The Eldritch Files

She cradled a Crystal Skull in her hands, her gaze obsessive. Tear tracks streaked her face.

She even shot her hand out, clawing at her chest over her heart. Her nails dug into her flesh, drawing crimson blood.

”Qinggang has broken the pact of silence. They are refusing to let us descend upon reality...”

When a staff member approached cautiously to report Qinggang’s completely unexpected betrayal, she remained silent for a long time.

Her body was already resisting, wanting to give up the Crystal Skull, but her gaze was captivated by its mesmerizing, crystalline colors. She couldn’t look away, and the pain made her whole body tremble.

Finally, it was an assistant who dared to step forward. He placed a hand on the Crystal Skull and, with a hint of force, slowly took it from her grasp.

HUUUH...

The moment the Crystal Skull left her embrace, she felt a sudden sense of relief. She practically fled, putting several steps between herself and the skull. Then she waved her hand, gesturing for the assistant to hurry up and take the art-like object away—to lock it up quickly.

Once the Crystal Skull was gone, her expression became cold and indifferent once more.

She glanced down at the blood seeping from the spot over her heart, a flash of disgust crossing her face.

Her cold gaze flickered toward the brilliant skyline of Qinggang. ”Then we’ll invade by force!”

”As for those few in Qinggang... if they can solve their internal problems, let them. If they can’t, then just destroy Qinggang.”

”What a joke. They’ve spent so long maintaining this ’nursery of reality’ that they actually think some things can be solved by a vote?”

”Notify the Pale Factory. Have them deliver that batch of Giant Weapons. Authorize the use of three weapon types and open the mysterious channels for the four Priests. Annihilate everyone in Qinggang on sight, with the sole exception of the Copper Inheritor!”

”Move out!”

”...”

With her final command, it was as if layers of black clouds swept in from the horizon in an instant. Qinggang was still brightly lit, but for some unknown reason, an oppressive gloom settled over the city.

...

...

’Abyssal Studio...’

’As expected of a studio that calls itself Abyssal. They dare to invade directly even after being rejected by Qinggang. I’m afraid the common people’s nursery of reality will be shattered tonight...’

In Qinggang City Center, Song Chushi sighed under his breath as he felt the air grow seemingly denser and denser.

But he was in high spirits, as if he had been waiting for this day for a long time and his wish had finally been granted.

Han Su listened, his curiosity piqued. ”Nursery of reality?”

’I’ve heard that term several times before. I just thought it was something Miss Ai had specially prepared for me.’

Song Chushi smiled and explained in a low voice, ”The entire real world of Qinggang is, in essence, one giant nursery.”

”So, the ordinary people outside the Mysterious Circle are all living inside a stable, illusory dream. It’s as if massive sanctuaries have been established upon a twisted and broken world, allowing people to sleep peacefully inside and weave pleasant dreams.”

”Every city is one such sanctuary, home to countless people who don’t even know that Mysterious Power exists.”

”And these ordinary people, unaware of the Mysterious World’s existence, are the third line of defense for reality.”

”As long as these people are here, Qinggang’s foundation in reality will remain stable. But, I must admit, when faced with a large-scale invasion from a group like Abyssal Studio...”

He paused, then sighed. ”This third line of defense will collapse very quickly.”

”Each nursery of reality is protected by four lines of defense.”

”The first line of defense... its authority does not lie in Qinggang, so don’t expect them to help fight Abyssal Studio.”

”The second line of defense is mainly composed of the Hidden Schools. These people fear the Tide above all else and worship knowledge, so they generally have an instinctual reverence for Abyssal Studio. Even if the Qinggang Council issues an order, you can’t expect much help from them.”

”That being the case, the only line of defense we can rely on now is the fourth.”

”...”

”The fourth...”

Han Su listened, a thought stirring in his mind. ”The Disaster Management Bureau?”

Song Chushi nodded lightly. ”That’s right. The Disaster Management Bureau.”

”All one can say is that the Disaster Management Bureau was a truly grand concept. It’s just that its execution has been sorely lacking.”

”...”

”...”

’What else can we do?’

At the same time Song Chushi was lamenting the shortcomings of the Disaster Management Bureau, Zhao Fantian and King Buddha were wrestling with their own deep conflict in the face of the invisible pressure. Their expressions were uglier than ever, and they couldn’t even meet Zhang Chiguo’s gaze.

As Independent Investigators and Crimson Dominators, they could all sense the strange things that were beginning to invade Qinggang.

But they also knew that there was likely a problem with the Qinggang Council Hall, which would explain why they were being issued these missions.

’So, do we accept or not?’

’Maybe we just need to slack off, hide for a bit, and by morning the Council Hall will have corrected itself, rescinded these ridiculous orders, and put everything back on track.’

But if they didn’t accept this mission, Qinggang’s third line of defense for reality was in the process of collapsing.

But unexpectedly, amidst the awkward silence, Li Moxi was the first to take the pistol Zhang Chiguo offered. He was still severely injured—even the Devil’s Kiss hadn’t fully healed him—and he still staggered slightly as he walked.

But without saying a single extra word, he chambered a round, picked up his briefcase, and strode purposefully to the west.