Chapter 132: The Curse of the Bach Family

In the days that followed, Luo Hanye unexpectedly grew quiet. Every day he watched terrible movies, dug up bizarre news, and occasionally browsed gaming forums to watch internet trolls bicker without ever participating himself, playing the part of a detached outsider.

At this moment, he lay lazily on his bed, looking at the gaming pod in the corner of his bedroom with a complex expression in his eyes.

Indeed, he wanted to stay out of it, but he also wanted to know the truth behind everything. Moreover, he knew that curiosity killed the cat—almost a vast majority of those who died did so out of a momentary bout of curiosity.

"Tch... To be kept so unsettled by a game, I really am a fool..." Luo Hanye rolled over, trying to tear his gaze away from the gaming pod, but his behavior already betrayed him.

Anxious, or rather, restless. Although his gaze had shifted away, it was abundantly clear that his mind was still fixed entirely upon it.

"Damned thing... Are you my nightmare? The House of Horrors... Have I walked into my own House of Horrors, unable to pull myself back out?"

......

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

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

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

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

[Scenario Clear Reward: A 50% bonus to base experience will be applied upon calculating rewards.]

[The scenario briefing will play shortly. 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 adorned the already terrifying swampland, making it look increasingly bizarre and surreal.

A cold gust of wind blew, and he couldn't help but shiver. The bone-chilling wind combined with the dreary weather made the atmosphere of this marsh even more terrifying and eerie. He pulled at his clothes, wrapping his 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 like golden threads, 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 could be seen, their rough outlines clearly visible against the exposed walls.

Below lay small hollows of stunted oaks and firs, weathered by years of fierce winds. Two tall spires loomed faintly above the treetops...

The imagery moved forward, and a massive estate appeared in the center of the screen. The estate looked ancient; dense iron bars on the gates intertwined to form peculiar patterns. Two weather-beaten pillars stood on either side of the entrance, appearing exceptionally grimy from being covered in moss. A green vine wound its way up the pillars, and a ferocious dog's head was carved into the top of each. The collapsed gatehouse exposed bare oak beams beneath a chaotic pile of black granite.

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

[In a fit of anger, you left the city and accepted a commission from the Bach family. This commission has already cost six detectives their lives, and the detective underworld speaks of it with terror.]

[You arrived via carriage at the place where the Bach family resides.]

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

[Every single heir of the Bach family has lived in terror and walked on thin ice because of this, yet they repeatedly died in accidents.]

[Following the accidental death of the last head of the Bach family, Sir Liverpool, from a heart attack, the Bach family's final male heir—Henry Bach—has once again come to this cursed place.]

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

"Mr. Raven Luo, my master, Sir Henry, has sent me to welcome you."

Luo Hanye stepped down from the carriage, frowning as he sized up the man for a moment.

He was a presentable man of tall stature, with a fair and striking face adorned with squarely trimmed black whiskers. He unloaded Luo Hanye's luggage and stood respectfully to the side of the carriage. From his characteristic attitude of obedience, it was evident that he was a well-trained individual.

"What is your name?"

"Respected Mr. Raven Luo, my name is Remor." He answered Luo Hanye's question deferentially.

"Then where am I headed next?"

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

Remor led the way while Luo Hanye followed 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 building was emitting a ghostly glow.

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

"It is merely an ordinary house, usually used for storing odds and ends."

Luo Hanye looked around with an uneasy expression.

"Why would the Baron live in a place like this? It looks as though a disaster is about to befall it."

Remor said nervously, "This place would indeed terrify anyone, but it is the Baron's homeland, and none of the Barons have ever been willing to leave."

Luo Hanye raised an eyebrow, feeling utterly speechless. "This is practically courting death! Knowing full well there's a curse here yet still coming back—isn't this the textbook definition of a moron?"

......

"Oh! My dear Raven Luo, you've finally arrived! Welcome to Bach Manor!"

A tall man stepped out from the shadows of the corridor. He looked capable, with dark eyes, around thirty years of age, strongly built, with thick eyebrows and a face that revealed a hint of combativeness amidst its firmness.

He wore British-style attire, and his reddish-brown, weathered face hinted that he was someone who frequently engaged in outdoor activities. Yet, his composed demeanor and enthusiastic, confident attitude displayed the quintessential manners of a gentleman.

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

"Then come along, my friend!"

Sir Henry enthusiastically took Luo Hanye by the arm and pulled him into the hall.

The heavy doors slowly closed, shutting out the noises of the outside world. Inside the magnificent room, massive rafter beams were densely arrayed; perhaps due to their great age, they had turned pitch black.

Behind a tall iron dog statue was an enormous fireplace of a very ancient style. The burning logs crackled and popped, sending waves of warmth washing over Luo Hanye. (To be continued.)