The Demon’s Menu

Tike, the officer who once drove for Bondi and then was kidnapped.

The same person was also one of the culprits behind Kailina’s tragic fate.

In Jason and Bondi’s minds, Tike, who had been abducted by Kultz, was most likely doomed, considering Kultz’s hatred for Tike, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had torn him to pieces.

Therefore, after Kultz was killed, Bondi only issued an order to search for Tike’s body as thoroughly as possible.

But unexpectedly, Tike reappeared.

And in such a manner.

In the morgue, Bondi was confirming with Ferrymon.

Ferrymon, the police station’s guest forensic advisor, or rather one of the special advisors, whose main job was a dentist.

Most of the time, Ferrymon would assist Bondi in examining bodies, trying his best from a medical perspective to find the ‘uncertainties’ on the bodies.

A mixed bag.

Because this is not a normal ‘scientific side’ world.

Ferrymon often worried about this and frequently doubted his life.

It was fortunate that Jason came along.

This prevented Ferrymon from doubting whether he was going insane.

So, Ferrymon was quite thankful to Jason.

“Morning, Jason.”

Ferrymon greeted enthusiastically as Jason walked into the room.

“Morning, Ferrymon.”

Jason responded.

Advisor Ferrymon, whom Jason did not know well, but he remembered his name.

However, Jason would absolutely not go to him for dental care.

This was a consensus amongst everyone at the station.

But still, the advisor’s professional level was indeed commendable—

“The knife wound on the left forearm, it was I who stitched it.”

“The bullet in the shoulder, I was the one who extracted it.”

“So, I can confirm that he is Tike.”

Without wasting words, Ferrymon began speaking, pointing at several of Tike’s wounds on the body.

Then, his gaze involuntarily shifted to Jason’s shaved head.

“Jason, if you want a haircut next time, you can come to me, I’m quite skilled.”

The part-time barber, the dentist who was a police advisor, said.

“Thank you.”

“It was an accident.”

“Ferrymon, what else did you find?”

Jason emphasized, then continued asking.

“If you’re asking how his face ended up at your window… I don’t know that.”

“You know more about that than I do.”

“But one thing I’m sure of…”

“He came from the sewer.”

Ferrymon lifted Tike’s palms and soles, which had mud and moss on them.

“Such moss can only be found in sewers or similar environments.”

“And the scent on him is not just the stench of a corpse.”

“It’s the stink of the sewer.”

“So, I can confirm this point.”

“After all, I once worked part-time cleaning sewers, and the smell there is too vivid in my memory.”

The mention of sewers made Ferrymon’s chubby cheeks wrinkle, resembling a bun.

“Ferrymon, thank you, you’ve been a great help.”

“And also…”

“I’ll discuss with the chief to raise your weekly salary.”

Bondi said, then turned to Finch and ordered, “Gather everyone, get me a search party for the sewers!”

“Yes, sir.”

Finch answered promptly and then quickly got into action.

Bondi didn’t stay any longer.

Jason was the last to leave, stopping just before he stepped out the door.

“What’s your weekly salary?”

Jason asked.

“6 Silver Crooks.”

“You know, I’m just part-time.”

“And I often make mistakes.”

Ferrymon replied with a wry smile.

“Hmm.”

“I get 2 Gold Crooks, weekly.”

Jason emphasized, then left without looking back.

This was definitely not because Jason was retaliating after the comment about ‘baldness.’

It was merely a friendly exchange between colleagues.

…

The confirmation of the body’s identity and the rough locking down of its origin had Bondi very excited.

He began to lead his subordinates into the sewers to search.

Of course, not only officers were involved but also some temporary employees.

You must know, the entire Lorde is quite large.

And this was destined to be a hugely enormous project.

Even with the temporary employees, it would take at least a day, if not several days to complete.

So, Jason didn’t participate.

After making arrangements with Bondi, he took Taniel’s carriage to ‘Starry Sky’ restaurant.

“I examined the bloodstains left on that face.”

“I couldn’t confirm whether it’s a method of the ‘Mystical Side’ or not.”

“I’ve never heard of such a method before.”

Taniel sat across from Jason, speaking of his investigation results.

Jason was well aware that he was very sensitive to the Mystical Side’s aura related to ‘food,’ but apart from that, his experience was no match for Taniel’s.

Therefore, when he left, Jason had asked him to inspect the bloodstains remaining on the window glass.

At the same time, Jason was also observing him.

Then, just like Taniel who came up with nothing, Jason had no findings either.

The man still appeared rather unintelligent.

“Jason, do you know?”

“I originally wanted to invite Mary to go to ‘Starry Sky’ restaurant together.”

“Unfortunately, she led a team to complete an investigation of a ruin…”

“I don’t even know if she’ll return before winter.”

“Do you think I should prepare a gift to congratulate her on a successful expedition when she returns?”

“But what if it fails?”

“You say…”

Facing the incessant Taniel, Jason’s gaze became utterly impassive.

Taniel immediately received the message it contained.

He not only shut his mouth at once, but even his breathing became lighter.

Then, Jason picked up a book.

He was down to the last page of this book on basic Mystical Side knowledge.

Too bad, the ‘snacks’ were all gone.

Jason had planned to continue eating them while reading, but his hand kept reaching involuntarily into the bag.

The already few ‘snacks’ rapidly ran out.

And these snacks had brought Jason a satiety of 7 points.

Less than he had expected.

But, Jason wasn’t unsatisfied.

After all, these count as unexpectedly obtained ‘snacks.’

He basically got them for free.

What’s there to be unhappy about?

Swish, swish.

Outside the carriage, Lorde became noisy again, but inside, there was only the sound of the pages turning.

Taniel several times wanted to open his mouth, to praise Jason for being a competent teacher who would even read the book in advance before teaching Finch.

But in the end, Taniel restrained himself.

He certainly didn’t want his wallet to be overdrawn again.

‘To look up at the starry sky’ and ‘eelfish freeze’ were already his limit.

The carriage rumbled on.

It passed Kensing Street and turned into a quiet alley.

A slightly yellowing plane tree.

Several human-high stones stacked at the root of the tree.

The ground paved with white gravel.

At the end, there was a restaurant with a single door.

Through the windows, one could see the classical decorations inside.

In front of the door, a small blackboard stood writing ‘Starry Sky’ on it.

“A nice environment.”

Jason, stepping off the carriage, gave a positive comment.

“The taste won’t disappoint you either!”

Taniel assured.

In fact, Taniel, not being economically well-off, hadn’t eaten there either.

He had only heard from others that this restaurant was fantastic, with admirable signature dishes.

Therefore, Taniel was also very much looking forward to the meal.

After all, so many people have said it’s good!

It must be…

No problem!