Chapter 2
Scratch, scratch, hiss—
A match was struck, producing a faint flame. It wavered slightly as it was brought closer to a kerosene lamp. The wick caught fire, and dim light began to spread outward, gradually pushing back the surrounding darkness.
The figure in front of the lamp shook the match to extinguish it and placed the glass cover over the flame.
The burning wick steadied, and the figure briefly stepped out of the lamp’s glow. Shortly after, the sound of the door closing echoed.
Clatter—
A set of keys traced an arc in the air before landing on the sofa. Lu Li glanced around at the now-familiar detective agency. He adjusted the kerosene lamp to ensure its light could reach every corner of the room.
The darkness receded, leaving nowhere to hide, lurking only in the corners, waiting for a chance to strike.
Lu Li sank into the padded chair behind the desk. Half of his face rested in the shadows where the lamp’s light didn’t reach, as he sat in quiet contemplation.
The last embers of daylight were fading in the sky. In Rodster Port, every inhabited home had already lit their kerosene lamps. The rarer electric lamps illuminated only the areas around government buildings and the estates of nobles.