Chapter 112

Chapter 112 “Rundown Street”

The temporary calm as the two walked together did not bring any peace to Shirley’s mind; instead, it only caused more fear and depression. The girl knew the emotion wasn’t entirely her own, but instead it was from Dog, who remained hidden in the shadow.

Dog’s scared, and as a result, his emotions are interfering with the host body in a symbiotic manner.

In order to alleviate the oppressive feeling in this silence, she muttered in a low voice: “Actually, I wouldn’t have been caught in the past for dodging my bus fare.... Dog will help me hide and get past the conductor...”

“You mean the ‘disguise’ that dark hound made for you?” Duncan raised his eyebrows, remembering that Shirley had used some kind of “disguising” power during the venture into the cult den. From the looks of things, that ability has the power to confuse one’s cognitive perception. “It doesn’t feel reliable at all. The last time you got caught too, and now this time, the conductor saw through it as well.”

Shirley immediately wanted to protest over the opinion but knew better than to argue. Under normal circumstances, she and Dog’s disguise wouldn’t fail, but when near a terrifying and horrifying being like Duncan, it’s only natural something goes wrong from the immense interference.

Stuffing the resentment of being told her powers are unreliable, Shirley forces a dry laugh and nods: “Ahaha...... you’re right, you’re absolutely right....”

Duncan shook his head, not caring what thought the child had in mind. Changing the topic again, “Why are you paying attention to the accident from eleven years ago?”

Shirley suddenly fell silent as if not wanting to respond out of instinct. Then pursing her lips, the girl realized there was no point in hiding the truth before this being from subspace. “Actually, it’s nothing special. I’m only trying to understand... things related to my parents...”

After speaking, she quickly added: “An existence like you must find this topic boring. I know, mortal attachment is stupid in your eyes...”

“No, I understand,” Duncan interrupted the girl before she could go further. “Having ties to your family is important.”

Once said, he grew more serious in his face to emphasize he was not lying: “So your parents were involved with the leak back then? Or did they get drawn into the mess by being attacked by the cultists?”

Shirley looked at Duncan with some surprise, not quite understanding why such a boss like him wouldn’t just eat her and show so much compassion. Giving an honest nod: “They went missing eleven years ago... Okay, saying they’re missing is a bit pretentious, they actually died, they died in vain.... Afterward, it was only me and Dog left....”

“It’s that damn factory of course.” The old man complained indignantly, seemingly dissatisfied with the deserted state of the neighborhood. “How many years has it been?! The factory is still in that dilapidated state so it’s obvious everyone would avoid this place. Nobody is going to take a chance on a polluted area.”

Duncan and Shirley exchanged a look with each other, surprised by the clear-cut reply. “But I read in an old newspaper that it’s been cleaned up, did it not?”

“That’s what the newspaper says... The city admin also said they will revitalize the industrial zone here as well!” The old man huffs and puffs with discontent, “And the results? The city’s west side is getting worse by the day, and our factory is still in ruins... Let me tell you, this area used to be bustling with life when the factory was still running. Our sixth district was among one of the richest neighborhoods you can find in the lower city, and now things are in the gutters...”

As soon began his rant of complaints, the old man didn’t want to stop because it’s rare to find a pair of strangers willing to listen. Thankfully Duncan didn’t intend to sit around and wait. “By the way, I noticed there are no children at this place.... Did all the young people move away?”

“Move? No one has moved from here in years, you think the rent in the other districts are that affordable?” The old man shook his head, “There are no young folks around because we haven’t had any new children at all, and all the youngsters from back then have grown up....”

The old man sighed, lamenting how far his home had fallen.

“This place hasn’t had a child born for eleven years?!” Shirley exclaims.

“Eleven years without a newborn?!” Duncan’s eyes finally widened slightly in surprise, “You’re certain?”

“Do you think I’m lying? I’ve lived here for most of my life,” the old man rolled his eyes, “if I say there’s none, then there’s none. This is all because of that factory leak... the land near it is polluted...”

Duncan didn’t speak and slowly straightened up his posture with a new light in his eyes. He’s certain something’s off about this place now.

Next to him, Shirley was still growing warier of the place and pressed for more information about the factory.

However, the old timer seems to have run out of patience. Waving his hand irritably, he mutters another slew of complaints while skipping around the girl’s desired answer.

“It’s time to go,” Duncan said to Shirley suddenly, distracting the cranky girl from attacking the old man due to the runaround. “Thank you sir for talking to us.”

“Oh, you’re welcome,” the old man waved his hand, “be careful and walk slowly.”