Eldritch Horror Theatre

Narrow, claustrophobic, and muddy.

The earlier comparison to a sewer was clearly spot-on. As this passage stretched deeper underground, it never once opened up or widened as they advanced.

On the contrary, many sections only grew narrower, barely allowing a single person to squeeze through. Aside from its ancient, dilapidated state, the passage held no other defining features.

Forced by these harrowing conditions, the group formed a literal single-file snake formation, trudging forward in dead silence.

Perhaps the only comfort was that, despite twisting and turning like a path straight to hell, the passage had no diverging forks.

Spared the agony of making choices, they could just numbly walk on.

Naturally, Fu Qian remained at the very back of the group.

He certainly wouldn’t refuse Sha Ming’s invitation.

While he didn’t fully believe Sha Ming’s claims about Huang Zhixun, these unpleasant depths clearly seemed closer to the source of it all.

The triumph of the scientific expedition was right before his eyes; how could he let it slip away?Even this deeply oppressive passage—which the others found suffocating—had quietly yielded a few insights for Fu Qian as they traveled.

At first glance, the layout of the passage was undoubtedly bizarre.

While it carried the distinct vibe of ancient ruins finally seeing the light of day, it was hard to imagine any corridor or sewer being constructed with so many convoluted twists and turns.

Instead, walking through it reminded Fu Qian of the special spatial entrances he had encountered more than once before.

Like the Merfolk Hiding Place, or the Workshop.

The passage before him faintly gave off that exact same feeling. Its very trajectory seemed to represent some fundamental essence of the world.

With that understanding in mind, following it deeper truly felt more and more like walking a Road of No Return.

”Just how much longer do we have to walk?”

Of course, even if the rest of the team didn’t share his revelations, it was impossible to expect them to maintain a good mindset in an environment like this.

Old Man Huang’s encouragement hadn’t lasted long. Soon enough, someone buckled under the endless torment and refused to take another step.

And the target of his frustrated questioning was none other than Sha Ming, who seemingly knew more than the rest.

As if playing along with Old Man Huang Leji’s earlier words, Sha Ming had deliberately positioned himself in the middle of the group, putting on a posture that suggested he was ready to assist the vanguard at any moment.

Though he had yet to actually do anything.

”Not much longer. We’ll be there right after we turn the corner ahead and head further down.”

Faced with the halted team, Sha Ming didn’t show any obvious displeasure. Instead, he offered a patient explanation while surveying their surroundings.

”Really?”

Never expecting such a definitive answer, even Old Man Huang failed to fully conceal his emotions for a moment.

”Of course. If you don’t believe me, you can ask his excellency the Follower.”

Sha Ming smiled eerily, gesturing toward Fu Qian as he spoke.

”Sure.”

Unexpectedly, the first person to respond was the man himself.

With a slight nod, Fu Qian turned naturally and looked at the wall right beside his hand.

”SAN Value -1.”

Meeting Brother Sanxun’s voice as it echoed from the wall, Fu Qian nodded slightly in greeting.

”Will we be there just past the corner ahead?”

...

It was hard to say whether it was pure coincidence or a deliberate move, but Brother Sanxun’s timing in showing up this time was impeccable.

It perfectly allowed Fu Qian to take Sha Ming’s advice and consult a true Follower for his opinion.

Faced with this bizarre development, it wasn’t just Huang Leji’s group who froze—even the genuine Third Follower was stunned for a moment.

”You could certainly say that.”

”Once you get there, you really won’t need to go any further.”

Unwilling to lose face in front of Fu Qian, Brother Sanxun quickly responded, giving an answer that was shockingly identical to Sha Ming’s.

”Sounds like it.”

Adhering to the principle to never doubt those you employ, Fu Qian turned back around and naturally relayed the statement.

”...Let’s go.”

Faced with the increasingly unpredictable behavior of both Fu Qian and Sha Ming, Old Man Huang Leji was undoubtedly undergoing an intense internal struggle.

Unfortunately, as seasoned as he was, he couldn’t think of a better plan on the spot other than continuing his previous strategy of using their numbers as leverage.

The end result was that, after a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and signaled for everyone to follow him forward. He didn’t even check to see if the two of them were keeping up, striving to project the most intimidating posture possible.

”Thank you.”

Unfortunately, Fu Qian clearly had no interest in appreciating that gesture. Instead, he nodded once more at the still-visible Brother Sanxun and offered a polite word of thanks.

”SAN Value -1.”

”SAN Value -1.”

Two crisp utterances of truth answered him, and Brother Sanxun departed once again.

...

”You truly are an unusual character.”

Only then did Sha Ming speak. Surprisingly, he still hadn’t hurried to catch up with the others. Having watched Fu Qian’s entire humble inquiry, he offered an evaluation that sounded pregnant with meaning.

”Even I can’t figure out exactly what your purpose for being here is.”

”But one thing is obvious—you have no idea what the title of Follower actually represents.”

Perhaps influenced by Fu Qian’s uninhibited behavior, Sha Ming’s words were becoming increasingly bold.

”Oh? So what does it represent?”

Maintaining his air of an otherworldly expert, Fu Qian paid no mind to the critique.

”Heh... I’ll let them tell you themselves. Let’s not keep Huang Leji and the others waiting.”

Unfortunately, right at the critical moment, Sha Ming decided to keep him in suspense again. With a cold sneer, he finally moved to catch up.

’Them?’ It sounded like Brother Sha Ming not only knew all about the Followers, but also didn’t belong to their group.

Faced with this behavior, Fu Qian pondered Sha Ming’s word choice, still not feeling any urge to blame him.

Because what Sha Ming said was absolutely right—in just this short amount of time, Old Man Huang and the rest had indeed grown anxious from waiting.

”What’s going on—”

”Impossible—”

”Don’t move! Everyone stay right where you are—”

Amidst a chorus of exclamations, Fu Qian looked down at the multiple wounds rapidly appearing on his body and followed after them, once again bringing up the rear.

...

This final stretch of the path mentioned by Sha Ming and Brother Sanxun was even more absurdly steep than the place where they had first descended, and significantly longer too.

But precisely because of this, it felt a bit like the end of a journey, making it far less suspicious.

By this time, under Old Man Huang Leji’s command, the team members had already rushed quite a distance ahead.

Meanwhile, that final shout had clearly worked. Everyone’s feet seemed rooted to the spot, completely motionless.

Even as Sha Ming and Fu Qian arrived one after the other, the group merely turned their heads to look back.

”What the hell is going on? We were just walking—why are we getting hurt just by heading downward?”

Staring daggers at Sha Ming, Huang Leji was the first to speak, his tone already brimming with grief and indignation.

”Is there a problem? You don’t have to keep walking anymore, do you?”

Unfortunately, as Sha Ming stepped up to join them, he simply chuckled and countered with a question of his own.