The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 522: Some Speculations

Trade. The goods are unrestricted, because Hell is home to all sorts of peculiar creatures.

If a demon takes a liking to stories, it's entirely possible to trade a captivating tale for what you need.

The common currency there is "souls," unless it's a special kind of trade.

"How do you get souls, and how do you carry them?"

"Souls are beings themselves, as are demons. The stronger the creature, the stronger its soul, and the higher its value," Ruth's voice came from behind him. "Lesser demons are the lowest-grade souls, especially hungry demons like the one next to you. As I've said, most of them only have a faint instinct propping up an empty shell."

"As for your second question, the souls of creatures you kill pass to you, allowing you to survive longer in Hell. Just hand over a soul when you want to make a trade."

It was similar to the "humanity" that The Atonement provided, but "humanity" was more abstract, not as straightforward as a soul.

"Is there anything I should be aware of?"

Even taverns on the surface are full of chaos; it can only be worse in Hell, even with rules forbidding the use of force.

"It's a shame you're still alive. With a cautious nature like yours, you could have done very well here," Ruth's reply held a hint of mockery."They're pretty friendly to newcomers there, and those who come to the settlement aren't usually the most vicious demons or devils. Just be careful not to get tricked by cunning creatures and lose your soul. I don't think you're that stupid, are you?"

"So, I need to have a few souls?"

"If you're lucky enough to meet a demon who likes stories or unusual information—things that don't require physical payment—you could get a handsome reward. Do you want to trade?"

Lu Li didn't deny it. "I need information."

Ruth's footsteps and voice receded behind him again. "I won't lend you any souls."

"Then, besides hunting creatures from Hell that have souls, where else can I get them?"

"They're always right beside you."

Her answer was unexpected.

"These broken souls, while not whole, aren't cheap either. You can easily use them as currency."

"Anything else?"

"Announce your status as a medium," Ruth added, as if expecting him to ask. "It might be a little dangerous; some demons who want to get to the living world will be watching you. But the benefits are obvious: demons curious about what's happening up there, as well as souls wanting to know about their loved ones and ask you to look after them, won't be stingy with their rewards. They might even do you a small favor."

"I'll think about it."

Lu Li wasn't afraid of others wanting to possess him—what could be worse in Hell than being noticed by a devil?

The path to the Canyon of Justice was hot and long. For a long while, Lu Li, Whitley, and Ruth—who followed at a distance—conserved their strength and fell silent.

Gradually, hungry demons began to appear. Drawn by Lu Li's alluring soul, they trailed him from all directions.

"Don't pay any mind to these hyenas. They're greedy and very cowardly. They only dare to attack when they've gathered in the dozens," came Ruth's voice. "Besides, they're just shells without souls. Hunting them is a waste of bullets."

She had repeated several times that the hungry demons had no souls; it seemed she had a particular opinion on the matter.

Hungry demons avoid the scorched ground because the heat accelerates the consumption of their souls; it's ingrained in their instincts.

That's why the 'rivers' flowing everywhere at the foot of the Black Rock Volcano kept Ruth from worrying about the hungry demons gathering into a pack to attack them.

A few meters ahead, a lava river just a few meters wide blocked their path. Ruth walked past Lu Li, went a little upstream, and tossed a few stones into the shallowest spot to create stepping stones. She then leaped nimbly to the other side and shot him a challenging look.

Lu Li glanced down at Whitley, who stood at his feet. After she indicated her willingness to follow, he lifted her into his arms.

Whitley was much thinner than he'd expected, perhaps only thirty pounds or less.

The stones Ruth had thrown into the lava river proved to be stable. Carrying Whitley, who was no burden at all, Lu Li stepped across the scorching, flowing lava and onto the other bank.

The distorted air shimmering above the lava river obscured the shapes of the hungry demons wandering on the bank they left behind.

They continued in the direction Ruth indicated, but even after walking for a good while, they saw no sign of the "abandoned town" on the horizon.

"How much further?" Lu Li asked Ruth, who was trailing behind him.

She drew a little closer than before.

"If we don't have to detour around the rivers, another five or six hours."

"That's too long."

Lu Li slowed his pace and frowned.

He didn't know when the devil's spawn would arrive. It could be within the hour, or it could be several hours from now.

It was obvious that the longer Lu Li lingered, the greater the danger.

"Is there no way to go faster?"

"A mount? You can only trade for one at the tavern, and that's if you're lucky enough to find a demon there with a mount who's willing to trade."

Ruth snorted. "If I hadn't been around, you would've wasted who knows how much time."

Lu Li said no more, continuing along what he knew would be a long path.

There is no night in Hell, nor are there any beautiful landscapes. The world, composed of various shades of red and a little black, was subconsciously irritating.

Ruth turned out to be less indifferent than she claimed. She helped Lu Li avoid encounters with unpleasant creatures and the territories of greater demons several times.

"It's quite unstable here. Most demons don't live at the edge of the world, where volcanoes erupt frequently," Ruth said, implying that Lu Li was lucky. "If he had ended up closer to the center, packs of hungry demons and greater demons would have sniffed him out long ago."

"The edge of the world?"

"In the opposite direction," Ruth pointed back the way they had come, where Lu Li had first arrived. "Go another ten kilometers that way, and you'll see a boundless sea of lava."

"A sea of lava..." Lu Li whispered. As if sensing something, he raised his head and looked at the Black Rock Volcano, majestic as a mountain range.

"How long have you been here?"

"Since you killed me," there was still resentment in Ruth's voice. "I've been here ever since."

"Do you have a map of this place?"

"You can buy one at the tavern, but something that valuable is beyond your means."

"What's your range?"

"No more than a hundred kilometers from here. And what's with the question?" Lu Li's seemingly random questions were starting to make Ruth impatient.

"Just clarifying something," Lu Li said, falling silent again.

He could get answers at the tavern.

Hope—that was what Lu Li wanted.

Three hours later, shapes distinct from the gravel and rocks finally appeared on the horizon of the scorched earth.

The abandoned town with the tavern lay ahead.

"Maybe other people you've helped, or your enemies, will arrive later," said Ruth, who was now following a few meters behind Lu Li, no longer trying to intentionally keep her distance.

"If your enemies show up, I won't help you."