Eldritch Horror Theatre

Hearing the melody and grasping the intent.

To hold such a high position, An Gui truly possessed extraordinary qualities.

Fu Qian highly appreciated An Gui’s reaction.

Putting himself in the other man’s shoes, An Gui had to be nursing a headache right now, having recognized Fu Qian’s strength and realized that handling things according to plan today was already impossible.

After all, his tacit agreement with Ji Yicheng had been built on the premise of killing Fu Qian.

With that premise shattered, whatever came next became rather delicate.

Fundamentally, Ji Yicheng seeking An Gui’s help to silence him was equivalent to voluntarily handing over blackmail material to show sincerity.

For the target to escape under these circumstances was absolutely unacceptable to Ji Yicheng; it was practically the equivalent of freeloading.

No matter how An Gui explained it, nothing but suspicion would remain.

It wouldn’t even matter if Ji Yicheng believed An Gui hadn’t let him go on purpose. The prerequisite for their tacit agreement was that both sides held something over each other.In short, because Fu Qian’s strength had exceeded their estimations, this sweet deal had instantly turned into a pile of trouble.

And by emphasizing earlier that he hadn’t seen An Gui today, Fu Qian was actually targeting the man’s headache, offering him a simple solution—just kill Ji Yicheng and be done with it.

The best way to resolve a misunderstanding was to eliminate the person having the misunderstanding.

An Gui’s operation today was highly classified. Other than Ji Yicheng, no one else should know about it. If Ji Yicheng died at Fu Qian’s hands, absolutely no one would guess what had transpired.

Upon grasping this intent, An Gui made his decision with blinding speed, selling Ji Yicheng out without the slightest hesitation.

While his subsequent remarks seemed ordinary, they actually contained a wealth of information.

For instance, mentioning that Ji Yicheng was operating while injured basically confirmed that he was the person in the Ruins.

As for worrying about Ji Yicheng risking his life, that was essentially telling Fu Qian where to find him.

An Gui had even lamented that his ultimate move couldn’t be blocked even by a true Ash Descent. This was an obvious reminder to consider using this move against Ji Yicheng to ensure no one was left alive.

In fact, the way Fu Qian saw it, even if he truly failed, An Gui would secretly help clean up the mess.

Now this was what it meant to be decisive and ruthless!

Calculating gains and losses without emotion was a necessary quality for a higher entity.

After quietly selling Ji Yicheng out, An Gui didn’t say another word and simply left.

He who talks too much errs. Even if a third party had overheard their conversation, they wouldn’t be able to grasp any blackmail material.

Confirming that Fu Qian understood his meaning and intended to eliminate Ji Yicheng was enough.

There were still many things to do. With the appearance of unexpected variables, the plan against Siren needed to be completely adjusted.

Though that couldn’t exactly be considered a bad thing.

...

A moment later, outside the Siren Group Base.

Times had changed. The most bustling place in the Wasteland, the Involution Acceleration Firm, now saw almost no one entering or leaving.

At the same time, the guards belonging to the Siren Group had multiplied several times over.

Faced with this scene, even the highly trained receptionists currently looked fraught with worry.

The sudden string of murders had clearly become a shadow hanging over everyone’s hearts.

The Wasteland never lacked for death, but not all people were the same.

With the victims being so concentrated, it clearly carried a special implication—someone was targeting the Siren Group.

Tall trees caught the wind. This wasn’t too unusual.

The problem was that after the successive deaths of several people, the Group’s two Demigod Realm experts still hadn’t shown their faces, inevitably leaving the rest apprehensive.

Just what exactly had happened?

This question lingered in everyone’s minds, making the atmosphere increasingly oppressive.

However, this oppressive atmosphere shifted in the next moment.

An unusual figure appeared at the entrance.

Draped in a heavy robe, this person seemed oblivious to the peculiarity of the day, slowly stepping inside.

For a moment, almost all eyes converged on him.

”Is there anything you’d like to see?”

Although the visitor’s appearance was mysterious, a highly trained receptionist still stepped forward, the smile on her face utterly flawless.

”Just browsing.”

The newcomer finally spoke after several seconds of silence. His voice was deep, and the answer was nothing unusual.

”If it’s your first time here, I can give you a brief introduction.”

”Do you have a general category of interest? Weapons, items, consumables?”

The receptionist recited lines that had almost become a conditioned reflex, her speaking speed and tone absolutely perfect.

”I do.”

”Is that so? Then what exactly is it...?”

The receptionist guided him naturally, but a trace of hesitation immediately crept into her tone—the visitor’s eyes were locked dead on her.

He wasn’t here to look for items!

The realization instantly surged into her mind, and uncontrollable fear enveloped the receptionist.

She desperately wanted to turn and flee, but as a mere mortal locked onto by a transcendent, her body had gone too stiff to move.

Without giving her the chance to cry for help, a hand shot out from the robe like lightning, clamping around her throat.

Gasps of alarm rang out. Someone had finally reacted, but unfortunately, it was too late.

Just as she could practically envision her neck being snapped like a matchstick, just as the Death Shadow completely shrouded her heart, the receptionist realized the attacker’s movements didn’t continue.

The next moment, her throat was released. The receptionist gasped heavily for air, realizing the attacker had actually withdrawn his hand and was looking around with a bewildered expression.

Unfortunately, before he could figure out the situation, a fierce wind howled, and his head was separated from his body.

...

At the exact same time, not far from the Involution Acceleration Firm.

The shadows in a corner suddenly writhed, and a gray, humanoid silhouette peeled itself away, instantly accelerating as it fled into the distance.

Unfortunately for it, someone intercepted it with even greater speed, raising a gun and taking aim.

The gray humanoid didn’t slow down; it rapidly changed direction.

However, the interceptor was faster, and it found itself staring down the barrel of the gun once again.

After a few repetitions, realizing it was impossible to shake him off, the gray humanoid finally ceased its movements.

Like gradually loading textures, inch after inch of detail began to appear on its body, ultimately shifting into the appearance of Ji Yicheng.

”An Gui...”

He naturally recognized Fu Qian’s mask, but he viciously spat out a different name.

”That wild dog actually tried to borrow a knife to kill!”

His reaction was quite fast. He realized that for Fu Qian to find him so swiftly, An Gui had to be the one who leaked the information. There was no other possibility.

”Didn’t you do the same?”

Fu Qian countered leisurely, turning to look at the farce unfolding not far away.

”Even a minor suicide attack is carried out by manipulating others. It’s clear you cherish your own life quite a bit.”

”You couldn’t possibly be here to play the Emissary of justice, could you?”

Ji Yicheng was clearly in a foul mood, coldly scoffing.

”Whether you believe it or not, that guy wasn’t any good to begin with. I was merely Turning Waste into Treasure.”

”I understand. After all, it’s quite easy to list out the crimes of most people in the Wasteland.”

Fu Qian chimed in with an understanding tone.

”I don’t have time to crack jokes and banter with you, nor do I care about your motives for what you did before. Tell me, what benefits did An Gui give you?”

Ji Yicheng was clearly far more concerned with his own safety and opted to cut straight to the chase.

”Rest assured, whatever he can give you, I can definitely offer more.”

”Just a little bit of intelligence.”

Fu Qian answered with utmost honesty.

”Intelligence? That’s too simple! What do you want to know?”

Ji Yicheng’s eyes instantly lit up.