t matter. Use the skills I’ve taught you; they’ll suffice. Just stay here for three months. After that, sell everything and move to the countryside. Life there will suit you better. It’s cheaper.”
The man’s words were incomplete, a sign of his fading strength. But Shade had no memory of the past and didn’t know what had been taught. He sought help from the voice in his head, but it didn’t respond.
“Is there anything else you need to tell me?”
Shade asked his third question, carefully chosen in advance.
“Remember what I’ve told you these three months. Follow the simple tasks in the memo; try completing them to keep the detective agency running. And… the cards in this diary…”
The weakening man gestured to the bedside table. Letting go of Shade’s hand, he prompted Shade to fetch the diary. Its brown leather cover, secured with a magnetic clasp, showed careful preservation.
Shade handed the diary to Sparrow Hamilton, but the man shook his head. He could barely speak.
Shade opened it himself, flipping through pages filled with dates, some bearing just a single line: “Nothing happened today, funds running low.” A few detailed progress on cases.
Midway through, he stopped as a card slipped out. Picking it up, Shade noted its waxy, protective coating, though it felt eerily like skin. The thought of human skin crossed his mind.
The card’s back displayed abstract symbols of the sun, moon, and stars overlapping in a strange design. On the front, a woman with silver hair sat sideways on a high stool, cradling a crescent moon. The minimalist design used only white, black, and cool tones.
Above her were the number 3 and a small sun emblem. Between them, a white circle contained a black vertical line. Beneath her figure was a line of text:
“When using this card, adjust the number within a range of 1 to 5.”
Shade marveled at his ability to understand the text, just as he could comprehend the language spoken around him.
“What is this?” he asked softly.
“A valuable card, compatible with the usual 54-card deck featuring four suits: Sun, Moon, Star, and Flower. This is the 【Sun 3】 card, from a special edition. Its design is rare and highly collectible. Keep it in the diary, avoid water or folding, and don’t show it to others lightly. If desperate, go to the Birmingham Collection Museum in Tobesk City. They’ll know its value… The Rhodes Card, my most treasured collection…”
Shade noted the name “Rhodes Card,” understanding it was a common card game here. The 【Sun 3】 card seemed akin to commemorative coins or stamps. Returning it to the diary, he thought it exquisite but not enough to warrant suspicion about the world’s capabilities.
“Is there anything else you want to say, sir?”
Shade asked again, sensing that letting the man speak freely might yield more.
“Shade.”
Hamilton gripped Shade’s hand again, his gaze softening.
“I know I’ve never been a good man, and I deeply regret dragging you into this. Leave Tobesk City after three months. The capital isn’t for you… But I think you’ll agree I was right to pull you out of the vagabond life. Your mind isn’t sharp, so remember—don’t trust others easily, especially anyone asking for your money…”
“I’ve arranged a grave in the Tobesk Public Cemetery. The undertaker will come shortly. You don’t need to follow. Just live here for three months, as I taught you…”
His voice faltered.
“Shade… I’m sorry… Good luck.”
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