Eldritch Horror Theatre

"Since I rarely make it back, I should probably handle some of this backlog."

Classmate Liushuang was much more relaxed than before when she asked the question; she was clearly prepared to accept whatever answer he gave.

Even so, Fu Qian didn't prevaricate, simply offering a crisp nod.

"Besides, if I just up and left, Professor Lisa would probably take issue with me writing bad checks."

He had come across quite a few interesting things on this trip; it was entirely worth taking some time to sort through his recent gains.

Besides, indifferent to fame and fortune as he was, since he called himself the interim spokesperson, he still had to secure a decent academic environment for his club—I mean, the Academy.

"Hehe... based on what I know about Professor Lisa, since she agreed to the treatment, she definitely won't go back on her word. She might just charge some interest when the time comes."

Seeing Professor Lisa get targeted again right after being assigned a task, Classmate Liushuang smiled easily but still immediately spoke up to defend her mentor.

"But she really does seem overly exhausted lately. Giving her a change of pace might not be a bad thing."

A moment later, she thought of something else and carefully confirmed.

"Will you be staying at the Laboratory, Professor Fu? Can I come find you there if anything comes up?"

"I should be. At the very least, I'm heading back there right now. Besides, I'll just be wandering around; there's no need to let my presence affect your routine."

Fu Qian waved a hand, taking on the perfect posture of a leader reluctant to disturb the masses.

"Just keep using the Laboratory according to your own schedule."

"Okay."

She understood he was signaling that she could keep using the place as her training room even with him back.

Faced with such an approachable leader, Ji Liushuang's smile grew even brighter, and she accepted without hesitation.

"But my current plan is to leave it empty for a bit. I need to make a trip to the Academy."

...

Young people truly had such drive!

Watching Ji Liushuang walk away, Fu Qian let out a sigh lamenting how years spare no one, deeply impressed.

Even though she had eaten breakfast and rested a while, recovering much of the energy she'd spent deploying the Heart-Questioning Sword Prison, a faint trace of exhaustion still lingered around her eyes.

Yet Classmate Liushuang still chose to report back to the Academy and press on with her daily coursework.

Of course, beyond her drive to make the most of her youth, there might have been a deliberate attempt to give him some space. She likely figured that since he had barely spent any time in the Laboratory since his return, he might need the privacy for some illicit activities.

Very considerate, but Classmate Liushuang was overthinking it.

[Identity verification complete. Today's work begins.]

[Warning: Leak incident.]

It wasn't far from Professor Lisa's Laboratory. Upon returning to this secluded haven, Fu Qian didn't immediately dive into any forbidden experiments; instead, he used the Decree of Return to slightly adjust the Emissary Mask on his face before pulling it right off.

Just as he had mentioned before, now that he sat in this position, he no longer possessed the untroubled mindset of a young person. He was bogged down by worldly affairs.

Such as his own leak-prevention work.

Unsurprisingly, the Warehouse had absolutely no intention of giving him a break. His third mission of the week popped up right on schedule.

[Name: Offspring, ID 1-207.]

[Today's work content has been updated. Enter the 1-207 Containment Scenario and complete re-Containment.]

It actually had an ID starting with 1?

And here he thought that being in this institution of higher learning, the theme would be all joy and harmony!

[Consume 1 SAN Value to begin?]

[Yes.]

Checking himself over and confirming that his previous injuries were almost completely healed, Fu Qian offered a mental nod of praise and casually confirmed.

[Today's work begins. Entering the 1-207 Containment Scenario...]

[Current SAN Value: 97. Current inspiration: 99.]

[Select the skills and Items you wish to bring.]

...

No restrictions on abilities. It sounded like things might actually get a bit intense.

Marveling slightly, Fu Qian methodically tapped "select all" and equipped every handy piece of gear he had.

[...8%... 13%... 21%... 34%... 55%... 89%... 100%, Containment Scenario loaded.]

[All sounds fall silent beneath an iridescent mist.

On a clear afternoon, after a brief daze where time seemed to lose its meaning, you find yourself standing in a bizarre landscape you have never seen before.

The stench of rot fills your nose. Ink-black needle leaves and aerial roots like dead snakes crisscross overhead, shrouding the path before you.

It isn't just the giant tree branches oozing liquid from their crevices; everything around you seems to be seeping moisture, including the shattered stone slabs beneath your feet.

The only shining thing is an iridescent radiance, piercing through the narrow gaps overhead and scattering through the humid vapor.

Smeared across everything like oil paint, this iridescence stretches all the way to the end of the path, eventually climbing a massive courtyard.

Even long fallen into ruin, it still bears the marks of its former luxury.

This contrast even makes the oil-paint colors on the mottled stone walls look like a meticulously tailored Gorgeous Shroud.

And right now, from within this Shroud, a completely incongruous sound seems to be echoing.]

This mission introduction... wasn't the vibe a little weird?

As his five senses returned, Fu Qian quickly found himself standing beneath the canopy of a Dense Forest. Beneath his feet was a path whose tracks were barely visible.

The rusted remains of old lamp posts could be seen flanking the path, but just like every piece of gravel underfoot, they were completely soaked through. It certainly confirmed the accuracy of the introduction's description—including the courtyard in the distance.

Fu Qian looked up and, sure enough, spotted a towering, massive structure at the end of the path.

Even completely weathered by time, under the smear of that oil-paint-like light, it truly looked as if it were draped in luxurious garments.

It was a very accurate metaphor, but wasn't it a bit too literary?

The Warehouse had always prioritized practicality. This sort of college-entrance-exam-essay style of description was admittedly a bit rare.

Of course, no matter how you looked at it, that place at the end of the path was clearly the inevitable destination for this trip.

With an opening that felt straight out of a classic adventure game, the normal next step would be to head inside and confirm that incongruous sound.

Except Fu Qian didn't actually need to head inside.

Even though it was incredibly faint, he could still distinguish the single anomaly within the dead silence: it was the cry of a baby.

It wasn't exactly a cute sound, even possessing a peculiar hoarseness, but it once again verified the mission introduction's claims.

For such a ruin to harbor the sound of a newborn was indeed a bit illogical—but that was fine. Literary flair was all about contrast, after all.

Always highly adaptable, Fu Qian took a higher-dimensional perspective and almost instantly found a justification for the eerie scene before him.

And not just that—he simultaneously spun on his heel, putting the courtyard squarely behind him, using his actual actions to create a contrast of his own.

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