The Devil’s Cage

The video hosting sites that had a contract with Rain City TV Station started to broadcast the unaired contents of the ‘Shaman’ show through their hot, trending section. Some other websites that had relations with the TV station didn’t mind promoting the video either by sending all sorts of advertisements around the internet. Of course, the major sites and forums were flooded by the spammers hired by Eckart.

Eckart was perfectly clear that he had to depend on the ‘Shaman’ show to meet expectations so that he could maintain his director position.

If it did, everything would be possible.

If it didn’t, he would be finished.

Therefore, Eckart spent all his efforts to promote the ‘Shaman’ show.

He didn’t just utilize all his relationships and connections that he has, he didn’t even mind using some underhanded means to achieve his goals.

The result of his efforts was that the ‘Shaman’ show went viral quickly, a lot of people knew about it.

Of course, some believed it, some didn’t.

The ones who believed were shocked.

The ones who didn’t believe looked down in contempt and sneered.

Kieran did not have a direct understanding of the process of broadcasting the contents, or rather, he had no need to understand it.

[Absorbed Energy, rewards turnaround authentication started…]

[Insufficient Energy, authentication failed…]

[Absorbed Energy, rewards turnaround authentication started…]

[Insufficient Energy, authentication failed…]

…

When the show was aired across the internet, the notifications in his vision never stopped, it was like a reverse waterfall, spamming his eyes endlessly.

And almost half an hour later, when the show was coming to its end, the notifications finally changed.

[Absorbed Energy, rewards turnaround authentication started…]

[Energy reaches the mark, authentication passed…]

[Skill “Tracking” is released!]

…

The system notifications after that returned to the failed authentication again, it seemed to have entered the second round of energy accumulation.

“[Tracking]? What does it base the release of my skills or abilities from the sealed state on? Is it random?”

The thought appeared in Kieran’s mind but was rejected right away.

Since it was the changing within the rules, there must be a pattern.

The integration of patterns was the real change in rules.

He couldn’t find the patterns in the process because he was given very little information.

However, looking at the endless notifications, Kieran believed he would soon grasp the pattern behind it.

At the same time, he was looking forward to the ‘Shaman’ show at night.

To perform better at night on the show, Kieran didn’t mind understanding a little bit more about Edwood Mansion.

The makeup artist?

Lyn Amie was terrified by even the mention of the mansion, he would be an unreliable choice.

The consultant beside him?

Given her position and identity, Mei Huasheng would have known a lot more than commoners, but he was also sure she wouldn’t tell him.

Who would reveal so much to a con man?

So, Kieran was left with a few options.

He stood up and went towards Eckart’s office.

Mei Huasheng stood up quietly and followed him

…

“You want more information on Edwood Mansion?”

“No problem, leave it to me.”

“Oh right, what do you want to have for lunch, 2567?”

“You want me to book a table for you at Yue?”

Eckart agreed without a second thought when he heard Kieran’s question, he’d even asked Kieran about lunch with a joyous face.

Yue was a famous restaurant in Rain City. It was known for its delicious cuisine and constant stream of eaters.

Kieran didn’t know about this Yue Restaurant, but based on his instinct, he thought it might be a good place. He agreed right away.

“Make dinner reservations then. I had Lyn Amie prepare lunch already.

“No problem! I’ll go make the reservations right away. We’ll go there after we finish filming the show tonight.”

Eckart nodded repeatedly, his flattery made Mei Huasheng frown.

Eckart saw the disdain on Mei Huasheng’s face, but he didn’t care.

After receiving the data and statistics from all the websites, Eckart viewed Kieran as his lifesaver.

If it were possible, he would worship Kieran like a God.

As a matter of fact, he did.

He didn’t just quickly prepare the information that Kieran requested; he’d even pray to have a smooth filming tonight.

…

Crab Roe Beef Stew, Roasted Pig Knuckle, Winter Melon Meatballs.

Lyn Amie arranged the food on a single line on the table.

“The crab roe is almost non-existent; the beef was simmered in saltwater to cover its aged smell.”

“The pig knuckle still has the gamey smell, the bloody water wasn’t changed from the first boiling, ginger and garlic were added to cover it again.”

“The soup… too much MSG.”

Kieran commented on the dishes after eating all of them.

He then looked up to the makeup artist.

“I think your definition of a chef is different from mine,” said Kieran.

“I think you are being picky on purpose. Did you know how long I had to queue for this?”

“Are you disregarding my effort and results?”

“Didn’t you finish everything?!” Lyn Amie questioned Kieran loudly.

“Are you misunderstanding something? I finished the food is because I don’t want to waste food.”

“On top of that, other than the definition of chef varying, I think you have mistaken the meaning of effort and results.,” Kieran said as he kept the takeout boxes.

He sounded serious, and because of that, it made Lyn Amie angry, he really wanted to raise the chair and smash him.

He was certain Kieran was being extremely picky on purpose.

The chef of a roadside stall, of course, was incomparable to a real famous chef, but Kieran shouldn’t have commented so harshly.

“Picky bastard!” Lyn Amie stormed out angrily.

He wasn’t running away though, he was going to find proof to refute Kieran.

‘I’ll see what can you pick this time!’

With the thought in his mind, Lyn Amie quickly vanished beyond the corridor.

After he tidied up the table and put all the takeout boxes into the trash can, Kieran made sure he would not be disturbed anymore before opening the files on Edwood Mansion that Ekart delivered to him.

He, of course, wouldn’t admit that he didn’t want to be bothered, that was why he acted extremely harsh to the makeup artist.

The files were put in a paper bag. There were writings and pictures. Kieran set the images aside and looked at the writings.

…

New Calendar 1084 August— The first owner of Edwood Mansion found a tenant hung to death when he collected the rent (Victim was dead for more than 3 weeks, the temperature was hot, the body rotted heavily, rats and maggots were around the body, biting it off. Confirmed as a suicide.)

New Calendar 1084 November— The first owner of Edwood Mansion fell to his death in an accident. The mansion was given to his nephew, but on the second day after the nephew got the mansion, he was involved in a car accident on the way to the estate. (Although the crash didn’t kill him, he assumed the villa was an ominous building. He sold it at a with low price to the second owner, He Qiang.)

New Calendar 1085 December— The second owner He Qiang was stabbed to death by a tenant during an argument over rent. (The tenant Feng De is wanted by the police, still on the run.)

New Calendar 1086 March— The mansion was auctioned off by He Qiang’s wife at a low price. (Third owner: Yu Narles.)

New Calendar 1084 April— Yu Narles was electrocuted to death while trying to renovate the mansion. (Until New Calendar 1092 July, the mansion has been empty and unoccupied.)

……

After reading through all the written records page by page, Kieran turned his attention to the stack of pictures.

The first picture was the front of Edwood Mansion: It should’ve been taken in the afternoon, it didn’t just capture all three stories of the building, it even captured the garden on the lawn entirely, especially the signage ‘Edwood Mansion’ on the fenced gate, it was extremely eye-catching under the sun.

The second picture was not as beautiful as the first. A heavily rotten body, the flesh went black and maggots were crawling about.

The third picture was a picture of a crime scene, it was the second owner falling to his death. The fall was so horrible that the body was unrecognizable after that.

The fourth picture was a middle-aged man in a wheelchair, looking scared and depressed.

The fifth picture was a body with a knife stabbed into the heart.

The sixth was a warrant, the name on it was Feng De.

The seventh was a charred corpse, it should be the third owner of the mansion who was electrocuted to death, Yu Narles.

Other than the first picture, the rest of them were harsh to the eye and dreadful to look at.

Some less brave people would have screamed out loud after the first few pictures; even the bolder ones would feel uncomfortable.

Kieran?

He checked each of the pictures meticulously, his fingers would tap on the table occasionally and go through the written records.

Almost 20 minutes later, Kieran looked up and leaned on the sofa again.

His mind was recalling the detailed information on Edwood Mansion. Kieran’s lips curled up into a smile.

Coincidence is the least trustworthy thing in the world.

More so, that many coincidences happening in the same place, which means only one thing…

“Did you know it’s illegal for you to do that?” Mei Huasheng spoke.

The officer who just got back from the canteen of the TV station and saw the files and pictures on the tea table, especially the latter, which made her frown.

That was why Kieran didn’t really want to work with her.

She was a respectable person, but working along her would be insufferable.

“Eckart gave me these,” Kieran said while looking at her.

“Which makes you an accomplice.”

Mei Huasheng looked at Kieran, hoping to create pressure for him, but obviously, it wouldn’t work on Kieran. Kieran placed the things back into the paper bag in an orderly fashion before looking at her again.

“Go then, I am waiting for your arrest warrant.”

“Remember to close the door.

“I don’t want people disturbing my afternoon nap,” Kieran said clearly.

Then, before Mei Huasheng could say anything, he laid down on the sofa and covered his head with his coat.

With [Tracking] unsealed and returned to its Transcendence level, it was good news for Kieran. He was used to the state of grasping all traces and tracks.

Still, he didn’t forget about his Stamina problem.

Musou level [Tracking] would already be tiresome after activating it for a while, what about Transcendence level then?

He might be exhausted instantaneously.

Maybe I should bring more food with high calories and a sports drink that can replenish stamina.

Kieran thought while resting.

Huu, huu!

Mei Huasheng widened her eyes and clenched her fists when she heard the long breaths under the coat.

If looks could kill, Kieran would have been torn to shreds.

After glaring at Kieran for 3 seconds, Mei Huasheng grabbed the paper bag on the tea table and strode out.

Bang!

The door was slammed hard. Kieran jumped up from his sleeping posture.

He repeated the steps when he first fell asleep, taking precautions left, right, and center, and after he made sure he had ways to escape any kind of accident, he laid back down on the sofa.

This time, he indeed closed his eyes and slept soundly.

…

The sun was setting in the west.

Kieran, who slept for a whole afternoon, was sitting in a luxury minivan energetically. Another interview van was following behind.

This luxury minivan that was used to take care of Kieran’s needs was purposely called in by Eckart.

The driving was very smooth. The seat was also comfortable, one would really feel like it was a real sofa when leaned on.

While the minivan was driving, Eckart was sitting opposite Kieran with hidden excitement and anticipation.

“This is the script.”

“Have a look at it. You don’t have to memorize everything, but just to get a concept about the shooting. Then, you’ll just have to improvise like how you did on the stage yesterday.” Eckart passed a booklet to Kieran and reminded him.

Mei Huasheng, who had a grumpy, stiff face, was like she was in a totally different dimension despite sitting in the same minivan. Not only Kieran ignored her, but Eckart also didn’t speak to her.

In fact, Eckart and Mei Huasheng had an argument in the afternoon.

Although it ended peacefully, their relationship had fallen below freezing.

Eckart outspokenly stated to Kieran that he would get another person to be the consultant of the ‘Shaman’ show segment.

Kieran didn’t object.

Both cars continued driving. The group swiftly shuttled through the merriest part of the city and turned into a secluded alleyway.

The loud noises and merry atmosphere vanished utterly.

Only the engine noises were heard.

The changes between the two contrasting environments would easily make one feel nervous, especially the drivers of the two cars.

As the locals of Rain City, both of them knew quite a bit about the Edwood Mansion rumors.

If it weren’t for their job, both of them would not drive near the place at all.

In fact, even if it was their job that drove them there, the drivers started to regret it when they entered the secluded, quiet alleyway without signs of people.

Despite the sun not fully setting, both drivers turned on their headlights.

The straight headlights were like light swords piercing through the dark alleyway.

The asphalt road and the trees on both sides of the road entered the drivers’ sight through the windows. With the remaining daylight and headlights shedding brightness over the woods, the trees were like monsters with sharp, vicious claws, going after people’s necks.

However, what more terrifying was the shadow at the end of the road.

Both the drivers saw the building in the shadow, it was like spotting a monster lurking in the dark. Their throats unconsciously turned dry, causing them to gulp, their palms on the steering wheel were filled with sweat.

As though he was infected by the quiet environment, Eckart suddenly stopped the talk with Kieran. He turned around and wanted to see the scene outside through the windshield of the minivan.

But the moment Eckart turned around—

MEOW!

A sharp, eerie cat’s meow sounded.