The Eldritch Files

No wonder even Miss Ai became so secretive when it came to matters like this.

When training with the Mysterious Power started to involve—or even just touch upon—the Life Code, everything seemed to become top secret.

’Does this also explain why Miss Ai didn’t assign me the ”Two-bodied People” mission from the start, offering some ordinary C Level ones instead? Was it because she originally didn’t want me to come into contact with these things so soon?’

However, thinking about it from this angle, Han Su suddenly realized that the oil painting titled ”Round Table Altar” was incredibly valuable.

Initially, the 5% boost in Spiritual Activity from the painting didn’t seem like much. But considering his now-terrifying Spiritual Range, it was actually quite astonishing.

’If I could get my hands on a few more, wouldn’t that solve my problem right away?’

With these questions in mind, Han Su fell asleep. The next morning, he returned to the base.

’There were many things to worry about. The report on my attack had been submitted, but I don’t know how far the investigation has progressed overnight. Also, Pot Lid Head has been taken back to D7 and will surely face interrogation. What will be the outcome of that?’

’And then there was the matter Zhang Chiguo was dealing with. Although I rationally feel I shouldn’t interfere, I can’t help but feel concerned and want to know more.’

After arriving at the base and finishing breakfast with Black Tiger and the others, the Doctor took Black Tiger to an observation room for his shift. This was a daily routine for every Investigator, though Han Su had never been.

After eating, Han Su considered when he should go find Secretary Cui Qiao. A key point had already come to mind:

’Maybe I can ask Cui Qiao directly about Spiritual Activity?’

’The Life Code is definitely beyond my clearance level, so I can’t ask about it. But Spiritual Activity is the first step for anyone training in the Mysterious Power. It shouldn’t be a problem to ask, right?’

At nine in the morning, the official workday began, and Han Su walked toward Zhang Chiguo’s office.

The atmosphere in Zhang Chiguo’s office was tense. There were only three people inside: him, Secretary Cui Qiao, and a man who looked like a researcher. They seemed to be in the middle of a discussion.

Seeing Han Su enter, the researcher-like man immediately spoke up. ”In that case, I’ll be heading back first!”

”Regardless, you should at least consider their opinion.”

He then turned and left. As he brushed past Han Su, his eyes swept over him, carrying a look of distinct displeasure.

Han Su was sure he had never seen this person before and couldn’t understand the reason for his dissatisfaction. Watching him go, Han Su frowned, stepped forward, and asked, ”Uncle Zhang, what exactly happened?”

”Xiaohan, I suggest you suspend your missions for a while.”

Zhang Chiguo looked up at Han Su, rubbing the space between his eyebrows as he spoke in a low voice.

”But I was just promoted to Investigator.”

Han Su took in Zhang Chiguo’s exhaustion and smiled. ”If something’s wrong, Uncle Zhang, you can just tell me directly.”

”Regarding the incident where the Nail of the Dead Sea was affected during your Ghost Truck mission, I told you I would investigate it to the end. Now, after cross-referencing information from various parties, we actually have some leads.”

Zhang Chiguo said, ”Do you remember I told you I suspected someone? Well, my investigation has now proven it wasn’t him.”

’Not that metamorphosing monster?’

Han Su was suddenly filled with suspicion. This was completely unexpected.

”Then who was it?”

”Perhaps it’s the same group that contacted the D7 members. I’ve nearly pinpointed him, but they were clean and efficient, wiping away all the crucial clues. However, I’ve detained the entire related department.”

As he spoke, a cold, hard look flashed across his face. ”They underestimated Miss Ai. It’s only a matter of time before the evidence is analyzed.”

Han Su thought of the researcher who had just given him a dirty look. ”The people under that old man from just now?”

”Yes!”

Zhang Chiguo spoke slowly, ”They’re responsible for Miss Ai’s logistical support and the operation of certain infrastructures throughout the Disaster Management Bureau. Since the Nail of the Dead Sea was affected, they must be involved. So, I’ve halted all of their department’s operations for now.”

”It just seems they’re very unhappy about it.”

”...”

Han Su was lost in thought. He had previously only been wary of the monster, but by now, it should have completed its metamorphosis. The strange thing was, it still hadn’t come looking for him.

’And if it wasn’t even responsible for the Nail of the Dead Sea incident, does that mean it hasn’t actually made a move against me yet?’

’I actually wronged him...’

”But what I’m worried about is their attitude toward you. It’s so aggressive it’s almost insane.”

Zhang Chiguo spoke in a low voice filled with intense displeasure. ”First the Nail of the Dead Sea, and now D7. If I hadn’t come down here, I would have never known they’d extended their reach into so many areas.”

”I legally detained their department to cooperate with the investigation, and someone actually had the nerve to come here, slam the table, and demand their people back. These people have really...”

”...”

”It’s not just about him, it’s about you, too.”

At this moment, Secretary Cui Qiao suddenly spoke up, saying directly in front of Han Su, ”Stop only thinking about the safety of your dear nephew. You were sent down here to handle the Disaster Management Bureau’s affairs, which already makes you a thorn in their side.”

”And now look. You haven’t even made a move, and they’ve already gone on strike.”

”...”

Han Su really hadn’t expected to hear such big news. ”A strike?”

”Don’t talk nonsense!”

Hearing Secretary Cui Qiao’s words, Zhang Chiguo’s brow furrowed, and his voice grew heavy.

He then turned to Han Su and said, ”Xiaohan, have you read the report you took from me earlier?”

Han Su knew what he was talking about and nodded lightly.

When he had just been promoted to Investigator, Miss Ai had pointed out that one of an Investigator’s powers was the ability to resubmit a report on a case that had already been closed.

After learning this, he had come to Zhang Chiguo and gotten the report from him.

When it came to the description and information gathered on that kidnapping case, no report was more complete than the one in Zhang Chiguo’s possession. However, since his report had already been rejected, Han Su needed to add new evidence before he could resubmit it.

And as of now, Han Su had no new evidence.

Zhang Chiguo’s knuckles tapped slowly on the tabletop. ”If you really do find something, tell me before you submit it.”

”For now...”

He paused, then said in a low voice, ”Be careful.”

”I understand.”

Han Su smiled. ”I actually came here this time to ask Miss Cui Qiao some questions about training in the Mysterious Power and Spiritual Activity.”

Zhang Chiguo nodded lightly and said to Cui Qiao, ”Go on.”

Secretary Cui Qiao looked a bit reluctant but followed him out. Han Su had intended to go to the base’s coffee shop, but she stopped at a corner of the stairwell.

She lit a slim cigarette, looking tired and languid as she leaned against the wall. ”Spiritual Penetration, Kernel Evaluation, applications for the three major Sequences... you haven’t done any of them yet. Isn’t it a bit early to be thinking about Spiritual Activity?”

’If I told her I skipped a few steps, it would be hard to explain, wouldn’t it?’

Han Su thought to himself, then smiled. ”I’m just curious. The stronger the Spiritual Activity, the more powerful the Encrypted Spells, right?”

”I noticed during my clash with D7 that they’re all very powerful.”

”Why are you comparing yourself to them?”

Secretary Cui Qiao frowned and shook her head. ”They’re all madmen living on borrowed time. Their innate Spiritual Activity is already higher than an ordinary person’s, and that’s on top of certain forbidden surgical procedures...”

At this, even she shook her head and looked at Han Su seriously. ”Right now, what you should be doing is building your foundation and slowly increasing your Spiritual Activity. Of course, there’s one more important thing...”

”Survive!”

”This...”

Han Su thought she was referring to the people secretly plotting to attack him, just as Zhang Chiguo had. He smiled. ”If I increase my Spiritual Activity, won’t I have a better chance of surviving?”

”I’m not talking about them.”

Secretary Cui Qiao frowned, her voice dropping to a whisper. ”Don’t you know you’ve provoked the most terrifying madman in the Disaster Management Bureau?”

Han Su genuinely didn’t register who she meant. ”Who?”

”That death row inmate from D7, codenamed Jack the Ripper!”

When Secretary Cui Qiao mentioned this person, her expression was grave, and her voice was laced with a chill. ”Last night, he destroyed nearly half of the D7 Base!”

”Huh?”

The surprise on Han Su’s face was completely genuine.

Secretary Cui Qiao said grimly, ”I was also investigating the people who contacted D7 to attack you. To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes. That group has a deeply entrenched network in the Disaster Management Bureau, and Zhang the Head and I haven’t been able to make a breakthrough yet.”

”But I never expected a clue to just pop up on its own.”

”The reason is that madman!”

”After that guy was escorted back to his cell yesterday, he started a riot. He was supposed to be in solitary confinement, but no one knows how he escaped. In just half an hour, he cut open four inmates, apparently trying to interrogate them about something.”

”The entire D7 Base went straight to a Level Two alert. Twenty fully armed guards were deployed to deal with him, but he just powered through the rubber bullets and high-voltage currents, scaring half the death row inmates at D7 into pissing their pants.”

”In the end, even among the twenty guards, three were seriously injured, seven were lightly injured, and all of them need to see a psychiatrist.”

”And that’s only because the guards weren’t his real target; they just got caught in the crossfire...”

”...”

Listening to Secretary Cui Qiao, Han Su’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Wait a minute. He knew Pot Lid Head was skilled from their clash during the Two-bodied People mission.

But from the sound of it, his skill level was a little *too* high...

’He understood that the guy was probably helping me investigate the attack, but wasn’t this causing a bit too much of a commotion?’

Beside him, Secretary Cui Qiao took in Han Su’s expression and sneered inwardly, feeling a slight sense of satisfaction. ’This lawless brat finally knows what it’s like to be afraid.’