Eldritch Horror Theatre

[Today’s work has begun. Entering Containment Scenario 1-002.]

Time froze at exactly a quarter to midnight; the Warehouse had finally welcomed its task runner.

As if to match Professor Fu’s fearlessness in the face of this arduous mission, the task began quite swiftly, seemingly unwilling to give him a chance to back out.

[Current SAN Value: 144. Current inspiration: 99.]

[...4%...6%...10%...18%...34%...66%...100%. Containment Scenario loaded.]

Unsurprisingly, the entire ability and item configuration process was skipped. The danger level continued to skyrocket.

While marveling at this, Fu Qian looked down at the ruined mess of his clothes, which he hadn’t yet had the time to change.

Even though they were torn to shreds, he remained completely serious, straightening out this Third Set of Clothes he had only recently put on.

He was heading to the World of Ultimate Bliss, after all. He needed to be a little serious.

[The City of Light, the Domain of No Darkness.During countless moments of fearing eternal darkness, have you ever held onto a tiny sliver of extravagant hope for even just a moment?

That when the end finally comes, you might open your eyes again and be pleasantly surprised to find that the legendary World of Ultimate Bliss truly exists.

That your good deeds and repentance were not in vain, allowing you to enter it and forever enjoy peace, comfort, beauty, purity, joy, and everything else...

Now, an answer is placed before you.]

Not bad. The saying to lay down the butcher’s knife and immediately become a Buddha wasn’t just nonsense after all.

As the task introduction rapidly unfolded—though it was far from detailed—the wording was enough to prove that he was actually heading to the real World of Ultimate Bliss.

Given his past mission encounters, it was hard to believe he would actually get to enjoy all those positive adjectives, but the theme alone was an affirmation of his good character.

It even seemed highly likely that the visibility in this work environment would be great. That was a welcome improvement in conditions.

The last few places he had visited had truly been a bit too dark and gloomy.

His senses rapidly returned amid these optimistic thoughts.

Remembering the task introduction perfectly, Fu Qian immediately tried to seek out the light—and it really was bright enough.

Even before opening his eyes, Fu Qian could feel the piercing brightness shining onto his face, burning so hot it felt like his optic nerves were heating up.

...

”Cough, cough, cough...”

It hadn’t pulled a bait-and-switch where the World of Ultimate Bliss was actually devoid of light, or stuck in eternal polar night. While gratified by this, Fu Qian was in no rush to open his eyes.

For one, he wanted to let his eyes briefly adjust. For another, he needed to clear out his windpipe, which felt as if it had been out of use for a long time.

It was reasonably unobstructed, but it felt like it hadn’t functioned for days. Taking his very first breath instantly triggered a violent fit of coughing—along with cheers.

That was right. Even though he had completely lost his Transcendent Perception, that didn’t stop Fu Qian from confirming that he was surrounded by a chorus of cheers.

There were men and women, young and old, and their voices sounded filled with heartfelt joy.

Clap, clap, clap...

This was even followed by applause.

With such a grand reception, it seemed impolite not to show some kind of response.

Cough, cough...

After coughing a couple more times, he felt his initially stiff body gradually growing warmer as it bathed in the Bright Light. Fu Qian finally tried to prop up his upper body and slowly opened his eyes.

”My apologies, young man.”

The first thing to enter his vision was a face that could only be described as the physical embodiment of ”joy.”

And despite calling him a young man, the face itself didn’t look particularly old, either.

He looked to be about forty years old. He had deep eye sockets and no beard. His smooth blond hair lay flat against his scalp, looking exceptionally radiant beneath the seemingly ninety-degree, direct Bright Light—though it was a bit thin in the middle.

So, even in the Realm of Bliss, the woes of hair loss were unavoidable?

”I accidentally dug up your grave. You aren’t angry, are you?”

Just as Fu Qian was marveling at the formidable nature of a certain authority, the blond man continued speaking, explaining the reason for his apology.

...

They really were realists. The mention of digging up a grave was perfectly honest and literal.

He wasn’t in a rush to forgive the man. Although he had already briefly sensed his surroundings before opening his eyes, Fu Qian still used the man’s words as a natural excuse to take a look around.

It truly was a treasured plot of land.

The spot where he had just been lying ramrod straight was impressively a wooden structure made of rather high-quality material, with a hard pillow thoughtfully placed beneath his head.

He could even see freshly dug earth all around him.

The Heavenly Dao and samsara truly worked in mysterious ways. Recently, he had done quite a few things to disturb the peace of the dead, and now, right at the start of this mission, he had become a victim himself.

Of course, right now, everything was bathed in that aforementioned direct Bright Light. All dark and evil energies were thoroughly dispelled, leaving not the slightest sense of discomfort.

Aside from the blond man, an entire circle of people surrounded this rather shallow dirt pit.

It was obvious that the cheers from earlier had come from their mouths.

There were men and women, young and old. Everyone’s faces were illuminated to a brilliant shine, without a single trace of gloom, and all bore smiles of heartfelt joy.

”I’m not, cough, cough...”

After looking around, Fu Qian finally attempted to speak, shaking his head as another fit of coughing took hold.

”At least you didn’t dirty my clothes, did you?”

Even so, Fu Qian explained his reason for not being angry and gestured at himself.

He had already caught a rough glimpse out of the corner of his eye. Although it wasn’t the outfit he had originally been wearing, it wasn’t overly flamboyant given where he was lying.

It could still be considered everyday wear, and the material was very new.

To go through both the digging of earth and the opening of a coffin without getting a single speck of dust on his dark clothes was already rare enough. There was no problem putting it like that.

Furthermore, in his brief glance just now, he had noticed that although the circle of people around him wasn’t very large, it was a veritable fashion show, with all sorts of styles—both familiar and unfamiliar—on display.

Among them were sharply dressed gentlemen, as well as ladies in skimpy outfits that displayed their delicate bodies beneath the Bright Light.

Visually, it was surprisingly not very jarring.

Clap, clap, clap—

Amid his evaluation, Fu Qian’s response seemed to take the audience slightly by surprise, but it was immediately followed by even more enthusiastic applause.

”Very nice. It’s obvious that you are one of the most interesting lucky souls of the past century. I am extremely glad I didn’t miss witnessing this new birth.”

The one speaking was still the same blond man from the start, who even joined in the clapping and gestured to the side as he spoke.

”Regardless, welcome to the Realm of Bliss. Considering there is absolutely nothing on your tombstone, how should we address you?”

A Wordless Stele?

Although he had fully sat up, from Fu Qian’s angle, he could only see the back of a white stone stele.

It was hard to say whether the Warehouse giving him such an entrance was hinting at his grave sins or simply trying to save the effort of coming up with a name.

But it didn’t matter. Coming up with names had always been his strong suit.

Running a hand over his face, Fu Qian’s gaze grew slightly hazy, as if he were still digesting this tremendously important information.

”Lu Ming.”

A moment later, he finally gave a name, his tone brimming with the feeling that his past life was but a dream.

Having gained a new life, I naturally belong to Rebirth.