Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 645: Chapter 644: Information from Kurumi

”Mr. Fang Zheng... are you alright?”

Looking at Fang Zheng, who was lying completely on the sofa, as if saying ”I’ve turned into a salted fish who will die right here, so please ignore me,” Yoshino couldn’t help but walk to his side and quietly ask. Fang Zheng could only manage a wry smile and extended his hand to gesture dismissively upon hearing Yoshino’s inquiry.

”It’s nothing... Yoshino, I’m just a bit too tired...”

”...?”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Yoshino tilted her head in curiosity, while Fang Zheng himself didn’t know what to say.

He had thought that the so-called ”Kiss of Oath” was merely a formality. However, when the kiss actually happened, Fang Zheng realized that it was not so simple. The moment he kissed Ester, Fang Zheng felt the Sword Emblem on the back of his left hand suddenly turn into a black hole, greedily drawing out his power.

Ultimately, Fang Zheng could only endure for less than three seconds before Ester sapped all his strength. Now, Fang Zheng felt as if he had gone through a night of a hundred trials, with aching back and weak legs, barely able to muster any strength. And as for Ester, she had run back into the emblem and out of sight right after the kiss... Fang Zheng had no idea what that was all about...

However, Yoshino really was a good girl. Even though she didn’t know what had happened to Fang Zheng, the sight of him looking pale and as if he were about to ascend to heaven made her incredibly worried. Hesitating for a moment, she then quietly offered,

”Then... Mr. Fang Zheng, shall I get you some water? There seems to be some juice left in the fridge...”

”Just some hot water is fine, thank you...”

Upon hearing Yoshino’s question, Fang Zheng managed a weak smile, and Yoshino nodded before heading to the kitchen to fetch water.

”...What happened to you, Mr. Fang Zheng?”

Right at that moment, Kurumi appeared in the living room. Gone was the complex and sorrowful expression from the previous evening, replaced by her usual graceful and calm smile. Seeing Fang Zheng lying on the sofa like a dead fish, she expressed surprise and covered her mouth with a delicate motion of her hand.

”Could it be because of what happened yesterday? If so, I’m truly sorry...”

”It has nothing to do with that, just a small mishap. I’ll be fine after some rest...”

As the two conversed, Yoshino came back with a glass of water, and upon hearing the exchange between Fang Zheng and Kurumi, she looked curiously at them.

”Sister Kurumi? What are you talking about with Mr. Fang Zheng?”

”It’s nothing much, Yoshino.”

Hearing Yoshino’s question, Kurumi’s face once again took on a graceful and appropriate smile—though for some reason, Fang Zheng couldn’t shake the feeling that there was malice behind it.

”I just thought that Mr. Fang Zheng turned out this way because of the events of yesterday.”

”What happened yesterday?”

”Yes...”

Hearing this, Kurumi sighed softly.

”Now that I think about it, I still shudder. Mr. Fang Zheng pushed me roughly against the wall, and despite my desperate pleas, he overpowered me. Although I struggled to resist, he had his way in the end... Honestly, at first I was unable to accept it. But after being filled by Mr. Fang Zheng’s fiery power, I can no longer leave him. My body has now become such that I can’t live without Mr. Fang Zheng... I beg you, Mr. Fang Zheng, to take responsibility properly...”

”......???”

Upon hearing Kurumi’s response, Yoshino tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what she meant. On the other hand, Fang Zheng rolled his eyes in annoyance. Although what Kurumi was saying was true, her way of expressing it caused misunderstandings. It was fortunate that it was Yoshino who heard it; other people might have gotten the wrong impression entirely.

”Enough of that,” Fang Zheng said.

After taking a sip of water, Fang Zheng felt somewhat revitalized.

”Ms. Kurumi, let’s discuss something more meaningful. Yoshino and I are exploring everything about elves. In that regard, do you have anything you can share with us?”

”.........”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s question, no change appeared on Kurumi’s face, but sadness flickered through her eyes.

”About elves... to be honest, I don’t know very much about elves either... But, at least I know a bit more than you do.”

As she spoke, Kurumi raised a finger.

”First of all, many people do not realize that there are two types of elves in this world.”

”Is that so?”

Hearing Kurumi’s response, both Fang Zheng and Yoshino were surprised, and Kurumi nodded.

”That’s right, one type is the Elf, and the other... is the Quasi-Elf. The gap between Elves and Quasi-Elves is quite significant...”

As she spoke, Kurumi reached out and pressed her chest.

”We Elves operate on Spirit Crystals as our source of life, and for this, we have gained formidable power. This point, I think little sister Yoshino should also understand.”

”...Um...”

Hearing Kurumi’s question, Yoshino hesitated but eventually nodded.

”Whereas Quasi-Elves are, compared to us Elves, considered inferior. Like us, they do not maintain their existence through a heart but through a Spirit Crystal. However, what we have is a complete Spirit Crystal, while those Quasi-Elves, possess only fragments of a Spirit Crystal.”

At this point, Kurumi gave a slight smile.

”And there’s another important piece of information... In fact, whether it be Elves or Quasi-Elves—they are all transformed from humans.”

”What...?!”

Upon hearing this, Yoshino gasped in shock, while Fang Zheng couldn’t help raising his eyebrows.

”From humans?”

”Yes, all Elves and Quasi-Elves were transformed upon obtaining a Spirit Crystal with a human body. The difference is that Elves receive a complete Spirit Crystal, while Quasi-Elves get only fragments of it.”

”But, but... Sister Kurumi...!”

At this moment, Yoshino hurriedly raised her hand, her eyes wide with astonishment looking at Kurumi.

”I, I completely don’t remember being human...”

”Everyone is like that.”

Hearing Yoshino’s question, a touch of sadness appeared in Kurumi’s eyes.

”Whether Elves or Quasi-Elves, after they’ve fully transformed, they all lose their memories, only remembering their abilities, their Angel, and perhaps who they are. But beyond that, they don’t remember anything else... Sometimes, I really don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.”

”You said transformation...”

Compared to the shocked Yoshino, Fang Zheng was clearly more focused on another aspect.

”Does that mean... all Elves are transformed? So, do Spirit Crystals occur naturally?”

”No.”

But this time, Kurumi shook her head coldly to deny it, her calm voice for the first time filled with loathing.

”In fact, whether Elves or Quasi-Elves, we are all just experimental subjects of a madman.”

Then she said coldly.