The Record of Unusual Creatures

It was remarkably calm for two days, so quiet so that no one would believe that several mighty demon hunters were lurking around in this town. Both Hao Ren and Vivian were concerned about the activity of the demon hunters. Lily had been worried that the demon hunters might find the entrance to the Ancattero mysterious realm before they did, that the demon hunters might destroy the clues and seal that locked up the Shade of Chaos. That was what Hao Ren was worried about. Two days had passed, the MDT had found nothing unusual. Lack of news might indicate that the demon hunters had not found a way to enter the mysterious realm.

Hao Ren had no idea how the demon hunters were going to open the entrance of the secret realm without a guide. Judging from the quiet situation of the demon hunters since their arrival a few days ago, Hao Ren knew that the demon hunters had not cracked the blockade of the Golden Manor and he did not have to worry that the demon hunters would get ahead of them.

For two days, Hao Ren let the MDT use various high-tech means to find the entrance to the Ancattero mysterious realm. It followed the sunlight clue that the spiritual detective said but to no avail. Without knowing the capabilities of the Ancattero family, finding the mysterious realm was no different from finding a needle in a haystack. No doubt, the MDT was powerful, but it was powerless if it did not know what to look for in the first place.

Vivian and Y’zaks had gone out checking out the town. Though the signs were very subtle, for a super ancient otherworldling and the most powerful demon in history, it was not difficult for them to sense that. Vivian knew that the demon hunters must have also detected their arrival as she smelt some very subtle magic power in the air. It was the snooping and questioning signals in some hidden corners. These supernatural powers originated the demon hunters but were not powerful enough to cause conflict.

As she said before: demon hunters of Hasse’s generation knew the drill; they chose the safest way to get the message across when they sensed the arrival of the Countess of the Crimson Moon. They maintained a proper monitoring distance, which would not irritate the Countess while conveying their warning and alert signals.

In response, Vivian had also left behind her runes, which read “Do not bother me – temporarily.”

It was a subtle and peculiar confrontation. Both sides knew each other’s existence but kept a distance. The younger generation of the demon hunters and otherworldlings might find it difficult to understand and learn this complex mode of communication. Only the older generation like Vivian and Hasse had this tacit understanding.

Ordinary folks probably would not understand how two rivaling camps could get along with each other, but if they realized the fact that the war had lasted for 10,000 years, then whatever transpired would not be surprising anymore.

It was the time where Wayne Walter had agreed to come. Hao Ren and his team were waiting at the rendezvous point just outside the town. Lily looked a little impatient. She had been like that ever since she learned that the demon hunters were active in the town. “Why would Wayne need two days to come here? He should have known that the demon hunters are here too. He is wasting his time. The demon hunters might get ahead of us.”

“He said he needed time to prepare the tools that he needed to gain access to mysterious Ancattero’s secret realm,” Vivian said, rolling her eyes. Wayne had told them before, but Lily was busy chewing bones and did not hear it at that time. “It requires special items to unlock once Ancattero mysterious realm is closed. Wayne’s family did keep such items but were depleted when they sent their investigators here earlier. That’s was why he had to remake them.”

“Oh,” Lily acknowledged that and continued to gaze at the empty field. “He is still not coming. He is late for many hours.”

As soon as Lily’s voice trailed off, a calm and graceful male voice was heard. “I’ve been getting things done as fast as I could, but looks like I’ve kept you waiting.”

Hao Ren looked into where the voice came from and saw Wayne Walter, face pale, coming toward them. The vampire patriarch was wearing a black windbreaker and a wide-brimmed hat, covering him from head to toe. Surprisingly, following behind Wayne was not the guide that Hao Ren was expecting.

As Wayne came closer, Vivian said, “It’s okay. You’ve just arrived at the right time.”

Lily immediately yelled. “Haven’t you checked the watch? He is late!”

Vivian looked at Lily with a blank expression. “The next time you go to a foreign country, check the time zone and adjust the time accordingly. Your cellist still showing Beijing time, mind you.”

Lily was silent.

Hao Ren greeted Hesperides and asked Wayne curiously: “Where are the guides? Just the two of you?”

“I am the guide,” Wayne said. His pale face lacked expression. “After much deliberation, I decided to come as it’s not like I could always have the opportunity to meet the Countess of the Crimson Moon. I’ve been living in the comfort zone for too long, and it’s time to come out to have some fun, after all, the guards in the family could handle the Shade of Chaos.”

Hao Ren squinted the gentle vampire patriarch. “Oh?”

He distinctly remembered how the vampire patriarch was dragging his feet with other old fags at the Athens’ sanctuary. After knowing that the demon hunters were gathering in this place, he was as reluctant to come to this place as other people. Now, he sounded suspicious when he suddenly changed his tone.”

Sure enough, Wayne let out a smile. “I’m just polite,” he said coldly.

Vivian’s brows knit together. “Do you know that the Ancattero family has a divine artifact?”

“The Solar Roulette,” Wayne replied, not hiding anything in front of Vivian. “I didn’t know this thing until recently. It seems to be the key to sealing the Shade of Chaos. I want to see what it is.”

“Why do you still want to get the Solar Roulette when you know it’s the key to sealing the Shade of Chaos?” Vivian shook her head in disappointment. “Didn’t your father teach you well?”

“No, my father taught me well so that greed would not blind me,” Wayne said, laughing. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so honest with you. I want to see the powerful relics left behind by our great ancestors from the Mythological era. If you can re-seal the Shade of Chaos this time, the Solar Roulette may disappear from the eyes of the world again. I want to witness the ancient artifact myself before it’s gone again.”

Vivian nodded in a very subtle way. “Well, that’s good of you since you know. As far as I know, the Solar Roulette had probably caused a few wars between several families of gods in the ancient times. Its allure might be bigger than you think. If you can’t hold back the temptation, I will have to teach you on behalf of your father.”

After Wayne reiterated his pledge, Vivian looked at his old friend. “Hey, Hesperides, you are–”

“I’m representative and witness of the Athens’ Sanctuary,” Hesperides said with much enthusiasm. “You shouldn’t possibly think that re-sealing the Shade of Chaos is a trivial matter, should you? If you fail, someone has got to go back and inform everyone to take refuge. Hessiana had wanted to come, but knowing how you feel toward her, I had tied up the little girl.”

Vivian was delighted instantly. “You’re my true friend!”

“You may want to cheer your friendship when you’re back at home.” Hao Ren cut in. “Hesperides, you will meet your old friend here.”

“Old friend?” Hesperides looked confused.

“It’s Hasse,” Hao Ren said, “the one who bored a hole in your head.”

Hesperides was stunned and touched her forehead instinctively. Hao Ren had repaired the wound that had been bothering Hesperides for thousands of years with industrial machine tools, but the pain and hatred in the heart of the nymph of the evening had never gone. Her expression changed rapidly, and finally, Vivian held her hand. “Still thinking of revenge?”

“Phew–” Hesperides let out a sigh. “I hold no grudge now. I was just a bit of a surprise to hear the name suddenly. So demon hunters are active in this place?” she asked.

Vivian nodded and said in a low voice, “The demon hunter has also met with trouble. Things have become very complicated. Wayne, bring your props and set off to the entrance of the secret realm now. Let us talk while we’re on the way.”