The Eldritch Files

”What’s his name, and what’s his relationship to you?”

Investigator Bai Yang didn’t expect Han Su to ask such a strange question. He merely glanced at him but didn’t answer.

He didn’t think Han Su would have any knowledge of this. The star Investigator had certainly had his fill of the limelight, but he had never been truly accepted by the Investigator community. He didn’t even know all the Investigators in the Disaster Management Bureau, let alone those in the more mysterious Hidden School.

Of course, it wasn’t just Han Su. Even Zhang Chiguo behind him probably wasn’t familiar with the Hidden School.

After all, Zhang Chiguo’s background meant he’d never had any dealings with the Hidden School.

”You can’t do that!”

Seeing that the other man wouldn’t talk, Han Su didn’t press the issue. Beside him, however, Li Yiting suddenly grew furious.

The man who usually projected the image of a gentle, refined, middle-aged uncle now had veins bulging on his forehead. ”I may be cooperating with the Disaster Management Bureau’s investigation, but those things belong to my Magic Box Group! What right do you have to promise them away?”

He had gone through so much trouble to bring these things back, even giving up other benefits and investments just to get that data to Qinggang and prove the kidnapping case was real. And now these people wanted to send it all back without so much as a word?

What was the point of his entire trip, then?

But Investigator Bai Yang couldn’t even be bothered to glance at Li Yiting’s fury. Instead, he sneered.

”On the grounds that you people have no idea what you’ve even done!”

”The Disaster Management Bureau has signed agreements with the Hidden School and several Ancient Noble families. There are strict protocols for how every relic item is to be handled.”

”This isn’t something a rookie and a businessman can decide!”

...

Han Su frowned slightly.

He knew nothing about the Hidden School or the Ancient Nobles, so he naturally didn’t understand these so-called protocols.

But at this point, he understood the Drunkard’s scheme.

They obviously knew that handing over this data would affect the Drunkard’s promotion, but for some reason, the data hadn’t been destroyed yet.

Now, their goal was to delay as much as possible to make sure the data reached the Disaster Management Bureau later rather than sooner.

To achieve this, they were even willing to let Seawall City take the items back.

Of course, even if Seawall City took them, there was no guarantee they would help conceal the data’s existence. But all the back-and-forth would delay its exposure, which would probably be enough time for them to pull some strings...

...Could it be that the Drunkard’s promotion was going to be approved in the next few days?

Beside him, Li Yiting watched Investigator Bai Yang’s arrogance, a sense of urgency growing within him. ’Are those mysterious types interfering again?’

Having built the Magic Box Group to such a scale, it was impossible for him not to have noticed the existence of extraordinary individuals deep within these cities. In fact, ten years ago, he had received an invitation from them, delivered with an air of arrogance.

But something had happened back then, and he’d fallen into a slump for a long time. Their invitation was forgotten.

Now it seemed that because he had never entered their circle, he knew nothing about them. And it just so happened that these people controlled the distribution of relic items.

The trouble was, both he and Xiaohan were in a difficult position. Knowing nothing about that circle, they had no idea how to tackle the problem.

Unless...

As Li Yiting mulled it over, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

He subconsciously looked at Han Su, only to see that Han Su seemed to have given up on that line of argument. He was turning to his bespectacled assistant. ”Find anything?”

The Doctor slowly pushed up his glasses. His gaze shifted away from the people in the room. ”Their kneeling positions are different, and they vary in height and build, but the contraction of their pupils and their angles of observation are all uniform.”

”In other words, they are all looking at the same thing right now.”

As he spoke, he turned his head slightly. ”Something that we normal people can’t see, but is real in their field of vision.”

He raised a hand and pointed forward. ”I’m very curious as to what that is.”

Han Su nodded. ”If we want to know what they’re seeing, we’ll have to accept the same pollution they have.”

”Hah. You think I didn’t consider that?”

Investigator Bai Yang suddenly spoke up. ”Actively accepting pollution to gather intelligence is a common method for us, but of course, this kind of work can only be handled by D7s. I’ve already submitted the request. The D7s should be on their way.”

As he spoke, he looked at Han Su, deliberately observing his expression.

”D7s?”

Han Su nodded slightly. That made sense.

Getting polluted was an unavoidable risk for Investigators when resolving anomalous events.

But under normal circumstances, they would actively avoid it if they could. So, of course, a job like this would fall to the consumables.

And D7s were the perfect consumables for the job.

’But if a D7 can do it, can’t I?’

’As someone who performed the self-taboo surgery, my Spiritual Cutting is far more reliable than an ordinary D7’s.’

’More importantly, even if I encounter a danger I can’t escape, I still have the Ghost Flame as an ace in the hole.’

’Accept the pollution, increase my Spiritual Activity, then eliminate the source and resolve the threat... this is the best way to increase Spiritual Activity.’

’Could this be my chance to enter the Divine Forbidden Area?’

As Han Su thought it over, he grew more and more tempted. But he also noticed Investigator Bai Yang’s gaze and wondered, ’Why is he looking at me like that?’

”Ah...”

He suddenly realized, and his expression changed. ”Why do we need to send for D7s?”

”Are you sure there’s no other way to resolve this situation?”

”Who are they sending?”

...

”Heh heh...”

His expression registered with Investigator Bai Yang, who immediately relaxed and sneered inwardly. ’Scared now, are you?’

Outwardly, he became even more arrogant, saying flatly, ”I’m only responsible for requesting D7s to assist in the investigation. As for who they send, that’s the Disaster Management Bureau’s business. What’s wrong? A moment ago, Investigator Butcher was complaining I was too slow. Why the long face now?”

”I have no opinion on D7s. Fast or slow, what’s it to me?”

Han Su replied perfunctorily.

He sighed internally. ’Looks like that guy, Pot Lid Head, has completely earned their trust...’

He was genuinely afraid his acting wasn’t good enough and that Investigator Bai Yang would see through him, so he turned away and walked over to one of the infected individuals. ”But maybe I can give it a try?” he murmured.

His expression grew serious, and he slowly placed a hand on the man’s shoulder.

This time, he didn’t chant a Spell. Instead, he stimulated his Spiritual Activity, seeping his pure Spiritual Power into the infected person’s body, bit by bit.

Since it was pure Spiritual Power and there was no resistance, the moment it entered the infected person’s body, it provoked the anomalous polluting power within. Han Su could feel something following his own spirit and rapidly transmitting into his brain.

In an instant, a faint red glow appeared in his eyes.

A strange, indescribable whisper suddenly filled his ears, as if countless people were talking and chanting all around him.

It was as if he had been transported to some massive ritual site in the blink of an eye.

He felt his scalp tingle as a sense of majesty, descending from the heavens, fell upon him.

Subconsciously, his legs began to buckle.

It was as if something mysterious and supreme was before him, triggering an instinctual fear that demanded he kneel and offer all his devotion.

Han Su used a sliver of his will to remain standing. He slowly adjusted to his now-reddened vision and looked up, his body stiffening slightly.

In the distance, he saw a crimson tree.

It wasn’t far, perhaps only a few hundred meters away.

The tree was several dozen meters tall. Its trunk was a vibrant, unnatural red, as if it were woven from skinned muscle tissue.

Its canopy, however, was a mass of large, face-like leaves that floated gently up and down, causing countless spiritual threads to intertwine.

And between the leaves, Han Su could see flower buds beginning to appear on the tree.

They were just starting to form, not yet in full bloom.

”What the hell is that thing?”

In that instant, Han Su made a decision. He suddenly took a step back, using his Spiritual Activity to cut off the pollution, preventing it from lingering in his Spiritual Power.

But he had already gotten his answer. The pollution was so strong that his plan might just work, but it would require the help of his Ghost Flame, which he couldn’t use right now.

Seeing this, the Doctor couldn’t help but step forward and ask in a low voice, ”What did you see?”

Han Su shook his head. ”The pollution is intense. I didn’t dare go too deep.”

The Doctor’s eyes immediately filled with a hint of disappointment, as if he found this Investigator to be utterly useless...

Nearby, Investigator Bai Yang was also shocked by Han Su’s actions. But seeing his current state, his mood instantly improved, and he held his head even higher than before.

’Wow, this Investigator heard the D7s were coming and got so scared he’d rather experience the pollution himself?’

’Too bad it’s useless. If even I, with 61% Spiritual Activity, can’t do it, how could he? This kind of pollution only works with D7s boosted by enhancement serums!’

’...’

As Investigator Bai Yang watched with a mocking gaze, Li Yiting’s expression grew more profound. ’Xiaohan is in a passive position. In that case, I might just have to...’

Just as they were lost in their own thoughts, a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance of the temporary containment center. Immediately, one of Investigator Bai Yang’s assistants ran over nervously and reported, ”Sir, Dr. Rong from Seawall City is here!”

”Show him in, quickly!”

Hearing this, Investigator Bai Yang’s expression turned serious. He straightened his collar and hurried to greet the guest, leaning on his cane.

Li Yiting’s face also changed slightly, while Han Su cast a curious glance over. A young, arrogant face came into view.

Han Su’s heart instantly relaxed. ”It’s him...”