The Eldritch Files

”They still have one last chance to try before the Tide truly arrives. Now is the critical moment, and frankly, we don’t quite understand…”

”Why, at a time like this, do you suddenly want to disavow the entire Pact of Silence?”

”…”

All eyes in the council hall turned to the man in the black chair. It was true—they couldn’t find a reason, and it was completely out of character for him.

”Because I’m afraid.”

After a long silence, the man in the black chair slowly looked up. He could have chosen not to answer, yet he replied to the assembly with unusual sincerity. ”Everyone here, myself included, is very lucky.”

”Because our children weren’t chosen. But as you all know, they *could* have been chosen in the beginning.”

”Three years ago, I think I had a dream. I dreamt that my son *had* been chosen, so I tore up the pact, trying to fix it. The outcome… was not good.”

”Then I woke up from the dream and saw my son, alive and well, right in front of me. I felt blessed by the heavens, but the fear… it’s been clinging to my heart ever since. It’s grown stronger and stronger, enough to drive a man mad…”

”I can understand why Song Chushi betrayed us. I even think that everyone who signed on to the Pact of Silence, myself included, must pay a price.”

”As for now, I believe the only thing we can do is put a stop to this farce!”

”…”

”A farce…”

His words seemed to define the very nature of the Pact of Silence, but those present only felt an invisible dread.

After a long, long time, someone finally spoke in a low voice. ”The initiator of the Pact of Silence was the one from the Circuit Court. Although they came to us for our signatures, I think everyone here understands that Qinggang was chosen. We never had the chance to refuse.”

”Even those of us who signed only had the authority to do just that—sign. We were completely in the dark about what Abyssal Studio was planning.”

”And now, if we try to tear up this plan, we’d be seizing a power that doesn’t belong to us. It would be like tearing up a contract that isn’t ours to tear…”

”…Can Qinggang afford to bear such enormous consequences?”

Facing the countless worried gazes, Mr. Xu, still seated in the black chair, spoke slowly. ”Whether we knew the contents when we first signed or not, we became sinners the moment we witnessed this kidnapping and remained silent.”

”As for now… I will be the first to sign!”

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[Thirteen Mysterious Sources, Entry #10—Knowledge Beast]

[Origin: Latin American Continent]

[Active Period: 27th–39th Century, Crystal Race]

[Description: This anomaly is documented to have appeared extremely early. Its existence was first confirmed after the destruction of the ’smart-brain’ systems, when some groups in the Latin America Region discovered that crystalline minerals formed by radiation could be used to efficiently store and transmit information.]

[Through efficient information transfer, they mass-produced highly cultured kinsmen, built machines, restored civilization, and conquered other regions still in a state of barbarism. This alien system of knowledge became their weapon of war!]

[They took the name Maya from history, achieving cross-individual knowledge replication and telepathic communication. They inaugurated a new era, but along with their power came the curse of knowledge.]

[Knowledge itself gained life, like maggots breeding in rotting flesh!]

[…]

Han Su was unaware of everyone else’s arrangements. Only after feeding the Emperor’s Book the Mysterious Power from the glasses did he see new content appear on its pages.

The Mysterious Power within the glasses was of a higher order of magnitude, so significantly more content was revealed.

’The source of the Crystal Skull Organization’s power… is it related to the monster on the tenth floor of the Ancient Castle?’

Seeing these records, Han Su’s expression grew serious as he silently contemplated the connection.

’The information revealed by the Emperor’s Book is so complete and profound that even the slightest leak could have a global impact. But because it’s so vast, I can’t immediately figure out how to use it.’

’This information would have a huge impact on the world, but for me, improving my own abilities seems more important right now.’

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK…

Just as he was lost in thought, someone knocked gently on the door. Han Su put the Emperor’s Book away, picked up his briefcase, and went to open it. He knew with certainty that from now on, he could never let this case out of his sight.

”Mr. Moses wants to see you.”

The person at the door was a female intelligence officer from Red Sea Studio. She gave Han Su a long, searching look before turning to lead the way. Han Su followed her into an interrogation room, his expression changing slightly as he entered.

He saw Bai Senmang. It was impossible to tell if the man was dead or alive.

A steel needle was inserted through the corner of his eye, piercing his brain. His skull had been opened and connected to an array of delicate instruments. He sat there, stock-still and unresponsive, while the various machines around him hummed.

Han Su suddenly felt a sense of relief. He’d always felt that if he didn’t deal with Bai Senmang, he would be failing to keep the promise he made to Bai Shi before he died.

’Now I’m relieved. I can use the Copper Blood without any reservations.’

”I’m extracting his memories to locate a woman who is closely connected to the kidnapping case.”

Li Moxi saw Han Su enter and said calmly, ”Intelligence suggests that this woman is your mother.”

”If you stay here, you should be able to see her in about ten minutes. Your presence here will also greatly increase the probability of a successful location.”

”So, I want to ask you a question.”

He looked at Han Su, his gaze calm. ”Do you want to see her?”