Eldritch Horror Theatre

The vibe here was completely wrong.

Was there more than one Scientific Research Institution destroyed in the Ash Sea? The academic atmosphere here was a bit too thick, wasn’t it?

Terms like ”notes,” ”calculations,” and ”falling points” easily painted a picture of a professional Stargazer institution. Even the negative effects inflicted on him fell into the same category.

Aside from their immense power, which he had personally verified, there was another issue: these jellyfish were incredibly volatile, ready to blow at the slightest provocation.

Number One had been slightly better, at least taking the time to suspect him of being a criminal before attacking. Number Two was basically a landmine, prone to stress reactions anytime and anywhere.

If this was the situation Claudora and the others had encountered back then, it was hard to imagine how they managed to escape in one piece.

Of course, they hadn’t actually escaped in one piece, though the exact details of their failure differed somewhat.

And in the information Claudora had revealed to him, there was absolutely no mention of any of this.

It was no wonder the seniors of the Academy had been so interested in this place. The Ash Sea was truly extraordinary.

As for himself, deciding what to do next didn’t seem difficult. The falling point had already been found—so was it somewhere nearby?Regardless of whether the information provided by Brain Jellyfish No. 2 was true or not, it was impossible to just ignore such an outrageous concept.

Considering the concept of the Fallen Angel, perhaps the angel’s head had snapped off when it hit the ground?

Now, even the things he had been looking for earlier were all tied together.

The only problem now was where to look.

Fu Qian had genuinely been trying to help search along the way. Unfortunately, let alone notes, he hadn’t seen a single scrap of paper—

”Excuse me, could you point me to the falling point?”

However, for someone with good manners, these were minor issues.

After smashing through two walls and a door, once again proving himself unstoppable, Fu Qian stood beside another brain-like jellyfish and earnestly asked for directions.

...

Honestly, it felt like there was no need to even ask. He could probably just follow the jellyfish and stumble onto something.

Just like with the first two, the only reason he had found this place was because he once again sensed someone watching him.

These jellyfish, with their distinct former-researcher vibe, were practically acting as guiding lights through the ruins.

Even if those lights were a bit blinding.

”The falling point...”

Stargazer No. 3 appeared even more peaceful than the previous two. When Fu Qian dropped the keyword, its immediate reaction was to slowly repeat it.

”No one is allowed to go there. It is very dangerous.”

What it said was even more surprising. It confirmed once again that the falling point had indeed been found, despite the heavy warning in its tone.

”Where around here isn’t dangerous? I still have a few key data points in my notes that need verification, so I think it’s absolutely necessary for me to go take a look.”

Logically speaking, nearly half the duration of the Burial Scroll had already passed. However, Fu Qian didn’t rush. He naturally struck up a conversation, expressing that since he had come to the Ash Sea, he had already placed life and death outside consideration.

”It is different. It is far more dangerous there... That is also why we had to lock it down.”

Its logic was surprisingly sound. Faced with Fu Qian’s probing, Stargazer No. 3 held to its viewpoint, its tone remaining completely peaceful.

Not only had they found it, but they had also tried to control it? They seemed quite capable.

”Wouldn’t that mean all our efforts have been wasted? How can we find a solution if we don’t face it directly? So, what kind of danger is it exactly?”

Fu Qian marveled internally as he listened, continuing to spout inspirational nonsense without batting an eye.

”I don’t know...”

No. 3’s response sounded completely bizarre.

...

It didn’t know?

It knew it was incredibly dangerous, but didn’t know what the danger actually was? That made it sound like it wasn’t just as simple as the Source of Ash.

The Brain Jellyfish’s answer was truly cryptic, bordering on logical contradiction.

”It is very dangerous. The results of our calculations cannot be wrong...”

Stargazer No. 3 continued to emphasize the point, proving Fu Qian hadn’t misheard.

”But when we continued to extrapolate its specific form, we could never arrive at an answer...”

By the end, its voice carried a trace of sorrow, conveying the palpable agony of hitting a dead end in research.

”Then shouldn’t we make contact and see for ourselves?”

The more Fu Qian listened, the more fascinating he found the situation. He casually tossed out the suggestion.

”You are right... Why didn’t we do that?”

An even more shocking scene unfolded. Brain Jellyfish No. 3 actually froze at the suggestion for a moment before speaking again.

While its words might have sounded sarcastic at first, Fu Qian could actually feel the absolute sincerity behind them in that moment.

The Stargazer seemed genuinely moved, unable to comprehend why they hadn’t simply tried such an obvious solution.

”Strange. Why? The reason for that seems to be missing as well...”

Unable to find an answer, its thoughts were visibly growing agitated.

”Perhaps we can find the answer over at the falling point?”

Fu Qian had every reason to suspect he was about to be forced to ’look up at the stars’ once again, so he casually offered it a new train of thought.

”...You are right. I will take you there.”

The effect was spectacular. Not only did Stargazer No. 3 instantly accept his advice, but it also directly offered to lead the way.

”It is right by the Twelve-Faced Hourglass.”

...

Wasn’t that a little too accommodating?

As soon as it spoke, No. 3 floated ahead, genuinely taking on the role of a guide.

Although this was the reward for good manners, the progress was so incredibly smooth that Fu Qian couldn’t help but deeply admire the integrity of these intellectuals.

These jellyfish felt like manifestations of the former Stargazers’ lingering obsessions, though there obviously wasn’t much of their original sanity left.

Yet even so, they remained sensitive to academic problems. Their pure pursuit of knowledge was truly moving.

Driven by this instinct, No. 3 had not only volunteered to lead the way but had even shared the key landmark directly.

Even if its guidance failed, Fu Qian now had another clue to go on—hmm?

However, just when things were looking great, an unexpected complication finally arose.

The body of Brain Jellyfish No. 3 suddenly began to pulse with a familiar rhythm, accompanied by flickering fluorescent light.

Seriously? Had it become an earthbound spirit that couldn’t maintain its form once it left its original spot?

Naturally knowing this was the precursor to a jellyfish’s annihilation, Fu Qian lamented the situation even as he smoothly backed away.

”What kind of danger...”

Sure enough, in the very next moment, the brain at its core flashed with starlight.

No. 3’s final words revealed its lingering obsession over that earlier question.

Such dedication was truly touching.

As the sole recipient, Fu Qian felt the burden on his shoulders grow a bit heavier.

Actually, it had literally grown heavier. In that moment, he could clearly feel his bones deforming under the weight.

Even this triggered it?

The reason was simple: the Star Dismemberment Power bearing down on his shoulders had just tripled.

It seemed backing away didn’t help him evade it at all.