Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Oliver?”

Fu Qian’s answer left Red Dragon and Madam Star momentarily stunned. The name was all too familiar; Paul had just mentioned it.

”That Oliver?”

”Probably. At least, that was how he introduced himself.”

Introduced himself...

Red Dragon and Star couldn’t help but exchange a look.

”There’s actually someone in there who’s still sane?”

”He wasn’t exactly normal, but there was definitely a difference between him and those walking corpses.”

Fu Qian sighed.

”Besides introducing himself, he also mentioned an interesting detail. The real Laboratory is down below.”...

Clearly, this news delivered a much stronger shock.

For a moment, even the normally steady Brother Red Dragon’s expression shifted rapidly.

”Down below... The thing we’re looking for is down there, and the entrance is on the top floor!”

After a brief thought, Red Dragon slapped his thigh, barely keeping his voice down.

His logic was clearly sharp; he grasped the key point immediately.

”So everything we saw was just a useless front. No wonder... I thought those staff members were a bit too relaxed.”

”Oliver is one of those staff members, and on top of that, the pollution he’s suffered is quite severe.”

Seeing that neither teammate was slacking off, Fu Qian brought up the next crucial point.

”Severe pollution, but he hasn’t turned into a walking corpse like the rest.”

Red Dragon had lost count of how many times he had blanked out today. Teaming up with Guansi had yielded unimaginable gains. The entire situation was suddenly coming into focus.

”That is another crucial detail. It means the Laboratory personnel likely possess a method to stay lucid under a certain level of pollution. If we can find it, it will be incredibly useful at a critical moment.”

’What a typical task runner’s mindset!’

Fu Qian marveled silently.

Normally, when faced with this sort of situation, an ordinary person would look for a way to combat the pollution itself.

But a task runner only sought to finish what they needed to do within their absolute limits. Nothing else mattered.

”Exactly. Even though the pollution on our bodies has vanished for now, if the colors change again, it’s hard to say what will happen.”

Madam Star chimed in from the side.

Although her take wasn’t very optimistic, she had a point.

Fu Qian had already checked at the first opportunity. The fluorescent specks that had stained them were gone without a trace.

However, assuming it had been cleared that easily was far too optimistic.

”Guansi, do you think we should keep waiting, or make a move?”

Red Dragon’s tone instantly turned serious.

Hmm?

Never expecting him to be so direct, Madam Star couldn’t hide her surprise. She stared eagerly at Fu Qian, waiting for his reaction.

”You think their security is lacking?”

Fu Qian actually understood why Red Dragon would suddenly propose such an idea.

”Yes. Based on what we know, although they have decent numbers, their weapons are quite rudimentary. Plus, we have a natural stealth advantage. If we find the right opportunity to slip down there, I think we have a solid chance of taking control of the situation.”

Red Dragon analyzed the scenario earnestly.

”That makes a lot of sense, but where do you think Mask and the others went?”

Fu Qian listened just as earnestly before offering a casual remark.

Mask and his group...

Recalling his earlier exchange with Fu Qian, Red Dragon had clearly pondered this question as well.

”Are you saying they’re down below?”

”Which means they probably have a much better grasp of the situation down there.”

Fu Qian nodded.

”Yet as of right now, everything is still completely calm.”

”...I understand. We need to trust their judgment, right?”

Quickly grasping Fu Qian’s meaning, Red Dragon took a deep breath, realizing he had been a bit reckless.

It was exactly as Guansi said. The chances of Mask’s group having gone down below were very high, yet they hadn’t taken any drastic action so far.

This indicated that they too were leaning toward maintaining the status quo and gathering information.

”As things stand, our orders are to secure the source of the rumors and bring them back to the institute. It’s highly likely that some higher-up wants to talk. When the time comes, I’ll exaggerate your condition, and Star and I will stay by your side to ensure your safety.”

Having rejected his previous line of thought, Red Dragon quickly pivoted to organize a new plan of action.

”Alright.”

By intentionally exaggerating the report, he would increase their chances of coming into contact with upper management. Red Dragon’s approach was extremely sound, and Fu Qian had no objections.

...

”Mister Angelo.”

It appeared the research institute took rumors damaging to their image very seriously.

Not long after he was brought into a spacious, empty room, a middle-aged woman wearing neither a uniform nor work clothes opened the door and walked in, greeting him with a smile.

She definitely gave off the vibe of an executive.

”Hello. How should I address you?”

Taking in the exquisite makeup on the woman’s face, Fu Qian replied politely.

”You’re a lot calmer than I imagined!”

A hint of surprise flashed through the female executive’s eyes.

”Michelle.”

”Alright, Michelle. Why don’t you tell me why I shouldn’t be calm?”

In just two sentences, Fu Qian had already begun to turn the tables.

”Given that I haven’t done anything to feel guilty about.”

”Is Mister Angelo always this self-righteous? Does spreading unverified rumors on your own initiative really not count as something to feel guilty about?”

Sensing Fu Qian’s stubbornness, Michelle’s smile didn’t waver, but her tone grew increasingly frigid.

”Believe me, The Company could have the police take you away on numerous charges.”

The Company? Now this was really starting to feel authentic.

Fu Qian marveled inwardly, then burst out laughing a second later.

”Unverified rumors. Is that what you call the research you’re currently conducting?”

”Oliver...”

The smile completely vanished from Michelle’s face as she spat out a name through gritted teeth.

”There’s no need to test me. Oliver is Paul’s lover. I’ve known that all along.”

Fu Qian’s remark was calculated to shock—never resting until his words astonished. Paired with a mocking sneer, it was a posture guaranteed to make anyone’s blood pressure spike.

Of course, he was only guessing at the relationship between Olive and Paul based on the various clues from earlier. He wasn’t entirely certain.

But by saying it out loud right now, he wasn’t the least bit worried about being exposed or slipping up.

Since the dawn of time, when has anyone ever been able to untangle and clearly explain these types of rumors?

”Your role in this rumor seems far more significant than we imagined... That Paul certainly never mentioned this.”

”Of course not!”

Looking at Michelle’s frost-covered face, Fu Qian’s smile grew increasingly wild.

”I’m the one who told him in the first place.”

”I know exactly what is down there.”