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The town was brilliantly lit, and the night brought not quietness but a more intense and bustling scene than the daytime. Sounds of brawls and laughter echoed from the taverns, while drunken people squatted in corners, vomiting. The patrolling soldiers had mostly entered the taverns for a hearty drink, occasionally spending a dozen Sura to coax provocatively dressed women into the tavern rooms. Everything seemed so full of life!

But even such vitality couldn't fend off the thick clouds in the sky. A layer of heavy rain clouds drifted from the direction of the lake, anchoring stably over the entire town. The light from the street's glass oil lamps couldn't resist the majesty of nature, casting an even darker shadow over the town...

"Linsenborg Street... Linsenborg Street..."

Mengdie, holding the note, wandered aimlessly on the streets. She had rushed out without thinking and now realized she couldn't read! How was she supposed to find Linsenborg Street with this note?

"Hey there, pretty lady... Ugh!"

In a hurry, Mengdie had no time to deal with a drunken man who approached her, knocking him out with a single punch. Just then, Nia and Edward caught up with her, and seeing them, Mengdie greeted them with a relieved smile.

As Mengdie attracted too much attention, to avoid trouble, Edward took over the task of asking for directions. After several twists and turns, they finally found Linsenborg Street.

"Rumble, rumble, rumble..."

The clouds thundered deeply, with flashes of lightning cutting through, bringing a frightening rumble. Here, the street known for housing the strongest magician in Garulu Town had a starkly different feel from other streets.

Darkness surrounded them.

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This was the only way Mengdie could describe the almost non-existent light here. The occasional lightning revealed bizarre demonic sculptures on the houses. As townspeople said, Della Kulin, despite his powerful magic, always stayed in his house, engaged in some unknown magical research. In the daytime, his house often emitted a suffocatingly foul smell. Gradually, neighbors moved away, making this street the only one in Garulu Town that could be described as a "Ghost Street."

"Tap... tap... tap..."

Mengdie, leading with a glass oil lamp Edward had fetched, walked cautiously. Nia clung tightly to her clothes, following behind, seemingly frightened by the street's silence. Edward, holding a lamp in one hand and drawing his sword with the other, was on alert, ready to protect the two girls.

After about ten minutes of walking in the dark, two faint lights appeared in the distance. Mengdie quickened her pace, discovering that the lights came from two dragon sculptures at a mansion's gate, their mouths emitting flames. The blood-red light from their eyes, under the pitch-black sky, seemed even more terrifying and eerie.

"This must be it, right?"

Mengdie raised the glass oil lamp high. Before her was a mansion shrouded in darkness, emanating a powerful oppressive force. Nia, behind her, seemed even more scared, clutching Mengdie's clothes, as if ready to flee at any moment. Mengdie quickly put an arm around her shoulder, offering care and confidence.

"I'll knock."

Edward handed the lamp to Nia and nodded at Mengdie. Then, he raised his greatsword and cautiously approached the front door after pushing open the iron gate. Standing before the door, he took a deep breath, reached for the knocker, and gently tapped twice.

"Is anyone there?"

Edward shouted, his voice echoing in the air! Unseen black birds, startled by his call, fluttered from above the mansion. Nia, frightened by this, hid again in Mengdie's embrace, not daring to look.

For a long time... there was no response. Edward turned to Mengdie, who, after thinking, pulled Nia with her to stand beside Edward at the door, both alert.

"Excuse me! Is Mr. Della Kulin there?!"

Edward shouted again, but still no response from inside. Just as he was about to knock again, the previously locked door suddenly creaked...

And opened.

Darkness rolled out from the opened door, with no light inside. Mengdie and Edward exchanged glances; Edward seemed hesitant, but Mengdie was determined. She stepped back and then quickly barged into the door, ready to face any lurking threat.

...

But there was none.

Mengdie stood ready with fists raised, allowing her eyes to adjust to the interior. Once she saw it was just an ordinary living room, her tension eased slightly, and she waved to Edward and Nia behind her.

"Mr. Della Kulin, we're coming in!" Mengdie raised the oil lamp, shouting. After confirming there was nothing unusual, she began to examine the hall's several passages, hoping to discover something.

"Bang!"

Suddenly! A loud noise came from behind them. The door that had opened automatically now closed for some unknown reason. Edward was startled and tried to push it open, but it wouldn't budge.

"Heh, it seems the host is quite 'welcoming' us."

Mengdie raised the oil lamp and looked at the only open passage in the hall, chuckling coldly.

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