They cautiously entered the unfinished building, where a pungent, putrid odor, a nauseating blend of dampness and dust, assaulted their nostrils. The hallway was dimly lit, like a deep tunnel. Only a few faint rays of sunlight struggled to squeeze in through the cracks in the damaged walls, casting patches of shimmering light and shadow on the ground. These images resembled abstract paintings, yet exuded an inexplicable eeriness, as if concealing a hidden secret. The walls were covered in water stains and moss, and the ground beneath their feet was uneven and covered in thick dust, stirring up clouds of dust with every step.
In the basement of the unfinished building, they finally found the dried-up corpse. The basement was filled with an even stronger stench of decay, as if it were a vast charnel house, emitting the scent of death. The corpse was in an extremely contorted position, as if it had suffered immense agony before death, struggling to break free from some invisible bondage. The deceased's arms were bent, his hands clenched tightly, as if in his final moments, he was desperately struggling to grasp at a last glimmer of hope. His legs were twisted and crossed, his kneecaps protruding, as if they would burst through the withered skin at any moment.
The corpse's skin clung tightly to the bones, shrunken like wrinkled old bark, each wrinkle bearing the marks of age and pain. Its color was a dull brown, as if eroded by both time and an evil force. In the light, its surface shone with a strange sheen, as if coated in a thin layer of wax, yet possessing a chilling quality. The skin on the face was deeply sunken, its cheekbones prominent, its eye sockets sunken, their eyeballs shrunken so much they had practically disappeared from their sockets, leaving only two dark, hollow eye sockets, as if staring blankly at the world, speaking of endless fear and despair. The nose collapsed, leaving only two tiny holes, as if mercilessly squeezed by some force. The lips, chapped and a strange bluish-purple hue, were slightly parted, as if about to speak something but frozen in time. Teeth were exposed, some broken, and between them, a black substance seemed to remain, emitting a sickening odor.
Looking at the corpse, Lin Yu couldn't help but sigh, filled with confusion. "What on earth did this person go through to die so tragically? And why did he end up like this in less than 24 hours? Did the murderer use some cruel method, or was there truly supernatural interference?" Xiao Zhao turned his head slightly away, a look of pity on his face. His eyes revealed a hint of fear and sympathy. "It's so pitiful. We must find the murderer as soon as possible and let the deceased rest in peace. This way of death is truly cruel. The murderer is completely inhumane."
Professor Li squatted down and began to carefully examine the body. He donned gloves, moving gently and cautiously, fearing further damage. He carefully turned over various parts of the body, explaining as he examined them. "Judging from the dryness of the body, this couldn't have been caused by natural drying. It's as if some powerful and mysterious force had instantly drained away all moisture. Furthermore, there were no signs of struggle or obvious injuries around the body, as if the deceased had been caught completely off guard by this sudden and tragic fate. This suggests the murderer likely took advantage of the victim's unpreparedness, or perhaps the victim was completely unaware of the danger. Perhaps the murderer used some special method to ensnare the victim without them realizing it." Old Chen meticulously searched the surroundings, leaving no corner untouched, searching for any clues related to the case. He squatted down and gently brushed away the dust and debris, his eyes fixed on the ground, hoping to detect footprints, bloodstains, or other suspicious signs. "There are no obvious signs of a struggle, and no suspicious objects have been found. How on earth did the murderer manage to kill someone and dry the body in such a short time? This is truly unbelievable. Could the murderer possess some supernatural ability to control the moisture content of the corpse? Or did he use some special tools or drugs?"
At that moment, the lights in the basement suddenly began to flicker, and the bulbs began to sizzle, as if ready to go out at any moment. Then, a chilling gust of wind swept through, sending shivers down everyone's spines, goosebumps covering their skin. The wind, with its endless chill, seeped through everyone's collars and sleeves, sending them shivering uncontrollably. Lin Yu, startled, immediately became alert. He quickly drew his weapon from his belt and glanced around warily. "Everyone, be careful! Something might happen! Stay alert and be prepared for any emergency! We don't know what we'll face next, so stay calm and follow instructions." Old Chen quickly pulled out his talisman, gripping it tightly in his hand and mumbling something to himself, ready to cast a spell to ward off any danger. Xiao Zhao, gripping his weapon tightly, crouched slightly, poised for battle. His eyes held a hint of nervousness, but more so, a resolute and fearless expression. Professor Li stood up and adjusted his glasses. His eyes revealed a thoughtful and calm expression as he quickly analyzed the situation, trying to come up with a plan. The atmosphere in the basement instantly grew tense, as if an invisible net were slowly tightening, enveloping everyone, and an unknown danger was quietly approaching.
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