Eldritch Horror Theatre

”You...”

Completely satisfied, Madam Sissi was as good as her word. After apologizing, she simply turned and walked away.

Watching her figure disappear around the corner, Tan Ying’s immediate reaction was to turn back and stare at Fu Qian, her face filled with utter disbelief.

This weekend had been a little too eventful!

”What’s wrong?”

Fu Qian looked at her with an odd expression.

”Even if you suddenly told me you were an alien right now, I wouldn’t be too surprised...”

Tan Ying didn’t know what expression to make. After a long moment, she shook her head.

The more she interacted with Young Master Qin’s close friend, the more of an enigma he seemed to be.

”How do you know Madam Sissi?””Didn’t I tell you? She’s a client.”

There was no need to hide this, so Fu Qian honestly explained a certain website and his alias, Razor.

”The world really is full of wonders...”

Growing up in a wealthy family, Tan Ying clearly had never been exposed to these dark corners. As she listened, her pupils dilated and she sighed in amazement.

”But Madam Sissi’s condition is very worrying. It won’t be easy for her to let go of this kind of obsession!”

”What sane person would wander around a place like that for no reason?”

Fu Qian nodded, agreeing with her assessment, completely unbothered that the sharp comment applied to him as well.

”She just wanted to find some special cases to cause trouble for the people ’behind the scenes.’ After all, it’s a lot harder to find suitable actors to play excessively extreme weirdos.”

”A kind of helpless rebellion, I suppose.”

Tan Ying sighed. She seemed to understand that kind of despair; most of her earlier fear had already turned into pity.

”Have you really thought this through? She’s obviously wealthy, but Madam Sissi’s mental state is a bit dangerous. Are you sure you want to keep dealing with her?”

She still cautioned Fu Qian, seeming to know very well how fast wealthy women could turn hostile.

”Thanks for the warning, but it’s fine. I’m very dangerous too, after all.”

Even as he expressed his thanks, however, Fu Qian looked entirely unconcerned.

”...Do you often meet clients like this?”

Seeing him mock himself so smoothly, Tan Ying could only sigh in reluctant admiration.

She hadn’t expected to be able to persuade Fu Qian anyway, so she quickly changed the subject.

”About four times a week.”

Recalling the various monsters and demons from his past missions, Fu Qian answered while examining the business card in his hand.

It was exquisitely designed, with minimalist text and a color scheme matching its owner’s clothing. It even seemed to carry a faint fragrance.

Sissi Gatsby.

This surname sounded very wealthy.

That was Fu Qian’s first reaction.

”Your job really isn’t easy!”

By this point, Tan Ying was speechless.

”It’s alright. Interest is the greatest motivator.”

Spouting nonsense, Fu Qian walked over to the side and gestured for the employee at another counter to make two glasses of juice. While he was at it, he also greeted the bald boss who had been staring in their direction.

The latter was clearly very perceptive. Although he felt extremely honored that the master had taken the initiative to greet him, he merely responded with a bright smile, having absolutely no intention of coming over and intruding.

In his eyes, the scene before him clearly indicated that a victor had emerged from a romantic battlefield.

And with this kind of thing, even if it was just the aftermath of the battle, one could not interrupt casually.

”Anyway, thanks for your hard work today.”

Fu Qian couldn’t be bothered with the man’s thoughts. He took the juices and handed a glass to Tan Ying.

”If you hadn’t volunteered, I was going to send her packing the moment I finished my coffee.”

”So you just admit it, huh...”

This guy really had deliberately stayed quiet, making her feel guilty for her slip of the tongue just so he could trick her into doing manual labor!

For a moment, Tan Ying gritted her teeth in annoyance, completely forgetting her earlier amazement.

”Ah... I thought you liked coming to these places, so I figured we could kill two birds with one stone.”

Fu Qian’s surprised expression was incredibly natural.

”Which eye of yours saw that I liked it?”

Tan Ying took the juice resentfully. She had never been very brave, and her experiences these last two times had been a bit too intense.

”Just last time. You said so yourself.”

...

Faced with Fu Qian’s reminder, Tan Ying found it hard to argue.

Mainly because she really had said those words, and her true motives weren’t exactly something she could share with outsiders.

Helpless, she channeled her frustration and indignation into her appetite, taking a fierce sip of the juice.

It was cool, sweet, and sour—it actually tasted pretty good.

All in all, Tan Ying was still a broad-minded young woman. Although slightly resentful about being drafted into service, she didn’t dwell on it.

After chatting for a while longer, she announced that she needed to go back and rest. Before leaving, she looked at the entrance to the haunted house with a resolute expression.

No matter what, she was absolutely never coming back here again.

...

Watching Tan Ying leave, Fu Qian felt very satisfied with today’s harvest.

Madam Sissi Gatsby’s visit had given him much more to ponder regarding this world he had lived in for twenty years.

In the current situation, the ideal outcome would be to use her to find some traces left behind by his predecessors. Failing that, acquiring a few items similar to the Mirror Bracelet to look for clues would also be good.

Madam Sissi seemed quite wealthy; it was perfectly normal for someone like her to have a bit of a collecting habit, right?

Having memorized its contents, Fu Qian tucked the business card away. He glanced around, located the supermarket, and headed over.

Being officially hired as a consultant by a wealthy woman meant the career plan he had outlined to Young Master Qin had taken a historic step forward.

As things stood, with an anomalous element like Madam Sissi knocking on his door, and his probe with the Bracelet sent out, he might as well be quietly observing changes.

As for himself, given his empty fridge, it was time to restock some groceries.

...

[Identity verification complete. Today’s work begins.]

After some shopping, Fu Qian quickly returned home and refilled his fridge.

Seeing that it was still early, he directly activated the Imprint on his wrist.

Soon, accompanied by a notification chime, the Warehouse appeared before his eyes.

Given Brother Jifeng’s level, if he really was a predecessor of the Warehouse, he should have left behind some traces of his activities.

So theoretically, he could take a two-pronged approach and go chat with Chief Yuan.

[Warning: Leak Incident]

Counting the days, this was his last mission for the week, and it seemed the Warehouse had no intention of giving him a day off.

Fu Qian, who had long anticipated this, was not prepared to exercise his Reassignment authority this time.

Interest was the greatest motivator. What he had just told Tan Ying wasn’t insincere nonsense.

Besides, one had to be patient in all things. Often, more haste, less speed.

[Name: Greed Worm, Number: 3-0009]

[Today’s work content has been updated. Enter 3-0009’s Containment Scenario and complete Containment here.]

[Consume 1 point of SAN Value to start?]

Amidst the continuous notifications, Fu Qian noticed that the illusory mist in the Warehouse had gathered into a lump.

Grade 3 Item? Was the final run of the week a casual match?

Carrying wonderful expectations for life, Fu Qian examined that squirming pattern.

It was very blurry, but at a glance, it really did look like a bug, and its length was quite exaggerated.

[Yes.]

Without hesitation, he answered with his mind.