The Eldritch Files

The Encrypted Spells of the three major Sequences largely stemmed from the same origin, though they were connected in different ways. The Zero Sequence Encrypted Spells, numbered 01 to 13, each had unique traits and were mutually incompatible.

In a way, however, this was a perfect fit for Han Su.

He didn’t plan on dabbling in the three major Sequences for now.

For one, it was too much trouble, requiring extensive testing and observation. For another, he felt he had already bitten off more than he could chew.

Miss Ai had already reminded him that a shoddy foundation wouldn’t get him far. What he needed to do now was deepen his understanding of his own power level and solidify his foundation. Besides, it didn’t seem particularly difficult for him to master new Mysterious Powers if he really wanted to.

Worst case, he could just go back to the Ancient Castle to touch a monster, or get touched by one...

Instead, he found himself intensely interested in the ”Life Code” that Miss Ai had specifically mentioned.

After reciting the Fishing Song, his Spiritual Activity was now much higher than an ordinary person’s. His repeated, unique experiences returning to the Ancient Castle had also allowed him to amass a large reserve of Spiritual Power. But the intermittent nature of this power was frustrating.

It was like shackles, limiting his true potential.

What if there was a way to break through this limitation?

From Miss Ai’s hints, he had an inkling that the ”Life Code” might serve just that purpose.

Unfortunately, obtaining the clearance for this Life Code seemed a distant prospect for him at the moment.

It was good enough that Miss Ai had accidentally bugged out and reminded him it existed.

He couldn’t exactly ask her to have a more serious bug and just give him all the details, could he?

For now, the only things he could experiment with were these Zero Sequence Spells.

The effects of Zero Sequence Spells were generally weak and couldn’t compare to the three major Sequences, but their applications were incredibly broad.

Take Number 06: All Things Respond to My Will.

This Spell allowed one’s Spiritual Power to infiltrate another person’s mind or inhabit a vessel, erasing or suppressing the target’s Spiritual Activity. Its applications were broad, and it was one of the three spells all Investigators from the Disaster Management Bureau had to master.

Then there was Number 08: Devil’s Kiss.

This one didn’t sound particularly righteous, but its effect was unexpected.

It was an Encrypted Spell that could effectively reduce one’s injuries, making it extremely useful in a fight.

However, using this Spell came with a continuous drain on one’s Spiritual Power for a long time afterward.

A powerful effect, but at a great cost.

As for the others, Number 07 enhanced one’s senses to gather information at night or within shadows.

Number 09 allowed one to gain a physical enhancement by consuming Spiritual Power.

Number 10 could locate sources of contamination.

Number 11 could summon mysterious entities to serve the user.

Number 12 could be used to form contracts with others.

Number 13 was a special case. It was described as having the ability to erase all Spiritual Activity, but no one had ever been able to use it.

...

...

The Lady in the Red Windbreaker once said during his training that when it came to Mysterious Power, one must avoid biting off more than one can chew. Even the Gods of old could only represent their own Sequence, making it impossible for any single person to master too much at once.

Although the Zero Sequence had a low secrecy Level and was easy to access, that didn’t mean anyone who wanted to could master all of them at once. Han Su had no such ambition; he just wanted to learn as much as he could.

He would memorize the Spells and understand them as best he could. He didn’t expect them to be overwhelmingly powerful; it would be good enough if he could rely on them in a pinch.

Beyond that, he was cramming the most basic knowledge about Mysterious Power, Penetration events, and even topics like contamination and the Gods.

Han Su understood the importance of a solid foundation. His repeated experiences in the Ancient Castle had also taught him the importance of the three words ”don’t make mistakes.”

Thus, through training and rest, he spent a few seemingly peaceful days. He stayed at the base most of the time, even applying to Zhang Chiguo for a private dormitory. He hardly went to school anymore. If push came to shove, he figured he could just show his credentials to his advisor and have a chat.

Xu Ji, on the other hand, had started attending school again. However, he had completely given up his street racing habit.

Everyone else assumed that he was suffering from some lingering trauma from the car accident and had gotten scared.

But Xu Ji denied it. ”I’m not into cars anymore,” he’d say, ”only because I’ll never find a car cooler than that one...”

Everyone was shocked. ”What car could make even Eldest Young Master Xu this envious?”

Xu Ji refused to elaborate, a look of deep envy on his face. ”That car... it can shake its butt!”

Aside from that, things with Wei Lan got a little complicated. Just two days after they parted ways at the Dingxiang Clubhouse, Han Su found her at his apartment.

This celebrity, whose face was starting to pop up on billboards all over Qinggang City, was sitting on the steps outside his apartment with her head wrapped in bandages. Next to her was a dejected Xu Ji, looking utterly miserable.

”You two and your secret affair... did you have to drag me along to play guide? I have class this afternoon...”

”...”

”We’re not dating!”

Han Su corrected Xu Ji before turning to Wei Lan, feeling a little puzzled himself.

”Then go back to your class!”

Wei Lan sent Xu Ji on his way and entered the apartment. Only after confirming it was safe to talk did she say, unable to contain her excitement, ”I felt like there was so much we didn’t get to talk about in detail. As soon as I had the chance, I came to find you.”

”I... I was even a little afraid you’d suddenly disappear.”

”So, I had to come and see for myself. And, you know, get your location to make it easier to contact you in the future.”

”...”

Han Su was taken aback. ”Couldn’t you have just sent a message?”

Wei Lan said gravely, ”I don’t trust the modern communication networks. What we’ve been through is too strange. If certain people were to find out, it could lead to huge trouble.”

’Someone seeing you at my apartment would be just as much trouble...’

Han Su chuckled. ”Speaking of leaks, I probably spilled all the beans long before I joined the Disaster Management Bureau and learned this stuff existed. It’s too late to go silencing people now. Of course, nothing’s come of it so far. We should be cautious in the future, but there’s no need to be *this* paranoid.”

”How’s your face?”

”...”

Wei Lan unwrapped the scarf from her head, revealing a fine cut on her cheek that was still weeping blood.

The wound wasn’t large. In a way, it even lent a sort of bewitching beauty to her delicate features. But the fact that it was constantly bleeding was certainly unsettling.

Thinking of her profession, Han Su frowned. ”You can’t find a way to heal it?”

Wei Lan smiled and shook her head. ”Only a high-level power from the same system or finding the source of the injury itself could possibly heal it. But that’s not important.”

”I can feel the shadow that influenced my fate back in Ti City receding. My Life Code is becoming clearer. Before, I only had a 30% chance of obtaining the Empress title here in Qinggang City and successfully advancing. Now, it’s over fifty percent.”

”...”

”The source...”

A chill went down Han Su’s spine. The source of Wei Lan’s scar had to be that metamorphosing monster.

Zhang Chiguo had said the monster had been affected, extending its metamorphosis, but by how long?

Now, it was even harder for him to predict when the creature would complete its transformation. All he could do was remain constantly on guard.

However, another term Wei Lan mentioned piqued Han Su’s curiosity. ”You have a Life Code, too?”

Wei Lan was surprised by the question. It took her a moment to remember that in the circles of the supernatural, Han Su was still just a newcomer.

She smiled. ”Everyone has a Life Code. It’s a mandatory threshold. If you don’t unlock it, no matter what powers you master, you’re merely imitating. You don’t truly possess Mysterious Power.”

”But everyone walks a different path and faces a different origin, so their Life Codes are different. The Life Code of our Queen’s Organization wouldn’t apply to you.”

”Unless you get a sex change. But even then, you’d have to be good-looking...”

”...”

Han Su was speechless. He was naturally uninterested in the Life Code of the Queen’s Organization, but he did ask a few more questions about its purpose.

After they talked for a while, it grew late, and it was time for Wei Lan to leave. But she still seemed unsatisfied and excitedly asked the question that was most on her mind: ”When are you going to save the other children?”

”Is there anything I can do to help?”

”...”

Faced with this question, Han Su paused for a moment before slowly shaking his head. ”You can’t help with this.”

”As for when I’ll act... it will be soon. In two days, in fact...”

”...”

He trailed off, feeling it was pointless to say more.

’According to the usual pattern of the Flashing, even if I succeed this time, Wei Lan will just forget about it, won’t she?’

’Or rather, her memory would adapt.’

’No matter how many children I rescue, to her, it will seem as if it has always been that way.’

’Then again, she’s been corrupted by a Mechanical Fragment, too. Does that mean she’ll be part of the next Flashing?’

The thought made Han Su’s heart stir, but he didn’t dare get his hopes up.

Wei Lan, oblivious to Han Su’s thoughts, just felt dejected. ”So I can only wait?”

She didn’t want to keep repeating to Han Su how thrilled she’d been when she remembered everything, but the desire to take action was stirring restlessly within her. It was as if she’d been tormented by an invisible monster for a long time and had finally caught a glimpse of one of its scales.

”If you really can’t sit still, then you can help me by looking into the Crystal Skull Organization.”

Han Su could see the unease in her heart, so he just smiled. ”As for everything else, don’t worry about it too much, and don’t be in a rush to find me. Preparing for your competition is more important. This world won’t let us stay idle for long.”

”As for the rescue, this time... I’m ready.”