Chapter Forty: This Grotesquery Is Me
A Taboo disaster.
These words, coming from the highest authority of the Company, carried significant weight.
For the directors to treat it with such gravity, it couldn’t be just some minor incident involving Apostles or Agents… besides, judging by the situation with the Naraku Godchosen, the existence of true Taboo Apostles was questionable.
This world hadn’t witnessed the true power of a Taboo for a very long time.
At the beginning of the Boundary Disorder that swept across the world, an unknown Taboo had briefly manifested, suspected to be the cause of this world-altering event, whether a disaster or salvation.
But after that, all Taboos had fallen silent, with no further recorded manifestations.
The organization that confirmed the ten Taboos’ dormant state was, unexpectedly, the Harbingers of Calamity. They had learned of this through their own methods and began to tap into the Taboos’ power.
It was rumored that the Harbingers’ high-ranking members used the Taboos’ power to access Authorities, which should only belong to Grotesqueries, but this claim was never confirmed.
“The details of this Taboo disaster aren’t something you can know at your current level.” The young man said. “You only need to know that all sacrifices were absolutely necessary. Any price is worth paying to maintain the foundation of world order.”
Luo Ling remained silent for a moment, then said softly,
“This wasn’t a sacrifice, it was murder.”
Both for the “Hunt” team and the hundred thousand ordinary people who died in the Incubation Barrier disaster.
“Whether sacrifice or murder, the result is the same.” The young man crossed his arms, his voice cold. “We only care about the result.”
“Someone has to make the difficult choices, someone has to be sacrificed. That’s the reality of this cruel world, Miss Luo Ling.”
The woman adjusted her spectacles, her narrow eyes fixed on Luo Ling. “On the scales of order, there must be a price… to maintain balance against the weight of ‘Calamity’.”
“If your loved ones perished in this disaster, I apologize. They were heroes who saved humanity.” The elderly man sighed deeply. “But that’s all I can offer.”
The Company had its reasons. Who would be sacrificed, whether willingly or by force, or even through deception, were all matters of consideration.
A seemingly simple matter, when examined closely, became incredibly complex.
Who should die, who was willing to die, who could die…
Especially when it involved high-order Awakened Ones.
For any organization, including the Company, high-order Awakened Ones were their core fighting force, especially eighth-order Awakened Ones who could access Authorities.
Even a single loss was devastating.
Even if an Awakened One was willing to sacrifice themselves for humanity’s future, their organization might not agree.
Finding suitable “sacrifices” in a short time…
Was incredibly difficult.
Practically impossible.
That was what the young man meant. The Company only cared about the result, whether sacrifice or murder, it didn’t matter. Saving humanity was paramount.
This was when the various factions engaged in their power struggles. Clearly, the Torchbearers had won this time, albeit a pyrrhic victory—as the ninth-order Awakened One, Frick, had also perished under unknown circumstances.
The Fate Society had done similar things. Humanity faced numerous crises, requiring more than one team to be sacrificed.
Linna had known this, accepting her and her teammates’ fate, only asking Luo Ling for revenge.
…Linna hadn’t expected Luo Ling to have such an ability, bringing her back to life in a different form.
“Let’s end this topic, Miss Luo Ling. You’re a smart girl, you’ll understand.”
The woman said slowly, “We summoned you here for one reason, to learn about what you saw and heard in the Realm of Nothingness—it’s very important to us.”
Her tone turned grave. “It even concerns… whether to restart everything, to prevent the next Taboo disaster.”
“This is a transaction. Ask for anything you want.” The young man looked at Luo Ling intently. “As long as you provide valuable information, the Company will do its best to fulfill your request.”
Luo Ling composed herself, regaining her composure.
Setting aside the conspiracy for now, this was a rare opportunity to interact with the Company’s highest authority.
She had come prepared.
“Alright,” Luo Ling nodded slightly. “But I need some context. For example, which Taboo was involved in this ‘Taboo disaster’?”
Could it be related to Naraku?
Seemingly anticipating this question, the directors exchanged glances, and the elderly man said, “We can tell you, but please keep it confidential. No need for an oath, ‘Order’ isn’t absolute. I trust your character.”
Luo Ling could devour the gaze of Order, and the directors also had their methods of avoiding its influence. It wasn’t difficult for beings of their level.
Therefore, they were also immune to the Speakers’ influence.
“Of course.”
Luo Ling nodded. As “Luo Ling,” she would definitely keep it a secret.
But the White Witch and Amethyst weren’t bound by such promises. If the tea party offered the right price…
“Heh.”
The woman smiled mysteriously, her gaze fixed on Luo Ling.
“I’ll tell you. The Taboo involved in this disaster was ‘Guixu’ of Silent Demise, the being of ‘Immortality.’ We can’t reveal the details, as it involves both the Harbingers and us.”
Ultimately, they could trust Luo Ling, but not completely.
Of course, Luo Ling didn’t expect them to reveal everything. Knowing which Taboo was involved was enough.
However, Guixu…
“Artist seemed to have used Guixu’s power on the train.”
Luo Ling’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.
“I know what you’re thinking. Yes, it’s related to Artist of the Harbingers of Calamity, the powerful opponent you encountered. If it weren’t for our intervention, he would have become the Harbingers’ fourth Authority wielder.”
The young man said gravely, “Unfortunately, he died at the hands of an unknown Apostle. We regret not having more details.”
Luo Ling had disappeared after shifting to “Spirit Walker,” considered missing during that period.
It was her Naraku form that had confronted Artist in the train car. Until they escaped the Realm of Nothingness, no one recognized the violet-haired, black-eyed woman as Luo Ling.
Therefore, according to the Company’s records, Artist had died at the hands of an unknown Apostle.
“If that Taboo disaster had occurred, if Guixu had manifested in the present world, millions would have been cursed with ‘immortality,’ forever losing the salvation of ‘death’.” The woman said softly.
“Immortality… isn’t that a good thing?” Luo Ling asked, puzzled.
“You’re mistaken, Miss Luo Ling. It’s one of the most terrifying disasters.” The elderly man said slowly. “Immortality doesn’t mean immunity to injury, illness, pain, decay, or aging.
“The elderly wouldn’t die, the injured wouldn’t heal, the sick would suffer eternally, the decaying would live forever… a world without the release of death, even hell couldn’t compare.”
Luo Ling remained silent, the elderly man’s words painting a horrific picture.
“Alright, we’ve answered your question. Now it’s your turn.” The young man said. “Besides that relic, what else was in that area of the Realm of Nothingness?”
“Nothing,” Luo Ling replied. “Just like any other part of the Realm of Nothingness, only endless void.”
The woman, who had been observing her, exchanged glances with the other two. She confirmed that Luo Ling wasn’t lying.
“Didn’t you encounter anything?” The young man frowned.
The reason the Company had been reluctant to send personnel into that area was simple. This area of the Realm of Nothingness, created by an unknown incident, was suspected to be the work of a Grotesquery.
Entering it carried the risk of death.
Operations in the Realm of Nothingness were already dangerous. Coupled with this unknown factor, the Company wasn’t willing to risk lives for a dead person’s belongings.
When the Boundary collapse occurred as planned, the directors had been closely monitoring the situation. And right before their eyes, the core area, after the collapse, had been annihilated.
Even with their power, the directors hadn’t dared to enter the collapsing Boundary, so they hadn’t seen anything. The only certainty was that… this annihilation wasn’t part of the plan.
The planned scale of the collapse, even multiplied several times, shouldn’t have caused annihilation, let alone localized to just the Incubation Barrier.
Therefore, it must have been external interference.
And at that time, both the Harbingers and the Company were preoccupied with their own conflict, unable to cause a disaster of this magnitude. So, only one possibility remained.
An unknown Grotesquery, capable of influencing Boundaries, had been present within the Incubation Barrier.
The directors’ assessment wasn’t wrong. It was Luo Ling, in her Grotesquery form, who had devoured the unstable Boundary.
“…”
Luo Ling didn’t answer immediately, the directors’ gazes filled with anticipation.
She was considering what information to reveal.
She couldn’t lie. The directors’ willingness to conduct this transaction without an oath wasn’t solely based on trust, or even trust at all.
They had their methods of determining the truth.
“A Grotesquery,” Luo Ling said slowly. “Although I didn’t encounter it, I know it was the one that caused the Boundary annihilation, turning it into the Realm of Nothingness.”
Luo Ling wasn’t lying. She merely omitted a crucial detail.
—The word “I.”
She hadn’t encountered this Grotesquery because this Grotesquery… was “I.”
The directors’ eyes widened in shock.
“Anything… else? Do you know anything else?” The woman’s voice trembled slightly, confirming that Luo Ling’s words were… true.
Although they had suspected it, it was still unbelievable. A Grotesquery capable of influencing Boundaries…
Among the known Taboos, none could directly interfere with Boundaries, at most causing irreversible disasters that triggered this world’s mechanisms, resulting in Boundary annihilation.
Even the most terrifying disasters could be contained if the cause was known.
But…
Directly causing Boundary annihilation?
There was no solution, only waiting for destruction!
The Company’s greatest fear was encountering such a rogue Grotesquery, with no means of counteracting it, only waiting for annihilation.
If the Harbingers obtained this Grotesquery’s power, it would be even worse. They yearned for the annihilation of all Boundaries to initiate their “new world” plan.
Neither scenario was good news for the Company.
“There is…”
Luo Ling paused deliberately, the directors on the edge of their seats.
The impatient young man wanted to curse, but fearing he would anger Luo Ling, he suppressed his frustration, his expression contorted.
After building up the suspense, Luo Ling smiled faintly.
“But that’s another question.”
“You lit—”
The young man’s outburst was cut short as the elderly man waved his hand, the young man’s shadow vanishing.
“Apologies, he has a short temper. Please forgive him, Miss Luo Ling.” The elderly man chuckled. “What do you want? Just tell us.”
“I heard the Company vault has many interesting items…”
Before Luo Ling could finish, the elderly man raised a finger.
“One chance to choose from the vault. If your information is valuable enough, we’ll increase it, no upper limit.”
“…Alright.”
What could Luo Ling say? As expected of the Company directors, they were efficient negotiators.
“This Grotesquery can’t annihilate Boundaries under any circumstances.”
Luo Ling’s first words eased the directors’ minds slightly. As long as it wasn’t unconditional, there was hope.
“Only during a Boundary collapse, when the area is extremely unstable, can it cause annihilation.”
Luo Ling revealed the limitations of her “Devour” ability. She didn’t intend to use it again anyway.
In fact, she wanted to avoid using her Grotesquery transformation, stopping before it caused even more severe consequences.
“In that case…”
The elderly man and the woman exchanged glances, relief evident in their eyes.
This condition was restrictive, but not impossible to fulfill. Even if the Company didn’t deliberately trigger Boundary collapses, other unforeseen disasters could cause Victoria to restart.
Not all seventy-four Boundary collapses were the Company’s doing.
“We must be more cautious in the future.” The elderly man thought silently, then sighed in relief. The mystery that had plagued the Company for years was finally solved.
“Can this information get me more vault access?” Luo Ling blinked.
“…Can it?”
The elderly man turned to the woman.
The woman was the director in charge of the vault.
“Two, no more than that.”
The woman crossed her legs, the firelight obscuring her eyes behind her spectacles. Luo Ling could only vaguely sense her gaze.
“…Alright.”
Luo Ling considered it a reasonable price and didn’t haggle further.
She wasn’t a good negotiator. Her sister had been far more skilled, and even with her sister’s memories, she couldn’t replicate her bargaining prowess.
“Anything else noteworthy?” The elderly man asked.
“I can’t think of anything at the moment,” Luo Ling said. “Perhaps I’ll remember later.”
“Alright, in that case… Miss Luo Ling, feel free to visit us again when you remember.”
The elderly man smiled kindly. “We’re just shadows here, so we won’t see you out. Please close the door behind you.”
Luo Ling stood up, bowing to the two directors.
“Farewell.”
The elderly man and the woman watched her leave the cabin. Only after the door closed did the young man’s shadow reappear.
“She’s hiding something.” The young man said gravely.
For example, how did Luo Ling know such detailed information about this Grotesquery, and so many details about their plan… There were no answers.
“That’s to be expected,” the woman said slowly. “Everyone has secrets, no exceptions.”
“It’s a pity. This little girl seems to have close ties to the Fate Society. Killing her and searching her soul would cause too much trouble.” The elderly man still smiled kindly.
“…You’re strangely similar to Philosopher.” The woman looked at the elderly man, her voice quiet.
It was this kind elderly man, not the woman or the young man, who had made the decision back then.
“Really? Perhaps.” The elderly man shrugged, rubbing his hands within his sleeves, seemingly cold. “We are brothers, after all.”
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