Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1450: Chapter 1448 Artificial Existence Core (18)

That kind of thing... devour...

As a high-ranking Transcendent, a Night Watchman in the city of Swindlers, Winona always considered herself well-informed.

Yet, today, not only was she repeatedly thwarted in her dealings with the mysterious Grimshaw, but even the situation described by her friend at this moment left her feeling profoundly ignorant once again.

She had arrived as quickly as she deemed possible, and after being shocked by her friend’s strange behavior, she had dashed all the way here, mind entirely focused on confronting the unseen Void. Although that pile of boxes seemed peculiar, she hadn’t thought much of it before.

If what her friend described was true... Winona began to view everything through the corner of her eye, secretly alarmed.

This behavior, seemingly incomparable to any normal person, greatly increased the likelihood that Lek was exhibiting extraordinary anomalies.

So, the question arises now, what exactly is this guy’s purpose here?

It seemed not to be pure malice, yet when discovered, he showed no hesitation in attacking the Night Watchman...

This behavior seemed describable only as insane.

”What else did that guy say?”

”Um... just before disappearing, he mentioned the content of their discussion, stating that when people arrive later, confidentiality wasn’t necessary... It’s as if he knew you would come?”

Claire pondered carefully when asked this by her friend, quickly recalling the bizarre instruction given earlier.

Indeed, insane and arrogant...

And her words left Winona momentarily speechless.

So audacious!

Even supposing Lek had serious issues, and his actions were for so-called ”justice”,

after his operations, especially this particular instruction, it seemed no less than a naked taunt at the Night Watchman’s incompetence.

...

”Rest assured, given the current situation, I will apply to arrange special personnel here to protect you.”

No matter what, Winona had no interest in sharing this kind of analysis that boosted others’ morale.

After a brief contemplation, she directly comforted her friend, indicating not to worry, that the Night Watchman system had already started operating on this matter.

It was apparent that this powerful organization still brought a noticeable sense of security, as Claire’s face, once appearing calm, now showed greater composure.

”So what exactly does that guy want to do?”

...

This question was indeed somewhat challenging to answer, leaving Winona silent momentarily.

However, seeing her friend still carrying a hint of melancholy, she grabbed the other’s hand.

”Don’t overthink it, it’s not your fault, that meeting was clearly the result of a premeditated design.”

”... Also, while the madman’s intentions may not be clear at present, I can assure you he will pay for what he has done.”

Although she tried hard to suppress her emotions, Winona’s last words were gritted out with her teeth.

Anyone who heard it would not doubt her resolve.

Including Fu Qian.

...

It was taken seriously, but not seriously enough.

In the darkness, Fu Qian listened to the conversation between the two people before him, momentarily absorbed in thought.

Of course, he hadn’t left; though he had gained something on this trip, there was more to be gained.

The flashy scene of turning off the lights and leaving just now was merely a spur-of-the-moment whim to set the atmosphere.

The moment the lights went out, he simultaneously initiated the Blood Conquest.

As for why the switching rhythm of the lights was so perfectly controlled, the reason was straightforward—the Thread of Concern was nearing.

As it turned out, while realizing the need to come this way for clues, in the Night Watchman’s assessment, the likelihood of his own arrival wasn’t perceived as high, which ultimately resulted in only Winona coming.

Leland was supposed to be doing an internal allocation, searching head-on.

Division of labor and cooperation, waiting for her side to truly yield results, then coordinating actions.

A very reasonable arrangement, yet Winona’s enthusiasm might be enough, but as one being polluted, this pursuit was not one for her to lead anymore.

”Alright, I’ll take you back first. Focus on resting until someone arrives.”

Harboring a hint of resentment, Winona clearly wouldn’t merely cultivate through spiritual victory methods, and the next moment, she made a decisive arrangement, looking at Claire—

”Why did you turn off the lights?”

However, as soon as the words were spoken, Winona froze, staring at the again pitch-black space before her.

For a Transcendent, this darkness wouldn’t render her completely blind.

What startled her was, first, why the lights suddenly went out.

Secondly, the lights hadn’t seemingly been turned off by Claire.

In the darkness, Claire’s figure stood conspicuously in the slight light at the doorway, quite a distance from the light switch.

Also distant from her.

Just a moment ago, their conversation took place at an arm’s length.

The eerie changes happening in this mysterious place raised a strong foreboding in Winona’s heart.

”What... it wasn’t me who turned them off!”

The next moment, Claire at the doorway spoke in a confused and slightly trembling voice.

...

The person hasn’t actually left!

In that instant, Winona felt a tingling sensation across her scalp, and swiftly pulled out her weapon, entering a state of high alert while holding her breath.

However, this action lasted only a few seconds. When no movement was detected, another kind of fear quickly rose within her as she looked back outside at Claire.

”I know it wasn’t you who turned them off, so who turned on the lights earlier? Was it me?”

”Earlier...”

The bizarre question emanating from the darkness seemed to leave Claire bewildered.

”You didn’t turn on any lights...”

And as she absentmindedly muttered, her fear quickly intensified.

”You shouted to rush in earlier, but inside, it was always dark...”

Something indeed feels off... So who was speaking to me earlier—

No one spoke to me; I was dragged into a dreamlike illusion!

Claire’s gripping statement, powerful enough despite Winona’s strength, stirred her emotions.

But instantly, a realization floated to her mind.

Just like before, when Grimshaw attempted something while she and Leland were investigating.

Except this time, unlike before, he succeeded in what he attempted.

Turning the lights on, conversing...

From the moment she rushed into the house, everything that followed happened within a dream.

This explained why Claire said the light had never been turned on.

From her perspective, once inside, she was silently searching within the darkness.

In such circumstances, to avoid interference, she retreated to the doorway.

Things seemed to be getting clearer, but the issue was, why would that guy do this?

Faced with the still undisturbed darkness, Winona fell into uncontrollable confusion.

Even more bizarre was the fact—encountering this trick for the first time, she barely escaped it.

This time, despite being experienced and in a state of utmost vigilance, she fell victim immediately.

It just doesn’t make sense.

Even though her competence isn’t focused on the mental level, she shouldn’t be utterly defenseless against such tactics—Demigod!

At some point, Winona stared into the vast darkness, feeling her limbs stiffening like wood.

Within this, or even amidst the entire Lek disappearance incident, was a hidden Demigod involved?

It seemed the previous outlook was overly optimistic. If that’s the case, the situation is beyond what she and Leland can control.