Chapter 67

Serial Killing Paradise 3, Choosing the Player

The next day, Anger and Mo Fei, along with Jiu Yi and Ais, packed some simple luggage and drove to a secluded small church on the outskirts of the city, following the address provided by Emma.

"I didn't expect to find a standalone church in such a place," Anger remarked, looking around after getting out of the car. "Hmm... it seems quite old."

"Wonder how old Father Fong Ya is," Mo Fei and Jiu Yi also got out of the car, with Ais stretching lazily, having been comfortable in the vehicle.

Inside the church, the sound of a bell could be heard.

Mo Fei glanced at his watch, "It's almost noon."

"Let's go in and see if the priest will offer us lunch," Jiu Yi suggested nonchalantly, walking ahead and pushing open the slightly ajar church doors, leading the group inside.

The church looked rather rustic, with its surrounding trees and stone statues exhibiting some Western style... unlike a typical church.

"Huh," Jiu Yi chuckled. "This must be privately owned, right? If it were a public construction, it seems impractical given there are no residents nearby."

As they approached the church's ornately carved main door, Mo Fei gently pushed it open, its aged quality evident from the creaking sound.

The interior of the church was still solemn and imposing, albeit somewhat dated.

"Anyone here?" Mo Fei entered first.

The church was eerily empty, with no response to his call.

Anger slowly entered, frowning slightly, "This place seems to have been abandoned for a long time."

"Yeah," Ji Yi agreed, noting the dusty floor, "not even a footprint in sight."

At that moment, Ais barked suddenly towards a small room nearby.

The room resembled a public phone booth.

"It's a confessional," Ji Yi said, "the most intriguing part of a church."

Anger furrowed his brows, "There's a strange smell."

Mo Fei approached the confessional, opening the door to reveal black velvet curtains hanging low. He gently parted the curtains and peered inside, his expression turning grave.

Anger also leaned in to see a corpse seated inside - a mummified body, almost completely desiccated.

"Hmm..." Ji Yi scanned the surroundings, "A bizarre crime scene."

"Anger?" Mo Fei turned to Anger, "He's dressed like a priest."

"Do you think... he could be Father Feng Ya?" Anger inquired.

"There's unlikely anyone else around here," Ji Yi said, somewhat disappointedly. "He must have been dead for at least half a year."

"Dying in a church without being discovered seems improbable," Anger pondered, "unless this church has been deserted for over six months."

"Could this be private property?" Ji Yi suddenly asked. "I noticed a guard booth outside, but no one stopped us from entering!"

"Should we call the police?" Mo Fei suggested.

Anger nodded, knowing Os and the others would be involved anyway.

"It seems this dead man has succeeded in remaining undiscovered."

……

Just as Mo Fei was about to call the police, a raspy voice echoed through the desolate church.

They all turned to see a figure standing at the church's open arched doorway.

The figure was tall and slender, dressed in a refined and elegant suit-coat, standing silhouetted against the light, exuding an air of mystery.

"Anger... we meet again." That distinct voice was immediately recognized by Anger. They had met once before, also in a church - Black JK.

"Black JK?" Mo Fei frowned, glancing back at the corpse, puzzled - a staged death?

Ji Yi examined the mummified body closely and shook his head, "This corpse is real, undoubtedly genuine."

"I never claimed the body was fake," Black JK said with a smile. "I just preserved it well, turning it into a mummy... Anger, do you appreciate the crime scene I've left for you? Can you find any clues or the perpetrator?"

Anger looked at him but remained silent, instead touching his chin thoughtfully.

After a moment, Anger said, "I see... you want to unravel the mystery of the past case. Hence, all this effort. What's your relation to the victims of that case?"

"I escaped with my mother," Black JK revealed. "It’s said my father was the murderer buried alive."

Mo Fei and Ji Yi exchanged glances, eyes wide in shock. Anger, however, just nodded and asked, "And your years of investigation into the case? Fruitless?"

"I heard that a detective once pursued this case," Black JK spoke. "But the outcome didn't satisfy me."

"Are you seeking your father's killer?" Anger inquired.

"Not exactly," replied Black JK. "I’m more curious about the truth behind the case and why I have no memory of it."

"It's normal for a child to have no memories," Anger said, "Nothing unusual there."

"For me, it is strange," Black JK insisted. "I was ten at the time. My memories before that age are fragmented, an unacceptable situation."

"Hmm..." Anger nodded, "That is indeed peculiar... But you appear quite young."

"Oh, thank you. You're quite handsome yourself," Black JK responded politely and amicably.

Anger nodded, satisfied with the compliment.

Mo Fei and Ji Yi exchanged a glance, finding the exchange somewhat amusing.

"Additionally..." Black JK continued, "when I started remembering, I was already very wealthy."

"Oh?" Anger asked with interest, "How wealthy?"

"I'm wealthy enough to display my talents," Black JK said. "But in my fragmented memories from before my amnesia, I recall poverty and hardship... I can't understand why I possessed such wealth after losing my memory."

"Didn't you ask your mother about it?" Anger inquired.

Black JK shook his head, "She was very ill, weak since my earliest memories. By the time I started questioning things, she had already passed away."

Anger nodded, expressing his sympathy.

"What about this village? Were you the one who bought Devil's Bay and relocated it here?" Anger asked.

"Yes," Black JK confirmed. "You know, I have a fondness for mysteries. But what remains most elusive and intriguing is my past... I need someone intelligent to help reconstruct it."

"So you chose me?" Anger asked.

"You meet all my requirements," Black JK stated. "But most importantly, you have a connection to this matter, which is ideal... Thus, I couldn't find a better candidate than you."

Angler nodded, then asked, "What about this deceased priest?"

"Oh... this is a gift I left for you," Black JK said.

"A gift?" Anger furrowed his brow, asking, "What do you mean?"

"Father Fong Ya was someone I stumbled upon. I talked with him, and he seemed interested in the old case," Black JK explained. "So, we agreed for him to live here. He stayed for a long time and seriously investigated the truth... until he suddenly died six months ago."

"Did he die of natural causes?" Anger asked.

"I don't know," Black JK admitted. "This made me realize that the case might not be entirely closed."

Anger didn't say anything, just nodded, his mind racing.

"How have you been recently, Mo Fei?" Black JK abruptly changed the topic.

Mo Fei, thinking about Anger's collaboration with Black JK and feeling worried, was startled when Black JK suddenly addressed him, looking up and asking, "Hmm?"

"You look well," Black JK smiled at him, asking, "Adjusting to life alright?"

Mo Fei, unsure of Black JK's intentions with such a question, nodded politely yet somewhat confusedly, "Yes."

"I have great admiration for you," Black JK seemed to genuinely appreciate Mo Fei. Anger slightly frowned, pulling Mo Fei back a bit, impatiently addressing Black JK, "You haven’t finished. Did you kill Father Fong Ya?"

"Of course not!" Black JK nodded. "How could I possibly kill a clergyman?"

Doubt flickered in Anger's eyes.

"But I suspect he discovered some secret, which cost him his life," Black JK continued. "That's why I think the old case isn't over. Some people who should be dead are still alive, which makes me even more eager to find out the truth... So, I want your help."

"How do you want me to help?" Anger shrugged. "There's no need to make it so complicated. If you found a dead body, just report it to the police. Why keep it for six months and make such an effort?"

"I've seen the police's performance, so I don't have much confidence in them solving this case," Black JK explained. "I did investigate Officer Oss here, but... At first, I was pleased to find a sharp detective. But later, through various channels, I realized it wasn't so. Then... you came into my view, and from the moment I saw you, I planned this interesting game."

"A game?" Anger frowned.

"Welcome to my Serial Killing Paradise," Black JK announced. "The members of the Midnight Revelry Club have recreated the old crime scene. History will rewind, Anger, and you will enter Devil's Bay as an unexpected guest. Please find the murderer as soon as possible."

Anger frowned and scoffed, "I'm not interested in such an idiotic game."

"If you don't participate... you might pay a heavy price," Black JK said, somewhat regretfully.

"What do you mean?" Anger asked, puzzled.

"Because the game has already started, and it won't stop until the truth is uncovered... Of course, the participants will also reenact the past murders, and the victims will appear one by one."

"Isn't that idea a bit too crazy?" Jiu Yi couldn't help but say, "Playing a game where people die?"

"Heh," Black JK chuckled, "The area is already sealed off; you can't leave."

Anger furrowed his brow.

"Moreover..." Black JK continued, "Anger, to ensure your full participation, I've selected the perfect person to play the role of my father. You only have a few days, and if you don't uncover the truth, then my father will be buried alive."

Anger's face soured, but Black JK was laughing heartily, pointing at Mo Fei beside Anger, "He's the ideal choice!"