Eldritch Horror Theatre

Another victim, just as he expected.

Although the Lucid Dream was canceled almost instantly, it didn’t stop Fu Qian from reaching a conclusion.

The elite doctor standing before him appeared to have suffered the same contamination from Rick.

Once that was confirmed, the man’s earlier unpleasant behavior undoubtedly became quite intriguing.

As for why it couldn’t just be pure coincidence?

Because this was already the third time the Lucid Dream had triggered in a short period.

The previous two people who blocked his path had behaved in the exact same way. They were also ordinary humans, and they also possessed considerable resistance to the Lucid Dream.

Under these circumstances, their behavior could easily be interpreted as minor interference against someone with malicious intent—namely, himself.

But the fascinating part was that Fu Qian felt absolutely certain he hadn’t been spotted before this.

This was the confidence of a Tier 2 Transcendent.Furthermore, the trio’s movements, heartbeats, and breathing showed absolutely no signs of them feigning calm.

That suddenly made their seemingly joke-like interference much more interesting.

Completely unintentional actions that coincidentally targeted an undetected existence.

What a perfect display of knowing without knowing—a true state of Unity of Heaven and Humanity.

To some extent, this seemed to reconfirm his earlier concerns.

That even in the Blood Crusade State, making contact with the apparent source of the contamination, Rick Weasley, would likely result in unavoidable contamination, leading to mission failure.

It was indeed a worthy choice for his second investigation site. After taking just a few steps, and with the help of three enthusiastic individuals, he had already gained some insights.

Of course, they needed to be a bit more enthusiastic.

”Hi!”

The next moment, Fu Qian offered a greeting to the back of the man’s head.

...

It turned out that maintaining a safe distance was a universal psychological need.

Even though Fu Qian’s tone and volume were perfect, radiating a sunny cheerfulness akin to a stroll through a children’s amusement park, a greeting from such close range still startled the man ahead into a violent shiver, nearly making him drop his clipboard.

”Who are you... What is it?”

Whipping his head around at the very limit of human speed, the elite doctor stared at the sudden smiling face, his voice trembling.

”Sorry for standing so close. I just wanted to ask for directions.”

Despite his verbal apology, Fu Qian showed no hint of embarrassment as he stated his purpose directly.

”A Dr. Rick Weasley used to work at this hospital. Do you happen to know exactly where his office was?”

”...Sorry, I don’t know about that. You’d be better off asking someone else.”

Asking for directions in a hospital was perfectly normal, but unfortunately, faced with Fu Qian’s question, the shaken doctor quickly shook his head to indicate he couldn’t help.

After answering, he turned around with noticeable coldness and sped away.

’Even though he’s been infected, it seems he really isn’t familiar with Mr. Rick.’

Making no effort to urge him to stay, Fu Qian watched the man’s retreating back and sighed at the unwarranted disaster he had suffered.

Although the doctor could hardly be called friendly, Fu Qian didn’t doubt the truth of his answer.

With such an overly bizarre way of asking for directions, it would be hard for anyone to remain as calm as usual.

His hasty departure was clearly a subconscious attempt to put some distance between them—a completely normal reaction.

’A victim who isn’t even acquainted with the source of the contamination... The situation at this renowned medical facility is deeply concerning.’

”Hi there.”

His lamentations didn’t delay his actions. In a mere moment, Fu Qian changed direction and went straight toward another figure not far away.

It was an elderly gentleman wearing gold-rimmed glasses. With a face full of wrinkles and mostly white hair, he painted the very picture of virtue and prestige.

How did that saying go again?

Public morals are declining and human nature is not what it used to be.

So it seemed he ought to find someone with a more traditional heart.

...

Sure enough, the old gentleman had a higher level of awareness.

With a safe distance maintained, the second person Fu Qian asked for directions displayed the flawless demeanor of an old-school gentleman.

After gently asking what Fu Qian needed, the man quickly recalled the name Rick and provided a detailed office address.

Even as Fu Qian thanked him and took his leave, the gentleman was still lamenting that Rick had retired too early, wasting his masterful medical skills.

Following the gentleman’s directions, Fu Qian—who hadn’t even activated the Blood Crusade—walked along and quickly reached his destination... only to find there was no such room as described.

Fascinating!

Looking at the doorplates along the corridor, Fu Qian felt more and more that this trip was well worth the effort.

It seemed the old gentleman’s heart was in the right place, but his memory had failed him, leading him to remember the wrong location.

At this point, Fu Qian was completely certain there was no room matching that description around here.

Moreover, despite its prime location, this building was noticeably older than the rest of the hospital campus. Walking through it, it didn’t seem like many people actually worked inside.

...

Knock, knock!

A moment later, Fu Qian knocked and opened the door to one of the few occupied rooms.

”Who are you?”

In a corner of the elegantly decorated room, a lady who looked slightly younger than the old gentleman put down the item in her hands and frowned at him in confusion.

”Hello, ma’am. I’m looking for Dr. Rick Weasley.”

Unbothered by her unwelcoming posture, Fu Qian offered a polite greeting.

”Was this his old office?”

”Impossible!”

Unfortunately, his polite attitude didn’t stop her from frowning even deeper.

”I’ve been working here for over ten years, and this has always been my office.”

The Old Lady scrutinized Fu Qian with the kind of gaze reserved for psychiatric patients.

”Oh... So Rick wasn’t here before.”

The next moment, Fu Qian played right into her assessment through his actions, earnestly repeating his meaningless statement.

”Yes. Besides, I don’t know any Rick Weasley. Please leave, or I’m calling security.”

The latter part was clearly spoken out of anger. Thanks to his behavior, the Old Lady looked like she had absolutely no desire to communicate with him any further.

Mentally critiquing her reaction, Fu Qian was in no hurry to speak. Instead, he turned to look behind him.

The very next second, the door he had casually closed was pushed open from the outside, and three figures silently surged in.

”Who are you, and why are you here?”

The confusion on the leading figure’s face was even more exaggerated than that of the Old Lady sitting behind the desk, and he asked a very familiar question.

”Because this is this lady’s office. Why did you barge in?”

Sensing the transcendent auras emanating from the three of them, Fu Qian replied self-righteously, casually plagiarizing a line for good measure.

”Please leave, or I’m calling security.”

”Her office? Hasn’t this place been empty ever since Rick Weasley retired?”

The three Night Watchers looked at each other in dismay.

”See?”

With no intention of refuting them whatsoever, Fu Qian shifted his sails with the wind at lightning speed, turning around to question the Old Lady with their own claim.

”So think about it again. Did you walk into the wrong place?”