The Eldritch Files

Worried about causing too much of a commotion, Han Su specifically sought out a secluded restroom, memorizing the security layout and various routes as he went.

He nonchalantly passed through several crowded areas without stopping. As he walked down a hallway, however, something made him pause. He took a step back and cast an unobtrusive glance, spotting two rather furtive-looking individuals walk by, one after the other.

It was easy enough to spot their unusual behavior. Their furtive glances were identical to his own.

Suspicion piqued, he quickened his pace, rounded the corner ahead of them, and slipped into the hallway restroom. From his assessment, this seemed like the best place for a private conversation without being too far from the party.

He hid in the farthest stall and, sure enough, heard footsteps enter the restroom.

The footsteps didn't stop. They moved from one stall to the next, knocking on each door.

Two knocks, and then they'd push the door open. Then on to the next one. Soon, they were at his stall.

'Is someone checking if the restroom is empty? Those two are definitely up to something!'

The thought flashed through Han Su's mind. His eyes narrowed. The moment the person knocked on his stall door and was about to push it open, he silently recited the Fishing Song.

The world around him swam for a moment. Then, his entire being was instantly swallowed by an invisible shadow, creating a certain distance between him and reality.

The next moment, his stall door was pushed open.

Han Su saw the man who pushed the door. He was also in a suit and looked quite dapper, but his eyes scanned the inside of the stall with vigilance.

Meeting the man's gaze, Han Su even saw a crystalline sheen flash within his eyes. It gave his stare an unnatural quality, as if it were a living thing searching for something. But it didn't see Han Su, who was standing right in front of him.

Han Su was somewhat relieved. 'Good thing I borrowed the power of the Fishing Song to cast this Spell.'

'Otherwise, a normal Spell probably wouldn't have been enough to hide from that crystalline light in his eyes.'

"It's secure."

After checking the stall where Han Su stood invisible, the man turned to his companion and said in a low voice, "We can talk now."

"Once our people are in position, we'll make our move."

"It's confirmed. The item is hidden in a concealed area within Dingxiang Mansion. We don't know the exact room, but once we're inside, we can capture all the servants and use their memories to find its precise location."

"..."

The other man was clearly worried. "Are you confident this will work?"

"We're in the middle of the city. We could alert the Disaster Management Bureau, and the master of Dingxiang Hall is not someone to be trifled with. If you can't find the item on the first try, even my patron will have a hard time arranging another visit for you."

"We're sure!"

The man who had opened the door said, "That item can make people forget its existence. However, it can't let *everyone* forget it, or it would be forced to break from reality."

"Therefore, within that area, there must be a servant who is designated to remember it."

"We've already placed four people in the banquet hall. They have bombs stuffed in their stomachs. Crystal ribs prevent the contents of their bellies from being seen. Their job is to stall the Disaster Management Bureau at all costs once they've been alerted."

"You can hide in the banquet hall when the time comes. No one will suspect you."

"..."

The other man's voice was tense. "Do they know who I am? I'm worried..."

"Don't worry."

The man who had searched the stalls said, "They will give their lives to stall the people from the Disaster Management Bureau, but they won't harm anyone else."

"We can die because our consciousness will live on eternally in the Crystal Pyramid and find a chance for reincarnation. But ordinary, unenlightened people only have one life. That's why we Crystal Believers never engage in senseless slaughter."

"However, to deter the Disaster Management Bureau, we might have to put on a show."

"..."

'Crystal Skull?'

Hearing this, Han Su understood everything. A sudden sense of crisis welled up inside him.

Those skull-worshipping fanatics really had their methods; they'd actually tracked their target to Dingxiang Mansion.

And it looked like they even knew the specific area where the Mechanical Fragment was located.

After they finished speaking, they seemed to conduct some sort of exchange. Then one headed out of the restroom, while the other, still uneasy, turned back to check again. Han Su once again recited the Fishing Song under his breath, evading the man's inspection.

Once the man left, Han Su quietly slipped out and followed him.

As he rounded a corner, he discreetly became visible again and stopped, watching the man weave nonchalantly through the crowd.

Han Su couldn't use the Fishing Song to tail him continuously, and using the ordinary Encrypted Spell No. 01 would likely get him noticed. He didn't dare get too close, so he just kept his distance and observed.

From what he'd just overheard, he knew this man was part of the operation.

'So, if I just keep an eye on him, I can figure out the Crystal Skull Organization's plan... and maybe even find an opportunity to cause some trouble?'

The man was extremely vigilant. He would turn around from time to time, and though his movements seemed natural, he was taking in everything around him.

Han Su averted his gaze, observing only from the corner of his eye. Just then, he heard a slightly hesitant voice call out.

"Han?"

Han Su paused, slightly exasperated.

'When did my social circle get so impressive? Someone actually recognizes me at a high-society party like this?'

Despite his thoughts, he turned around calmly. He used the reflection in the tiles of a nearby pillar to observe the speaker and saw that it was, indeed, an acquaintance.

It was Li Yiting, the chairman of the Magic Box Group and Li Manman's father.

Back before he had escaped through that door, in one of his "lifelines," he had even developed a fairly close relationship with him. That was why his attitude toward the man was always a little warmer than toward others.

His eyes glanced to the man's side as he smiled. "Where's Mrs. Fang?"

The couple appeared before him so often that he was all too familiar with them. It was no wonder the man could pick him out of a crowd.

"She doesn't care for lively places."

Mr. Li shook his head, looking unhappy. After the initial greeting, he seemed at a loss for words.

There wasn't much for him and Han Su to talk about, and Han Su was even less inclined to waste time. He just smiled and said:

"I've already told you everything I can. I really haven't remembered any new clues."

Facing Mr. Li, Han Su felt no guilt. He had always wanted to rescue the man's daughter, so he didn't even bother to hide the sharp edge in his tone.

"I know."

To Han Su's surprise, Mr. Li nodded and said in a low voice, "Actually, my wife and I both understand that there's no point in bothering you time and time again."

"Most of the time, I think we just don't have any other options, so we can't act rationally. I've always believed that Manman is still out there somewhere in the world, waiting for me to find her."

"Han, my wife and I have often treated you as our last hope. I apologize for all the trouble our desperation has caused you..."

"..."

Han Su was rather surprised by his words.

'Looking at his expression, a question came to mind. It seems many influential people in Qinggang City know this world isn't as simple as it looks. They know about the Disaster Management Bureau, and even that this Dingxiang Mansion isn't just an ordinary place.'

'Special Assistant Xu once said that if your status is high enough, you're qualified to learn some of the world's truths.'

'The Magic Box Group is one of Qinggang City's top commercial giants, and its chairman is here at this banquet. So, does he really know nothing?'

Mulling over these questions, he slowly looked up at the business magnate and said, "Mr. Li, you've come to see me so many times and asked me the same questions over and over. So, I have a question for you."

"I have repeatedly told the truth about the kidnapping—to the Public Security Bureau, to the media, and to you. So, do you actually believe me?"

"..."

Believe what? The story about monsters being behind the kidnapping, of course.

Han Su's direct question caught the chairman of the Magic Box Group off guard. He hesitated. "I..."

"Looks like you're adapting quite well."

Just then, a laugh rang out from nearby. A middle-aged man approached, clutching a wine bottle. He wore a loud, floral shirt that was completely out of place at the event, and his face was dominated by a large, ruddy nose.

He had an air of slightly contrived nonconformity about him. His eyes were bleary, and he looked entirely different from everyone else present as he staggered over.

He first greeted Mr. Li with a smile, then turned to Han Su. "I know you," he said, grinning. "The rising star. I'm friends with your teacher, Mr. Strange Bird."

"Looks like your connections are pretty good. Managed to get yourself an invitation to Dingxiang Mansion so soon?"

"..."

'He recognizes me?'

'Special Assistant Xu did say there's a Drunkard Investigator at Dingxiang Mansion who gives discreet Mysterious Power training to rich kids like Xu Ji. Could this be him?'

With that thought, he looked up and said, "I'm working as an assistant to earn money for tuition."

"And you are?"

"..."

Hearing Han Su's question, both Mr. Li and the Drunkard standing beside him gave an awkward laugh. The Drunkard Investigator looked Han Su in the eye and smiled. "You don't know me yet, but I've already extended an olive branch to you through the Lady in the Red Windbreaker, haven't I?"

"I was even prepared to lend you a hand, though you didn't accept in the end."

"..."

"Hmm?"

Han Su's suspicion flared at his words.

The olive branch the Lady in the Red Windbreaker had extended to him came with a condition he absolutely despised.

So, the man standing before him was...

His eyes narrowed. In front of Li Manman's father, he said slowly, "After we were kidnapped ten years ago, I always wanted to find out why. I even found a department that specializes in investigating this kind of thing."

"But when I joined that department, I discovered it wasn't that they hadn't noticed our case, or that they lacked the ability. It was that they had refused to investigate..."

"The reason was because someone wrote a report concluding that I was lying..."

"Was that person you?"

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