The Eldritch Files

Even Zhang Chiguo stared at his back in surprise.

After taking a few steps, Li Moxi, who never wasted words, suddenly stopped. Without turning back, he spoke softly.

It was short, just six words: ”Who do you think I am?”

It was just a rhetorical question, but it also seemed to answer every doubt:

’I am Li Moxi, an Independent Investigator once known as one of the Four Heavenly Kings.’

’The Investigator with the highest mission completion rate in Qinggang’s history, the most trusted one, a member of the first generation of special operations teams.’

He knew the slate between him, Zhang Chiguo, and Han Su was a mess—a tangled knot of hatred, acknowledgment, and ideals.

He knew they had reason not to understand him, reason even to hate him, to kill him.

’But why should I force them to understand me?’

The path of fighting the supernatural was one everyone walked alone.

”Who the fuck chose this line of work for us, anyway?”

Seeing Li Moxi accept the mission so readily, King Buddha and Zhao Fantian could only look at each other and smile wryly.

”We can’t let the younger generation think we only dare to pick the easy jobs, can we?”

”...”

Qinggang’s Four Heavenly Kings had always fought the Crimson contamination with their own differing ideals. It was hard to say whose philosophy was superior, but one thing was certain: not a single one of the Four Heavenly Kings was a coward.

A true coward could never have survived that war.

The last one to turn and walk away was Zhang Chiguo.

Before leaving, he gave Han Su a deep look, his gaze lingering particularly on Song Chushi, who stood beside him.

”Xiaohan, I finally have to admit it. You’re not on the same path as me. Neither is Xiaosong.”

”Our goal is the same.”

...

...

”Emergency announcement, emergency announcement...”

Just as the Four Heavenly Kings were rushing toward the outer districts of Qinggang, armored vehicles mounted with large speakers began to drive through the chaotic city streets, broadcasting to the panicked crowds:

”An unauthorized food transport company has delivered uninspected wild mushroom sauce into Qinggang, causing a mass poisoning event. Affected residents, please do not be alarmed by hallucinations and follow all instructions.”

”I repeat, a mass food poisoning event has affected Qinggang. Affected residents, please follow instructions and return to your homes...”

”...”

”Well, I’ll be...”

Even Han Su, who had been watching Zhang Chiguo’s retreating back, was startled by the sudden announcement. He said:

”They’re actually trying to cover up such a large-scale paranormal Penetration with a lie like that?”

”Some people will believe it.”

Song Chushi said calmly, ”This is standard procedure for the Disaster Management Bureau. It means the fourth defensive line of reality has been engaged.”

”Alright...”

As armored vehicles drove toward various streets, Han Su also saw figures in trench coats carrying briefcases emerge from hidden observation rooms and dark alleyways. He watched as the well-trained individuals headed out to their assigned locations.

The Disaster Management Bureau’s Executioners, Investigators, and armed personnel had all been mobilized.

This was probably related to the mission details Miss Ai had released. The briefing had explicitly stated that performance on this mission could affect evaluations for an Investigator License, and even for promotion to Independent Investigator.

So, everyone was highly motivated.

He couldn’t help but remark, ”This is the first time I’ve ever been so happy to see the Disaster Management Bureau in action.”

Song Chushi also smiled and said, ”I think... this is what the world my sister would have wanted should look like...”

With that, he picked up his briefcase, and he and Han Su walked side-by-side toward the source of the most intense contamination.

...

...

”Recover the twelfth Heir at any cost. All obstructive forces can and will be destroyed!”

Outside Qinggang City, four elderly men in long, classical robes had each taken up a position in one of the four cardinal directions. Three of them occupied blocking positions, while the fourth began to direct the invasion.

He wore a black Sacrificial Robe and a silver mask, and the gaze beneath it was cold and silent.

Behind him stood his followers and students, each one standing perfectly straight with an elegant posture. It was as if maintaining their image at all times was more important to them than conquering a city.

However, it seemed an unexpected situation had arisen.

They had walked along the empty highway, and just as they approached the edge of Qinggang City, they suddenly came to a gentle stop.

Not long ago, they had come to Qinggang because of that defective experimental subject that had lost control.

They had come and gone with ease, without a sound.

Unnoticed and unknown.

But they hadn’t expected such a large welcoming party this time.

At the intersection, three people carrying briefcases stood waiting for them.

One was wrapped in a black trench coat, wearing sunglasses, as if shrouded in a black mist.

Another was a woman in a red trench coat and high heels. She seemed to have recently suffered a romantic setback, and her expression was filled with a resentment eager to be unleashed.

The third was a lazy-looking man in a beach shirt, patterned shorts, and a pair of flip-flops.

And it wasn’t just them. Behind the trio, atop the towering skyscrapers, under the dim streetlights, in the mouths of shadow-drowned alleys, and inside unlit armored vehicles rolling in from the ring road, were all sorts of mysterious figures, poised on the edge of the city’s lights.

”Well, well, well...”

The first to speak was the most outlandish-looking man in the front, who was even wearing a green hat.

He took a step forward with a wide grin and said, ”Qinggang isn’t accepting guests today. Why don’t you all just head back!”

The City Slaughter Sacrifice paused for a moment at this unexpected scene.

But it was only a brief pause. He then continued to walk forward, his voice sounding softly from beneath the silver mask:

”Kill them all!”

”...”

BANG!

As they continued to advance, the atmosphere grew incredibly oppressive. What broke the tension was a sniper shot that came out of nowhere.