Chapter 264 — The Clown in the Town (Part 1)
Gideon flipped to the bottom of the case file and pulled out a document titled "Supplementary Investigation."
The pages contained records of interviews the police had conducted with children in Derry Town.
The cover bore a special note:
"For reference only. Not admissible as factual evidence."
From that sentence alone, it was clear the police hadn't taken the children's statements seriously.
Gideon shrugged.
This kind of thing was practically a classic trope in American horror stories—important clues were often hidden in the information adults ignored.
Naturally, he wouldn't make the same mistake.
He began reading through the testimonies.
---
"...There's a monster in town! It has no eyes and its whole body is rotting, like a zombie! I saw it with my own eyes!"
"...I saw a floating red balloon and followed it, but then I found someone hanging in an abandoned car factory. The corpse suddenly started moving again..."
"...Mom and Dad seem like different people now. That thing was right in front of them, but they acted like they couldn't see it at all..."
"...I saw a clown near the playground. It looked like it was talking to Betty. I only turned my head for a second, and Betty disappeared. There was blood there..."
"...I saw the monster in a painting come to life! I ran as fast as I could, but the more I ran, the bigger it became..."
---
Gideon rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Based on the descriptions in the files, the children had all encountered some kind of abnormal phenomenon.
Among them, the repeated mentions of a clown caught his attention the most.
If he remembered correctly, in the original story "It", many children mysteriously disappeared in the town.
They were lured into the sewers by the clown.
In the end, they either became the clown's food or turned into grotesque decorations inside its lair.
As for whether this commission was connected to that story…
The supplementary investigation provided more evidence.
For example:
"The more I ran, the bigger it became…"
In the original story, Pennywise the Clown fed on fear.
The more frightened a victim became, the stronger the creature grew.
Gideon remembered that the monster was said to originate from a higher-dimensional existence, though the films themselves never explained it in detail.
There was also a third clue supporting his suspicion.
Zombies, reanimated corpses, figures crawling out of paintings…
At first glance, these descriptions sounded like childish nonsense.
But in reality, they perfectly reflected the clown's ability.
It could manifest as whatever a human feared most, forcing people to experience even greater terror.
And the greater the fear—
the more powerful it became.
With all these clues combined, Gideon was now almost certain about his conclusion.
Otherwise, if a small town were truly plagued by zombies, haunted paintings, and resurrected corpses—
it would have become famous across North America long ago.
Still, it was best to prepare properly.
If the culprit really turned out to be those "Wings of Vengeance" fanatics again, he wouldn't be caught off guard.
Gideon flipped to several local news reports.
---
"...In the past nine months, more than five disappearances have occurred. A boy named George and a girl named Betty were both last seen near the sewer system…"
"The town of Derry has announced the reinstatement of a curfew policy first implemented twenty-seven years ago. Residents are advised not to go out alone after 7 p.m."
"...Derry Town will officially begin its holiday season this month. Many families have already decided to leave town for the holidays..."
Gideon sighed quietly to himself.
Narrow spaces, darkness, the unknown, rushing water…
Those children who had vanished into the sewers must have experienced unimaginable despair.
Even imagining such scenes was enough to make one feel suffocated.
"Even without monsters, letting children wander outside alone during holidays is extremely dangerous. North America's safety education really needs improvement…" Gideon thought.
And those families who chose to leave town for the holidays…
In the past, Gideon might have agreed with such a decision.
But considering the recent situation across North America, it seemed that supernatural incidents could occur almost anywhere.
"Things really are in a terrible state…"
After finishing the documents about the disappearances, Gideon opened the Church's investigation report.
According to the report, when clergy members arrived at the scene, they discovered that some residents had experienced soul separation.
Even by the time the investigators arrived, several people's souls had not yet fully returned to their bodies.
The clergy suspected this might have been the cause of the hallucinations reported by many townspeople.
In addition, similar traces had been found in locations such as public bathrooms, sewers, and abandoned alleys.
Through sacred techniques, the investigators confirmed that these places still contained abnormal energy fluctuations.
The energy was not the same as demonic aura, but it was still considered dangerous.
The report recorded that one priest had experienced brief dizziness and confusion when approaching the energy.
According to witnesses, during his unconscious state the priest repeatedly shouted a single phrase:
"Deadlights."
Subsequent investigations failed to find any clear explanation for the term.
After returning, the priest underwent a full purification ritual.
During the ritual, he vomited a pool of pale golden liquid.
Although the unknown substance was quickly purified by the formation, several priests present claimed they could hear faint sounds coming from the liquid.
Gideon clicked his tongue.
"Well… looks like it really is the clown."
Although the Church report suggested the incident might be connected to the "Wings of Vengeance"—since they had previously used summoning rituals to unleash strange creatures—
Gideon was already certain that this time, the case had nothing to do with them.
"It seems… the force behind the clown has also appeared in this town."
He frowned thoughtfully.
This kind of power typically controlled humans through mental and psychological invasion.
Because of that, Gideon decided he should prepare more exorcism tools designed to counter mind-based attacks.
The available information ended there.
From this point onward, Gideon would have to conduct his own investigation.
Since the temporary dean had personally assigned him the mission, Gideon naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to request support.
Besides obtaining several high-grade sacred artifacts from Archbishop Matthew, the archbishop also promised that if Gideon encountered an especially dangerous enemy, he would send Sister Betis to assist him.
After completing the commission paperwork with Sister Flora in the commission office—and returning the Guild silver coin token she had lent him earlier—
Gideon finally returned to the House of Rest.
Considering that Judy had already handled several low-difficulty commissions, he decided to bring the girl along this time.
The Church had classified the mission as "Dangerous."
But in Gideon's opinion, if the enemy was only the clown itself, the threat level might only qualify as "Intrusive."
However, if the force behind the clown was involved…
Then even a "Catastrophe" rating might be too low.
Still, Gideon only intended to let Judy participate in basic tasks.
If the situation became too dangerous, he would immediately send her away.
And so, on a bright sunny morning, Gideon and Judy packed their belongings and left the House of Rest together.
---
Maine State — Derry Town
Monday, 9:00 AM — Heavy Rain
The streets were almost empty.
Dark clouds filled the sky, and rain washed over the asphalt road, making the already clean pavement shine even brighter.
Water rushed along the roadside gutters and flowed into the sewer drains.
Splash… splash…
Suddenly, a childish voice echoed through the rain.
"Xixi! Where are you?!"
A girl wearing a bright yellow raincoat walked alone along the street.
She carried a small bag containing a can of cat food and a toy wand with a tiny bell attached.
Holding the toy wand, she occasionally waved it while calling out a name.
"Xixi… you must be soaked by now. I'll find you, don't be scared!"
The girl wiped the rain from her face and tried to encourage herself.
She looked around.
The empty street, the steady rain, the water flowing past her feet…
Only then did she realize that she seemed to be the only person there.
She suddenly remembered the rumors about the town—and her mother's warning:
Never walk alone in town.
A faint fear rose in her heart.
But when she thought about her beloved pet getting drenched in the rain, she decided not to turn back.
The girl continued along the road and soon reached a large sewer drain.
"Meow~"
A cat's cry suddenly sounded.
"Xixi?!"
The girl's face lit up with excitement.
She hurried to the drain and knelt down to peer inside.
The sewer opening was surprisingly large—wider than her shoulders.
Inside, there was nothing but darkness.
Rainwater flowed into it like water falling into a bottomless abyss.
The girl continued calling her pet's name.
But suddenly she froze.
Inside the drain appeared a pair of glowing yellow eyes.
Then came a face painted white, with bright red lips.
The girl stiffened and slowly stepped back.
"Are you looking for it, Tammy?" the strange face said, calling out her name.
In its hand was a gray-and-white kitten.
The kitten faced away from her, its fur soaked and motionless.
"Yes… sir," the girl nodded obediently.
"Oh~ Xixi is such a well-behaved little cat," the strange face chuckled, pretending to pet the kitten.
"C-can you give Xixi back to me? She's my best friend," Tammy said softly.
"Of course," the face replied.
"But Xixi has fallen asleep. Could you come a little closer and take her?"
"O-okay."
The girl stepped closer and reached both hands toward the drain.
"Sir… I can't reach."
"Oh~ then you'll have to lean in a little further. I wouldn't want to wake Xixi."
"O-okay…"
She leaned forward again, almost sticking her entire head into the drain.
"That's it… such a good child," the face said, its voice growing strangely excited.
Tammy's attention was completely focused on the kitten.
She didn't notice the monster opening its mouth beside her.
Two rows of sharp teeth appeared—lining the gums, the inner cheeks, even the throat.
Only then did she notice the face moving toward her arm.
"AH!"
Her body trembled, frozen in fear.
Just as the creature was about to bite down—
Her body suddenly jerked backward.
She turned and saw two people holding umbrellas standing behind her.
One of them was a girl like her, gripping a cross nervously.
The other was a man wearing a black priest's robe, holding Tammy by the collar of her raincoat.
Gideon set the girl down.
Then he took out a bottle of holy water and tossed it into the sewer.
A beast-like roar echoed from below.
Something seemed to fall deeper into the darkness.
Without stopping, Gideon placed several sacred artifacts nearby and activated a formation to purify the abnormal energy in the area.
A few moments later, he gathered his tools and led Judy and the girl beneath the shelter of a roof.
---
"Climbing into a sewer drain alone on a rainy day—are you trying to drown yourself?" Gideon said sternly.
Earlier, he had spotted a yellow figure lying on the ground from a distance.
At the same time, he sensed unusual energy fluctuations nearby.
Without hesitation, he used Holy Step to appear behind the girl.
He had noticed the thing in the drain as well.
But the creature reacted quickly and had the advantage of position.
So Gideon prioritized saving the girl first.
"I… I was looking for Xixi," the girl said, lowering her head.
Gideon glanced at the items in her bag.
He crouched down and spoke seriously.
"Do you think it's normal for someone to be inside a sewer drain?"
"And if you fell in there, how would you get out? Where would your family even start looking for you?"
The questions left the girl speechless.
Only then did she realize how dangerous her actions had been.
Meanwhile, Gideon felt somewhat exasperated.
What kind of sewer entrance was built this wide?
There wasn't even a basic safety grate.
It was practically inviting people to explore it.
Welcome to the mysterious and dangerous sewer system—now with widened entrances for your convenience…
"And the same goes for you," Gideon said, turning to Judy.
"If you see something dangerous like that, never get close."
Judy nodded seriously.
"Okay! I won't."
The rain continued pouring, showing no sign of stopping.
To avoid further trouble, Gideon escorted the girl home first.
Afterward, he and Judy headed toward the town church.
It would serve as their temporary residence during the investigation.
---
The church was managed by a man named Donald, a typical middle-class white American.
He was also a firm believer in the Old Testament, maintaining several strict traditional rules in the church.
For example, children born into church families were required to memorize difficult passages from scripture and participate in coming-of-age ceremonies.
Donald himself came from a devout family, though he was not an ordained priest.
Instead, he served as a rabbi-like volunteer, responsible for community religious work and teaching church traditions.
However, Gideon came from a parish church and had been personally appointed by an archbishop.
Those rigid local rules naturally did not apply to him.
After settling in, Gideon questioned Donald about the town.
Although Donald worked within the church system, he knew little about the supernatural incidents.
All he knew was that a distinguished guest had been sent by the Church and that the local church was expected to fully cooperate.
With little information to gain there, Gideon had to look for clues elsewhere.
---
While waiting for the rain to stop, a boy named Stanley arrived at the church.
He was Donald's son and had been raised under strict Old Testament discipline.
Seeing strangers present, Stanley stood quietly with his head lowered.
But Gideon noticed the boy occasionally sneaking glances at Judy, clearly curious about her.
Without hesitation, Gideon stepped between them and blocked the boy's line of sight.
"Stanley," Donald said,
"We have honored guests today. Go to my office and finish your theology lessons."
The boy hesitated.
"But… Father, that painting is in the room…"
Donald frowned.
"How embarrassing! As a true believer protected by the Lord, you're afraid of a painting?"
Gideon raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Donald, what kind of painting is it?"
"Oh, it was a gift from an old friend," Donald replied.
"The style leans toward expressionism, so the boy finds it unsettling."
"But… every time I walk past it, the painting falls down," Stanley whispered.
"And the woman in it… it feels like she's trying to come out."
"Enough!" Donald scolded him. "You shame me."
Gideon smiled and intervened gently.
"Mr. Donald, I'm here to look for clues. Perhaps Stanley really did notice something."
Then he turned to the boy.
"Could you take me there?"
"O-okay, Father."
Soon the four of them entered Donald's office.
A painting hung on the wall.
It depicted a woman wearing a long black robe, her body twisted unnaturally.
The image looked… deeply disturbing.