The Eldritch Files

BANG! BANG!

The people in the car only saw Han Su’s figure shoot out from the thick fog, but they couldn’t see where he had leaped.

Just as they were frantically trying to find him, the sound of metal tearing and being pierced rang out from the roof above.

The next moment, bullets reeking of gunpowder tore into the vehicle, ricocheting wildly.

With so many people crammed inside, the odds of someone getting hit were high.

Someone lost their nerve and screamed, ”He’s just shooting right at us...”

In the ensuing panic, it was every man for himself. Someone instantly curled into a ball to reduce their chances of being hit. Another frantically chanted a Spell, their Spiritual Power seeping out to ward off the danger. Still another grabbed the person beside them, pulling them in front as a human shield.

Two sickening thuds sounded out.

The heavy stench of blood filled the car, mixed with what sounded like groans. Someone had been shot.

”Floor it!”

Amidst the chaos, Investigator Feidi took a sharp breath and yelled in a low voice.

At the same time, he leaned out of the car, ready to fire into the air.

’Both vehicles are speeding,’ he thought. ’It looks like he can make the jump, but the momentum will just throw him off. First he’ll take a nasty fall, then we can finish him off.’

But Investigator Feidi never expected it. Just as he raised his gun to aim, the figure in mid-air quietly recited something. His body suddenly vanished, then reappeared in an instant, having abruptly shot forward several meters to land on the roof of their car.

[Code 09: Ladder of the Abyssal!]

[...]

It consumes Spiritual Power to allow the user to traverse space by Flashing.

It was like climbing an invisible ladder.

Depending on one’s Spiritual Power and their Understanding of the Spell, they can take anywhere from one to twelve steps.

One step equals a single Flash, two steps equal two Flashes, and so on.

Han Su had caught up in the Ghost Truck. To gain an advantage, he had leaped out with all his might, and using this Encrypted Spell, he performed a near-miraculous feat, landing squarely on the roof of the car ahead.

BANG! BANG!

Hearing the heavy thuds on the roof, the people inside didn’t hesitate to return the favor, firing their guns straight up at Han Su.

After landing on the car, Han Su immediately threw out his left arm. As he concentrated his Spiritual Power and rapidly recited Code 06, All Things Respond to My Will, a shield of Spiritual Power seemed to materialize over his left hand, blocking all the bullets that tore through the roof.

Code 06, All Things Respond to My Will, was one of the Spells Han Su was most proficient in using.

After his previous taboo surgery, he could use this Spell to manifest his Spiritual Power as a blade or a shield.

As a blade, it could sever Spiritual Penetration. As a shield, it could protect over 70% of his body with just one hand.

His left hand, infused with Spiritual Power, was harder than copper or iron. Bullets could not easily break through his defense.

”Hand it over!”

The instant he blocked the volley of bullets, Han Su flipped his hand over. His five fingers, sharp as knives, plunged through the car’s sheet metal roof.

He took a deep breath and, with a violent tug, yanked his arm upward, his body leaping into the air with the motion.

SCREEECH!

The combined force of his pull and the car’s forward momentum ripped the entire roof clean off.

The massive force sent the vehicle skidding out of control, causing it to swerve violently and crash into the side of the road.

Everyone in the car was either an Investigator or a Senior Executor. The moment the car crashed, several figures leaped out from inside, seemingly uninjured. The two who had been shot, however, weren’t so lucky. Trapped in the mangled wreckage, who knew how many more bones they had broken.

Those who emerged from the wreck immediately closed in, some drawing their guns, others preparing to chant an Encrypted Spell.

”You... You’ve got some nerve! Attacking your colleagues in broad daylight! Are you trying to betray the Disaster Management Bureau?”

Investigator Feidi, clutching the case of documents for dear life, had realized that Han Su’s abilities far exceeded his estimates. A mixture of shock and fury in his voice, he roared.

”Quite the opposite,” Han Su replied. ”I’m worried you’re the ones betraying the Disaster Management Bureau. I’m here on orders to secure the documents in your possession.”

Han Su was slowly rising to his feet, still clutching half of the car’s roof. He twisted his body slightly, pulling the sheet of metal back to wind up for a throw.

In truth, both sides knew what was about to happen. Exchanging threats at this point was just for the benefit of their after-action reports.

The moment the words left his mouth, he lunged forward, using the momentum to hurl the piece of roof. His innate combat Talent, combined with his application of Spiritual Power, sent the sheet of metal spinning like a flying buzzsaw.

With a vicious WHIR, it struck a man who was desperately trying to chant an Encrypted Spell. Unable to dodge in time, he watched half his thigh fly through the air.

At the same time, Han Su charged forward, following right behind the projectile, his form a blur of motion.

A man taking cover by the car raised his gun to aim. He had just registered a dark shadow descending upon him and was about to scream when Han Su’s left hand clamped down on the weapon, crushing the gun and the man’s hand into a mangled pulp.

Twisting with the motion, he followed up with an Ear Drum-Piercing Palm that knocked the man out cold.

In the next instant, he ducked down, grabbing a briefcase to block several more bullets. He then whipped out an electric baton, jabbing a man and sending him into violent convulsions.

He followed up with an Abdominal Liver-Splitting Fist, and the man doubled over, collapsing to his knees.

Han Su was currently in a state of extremely high Spiritual Activity, but his total spiritual reserves were low. As such, he acted without mercy, prioritizing efficiency. In the blink of an eye, he had taken down several people who tried to resist.

On the other side, even Investigator Feidi was terrified by Han Su’s ruthless rampage, and he yelled repeatedly.

”The man’s insane! Stop him!”

”...”

Even as he shouted, he scrambled back into the wreck, grabbed the case, and tried to escape with it while Han Su was busy with the others.

But at that exact moment, behind Investigator Feidi and his men, whose attention was completely fixed on Han Su, a hooded figure suddenly raised her head. Her eyes were pitch-black, and in the empty space behind her, a monstrous eye abruptly opened.

The eye blazed like a sun, casting a shadow from her body that surged forward.

Caught completely off guard, Investigator Feidi was instantly ensnared by the shadow. The next moment, Miss Crow stepped forward, flicked her hand at the case in his arms, and sent it flying toward Han Su.

Han Su faltered for a moment, catching the case as he came to a stop.

He opened the case and glanced inside, confirming it held the files he was looking for. His brow furrowed slightly as he looked up.

The figure in the black hood pulled it down, revealing Miss Crow, one of the very people assigned to escort the case with Investigator Feidi. Having restrained him and his men with her surprise attack, she gave Han Su a smirk and a tilt of her chin.

”Hey,” she said. ”Is this enough for me to apologize on her behalf?”

”...”

Han Su could tell that the woman before him was not the same gentle girl he once knew.

The short-haired girl who had just returned to the city had been quiet and approachable, with a gentle, eager-to-please way of interacting with people. Now, though she was the same person, her personality was like a drawn dagger, her gaze sharp and piercing. He couldn’t help but sigh to himself.

’Miss Crow’s illness is getting worse. What in the world has her aunt been teaching her?’

’...’

But this wasn’t the time for questions. He just nodded slightly and asked, ”Why did you do this?”

Miss Crow sneered. ”I just got used to life in the wilderness. I don’t like their way of doing things.”

Han Su hefted the case in his hands. ”You know this means you’ve betrayed them, right?”

Miss Crow impatiently ruffled her short hair. ”Worst case, I’ll just go back to the wilderness. I can’t have my one trip back to the city leave me with new regrets.”

Han Su could sense her inner turmoil. He slowly backed away, then suddenly gave Miss Crow a thumbs-up.

Then, just as his figure vanished completely into the thick fog, his voice rang out.

”We’re all colleagues here. I advise you not to follow. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

”...”

”Bastard!”

Seeing the case handed over to Han Su by that treacherous Crow, everyone on the scene was furious.

This was especially true for Investigator Feidi. Heaven only knew what Mr. Drunkard had promised him. Now that the case was gone, not only would the Drunkard’s promises be void, but Feidi would likely be dragged down with him. His career in the Disaster Management Bureau would be over.

Furious, he began silently reciting a Spell.

Miss Crow had restrained them all with a surprise attack, but her spreading shadow was only strong enough to bind one person effectively. Against so many, including a senior investigator like Feidi, it was far from enough.

In just three seconds, Investigator Feidi ripped the shadow binding him to shreds. The backlash made Miss Crow grunt in pain, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. But she faced him with a cold, defiant expression, like someone with nothing left to lose.

”Someone else will settle the score with you!”

Investigator Feidi was livid. He raised a hand as if to strike her, but then furiously lowered it.

After all, she was the niece of the Lady in the Red Windbreaker, and he couldn’t afford to make an enemy of her.

While quickly reporting to the Drunkard Investigator, he turned to check on his injured men.

”Can you move?” he barked.

”How many of you are still on your feet? Quick! We’re going after him! We have to get that case back, no matter what!”

”...”

”...”

”Heh...”

Miss Crow, sitting off to the side, let out a cold laugh. ”You still want to chase him? Don’t you realize I just saved your lives?”

”Saved us? My ass!”

Investigator Feidi cursed. ”Do you have any idea how many people are out here in the wilds looking for him?”

Crow thought of the two-word message Han Su had sent her in their private chat, and only sneered.

She had lived in the wilderness. She had seen war, even fought in it. So she understood the look in Han Su’s eyes when he came after them. She spoke softly, ”It’s not about numbers. It’s not about rank...”

”What matters is that you’re just playing a game of trading favors. He’s treating this like a war.”