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Eldritch Horror Theatre

Chapter 1437: Artificial Existence Core (5) · Oct 23, 2026

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Chapter List (2912)

Page number / 59

1401 Chapter 1402: Calamity Invasion (15) 2026-10-23
1402 Chapter 1403: Calamity Invasion (16) 2026-10-23
1403 Chapter 1404: Calamity Invasion (17) 2026-10-23
1404 Chapter 1405: Calamity Invasion (18) 2026-10-23
1405 Chapter 1406: Calamity Invasion (19) 2026-10-23
1406 Chapter 1407: Calamity Invasion (20) 2026-10-23
1407 Chapter 1408: Calamity Invasion (21) 2026-10-23
1408 Chapter 1409: Calamity Invasion (22) 2026-10-23
1409 Chapter 1410: Calamity Invasion (23) 2026-10-23
1410 Chapter 1411: Calamity Invasion (24) 2026-10-23
1411 Chapter 1412: Calamity Invasion (25) 2026-10-23
1412 Chapter 1413: Calamity Invasion (26) 2026-10-23
1413 Chapter 1414: Calamity Invasion (27) 2026-10-23
1414 Chapter 1415: Calamity Invasion (28) 2026-10-23
1415 Chapter 1416: Calamity Invasion (29) 2026-10-23
1416 Chapter 1417: Calamity Invasion (End) 2026-10-23
1417 Chapter 1418: The Real Focus 2026-10-23
1418 Chapter 1419: Return of the Old Days 2026-10-23
1419 Chapter 1420: Exchange Between the Masterminds 2026-10-23
1420 Chapter 1421: An Evil God Starting Today 2026-10-23
1421 Chapter 1422: Small Gift 2026-10-23
1422 Chapter 1423: Return 2026-10-23
1423 Chapter 1424: The Bug Search 2026-10-23
1424 Chapter 1425: Spider Effect 2026-10-23
1425 Chapter 1426: The Sound of the Bell 2026-10-23
1426 Chapter 1427: Performance Assessment 2026-10-23
1427 Chapter 1428: Encouraging Learning 2026-10-23
1428 Chapter 1429: Behind the Conspiracy 2026-10-23
1429 Chapter 1430: A Gift at the Fingertips 2026-10-23
1430 Chapter 1431: Targets and Pressure 2026-10-23
1431 Chapter 1432: Licking 2026-10-23
1432 Chapter 1433: Artificial Existence Core (1) 2026-10-23
1433 Chapter 1434: Artificial Existence Core (2) 2026-10-23
1434 Chapter 1435: Artificial Existence Core (3) 2026-10-23
1435 Chapter 1436: Artificial Existence Core (4) 2026-10-23
1436 Chapter 1437: Artificial Existence Core (5) 2026-10-23
1437 Chapter 1438: Artificial Existence Core (6) 2026-10-23
1438 Chapter 1439: Artificial Existence Core (7) 2026-10-23
1439 Chapter 1440: Artificial Existence Core (8) 2026-10-23
1440 Chapter 1441: Artificial Existence Core (9) 2026-10-23
1441 Chapter 1442: Artificial Existence Core (10) 2026-10-23
1442 Chapter 1443: Artificial Existence Core (11) 2026-10-23
1443 Chapter 1444: Artificial Existence Core (12) 2026-10-23
1444 Chapter 1445: Artificial Existence Core (13) 2026-10-23
1445 Chapter 1446: Artificial Existence Core (14) 2026-10-23
1446 Chapter 1447: Artificial Existence Core (15) 2026-10-23
1447 Chapter 1448: Artificial Existence Core (16) 2026-10-23
1448 Chapter 1449: Artificial Existence Core (17) 2026-10-23
1449 Chapter 1450: Artificial Existence Core (18) 2026-10-23
1450 Chapter 1451: Artificial Existence Core (19) 2026-10-23

So there was even a key location?

It had to be said—even though she wasn’t particularly deep into the dream, Claire was highly cooperative.

This was exactly why a subject’s initiative mattered. Without the suppressive rules of the dream realm holding her back, he had effortlessly reaped another piece of crucial information.

Any way he looked at it, the Mysterious Room she mentioned would help him uncover the true nature of the sin plague.

”You mentioned earlier that Mr. Rick ’used’ to be a doctor?”

After assessing Claire’s dream state and confirming it remained relatively stable, Fu Qian pressed on.

”Yes... When I met him, he was already retired.”

The question seemed to make Claire slightly uncomfortable, but seeing Master Grimshaw listening in earnest without any judgment, her nerves quickly settled.

”He isn’t terribly old, but he told me he wanted to enjoy life to the fullest before his energy started to wane.”

Even so, Claire maintained a casual tone to subtly emphasize that the age gap between her and her husband wasn’t all that large.”I completely understand. In fact, I’m much the same way.”

Nodding, Fu Qian appeared to strongly agree with the lady. He even used himself as an example, seamlessly reinforcing the persona he had established earlier.

”It’s why I value money so highly. Being able to help others is certainly rewarding, but I’m far more interested in saving up enough for my own retirement as soon as possible.”

”For Your Excellency to say that at your age... you are indeed quite young.”

The master, who had displayed such astonishing abilities, was now being as accommodating as a service worker. This clearly pleased Claire; she chuckled softly and looked Fu Qian up and down.

”You are welcome to visit us as a guest when you have time later—provided Rick is feeling a bit better.”

She wasn’t entirely naive, subtly reminding Fu Qian of the job he was supposed to be doing right now.

”Naturally. Fortunately, with your help, my lady, I have essentially confirmed what happened to your husband.”

A master was, after all, a master. Facing the pressure from his client, Fu Qian merely offered a slight nod and spoke in a gentle yet firm tone.

...

Ah... he had already confirmed it?

Fu Qian’s answer clearly exceeded Claire’s expectations, causing her dream state to ripple with slight instability.

”Did I mention something crucial just now? Does Rick’s abnormality stem from his time as a doctor?”

For a moment, she subconsciously replayed their conversation in her head.

”I can’t be certain of that.”

Surprisingly, Fu Qian had no intention of playing along and giving her the easy answer. He shook his head and pointed at Claire’s right hand.

”But your abnormality definitely stems from Mr. Rick.”

Her abnormality?

Claire was visibly even more confused. Following the master’s gesture, she looked down. Clutched in her right hand was her husband’s Wristwatch.

”Is there still a problem with this thing? But I haven’t noticed anything unusual about myself—”

The next moment, her question came to an abrupt halt as a hand pressed against her eyes, completely blocking her vision.

A bizarre sensation washed over her, as if wisps of icy mist were brushing across her face.

Before Claire could voice her confusion, the hand blocking her view was removed, and light returned to her eyes.

”Look again.”

The voice beside her ear made her subconsciously keep her gaze fixed downward. In the next second, she nearly froze.

In her vision, faint streaks of black and red had appeared on the originally smooth skin of her right hand. At a glance, they looked eerie and grotesque.

These peculiar marks were even rippling and flowing at a gentle pace, as if they were alive.

”What is this...”

Finally unable to hold back, Claire asked shrilly, trembling as she checked the rest of her body.

The seemingly living black and red marks weren’t just on her right hand. Wherever she looked, the horrifying streaks were visible.

In her terror, she lacked the courage to find a mirror and look at her own face.

...

”Filth.”

However, the master who had just helped her see the truth of the world maintained a calm tone without the slightest fluctuation, doing his best to steady his client’s emotions.

Adhering to the principles of the service industry, Fu Qian didn’t act mysterious but answered her directly.

”The thing entangling your husband, which was then transmitted from him to you.”

”As for what it is, you don’t actually need to ask me. Look closely.”

Look closely...

Her emotions settling slightly, Claire followed his instructions and once again mustered the courage to focus her gaze on the back of her hand.

That was...

This time, she looked exceptionally closely, not missing a single speck that made up the marks.

Ah—

In less than two seconds, an uncontrollable scream finally pierced the air.

”You aren’t seeing things. They are alive.”

As a master of the service industry, Fu Qian thoughtfully considered that his client might have temporarily lost her ability to speak, taking the initiative to explain without waiting to be asked.

”Every speck is an incarnation of filth. They weave and coil around themselves like an Insect Swarm, going on to entangle your souls.”

...

The things on Claire’s body were fake, of course.

Even though her state wasn’t perfectly stable, he was the Dream Dominator after all. Pulling off a minor trick like this without scaring her out of the dream was nothing to worry about.

As for the inspiration for this transformation, it could be considered somewhat plagiarized from his old pal Alagir.

Previously in Lotte’s dream, the pollution that afflicted her older sister, Veil, had manifested in a similar form.

Countless fluttering little bugs converging into ever-changing patterns.

The reason he chose this style was also very simple: for a lady, a swarm of little bugs undoubtedly packed quite a visual punch.

”But why would I also... Hurry and get them off me!”

Facts proved that the effect was exceptionally good.

Under Fu Qian’s explanation, Claire’s scream jumped two octaves. Her body went completely rigid, not daring to move a muscle.

”It’s simple. Because you have been contaminated.”

With a soft chuckle, Fu Qian stood up and grabbed her right wrist.

”You can go ahead and drop the watch; it isn’t the key issue.”

Noticing that Claire had almost subconsciously tried to toss the watch away at his words—only to fail because her overly stiff fingers couldn’t open—Fu Qian offered a gentle reassurance.

Thud!

His tone seemed to encourage her. Claire’s hand finally opened like a claw, dropping the expensive Wristwatch onto the table.

”Very good. This might hurt a little, so try not to move.”

With that casual praise, Master Grimshaw’s other hand slowly approached the marks swirling on her skin.

Hiss...

It could hardly even be called pain. Like being pricked by fine hairs, a strange tingling itch spread across the surface of her skin, quickly merging together into a single sensation.

As she felt this change, Claire watched in horror as a dense cluster of black and red suddenly rose and flowed into his passing palm.

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