Jeremiah’s voice deepened. “Dungo Village, Bonnie’s hometown, is also a gathering place for poison sorcerers. They inhabit the entire village.” His face was serious as he recalled a memory: five years ago, he and his team pursued an international fugitive who vanished into Dungo Village. The village possessed a creepy atmosphere, its residents clinging to mysterious beliefs. One night, Jeremiah inadvertently witnessed a ritualistic gathering; villagers, displaying a strange excitement, performed a ceremony. However, upon discovering the fugitive's location, they abruptly left Dungo Village. Later, Jeremiah researched the village, speculating the ceremony might have been a prayer for good weather and harvest, though its exact nature remained unknown.
Andrew was stunned. He'd known Bonnie for years, yet was unaware of her alleged connection to poison sorcery. Charles set down his glass, noting Jeremiah’s serious expression. He realized the situation was more complex than initially perceived. Remembering something from his past, he fell into deep thought.
Samantha, intrigued, pressed, “Jeremiah, enlighten us. What’s happening in the village? Is something amiss?”
Jeremiah’s eyes were cold. “Indigenous peoples are renowned for their expertise in magical poisons—secrets passed from mother to daughter.”
Andrew’s hand trembled, spilling his drink. “Magical poisons? Passed down?” he thought, aghast. Samantha, though startled, accepted this information more readily, acknowledging Clusia’s five-thousand-year history and its many unexplained aspects. However, she hadn't expected Andrew to be involved with a poison sorcerer. She sipped her vodka, reflecting on Andrew's unwavering commitment once he's invested in someone or something. As the Mitchell family's only son, Samantha decided to join the trip to Normis.
“Jeremiah, are you saying Bonnie knows about magical poisons?” Andrew asked.
Jeremiah shook his head solemnly. “Not sure.”
In the lively bar, their corner felt strangely isolated. Yvette, resting her chin on her hand, said coolly, “No, she doesn’t.”
All eyes turned to her. Andrew, reassured by Yvette’s certainty, asked, “Yvette, have you been to Dungo Village?”
“No,” she replied calmly. While she hadn't visited Dungo Village, Yvette had encountered practitioners of magical poisons—with fatal consequences. Samantha suspected Yvette possessed extensive knowledge, even without firsthand experience.
Charles asked, “Yvette, do you know about magical poisons and poisonous insects?”
Yvette sipped her orange juice, then explained, “Humans breed poisonous insects by placing various highly toxic creatures—venomous snakes, eels, centipedes, frogs, scorpions, worms, large green caterpillars, and mantises—in a sealed container. Flying and running creatures are excluded; only crawling, toxic ones. The last survivor becomes the poisonous insect.”
Samantha and Andrew were disgusted; Charles, hardened by his underworld experiences, found it more surprising than revolting. Jeremiah remained calm, his gaze fixed on Yvette, impressed by her knowledge.
Raising an eyebrow, Jeremiah continued, “Ancient texts and archaeological evidence confirm this. In some Normis tribes, chiefs, wishing for undisturbed rest, employed sorcerers to transform their people into human statues. While alive, an insect was injected, consuming their flesh and blood, mummifying them. The insect would lay eggs, creating a vacuum; the larvae, dormant for years, would kill anyone disturbing the remains.”
Samantha quickly took a drink. Yvette glanced at Jeremiah, who was expertly peeling nuts. He handed them to her; the others were accustomed to their affection.
Samantha, suppressing her disgust, asked, “Yvette, how did you know Bonnie couldn’t use magical poisons? Jeremiah said it’s passed from mother to daughter.”
Yvette raised her chin slightly. “The smell. Practitioners have a distinct aroma.”
Andrew reflected. Bonnie always smelled milky; he considered her too simple-minded for such skills.
Yvette addressed the group calmly. “Fewer people practice magical poisons now. The conditions—timing, location, temperature, soil—are stringent. It’s not easy.”
“I want to go with you,” Samantha declared.
“Me too,” added Charles.
Yvette nodded. “Alright.”
Two more plane tickets were booked, expanding the Normis trip from three to five people. They lingered, discussing preparations. When Andrew went to the bathroom and didn't return after five minutes, Charles investigated. He found Andrew in a private room, confronting a creepy middle-aged man and a terrified young girl with a knife. Charles recognized the man—Patrick, the dean of academic affairs at Argrol University. "What happened?” he asked, serious.