Eldritch Horror Theatre

Why hadn't the Talisman activated on time this time?

Fu Qian pondered this question while walking down the street.

It was almost certain now that Geng Yue had died at her husband's hands.

First, that Talisman made of patterns was highly distinctive. Lü Xing undoubtedly had the ability, as well as ample motive.

Furthermore, it was hard to imagine anyone but him having the opportunity to place something so troublesome around the victim's neck.

However, this discovery left Fu Qian somewhat puzzled.

He had never believed Lü Xing was Ill Omen. But after he showed up this time, Lü Xing's original murderous behavior had immediately changed, which didn't make much sense.

There had to be some connection between Lü Xing and Ill Omen, though it couldn't be determined just yet.

But that wasn't a problem. If he couldn't figure it out, he would just ask directly.

Lü Xing should still be at home right now.

Following the address from his memory, it took Fu Qian little effort to find the love nest of Lü Xing and Geng Yue.

He rang the doorbell, and the door soon opened from the inside.

A young man, not even thirty with a thin face, stood half-hidden behind the door and frowned at Fu Qian.

"Who are you looking for?"

This was likely the protagonist of this tragic drama.

He was indeed a transcendent. Although this guy had used some method to conceal most of his aura, a lingering trace of scent still exposed him.

Considering this guy's current situation, there was a high probability he wouldn't obediently cooperate in answering questions. In that case, it might be better to...

"Is this Lü Xing's home?"

Stared at by those guarded eyes, Fu Qian remained perfectly composed.

"I am Lü Xing, but I don't know you."

Lü Xing continuously sized Fu Qian up with heavy vigilance, his hand blocking the door to prevent Fu Qian from entering.

"I'm not here for you."

Fu Qian shook his head and peered inside.

"Geng Yue arranged to meet me here. Where is she?"

...

In almost an instant, Fu Qian noticed Lü Xing's knuckles turning white as he gripped the door.

"Who are you?"

Lü Xing's facial features twisted for a moment as he gnashed his teeth, glaring at Fu Qian.

"That's strange, this was the exact time she gave me."

Fu Qian frowned in confusion, seemingly completely blind to Lü Xing's grinding teeth.

"My name is Qin Mingze. Did Geng Yue not mention I was coming over today?"

"No. What business do you have with her?"

Lü Xing asked stiffly.

"Private business. Can I go inside and wait?"

...

"Sure, come on in."

Perhaps it was the reverse effect of his anger reaching its absolute limit, but Lü Xing's tone had actually calmed down as he slowly pulled the door open.

"When will Geng Yue be back?"

Fu Qian squeezed his way in without a shred of politeness and asked while sitting down on the sofa.

"I don't know. Just wait a bit."

Lü Xing's voice rang out coldly from behind.

"What is your relationship with Geng Yue?"

"Relationship? That's a bit complicated to explain!"

Fu Qian answered very honestly, reaching out a hand and catching something mid-sentence.

Opening his palm, he revealed a small crossbow bolt, its tip flashing with a bizarre, cold glint.

This thing had been aimed right at the center of his back, fired under the cover of his own voice. It was an extremely tricky shot.

"Your way of treating guests is rather unique!"

Fu Qian turned his head to look at Lü Xing.

"As expected, you aren't a normal person either."

Lü Xing no longer had his calm composure from moments ago. His eyes were bloodshot, his expression savage.

"I should have known earlier. That bitch really is a dog that cannot change its habit of eating feces!"

Lü Xing sneered.

"Did you think you were fine just because it missed? Look at your hand."

Fu Qian looked down and found that the coldly gleaming arrowhead was actually completely covered in overlapping patterns.

These black patterns were like living things. At some unknown point, they had climbed onto his skin and were spreading outward at an exponential rate.

In just this short amount of time, they had already covered his entire right hand.

Wherever the patterns spread, his skin visibly lost its luster, turning into a freezing, lifeless husk.

"Interesting. Where did you learn this?"

"You actually care about that at a time like this?"

Lü Xing froze for a moment before letting out a burst of piercing laughter.

"Is getting stronger the only thing you people ever think about? Do you possess no other human reasoning outside of that?"

"What a pity. I am not like you. These things might be invaluable treasures to you, but to me, they are a curse!"

"Since I was young, these things have appeared in every single one of my dreams. Every time I close my eyes, I see them."

"One day, on a whim, I drew them out and instinctively linked them together. I discovered they produced some bizarre effects, which only made me more acutely aware of how different I was."

"But this isn't what I wanted. I only wanted to live the life of a normal person. I didn't want my lover to think I was a monster!"

"Oh, but you didn't expect that your lover actually liked monsters, did you?"

Fu Qian's words nearly made Lü Xing choke on his own breath.

"Still stubborn at death's door. Let me tell you how this ends. Your body will turn rigid inch by inch, your breathing will be paralyzed, and you will rot from the outside in. Finally, you will crumble into a pile of ashes in absolute agony. Understand?"

"The whole process won't take long—just ten minutes. But believe me, those will be the longest ten minutes of your life. Enjoy them, Qin Mingze!"

"Got it."

Fu Qian let out a breath.

"Now, can you tell me roughly when Geng Yue is coming back?"

The black patterns on Fu Qian had already covered nearly half his body, yet he seemed completely oblivious. Instead, he asked the question with a tongue that was already beginning to slur.

Hahaha!

Fu Qian's question left Lü Xing stunned for a few seconds before he burst into uproarious laughter.

"You definitely won't be able to wait that long. But don't worry, in half an hour, you'll see that woman."

"If you're lucky, there might even be others."

In half an hour... Fu Qian frowned.

Lü Xing was undoubtedly referring to the activation time of the thing on Geng Yue's neck.

Didn't this mean Geng Yue wasn't originally supposed to die at the exact moment he entered?

It wasn't that the Talisman had failed to activate on time—it was that last time, it had activated early.

Fu Qian glanced at the clock on the wall. It had been barely twenty minutes since he left the restaurant.

The time Lü Xing had originally set should have been around an hour after he entered the restaurant.

This also explained why he hadn't been particularly panicked when he saw a stranger like him earlier.

In Lü Xing's mind, Geng Yue definitely wasn't dead yet, so the thought of the Night Watchers showing up at his door would never even cross his mind.

So, in the end, it was his entry into the Containment Scenario last time that had caused the Talisman on Geng Yue's neck to trigger early.

Why would there be such a change?

To confuse him!

A flash of inspiration struck Fu Qian, and an answer leaped into his mind.

He had come in to kill Ill Omen.

And the Talisman activating early for some reason, causing a horrifying, bloody murder to unfold right in front of him, would definitely attract his attention.

Crucially, the bloody murder pointed to someone whose whereabouts and behavior were both highly suspicious.

This was Ill Omen's reaction specifically targeted at him.

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