Lorien was now certain—
The recent string of murders had nothing to do with Jack the Ripper.
Someone was copycatting the crimes.
Yet, oddly enough, Aaron Hastings chose to begin his investigation with the Whitechapel prostitutes.
🚗 Inside the Car
Hermann sat in silence, staring out the window.
Lorien broke the quiet—
"Since you already suspect that 'Jack the Ripper' might be a mystic or some other supernatural entity, why not warn Inspector Hastings?"
Hermann rested an arm against the window, looking utterly unbothered—
"What does it matter to me?
Even if they all die, I still get my cut of the police bounty.
Hell, if the investigation turns into a massacre, Douglas might even throw in a bonus. Why should I care?"
Lorien narrowed his eyes.
"Then why tell me all of this?"
He feigned nervousness—
Like a man whose world had just been shattered by the revelation of supernatural forces.
"If I die during this investigation, won't that just leave you with the entire 900-pound reward?"
It took some effort for him not to smirk.
Hermann side-eyed him—
"Because, technically, you and I are 'colleagues.'
It would be a waste for you to die so easily."
Lorien: "..."
Oh.
How touching.
Lorien had a strong suspicion—
Hermann was testing him.
Something about Lorien felt different, and Hermann was trying to gauge his reaction.
That meant—
Hermann could sense supernatural presences.
Not good.
Lorien had no idea how much the man had figured out.
🤔 But that also meant…
If supernatural forces weren't rare, they were at least not unheard of.
Within just a few weeks, Lorien had already encountered:
1️⃣ Benson, a lawyer turned ghost.2️⃣ Hermann, a self-proclaimed mystic.3️⃣ Oliver Winston, who clearly had something going on.
🚨 Which meant…
There was a real possibility that 'Vampires' were a known supernatural entity.
And if that were the case—
Exposure = Death.
At some point, he'd eventually run into a hunter.
A religious fanatic with a blessed sword.
Or a group of inquisitors with silver bullets.
📌 He needed to know more.
Fast.
So, he decided—
If Hermann was baiting him, then he would milk Hermann for information.
Hard.
He put on an expression of genuine curiosity—
"What exactly is 'Spirituality'?"
Hermann scoffed.
"You think I'm some kind of teacher?
I'm not some charity worker handing out free knowledge.
The rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes.
Why would I tell you anything for free?"
📌 Ah.
So that's how it is.
Lorien wordlessly reached into his pocket.
Pulled out a gray-and-white 10-pound note.
Held it between two fingers.
"Ten pounds per question."
📌 Hermann's forehead twitched.
"...I was making a point, not asking for a bribe."
Lorien waved the bill in his face.
"Twenty pounds."
📌 Hermann hesitated.
After a long pause—
"...Not enough."
"Name your price."
Hermann glanced at Lorien's wallet, scanning him up and down.
After thinking for a moment—
"Thirty pounds."
📌 Lorien smiled.
"Deal."
📌 Once again—
Money wasn't everything…
But there was very little in this world that couldn't be solved with the right amount of cash.
Hermann leaned closer, motioning to Chief Greve, who was driving the car.
"Don't worry. He won't hear a thing."
📌 Nice.
Lorien's first question—
"What exactly is Spirituality?"
Hermann smirked.
"No one knows for sure."
"But the most widely accepted theory in the supernatural world is this—
'Spirituality' is a manifestation of the soul.
It is a unique signature of each individual—
A key to unlocking one's deeper consciousness.
A force that allows us to tap into the hidden potential of the mind."
📌 Lorien processed this carefully.
So, in simpler terms—
It was somewhat like "Mana."
Or "Psyonic Energy."
A mystical force that existed within every living being.
Hermann continued—
"Because every soul is unique, the way people awaken their abilities also varies.
That's why no two mystics have the exact same powers."
Then, he abruptly stopped talking.
📌 Lorien raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
Hermann crossed his arms.
"That's one question. You want more? Pay up."
Lorien wordlessly pulled out his wallet.
Flipped through a thick stack of bills.
Pulled out three more ten-pound notes.
"Alright. Next question—
What are the different types of supernatural professions?"
📌 Hermann froze.
His expression twitched slightly.
After a moment of hesitation—
"That's not one question."
Lorien shrugged.
"Then name your price."
Hermann stared at him.
Then, after a long moment—
"It's not about the money.
Some knowledge can't be shared so easily."
📌 Ah.
He was holding back.
Lorien narrowed his eyes.
"Or maybe… you just don't know."
📌 Hermann's face darkened.
"Of course I know.
I just can't tell you."
"Convenient."
"Shut up."
Lorien decided to switch gears—
"Fine. Tell me about Mystics, then.
That should be safe enough."
Hermann relaxed slightly.
"Mystics are the safest and most widespread supernatural profession."
📌 Lorien immediately caught something.
"Wait—
You said 'safest.'
Does that mean all supernatural professions are inherently dangerous?"
Hermann gave him a look.
"Are you an idiot?
Even normal physical training can be dangerous.
People die jogging all the time."
📌 Fair point.
"Now imagine if you were messing around with the very foundation of your soul."
Hermann's expression turned serious—
"No one fully understands the human soul.
Not even the most advanced scholars in the supernatural field.
Every step deeper is a step into the unknown.
And the unknown is always dangerous."
📌 Lorien fell silent.
🧩 Things were starting to click into place.
Supernatural abilities originated from the soul. Every individual had unique potential. Exploring too deep could lead to severe consequences.
For now—
📌 That was enough.
Lorien glanced at Hermann, smirking.
"Well spent money."
🚨 And now, he had a plan.
He just needed to find someone who didn't have moral objections about spilling all the secrets.
TO BE CONTINUED…