Regression of the Genius Extra

Everyone sighed with defeat. But before they could despair, Laura continued…

"Also, I will arrange the food of every adventurer in Whiteburn for a month. We can only pray that the source of these abominations will be resolved and everyone can take commissions like before."

The adventurer's eyes brightened, but before anyone could cheer up, Joe asked away, "Can we know how you plan to proceed with the investigation?"

Laura answered right away, "We'll take help from the Temple."

Hearing her, everyone quieted down. They all were already aware how ignorant the current priest of the Temple of Whiteburn was. Ever since the Graves massacre incident from seven years ago, and with the Temple unable to find even a single clue about the matter, the belief of people of Whiteburn had slowly faded away.

It was later rumored that the priest had received threatening letters, which is why he ceased any investigation on the matter.

Not to mention that currently, the only force associated with the Whiteburn Temple Branch is Marquis Whiteburn, whose family was known to be cruel and intolerable whom nobody in the city had a good impression of.

The current young master of the Whiteburn Family, Gravas Whiteburn is rumored to have a secret relationship, possibly engagement with the Priest's daughter.

So there was no doubt that nobody in the entire adventurer's guild believed that the Temple would investigate sincerely.

Laura also knew this. She had tried reaching out to the Temple every time these monsters appeared, but every time they brushed it off saying it was a rare occurrence.

She took a deep breath before explaining to everyone present, "This time, the Temple will be forced to do their work properly." She said and then continued.

"Her Holiness, the Saintess will be coming to Whiteburn from the Capital. I will personally report to her about the crisis and ask her to provide assistance. She definitely wouldn't risk the lives of her subjects and the Temple would be forced to take action whether they want to or not." She finished.

Everyone remained silent before bursting into cheers and wails. Joe also smiled and the others all had happy faces.

***

After bidding goodbye to everyone, Laura ascended the stairs to her office to compile the recent report with the previous ones.

Opening the door she saw the familiar modest office with shelf and table with sofa for guests. There wasn't much decoration but only three heads of well-known monsters which were known as the 'Three Hellhounds' a decade ago.

Laura had killed them in her prime and received great merit, which helped her achieve the guild-master title of this city from the Headquarters.

Suddenly, Laura's eyes widened with shock for a second before a smile crept her face. The three heads hung on the walls had opened their eyes, and instead of the normal beastly pupils, dark shadowy pupils like industrial oil looked straight at her with something like peace and a hint of fear.

Laura bowed her head towards the shadowy figure that appeared out of nowhere. Slowly, the layer of manifested shadows dissolved into the air and the figure of 'Shadow' appeared clearly.

"Welcome Young Master!" She greeted as the shadow sat on the sofa and put one leg on the other thigh. The mask he was wearing also dissolved, leaving behind the pale face of 'Silas Graves'.

His face had an emotionless straight expression with a cold look in his eyes.

"What's the current situation, Laura?" He asked with a cold voice as Laura smiled and placed the previous and the recent reports on the glass table in front of him.

Shadows rose like a string and handed over the recent report to him. His eyes slowly read the contents as Laura explained from the sides.

"RTP, as you can see, young master. The strange creatures began to appear within our sights at the same time more people began to disappear from the city. Just this year, five thousand people have disappeared.

"But what's more interesting is…" She pointed to the very first year the disappearance started. "The disappearance started about ten years ago. And…"she looked directly at him and said, "It seems the disappearance intensified three years later…after the Graves were annihilated."

Silas looked at the paper and began to contemplate his next actions. He can directly go to the lands Below to investigate the situation, but right now, he has to complete the 'side quest' given to him by that 'skull'.

Silas has no option but to wait until the girl regains her consciousness and he takes her to the skull for verification.

'Fighting the monsters actually increases my strength and agility faster, so it's a win-win. Not to mention the Chimera…' He recalled in his mind.

The day he found out that devouring these strange zombie-like creatures actually strengthens his [Elemental Chimera].

And not like physically. Using the skills now feels like releasing a pet with very low intelligence but enough that it will follow command. Not only is the mana consumption reduced significantly, controlling the skills has also become much easier.

"Um…Young master? A-Are you okay?" Laura's voice broke him out of his thoughts. He looked at her and noticed the cold sweat and troubled expression on her face.

He looked around to feel that the entire office was cold…like freezing cold. Through the special senses, he noticed that the wooden items in the room were slightly chipped with bite marks. The Chimera was releasing some of its influence for some reason.

"Young master. You should calm down and relax for now."

Silas looked at her with a confused expression. Laura didn't say anything and only looked at his hands.

He looked down at his hands to see the report clenched tightly and wrinkled all over. He let go and placed the paper back on the table. He took a quick breath and asked,

"So what role will the Saintess play in this Abomination incident?"

Laura sighed and replied, "We just need her for the purification process, if you can kill every monster. If we don't purify the lands where the creatures were killed, the land would start to rot and spread outside the Lands Below. So she is essential in this case."

Silas nodded and quickly left the place cloaked in shadows, leaving behind a few words, "Do what you can…"

To be Continued…