Chapter 391: The Holy Scarab
Chapter 391: The Holy Scarab
The black cloak was the standard attire for the Night Watch, and Barrow had often wondered why they chose such a garment.
The answer he received from Chris was simple: "It looks cool!"
Barrow was speechless.
"Bang!"
The heavy basement door was wrenched open by Barrow's monstrous strength and tossed aside.
Several figures in black cloaks entered the basement, turning on the lights to reveal a chilling sight.
Over a dozen young women, who should have been vibrant and beautiful, were bound and suspended, their once-gorgeous bodies covered in gruesome lacerations, some old and scarred, others still fresh.
On the shelves along the walls were various instruments: whips, surgical knives, steel needles...
The air was thick with the scent of blood.
"Damn it!"
A new recruit's face flushed with anger as he muttered under his breath.
"Those bastards!"
"Hey," Barrow patted his shoulder.
"Most superpowers have some form of mental influence, which can bring out the darker side of people."
"You get used to it after seeing it enough."
"Get these people out, call in the Mind Control Specialist, and have them wake these women up. Erase their memories of this incident and, if possible, help them heal their wounds."
At this point, Barrow had been with the Night Watch organization for over two years, making him one of the 'old-timers'.
He had even become the leader of an action squad.
"Yes, sir."
The recruit nodded and asked casually, "What will happen to that lunatic?"
"No need for that," Barrow shook his head, seeing the other's surprise. "He's dead."
"He was under someone's control and turned himself in. After confessing everything, he became a pile of mush."
"..." The recruit frowned. "Serves him right, but who was controlling him?"
"Don't know," Barrow shrugged. "The captain analyzed that the person's mind control abilities were likely at Tier Three. If they went rogue, it could've caused a disaster."
"Fortunately..."
"They didn't lose control and followed the 'social order.' We have no reason to provoke them."
"Tier Three?" The recruit's eyes lit up. "Can we recruit them?"
"Not many with superpowers join us," Barrow rubbed his chin. "With their extraordinary powers, they can live a life free from constraints. If you had the choice, would you join the Night Watch?"
"Heh..." The recruit scratched his head awkwardly.
"Captain!"
Just then, someone entered and handed Barrow a phone. "A call for you from the police station."
The police station?
Barrow frowned and took the phone.
"Hello."
"A serious crime?"
"Suspected use of superpowers?"
"Got it. I'll head there now." Hanging up, Barrow rubbed his slightly sore forehead.
"You guys handle this. I'm heading to the mining area."
Mining Area.
Peel Mining's territory.
A black van rolled to a stop in front of a short, gray building, and Barrow stepped out.
"Sheriff Barrow?"
An elderly white man hurried over.
"Welcome, welcome."
"Hello," Barrow nodded.
"Let's see the crime scene first."
"Yes, sir."
The old man was all eagerness. "We must have disturbed something while mining. These creatures have been disrupting our sleep, but I assure you, Sheriff Barrow, it's not a murder case!"
"I understand," Barrow's expression remained unchanged. "Let's take a look."
"Yes, sir."
The old man nodded repeatedly.
If it were a murder case, the police would surely get involved, and who knew what complications that would bring.
It was just a few bugs...
Alright!
The bugs were too weird, and the wounds on the victims did seem suspicious.
The site of the accident had already been cordoned off, with a simple plastic tent covering the mine entrance.
Inside was a laboratory used by the mining company to analyze ore.
Several figures were busy at work.
"Professor Karl!"
Barrow's face lit up at the sight of one of the figures.
"What are you doing here?"
"Barrow?"
Professor Karl turned, a smile on his face. "What brings you here?"
"I'm now an assistant investigator for the police department. I came to take a look at the case." Barrow was delighted to see a familiar face.
"And you, Professor?"
"I discovered some intriguing creatures." Professor Karl waved him over and pointed to the stone tablet in front of him. "Take a look."
"The legendary Holy Beetle."
"Holy Beetle?" Barrow furrowed his brows.
Unlike the others, he had come across this name several times in the Nightwatch Organization's incident records.
Barrow had some knowledge about this as well.
Holy Beetle: A creature bred by supernaturally powerful individuals in ancient times, possessing teeth that could crush anything, resistant to low-level superhuman damage, and most notably, a long lifespan and a tendency to live in groups.
Even a Tier 2 Supernal Being would be in danger if surrounded by these beetles, as there was no known way to restrain them.
These creatures were often used as burial items for certain supernaturals, serving as guardians to prevent anyone from harming their corpses.
"Look."
Professor Karl pointed at the stone tablet. "This thing seems to be a statue on the stone, but once activated, it will turn into a living creature."
"The conversion of matter between stone and flesh is truly remarkable."
Barrow stepped forward.
The stone tablet was encased in bulletproof glass, surrounded by a ring of observation instruments, and had some reliefs on its surface.
Among them were three Holy Beetles.
"We tested the biting force of these beetles, and they can even crush steel," Blaze exclaimed in awe. "It's unbelievable."
Now he understood why there had been casualties and even damage to the mining machinery.
These beetles were the culprits!
"With formidable defenses, incredible offensive power, and a terrifying number of them, even a modern military force would struggle to deal with them. Fortunately, they fear the cold, and will enter a 'dormant' state when the temperature drops to a certain level." Professor Karl explained, "They can be slowly frozen and then removed, but I suggest avoiding any contact."
Barrow nodded in agreement.
"No, we can't do that," Blaze frowned. "The core of the mine is where these creatures gather. If we don't move them, we can't continue mining."
"This involves a business worth hundreds of millions. Even my family can't make that decision."
"Then there's nothing we can do." Professor Karl shrugged.
"Good luck."
"By the way, can I have this stone tablet? I haven't analyzed this unique creature yet."
"Of course," Blaze said gratefully. "Thank you, Professor Karl. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to secure this."
Did Professor Karl teach them how to deal with the Holy Beetles?
This creature...
Even the Nightwatch Organization's supernaturals found it troublesome, yet an ordinary person could handle it easily?
"Professor, Mr. Blaze," Barrow said, his voice filled with surprise. "Due to the murder case, even though these creatures are the cause, further investigation might be necessary."
"Mining operations will have to be halted for a few days."
As a precaution, the Nightwatch would have to go down and take a look.
Holy Beetles usually didn't exist in isolation; whatever they were guarding might also be dangerous.
And...
This kind of danger was beyond what ordinary people could withstand.
"For how long?"
Blaze frowned. "Each day the mine is closed results in hundreds of thousands in losses. Barrow... Are you sure about this?"
"I am."
Barrow nodded.
"Mr. Blaze, I hope you can understand."
"Blaze!"
Just as Blaze was about to refuse with a firm attitude, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Let's halt operations for a few days."
"Monica."
Seeing the person, the anger on his face dissipated.
"I'll listen to you."
Professor Karl glanced at the sky outside, then at the vampire wearing only sunglasses. His eyes flickered.
Apparently,
This vampire wasn't afraid of sunlight.
Or...
Monica was an exception!
(End of Chapter)
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