The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 523: The Infernal Tavern

The Black Rock Volcano loomed over the distant land, its sprawling black mountain ranges barring the way to an endless sea of lava.

Aside from the beings of fire, not even the greater demons dared to venture too deep into that sea.

At that moment, a lone figure was moving slowly across the surface of the lava sea. Wherever it stepped, the lava hissed and instantly solidified into black rock.

He made his way, step by step, toward the distant Black Rock Volcano.

...

A weathered, dilapidated town huddled at the foot of the Black Rock Volcano.

The town's buildings had long since been submerged in solidified lava, with doorways half-buried beneath the volcanic rock.

It was impossible to determine the town's origins. Perhaps some greater demons knew its history, but Ruth certainly wasn't about to waste precious souls on idle curiosity.

Upon entering the town, Lu Li saw numerous skeletons lining the road. Some looked human; others did not.

This town was nowhere near as safe as Ruth had claimed.After crossing through the town, Lu Li found the tavern on its edge. Unlike the submerged buildings, this one had been constructed on top of the volcanic rock.

Clearly, it had been built after the last eruption.

Strange, grotesque mounts, bearing all the hallmarks of hell, were stationed around the tavern.

"Don't get too close. They won't attack," Ruth warned from behind him. "And by the way, don't take that hungry demon inside."

"Will they attack her?"

"No. They'll just look down on you for it."

Lu Li threaded his way between the infernal beasts and walked up to the tavern door. Before he reached for the handle, he glanced back at Ruth.

Ruth, who had closed the distance between them on the road, now backed away again. "Don't worry, it's not dangerous. I just don't want anyone thinking I'm with you. You go first."

Without a word, Lu Li looked away and pushed open the tavern door.

He brought Whitley with him.

Tinkle! Tinkle!

The clear ringing of wind chimes echoed from just inside the door.

The murmuring that filled the tavern vanished in an instant. Every head turned toward the entrance, every gaze fixed on the newcomer.

The hungry demon at his feet was ignored.

Whitley, enveloped by the aura of the greater demons that saturated the tavern, seemed terrified. She pressed close against Lu Li's leg as she followed him.

Lu Li’s gaze swept across the patrons at their tables. They were soulless—every one of them a greater demon, just as Ruth had said.

The heat stayed outside. Inside the tavern, the temperature was comfortable for a soul.

Lu Li had a good idea why they were staring. He paid them no mind, walking over to the bar and taking an empty seat.

"It's been a long time since I've seen such a... vibrant stranger," the humanoid demon behind the bar remarked, inhaling deeply. His eyes slid past Whitley to land on Ruth, who had just walked in. "You brought him, blind demon hunter?"

He was nearly indistinguishable from a human, save for the two black horns on his forehead that betrayed his true nature.

The moment the humanoid demon finished speaking, the tavern's "patrons" returned to their own affairs, and the low hum of conversation resumed.

"I'm not blind, and I don't know him," Ruth retorted, taking an empty seat near the door.

Across from her sat a greater demon that looked as if it were made of stone, with dark-blue flames burning in the fissures.

As Ruth sat down, the greater demon seemed to temper its aura further, and its flames softened to a light blue.

Ignoring Ruth's attempt at deflection, the humanoid demon turned his gaze back to Lu Li. "So, you know the rules here?"

"Trade," Lu Li answered.

"You're in. This glass of wine is a welcome gift," the humanoid demon grinned, pulling a glass of wine from under the bar and sliding it toward Lu Li. "Looking to offer something, or acquire something? Just call it out. Anyone who's interested will come to you."

The wine sloshed in the glass. Lu Li glanced down at it but didn't pick it up.

"You should drink it. The welcome wine can purge the lingering poison of hell from your soul. A tip from a stranger."

Lu Li picked up the glass and raised it in Ruth's direction. "Thank you, stranger."

"Hmph."

Ruth scoffed and turned her head away.

"Can I give it to another... demon?" Lu Li asked the humanoid demon.

"It's yours now."

The humanoid demon indicated that he didn't care what Lu Li did with the wine. He then watched with interest as Lu Li leaned down and let the hungry demon at his feet drink the welcome wine.

Whitley knew she needed it. She gave a faint grin and swallowed the entire glass of wine—but no miracle occurred.

"The soul in that hungry demon's shell is only strong enough to support base instincts. The welcome wine can't help her," the humanoid demon said regretfully. He pulled another glass from under the bar and slid it to Lu Li. "Let's just say we have two new guests tonight."

"Thank you."

Lu Li thanked the humanoid demon, took the glass, and drank it down.

Perhaps because he didn't belong in hell, the wine was tasteless to Lu Li. But it was effective. After downing it in one gulp, he felt a deep sense of relief wash over his soul, just as he had when he first arrived.

"Are you the owner?" Lu Li asked.

The humanoid demon cleared away the empty glass and smiled amiably. "Just an old keeper who can barely get around."

His exposed wrist was covered in intricate black patterns.

"May I ask a minor question?"

"As long as you're paying."

The humanoid demon's reply reminded Lu Li of Gades. The difference was that one was a merchant, while the other was simply greedy.

The problem was, Lu Li had nothing to pay with.

Tap!

A faint rap sounded on a table behind him.

The corners of the humanoid demon's black eyes crinkled in a smile. "Someone's paid your way."

"The terrain of hell... it's similar to the human world, isn't it?"

This phrasing might lower the price of the trade. If he had asked directly how hell differed from the human world, the cost would likely have been higher.

"That's not exactly a trivial question, but it's not too expensive either," the humanoid demon replied with a smile. "And yes, hell is like the human world, only magnified many times over."

It all matched up.

The majestic, colossal Black Rock Volcano, like a mountain range unto itself, and the sea of lava beyond it.

Sugard Mountain and the ocean.

"And the scale?"

"In some places, the difference is vast. In others, there's almost no difference at all."

"Thank you."

For the moment, Lu Li had no more questions—at least, none worth trading for.

"If I wanted to hire a swift mount, what would it cost?"

"I don't keep any mounts," the humanoid demon said, shaking his head. "But I can ask around for you."

"That would be great."

The humanoid demon nodded, then suddenly bellowed loud enough for the entire tavern to hear, "Our new friend wants to hire a swift mount! Anyone interested in a trade, name your price!"

Nightmare steeds, skeletal horses, demonic eagles—the offers came one after another, the calls as chaotic as in any human tavern.

Lu Li mentally noted the demons' offers, his eyes carefully scanning the patrons.

They were soulless, just like Ruth... which meant it would be difficult for Lu Li to trade for information using his abilities as a medium.