Chapter 147 Tumult
New Inn Port.
Tonight's moon is large, but it exudes a deeply ominous blood-red hue.
The entire city seems to be shrouded in a layer of red gauze, complemented by the predominantly black Gothic architecture and empty streets of various sizes, making one suspect they have inadvertently stepped into some otherworldly space.
This blood-red moon has been appearing sporadically for the past seven days. Initially, it did not attract the residents' attention, but as time went on and with the recent frequent occurrence of "murders," residents have avoided going out at night unless absolutely necessary, especially now that it's already late-night.
But it's just past ten o'clock.
The streets and alleys, long since plunged into slumber, suddenly burst into life again, with sounds of arguing, screams, hysterical laughter, and smashing noises tending towards chaos.
"Hahaha, I am God, I am your savior! My words are divine revelations, anyone who looks down on me is desecrating God!"
"Damn it, have these guys gone crazy?"
Aiven never imagined that New Inn Port, which appeared so peaceful and harmonious, actually had so many people with psychological issues.
Tonight's patrol encountered the first "lunatic," initially thought to be an isolated case of mental illness, but upon encountering a second and third, they realized this was the handiwork of the last hidden "Killing Ghost."
And the method is so precise, so ruthless, it struck at the heart of ordinary citizens in the city!
These people commit crimes while venting their frustrations in an indescribable aria, like actors on a stage, as if letting the audience understand their plight.
The "Shadow Library" greatly enriched Aiven's foundational knowledge. With his current accumulation of mystical knowledge, he can already discern that this is a "curse" using the extreme emotions of both caster and victim as a medium!
And the most likely emotion is "jealousy!"
Provoking deeply hidden negative emotions, causing emotions that might never surface in a lifetime to explode like a bomb.
Victims are twisted from body to soul, transforming into obsessive individuals with Apprentice Level strength. Who knows if they can ever return to normal?
Aiven is not optimistic about this.
A large group of people previously infected by the "White-Faced Dancer" meme are still lying in the hospital, with only half able to recover—already a blessing from the Goddess. What's more, these "Rampagers" who have been obviously more deeply poisoned?
Bam—
Krell casually knocks out the disheveled man he was holding, stopping his incessant blasphemous claims of being God, then securely binds him with highly elastic animal tendons.
"Do you feel like there are more and more of these guys?"
Krell feels accurately.
Clearly, after using their suddenly acquired strength to resolve the source of their jealousy, most "Rampagers" won't settle down, but start indiscriminately attacking ordinary people, creating one tumult after another in the city.
This disheveled middle-aged man is already the third "Rampager" Aiven and the others have captured, yet their vision reveals more anomalous figures constantly emerging onto the streets.
After making the decision during the day.
All four of Aiven fully armed and joined the city patrol teams, delving deep into the city's streets and alleys, while sending out Sea Birds for constant searches.
But due to no knowledge whatsoever about the characteristics of the last "Killing Ghost," the Sea Birds accomplished nothing.
And starting from four o'clock in the afternoon, when the "Killing Ghost" began freely moving, they became intensely focused, not daring to relax even for a moment.
With the arrival of the seventh and final time limit, everyone carried a sense of tension, searching for the last "Killing Ghost" and "Box of Dead Souls," while fearing that a fully-fledged Great Knight "Killing Ghost" might suddenly appear and tear them apart.
Given their current strength, they scarcely stand a chance of survival against a Great Knight.
The entire half-day was peaceful, leading them to think that maybe the "Killing Ghost," contrary to previous patterns, won't stir up trouble anymore.
Then, the widespread "Rampage" events among mortals suddenly erupted throughout the city!
That's where the previous scene came from.
However, soon the latest intelligence was delivered to them.
Although the "Killing Ghost" and "Box of Dead Souls" can shield against divination, it in turn provides an idea.
Eliminate through divination.
On the list of those out of control, everyone else has been confirmed dead, except the Wells Clan's last descendant, Wack Wells, whose status remains uncertain.
Hence, in that grisly slaughter scene, it's highly likely this guy has become the new Host!
A few minutes ago, the "Kingdom Secret Department" detected a powerful yet sinister energy releasing near the offshore area outside the port. Considering the timing of the "Rampage," this is undoubtedly the current Host's ability!
"Orders: All trainees from the Navy Academy short training program, the Crowman Team, and the Church's Iron Wall Knight Order head to the port to assist, cooperating with the First Fleet to swiftly extinguish the source of the tumult. Responsibility for quelling the city's internal chaos falls fully under the City Guard."
In just a short while they checked the intelligence, someone had already ignited a major fire in the city, its formidable flames coloring half the sky red, even suppressing the light of the blood moon.
The turmoil further expands!
"Let's hurry!"
Without delay, Aiven handed over the captured "Rampager" to the arriving City Guard for transfer, then prepared with his three companions to head directly to the port.
"Hey, hey, hey, so here you are, I was searching high and low for you! Aiven Galliot!" A sudden voice broke from the darkness, interrupting their footsteps.
"Hmm?"
Actually, Aiven had maintained the Sea Bird reconnaissance network all night, despite the inability to invest fully, resulting in decreased efficiency and precision, he had noticed suspicious "Rampagers" approaching his area.
Originally intending to ignore them, leaving it to the City Guard to resolve. Because the urgent priority is resolving the source of the turmoil, otherwise these "Rampagers" would endlessly spawn, too many to capture.
But when he spoke, Aiven was surprised to discover that this guy was targeting him? He's actually someone's object of jealousy?!!
Having seen clearly who it was, looking at that rigid, bizarre face, Aiven slightly startled: "It's you?"
Anyone Aiven has seen even once with his Data Visualization will never be forgotten. This person was the dance partner of Lady Teresa he met at the ball, a young piano instructor named Lemon.
At least being someone he's acquainted with, Aiven stopped, and doesn't mind wasting a minute on him. But he couldn't fathom why this guy, with whom he only crossed paths once, would harbor jealousy towards him?
"Hey, Aiven, did you steal his girlfriend, leading him right to your doorstep?"
Such gossip Krell is rather intrigued by, blatantly mocking Aiven, standing not far from Lemon.
"It's that look! Loftily overlooking the common masses, using charity towards us weaklings to highlight your benevolence.
But now, I too possess that kind of strength, I should be the one surrounded by admiration! Oh ho ho ho—"
Aiven, a bit speechless, scratched his ear, wondering what this self-serving guy is on about, with such strong imagination? How have I been lofty?
Indeed, no cure for this lunatic.