Klein didn't touch Zreal's corpse and simply withdrew from the side passage.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
From afar, sounds suddenly came, echoing repeatedly through the hollow, desolate sewer.
Klein listened for a few seconds, then decisively withdrew toward the exit along the dirty concrete paths on both sides of the sewage river.
To him, there was no need to take risks for matters that didn't involve him.
After climbing out of the sewer, Klein closed the iron lid, tidied up a bit, then returned to the one-bedroom apartment he rented in the East Borough, changed clothes, and removed his disguise.
Then, he put on his gold-rimmed glasses, walked to another street, took a hired carriage, and returned to Jorwood District in the quiet and cold of three in the morning, but not to Minsk Street.
After that, Klein made a big detour, and only after confirming no one was following him did he enter his home. He slept until daybreak when the doorbell jangled.
He suddenly turned over and sat up, put on his shirt, buttoned his vest, quickly went downstairs, and opened the door.
Before that, his Joker sequence's premonition ability had already naturally outlined the visitor's image in his mind:
An ill-fitting old coat, a round brown hat, a tattered satchel, bright red eyes, delicate features, and a calm demeanor—it was the big boy Ian who had come with a commission yesterday.
"Good morning, Detective Moriarty," Ian greeted, looking around. "Any results? Mm... I was just passing by and thought I'd ask."
Klein nodded solemnly:
"Yes."
"..." Ian seemed startled and couldn't speak for a long while.
After a moment, he moved his lips and asked in astonishment:
"Did you confirm Mr. Zreal's condition?"
"Yes." Klein paused, then said seriously, "I found Zreal's corpse."
"Corpse..." Ian's pupils contracted, and he repeated softly.
He wasn't too obviously surprised, as if he had already anticipated this worst-case outcome.
Klein watched quietly without interrupting.
"Sigh..." Ian exhaled, looked around warily, and said, "Your efficiency is amazing. Can you take me to see Mr. Zreal's body?"
"No problem, I was actually planning to do that." Klein thought for a moment and said, "I hope you won't mention me when you report to the police. Just say you found it yourself. I think you know how to make up a reason."
Ian wasn't surprised. He knew very well that not every detective liked dealing with the police. In fact, except for very famous great detectives who often provided consultation and help to the police department, others faced discrimination from the police, were ostracized, and even extorted.
That was the current state of the Rune Kingdom.
"Okay." Ian agreed readily.
Considering they had to enter the sewer, Klein changed into ordinary worker's clothes, put on a deerstalker hat, and took a kerosene lamp.
The two took a public carriage to the East Borough, and under the watch of indifferent or malicious eyes, walked half an hour to the remote sewer entrance.
"How did you find it?" Ian asked, half surprised and half curious, as he watched Klein move the lid and climb down.
Klein looked downward and casually replied:
"Skilled training, which includes many techniques of reasoning, investigation, tracking, and interrogation."
Ian followed into the sewer, nodding with disgust:
"...You seem to have received very professional training."
Klein didn't answer directly. He took the already lit lamp and led Ian into a side passage, arriving at that gloomy corner.
As soon as they approached, Klein narrowed his eyes because Zreal's corpse was much more damaged than the night before, missing an arm and half his ribs.
This isn't something rats could do... Klein muttered to himself, but didn't warn Ian.
With the help of the lamp's light, Ian saw the corpse clearly.
He suddenly crouched down and began to vomit, gradually bringing up yellow-green bile. Klein took out the prepared "Kragg's Oil," unscrewed the cap, bent down, and brought the bottle opening to Ian's nose.
Ian suddenly shivered and calmed down.
After a dozen seconds, he whispered weakly:
"Thank you..."
He slowly stood up and carefully examined the mutilated corpse several times:
"I can confirm that he is Detective Zreal."
"Sorry to hear that," Klein replied politely. "I suggest you report to the police."
"Mm." Ian nodded almost imperceptibly and followed him back to the surface.
Then, Klein clapped his hands:
"My task ends here. What to do next is up to you."
Ian was silent for a few seconds, then said:
"I still owe you three favors. You can tell me now."
"Actually, I've only thought of one for now," Klein admitted frankly. "I want to know where I can get a gun and bullets without a universal weapon permit."
Ian said almost without thinking:
"In the
"Okay, we'll leave the other two favors for later. I have a feeling we'll meet again," Klein nodded casually.
Ian glanced at him, remained silent, and said nothing.
The two parted ways, heading towards different streets in the East Borough, and that remote place fell silent again.
After walking a distance, Klein suddenly turned around, went back, and hid behind a concealed corner, watching the sewer entrance.