The Eldritch Files

[I don’t know.]

In response to Han Su’s question, Black Rose’s reply was exceptionally blunt: [In fact, there are many unearthed Mechanical Fragments whose purpose we don’t know.]

[These machines are said to be related to the Radiation Age. Humanity suffered constant disasters during that era and nearly went extinct several times. Legend has it that a few pioneers stood up, led humanity against the cataclysms, and eventually succeeded in reaching the Reconstruction Era.]

[However, so much time has passed that the information has been lost. It’s hard to tell fact from fiction, but researchers believe that organization must have Mastered certain technologies, some even more advanced than our own.]

[For instance, in our East Region, we’ve unearthed quite a few machines from excavated ruins. Their level of sophistication is said to be so high that even many of our society’s most advanced technologies can’t replicate them.]

[But because many of these technologies are extremely dangerous, only those with permission are allowed to research them.]

[...]

She typed out a long message in one go, her tone tinged with faint sarcasm: [Heh, but I think it’s precisely because the Administrative Hall has ”protected” this technology so well that it’s led to a lot of exaggerated discussions at the societal level.]

[For example, the idea that these machines possess Mysterious Power and whatnot led to the birth of the Church of the Great Tractor in the Mysterious Circle...]

[...]

The Church of the Great Tractor? What the hell!

Han Su was left speechless, unsure if Black Rose was just complaining or if such a thing actually existed.

He had no intention of debating the reality of the supernatural with Black Rose. Instead, he stared at the Mechanical Fragment, sinking into a daze as he was lost in a distant memory.

He was sure of it now. Back then, he and the other children had been on their way to see an exhibition of this very type of Mechanical Fragment when the school bus vanished, and everyone on board ended up inside the Ancient Castle.

In theory, neither he nor the other children should have ever seen this particular Mechanical Fragment.

However, the timing of its theft was too coincidental, and the process too bizarre. Han Su stared at the news article Black Rose had sent. It stated that according to the security personnel, they had not let their guard down for a second, but they couldn’t explain anything that happened that night.

Some watched the surveillance monitors, others patrolled on a schedule. Even all the electrical equipment had backup power supplies. Various other cutting-edge technologies, including laser alarms, had been set up in advance everywhere.

But even under these conditions, the science and technology museum was still robbed.

All the security guards had fallen asleep without realizing it. When they woke up, they only saw an empty display pedestal.

When they checked the surveillance footage, they only found that the video was distorted during the corresponding time frame. No clear images could be seen for the entire period.

And of course, the subsequent investigation by the Public Security Bureau also failed to turn up any effective leads.

Footprints, fingerprints, images, signs of lock-picking—there was nothing.

It was as if a Ghost had infiltrated the museum and stolen the Mechanical Fragment.

Many other priceless exhibits were on display at the museum at the time, yet only this recently unearthed piece, whose specific purpose had yet to be determined, was stolen.

Judging from the report, the security personnel involved had tried to describe the event as a bizarre incident, only to be harshly criticized by the article’s author, who believed the security company was just using a ridiculous excuse to shirk responsibility.

Of course, the security company later went bankrupt due to the massive compensation payment, and they did so very reluctantly...

’What a familiar feeling...’

After finishing the report, Han Su also pulled up articles about the kidnapping case from the same period and read through them, paying special attention to the list of names.

Although he had already found and memorized the list after returning this time, it was a shame that many people on it were not identified, their names simply listed mechanically.

He slowly browsed through all the materials. Just as he was about to close the window, a video caught his interest.

It was footage of some staff at the museum testing the exhibited machine. The narration explained that although they hadn’t figured out the machine’s purpose yet, researchers believed it possessed an incredibly perfect structure, even a kind of strange beauty.

When a certain part of the machine was lightly flicked, the entire mechanism suddenly started to run.

Countless exquisite gears, large and small, interlocked. As one component turned, all the gears turned with it. The simple act of its operation was mesmerizing enough to watch for a long time.

”TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK...”

The intricate sound of turning gears passed through the speakers and into Han Su’s mind. His scalp suddenly tingled, and he shot to his feet.

His gaze turned strange as he stared intently at the screen.

This was the first time he had seen the machine in operation, but the sound of its turning gears... he was far too familiar with that.

It was too fucking familiar.

Every time he was kidnapped and taken back to the past, he would first hear this sound of machinery running.

Han Su felt his hair stand on end. He didn’t know if others could tell the difference between the sounds of various turning gears, but the sound he heard had been deeply imprinted on his instinctual fear. He could recognize it in an instant.

The sound of these gears turning was uncannily similar to the sound from when he was kidnapped.

’I...’

’My kidnapping... is it related to this machine?’

This discovery made it difficult for him to control his emotions. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the water glass in front of his computer. Whether from his own sudden movement or some other reason, the water was rippling slightly, reflecting a strange light.

He quickly sat back down, rapidly clearing his mind of all thoughts. His gaze went blank as he watched the water glass with his peripheral vision.

He only let out a breath once the water’s surface had calmed.

Looking at the machine again, an extremely bizarre thought suddenly arose in his mind. ’In theory, all of us were kidnapped before we even reached the museum...’

’So, we never saw this machine...’

’...But what if we did see it, and all the children, myself included, simply forgot?’

’...’

He was startled by this idea but found it impossible to stop this strange train of thought.

He was certain of one thing in his heart: no matter what, he had to find a way to get his hands on this Mechanical Fragment. But since it had already been stolen, where was it hidden now?

Another important piece of information was what Song Chushi had told him. This Mechanical Fragment would, at different points in time, choose a select few people who could remember it. It was even hiding from him. How was he supposed to get an Understanding of that?

Wasn’t it easy for him to find information related to this machine right now?

Han Su silently pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to process this information more rationally. He saw a new message from Black Rose: [Hey, are you still there?]

[My cat recently learned to walk a tightrope. Want to come see?]

[...]

He closed the laptop, feeling rather speechless. ’Give that poor cat a break...’

Just as he was about to rest, his phone buzzed with another message. Han Su opened it and was surprised to see it was from the Doctor. The message was brief: [Regarding the information gathering and capture plan for the Ghost Truck you asked me to work on, I have a few ideas.]

[Interested in coming out for a chat?]

[...]

Looking at the message, Han Su felt a sense of relief. As expected of the genius who managed to find the Disaster Management Bureau on his own; entrusting him with tasks was very reliable.

But now, with Flashing possibly happening tonight, he could no longer discuss it with him. He just kept glancing at the clock on the opposite wall, watching the hour hand creep closer to twelve.

But just as he was about to pour himself a cup of tea, his phone unexpectedly rang.

Han Su, who had planned to ignore all messages for the time being, froze for a moment when he saw the caller ID. He answered the phone and heard a polite yet distant voice: ”Mr. Han, do you remember the person you commissioned me to find for you last time?”

Han Su’s languid mood suddenly sharpened. He sat up straight. ”Special Assistant Xu, did you find Mei Lan?”

”I’m not sure if it’s her.”

Special Assistant Xu’s voice was calm, tinged with a hint of uncertainty. ”She does resemble the person you described, but her surname is Wei, and her name is Wei Lan. She grew up in Qinggang and moved to another city with her family ten years ago. She only recently returned.”

”Her age is similar to what you described, and she does have a scar on her temple, though it’s well-concealed.”

”Out of a certain respect, I can’t ask her anything directly. But if you need, I can arrange for you two to meet.”

”...”

”Meet...”

Han Su’s heart leaped. He was about to agree but suddenly swallowed his words, his eyes fixed on the clock on the opposite wall.

If his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him, the minute hand of the clock had just twitched.

”TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK...”

”...”

The clear, intricate sound of old clockwork gears turning echoed in his ears again. Han Su confirmed with a glance that he had not opened that link this time.

’Is it coming?’

Han Su stared at the clock. After the second twitch, he finally confirmed something. He let out a low breath and said into the phone, ”I’ll follow your arrangements, Mr. Xu.”

’If I even have a tomorrow!’

After hanging up, he sat back down on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the clock on the wall.

The surrounding temperature suddenly became incredibly cold, as if he were standing before some immense, empty void.

A distant and profound sensation seized him. The phone, the second-hand computer, the walls, the curtains, the lights—everything in the apartment seemed to be pulled by some invisible force, rapidly receding from him.

Han Su felt himself involuntarily falling somewhere.

All he could do was sigh. ’Looks like I won’t be seeing Mei Lan this time. First, let’s see what Mei Lan brought for me in the Ancient Castle...’

’At least... At least this time, I’m fully prepared...’