Chapter 132: The Curse of the Bach Family

In the days that followed, Luo Hanhai displayed an unexpected quietness. He spent his time watching terrible movies, digging up bizarre pieces of news, and occasionally browsing gaming forums to watch internet trolls bicker without ever joining in. He practically projected the image of an aloof outsider.

At this moment, he lay lazily on his bed, gazing at the gaming capsule tucked in the corner of his bedroom, his eyes complex and conflicted.

Indeed, he wanted to remain detached, yet he also craved the truth behind everything. Moreover, he knew well that curiosity killed the cat; the vast majority of those who perished did so driven by momentary curiosity.

"Tch... To be thrown into such disarray by a mere game, how utterly foolish..." Luo Hanhai rolled over, trying to tear his gaze away from the gaming capsule, but his actions completely betrayed him.

Anxious, or rather restless—though his line of sight had shifted, it was obvious that his mind remained entirely fixated on it.

"Damn thing... Are you my nightmare? The House of Horrors... Have I walked into my own House of Horrors, unable to extricate myself?"

……

"Sigh... I suppose I'll go one more time."

"Sir, welcome to the House of Horrors," a voice akin to that of an elderly butler chuckled.

[Loading complete. You are currently entering the Single-Player Survival Mode (Nightmare).]

[This mode provides a scenario synopsis, with a chance of triggering side or hidden quests.]

[Scenario completion reward: A 50% bonus to base experience points upon reward calculation.]

[The scenario synopsis will now play. The game will commence immediately upon completion.]

The screen lit up. The protagonist in the CG was riding in a carriage, just cresting a slope. A vast, boundless marsh suddenly unfolded before him. Numerous conical cairns and uneven rocky mounds dotted the already terrifying wetlands, making them appear increasingly bizarre and surreal.

A gust of cold wind blew, causing him to shiver involuntarily. The bone-chilling wind combined with the dreary weather made the atmosphere of the marsh even more horrifying and eerie. He pulled at his clothes, wrapping his heavy overcoat tighter around himself.

He glanced back at the rural district he had left behind. It appeared remarkably prosperous; the river water was illuminated by the slanting sun to resemble threads of gold, and the newly tilled red earth and dense forests both gleamed with light.

All of this made the boulder-strewn road on either side of the reddish-brown slope appear all the more desolate and bleak. Occasionally, small stone-built cottages came into view, their rough outlines clearly visible against their bare walls.

Below lay patches of depressions filled with stunted oak and fir trees, battered by violent winds year-round. Two tall spires loomed faintly above the treetops...

The scene moved forward, and a massive manor appeared at the center of the frame. The manor looked ancient; dense iron bars on the gates intertwined to form peculiar patterns. Two weathered pillars stood on either side of the entrance, appearing unusually filthy due to a thick coating of moss. Green vines wound their way up the pillars, and a ferocious dog's head was carved atop each pillar. The collapsed gatehouse exposed bare oak timbers beneath a chaotic pile of dark granite.

[You are a fairly renowned detective, but due to your personality, you are ostracized by many of your peers.]

[In a fit of anger, you left the city and accepted a commission from the Bach family—a commission that has already cost six detectives their lives, causing the detective world to shudder at the mere mention of it.]

[You arrived by carriage at the domain of the Bach family.]

[This is an ancient place. For a long time, the Bach family was the most illustrious house in this land, but at some point, a long-forgotten and mysterious curse revived.]

[Every successor of the Bach family has lived in terror and caution because of this, yet they repeatedly die from accidents.]

[Following the accidental death of the previous master of the Bach family, Lord Liverpool, from a heart disease, the last male heir of the Bach family—Henry Bach—has returned to this cursed place.]

The narration cut off abruptly, immediately followed by the voice of a middle-aged man.

"Mr. Cold Crow, my master, Lord Henry, has sent me to welcome you."

Luo Hanhai stepped down from the carriage, frowning as he scrutinized the man for a moment.

He was a dignified-looking man of tall stature, with a fair and striking face adorned with neatly trimmed square black whiskers. He unloaded Luo Hanhai's luggage and stood respectfully by the side of the carriage. His uniquely submissive attitude made it clear that he was a man who had received thorough training.

"What is your name?"

"Respected Mr. Cold Crow, my name is Remor," he replied respectfully to Luo Hanhai's question.

"Then, where should I go next?"

"Sir, Lord Henry invites you to join him for dinner."

Remor led the way, with Luo Hanhai following closely behind. Passing through the gates, they stepped onto a narrow path where the branches of large trees intertwined overhead to form a natural archway. At the end of the gloomy path, a house emitted a ghostly glow.

Luo Hanhai halted his steps and asked in a low voice, "What place is this house?"

"It is merely an ordinary house, usually used for storing sundries."

Luo Hanhai looked around with an uneasy expression.

"Why would the lord live in such a place? It looks as though a disaster is about to descend."

Remor said constrainedly, "This place would indeed terrify anyone, but it is the lord's ancestral home, and none of the lords have ever been willing to leave it."

Luo Hanhai raised an eyebrow, finding himself utterly speechless. "This is practically seeking death on one's own terms! Knowing full well there's a curse here and still coming back—isn't that the definition of a mental disability?"

……

"Ah! My dear Cold Crow, you've finally arrived! Welcome to Bach Manor!"

A tall man emerged from the shadows of the corridor. He looked capable, with dark eyes, around thirty years of age, solidly built, with thick eyebrows and a visage that exuded a hint of combativeness beneath its firmness.

He wore British-style attire. His reddish-brown, weather-beaten face suggested a man who frequently engaged in outdoor sports, yet his composed temperament and enthusiastic, confident attitude displayed the quintessential demeanor of a true gentleman.

"Lord Henry, hello. I am very glad to accept your commission."

"Then come along quickly, my friend!"

Lord Henry warmly linked arms with Luo Hanhai, pulling him into the grand hall.

The heavy doors slowly closed, shutting out the noises of the outside world. The opulent room was densely lined with massive rafter beams which, perhaps due to their great age, had turned entirely pitch black.

Behind a tall iron dog statue stood a massive fireplace, appearing of a very ancient style. Crackling logs burned brightly, and waves of warmth rushed toward Luo Hanhai. (To be continued.)