Nightmare Paradise : Starting as a Doctor

Chapter 74: Another Monster Attack?

As Jink hurriedly departed, Lynn decided to wait for him. His attention turned to the room from which the officer had emerged. With a curious gaze, he took a moment to observe its inside.

The space unfolded before his eyes and revealed itself to be a record room, meticulously adorned with two large desks, shelves stretching towards the ceiling, and rows upon rows of filing cabinets.

Upon entering the room, he was immediately enveloped by a sense of quiet and orderliness. The smell of old paper and ink permeated the air.

Lynn made his way towards the shelves, his eyes scanning the neatly arranged documents. He reached out and pulled a random file from the top shelf, examining its worn cover. It was an incident report detailing a burglary that had occurred several months ago.

Intrigued, he continued to peruse the shelves, finding a mix of case records, arrest reports, and warrants. Each document seemed to hold a small piece of the sheriff department's history, a snapshot of past investigations.

As Lynn delved deeper into the collection, the door was swung open, revealing a middle-aged man in a law enforcement uniform. It was John, the sheriff's most capable deputy, sporting a robust physique, a well-groomed beard, piercing eyes, and faint scars near his brow bone.

After Cooper had taken the majority of people to investigate the supposed whereabouts of the monsters and their hiding location, the sheriff's office was left to the remaining individuals, under the deputy's command.

As John entered the room, his eyes fell upon Lynn, and he couldn't hide his astonishment. "Sir Lynn?" he called out, his voice laced with surprise. He hadn't anticipated encountering Lynn here.

"Hello, Deputy John," Lynn greeted him with a nod, acknowledging his presence. "Are you looking for Jink? He is assisting me in obtaining something of importance. If there's a problem, I can help."

Lynn encountered John during the incident at the bell tower. Although not familiar with each other, Sheriff Cooper introduced them during a conversation they had. That's why he knew his name.

Additionally, Lynn made a simple guess about the other person's intentions when coming here. The situation was not overly complicated.

After the sheriff had taken most of the people away, the deputy came here to pick up Jink, who was supposed to recover and just do some paperwork. Lynn speculated that something urgent must have transpired, requiring additional assistance.

As it turned out, Lynn's expectations were accurate. John hesitated for a brief moment before recalling that Lynn was a special detective. With a hint of brevity, John disclosed, "There has been a murder case."

Lynn's curiosity was sparked by John's words. "a murder?" he thought, his interest piqued.  

Amid his pondering, a sudden notification chimed o his mind, interrupting him. The sound caught his attention. Lynn glanced at the blue message and saw a new mission.

[Player "Wandering Doctor" triggers the side mission: The Murder Case]

Filled with a sudden determination, Lynn turned to the deputy, his eyes reflecting his resolve. "Lead the way," he requested firmly.

John, perceiving the sudden shift in Lynn's demeanor, sensed something unusual but was nonetheless relieved that the rumored special detective had offered to lend a hand in the investigation.

...

Lynn settled into the plush carriage seat, finding comfort in its embrace. His eyes remained fixed on the passing scenery outside, but his mind was already consumed by the information provided by the deputy next to him. In the distance, the rhythmic sound of the horse's hooves against the damp cobblestone road provided a soothing backdrop to his thoughts.

Recognizing Lynn's need for a comprehensive understanding of the situation, John began to explain, based on the information available so far. "The crime took place in the industrial area of town," he began, his voice laced with a somber tone. "Just a dozen minutes ago, someone made a grisly discovery near an abandoned factory. The victim's body was callously discarded, left in an alley corner as if it were mere trash."

"The victim is an unknown woman," The sheriff's deputy continued, " According to the witness, her body appears to have suffered severe mutilation, with missing organs." Lynn's brows furrowed at the mention of such a heinous act.

He rubbed his chin contemplatively as the carriage rattled along. Was this murder linked to the mysterious hidden person targeting the patrol officers, or was this a separate incident altogether?

The pattern of violence and the mutilation of the victim's body aligned with the previous monster attacks, but the victim was not a patrol officer and the three-day interval was not over yet.

Lynn's attention shifted from the passing scenery outside to the blue interface that materialized before his eyes. He clicked on the [Missions] section.

[Patrol Officers' Death]

[Main Mission: Uncover the truth behind the series of mysterious deaths and restore peace to the town]

[The Murder Case]

[Side Mission: Help John investigate the murder case and catch the murder]

As the carriage continued its journey, the rhythmic rumbling echoed through the uneven cobblestone road, gradually drawing closer to the industrial area. The once spacious streets and elegant architecture transformed into a scene of increasing congestion and urban decay.

Lynn's observant eyes caught the unmistakable signs of degradation as the carriage ventured deeper into this part of town.

The buildings, once grand and well-maintained, now stood shoulder to shoulder, competing for space in a crowded urban landscape. The architectural elegance gave way to a sense of confinement and claustrophobia. The houses became smaller and more cramped, their facades weathered and worn by the passage of time.

In stark contrast to the districts previously encountered, the crowd was noisy and messy, and there was an awful stench all around the filthy ground. The air hung heavy with the scent of pollution. Piles of trash lined the sidewalks, intermingled with mud and grime.

After a few more minutes of traveling, the carriage finally came to a halt near an abandoned factory. Lynn gracefully stepped out, his gaze immediately fixating on the structure before him. The dilapidated building stood as a haunting reminder of forgotten times.

Breaking the silence, John spoke up, his voice cutting through the air. "A few patrol officers have already arrived and are currently securing the scene," he informed Lynn, gesturing towards an adjacent alley where a fully uniformed officer stood watch.

With a determined stride, Lynn and John approached the officer, who promptly took the lead. As they entered the alley, Lynn's heightened senses remained on high alert. Every sound and every movement in the vicinity was carefully noted.

He activated his skill [Spiritual Vision], meticulously surveying his surroundings, seeking out any trace of concealed life forms lying in wait, poised to launch an ambush.

After having experienced the consequences of falling into a trap in the past, he was determined not to repeat this mistake and remain cautious at all times.

As the group pressed forward into the depths of the alley, the distinct pungent metallic aroma of blood began to saturate the very air they breathed. Lynn, with his senses, swiftly identified the familiar tang and instinctively wrinkled his nose in reaction.

In the midst of the oppressive scent of blood, there was a distinct lack of the typical foul and rotting odor that often accompanies death. This implied that the victim's passing had occurred fairly recently.