As An Antique Shop Owner, It's Only Reasonable That I Know A Bit Of Magic - Chapter 27

Outside the orphanage, the detective sat restlessly in his car, his palms rubbing anxiously against the steering wheel.

He had followed Sister Abigail all the way to the Coleman residence. From a distance, he watched her exchange a few words with Mrs. Kate, who then turned pale and rushed out the door shortly after.

Not long after, the detective saw the sister walk out with two children in tow.

His keen eyes noticed something off — the children trailing behind her had vacant stares and moved sluggishly, like puppets on strings. Without a doubt, they had been mentally controlled by the woman ahead!

After tailing their car to the orphanage, he saw that nearly every child there was just like Daniel and Max had been.

They greeted him with numb, expressionless faces before turning away.

Their young features were utterly devoid of emotion.

This once-proper orphanage had become a stronghold for some evil cultist!

Furious and alarmed, the detective pressed further inside.

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

It was a message from Carl:

“Detective, the situation here is handled. I’m taking Mrs. Coleman to the hospital now. Su asked me to tell you — don’t act recklessly. Try to wait until he arrives before doing anything.”

Sweat beaded on the hand holding the phone.

He really wanted to follow Su Fan’s advice, but the scene before him was too much to bear.

Moving through the hallway, he soon found the sister’s office.

As he pushed the door open, an unusual colour on the floor caught his eye. Looking down, he saw a line drawn in red brick dust.

Suddenly, he felt a warmth emanating from inside his coat.

It was the protective charm Su Fan had given him earlier.

Holding it, he felt a surge of courage.

He wasn’t completely powerless… but what if he alerted the enemy and ruined Su’s plan?

Hesitating, unsure whether to enter, a voice suddenly spoke behind him.

“Thinking of going in? Did you forget what I told you?”

The detective whirled around and saw the familiar black-haired young man standing behind him, as if he’d appeared out of thin air.

“Su! How do you walk without making a sound?”

“You were too focused. You weren’t paying attention to your surroundings.”

Su Fan gestured around them.

The detective’s eyes followed, suddenly noticing a little girl staring straight at them from a corner not far away.

“That child has been watching you for a while.”

“The two inside already noticed you. They just don’t consider you a threat.”

The detective’s face flushed with embarrassment. He was about to say something when police sirens wailed outside the orphanage.

He turned to Su Fan, confusion in his eyes.

“I had Carl use your authority to mobilize a team and secure the perimeter.”

“The enemy might get desperate and spread a curse or something similar. The surrounding area needs to be evacuated, and these hypnotized children will need to be taken care of.”

“So… do we wait for the team before going in?” the detective asked.

Su Fan shook his head.

“When your men arrive, order them to secure this area. No one is to enter.”

“Against an enemy with… unconventional methods, more people just mean more casualties. You understand that.”

“Right now, only one and a half people are qualified to take the risk.”

“One and a half?” The detective was baffled.

“I’m the one. You, with the charm, count as half. But at best, it’s only enough to barely protect yourself. Not very useful.”

Su Fan’s tone was calm, but the detective sensed immense danger lurking behind those words.

As they spoke, Carl arrived with a team of officers.

In full view of everyone, Su Fan stepped through the doorway.

A familiar, sinister coldness enveloped him, trying to invade his body, but it was blocked by the Qi circulating within him.

He could use the Cleansing Heaven and Earth Mantra to dispel the dark art set up here, but with a battle imminent, conserving his strength was the wiser choice.

Su Fan scanned the room. His steps halted as he passed over a particular floorboard.

Despite the carpet, he heard a faint sound from below.

He knelt, pulled the carpet aside, revealing a hidden trapdoor. Without hesitation, he yanked it open and jumped down!

Seeing this, several officers moved to follow, but the detective stopped them.

“We hold here. No one goes in until he comes out.”

His order was met with strange, uneasy looks from the team.

Police securing a scene usually meant a major investigation was underway, and civilians weren’t allowed in. Yet now, some unknown guy had not only entered the key area first but also had them standing guard outside.

Who did he think he was?

“Detective,” a sneering voice came from the back of the group. Johnny stepped forward. “Care to explain what’s going on?”

“The mobilization order just said a major incident at the orphanage. But now that we’re here, those of us involved aren’t even allowed to know what’s happening?”

“Doesn’t that seem a bit wrong?”

The detective looked around at the displeased faces. Steeling himself, he gave a brief explanation.

“There’s someone in the basement conducting some kind of evil ritual. It’s extremely dangerous! All we can do is secure the area and wait for that man to come out.”

Everyone except Carl burst into scornful laughter—especially Johnny.

“What a pathetic lie, Detective. You think you can fool us with that old story?”

“A curse? How did that Chinese guy get in? Do you think we’re blind? Or stupid?!”

“You’re just desperate for credit!”

The detective took a deep breath.

“I’m not lying. You’ll understand once this is over. For now, everyone follows my order: stand down!”

Johnny ignored the warning. While the detective was addressing the others, he suddenly broke into a sprint, charging straight into the room!

He was going to expose the detective’s lies publicly—make him taste the humiliation, just like he had!

“Stop! Johnny!” the detective roared.

But his shout only made Johnny run faster. In a few strides, he reached the door.

Carl moved to block him, but Johnny shoved the larger man aside and rushed into the room!

His foot had barely crossed the line of red brick dust when he stumbled and fell face-first to the floor.

He struggled to get up, a metallic taste filling his mouth. He spat—it was blood, along with a few teeth!

The officers watched in horror. No one dared approach as they saw the skin around Johnny’s eyes sink in, his hair fall out, his teeth loosen and drop!

“No! No!!”

Johnny wailed in agony, vomiting dark blood.

It wasn’t just his mouth.

Blackish-red fluid seeped from his eyes, ears, and nose!

Blood trickled from all seven orifices!

The terror of impending death made him claw desperately toward the exit!

Just then, the detective lunged forward, grabbed his already-wrinkled hand, and yanked him back out!

Once outside the room, Johnny’s rapid decay stopped, but he was left barely breathing.

The officers who had mocked moments earlier were trembling, some nearly collapsing on the spot.

From healthy to dying—in less than thirty seconds.

No one was laughing now.

“Benjamin, get him to the hospital… The rest of you, hold the line with me.”

“Yes, sir!”

The detective breathed heavily as he gave the order. The response was swift and firm—a stark contrast to their earlier attitude.