The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 575: City of Anomalies

Humans couldn't see the inverted city.

The "guard's" reaction at the gate to the change in Lu Li had made that clear. Perhaps it meant he possessed some special gift.

The same applied to the anomalies.

Otherwise, they could have just searched for those whose reflections were missing from the city overhead, instead of playing games with humans in their "Paradise."

"None of your business," Lu Li replied calmly, sidestepping the "lady" and moving out from under the looming "stomach."

Until he had a better grasp of the situation, it was best to say as little as possible, to avoid letting something slip. Silence was the best defense.

"Is that any way to treat a lady?" a reproachful female voice sounded from behind him. No one would have guessed what this creature truly was.

"I'm not interested in women," Lu Li tossed over his shoulder without turning, continuing on his way. The simple answer drew some sideways glances and smirks.

The expression on the "lady's" face turned icy, but she couldn't pursue him further, as another young man had just approached her.

All the creatures here looked like humans.And everyone suspected everyone else.

Once he was a safe distance away, Lu Li stopped at an intersection and waited for a carriage to pass. He took a watch from his pocket and opened the lid, as if checking the time.

The watch gave no warning, the Mind Level counter was silent, and the strange premonition had vanished.

There was no sense of any otherworldly presence in the city, aside from the very fact of its existence.

Finally, the carriage, drawn by several skeletons, rolled past, and Lu Li continued on his way.

People bustled on the street, figures of shoppers flickering in the shop windows. All of them, having taken human form, lived in this city. For now.

Lu Li didn't know where to look for Anna. For now, the safest option was to adhere to the new role given to him by the "Master" and use his ability to see the inverted city to rally the human survivors.

But first, he had to earn their trust.

After waiting at the intersection for about ten seconds, Lu Li spotted an approaching man who cast no reflection in the city overhead.

He was a middle-aged man. Before he could walk past, Lu Li said quietly, "Senior Investigator Lu Li. I can tell humans from anomalies. I know you are human."

A flicker of fear appeared in the man's eyes, which he immediately tried to hide. Frowning and muttering something about a madman, he walked away in disgust.

It seemed this approach wouldn't work.

The damp pavement spoke of what had transpired here over the last few hours. Those who easily panicked and trusted strangers were already dead. Only the most cautious and distrustful remained.

His next few attempts to contact people yielded the same result. The most he achieved was a moment of hesitation from one man, who ultimately walked away, unconvinced.

But on the eighth attempt, the situation changed.

"I'm Senior Investigator Lu Li. I was hiding at Rico Farm, but my assistant went to scout the city and disappeared. I came to find her. I can tell humans from anomalies. I know that you are human."

The man before Lu Li was middle-aged, with tousled chestnut hair and rumpled clothes. The edge of a Mind Level counter peeked out from beneath his sleeve. He was about to walk past, but Lu Li's words made him freeze, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

He hesitated, unsure whether to believe Lu Li or not.

"If you're an exorcist, you should have heard of me. Remember: the Allen Peninsula, the one who heralded the fall of an evil god."

The man frowned in thought. A moment later, surprise and excitement flashed in his eyes. He seemed to remember something but still remained silent.

"The Tesla family, the Fule family, the Muffin family, the Exorcist Council, Night Dandelion," Lu Li continued, listing off names the man might recognize. It worked; the doubt in the man's eyes nearly vanished.

"I was directed to Shutes University. Do you know if there are any hotels nearby?" Lu Li decided to change his plan. This was not a suitable place for conversation.

Perhaps it was the long conversation, or maybe just Lu Li's appearance, but other "people" were starting to notice him, and their gazes were far from friendly.

"...I haven't been on that street," the man finally replied slowly.

"I'll rent a room there and draw a crow's sign on the window. Find me there when you can. I'll figure out a way to get in touch."

Sensing that the onlookers were starting to turn aggressive, Lu Li decided to leave.

"My name is Gemini Reid," the man whispered, clinging to a sliver of hope. "I swear on my life, I believe you... I'm an exorcist, too... but not part of the Exorcist United Organization... Be careful with the anomalies. They all have different temperaments. Some will watch you out of suspicion, but others will attack on sight."

"Thank you."

Lu Li gave a slight nod and, after crossing the intersection, disappeared from view.

There weren't many exorcists like Gemini Reid who would believe Lu Li.

For a long time, Lu Li didn't meet anyone else who would trust him. What's more, he ran into trouble.

"A human?!" the old man exclaimed, deliberately loud so the surrounding anomalies could hear. "Do you think I'm a fool? Are you trying to provoke me into attacking so I'll be punished?"

He took a deliberate step back from Lu Li, putting more distance between them. Then, turning to the gathered anomalies, he repeated Lu Li's words, mocking him.

Even without looking at the inverted city, Lu Li could feel the malice emanating from these creatures.

"Then why are you provoking others to attack?" Lu Li asked calmly, looking at the old man.

The seeds of doubt Lu Li had sown sprouted quickly, and several hostile glares turned to the old man. The moment terror twisted his face, the anomalies pounced on him.

Lu Li lowered his eyes, ignoring the choked-off cries for help, turned, and walked away.

Several anomalies watched him go with hungry eyes, but Lu Li gave them no reason to be suspicious—the price of a single mistake was too high.

Lu Li didn't blame the old man. He had acted out of selfishness, trying to save his own life, and had already paid the price for it.

But some problems remained. For one, he could no longer openly approach human survivors. He had come to the city to find Anna. Saving others and uncovering the truth could wait until after he found her.

On top of that, anomalies were now tailing him.

Easily shaking off the clumsy pursuers, Lu Li reached the district where Shutes University was located.

Entering the hotel nearest to the university, Lu Li received a key from the taciturn owner and, under the intense gazes of those around him, went up to the second floor.

It was worth noting that they still used shillings here, and not what seemed more "logical" in this situation—body parts.

Click.

Closing the door behind him, Lu Li checked the wardrobe and under the bed, making sure no one was hiding there. Then he lit the stove in the corner and, taking a piece of coal, drew a crow's sign on the window.

Once that was done, Lu Li left the hotel and headed for the main gates of Shutes University.

At that moment, an indistinct whisper echoed in the depths of his mind.