The Eldritch Files

Countless streams of Mysterious Power from the surroundings converged, all landing on the Copper Armor Statue.

But as the myriad streams of Mysterious Power fell upon it, they seemed to activate it instead. Not only did the rubies on either side of its serpent head light up, but it even faintly opened its mouth, as if about to spew a cloud of rust that could corrode all things.

”Don’t move...”

Just then, the Drunkard shouted in a deep voice, ”It absorbs your Spiritual Power and uses it as fuel...”

The people around, already filled with terror, froze at his words.

The Copper Armor Statue, which had already lifted the Drunkard high to smash him into the ground, suddenly slowed its movements.

It seemed the amount of Spiritual Power it had just absorbed was limited, and its Activity was low. Lacking sufficient fuel, it conserved its energy, focusing only on the neck of Sparrow clutched in its right hand. It tightened its grip, little by little, until Sparrow’s entire face turned purple.

What was bizarre was that despite the many Investigators present, including the Lady in the Red Windbreaker, no one dared to make a move.

All eyes could only stare blankly at Sparrow in the Copper Armor Statue’s grasp, watching as she lost her vitality, bit by bit.

In the final moments before her life faded, her ears filled with an endless roar, as if accompanied by countless auditory hallucinations:

”I don’t have time for your messy excuses. If you’re willing to take the blame, then I’ll come for you.”

”You’re willing to take the blame, but can you bear the weight?”

”...”

The words of Han Su and Miss Crow intertwined and cycled, battering her final consciousness until they melded into the last thought before her mind was extinguished:

’What in the world have I done...’

”...”

She died quietly under everyone’s gaze. Only after her life had dissipated and even her Spiritual Power had been absorbed by the Copper Armor Statue did the rubies on either end of the massive statue’s serpent head finally begin to dim slowly.

Then, its five fingers gently released their grip.

”THUMP...”

Sparrow’s limp body fell to the floor.

Only then did the Lady in the Red Windbreaker rush forward and take her into her arms. She retreated quickly, reciting Item 08.

She used her Spiritual Power as a bridge to invoke some mysterious and unknown existence to repair Sparrow’s injuries.

But it had no effect.

Even if Item 08 could invoke that mysterious, unknown power to mend wounds, it only worked if the person was still alive and possessed some Activity. By the time Sparrow was separated from the Copper Armor Statue, she had already lost her last trace of life.

Her eyes were wide open, her face purple, and her tongue lolled out, her expression a mask of terror and despair.

And regret.

...

Around them, all the other Investigators were just as stunned; the Drunkard only managed to pull himself free after the Copper Armor Statue came to a halt.

He flexed his arms, silent for a long time.

”What happened?”

The commotion immediately alerted others. The guards at the entrance and people from the third floor hurried down.

The sudden sight of Sparrow lying in the Lady in the Red Windbreaker’s arms sent a cold sweat down their spines. Some immediately went to check her injuries, while others became instantly vigilant. But no one dared to do anything to the Copper Armor Statue, nor did they know what had happened.

It was supposed to be just a piece of art.

”Is that guy back?”

The Drunkard Investigator’s pupils contracted. His first suspect was Han Su.

But he immediately turned around—Han Su had left over an hour ago. There was no sign of him anywhere.

”It was this thing...”

Seeing that Sparrow was beyond saving, the Lady in the Red Windbreaker was filled with an indescribable rage. She abruptly stood up and glared at the Copper Armor Statue.

”Did someone control this thing to kill Sparrow, or is it inherently evil?”

”Why does Dingxiang Mansion have something like this?”

”...”

”Quiet!”

But at that moment, a deep command suddenly rang out, and everyone’s gaze shifted towards it.

They saw a female security guard emerge from an elevator on the other side, pushing a wheelchair. Seated in it was the master of Dingxiang Mansion himself.

Unless there was important business, he usually stayed in the east wing of Dingxiang Mansion and never came down. But at his appearance, considering his identity and status within the Hidden School, everyone quieted down slightly and looked up at him, awaiting an explanation.

’It moved, it moved...’

An excited gleam flickered in the old master of Dingxiang Mansion’s eyes as he stared intently at the Copper Armor Statue. After killing someone, it had once again returned to the posture of a hand resting on its chest.

’It’s that posture again. This is the posture it only assumes after its true master has commanded the Living Copper Puppet.’

’I will not allow anyone from the Disaster Management Bureau to die in Dingxiang Mansion.’

He thought excitedly to himself, then looked at the Investigator Assistant lying dead on the floor, long since breathless. He suddenly seemed to realize something, and his expression turned grim as he spoke.

The people beside him breathed a small sigh of relief, assuming the old master was about to investigate the matter. But then they heard him continue, shouting:

”Therefore, she did not die here. If there are any problems, you can explain it to the Disaster Management Bureau yourselves!”

”What?”

The Drunkard Investigator and the Lady in the Red Windbreaker’s expressions changed drastically. They looked at him in disbelief.

’Has the old man gone mad?’

At the same time, with a death having just occurred in Dingxiang Mansion and the scene in an uproar, all the Disaster Management Bureau Investigators wore expressions of disbelief upon hearing the words of the mansion’s master.

What did he mean by that?

Was he openly telling them to find their own excuse for the death of Executor Sparrow and not to blame it on Dingxiang Mansion?

Dingxiang Mansion had always maintained an excellent relationship with the Disaster Management Bureau; otherwise, these Investigators wouldn’t treat the place as a club for them to relax and rest.

Why would he do this, without even giving a reason?

”Teacher, this is against the rules...”

The Drunkard Investigator’s face changed as well. He truly couldn’t understand the old man’s actions, even wondering for a moment if he had gotten too old and started to become senile.

’Doing this, especially at such a critical time, will put me in an incredibly awkward position.’

”Rules?”

Hearing his words, the old man simply signaled to the female guard beside him and slowly turned away. ”Since when were you people the type to follow rules?”

”Her death has nothing to do with Dingxiang Mansion, nor does it have anything to do with this piece of art. If any of you insist on taking this item back to the Disaster Management Bureau for investigation...”

”...then try and see if you can even get the words out!”

”...”

This sentence left the Drunkard Investigator stunned on the spot. Even the Lady in the Red Windbreaker spun around, about to charge at the old man. But the old man, his back to them, suddenly tapped his cane lightly on the floor.

The copper ring at the top of the cane vibrated with a BUZZ, as if an invisible Spell had materialized in the air. It remained charged but unreleased, merely fixing its indistinct gaze upon the crowd.

The entire hall fell unnaturally silent.

But the old man paid them no mind and went straight back to the elevator. Once out of everyone’s sight, he suddenly became incredibly agitated, his hands even trembling. ”Did... did anyone get close to the Copper Armor Statue? Did... did you notice?”

”Many people.”

The female guard explained in a low voice, ”Ever since you moved this suit of armor up here, Grandpa, everyone who passes by has observed it for a while. Some have even touched it. But you didn’t allow cameras to be installed in the hall, so...”

”Of course we can’t install cameras, of course not...”

The old man said, his body trembling, ”Some things are not meant to be seen.”

”Then who... who was the last to touch the armor?”

”...”

The female guard, her face composed, said in a low voice, ”Tonight, three people touched the armor, and twenty-seven people passed by it.”

”Comparing this to the guest list from the last reception, there’s an overlap of seven people. Most importantly...”

She paused slightly. ”Among them is someone you took an interest in ten years ago, Grandpa. The sole survivor of the kidnapping case.”

”He... he...”

The old man was clearly agitated. He panted for a moment before slowly shaking his head. ”It can’t be him. He wasn’t chosen.”

”Besides...”

He recalled the investigation from ten years ago and dismissed the idea in his mind. ’Back then, I even found a chance to observe him up close. There was no trace of copper on him. That scar on his body, on the other hand...’

He shook his head slightly, knowing there was something unusual about it, but it had nothing to do with him.

The female guard said quietly, ”In any case, the person you’re looking for, Grandpa, should be on this list. So, if we investigate further...”

”No investigating! Get that thought out of your head!”

But she had barely spoken the words when the old man’s harsh reprimand cut her off. ”If he doesn’t want to reveal himself, what right do I have to investigate him?”

”However...”

He paused, then added in a low voice, ”Why would he kill that Executor?”

”Could it be...”

”Is this the Heir conveying his will?”

”...”

”...”

Back in the main hall, the Lady in the Red Windbreaker gritted her teeth slightly, her expression growing more furious and alarmed. ”What... what exactly are they trying to do?”

”My person just died for nothing?”

The Drunkard Investigator couldn’t explain it either. He just felt that his teacher had become very strange—too strange. Ever since the last reception, many of his actions had become difficult for him to understand.

He furrowed his brow tightly, wanting to say something but unable to find the words.

But just then, a faint sense of alarm pricked at him. He abruptly turned his head to look outside. Even the Lady in the Red Windbreaker, still seething with fury and alarm, suddenly focused her gaze and looked outside with him.

Beyond the foyer, it had become unnaturally dark at some point, as if even light could not penetrate it. And within this heavy darkness, the sound of shuffling footsteps emerged, growing closer and closer. The sound sent a chill down their spines.

The Lady in the Red Windbreaker was already at her limit. This formless, oppressive feeling made her want to leap to her feet, but the Drunkard suddenly stopped her.

”SHINK...”

In the darkness, a flash of brilliant light suddenly appeared, stabbing straight toward Sparrow on the floor.

The Drunkard shot out his hand and grabbed the dagger. Blood seeped from his palm. Then, he slowly turned.

From the darkness, a figure slowly emerged. He was gaunt and bald, his head covered in a crisscrossing network of scars.

Most importantly, on his head was a D7 limiter, colloquially known as a ”dog chain.”

”Is this a D7 operative?”

Just as the Drunkard Investigator reeled in shock, the man walked in slowly, his gaze fixed on Sparrow on the floor, a faint smile seemingly gracing his lips.

”Is she really dead?”

He stared intently at Sparrow. The dagger had been about to pierce her body just now, yet she hadn’t reacted at all.

This seemed to displease him somewhat.

”This guy actually tracked us down?”

The Lady in the Red Windbreaker was a bit slow on the uptake, only now realizing who this person was.

As for the Drunkard, a flicker of relief even passed through his heart.

’Judging by this D7 operative who came looking for her... maybe it’s actually a good thing that Sparrow is dead?’

His eyes slowly fell upon this D7 operative, codenamed Jack the Ripper. A smile began to form on his face as he slowly extended a hand toward him.

”Hello, Mr. Jack the Ripper. I know why you left the D7 Base.”

Jack the Ripper looked up and stared at him fixedly. His naturally upturned lips made it look as if he were smiling. Then, he slowly shook his head.

”No, you don’t...”