Eldritch Horror Theatre

Was it really that absolute?

Fu Qian knew Su Gao’s personality. If she said so, she was absolutely certain of it.

It seemed the ability to return from the dead was exceedingly rare, even in this world.

And yet, such a miraculous power had appeared in an ordinary person.

Fu Qian recalled that pair of familiars from earlier.

Of course, from a sociological standpoint, Kisaragi Kana was far from ordinary.

”By normal metrics, Kisaragi Kana is indeed an ordinary person,” Su Gao continued her assessment from the side. ”But just now, I got the feeling that she’s influencing her surroundings in a subtle, chaotic way.”

”It is indeed a bizarre manifestation.”

”Agreed.”

Fu Qian sighed.As it turned out, this girl Su Gao really was sharp.

He had noticed the change with a single glance as well.

Unlike last time, he could already detect something radiating from Kisaragi Kana.

It was faintly chaotic, difficult to define.

Fu Qian believed that if any other demigod were in his place, they most likely wouldn’t have noticed a thing.

And during his previous task, she hadn’t reached this point yet.

The observation plan hadn’t been a waste of time after all.

”Has Kisaragi Kana ever used Anjing Company’s Miracle Potion?” Su Gao asked.

She remembered the content of Fu Qian and Hayami Suzune’s conversation quite clearly.

”HAP0032-667, Wriggle 7.”

Fu Qian directly recited the serial number.

He remembered this particular item very well.

And judging by Su Gao’s tone, she was no stranger to Anjing Company’s charity.

It wasn’t surprising, given that she even knew the King of Ye Island might be connected to the Origin Council.

”In fact, I’ve drunk it too.”

He pointed at himself a moment later.

”But I didn’t show any special reactions.”

An ineffective formula had given birth to a transcendent ability on par with a divine miracle?

Su Gao sank into deep thought once more. Her gaze even sharpened; she seemed quite invested in this deductive game.

”If we assume the potion is ineffective, then there seems to be only one explanation: her resurrection didn’t come from the drug, but from herself.”

”A reasonable guess. In fact, there’s another point that corroborates this: she was exceptionally charismatic even before that.”

Fu Qian gave Su Gao a brief description of Kisaragi Kana’s pre-existing transcendent charm, as well as Brother Takagi’s infatuation with her.

”That makes much more sense.”

Su Gao nodded.

”That specific influence of hers is hard to define exactly, but intuitively, it feels like a display of vigorous fertility.”

A display of fertility? That description was actually quite fitting.

Overall, Fu Qian completely agreed with Su Gao’s deduction.

But there was a problem here that couldn’t be ignored—the previous task.

As a veteran employee who had already unlocked the Flexible Work System, Fu Qian had summarized his experiences along the way and was absolutely certain that every single one of his tasks had meaning.

Whether it was nipping problems in the bud or filling in the gaps, it boiled down to situations arising during operations that required him to step in and act as a sort of ”error correction.”

This also perfectly fit the concept of returning warehouse inventory to Containment.

His last task objective had been very simple: ensure that Kisaragi Kana completed the test ”normally.”

If Kisaragi Kana had been the only problem, they could have just ordered him to kill her directly.

So, just as he had guessed before, the ”test” was the real focal point.

The ultimate goal of the task was most likely to ensure that Wriggle 7 was completely discredited and abandoned.

From this perspective, there had to be something special about the formula.

Of course, it wouldn’t be abandoned now—because aside from Kisaragi Kana, the other test subject was now undergoing shocking changes.

Deliberately showing off his skills in front of Sakura Asao just now had been intended to kill two birds with one stone.

On one hand, he wanted to draw the snake out of its hole and take the opportunity to investigate them in reverse.

On the other hand, Wriggle 7 would be taken seriously again, giving him a good chance to see exactly what made it so special.

”What you said makes sense. Kisaragi Kana’s abnormality likely originates from herself.”

Thinking this, Fu Qian looked at Su Gao and summarized their pleasant deductive exchange.

”But at the same time, I have a specific yet powerful piece of evidence proving that the Miracle Potion is most likely still quite special.”

”So in our upcoming actions, we still need to watch out for any related variables.”

”Understood.”

Fu Qian didn’t mention what the evidence was, and Su Gao didn’t ask, readily agreeing to his advice.

”Their people have been tailing us. Will our actions just now reignite their interest in Kisaragi Kana?”

”Don’t worry. They’re interested in me now.”

Fu Qian smiled.

Someone had been watching them from a distance; both he and Su Gao were well aware of it.

Sakura Asao had already stated that he was a team member.

Having someone keep an eye on his movements after she left was perfectly normal.

But obviously, considering the possibility that he had a tacit understanding with the Night Watchers, they didn’t dare follow too closely.

This was evident from how openly he and Su Gao were able to discuss things.

”Capital is always ruthless toward abandoned projects.”

...

Su Gao fell silent for a moment, seemingly touched by Fu Qian’s words.

”Come to think of it, I used to live on Ye Island for quite a long time.”

She finally spoke up after a while, taking the unprecedented initiative to change the subject.

”Oh? No wonder you seem somewhat familiar with this place.”

Fu Qian played along smoothly.

”I wouldn’t call it too familiar. It was during my childhood, after all.”

Su Gao’s tone remained even.

”The people around me weren’t in a great mood back then. It was mostly my mother keeping me company.”

”After she passed away, an old man from the neighborhood took great care of me. He was a very good person, too.”

”It sounds like you don’t like this place very much.”

”I don’t.”

Su Gao spoke with absolute certainty.

”After Grandpa Ai Lei passed away, I left...”

It was nearing noon, and there were far more pedestrians on the road than when they had arrived.

Blending into the crowd with her current appearance and attire, she didn’t stand out in the slightest.

Walking and narrating so peacefully, she looked just like a youth reminiscing about a beautiful childhood.

Fu Qian, however, knew exactly what kind of scene lay behind those words.

So according to her account, she must have found the Night Watchers of Ye Island back then, and after the ensuing incident, stayed behind to take care of Grandpa Ai Lei for a time.

...

”You can rest first. Our guests shouldn’t take too long to arrive.”

It didn’t take long for the two of them to return to their residence.

”Okay.”

Faced with Fu Qian’s suggestion, Su Gao readily accepted the good advice and went upstairs alone.

Watching her back disappear, Fu Qian sat down in his own seat.

Considering he still had a bit of time...

He snapped his fingers the next moment, activating the Decree of Return.

His work for the week was only 3/4 done. Even though he was on the Flexible Work System now, and there likely wouldn’t be any punishment even if he slacked off, he might as well go clock in.