The Eldritch Files

’Song Chushi, he’s still in this city?’

Hearing the name sent a jolt through Han Su.

Ever since the previous timeline, every change he was now experiencing had started with the Spell that Song Chushi had given him.

Even the girl he’d rescued from the Ancient Castle was connected to the Spell Song Chushi had given him.

And yet, a strange change had occurred after he left the Ancient Castle this time. In his current timeline, Song Chushi hadn’t given him the Spell; he had only helped him get into the Disaster Management Bureau.

’So, what exactly is this person’s purpose?’

’Besides, even if he didn’t give me the Spell in this timeline, does that mean he knows something about its origin?’

’And don’t even try to tell me it’s some Fishing Song that fishermen use for rituals when they go to sea. I’m pretty much convinced that’s a load of crap by now...’

”Don’t think about it.”

As if reading Han Su’s mind, Zhang Chiguo slowly shook his head and warned, ”Whatever reason Song Chushi had for coming to see you, and regardless of whether he approached you with malice or some other intent, you must be careful.”

”The Disaster Management Bureau’s enemies aren’t just the aberrations trying to infiltrate reality.”

”There are also the madmen who worship the shadows of history, as well as dangerous individuals like Song Chushi, who show no regard for taboos.”

”You’re with the Disaster Management Bureau now. Contacting him privately could get you into a lot of trouble.”

”...”

Listening to Zhang Chiguo’s warning, Han Su let out a soft sigh and smiled. ”Understood. So, Uncle Zhang, what should I do now?”

”How about I act as bait and lure him out for you?”

This wasn’t the first time Zhang Chiguo had warned him about how dangerous Song Chushi was. Moreover, in this timeline, the fact that he was able to join the Disaster Management Bureau seemed to be something Song Chushi had single-handedly orchestrated, or even framed him into, making Zhang Chiguo even more wary of him.

But Han Su himself knew that in the previous timeline, Song Chushi had even given him a spell of indescribable value, one that transcended time and space.

The man’s attitude was certainly unclear, but Han Su was very sure that he was definitely not his enemy. Of course, it was hard to say if he was a friend, but at the very least, they were on the same side.

This wasn’t the first time Zhang Chiguo had warned him about how dangerous Song Chushi was. Moreover, in this timeline, the fact that he was able to join the Disaster Management Bureau seemed to be something Song Chushi had single-handedly orchestrated, or even framed him into, making Zhang Chiguo even more wary of him.

But Han Su himself knew that in the previous timeline, Song Chushi had even given him a spell of indescribable value, one that transcended time and space.

The man’s attitude was certainly unclear, but Han Su was very sure that he was definitely not his enemy. Of course, it was hard to say if he was a friend, but at the very least, they were on the same side.

”...”

”We don’t need you to.”

Zhang Chiguo immediately shut down his half-serious, half-joking suggestion. ”You’re supposed to be seriously injured right now,” he said flatly. ”Just focus on recovering.”

”Recovering?”

Han Su was genuinely taken aback this time.

Zhang Chiguo nodded. ”Nominally, you’re now under the Investigator of Strange Birds. While I have ways to keep him in check and we’ve reached an agreement, there’s no telling when he might get a sudden whim and stir up trouble.”

”So the only thing you can do right now is stay away from him, at least until the other Investigator I’ve requested gets back.”

”In your current state, you not only need rest, you should probably be getting some kind of allowance...”

”...”

’Supposed to be seriously injured...’

Han Su mulled over Zhang Chiguo’s words. When he looked up, he met Zhang Chiguo’s meaningful gaze.

Those eyes, no longer young, held a sharpness that seemed to see through everything.

It clicked. He pressed a hand to his forehead and said, ”I was a little excited after taking that step, but as we’ve been talking, I’ve just been getting this overwhelming urge to sit down. It’s like... my brain doesn’t have the energy to think anymore.”

He had experienced a state of near-collapse from over-exerting his Spiritual Power back at the Ancient Castle.

His description was now remarkably accurate.

Zhang Chiguo smiled. He didn’t say or ask anything more, just said, ”Then sit down and clear your head. Don’t think about anything else. I’ll have Cui Qiao bring you some strong sleeping pills in a bit.”

Han Su obediently sat down. After listening to Zhang Chiguo give a few more instructions and discussing how to guard against the Investigator of Strange Birds, he finally left the training room.

After Zhang Chiguo left, Han Su closed his eyes, his mind racing.

’So, this is what Spiritual Penetration truly feels like?’

”...”

He could clearly feel it. In his right hand, where the Crow had grasped him, an invisible wound seemed to have opened.

Blood can flow from a wound. But from this invisible wound, his Spiritual Power could seep into reality.

It was just that this opening was a far cry from his right eye or the back of his left hand.

Even though the back of his left hand had yet to truly break through and allow his Spiritual Power to achieve Penetration, he could feel that it was like a massive dam. In contrast, the spot on his right hand was like a tiny, almost invisible anthill.

The two weren’t even in the same league.

But regardless, his right hand felt like a pure, unadulterated channel for his Spiritual Power to seep out.

Unlike his right eye and left hand, which allowed for massive Spiritual Power Penetration but couldn’t be controlled freely—only their specific abilities could be used.

The Penetration from his right hand, however, felt like a sanctioned authority...

He mulled it over for a long time before another strange thought occurred to him. ’Uncle Zhang, what do you expect from a veteran front-line detective...’

’But if other people get that weak after achieving Spiritual Penetration, why didn’t I?’

”...”

He had more questions than answers. But regardless, the most important thing was to learn that Invisibility Spell before he had to return to the Ancient Castle.

’Be patient. More patient.’

「 」

「 」

”That period of history is buried too deep. The information we found on that legendary Taboo Spell isn’t necessarily all true. I’d consider any kind of accident to be a reasonable outcome.”

At the mention of that failed venture, the voice from the silver suitcase sighed. ”Still, I don’t believe you actually intended to give that Spell to a stranger.”

”If that Spell were real, it could shake the entire spiritual defensive line.”

”What kind of fool would give it away instead of keeping it for themselves?”

”But it was your biggest failure of an adventure. What’s done is done. With your current mindset, you shouldn’t still be dwelling on it. Besides, you’ve successfully gotten him into the Disaster Management Bureau, so what are you still doing here?”

”Is the coarse-grain cornmeal on this farm really that good?”

”...”

”Just getting him into the Disaster Management Bureau isn’t enough.”

Song Chushi slowly picked up his napkin. He glanced at the cornmeal on his plate with a look of clear distaste, wiped his mouth, and said:

”In my eyes, he is actually innocent.”

”As a family member of the victim, I need him to enter the Disaster Management Bureau, to step into that vortex and help me turn that wheel. But at the very least, it’s only right that I give him a gift to help him along.”

He paused, still seemingly disappointed about the Spell’s disappearance. He sighed and asked, ”What’s his status at the Disaster Management Bureau right now?”

”You want me to go steal data from that old hag again? She may be locked up, but that’s still dangerous...”

The voice from inside the case grumbled.

Song Chushi wasn’t worried in the slightest. He just sneered, ”The most ridiculous thing about the Qinggang Disaster Management Bureau is that they’ve acquired one of the most mysterious mechanisms in the world, yet they insist on slapping a few locks on her.”

”What’s so difficult about stealing from someone who’s already locked up?”

”...”

The case went silent, save for the faint whirring of machinery. After a moment, the voice spoke up again. ”Nothing special. He’s just an errand boy. Cannon fodder in training.”

”But the fact that he’s still alive means the people you suspect are being quite patient. They haven’t made a move on him yet.”

”They haven’t made a move on him because I’m still lingering around Qinggang City.”

This came as no surprise to Song Chushi. He just slowly shook his head. ”What I don’t understand is why Zhang Chiguo isn’t taking this opportunity to fast-track him into an Investigator position.”

The silver suitcase scoffed. ”You mean that stiff?”

Song Chushi let out a slow sigh. ”True. It’s pointless to rely on others. But how long are we supposed to keep waiting like this?”

As he spoke, he cleared away his bowl and utensils, then stood up. ”Since I still owe him a favor,” he said slowly, ”I might as well be the one to give him a little push...”

”...”

The silver suitcase was instantly buzzing with excitement. ”Where to?”

Song Chushi said flatly, ”Into the city!”

”The current pace is too slow, and we’re running out of time. I don’t like waiting around like this. So, print out his most up-to-date, detailed file for me. I’ll see if I can lend a small hand.”

”...And while I’m at it, I’m getting a bowl of mini wontons.”