A Core Ship From The Start Chapter 682

Chapter 682: Chapter 507: Abandoned Station (A new month is here, seeking monthly tickets meow)_1 Chapter 682: Chapter 507: Abandoned Station (A new month is here, seeking monthly tickets meow)_1 Phillip had disappeared.

According to the woman, she had brought a rail cop to look for Phillip as soon as she found out her teacher was missing last night. At that point, he was still in the room, exuding an air of innocence under her intense questioning. However, from this morning onwards, there had been no sign of him. After asking the train staff, she found out that Phillip had not shown up since the morning.

Well, this is interesting.

Two people disappearing successively on a speeding train, this case is even more interesting than Conan's cases. Of course, Duanmu Huai didn't need think about what method was used. When he learned that Phillip was related to the Silver Dusk Cottage, he guessed that the other party was most likely a cultist. If his speculation was correct, then the woman's teacher was probably threatened by Phillip during his exclusive interview, thus leaving such a message to her afterward.

As for why the reporter would disappear, the answer is not complicated–if Phillip were indeed a cultist, then he would definitely be using dark magic.

As for his own disappearance… could it be because he was fleeing from crime?

Admittedly, knowing two people have disappeared successively, the people on the train started getting anxious. Fortunately, as stated by the conductor, they are going to stop at a temporary station today. Duanmu Huai decided to call Anthony after reaching the station to have him investigate Phillip–it must be said, the communication methods of this era are quite concerning. Though they have communication devices similar to mobile phones, they can only be used in cities. It's rendered useless in forests or deserts like the one they are currently traversing.

In the end, they have to resort to using wired telephones.

Just to be safe, Duanmu Huai investigated Phillip's room, but it was completely empty: no luggage, no clothes. It was as if nobody had ever lived in the room.

Classic trick of the cultist, Duanmu Huai was tired of seeing it.

But clearly, the problems were far from over.

When the train arrived at the temporary station, trouble arose again.

“Detective, something seems off here…”

“Off?”

Hearing the conductor's words, Duanmu Huai was a bit surprised. However, as soon as he stepped out of the carriage and onto the platform, he understood what the conductor meant.

The entire temporary station was in ruins, with signs of decay and erosion everywhere. This was not simply due to inadequate management and maintenance, it looked completely abandoned for decades.

“Is this how your stations are?”

Duanmu Huai turned to the conductor, who was vigorously shaking his head.

“Definitely not, sir, we were here not long ago, and it definitely didn't look like this before!”

Hearing the conductor's words, Duanmu Huai looked around. Here was just a wasteland, enveloped in darkness. The sky was filled with dense clouds, and not a single ray of sunshine could be seen, the atmosphere hinting a storm impending. Thinking about it, Duanmu Huai reached out and petted the white rabbit poking its head out of his pocket. He also patted the black cat on the head.

“Let's go inside and take a look first.”

He then said.

According to the conductor, this temporary station didn't have any passengers, it was mainly for resupplying and maintaining the train. It was also for the passengers to stretch their legs after a long time in the train. Thus, the station was not big. Apart from a platform, there was only a small two-story building behind the platform. However, the building now looked weathered, like a relic from hundreds of years ago…

“Creak—-”
Duanmu Huai pushed the door open, immediately followed by a piercing noise. Dust blew into their faces, forcing everyone nearby to step back.

“Cough, cough…”

Duanmu Huai extended his hand to fan away the dust in front of his eyes, and then looked inside.

The building was in complete disarray, with a counter placed in the middle and a person sprawled on top of it.

“Teacher?!”

Upon seeing the person, the woman who had been hiding behind Duanmu Huai let out an astonishing yell. She then rushed into the building, towards the counter.

“Professor, what's the matter with you? Pull yourself together—- Ahh!!!”

However, her words quickly turned into a piercing scream. Upon hearing the scream, Duanmu Huai and Lorena quickly rushed to her side.

Just one glance at the figure, and Duanmu Huai immediately understood why the lady screamed–it was a skeleton sprawled on the counter!

The previous misperception was due to the dim lighting in the room, which only allowed a vague perception of the clothes and contour. So, once she had a closer look… well, its true face was exposed.

“Are you sure this is your teacher?”

Duanmu Huai looked at the almost skeletal corpse in front of him and asked the woman, who nodded in trembling.

“Pro… probably… because my professor was wearing this before he disappeared, and the coat is made-to-order. There is an 'NS' mark on the collar…”

Upon hearing the woman's answer, Duanmu Huai did not hesitate and reached out to pick up the skeleton and unfolded its collar. As expected, the letters 'NS' were embroidered on the inner lining.

Chapter end

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