Eldritch Horror Theatre

He was indeed deliberately plagiarizing Chief Yuan's lines.

As a newly risen Demigod of the Night Watchers who hunted outlaws everywhere, Classmate Su Gao undoubtedly enjoyed high clearance.

But compared to that expert slacker, Chief Yuan, whether she would actually use this privilege at every opportunity was highly debatable.

Fortunately, as the Night Watchers Special Operations Consultant, Fu Qian had no trouble planning a minor itinerary.

"Has that Die been working well lately?"

Not long after, the two were conversing aboard an aerial transport vehicle, with no one else around.

In front of Su Gao sat her usual flaky pastries.

Understanding her sense of responsibility, Fu Qian had merely embezzled some Laboratory funds to treat her to a snack on the way, avoiding any unnecessary delays.

Now, while snacking on the food sitting in front of Su Gao, he casually caught up with her.

He had told this volunteer, who had taken the initiative to enter the dream, not to accept the bounty on the Frost Demigod.

"It has. When I received the arrangement from the Council, I was already preparing to head back."

By comparison, Su Gao's way of eating was much more elegant. In response to Fu Qian's inquiry, she swallowed her bite of food and gave a slight nod.

As expected, the sudden emergency mission hadn't bought the rogue Transcendent she was hunting any extra time.

Seeing her work so diligently, one could easily imagine that this young woman, barely a few years older than himself, had already amassed quite a fortune.

"You didn't go see Yuan Shan?"

Sighing internally that all the world's talents had their own ways of making a living, Fu Qian turned to another issue.

"No, but Chief Yuan contacted me directly. She gave me a brief overview of the situation, along with the speculation that our target is likely the same mysterious entity that attacked you before."

Su Gao nodded, confirming that she had rushed straight here the moment she arrived in Shangjing.

...

As expected, Yuan Shan had handed the discretion entirely over to him.

It wasn't surprising that some things were inconvenient to explain over a comms device, but not even asking Su Gao to drop by for a chat after arriving in Shangjing clearly showed Yuan Shan's attitude toward this trip to the Academy.

How much to let Su Gao know, and how much of that to eventually report back to the Night Watchers, was entirely up to his own judgment.

"That was indeed what we thought after discussing it. Did the Council set a time limit for your investigation?"

Marveling at Yuan Shan's trust—and the slacking posture it revealed—Fu Qian straightforwardly confirmed their suspicions about the attacker.

"No. They merely want a report within a week."

Su Gao answered softly. Her appetite didn't seem particularly good this time; she had no immediate intention of going for seconds.

It wasn't strange. If he were handing a job to Su Gao, he wouldn't worry about any passive slowdown either; there would be no need to set a deadline for her at all.

"Any new information on the Origin Council lately?"

Understanding the Night Watcher higher-ups' choice, Fu Qian suddenly thought of something else.

"No, they seem very low-key recently. At least, within the scope of my contacts. Mister Fang, do you suspect..."

She answered without reserve, and Classmate Su Gao's mind was clearly sharp; a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes the next moment.

"Nepheli."

Nodding, Fu Qian openly uttered the name.

"Considering the location of the incident is quite bizarre, even if she has nothing to do with this case, it would be very helpful if the former Dean of the Benevolent Curse Institute could assist us."

...

"Makes sense... Unfortunately, compared to the Origin Council, Nepheli is even more low-key."

Having listened very carefully, Su Gao let out a soft sigh a moment later.

"I haven't deliberately looked into her, but it sounds like there hasn't been any news of her appearing in public for many years."

She really is careful.

Hearing Su Gao's words, Fu Qian gave a slight nod as he pondered.

Theoretically, based on their last trip to Ye Island, Nepheli's performance was well worth Su Gao's attention. Yet clearly, after returning, she hadn't attempted to look up any information on her.

As for the reason—although given Nepheli's caution, it was hard to link that name to the commotion on Ye Island—suddenly looking up a figure who had been missing for years at such a critical juncture would undoubtedly be too conspicuous.

Classmate Su Gao was clearly avoiding any action that might risk exposing herself.

Besides, having not been a member for long and possessing a special background, her rapidly advancing strength made her situation within the Night Watchers feel somewhat delicate.

A stark example: without Chief Yuan giving any prior notice, she, a perfectly good Hunter, had been directly assigned as an investigator.

Her strength was perhaps sufficient, but the attitude behind it felt somewhat ambiguous.

After all, given Kelin's situation, she wouldn't have been in a hurry to arrange such an unnecessary matter either.

Su Gao must have realized this. And since Chief Yuan hadn't told her much, she felt somewhat uncertain and worried about this operation, especially about being dragged into it.

"Get some rest."

Without saying anything more, Fu Qian gestured to Su Gao and leaned back comfortably.

"We'll have to get serious once we arrive."

"...Alright."

...

"Mister Fang seems very familiar with this place?"

The brief rest during the journey didn't last long. By the time Fu Qian and Su Gao approached the Academy, it wasn't even dawn yet.

Having rested a little, Su Gao looked slightly more relaxed, even expressing some curiosity as they walked.

The Night Watchers Special Operations Consultant beside her seemed completely at home here; walking this path felt almost as if he were returning home.

"Pay attention, you must use my title when we're working."

Surprisingly, however, just as Demigod Su relaxed, Fu Qian's tone became more serious than ever.

"Here, you must call me Professor Fu."

Just as they turned a corner, under the glow of the streetlamp ahead, Fu Qian turned his head and looked at Su Gao in all seriousness, adding this explanation.

Ah?

Faced with that sudden, entirely different face, even Executive Yama Su froze for a moment.

"Understood, Professor Fu."

She quickly grasped the meaning behind his actions. The trace of hidden worry pressing on her heart quietly dissipated, and she broke into a gentle smile.

"Apocalypse Branch, Professor Fu."

Very pleased with Su Gao's quick comprehension, Fu Qian turned and continued forward, emphasizing the point in passing.

"Understood, Professor Fu of the Apocalypse Branch."

Su Gao caught up to walk beside him, repeating the title with utmost naturalness.

"It's still early. Let's not rush to disturb the others. Shall we head straight to the scene?"

Fu Qian proposed.

"I was thinking the same thing."

Su Gao clearly had no objections either.

"My Laboratory isn't far from there. We can head over there to rest later."

"Alright."

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