Hana looked astonished: "Seashells? Of course not. Why would a human body grow seashells?"
Lex said with a hint of awkwardness: "When I was traveling on the Sea, I once encountered a shipwreck. The people on it were affected by some kind of contamination; seashells grew on their bodies, and even though their heads were hollowed out by Sea roaches, they could still think and speak."
"So when you mentioned something growing on your companion's body, that's what I thought of."
After hearing him out, Hana said joyfully: "You truly are a person with rich experiences. You can definitely help me."
Lex didn't respond. He smiled, picked up a dessert, tasted it, and almost spat it out.
It was incredibly sweet!
Hana continued her story: "What grew on Jolick's body wasn't seashells, but mold spots."
Lex paused: "He stayed underground for so long that his body got moldy?"
Before Hana could finish, he dismissed his own idea: "That's impossible, of course. So, he was contaminated?"
Hana shook her head: "I'm not sure either. But at that time, Jolick's hand did indeed have mold spots, just like a damp wall growing mold. Initially, Jolick himself didn't feel anything; it was Berte who discovered it. At first, we just thought he had gotten his hand dirty."
"But when we couldn't wipe off those damned mold spots, and then realized they were expanding and growing, we knew things weren't simple."
"Jolick was still relatively calm then. He immediately decided to leave the temple, and we felt the same. Treasures are good, but if you lose your life, what's the point of it all?"
"However, we had clearly exited the temple gate and were running through the passage leading to the surface. But when we saw light and thought the exit was in sight, what greeted us was disappointment, and fear. Because that so-called 'exit,' when we rushed into it, we found ourselves in the temple's main hall, the hall where the three upright coffins were placed!"
Hana's expression was tense, as if even the memory made her afraid. She pulled out a cigarette case and took out a lady's cigarette: "Do you mind if I smoke one?"
Lex shook his head.
Hana lit a cigarette for herself. After a few puffs, her emotions stabilized, and she continued: "In that hall, we all panicked. We had never experienced anything so bizarre. Even stranger, knocking sounds came from two of the upright coffins in the hall, as if something inside wanted to get out."
"We didn't linger; we even threw away the backpacks that had been filled with gold artifacts and immediately ran out of the hall. At this point, those damned mold spots also appeared on Berte's body, and Jolick's condition was even more severe; he started coughing, and coughed up blood with dark patches, as if the mold had spread into his body and invaded his internal organs."
"Soon we saw the exit. Throughout the entire process, that knocking sound kept coming from behind us. Mr. Rayleigh, the reason I emphasize this is to make you understand that even though we were afraid and panicked at the time, our sense of direction was still intact. Plus, the passage was straight, so I'm very certain that the hall with the upright coffins was always behind us."
"But when we crossed the exit, we despaired; we were back in that hall again. And then, something even more terrifying happened. The chains on two of the upright coffins had come loose, piled on the ground, and their lids were open, but there was nothing inside."
"Just as we were discussing what to do next, our wind lanterns simultaneously went out. I must emphasize that our wind lanterns were not attacked in any way; their glass covers were intact, and their metal grilles were undamaged, yet the flames inside extinguished like that."
"The moment darkness fell, I felt something terrifying lurking nearby. I heard Berte and Jolick's exclamations. Soon the wind lanterns lit up again, but by then, my two companions had vanished. Their wind lanterns lay on the ground, but they were gone."
"However, the two upright coffins that had been open were now closed again, and the chains that had been piled on the ground were once again tightly wrapped around them, as if what had just happened was merely my illusion."
"At the same time, I heard knocking sounds coming from both upright coffins simultaneously. I heard Berte and Jolick calling for help, their cries almost identical: 'Help! Get me out, don't let her get close to me.'"
At this point, tears welled up in Hana's eyes: "They are both brave and strong men. I have never seen them so terrified, so afraid. I don't know what they experienced in those upright coffins. I only know that when I came to my senses, I was already back on the surface."
"I don't know how I escaped, nor do I know why the things in that temple let me go, but I know I must save them; I must save my companions."
"Mr. Rayleigh, please, you must save them. I am willing to give anything!"
Lex put down his cutlery and gently but very firmly pushed away Hana's tightly clasped hand: "I'm sorry, Miss Hana. From your description, it sounds like this is something I cannot help you with; it's beyond my capabilities."
"I suggest you seek help from the Storm Church. Clearly, there is something terrifying in this temple that could threaten Damir Port, and the Storm Church will certainly not stand idly by."
"Additionally, though it's cruel to say, I must remind you. Even if you return to the temple now, your two companions have likely already met with misfortune."
Standing up, Lex put on his hat: "Again, I am truly sorry for what you've gone through."
After walking a distance, Lex turned back to glance at the poor girl. Hana was hunched over the table, holding her head and sobbing, which allowed Lex to see her fair neck.
Suddenly, on her neck, Lex saw a small, inconspicuous, dark brown patch the size of a fingernail. It looked just like mold growing on a wall that had been damp for many years.
Lex frowned, genuinely hoping the girl would quickly seek help from the Storm Church. He quickened his pace back to his bedroom, determined to collect his bounty tonight and leave Damir Port tomorrow.
He admonished himself not to meddle with or touch things he didn't understand.
Back in his room, after a short rest, Lex took out stationery and a pen. He flattened the paper and wrote on the letter with his fountain pen:
'Mr. Osweld, I recently visited Windmill Island and investigated the local beliefs there. I discovered they worship a deity called 'Astucca,' who bears titles such as God of the Sky, Pale King, and Protector of the Mountains and Forests.'
'Additionally, the residents of the Sea Island act strangely at night, and they have all taken 'post-mortem portraits,' which are photos taken for the deceased. Almost every resident on the island has taken such a photo, and I suspect their state is not normal.'
Just as Lex was writing his report to Osweld, at Damir Port's dock, an Adventurer boarded a ship bound for another port. He bathed in the afternoon sun and enjoyed the Sea breeze.
Suddenly, he coughed. He held his fist to his mouth, and on the back of his hand, there were several dark brown patches.