Category: The Grotesque Miss’s End Story

Chapter 2: Handling the “White Witch” Incident

Lu Manqing’s face was full of anticipation, while Cen Xiangyun’s eye twitched.

Luo Ling considered for a moment, then, stroking her chin thoughtfully, said, “That would solve the identity problem, and it’s convenient since we all know each other… Plus, with the Company’s funding, I wouldn’t need to find a job.”

“Hey, you’re actually considering this ridiculous idea?!” Cen Xiangyun exclaimed.

“But it’s logical, isn’t it?” Luo Ling countered, her serious expression silencing Cen Xiangyun.

It… wasn’t that ridiculous. She couldn’t be swayed by these weirdos.

“Don’t underestimate me, I’ve impersonated a warlord’s wife before, when I was sixteen! Just like Miss Luo Ling now!” Lu Manqing said excitedly, pulling out a notebook and pen, scribbling furiously. “I’ll work out the details! Miss Cen, you can join us too, as the abandoned lover! We can create a whole soap opera!”

“Remember the student part for me,” Luo Ling reminded her, still lamenting her lost high school years.

Cen Xiangyun sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Don’t drag me into this, you lunatics…” She didn’t need a fake identity; her family was Victorian “new nobility.”

The discussion was mostly for fun. In that chaotic era, undocumented people were common.

The three-day journey passed quickly. As the darkness outside faded, replaced by a hazy gray and glimpses of Baroque architecture, Luo Ling felt a shift in eras.

The train itself had transformed from an ordinary train to a steampunk locomotive, bearing the inscription: “East India… Company?” Luo Ling read aloud, puzzled. She knew of the historical company.

“That’s the Company headquarters,” Cen Xiangyun explained. “‘Huaxing International’ was just a branch.”

Luo Ling nodded, turning her gaze to the magnificent Victorian station, a stark contrast to Jiangcheng County’s, a testament to a bygone era.

Even the station felt like an art gallery. Although briefed by Li Shaoheng, Cen Xiangyun still gawked at the unfamiliar sights.

“Miss Cen, and everyone, we’ve been expecting you.”

A man in a suit with a neat mustache approached. With his deep-set eyes, hooked nose, and curled hair, he looked like a figure from a history book. He showed Cen Xiangyun his insignia and greeted them.

“Welcome to Victoria, the Company’s golden age. I’m Enoch Edward, Company HR. Please, call me Enoch.” He spoke fluent Chinese, his gentlemanly demeanor reminding Luo Ling of Artist.

“Your carriage awaits. It might be a bumpy ride.”

Enoch gestured towards a horse-drawn carriage.

Luo Ling found the empty, quiet station strange, but stepping outside, the noise of the city hit her, figures appearing in the previously empty station.

“Platform Nine and Three-Quarters,” Enoch explained with a smile. Cross-Boundary vehicles were rare, even within the Company. The Spirit Walker, captured from Scientist, was now in the Company vault, the merit points awarded to those involved in the battle, including Luo Ling, if she joined.

Luo Ling gazed at the city, shrouded in fog, people in simple clothes, soldiers patrolling, a tense atmosphere. They had changed into period clothing: Luo Ling in a black trench coat, boots, gloves, and a wide-brimmed hat with a bow, chosen by Cen Xiangyun; Cen Xiangyun in a fitted dress; Elsa in lolita fashion; and Lu Manqing in men’s clothing, claiming it was for her “harem.” They looked like nobles, and ordinary people avoided them.

The carriage ride was bumpy. They arrived at a secluded, luxurious manor, its iron gates towering.

“Welcome to Wellington Manor, a Company office,” Enoch said. “Miss Luo Ling, please, disembark. You’ve arrived.”

“Just me?”

“Yes, the others need to report to headquarters, but you haven’t officially joined,” Enoch explained. “The Fate Society and Torchbearers are also here. They prefer not to enter Company headquarters.” This neutral meeting place was a gesture of goodwill.

Elsa tugged on Luo Ling’s sleeve, her green eyes showing reluctance, but she reassured her. “We’ll come find you later,” Cen Xiangyun added. Lu Manqing just chuckled.

Luo Ling nodded and stepped out. The carriage departed, and servants, wearing insignias like Enoch’s, led her inside. The manor was a disguise; the staff were Company employees, mostly Awakened Ones.

Inside, the manor was surprisingly modern, an office building with a time clock and meeting rooms.

“They’re probably arguing about Friday’s dinner,” the maid explained, seeing Luo Ling’s gaze linger on a meeting room. “Cheese macaroni versus dry-fried beef hor fun. I’m on team soba noodles.”

The Company’s image in Luo Ling’s mind crumbled slightly. “Are all your meetings about dinner?”

“Sometimes breakfast or lunch, but most specialists aren’t here then,” the maid replied.

“No Grotesquery strategy meetings?”

“That’s the Hillman branch. We at Wellington just charge in.” The maid, usually quiet, was now quite talkative.

Reaching a door on the third floor, the maid bowed and left. “Such professionalism,” Luo Ling thought.

Then, she overheard hushed voices.

“…Got the photo?”

“Yes! A clear shot!”

“We’re rich! Vienna will pay well!”

“No, Venice offered more!”

“She’s so popular! Why are they so interested in a minor…?”

“…Sounds dangerous…”

Luo Ling paused. The maid was selling her photos! As for their interest, it was likely her ability to traverse the Realm of Nothingness… but she hadn’t expected it to cause such a stir. She would demand a cut.

Opening the door, she entered a modern conference room, a projector and whiteboard in place. Those who could perceive the Realm of Nothingness could enter, no risk of information leakage.

Three people were present: Fiona and Cheng Jianming, and, unexpectedly but understandably, Lu Fangling, Lu Manqing’s mother. Retired and a veteran of a High-Risk Grotesquery disaster, she rarely took missions anymore. Unfortunately, she’d encountered another one. As the highest-ranking Company member present with experience in such matters, she was conducting this “interview.”

“That outfit suits you,” she greeted Luo Ling warmly.

“Thank you,” Luo Ling replied, slightly nervous facing three adults.

“No need to be nervous. This is more of you interviewing us,” Lu Fangling chuckled. “Shaoheng told me about you, but I have some questions.”

“Miss Luo, what path are you on?”

“…Judgment?” Luo Ling hesitated. Her current form had no path.

“No, your hesitation tells me otherwise. You don’t even know your true path, do you?”

The others seemed to know this, watching Luo Ling expectantly.

“That’s right,” Luo Ling admitted.

“I see. Have you… heard of the Seventh Path?”

Luo Ling shook her head. Six paths were common knowledge.

“The Harbingers call it the Original Path. We believe it’s simply outside the six,” Lu Fangling said. “There’s a theory within the Company that it’s connected to the Realm of Nothingness.”

“Are you saying… I’m on the Seventh Path?” Luo Ling asked, surprised.

“Uncertain. We need more information. You’ve shown traits of Myriad, Judgment, and even Oneiric. We need more battle data,” Lu Fangling smiled.

“So… what do you want?” Luo Ling frowned, confused.

“The Company isn’t that interested in your ability to traverse the Realm of Nothingness. But if it involves the Seventh Path…” Old Madam Lu’s meaning was clear. The Seventh Path was the selling point.

“What do I need to do?” Luo Ling asked, composing herself.

“A commission,” Old Madam Lu said. “Handle the ‘White Witch’ incident.”

“Me?” Luo Ling was taken aback.

Vol 2 : Victoria

Chapter 1: The Train Squad

A dreamless slumber.

Luo Ling slowly opened her eyes to the rhythmic clatter of the train, the world outside the window a perpetual, impenetrable darkness, filled with the unknown terrors of mankind.

This was the train to Victoria.

“I haven’t had any dreams since then…”

Luo Ling’s eyes flickered. She had been hoping to glimpse things unseen in reality within the realm of dreams, even if it meant blurring the lines between dream and reality, even if it meant a less stable mental state.

Just then, she felt a stir in her arms and looked down to see a small, soft loli, her red hair spread out like a thin blanket.

“Elsa, you’re in my bed again!”

“Mm, Miss Luo Ling…”

Elsa rubbed her eyes, rolled over, and snuggled closer.

“You two seem close,” a cheerful voice echoed, and Cen Xiangyun looked at them with amusement.

“Indeed, indeed. I didn’t expect Xiao Qian… oh, I mean Elsa, to be so affectionate. If the others in the group saw this, they would be shocked.”

Another voice came from above, belonging to a quiet-looking woman in Republican-era clothing, fiddling with her braids, a playful glint in her eyes behind her round-rimmed glasses.

Lu Manqing, daughter of Ji Shinian and Lu Fangling, the once mysterious second administrator of the exchange group, always dressed in Republican-era style.

As for why these individuals, not even High-Order Awakened Ones, were traveling to Victoria with Luo Ling…

Firstly, Elsa was originally from Victoria. She was Scientist’s experiment, although her origins were unknown, she had been in a laboratory in Victoria before escaping.

Cen Xiangyun, after the battle on the train, had gained the ability to perceive the Realm of Nothingness, although she had been mentally exhausted for a long time afterward.

Having met the requirements to travel to Victoria, and with her family’s close ties to the Company, going to headquarters was a natural choice.

Luo Ling wasn’t very familiar with Lu Manqing, only knowing that she had also perceived the Realm of Nothingness and had joined the Company and gone to headquarters at her parents’ request.

The train journey to Victoria would take three days and three nights. After all, they were traversing both Boundaries and vast distances, so this special train only had sleeper cars.

Luo Ling, Elsa, Cen Xiangyun, and Lu Manqing shared a compartment. Elsa, whose bed was on the upper bunk, always preferred to sneak down to the lower bunk.

Cen Xiangyun and Lu Manqing seemed to enjoy teasing them about this.

After becoming Luo Ling’s apostle, Elsa was almost like a normal person. She could speak normally, walk, and even type on her phone.

It seemed her previous inability to learn these things wasn’t due to her being slow, but because of the Grotesqueries sealed within her.

So, Elsa now used her real name.

“Just saying, if Miss Luo Ling wants to cuddle with Big Sister like little Elsa, I wouldn’t refuse~”

Cen Xiangyun, lying on the lower bunk, patted the space beside her and winked at Luo Ling.

Before Luo Ling could react, Elsa, in her arms, snuggled closer.

“Hee hee…”

Two silvery laughs echoed.

Teasing aside, they still had serious matters to discuss.

Cen Xiangyun quickly composed herself and said, “We’ll be arriving in Victoria soon. Do you know anything about it?”

Luo Ling shook her head, and after a moment of hesitation, so did Lu Manqing.

“Not much.”

“Alright, I was supposed to explain, but I was worried about information leakage and contamination, so I didn’t say anything before.”

Cen Xiangyun took a deep breath and began her explanation.

Firstly, Victoria wasn’t a city, but a region, consisting of several neighboring cities and towns.

Due to the Disorder of Boundaries, it was currently stuck in late 1838.

There were two ways a Boundary’s time could change. The first was normal progression. Without any major incidents, a Boundary would progress normally to the 21st century, after the year 2000.

But if a major Grotesquery incident or large-scale Awakened One riot occurred, the Boundary would collapse, its timeline regressing.

And if the Grotesquery incident was even more severe, threatening the entire world, the current Boundary would be completely annihilated, everything within becoming a Disorder. This was the worst possible outcome.

“The Boundary Ji Ying came from met such a fate…”

Luo Ling shuddered.

And it was because of the Puppet Ballad, a High-Risk Grotesquery ranked forty-ninth.

Just that alone could cause an entire Boundary to fall into irreversible Disorder, to be completely annihilated…

What about a higher Sequence Grotesquery?

What about a Taboo?

Luo Ling suddenly realized that both she and the other Awakened Ones had underestimated Grotesqueries.

In other words, a Boundary with a normally progressing timeline hadn’t experienced many Grotesquery disasters, like Jiangcheng County, where ordinary people weren’t even aware of their existence, and even Awakened Ones were rare.

Conversely…

The earlier a Boundary’s timeline, the more Grotesquery incidents it had experienced.

Victoria, stuck almost three hundred years in the past, was such a place, shrouded in the fog of Grotesqueries.

“In Victoria, even ordinary people,” Cen Xiangyun said softly, “are aware of the existence of Grotesquery incidents.”

“How is that possible?”

Luo Ling was surprised. She knew the consequences of ordinary people perceiving Grotesqueries.

Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital housed many such patients, like the man who kept ranting about dandelions.

Because of the Puppet Ballad’s failed control, he had seen the truth, both luckily and unluckily, and had been driven insane.

“I’m not strong enough, yet I can perceive the Realm of Nothingness,” Cen Xiangyun said, pointing to herself. “Actually, as long as you can withstand it, you’ll develop a resistance. The world’s cognitive correction is just to protect our minds, not to truly blind us.”

“But…” she paused, looking at Luo Ling with a strange expression. “You’re the truly strange one. I won’t mention myself, I’ve heard a bit about Miss Lu’s situation from Uncle Shaoheng, and Elsa is originally from Victoria.

“But you, why can you, a mere Low-Order Awakened One, perceive the Realm of Nothingness, and even… walk within it?”

“Perhaps it’s an innate ability, I’m not sure,” Luo Ling said. She wasn’t lying, she genuinely didn’t know.

She was certain that the Realm of Nothingness posed no threat to her in her current form, but she wasn’t sure about her other forms. She had a vague sense of danger.

“By the way, what’s Miss Lu’s story?”

Luo Ling looked up at Lu Manqing, who was doing a handstand on the upper bunk out of boredom.

She knew Lu Manqing was Old Ji’s daughter.

But Old Ji was over a hundred years old, how could he have a daughter in her early twenties…?

“Me?” Lu Manqing raised an eyebrow. “There’s not much to say, similar to Miss Cen, I also endured it.

“As for my story, there’s nothing to hide. Since Miss Luo Ling is interested, I’ll tell you.”

Lu Manqing was indeed Ji Shinian and Lu Fangling’s daughter, but she wasn’t born twenty years ago, but seventy years ago.

Due to a Company mission, her parents had been separated, and Lu Fangling, pregnant at the time, had encountered a High-Risk Grotesquery disaster, causing the Boundary to collapse and regress to the Republican era.

So, Lu Manqing had been born in the Republican era Boundary, hence her clothing style, which she had grown accustomed to.

Not all High-Risk Grotesquery disasters were as sudden as the Jiangcheng County incident. In most cases, numerous incubation barriers would appear simultaneously, even while the Grotesquery was dormant, accumulating power.

The stronger the Grotesquery, the longer the incubation period. That particular High-Risk Grotesquery disaster had lasted for fifteen years.

In fact, the Jiangcheng County incident had also lasted for over a decade, but due to the Puppet Ballad’s characteristics, no one had noticed.

If it weren’t for Ji Ying, whose attention had been constantly diverted by the Puppet Ballad’s survival instinct, spawning “eggs” to distract her, no one would have known about its true form until it fully hatched… including Luo Ling, who had been under her sister’s care.

After the Grotesquery disaster in the Republican era Boundary ended, Lu Manqing, now an adult, returned to her father, Ji Shinian, with her mother, Lu Fangling.

But the Jiangcheng County Boundary, having experienced few Grotesquery incidents, had progressed to the 21st century.

Ji Shinian was almost a hundred years old, while Lu Fangling was only in her fifties. They hadn’t seen each other in decades.

Upon reuniting, they amicably separated, and Lu Manqing was entrusted to Ji Shinian’s care. Lu Fangling didn’t want her daughter to be involved in her dangerous work, and she couldn’t bear for Ji Shinian to live out his days without ever truly knowing his daughter.

Unfortunately, Lu Manqing’s strength was weak, and after forcibly traversing the Boundary, she fell into a long slumber due to cognitive dissonance.

For ten years after returning to Jiangcheng County, Lu Manqing had remained in Ward One on the seventh floor of Qingshan Hospital, only recently recovering and awakening.

Cen Xiangyun’s condition hadn’t been as severe, partly because of her family’s influence within the Company and their prior preparations, and partly because of their wealth, allowing her to use expensive alchemical potions to mitigate the cognitive dissonance.

In short, in their fight against cognitive dissonance, Cen Xiangyun had paid with money, Lu Manqing with time, and Elsa with her life.

And Luo Ling…

…was just lucky.

“Naturally able to perceive the Realm of Nothingness, and even walk within it, no wonder everyone wants her…”

Cen Xiangyun muttered, glaring enviously at Luo Ling.

She was still lamenting her dwindling year-end bonus.

“Someone’s jealous, Miss Cen,” Lu Manqing chuckled from the upper bunk. “Did you drink too much vinegar on the way here?”

“I’m not!”

Cen Xiangyun’s face flushed, feeling the heat rising.

She thought it was from anger, but the gossip-loving Lu Manqing didn’t think so.

Seeing Cen Xiangyun’s flustered reaction, Lu Manqing’s eyes twinkled mischievously.

“I think it’s not that you want Miss Luo Ling in your arms, but that you want to be in her arms! Trying to steal little Elsa’s spot!”

Why was she involved in their argument?

Luo Ling’s brow twitched, feeling the small body in her arms snuggle closer.

Elsa! You’re definitely awake, aren’t you?!

“Enough about that, there are some things I need to explain,” Cen Xiangyun said, trying to regain her composure. “There are a few things you need to be aware of in Victoria.

“First, don’t use anything that doesn’t belong to this era, including electronic devices like phones. And Lu Manqing, you have to change your clothes!”

“Huh?” Lu Manqing was taken aback. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”

She loved her outfit and had been wearing it ever since returning to Jiangcheng County.

No particular reason, she just liked it.

“Heh, just change,” Cen Xiangyun sneered. “No excuses.”

“This is revenge!”

“Heh, it’s not.”

“Heh.”

They glared at each other.

“So, why?”

Luo Ling couldn’t help but ask. These two seemed so unreliable; it felt like the Company should have just given her the information and let her be the guide.

“It’s mainly to prevent unnecessary information leakage, which can cause cognitive dissonance, just like how we couldn’t reveal anything about Victoria in Jiangcheng County,” Cen Xiangyun patiently explained to Luo Ling.

“Second, you can reveal your Awakened identity to ordinary people, but only using Victorian terms, like ‘paranormal detective,’ ‘alchemist,’ ‘spiritualist,’ and so on. These are Awakened Ones that exist within their understanding. You can figure out the specifics yourselves.”

In other words, they were replacing Awakened Ones and Grotesqueries with more acceptable, mysterious concepts to prevent cognitive dissonance.

This was a necessary measure in Victoria, where Grotesquery incidents were frequent. Even so, there were still many mentally ill people in Victoria.

“Lastly, and most importantly,” Cen Xiangyun’s expression turned serious. “Never enter an incubation barrier alone without reporting it, even a Low-Sequence one. It’s strictly forbidden.

“In Victoria, Grotesquery incubation barriers are common, so common that… you might even pass by a few ruins just by visiting your neighbor.”

This was, of course, for safety reasons. Every rule was written in blood, and even though Luo Ling wasn’t too worried, she still nodded.

She wasn’t afraid of ordinary incubation barriers, but if she encountered one of a similar level, or even a Taboo’s…

Even she would be in danger.

She couldn’t afford to be arrogant, like Artist and Scientist, who had died because of their pride.

“But it’s not that dangerous. Victoria, as the Company’s golden age, has its advantages,” Cen Xiangyun’s tone lightened, a hint of longing in her eyes.

“Because of the frequent Grotesquery incidents, there are many resources, and because of the time difference, there are many things we’ve never seen before. And most importantly, my favorite operas were at their peak in that era! Heh, I’ll definitely be a big star there too!”

“…After joining the Company, do we still have to find our own jobs?” Luo Ling asked, her eye twitching.

“Theoretically, yes. After all, the Company’s existence can’t be revealed publicly. You’ll need a public identity, because many Company commissions require interacting with ordinary people,” Cen Xiangyun said. “Of course, if you’re content being unemployed… it’s not a big problem, but an unemployed young woman your age, in Victoria, is usually…”

Cen Xiangyun didn’t continue, but Luo Ling could guess what she meant and shuddered.

She wouldn’t choose that kind of identity.

“Speaking of which, I also need an identity. Can the Company help me with that?” Lu Manqing asked, leaning down from the upper bunk.

“No, figure it out yourself!” Cen Xiangyun glared at her.

“Revenge! This is revenge!”

“Heh.”

“Can I be a student?” Luo Ling asked after a moment of thought. “I’m still a high school senior, and I was supposed to take the college entrance exam next year…”

But after all this, she didn’t need to take the exam anymore.

Three years of preparation, wasted.

“Of course, but only middle-class families can afford school. The Company can provide financial support, but… you don’t have a family, do you?” Cen Xiangyun suddenly realized what she had said and quickly covered her mouth. “I’m sorry, Miss Luo Ling…”

She had almost forgotten that Sister Su Wan, who had raised Luo Ling, had died in the previous battle.

“It’s okay, I was raised in an orphanage.”

Luo Ling had come to terms with this and waved her hand dismissively.

“Ah, in that case,” Lu Manqing suddenly clapped her hands. “I have an idea, Miss Luo Ling.”

“Hmm? Tell me.”

Luo Ling looked up.

“Look, you need a family, and I need an identity, so how about this,” Lu Manqing said excitedly. “I’ll be your mother! And Elsa can join us too!”

“That way, I can pretend to be a wealthy housewife, divorced and left with two kids after my husband cheated and was kicked out!”

Chapter 97: Little Devil Luo Ling

As planned, after leaving Jiangcheng County, Luo Ling entered the nearby Realm of Nothingness.

Stepping into the Realm of Nothingness in her original form, Luo Ling realized that only in this form could she navigate this terrifying darkness.

Whether she transformed into the White Witch or her new Naraku form, she would be lost within the Realm of Nothingness.

“It seems my first Authority, Devour, is indeed connected to the Realm of Nothingness…”

A strange thought crossed Luo Ling’s mind.

Could it be… that she was the embodiment of the Realm of Nothingness?

Hiss, thinking about it, it wasn’t entirely impossible…

“Never mind, I’ll find the answers later. My priority now is to contact the Company…”

The reason Luo Ling chose to reveal this ability was, firstly, to explain how she had survived the Realm of Nothingness, and secondly, it was a bargaining chip.

The Company wouldn’t give her what she wanted for free. Without something to pique their interest, she would just be an ordinary employee.

And it would take forever to reach a position where she could access the truth of the world…

Luo Ling couldn’t wait that long.

However, to her surprise, as she stepped out of the Realm of Nothingness, a train screeched to a halt beside her.

She had just happened to arrive at a train station.

Luo Ling turned and saw dozens of gazes fixed on her.

…This wasn’t an ordinary train. Due to the Jiangcheng County disaster, although the world’s rules had partially restored normalcy for ordinary people, the area was still considered a disaster zone.

So, everyone on this train was an Awakened One.

News of the Jiangcheng County incident had spread throughout the Boundary, reaching all Awakened organizations. So, encountering Luo Ling alone here naturally piqued their curiosity.

Soon, the Awakened Ones on the train disembarked in small teams.

“Did the Company send so many people?”

Luo Ling wondered inwardly.

Having controlled the Kingdom, she knew how many Company elite teams were near Jiangcheng County, each member at least a P7 specialist, a Seventh-Order Awakened One or above.

And these newly arrived Awakened Ones… were also around the same level.

Luo Ling remembered Artist mentioning that the Company’s power wasn’t at its peak in this Boundary.

…If this was considered “weak,” how powerful were they at their peak?

Luo Ling suddenly felt that her High-Risk Grotesquery power might not be so invincible after all. After all, the Company had successfully eliminated High-Risk Grotesqueries before. It was best to stay cautious.

The newly arrived teams stood around, chattering in languages Luo Ling couldn’t understand, seemingly discussing something.

She could vaguely make out some English words from the foreign Awakened Ones, but their accents made it difficult to understand.

They seemed to be talking about the Company…

As Luo Ling hesitated whether to approach them, the leader of one of the teams, a tall, almost imposing blonde woman, walked over and extended a hand.

“Hello, miss, I’m Fiona, codenamed Northern Crown.”

Despite her foreign appearance, she spoke fluent Chinese, even more standard than Luo Ling’s southern accent.

“Mm, my name is Luo Ling. I… don’t have a codename yet.”

Luo Ling hadn’t expected her to approach her, but she indeed didn’t have a codename in this form. She couldn’t just reveal her “White Witch” identity, could she?

Even without access to outside information, Luo Ling knew that the White Witch was probably… quite infamous now.

“Hmm? No codename?” Fiona looked surprised. “So you’re… not with the Company?”

She looked in the direction Luo Ling had come from, her expression turning serious.

“Not yet,” Luo Ling replied.

She had received the offer, but she hadn’t signed the contract yet.

Just then, the leader of another team, a handsome young man, approached.

He smiled brightly at Luo Ling and said,

“Miss, you possess the ability to traverse the Realm of Nothingness, correct?”

As he spoke, he erected a sound barrier around them.

After all, such information shouldn’t be heard by Awakened Ones who hadn’t encountered an Authority.

“Ah, yes,” Luo Ling was taken aback. She hadn’t even said anything, how did he know?

“Heh, it seems this young man has a keen eye.”

Fiona looked displeased. She had been planning to recruit Luo Ling, but this Torchbearer had revealed everything.

Luo Ling emerging from the Realm of Nothingness had indeed been witnessed by everyone on the train.

However, ordinary Awakened Ones, unable to see the Realm of Nothingness, had perceived her as appearing out of thin air.

But Fiona and this young man had seen her step out of the Realm of Nothingness.

This meant… Luo Ling possessed the ability to traverse it.

Fiona had assumed she was a special talent of the Company and was thinking of how to approach her when this information was unexpectedly revealed.

The Torchbearer had also overheard and immediately jumped at the opportunity.

“Easy there, miss,” the young man smiled politely at Fiona, then turned his attention back to Luo Ling. “Apologies, beautiful miss, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cheng Jianming, codenamed Bard.

“I’m from… the Torchbearers. Would you be interested in joining us?”

Fiona’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected this Eastern young man to be so direct. Weren’t Easterners supposed to be more reserved?

Cheng Jianming maintained his smile, thinking inwardly, If I don’t act now, it’ll be too late once the Company recovers.

In this Boundary, there were about five to six hundred Awakened Ones.

The Company, a global organization, had over a hundred members. Small, independent groups like the Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital Exchange Group had about two hundred members, and the rest belonged to first-rate organizations like the Torchbearers, which also had about a hundred members each.

So, within this Boundary, the Torchbearers’ strength wasn’t inferior to the Company’s.

“I’m from the Fate Society, miss. Please consider us!”

Fiona said, handing Luo Ling a small, printed booklet, clearly promotional material for her organization.

Cheng Jianming also respectfully presented a book with an antique feel, also seemingly promotional material.

Luo Ling finally realized that these two groups weren’t from the Company at all, and she was now in a dilemma.

Fiona and Cheng Jianming exchanged glances, sparks flying between them.

Just as Luo Ling felt flustered, a familiar voice, filled with surprise, echoed from behind her.

“Miss… Luo Ling?”

“Hmm?”

The three of them turned and saw a tall woman in fashionable clothes, her face hidden behind sunglasses, a mask, and a hat, standing near the platform, staring at Luo Ling.

Luo Ling paused for a moment, then recognized her.

“Cen…”

Before Luo Ling could finish, the woman rushed forward and hugged her tightly.

“That’s great, Miss Luo Ling, you’re not dead, that’s really great…”

“…”

Luo Ling raised her hand, then lowered it, her expression softening slightly.

“Yes, I’m not dead.”

After being sent to another train car by Scientist during the battle, she had lost contact with Cen Xiangyun and the others.

Combined with the Realm of Nothingness and the information from Elsa, everyone present must have assumed she was dead.

Cen Xiangyun had certainly thought so, even blaming herself, thinking it was her fault for trying to recruit Luo Ling into the Company. So, seeing Luo Ling now, she couldn’t help but cry tears of joy and relief.

Fiona and Cheng Jianming, seeing this scene, discreetly stepped back, giving them some space.

“Sister Su Wan…”

Cen Xiangyun stopped mid-sentence, noticing the sadness in Luo Ling’s eyes, and quickly covered her mouth.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay,” Luo Ling whispered.

She didn’t blame Cen Xiangyun. Even without her involvement, everything that had happened… would still have happened.

Perhaps even worse.

If Scientist and Artist had carried out their plan in Jiangcheng County, whether Luo Ling died or not, it would have revealed her sister’s true form.

And then, even the Awakened Ones who hadn’t been turned into Lambs would have been trapped within the Kingdom, unable to escape.

At least the Realm of Nothingness had bought them some time…

“I know, it’s all in the past now.”

Luo Ling gave Cen Xiangyun a weak smile, which, at this moment, was more painful than tears.

“Honestly, why is the victim comforting the bystander…?”

Cen Xiangyun wiped away her tears, then, noticing the onlookers, remembered why she was here.

Although Lu Fangling felt it unnecessary to deal with the other Awakened organizations who had come to Jiangcheng County, either to scavenge or investigate, Li Shaoheng still felt they should check the situation.

Cen Xiangyun had returned after the situation in Jiangcheng County had stabilized, but because of her relatively low strength, she hadn’t been allowed to enter the city, leaving her with some free time, so she had been sent to the train station.

“These two… should be from the Fate Society and the Torchbearers, right?”

Cen Xiangyun looked up, her expression instantly regaining its usual arrogance, as expected of a celebrity.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m from the Company, sent by Senior Spatial Distortion to welcome you.”

The reason she didn’t reveal her own name was simple. At least in the Awakened world, “Cen Xiangyun” was a nobody.

…She couldn’t expect any of them to be her fans.

“Spatial Distortion!”

Both Fiona and Cheng Jianming’s expressions changed slightly. It seemed Li Shaoheng’s reputation in the Awakened world was indeed significant.

Awakened Ones on the Order path were rare, and those who reached Eighth-Order and had encountered a Chaos-related Authority were even rarer.

Across all Boundaries, there were less than ten like Li Shaoheng.

However…

They looked at Luo Ling, puzzled.

Hadn’t this girl said she wasn’t with the Company? She didn’t seem to be lying, and in this situation, lying… wouldn’t benefit her.

Cen Xiangyun instantly understood what they were thinking.

“So you’ve already noticed Miss Luo Ling’s talent and want to poach her?” Cen Xiangyun smiled inwardly. “Too bad, too bad, I’ve already made my move. No one can steal my year-end bonus!”

“What a shame,” Cen Xiangyun put an arm around Luo Ling’s shoulder, feigning familiarity, and pulled out a contract from her briefcase. “Miss Luo Ling has already signed a contract with us. She’s a… eh, is she a regular employee or outsourced?”

She glanced at the contract and froze, her face turning awkward.

“…Wait a minute.”

At the same time, Fiona and Cheng Jianming also looked at the contract, their expressions turning strange.

The intern contract had the Company’s seal and the contractual imprint, but…

The signee’s signature was missing.

Luo Ling hadn’t officially signed the contract yet.

Celebrated too early…

“Come to think of it, we did say she could sign after we settled her sister’s situation…”

Cen Xiangyun broke out in a cold sweat, while Fiona and Cheng Jianming smiled.

No contract, there was still a chance.

This wasn’t an ordinary contract, but a binding agreement witnessed by the Order path, capable of influencing an Awakened One’s path.

Once signed, violating the contract’s terms would result in punishment from the Order itself, severe cases even causing backlash from their path abilities, trapping their consciousness, a fate worse than death.

And trying to exploit loopholes in the contract was impossible, because Order was absolutely just. The price paid by both parties had to be equal, or the contract wouldn’t take effect.

For example, if one wanted absolute obedience from another, based on the principle of equivalent exchange, they would also have to obey all commands from the other party.

“Hmm?”

Luo Ling tilted her head, puzzled.

“I can sign it now,” Luo Ling said, taking the contract from Cen Xiangyun. “As for my sister… you don’t have to worry about it. You’ve done enough.”

Or rather, it had nothing to do with them.

“Wait, Miss Luo Ling,” Fiona said quickly. “Don’t you want to hear our offer?”

“And ours,” Cheng Jianming added, glancing at the flustered Cen Xiangyun. “As far as I know, the Company… isn’t exactly a good place to be.”

Luo Ling hesitated, holding the contract, and looked up.

“Is that so?”

She didn’t care which organization she joined. What she wanted wasn’t a generous reward, but the truth of the world, and a way to save her sister.

Of course, the reward had to at least cover her living expenses.

After all, she no longer had her sister to rely on.

So, it was time to haggle, even if she ultimately joined the Company, she might as well get more out of it.

“Miss Luo Ling, we had an agreement…”

Cen Xiangyun’s heart sank. She couldn’t lose her year-end bonus!

“But you didn’t protect my sister,” Luo Ling said shamelessly.

“…But you just said it didn’t matter!”

Cen Xiangyun’s composure cracked, although she did feel guilty about it.

“Tell you what, prepare your bidding proposals, and I’ll consider them,” Luo Ling said with a serious expression, acting like a seasoned professional despite being a high school girl.

“Sister Cen, it’s not that I’m being unreasonable, but…”

Suddenly, Cen Xiangyun saw a mischievous, almost devilish, smile on the usually indifferent girl’s face.

Was it an illusion?

No, it wasn’t!

Miss Luo Ling’s smile was… wicked!

“Where did you learn the term ‘bidding proposal’? You can’t use it in this situation…”

“Anyway, that’s it,” Luo Ling nodded, returning the contract to Cen Xiangyun. “Let’s go back now.”

“Miss Luo Ling!”

Cen Xiangyun put on a pitiful expression, trying to appeal to their past camaraderie.

My year-end bonus, my precious year-end bonus…

But Luo Ling, having made up her mind, remained unmoved.

“Alright, little Luo Ling, we’ll see you later. We definitely won’t disappoint you!”

Fiona, seeing a glimmer of hope, started thinking about what she could offer to entice this girl.

“Please look forward to it, the Torchbearers will do our best to satisfy Miss Luo Ling,” Cheng Jianming added with a smile.

To poach someone from the Company, they would have to offer something substantial.

After saying that, they returned to their teams, preparing to enter Jiangcheng County.

After all, Luo Ling’s appearance was just a small interlude; their priority was the aftermath of the disaster.

Luo Ling also went back with Cen Xiangyun. Along the way, this beautiful woman, known for her heroic and aloof demeanor in films, clung to Luo Ling like a lovesick puppy, trying to win back this little devil’s heart.

She wasn’t a Company HR representative; she couldn’t offer anything more, even if she added a bit more, it wouldn’t be as much as the other two organizations.

Her year-end bonus… was slipping away…

Beside a burning fireplace, a hunched old man sat on a sofa, his hands gripping his cane.

His eyes were half-closed, his wrinkled face unreadable, only the flickering firelight casting shadows.

“So… we failed…”

Not a hint of frustration in his voice, just a calm statement of fact.

The old man looked up at the clock on the mantelpiece.

The usually lively clock now seemed lifeless, its eyes closed.

The bony hands on the clock face continued their duty, but without the spark of “life.”

It no longer chimed cheerfully like before.

“It’s a shame. This ‘artwork’ from Artist, without its master’s life force, is just an ordinary clock now.”

The old man sighed, seemingly more regretful about this than about Artist and Scientist’s deaths.

“Philosopher, even you… couldn’t save them?”

A clear, childish voice echoed, and a small figure, clearly a child, appeared on the sofa beside Philosopher.

Although he looked like he was only five or six years old, his expression was unusually solemn for a child. He wore a monocle similar to Artist’s and a miniature scholar’s robe.

Besides his appearance, he was a miniature version of an old scholar.

Clearly, he wasn’t just a few years old; his appearance was a result of some “Price.”

“Yes, Educator, I couldn’t stop them,” Philosopher admitted, then added after a moment of hesitation,

“I didn’t dare to.”

“Hmm?”

Educator raised an eyebrow.

Artist and Scientist were different from Performer to the Harbingers of Calamity. If possible, the three Authority wielders would personally intervene to save their lives.

That was how they had evaded the Company’s pursuit for so long.

Unfortunately, Artist had died in the Realm of Nothingness, a forbidden zone even Grotesqueries avoided, a place the three wouldn’t dare enter.

But Scientist had escaped… yet she still… died?

“An attack from a High-Risk Grotesquery, within its domain, a mere avatar… intervening would only make me its nourishment,” Philosopher chuckled. “If it were within my domain, it might not have been able to defeat me, but… never mind.”

Although he had dispelled his avatar in Jiangcheng County, he had left a trace of his perception.

So, Philosopher had learned of the Puppet Ballad’s demise even before the Company.

“However, such a major incident in that place… will distract the Company, which is a good thing.”

Educator breathed a sigh of relief. The Company’s pressure on the Harbingers had been immense recently. With their plans in motion, they couldn’t afford any mistakes.

Although Artist and Scientist’s positions were now vacant, affecting their plans… it was a minor setback.

“It won’t distract them. The Company knows their priorities, they won’t abandon their surveillance of Victoria,” Philosopher said, staring intently at the fireplace, as if trying to see something within the flames. “This is… the ‘Origin,’ the beginning of all Disorders.

“The legendary, mysterious Seventh Path, the ‘Original Path’ from which all six paths originated, its secrets are hidden here.

“Although the Company is blinded by their arrogance, they understand the importance of Victoria.”

The Harbingers’ plan in Victoria was to find the Original Path, to… end this disordered world.

The world had once been normal, with a normal flow of time, a normal distribution of space. Even with the appearance of Grotesqueries, even with the manifestation of Taboos, it hadn’t fundamentally affected the world’s operation.

Until…

A being whose True Name was unknown had exerted its Authority upon the world.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, until the 22nd century, over three hundred years, thirty Boundaries had been created, separated by the Realm of Nothingness, and the world had fallen into an unprecedented Disorder.

This mysterious being possessed the Seventh Path, the Original Path, unknown to any human or Grotesquery, the source of all paths.

Its reasons for doing so, whether to change, destroy, or save something, were unknown.

But some knew that this Disorder had to end.

Even if the Price… was everyone in the world.

This was the Harbingers’ explanation for the Boundaries and the Disorder, and the reason for their existence.

Other factions might disagree with the theory of a mysterious being causing the Boundaries and the Disorder, even questioning the existence of the Seventh Path, but the Harbingers firmly believed this was the truth.

To this end, they had been working tirelessly, siding with Grotesqueries, paying any Price to increase their own power.

Ultimately, to annihilate all Boundaries, to erase these disordered three hundred years.

Even if it meant the extinction of humanity… except for the Harbingers.

But that was fine. The Harbingers had preserved the seeds of humanity’s future.

Philosopher, Educator, Historian…

Artist, Scientist, Performer…

The Harbingers would become the mentors of the new humanity, guiding the new world.

They were the Harbingers of the new world.

This was the true meaning of “Harbinger.”

“But… is it wise to focus all our attention on Victoria?” Educator asked softly, resting his chin on his hand.

“…Not exactly wise, but we can’t always expect the best,” Philosopher shook his head, his gaze distant, then he continued, “However, the Jiangcheng County incident has given me some inspiration.

“Perhaps… we, who wield Authorities, can also create… an incubation barrier, something that should only belong to Grotesqueries?”

Educator’s expression turned serious, intrigued by Philosopher’s words.

“My Traveler, your Demise, Historian’s Unsung,” Philosopher said, his hands moving rhythmically, each movement as if touching a specific point in space. “Like a web, weaving an incubation barrier that envelops all of Victoria.

“To welcome His return, and then… return all paths… to the Origin.”

As his fingertip landed, a flicker of annihilating nothingness appeared, then vanished.

…

Jiangcheng County, a few days later.

After the final investigation, the Jiangcheng County disaster had finally come to an end.

The cause of the incident was still unclear. The current theory was that the Puppet Ballad, the Sequence Forty-Nine Silent Demise Grotesquery, had been betrayed by its apostle, the White Witch, ambushed and killed during its dormancy.

The battle ended with the Puppet Ballad’s complete demise, and the White Witch successfully usurped its Authority.

Finally, the White Witch, using the four hundred thousand civilians of Jiangcheng County as a final, gruesome feast, inherited the position of Sequence Forty-Nine.

…Some also theorized that the White Witch’s actions were a sacrifice, a deal with a Grotesquery, the four hundred thousand civilians the price she paid for inheriting the Sequence.

Shortly after, the Company released the details of the incident, including the Sequence replacement, causing an uproar, as expected.

Awakened Ones in every Boundary were intrigued by this news.

Countless Awakened Ones secretly tried to analyze the incident, attempting to replicate this seemingly impossible miracle.

After all, wielding the full power and Authority of a High-Risk Grotesquery was an irresistible temptation for most.

Of course, only a few were willing to pay the price.

And the White Witch, the center of this storm, was now on the Company’s most wanted list, ranked sixth on the S-rank.

Capturing her alive would grant ten accesses to the Company vault, a Taboo Sacred Tool of their choice, and a Company black card, granting access to all the Company’s liquid assets within the current Boundary.

Killing her would grant all her Sacred Relics and the opportunity to process them, whether into Sacred Tools or potions, along with the black card, but only three accesses to the vault.

Even providing a small piece of information, depending on its value, could grant access to the vault.

Access to the vault was a rare opportunity. Even Cen Xiangyun, with her uncle’s help and only needing to contribute ten percent of the points, had to work for a whole year, plus her year-end bonus, to barely afford it.

Such a reward was exceptional. After all, every S-rank criminal had a long list of crimes, not even worthy of being listed without at least a thousand or eight hundred.

And the White Witch only had one crime.

—The massacre of four hundred thousand civilians.

Luo Ling looked at the information Cen Xiangyun had given her and was silent.

It seemed she was quite valuable. Should she be happy, or sad…?

As for the description and analysis of the Jiangcheng County incident, Luo Ling could only smile wryly.

Even Elsa didn’t know about her sister’s existence. The complete truth was known only to the White Witch herself.

Let the truth remain hidden in the shadows.

However, the Jiangcheng County incident had another consequence: the near-disintegration of the Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital Patient Exchange Group.

Only a few members of the exchange group were locals, like Officer Liu, An Yu, and Ji Shinian. The others had been recruited by Ji Shinian from other places.

Otherwise, such a small place like Jiangcheng County wouldn’t have so many Awakened Ones.

But… they had lived here for a long time, and after Jiangcheng County’s destruction and Ji Shinian’s retirement, the group had essentially disbanded.

Ji Shinian, his ability now useless and his previous injuries worsening, was now living with his ex-wife, Lu Fangling, unable to even care for himself.

Liu Songyi chose to stay in Jiangcheng County for the aftermath, after all, he was the officer in charge… although Jiangcheng County was now deserted.

An Yu, because of her rare Order path ability, had been recruited by the Fate Society, her ridiculous codename “Cyber Girl” replaced with “Southern Cross.”

…It seemed this organization used constellations as codenames.

However, the “truth” about the White Witch had traumatized her deeply, even more so than the Baiyan Village incident, which Luo Ling felt somewhat guilty about…

As for Elsa, needless to say, although she hadn’t said anything in the exchange group, she would follow Luo Ling wherever she went.

The other members of the exchange group had either returned to their own cities or joined the Company or other organizations.

Thus, the Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital Patient Exchange Group had officially disbanded.

Besides these trivial matters, Luo Ling was more concerned about what came next.

Cen Xiangyun’s constant pestering hadn’t been very effective, but the ability Luo Ling revealed had caught the Company’s attention.

Being able to freely traverse the Realm of Nothingness was a power no faction would underestimate.

The Realm of Nothingness was currently a blind spot for all factions; no one knew what was inside, let alone its true nature.

And Luo Ling’s ability had made the Realm of Nothingness accessible, lifting a corner of its mysterious veil.

Company headquarters took this very seriously, directly transferring Luo Ling’s file to them.

As for the other two factions, the Fate Society and the Torchbearers, they weren’t willing to give up either.

Although much smaller than the massive Company,

Their influence within certain Boundaries was comparable.

And after some discussion…

They decided to conduct a joint interview with Luo Ling.

“Such cunning capitalists…”

Not giving her any chance to negotiate, putting everything on the table.

However, Luo Ling wasn’t particularly concerned about the salary. What she wanted was the truth of the world, and a way to save her sister.

Of course, the reward had to at least cover her living expenses.

After all, she no longer had her sister to rely on.

So, it was time to play the field, even if she ultimately joined the Company, she might as well get more out of it.

However, the interview location wasn’t in Jiangcheng County, but a place called “Victoria.”

Where the headquarters of these three factions were located.

After all, Jiangcheng County was now in ruins, and the cleanup would take a long time. It wasn’t a convenient location.

Luo Ling knew almost nothing about Victoria. Li Shaoheng hadn’t told her much, only that it was in another Boundary, a hub for Awakened organizations.

And most importantly, it was the Company’s most powerful Boundary, its influence ten times greater than the current one.

“But… anywhere is fine,” Luo Ling said, picking up the train ticket attached to the file, tracing the embossed, gold lettering and feeling the high-quality paper. “Platform Nine and Three-Quarters…?

“Wait… does this count as infringement?”

(End of Volume 1)

Volume 1, “Weaving Lies”

Chapter 96: The Worst of the Worst

“Miss… Luo Ling?”

Elsa looked flustered, tilting her small head up, her mind struggling to process what she had just seen.

Luo Ling had transformed right before her eyes, and it was difficult to connect Miss Luo Ling with Big Sister Bai.

Even their heights were different.

And…

“Bai… oh wait, Miss Luo Ling, aren’t you… dead?” Elsa asked, her brow furrowed as she counted on her fingers. “I clearly saw…”

It had been a fatal wound, piercing her heart, and Elsa had even sensed Luo Ling’s life force fading.

She scratched her head, confused.

“Or was that Luo Ling not Miss Luo Ling? Oh wait, not Big Sister Bai?

“That’s not right either… Big Sister Bai is Miss Luo Ling, and Miss Luo Ling is…”

Luo Ling’s lips twitched. It seemed Elsa was only getting more confused…

“That was also me, but I didn’t die,” Luo Ling said. “So I came back.”

“Ah, I see, I understand now,” Elsa nodded repeatedly, but she still looked confused.

“Should I call you Miss Luo Ling, or Big Sister Bai…?”

Elsa started struggling with this new dilemma.

“When it’s just us, either is fine. Otherwise, just call me whatever form I’m in,” Luo Ling said, stroking Elsa’s hair. It felt nice.

No wonder her sister always liked to pat her head, it was a pleasant feeling.

“Ah, also, where’s Sister Su Wan? I don’t see her. Could it be that she…”

Elsa’s face turned anxious. After all, Sister Su Wan was just an ordinary person, and Jiangcheng County now…

Could one of those exploding blood flowers have been Sister Su Wan’s?

“She’s… fine, she just went somewhere far away,” Luo Ling said, her gaze downcast, her expression slightly sad. “She might not be back for a long time.”

“Really?”

Elsa felt that Luo Ling was hiding something, but she couldn’t quite understand.

“Then when Sister Su Wan comes back, we have to give her a proper welcome!” Elsa clenched her small fists, trying to cheer Luo Ling up.

“Of course.”

Luo Ling forced a smile, but as she looked down at Jiangcheng County, she couldn’t help but sigh.

Everything outside Jiangcheng County… must be in chaos now, right?

Luo Ling could imagine the Company’s shock when they entered the city and saw what had happened.

They would probably consider the White Witch their greatest threat.

For a moment, Luo Ling wanted to explain, to tell the Company the truth, that she hadn’t massacred the city, but had merely released them from their torment.

But even she herself would find it hard to believe.

Even if some people believed her, for safety reasons, the Company, and the entire Awakened world, would definitely place her under strict surveillance and restrictions.

Normally, Luo Ling wouldn’t mind. After all, she had a clear conscience and no intention of harming anyone.

But now…

She wanted to save her sister.

She wanted her sister to come back.

She wanted… to truly embrace her sister again.

So, she couldn’t be restricted.

Fortunately… she still had another identity she could use in the world.

Not as the White Witch.

“Elsa, after we leave here, pretend you haven’t seen me,” Luo Ling said in a low voice. “You haven’t seen the White Witch, and you haven’t seen Luo Ling.”

“Mm.”

Elsa nodded. Although she didn’t understand why, if Miss Luo Ling said so, there must be a reason.

She just had to obey.

“And you too, Bella.”

Luo Ling looked at the teddy bear, which was pretending to be an ordinary toy, her calm tone devoid of any threat, but Bella was sweating profusely.

“O-of course, I would never say anything…”

Bella’s voice trembled. She knew that this seemingly kind being had just killed four hundred thousand people without batting an eye.

Well, strictly speaking, it wasn’t killing.

But it was still terrifying.

This was a High-Risk Grotesquery… a living, breathing High-Risk Grotesquery…

“Also, don’t use the ability I taught you in front of others,” Luo Ling added. “And don’t mention the White Witch, even if they’re insulting her, don’t defend her.”

She didn’t care, but Elsa might get into trouble.

Before learning more about this world, Luo Ling didn’t want to reveal too many of her cards.

Of course, she was only concealing her abilities, not sealing them. She could still use them if needed.

After giving her instructions, Luo Ling told Elsa to stay on Huolu Mountain and wait for the others to arrive and take her back. She just had to tell the Company what Luo Ling had told her.

Luo Ling then quietly left Jiangcheng County, heading towards the train station.

To conceal the connection between “White Witch” and “Luo Ling,” and to learn more about the truth of this world through the Company, Luo Ling planned to reveal another special ability.

“The first Awakened One capable of walking freely through the Realm of Nothingness, the Company should be interested, right…?”

…

“What a magnificent ‘disaster.’ Even among all Boundaries, it would rank within the top fifty, wouldn’t it?”

On a hill overlooking Jiangcheng County, Gypsy Girl watched the entire incident with relish.

Of course, without an Authority, even she couldn’t see through the Kingdom and perceive the truth, but this was enough.

Just witnessing the changes in the Kingdom had allowed her to progress further on the Other Shore path.

But Wang Lili wasn’t so fortunate, showing signs of entering her Seer state again.

Seeing the exploding blood flowers throughout the city, she vomited, terror gripping her mind.

However, forced by Gypsy Girl, Wang Lili had watched the entire scene, her mind almost breaking.

“Dad, Mom…”

She also had family in Jiangcheng County.

“Don’t think about it, they’re already dead,” Gypsy Girl said softly.

“Sister Gypsy, did… did you know this would happen?”

Wang Lili looked up at Gypsy Girl.

During her time with Gypsy Girl, her common sense had been repeatedly challenged and shattered, until now, completely broken.

Was this… the truth of the world?

“Are you kidding? If I had known, would I have stayed in the city? You overestimate me and underestimate High-Risk Grotesqueries,” Gypsy Girl shrugged. “Actually, I underestimated it too. I knew it was a High-Risk Grotesquery, but I didn’t expect it to be this powerful.”

From the beginning, Gypsy Girl had known there was a High-Risk Grotesquery lurking in Jiangcheng County. That was why she had come to this remote place, because of this “disaster.”

The reason she was called the Harbinger of Disaster was because of her ability to predict disasters, although the scale and intensity might be slightly off.

The Jiangcheng County disaster had begun long ago.

As for why she hadn’t informed the Company…

The Speaker wasn’t a subsidiary of the Company, why would she inform them?

Besides, wasn’t a disaster a good thing? A chance to increase her strength, why not?

The Speaker’s stance wasn’t biased towards Grotesqueries, or rather, Grotesquery-side Awakened organizations. They were relatively independent.

It could be said that they had no stance, their members acting as they pleased.

Some Speakers even helped apostles, and one was even a Grotesquery agent herself.

Gypsy Girl was more… flexible. As long as she was paid, she would accept any commission.

The reason the Harbingers of Calamity knew her was because of previous dealings.

However, this time, Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital had contacted her first, so she hadn’t accepted the Harbingers’ offer.

Business was business; credibility was important.

She couldn’t agree to a deal, then turn around and sell them out.

Gypsy Girl considered herself to have some professional ethics. Her bottom line hadn’t become that flexible yet.

“But I didn’t expect… the White Witch to be so impressive. It seems the connections I made before were useful,” Gypsy Girl said, crossing her legs, a sly smile on her face. “And how will the Company and other Awakened organizations react to this incident?

“Heh, I can’t wait to see.”

…

After the Kingdom domain began to recede, the Company, noticing this, sent several elite teams, each led by at least a P8 specialist, but they didn’t enter Jiangcheng County immediately.

Only after a few days, when they confirmed the unknown Authority domain was gone, did they cautiously enter.

Upon entering Jiangcheng County, everyone was stunned.

Some, with weaker mental fortitude, even fainted on the spot.

The entire city was littered with dismembered bodies and scattered flesh and blood, the streets and alleys awash in rivers of blood, the former prosperity completely submerged.

A dense aura of death hung over the land, a deathly silence, not even a single cry or wail.

“Unimaginable…”

What kind of hellish scene had the White Witch created…?

As they went deeper into the city, a chill ran down their spines.

Company headquarters had made a worst-case estimate, that the death toll in Jiangcheng County would exceed two-thirds of its population, between two hundred and three hundred thousand.

Even that estimate had seemed unbelievable.

Who knew…

…that it would be a complete massacre.

And in such a gruesome manner…

Almost all the corpses were torn to shreds, likely from explosions, and almost all at the same time.

Imagine a vibrant city, everyone suddenly exploding, flesh and blood flying everywhere. The mere thought was enough to make one shudder.

Even Lu Fangling, the only P8 specialist present who had experienced a High-Risk Grotesquery disaster, couldn’t help but be shocked, her heart pounding in her chest.

Even decades ago, even in that single High-Risk Grotesquery disaster she had experienced, she hadn’t seen anything this horrifying.

Even the infamous Pestilence incident centuries ago hadn’t killed hundreds of thousands in an instant.

Only one terrifying conclusion could be drawn.

“This new High-Risk Grotesquery… is more dangerous than any we’ve encountered before.”

Not in terms of raw power, but in terms of its threat to humanity.

Not all Grotesqueries were driven to kill. Their actions were usually guided by their paths and characteristics, and it was in the process of following these paths that humans paid the price.

The most terrifying scenario was a powerful Grotesquery taking an interest in slaughtering civilians. Such a Grotesquery posed a great threat to the Awakened world, potentially even causing Boundary collapses and Disorders.

Then, it wouldn’t just be a matter of hundreds of thousands of lives.

After carefully investigating the situation in Jiangcheng County, Lu Fangling sent a detailed report to Company headquarters, leaving the matter to the higher-ups.

Although the final decision hadn’t been made yet, Lu Fangling could guess what it would be.

The White Witch would likely be placed on the wanted list. As a Grotesquery with self-awareness and the ability to act independently, she could no longer be treated as a mere “disaster.”

And the change on the Taboo Index, after its next update, would quickly spread throughout the Awakened world.

Then…

…the real storm would begin.

“And there’s still the Victoria matter… heh, it seems both the Company and they will be quite busy.”

Lu Fangling smiled wryly. To encounter something like this when she was planning to retire… at her age, she still had to fight.

Old Ji, around the same age as her, was practically bedridden, his life like a flickering candle in the wind.

Just as Lu Fangling was about to withdraw the elite teams, lower Jiangcheng County’s threat level, and send in the main force for cleanup, Li Shaoheng suddenly appeared before her, along with an unfamiliar little girl.

“Xiao Li, this is…?”

Lu Fangling asked, puzzled.

“We found her on a small hill near the outskirts, the only survivor we’ve found in Jiangcheng County so far,” Li Shaoheng said grimly. “She seems… to be connected to Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital.”

“Hello, Grandma Lu,” Elsa said politely, bowing.

After becoming Luo Ling’s apostle, her previous ailments had vanished.

She could run and jump, her eyes could see normally, and her voice no longer harmed others.

It was this change that made Luo Ling hesitate to revoke Elsa’s apostle status.

Even her sister, as the host, couldn’t resist the Grotesquery’s instincts. Luo Ling wasn’t confident she could control this terrifying power.

“You know me?” Lu Fangling raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, Grandpa Ji has a photo of you,” Elsa replied honestly.

“So she really is from Old Ji’s side. But why would he recruit such a young girl?” Seeing Elsa, who was barely taller than her shoulders, Lu Fangling’s expression softened. “Little girl, the scene in the city… it didn’t scare you, did it?”

…Of course it had terrified her.

Elsa had almost lost her mind when she ran up the mountain to find Luo Ling, only calming down slightly after seeing her, even though it was Luo Ling who had caused it.

“I didn’t see anything, I was hiding in the mountains,” Elsa replied, as instructed by Luo Ling.

“Come to think of it, we didn’t see many…”

Lu Fangling hesitated, not saying “corpses.”

After all, the Puppet Ballad’s final act had been to maintain ordinary daily life. The controlled people were either at home or at their workplaces, rarely appearing in desolate areas.

“There’s one more thing. I saw it in the Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital Patient Exchange Group’s files,” Li Shaoheng said grimly. “Her codename is Scarlet Witch, and she cooperated with White Witch during the Baiyan Village incident.

“And most importantly, she’s… the only successful case of Scientist’s mysterious experiments.”

“What?!”

Lu Fangling looked surprised, then, looking at the well-behaved Elsa, she asked after a moment of hesitation,

“Where’s Old Ji now?”

“Mr. Ji should be outside Jiangcheng County, but not far.”

“Send her there, and you take your team with you, as protection,” Lu Fangling said grimly. “Until you receive further instructions from me, stand down.”

Whether it was because of their previous cooperation, or because of the mysterious experiment, that the White Witch had spared this little red-haired girl, wasn’t the most important question now.

Obtaining information about the White Witch from these clues was their priority.

Li Shaoheng nodded, understanding the situation. Sending the Scarlet Witch back to the psychiatric hospital was indeed the best option.

“The Fate Society and the Torchbearers have also sent people. They’re currently near the Jiangcheng County train station. Should we contact them?” Li Shaoheng asked.

Besides the Company, there were other Awakened organizations in this Boundary. Although their reach wasn’t as wide as the Company’s, they were quite influential within this Boundary.

However, they had arrived a bit late.

The Fate Society primarily operated in Europe, and the Torchbearers, although also in Asia, were quite far from Jiangcheng County.

It was because of Lu Fangling’s connection to the local organization that the Company branch had been established here.

“No need,” Lu Fangling said, then paused, a question forming in her mind. “But since they’re already in Jiangcheng County, why are they still at the train station instead of coming here?”

“I’m not sure, it seems they encountered some problems there,” Li Shaoheng shook his head.

Meanwhile, at the train station.

Luo Ling looked at the arguing groups, her face stiffening slightly.

“Wait, you’re… not from the Company?”

Chapter 95: The Undying, The Unliving

Luo Ling’s consciousness, nearly extinguished, flickered back to life. She slowly raised her head, finding herself in a familiar darkness.

Was this…

The Realm of Nothingness?

No, this was…

As if guided by intuition, Luo Ling turned her head, her gaze settling on a specific point.

As expected, this was…

Her mindscape.

A black-haired girl, her beautiful face covered in grotesque blue scales, sat curled up, hugging her knees, her eyes closed, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek, giving her a fragile appearance.

Luo Ling knew this was herself.

This time, she hadn’t appeared in the corridor but directly within this void.

She looked up and saw the familiar information she had seen before in her mindscape.

But this time, there was something more.

[???: ???]
[First Authority: Devour — Consume It, Understand It, Become It]
[Second Authority: Kingdom — Wherever the Authority reaches, is its Kingdom. Whoever the Authority touches, becomes its servant.]
[???]

Most of the information was still hidden, obscured by nothingness, but besides Devour, which she had from the beginning, Luo Ling now possessed another Authority: Kingdom.

“The Puppet Ballad’s Authority…”

And also her sister’s.

Luo Ling raised her hand slightly, countless mycelia threads appearing in her palm, everything within their reach under her complete control.

This was a complete and unique Authority, the strongest known power in the world.

“But… what’s the point?”

Possessing this Authority also meant… the Puppet Ballad was dead.

Her sister was dead.

“A world without Sister…”

After returning from the Realm of Nothingness and entering Ji Ying’s incubation barrier, Luo Ling had considered countless possibilities, including her sister being a Grotesquery.

She had tried to accept this truth countless times, but when her sister actually died before her eyes…

All that acceptance and preparation had been meaningless.

Luo Ling’s gaze dimmed.

Just then, a languid, seductive voice, filled with an almost otherworldly arrogance, echoed through the void.

“Your love, is it for your elder sister, or… for the Puppet Ballad?”

Who?

Luo Ling’s eyes widened in shock as she looked up.

This was the first time she had encountered another presence in her mindscape, a place she had always considered her greatest secret, something she hadn’t even fully revealed to her sister.

Although the main reason was that she hadn’t wanted to involve her sister, whom she had believed to be an ordinary person, in these matters.

“Heh, you brought me here, yet you ask… who I am?” The languid voice chuckled. “Fine, considering your ignorance, I shall tell you.

“My True Name is unknowable, but you may call me… Naraku.”

Naraku…

Luo Ling couldn’t help but picture the purple-haired woman in the second room, her second transformed form.

After being killed by Scientist, she had somehow devoured the Naraku Sacred Relic created from a portion of Scientist’s Price.

Thinking back now, it must have been her sister’s doing.

After consuming a part of another being… would a connection be formed?

…No, that wasn’t right.

As if reading Luo Ling’s thoughts, Naraku’s voice echoed again.

“I know your doubts. Perhaps other ‘He’ cannot perceive your true nature, but I… am Omniscient.”

“I… know all, see all.”

His words, like an undeniable truth, resonated through the void.

…The Authority of Omniscience.

Luo Ling was silent for a moment, then she finally realized this voice… belonged to the true Naraku.

Perhaps just a dormant consciousness, or a lingering echo, but undoubtedly the real Taboo.

“I asked… your love, is it for your elder sister, or… for the Puppet Ballad?”

Naraku repeated the question.

But… wasn’t the answer obvious?

Who would choose the Puppet Ballad…?

“Of course… it’s for my sister,” Luo Ling whispered.

“Then why do you hesitate?” Naraku’s voice was laced with amusement. “The Puppet Ballad is indeed dead, but your sister’s memories, her emotions, her consciousness, everything about her… hasn’t it all been devoured by you?

“Isn’t this… your elder sister?”

He even knew about her unique Authority, Devour?

…This was Omniscience?

Luo Ling’s face paled slightly, but his next words made her tremble.

Could it be that her sister…

“Do you… love her?”

The gentle voice echoed, stirring Luo Ling’s emotions.

Memories, warm and cruel, flashed through her mind.

Of course she loved her.

“Are you saying… there’s still a chance for my sister… to be resurrected?” Luo Ling asked, her voice trembling.

“That which has never died, cannot be resurrected,” Naraku chuckled, his seductive voice whispering in her ear.

“Come, accept me, with the Authority of Omniscience, atone for your ignorance. Even your elder sister… can be brought back to this world.”

“No,” Luo Ling’s expression returned to its usual calm.

After thinking it through, she opened her eyes.

“You… you’re not Naraku’s true form, just a lingering echo.”

This temptation… was familiar.

…Just like Scientist before her death.

Revealing a portion of Omniscience, tempting her to fall into the abyss of knowledge.

Having witnessed a similar mistake so recently, Luo Ling wouldn’t fall for it.

Even with her beliefs crumbling, even with the bait being the source of her pain.

“So what? My words… are true.”

The being calling itself Naraku seemed unconcerned, its languid voice continuing,

“Have you ever wondered why the Puppet Ballad adopted you, why it nurtured you with its emotions and memories, why it ultimately made a choice that betrayed its original intentions? Do you truly believe it was out of ‘ignorance,’ just like you? Don’t you want to know the truth behind all this?

“Your sister sacrificed so much for you, don’t you want her to return?”

“Of course I do, but I will never ask for your help, the help of a Grotesquery… Naraku,” Luo Ling said calmly, tilting her head up slightly. “I know your words are true, but half-truths… are often more dangerous than lies.”

A lie needed countless other lies to support it, to fill in the gaps.

But the price and consequences of a half-truth… were often disproportionate.

Indeed, Luo Ling had many questions about her own origins, her sister’s past, and who the Puppet Ballad had been deceiving, questions she hadn’t found answers to even in her sister’s memories.

Because the moment “Su Wan” was born, the Puppet Ballad had vanished.

Naraku had merely raised these questions, not intending to answer them, only tempting her to seek Omniscience, to use a Taboo Authority to satisfy her desires.

Like… resurrecting her sister.

But what was the price?

Naraku hadn’t said, but Luo Ling knew.

Deals with Grotesqueries always came with a twisted outcome.

“No matter what… I will find the answers myself.”

Luo Ling thought silently, her gaze hardening as she felt her sister’s memories and emotions within her.

At least now she knew that there was still hope of truly embracing her sister again.

Ignoring Naraku’s temptation, Luo Ling’s consciousness returned to her body, her gray shadow leaving the mindscape.

And in the void, half of a beautiful, seductive face slowly materialized. If Luo Ling were here, she would recognize it.

It was her own face, her Naraku form.

“Heh… this is enough.”

“As long as you seek the answers, whether you accept me or not… it doesn’t matter.”

…

When Luo Ling woke up, she found herself in a warm, soft embrace.

She looked up and saw the tired, red-haired girl sleeping soundly, soft snores escaping her nose. She had been watching over her for who knew how long.

“Elsa…”

Luo Ling remembered vaguely seeing Elsa come to her after she had broken down, after releasing the people of Jiangcheng County.

She had thought it was just a hallucination, but unexpectedly… it was real.

“Jiangcheng County is so dangerous, yet they let her wander around,” Luo Ling sighed. “What are those people in the exchange group thinking…?”

But thankfully, Elsa had been there.

She had helped Luo Ling release her pent-up emotions, preventing her from losing control.

Otherwise, it would have been dangerous.

Luo Ling knew that she was now a Grotesquery, likely a High-Risk one.

If she lost control, the consequences would be unimaginable.

…This wasn’t what her sister had sacrificed herself for.

However, even though she understood this, looking at the blood-red flowers blooming throughout Jiangcheng County, Luo Ling couldn’t suppress her grief.

Even though she knew these seemingly living people were merely corpses controlled by the Puppet Ballad’s mycelia, their consciousness trapped within, witnessing the death of an entire city… was a heavy blow.

And…

Luo Ling looked at the seemingly ordinary hundred-yuan bill in her hand, gently tracing the bloodstains, then carefully putting it away.

Just like her sister had.

This wasn’t despair.

As Naraku had said, her sister’s emotions, memories, everything… had been devoured by her.

Luo Ling just didn’t know how to release them yet.

But no matter what, one day… she would.

“Omniscience…?” Luo Ling whispered. “As if it’s something so special…”

She also possessed Naraku’s abilities. As long as she reached her full potential, even if she couldn’t master the complete and unique Authority of Omniscience, she could still use a portion of its power.

Even against the Puppet Ballad, before completely consuming her sister, Luo Ling had already reached the level of Complete Control, just unable to control an entire area like with the Authority of Kingdom, or suppress other abilities.

The gray haze around her dissipated, the colors of the world returning, as Luo Ling deactivated the Kingdom, the domain the Puppet Ballad had painstakingly created, enveloping Jiangcheng County.

Putting away her sister’s final gift, Luo Ling sealed this power, along with her sister’s emotions and memories.

“Mm…”

Just then, Elsa stirred awake.

She rubbed her eyes, then looked at Luo Ling, still drowsy.

“Morning, Big Sister Bai…”

“Mm.”

Luo Ling nodded, observing Elsa closely. She felt that Elsa had changed somehow.

After yawning, Elsa finally remembered what had happened and hugged Luo Ling, awkwardly patting her head.

“It’s okay, Big Sister Bai, it’s all over now, it’s okay…”

“…I’m fine now.”

Luo Ling gently disentangled herself from Elsa’s embrace. Although they seemed to be around the same age, Luo Ling knew…

Elsa was a true loli, while she was a high school student. Being comforted like this by a much younger girl felt… awkward.

“Oh, Big Sister Bai, you’re really awake!” Elsa’s face lit up, then tears welled up in her eyes. “That’s great…”

“There’s no need for that…”

Luo Ling said, slightly embarrassed.

After a brief conversation, Luo Ling learned that three days had passed since the incident in Jiangcheng County.

During these three days, she had drifted in and out of consciousness, murmuring things Elsa couldn’t understand.

And Elsa had stayed by her side the entire time, barely sleeping.

“Honestly…” Luo Ling patted Elsa’s head. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Hee hee, it’s fine.”

Elsa didn’t understand the complex look in Bai’s eyes, but she knew it was probably praise.

Just then, Luo Ling finally noticed what was different about Elsa.

She had… opened her eyes.

And they were normal eyes.

Beautiful, bright green eyes, filled with hope.

Elsa didn’t seem to notice. She just tilted her head, puzzled.

“What’s wrong, Big Sister Bai?”

“You now…”

Luo Ling took Elsa’s hand, and after a moment, her face paled slightly, then she took a deep breath and asked seriously,

“Elsa, try to imitate this feeling.”

Luo Ling implanted a portion of her Puppet Ballad memories into Elsa’s consciousness. Elsa nodded, confused, then tried to use it.

“Eh, why can I see two images in my eyes?” Elsa asked in surprise.

One of her eyes had turned pale gray, and a faint red thread floated in the air.

The ability, Puppet Ballad.

Elsa… could now use the Puppet Ballad’s power.

Although it was only a portion of its abilities.

Luo Ling was silent for a moment, checking again.

There was no trace of the Puppet Ballad’s control within Elsa’s body, she could tell that much.

But… a connection had been formed between their consciousnesses.

The Puppet Ballad’s power Elsa was using came from Luo Ling.

But Elsa wasn’t an “egg.”

Luo Ling thought of a possibility, something she had gleaned from Artist’s memories.

“Elsa, did you… become my apostle?” Luo Ling blinked, a strange expression on her face. “What did you do while I was asleep…?”

“Ah?” Elsa’s face flushed, and she waved her hands frantically. “No, no, I didn’t do anything… really, nothing at all, I swear! You have to believe me, Big Sister Bai…”

Despite her words, Elsa kept her head lowered.

She peeked at Luo Ling, seeing her unchanged expression, and lowered her head again, her voice barely a whisper.

“Just… touched you a little…”

“…”

Luo Ling rubbed her temples, silent for a moment.

It wasn’t that she was unwilling to share her power, but she didn’t know if becoming an apostle of a Grotesquery had any negative consequences.

Even if she was the Grotesquery, Elsa’s “master.”

If Elsa suffered because of this…

Luo Ling would feel guilty for the rest of her life.

But it seemed there were some benefits to becoming an apostle.

Besides giving Elsa another ability for self-preservation, the price she had been paying for the Grotesqueries within her had been almost completely neutralized.

As an apostle of a High-Risk Grotesquery, the minor Grotesqueries within Elsa were completely suppressed.

Even if Scientist were still alive, if she tried to seal Elsa’s consciousness, it would be the Grotesqueries within her who would be terrified.

“Big Sister Bai, you don’t… hate me, do you?”

Elsa asked nervously, seeing Luo Ling’s silence.

“Of course not,” Luo Ling said, stroking Elsa’s hair. “I just think… never mind, we’ll talk about it later.”

She would look for information about apostles after this matter was settled.

If it was dangerous, she would find a way to sever this connection.

“By the way, there’s one more thing I need to tell you, Elsa,” Luo Ling thought for a moment. Since they had this connection now, it wouldn’t hurt to tell her.

“What is it?”

Elsa blinked her bright green eyes.

“My name… isn’t Bai.”

Luo Ling stood up, her long silver hair receding, her small form growing slightly taller.

A girl Elsa had seen before, but hadn’t interacted much with, appeared before her.

“Let’s get to know each other again. My name is Luo Ling.”

“Eh? Eh? Eh?”

Chapter 94: Mutual Understanding

“…Madam Lu, what should we do now?” Li Shaoheng asked, his brow furrowed.

If it were just about this classified information, which would eventually be made public, Old Madam Lu wouldn’t have come back personally.

Although the Taboo Index was currently under the Company’s control, they had to regularly release its contents.

This strange incident would definitely be revealed eventually.

But with so much happening recently, it was best to delay it as long as possible.

The only advantage of possessing the Index was this brief window of time.

“Headquarters believes… there might still be a chance,” Old Madam Lu whispered. “Whether this new Sequence Grotesquery, White Witch, can inherit the Puppet Ballad’s Authority, or if a new Authority will emerge, is unknown.”

The reason for their earlier retreat was because Company headquarters knew that Jiangcheng County had become the Puppet Ballad’s domain, under its Authority.

No ability, except for another Authority, could function within the Puppet Ballad’s domain.

Even most Authorities would be greatly suppressed within this unknown domain, unless they could rival the Puppet Ballad’s power.

So… in this situation, confronting a fully formed High-Risk Grotesquery was practically a suicide mission, no matter how many people they sent, they would just become cannon fodder and nourishment.

Until they found a solution, they could only let the Grotesquery run rampant, abandoning Jiangcheng County and the surrounding areas, minimizing losses… This was the limit of the Company’s power.

And now, with the appearance of a new Sequence Grotesquery, replacing the Puppet Ballad, perhaps… the situation wasn’t so hopeless.

“However, to avoid unnecessary casualties, we must wait and see,” Old Madam Lu whispered. “We’ll deploy small, elite teams to maintain perimeter security and look for opportunities to investigate, but also be prepared to retreat at any moment.”

This was the standard procedure for dealing with unknown Grotesquery disasters, a helpless measure, a last resort, completely leaving their fate to the unknown, hoping for a slim chance.

Li Shaoheng nodded, agreeing with Old Madam Lu’s command.

As expected of a veteran who had experienced High-Risk Grotesquery disasters, she remained calm in such situations.

However, the current situation…

Li Shaoheng looked towards the distance, at Jiangcheng County, still enveloped in a hazy gray, like an old black-and-white photograph.

Even though the battle for the Sequence had ended, its Authority and domain remained.

“So, as the new High-Risk Grotesquery, White Witch… what will you do?”

…

When the White Witch ascended to the Sequence, Luo Ling clearly sensed the Authority, Kingdom, being transferred from the Puppet Ballad to her.

Her blurred vision cleared, and Luo Ling saw countless invisible mycelia threads spreading throughout the gray, dead city.

The Kingdom, enveloping Jiangcheng County, had unknowingly permeated every plant and tree.

She looked up at the pedestrians chatting and laughing on the streets, the shopkeepers working diligently in the ruins, even the seemingly warm families…

Everyone was connected to the mycelia, under the control of the Kingdom.

But that wasn’t the most terrifying thing.

A young couple on the street was flirting and laughing.

But the voices Luo Ling heard were different.

“Save me…”

“No, just kill me…”

A father carrying shopping bags, a mother leaning against him, their son running ahead with a toy.

“Mommy, Daddy, it’s so strange…”

“Run, what’s happening…?”

“No, don’t go there…”

Within these seemingly peaceful scenes, completely different voices echoed.

As the Kingdom gradually came under Luo Ling’s control, she heard more and more voices.

Voices of confusion and fear, pain and struggle, echoing endlessly.

Luo Ling sat slumped on the ground, unnoticed by the pedestrians, because amidst these countless mycelia threads, she was the source.

The wielder of the Kingdom.

But…

Only after completely taking control of the Kingdom did Luo Ling finally understand her sister’s pain and struggle, why she had been so desperate to prevent her from becoming the next Puppet Ballad, even willing to kill her.

Because her sister knew her, knew her very well.

Knew… that Luo Ling couldn’t handle this truth.

Knew that she would never willingly accept it.

“Those who are still in Jiangcheng County… they’re all…”

Luo Ling slowly raised her head, tears of blood welling up in her eyes.

“They’re all… dead…”

Or rather, in a state worse than death.

These seemingly normal people had become slaves of the Kingdom.

Their bodies and souls were completely controlled, only their consciousness remaining, trapped within their minds, watching in horror as their bodies lived their normal lives in this hellish landscape.

This wasn’t the Puppet Ballad’s twisted sense of humor, but simply because the only thing it couldn’t control… was consciousness.

Those under the Kingdom’s control were essentially dead, their bodies manipulated by invisible mycelia threads, like puppets on a stage.

The Puppet Ballad, using the memories and emotions it had absorbed, perfectly mimicked their every action, their every word. This was the true meaning of “slave.”

This was… true control.

Ji Ying had called the ordinary people influenced by the Puppet Ballad “Lambs.” Luo Ling had thought they were the least affected, but in reality, the Lambs were the ones truly controlled by the Puppet Ballad’s true form.

The Meat Puppets were merely clumsy imitations created by the “eggs.”

More importantly, this hadn’t started when Jiangcheng County was enveloped in gray, but gradually, subtly, over time, permeating the entire city.

That was why there had been so many incidents of ordinary people in Jiangcheng County going insane after witnessing Grotesquery phenomena.

Perhaps the dormant Puppet Ballad’s control hadn’t been perfect, or perhaps some people had a special talent, their bodies not being controlled, yet they had seen things they shouldn’t have.

These people were both lucky and unlucky.

Although most people in Jiangcheng County were already under its control, the dormant Puppet Ballad had been using their memories and emotions to maintain their bodies’ functions.

Maintaining… a vibrant, yet dead city.

“All of this… was this all… Sister’s doing?”

Luo Ling slowly closed her eyes.

“…No.”

“Even Sister… was just a Lamb… her own Lamb.”

The Puppet Ballad had used its own ability, creating the persona of “Su Wan” from memories and emotions, intending to deceive someone, perhaps Luo Ling, or perhaps some other being.

But even it hadn’t expected this disguise to develop a will of its own.

From the moment Su Wan was born, it was no longer an it, but a she.

A she with “humanity.”

A… sister.

That was why…

The most bitter part for her sister was realizing this truth.

Countless cries of sorrow and despair echoed in Luo Ling’s mind through the Kingdom.

She could clearly sense their terror and hopelessness, trapped within their own bodies.

But…

“I can’t save them.”

Even if Luo Ling released the Kingdom now, undid the control over everyone, it was irreversible.

“I can’t do anything…”

Hearing the cries in her mind, Luo Ling sat slumped on the ground, staring at the bloodstains and scraps of cloth.

“Sister, you didn’t know what to do either, did you?”

“How cruel… leaving everything to your little sister, leaving on your own…”

Luo Ling lowered her head, her forehead touching something on the ground.

She picked it up with trembling hands. It was…

A hundred-yuan bill.

A hundred-yuan bill covered in dust and bloodstains.

“This is the first money Xiao Ling earned. Even if you earn more in the future, the first time is always special.”

Her sister’s gentle voice echoed in her memory.

But… there wouldn’t be a next time.

“Kill them.”

“Kill them all.”

The most difficult choice, yet the only option.

It was better to release them from their torment, trapped within the Kingdom, mindless “slaves,” than to let them continue suffering.

The entire Jiangcheng County, about four hundred thousand ordinary people.

Less than a thousand had escaped the control, most of whom had been evacuated by the Company and the exchange group.

The rest…

Were just lost lambs.

Luo Ling stood up unsteadily, walking through the ruined city.

She walked through the collapsed streets, along the familiar river, past every memory.

Finally, she reached the summit of Huolu Mountain.

She looked up at the setting sun, its beauty undiminished even through the hazy gray.

“So beautiful…”

The scenery remained.

But the person… was gone.

At the same time, as if someone had pressed a pause button, everyone in Jiangcheng County froze, their movements gradually stiffening, until they were completely still.

After a brief, eerie pause, blood erupted from their bodies.

Their skin tore, their flesh rotting at an alarming rate.

After releasing her control, to quickly end their suffering, Luo Ling had chosen the most painless method, releasing the four hundred thousand people of Jiangcheng County from their torment.

Boom!

A loud explosion, followed by a series of muffled booms, like a morbid symphony, a chorus of death.

Luo Ling watched, her eyes recording the final moments of Jiangcheng County.

The countless cries in her mind gradually faded, until silence descended, and brilliant crimson flowers bloomed throughout the streets and alleys of Jiangcheng County.

Countless lives extinguished in an instant.

But Luo Ling was numb.

“Sister, I’m… also a monster now,” she whispered.

She had personally killed four hundred thousand people.

At this moment, Luo Ling just wanted to lie down and rest, praying that this was all just a dream.

That when she woke up, she would be back in her warm home.

With her sister waiting for her.

But… impossible.

She slowly closed her eyes.

An endless silence enveloped her, a sense of despair.

It was so quiet…

She wanted to stay here… forever…

“Big Sister Bai!”

A heart-wrenching cry echoed.

Luo Ling slowly opened her eyes and saw a small, red-haired figure, her legs unsteady, leaning against the railing at the edge of the cliff, gasping for air.

Looking calmly at the newcomer, Luo Ling asked softly, “Why… haven’t you escaped yet?”

It was Elsa, the one who had given her the name “White Witch,” her wheelchair destroyed in the chaos, having climbed Huolu Mountain with Bella’s help and her own unsteady legs.

“The city… the city…”

Terror still lingered in Elsa’s eyes; the scene of exploding bodies in Jiangcheng County had clearly traumatized her.

“…I did it,” Luo Ling murmured, lowering her eyes.

She had personally killed them all.

“I’m a monster.”

A monster like her sister.

“Elsa, you should go, don’t stay here,” Luo Ling turned her face away.

“No! Big Sister Bai, you… you’re not a monster,” Elsa said, taking a step closer with difficulty. “If you’re a monster, then I’m also a monster. We… are all monsters.

“Didn’t you say… we’re… the same, kindred spirits?”

“We’re not the same anymore,” Luo Ling said calmly. “I killed everyone in Jiangcheng County, four hundred thousand lives. I… have become the most terrifying Grotesquery.”

“No!”

The red-haired girl, supporting herself on the railing, reached Luo Ling and knelt down, embracing the small figure leaning against the rock.

“It wasn’t you, Big Sister Bai, you saved them. I heard it all, they… they are all free from their pain now.”

A moment of silence.

“…Is that so…?”

Luo Ling’s lips twitched slightly, trying to force a smile for Elsa, but she couldn’t.

Elsa’s heart ached, seeing Bai’s forced smile, more painful than tears.

She didn’t know what Big Sister Bai had experienced, but no matter what, even now, Elsa believed… Big Sister Bai was still Big Sister Bai.

The one who had protected her from the terrifying Scientist in Baiyan Village.

Even if… she had become a Grotesquery.

“If you want to cry… then cry,” Elsa said, holding Luo Ling close. “Don’t worry, I’ll be here with you, Big Sister Bai.”

She didn’t ask any questions.

She simply shared her sorrow.

After a moment, the beautiful white dress with tassels was stained with tears.

…

“Retreat! Retreat immediately! By any means necessary, as fast as you can!”

Outside Jiangcheng County, Old Madam Lu’s eyes widened in horror, as if sensing something.

She didn’t even have time to explain to Li Shaoheng, immediately mobilizing her forces, afraid of being too late.

Although Li Shaoheng was confused, he followed her orders.

Fortunately, after leaving the area enveloped by the Grotesquery’s domain, his ability was usable again.

Although large-scale teleportation was taxing, seeing Old Madam Lu’s frantic state, he didn’t dare delay.

It seemed the situation in Jiangcheng County had become critical, and they had to abandon it.

Within fifteen minutes, almost all Company personnel near Jiangcheng County had retreated. Other organizations, seeing the Company retreat, also followed suit.

The Company’s pragmatism was well-known among Awakened organizations.

Participating in Grotesquery incidents with the Company didn’t guarantee success, but retreating with them was always the safest option.

Only after reaching a relatively safe distance did Old Madam Lu return, her face ashen.

And filled with disbelief… and fear.

“Senior Lu, what happened in Jiangcheng County?” Li Shaoheng asked grimly, approaching her.

“A possibility, though I’m not certain,” Old Madam Lu exhaled, still shaken. “My wind… sensed the stench of blood.”

“Could it be… that the White Witch in the city… is on a rampage?” Li Shaoheng’s eyes widened. Was this newborn High-Risk Grotesquery that brutal?

“More than that, the intensity of the blood… I’ve only encountered it once before in my life,” Old Madam Lu whispered. “But even that time… couldn’t compare to today.

“That time, Philosopher slaughtered a small city, forty thousand people dead within twenty-four hours, and now in Jiangcheng County… at least a hundred thousand are already dead.”

Less than an hour had passed since the White Witch replaced the Puppet Ballad in the Sequence.

At least a hundred thousand lives extinguished.

How… cruel.

Even just hearing it, Li Shaoheng could imagine the hellish scene in Jiangcheng County.

Those who survived, after witnessing such brutality, would likely be driven insane…

“The danger level is far greater than the Puppet Ballad. Headquarters is currently gathering all Awakened organizations within this Boundary to discuss countermeasures,” Old Madam Lu sighed, looking towards Jiangcheng County, the gray haze gradually fading, her heart heavy. “Hopefully… this incident won’t have a disastrous outcome.

“And now, we need to worry about… ourselves.”

Chapter 93: Love

The sharp tip of the blade pressed against Luo Ling’s heart, her sister’s gentle yet sorrowful voice echoing in her ears.

All the warmth and tenderness had vanished, replaced by an icy killing intent, just like countless times before, even her sister was no exception.

Luo Ling met her sister’s gaze, her expression softening as she closed her eyes.

So this was it… the Puppet Ballad’s scheme…

She had seen through everything, understood everything, yet in this moment, facing her sister, she had already lost.

Lost to the past.

Lost to the warmth of their shared memories.

Lost to the long years they had spent together.

Every moment, every memory, etched in her heart, unforgettable.

“Xiao Ling, Sister… will be as gentle as possible.”

Warm fingers traced Luo Ling’s forehead, then reached down to her lips, gently prying them open.

Was this truly the end?

Luo Ling felt no resentment, only endless regret.

A sense of relief, finally free from this torment…

No longer needing to struggle against the Puppet Ballad, against her sister.

But just then, a cold liquid, tinged with a metallic sweetness, slid down her throat.

Luo Ling’s eyes snapped open, and she saw her sister’s gaze, still filled with tenderness.

The dagger, their fingers intertwined around its hilt, trembled slightly, as if her sister was struggling to control herself.

She had just fed her… her own blood, the flesh and blood of the Puppet Ballad.

“Xiao Ling, Sister… delicious?”

Her sister smiled gently, warmth and a grotesque hunger warring in her eyes, her body trembling slightly, just like Luo Ling’s.

Not… delicious at all.

This bitter, painful taste…

Like tears mixed with emotions, the agony of having everything she cherished torn away.

A poison, destroying the past, erasing memories.

Luo Ling felt the urge to vomit, an uncontrollable revulsion, a deep-seated resistance.

Even now, subconsciously, she refused to accept that her sister was the Puppet Ballad, and the Puppet Ballad was her sister, one and the same.

Even with her sister offering her own flesh and blood, she only felt disgust.

Disgust at the Puppet Ballad, still trying to use her, even now.

“Trying to turn me into an ‘egg’ as well…? Never!”

Luo Ling spat out the blood.

She looked directly at her sister and said calmly,

“I am me, I will not become… someone else.”

Even if becoming an “egg” meant she could be with her sister, the Puppet Ballad, in another form, forever.

But that wasn’t what Luo Ling wanted.

She would rather die now than live in such a future.

She wouldn’t accept such a sister.

“…Is that so…?”

A flicker of disappointment appeared in her sister’s eyes, as if regretting Luo Ling’s refusal.

Their intertwined fingers slowly lifted, and the Severing Edge, a dagger Sacred Tool crafted from black ice and a Sacred Relic, rose between them.

“Xiao Ling, you really are…”

Su Wan looked up, her face a mixture of struggle and hesitation, then, as she looked down at Luo Ling again, a smile of relief and release appeared on her lips.

“That’s wonderful…”

“My Xiao Ling, truly the best…”

The next moment, the dagger plunged downwards.

Piercing a chest.

But not Luo Ling’s.

But… her sister’s.

Luo Ling watched in horror, her trembling fingers loosening their grip on the dagger, but her sister held on tight, pushing it deeper.

“Sigh, Sister worried for nothing,” Su Wan smiled, struggling, as if fighting against her survival instinct, the hunger and craving gone, replaced by an endless love in her eyes as she gazed at her beloved sister. “Xiao Ling is Xiao Ling… much stronger than Sister… cough…”

The Severing Edge’s ability activated, continuously killing its target.

“Sister…”

Luo Ling whispered, her own voice startling her.

…Such sorrow and pain.

“Unlike Sister, who… can’t help but… want to consume you…”

Su Wan’s body slumped against Luo Ling, her blood-stained cheek resting on her shoulder.

The Severing Edge hummed. Even with its sure-kill ability, it would take a long time to kill a fully formed High-Risk Grotesquery.

Luo Ling struggled to break free, to pull out the dagger, but her sister’s seemingly weak body held her fast.

“No, don’t…”

A sob, filled with terror.

“A little pain… so Sister can… hold on… a little longer… to see you… a little longer…”

Su Wan lovingly stroked Luo Ling’s hair, savoring the warmth of her small, soft body.

“It’s good… that Xiao Ling won’t become… a monster like Sister… otherwise… Sister would have to… consume you… with tears in her eyes…

“Because Sister knows… becoming a monster like this… would make Xiao Ling… very sad…”

Luo Ling’s expression changed, recalling her sister’s strange behavior and the dagger at her chest.

So…

Her sister had been testing her, confirming whether she was the same as the Puppet Ballad.

The dagger, their fingers intertwined around its hilt, could kill both of them.

The blood she had been fed was a test of her instincts.

Whether she would react like the Puppet Ballad…

If Luo Ling was the same as the Puppet Ballad, even if she sacrificed herself, she couldn’t save her sister.

Luo Ling would only become the next Puppet Ballad.

A tragic existence.

But if she wasn’t…

Luo Ling realized what her sister was trying to do.

“But… Xiao Ling saying I wasn’t delicious… did hurt Sister’s feelings a little,” Su Wan chuckled, blood trickling from her lips.

She was dying.

“No… Sister…”

Luo Ling struggled.

But the more she struggled, the deeper the dagger plunged.

“I was born for this moment, Xiao Ling,” Su Wan’s gaze never left her sister’s face, the pain of her dying life force overshadowed by the happiness of this moment. “Sister promised… to always love you… if you also love Sister…”

“Don’t…”

Panic and terror.

“Then… consume me, Xiao Ling.”

Su Wan calmly uttered the words Luo Ling had expected, yet dreaded to hear.

“No…”

Luo Ling couldn’t speak.

Her mouth opened slightly, but her voice was choked with tears and sorrow.

“Xiao Ling, Sister also wants to… always be… with you…”

Embracing her beloved sister, Su Wan’s eyes were filled with love and reluctance.

“But… I can’t help but want to hurt you, to consume you… can such a sister… still be your sister?”

A tight embrace, her body trembling.

“Sister… is a monster…”

“But Xiao Ling, even if I’m a monster, you’ll still love Sister, right?”

“If you do… then consume Sister…”

Finally, in Luo Ling’s blurred vision, she saw her sister’s life force fading.

Only then did her struggle against her instincts cease, her sister finally returning… to her true self.

Her sister, Su Wan.

She released her embrace and collapsed.

“Sister!”

Luo Ling reached out, catching her sister’s limp body, burying her face in her chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

“I’m sorry, Xiao Ling, Sister is running away… leaving everything to you,” Su Wan raised her trembling hands, cupping her sister’s face, gently wiping away her tears one last time. “You’ll… have to work hard.”

“Consume me. This is… this incompetent sister’s… final wish. Please… forgive me…”

Her gaze dimmed, her life force fading.

Completely extinguished.

Luo Ling buried her face in her sister’s chest, unwilling to look up, until her sister’s warm body gradually turned cold.

Until she clearly sensed… the aura of death.

Not the Puppet Ballad, but Su Wan, her sister, who had struggled, then peacefully embraced death.

When Luo Ling finally looked up, she was overcome with grief.

But her tears had already dried.

She reached out, pulled out the dagger from her sister’s heart, scraped off the blood with her finger, and lovingly placed it in her mouth.

Still a bitter taste.

But…

“Sister…”

I think… I see something…

Her sister, cooking at home, her busy figure in the kitchen, the tired smile that appeared on her lips when she heard the door open.

This was… her sister’s memory.

Just a fleeting glimpse, then gone.

No, don’t leave…

Luo Ling reached out, trying to hold onto this faint memory.

Trembling, she took more of the bitterness from her sister’s wound and swallowed it.

She saw more… of her sister’s memories.

The bustling convenience store, everything in shades of gray.

Among the passing crowds, nothing to hold her attention.

Suddenly, a splash of color in the gray world, a faint figure, her face unclear, calling out…

“Sister.”

That was her.

Her… in her sister’s eyes…

So that’s how it was… so… that’s how…

Her sister had always seen her like this…

No wonder her sister could always recognize her, even in her transformed state, yet couldn’t recognize her in photos. In her sister’s eyes, she had always been unique.

As she consumed the bitterness, the fragmented memories, like pieces of a puzzle, came together.

This piece, her sister working.

This piece, her sister at home.

This piece, her sister shopping.

“…”

In every memory, every piece of bitterness, the same figure appeared.

A unique, beautiful splash of color in the gray world.

Her sister, her Xiao Ling.

—Her.

Her sister’s madness and grotesque form, her confusion and struggles, her love and tenderness, everything about her sister, deeply embedded within her.

Even though she was the Puppet Ballad, the so-called “Su Wan” merely a human skin,

Until her very last breath, she had been the sister who loved her more than anything.

Whether Puppet Ballad or Su Wan, she was her sister.

“This… is a Grotesquery…”

An existence beyond human comprehension.

Every attempt to define it, to explain it, only revealed more complexities, the limitations of humanity preventing them from truly understanding these beings called “Grotesqueries.”

As she swallowed the last of the bitterness, her sister’s final memory unfolded in her mind.

It was her, holding her sister, crying.

“Sister,” Luo Ling murmured, staring at the empty space where her sister had been, “You were so delicious…”

“So… don’t be sad… okay?”

“Okay…?”

Silent tears fell.

An unseen power descended upon Luo Ling, intangible yet familiar, like her sister’s warm embrace.

“This is…”

Luo Ling slowly raised her hand, countless invisible mycelia threads extending from her palm, connecting to Jiangcheng County.

This was her sister’s final gift.

The Puppet Ballad’s Authority.

—Kingdom.

“Wherever the Authority reaches, is its Kingdom. Whoever the Authority touches, becomes its servant.”

Jiangcheng County… was now within the Kingdom.

…

“There’s a new development in Jiangcheng County. Maintain perimeter security, I’m on my way.”

Li Shaoheng, who had been leading the evacuation, received Lu Fangling’s message and immediately stopped.

They waited for Old Madam Lu’s arrival several kilometers away from Jiangcheng County before deciding on their next course of action.

Lu Fangling wasn’t near Jiangcheng County, as she was evacuating the Company branch.

The situation seemed urgent, and Old Madam Lu didn’t keep them waiting long, arriving swiftly, her expression even more grim than before.

With a wave of her hand, a strong gust of wind enveloped her and Li Shaoheng, creating a barrier.

“Company headquarters sent… a rather perplexing message,” she said in a low voice.

“Hmm?”

Li Shaoheng frowned.

Something that even headquarters found perplexing, what could it be?

As the only organization with a presence in every Boundary, the Company’s archives were vast, containing records of all kinds of anomalies and incidents, even if they didn’t have solutions, they at least had some information.

“The Taboo Index has changed,” Old Madam Lu said grimly.

“A new Grotesquery? In Jiangcheng County?” Li Shaoheng was shocked. One Puppet Ballad was already a headache, if another one of the same level appeared… no, even just a Dangerous Grotesquery, the consequences would be unimaginable.

It might even become a pandemic like the Black Death in Europe.

Then, it wouldn’t be just a few cities affected.

Dozens, hundreds of cities could be destroyed, the entire Boundary falling into Disorder.

That was the most terrifying outcome.

“Yes and no,” Old Madam Lu took out her phone and showed him a picture. “A new Grotesquery has indeed appeared, but… it’s hard to say it’s new.”

Li Shaoheng took the phone, his eyes widening as he looked at the picture. He looked up at Old Madam Lu in shock.

“What… what’s going on…?”

The photo wasn’t of the Taboo Index itself, but a transcribed copy.

Although just a copy, it was still classified as top secret.

And within it… was a change that even the Company found perplexing.

“Grotesquery Sequence Number Forty-Nine, Silent Demise…”

“White Witch?!”

A new True Name, replacing the original Grotesquery in the Sequence, no wonder headquarters had reacted so strongly, even sending Old Madam Lu a classified document directly.

Normally, only P9 personnel were authorized to view such documents. Those below P9 would only receive verbal briefings.

“Unprecedented.”

Li Shaoheng exhaled, the shock still lingering.

The True Names of Grotesqueries recorded on the Taboo Index, even after being completely killed, wouldn’t change.

Even if another being obtained the deceased Grotesquery’s Authority, it would remain the same.

There had never been a case of a new Grotesquery replacing an existing one in the Sequence, and its True Name… was familiar to everyone present.

White Witch.

A member of the Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital Patient Exchange Group, a newbie Awakened One who had participated in the Baiyan Village incident and almost single-handedly resolved it.

Later suspected of being an apostle or agent of the Puppet Ballad, then single-handedly defeating the incubating “egg.”

Finally, shortly after the Jiangcheng County incubation barrier appeared, she had become the new Puppet Ballad.

No, not the new Puppet Ballad, but a new High-Risk Grotesquery, one that could only be called the White Witch.

Her identity, after so many twists and turns, had reached an unexpected conclusion.

Grotesquery Sequence Number Forty-Nine, Silent Demise: White Witch.

“Do the people in Jiangcheng County know about this?”

Li Shaoheng asked, knowing that the leader of Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital was Old Madam Lu’s ex-husband.

“Currently, I’ve only informed you. I haven’t told anyone else yet,” Old Madam Lu shook her head and continued,

“Headquarters suspects that all of White Witch’s previous actions were preparations for replacing the Puppet Ballad. This perfectly explains why she took the initiative to resolve the Baiyan Village incident and later confronted the Puppet Ballad.”

All their previous questions and doubts were now answered.

The White Witch and the Puppet Ballad were actually enemies, and now, the White Witch had emerged victorious.

“If this gets out, it won’t just be us, even the Grotesquery-side Awakened organizations will be in an uproar…”

Old Madam Lu said softly.

Chapter 92: Daily Life

The familiar ceiling.

After a dreamless sleep, Luo Ling slowly opened her eyes.

A brief moment of disorientation, then her gaze cleared, and she sat up.

“You’re back?”

Su Wan stood at the doorway, smiling gently, just like every other day, waiting for her sister’s return.

She wore her usual simple clothes, still in her cooking apron.

Luo Ling had seen this heartwarming scene countless times in the “egg’s” illusions, but none of them compared to this.

Because…

She knew that the sister before her was real.

The sister who had been with her through thick and thin, sharing the long, arduous years…

…her sister.

However, at this moment, Luo Ling wished it was just an illusion.

Because through the Puppet Ballad’s life-seeing vision, Luo Ling saw her sister’s true form for the first time.

Beneath the gentle smile was an unimaginable fungal mass, its invisible mycelia threads connected to the entire Jiangcheng County, radiating the oppressive aura of a High-Risk Grotesquery.

Mad yet calm, grotesque yet beautiful, terrifying yet gentle.

She was her sister, and also…

…the Puppet Ballad.

The Puppet Ballad’s true form, the one Ji Ying had desperately searched for.

The so-called “Su Wan” was just a human skin worn by the Puppet Ballad.

“You’re back early today. I was just about to go out and buy some groceries,” her sister said, walking over and taking Luo Ling’s arm naturally, as she always did. “Since you’re here, let’s go together.”

Luo Ling looked up and met her sister’s usual gentle gaze.

Her throat tightened, and she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

How could this be…?

Luo Ling knew the sister before her was real, the sister who had raised her.

But she was also the Puppet Ballad, the one responsible for turning all of Jiangcheng County into food.

The Puppet Ballad had seen her send Ji Ying away; it should know that its identity had been exposed, so why continue this deception?

Why… continue to act as her sister…?

It would have been better if it had just attacked directly, so she could face this hopeless battle without regret.

Seeing Luo Ling’s silence, her sister tilted her head and gently placed a hand on Luo Ling’s forehead, the calluses on her hand brushing against her delicate skin.

“You don’t have a fever, Xiao Ling. Why are you so dazed today?”

Just a human skin.

Just a deception.

All of this was just a lie carefully crafted by the Puppet Ballad.

Luo Ling tried to convince herself of this, but her resolve wavered.

Had the Puppet Ballad used some kind of ability on her?

Why was it still performing this charade of affection…?

After a moment of thought, her sister seemed to understand, a look of realization dawning on her face.

“Oh, you can see it now. I thought it would take a while longer, after you finished your medication. You do seem much better.”

She tapped Luo Ling’s nose and chuckled.

“Don’t be nervous, Xiao Ling, I’m your real sister.”

…I know that.

Luo Ling remained unmoved, her eyes turning cold, as if making a decision.

The next moment, she was enveloped in a warm embrace, her sister’s soft body holding her close.

A cold touch against her cheek, and her sister’s familiar voice whispered in her ear,

“Don’t worry, Xiao Ling, everything will be alright.”

Luo Ling stared into the distance, her eyes wide open.

She had experienced countless warm illusions and cruel realities. She had thought she could act decisively, no matter how real her sister seemed.

But…

Feeling the soft, warm embrace, the cool touch against her cheek, the familiar fragrance filling her senses, these elements, perfectly replicated in the illusions, now so real…

She couldn’t do it.

She couldn’t bring herself to harm her sister.

“Xiao Ling…?” Her sister’s voice was laced with concern. “Why… are you crying?”

Crying?

Two tears slowly rolled down Luo Ling’s cheeks, her usually stoic expression cracking.

“Is someone bullying you?” Her sister reached out and gently wiped away her tears. “Tell Sister, and I’ll get revenge for you! Whoever hurts Xiao Ling, I’ll make them pay a hundredfold!”

“Why…”

Luo Ling choked out the words, her voice hoarse with tears.

She didn’t understand…

Her sister was the Puppet Ballad, the one responsible for the deaths of Ji Ying, the villagers of Baiyan Village, and countless others…

Even Luo Ling herself had almost died at its hands several times.

Why, even now, was it still performing this act of sisterly love…?

She couldn’t understand.

Why…?

“Why?”

Her sister’s movements froze.

She looked down at Luo Ling, her eyes filled with tenderness, seeing her sorrow and confusion.

Then, she smiled.

“Because, Xiao Ling, Sister loves you,” a radiant smile bloomed on her sister’s face, just like in her memories, even as the world around them turned gray and bleak, consumed by eternal pain and struggle. “No matter what… Sister will always love you.”

All strength drained from Luo Ling’s body.

Because she had received the answer she had least wanted to hear.

Her sister was still her sister, always had been.

Even now.

Even if… she was the Puppet Ballad.

“Alright, a girl shouldn’t cry so much, or she’ll become ugly,” her sister said, cupping Luo Ling’s face, her eyes filled with love and tenderness. “My Xiao Ling is so pretty, it would be a shame to ruin your face with tears.”

“I…”

Luo Ling opened her mouth to speak, but her sister gently placed a finger on her lips.

“Shhh,” her sister smiled. “Let’s go buy some groceries, or we won’t have time to make dinner.”

She took Luo Ling’s arm and led her out of the alley.

Luo Ling followed mechanically, like a delicate puppet.

After the recent chaos, Jiangcheng County was in ruins, the remnants of collapsed buildings everywhere.

But when the true incubation barrier was revealed, everything had returned to normal.

A more grotesque kind of normal.

Luo Ling looked up, and everything around her lost its color, turning black and white.

Only the people living their normal lives amidst the ruins, their hearts still beating,

Their flesh and blood intact, seemingly unaffected by the mycelia.

But Luo Ling could see the countless, hidden mycelia threads within their seemingly normal bodies.

Like…

…scattered dandelions.

This was the Puppet Ballad’s true nourishment, the four hundred thousand ordinary people of Jiangcheng County, all under its Complete Control.

From the very beginning, its power had been far beyond anyone’s imagination.

“Is this the correct weight? Can’t you give me a discount?”

At a fruit stand, the store owner, controlled by countless threads, argued with her sister, even turning over his scale to prove it wasn’t rigged.

Her sister, usually soft-spoken, only showed this kind of firmness when haggling, trying to stretch their meager living expenses as far as possible.

This once heartwarming scene, now that she knew the truth, seemed absurd and comical.

Like a one-man show.

Her sister was the mastermind behind all this, controlling the entire Jiangcheng County. She didn’t need to struggle like an ordinary person. If she wanted, she could control the entire county with a single thought.

Their past seemed like a joke.

Finally, after some haggling, her sister managed to buy a few kilograms of fruit at two-thirds the original price, leaving the fruit stand triumphantly, like a victorious general.

“I knew he was overcharging. These dishonest merchants, not labeling the prices, always trying to cheat us vulnerable little girls,” her sister continued to grumble as they walked.

Luo Ling remained silent.

The deeper they went, the more severe the devastation became. Within the disaster zone, the once towering buildings were now piles of rubble.

But even so, these controlled people continued their normal lives.

Ordinary daily life, intertwined with apocalyptic ruins, the only way to describe it was… a mundane horror.

“When… when did it all begin?”

Luo Ling finally asked, her voice weak and hoarse.

“When… that’s hard to say, I can’t remember,” her sister said, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Perhaps… after you fell ill, I started to suspect something.”

Ill?

Luo Ling was taken aback. Her illness had started only a few months ago, and the Puppet Ballad’s influence had already been present then.

Besides, it couldn’t have silently enveloped the entire Jiangcheng County and controlled its population in just a few months.

Ji Ying had been watching this city closely. If the Puppet Ballad had shown even a hint of its true form, she would have devoured it without hesitation.

Baiyan Village had only been affected because of its small size and remote location, delaying Ji Ying’s reaction.

But why…?

“I don’t know,” her sister blinked innocently, as if seeing through Luo Ling’s thoughts. “What Xiao Ling is thinking is a bit complicated. Perhaps it’s the generation gap, Sister doesn’t quite understand.”

Luo Ling looked up, her grotesque, elegant form smiling at her, the human skin it wore gazing at her with tenderness.

“But, as long as Sister knows, if Xiao Ling wants to hear it, I’ll tell you.”

Her sister’s pace quickened slightly.

Before Luo Ling could process her sister’s strange smile, they suddenly arrived somewhere.

Where…?

She looked up, her heart tightening.

Had she been too careless, influenced by her sister, falling into the Puppet Ballad’s trap…?

Several figures approached, and just as Luo Ling was about to draw her dagger, her sister tightened her grip on her hand.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she watched the approaching figures, ordinary people under the Puppet Ballad’s control.

Then…

They bowed.

“Welcome.”

They said in unison.

“Xiao Ling, haven’t we been here before?” her sister asked, tilting her head slightly. “Why are you so nervous, as if it’s your first time?”

Been here before…?

Luo Ling looked around. The place was severely damaged, littered with rubble and exposed rebar, almost unrecognizable.

Only after her vision shifted from the Puppet Ballad’s perspective to a normal human’s did she recognize the uniforms of the approaching figures, the name tags indicating their workplace.

“The… clothing store in the shopping mall…?”

She and her sister had been here on her birthday, buying that expensive pair of gloves.

Even now, those gloves were still stored in her hair, too precious to wear.

“Ta-da!” Her sister suddenly clapped her hands and smiled. “Surprise, Xiao Ling!”

She led Luo Ling to the only undamaged part of the ruined store, where a familiar, beautiful dress with tassels hung in a display case.

“This is…”

Luo Ling recognized the dress instantly.

When they had been browsing the store, her sister had kept glancing at this dress, but its price had been too high.

Luo Ling had remembered it, but so much had happened since then that she hadn’t had the time to buy it.

Could it be that after discovering her power, the first thing her sister did was…

Wait, wasn’t this dress… too small for her sister?

Could it be…?

Just then, the employees parted, surrounding Luo Ling, while others took the dress from the display case.

Her sister turned her back and said softly,

“Xiao Ling, I noticed you seemed to like this dress, you kept looking at it.”

Because… you were looking at it.

Luo Ling stood frozen, looking at her sister’s back, a warmth spreading through her.

“Too bad Sister is useless and couldn’t afford it… even your birthday present was so shabby.”

She turned slightly, looking at the girl being dressed like a doll, her eyes curving into crescents.

“Now Sister can finally give you a proper birthday present, although I also like this dress very much. But as the older sister, I should give the good things to my younger sister.”

The employees were efficient, quickly changing Luo Ling into the dress.

They stepped back, and her sister approached, examining her carefully, then nodding in satisfaction.

“So beautiful, as expected of Xiao Ling.”

Her long, silver hair had been carefully styled into three braids, complementing the white lace dress with tassels and her naturally beautiful face, even diminishing her childish features.

But Luo Ling just stood there, passively enduring it all.

She was certain that her sister knew she was the Puppet Ballad, but why…?

She didn’t understand.

“Sister… at that time, I suddenly realized I had become very powerful,” her sister said, resting her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed on Luo Ling. “At the barbecue restaurant, I sensed you were in danger.

“I just… had a feeling, that you were being targeted by bad people, like those people on the train.”

At that time…

Luo Ling’s eyes widened slightly. She had noticed “Old Man Huang” outside and had gone out to investigate.

Had she already been targeted by Artist and Scientist then?

Not because of the sudden appearance of the incubation barrier later?

“Sister was so worried, so I searched and searched, desperately trying to find you, afraid that you…” Her sister reached out, gently touching Luo Ling’s silver hair, her eyes filled with tenderness. “…would be gone, leaving Sister all alone, what would I do…?”

So, the incubation barrier at that time…

Luo Ling suddenly realized something, her body trembling slightly.

“Fortunately, you were alright. I was so relieved, but that feeling of danger… it lingered, constantly chasing after me, so annoying.”

Her sister frowned slightly, as if still annoyed by the memory.

“So I kept thinking, how to get rid of those bad people, and as I thought… I suddenly felt… a strange sensation, as if I could… control everything.

“And if I really had such power, I thought… it would be better for Xiao Ling to have it.”

The incubation barrier on Huolu Mountain.

Only now did Luo Ling finally understand the truth.

…She hadn’t defeated the Puppet Ballad at all.

The “egg” that had possessed her had been a power bestowed upon her by her sister, to save her.

“But after that, Sister changed.”

Her sister’s fingers traced Luo Ling’s face, then reached down to her waist,

Casually pulling out the dagger Sacred Tool hidden there.

“The Sacred Tool, Severing Edge, it seems to have come from someone very similar to Sister, its ability to kill all life… such a powerful thing.”

Her sister took Luo Ling’s hand, placed it on the dagger, then intertwined their fingers, raising the dagger to Luo Ling’s chest.

She looked up, meeting Luo Ling’s gaze again.

But there was no longer any tenderness or love.

Only an uncontrollable greed and craving, and grotesque fangs.

“Sister can’t forget that feeling, because Xiao Ling is so delicious. Just one taste, and Sister can never forget, can never let go.”

“Xiao Ling, Sister wants to… consume you…”

Chapter 91: Homecoming

“All of Jiangcheng County…?”

A chill ran down Li Shaoheng’s spine.

He looked up. A thin, unshakeable layer of gray fog had settled over the sky, casting a pall over Jiangcheng County.

“Mr. Li?”

The other team members realized the gravity of the situation, but whether to follow the White Witch deeper into the incubation barrier or retreat depended on Li Shaoheng’s decision.

“…The plan remains unchanged, we retreat,” Li Shaoheng said grimly.

An incubation barrier enveloping an entire city… although not unheard of, Jiangcheng County had always been normal, not like a Grotesquery incubation site.

Wait, normal?

This was the Puppet Ballad’s incubation barrier…

Li Shaoheng’s mind raced as he quickened his pace, still not quite used to not having his ability.

He usually used Spatial Distortion to travel even a kilometer, both for convenience and to practice his control over his ability.

As they retreated, they saw several city residents walking towards the incubation barrier.

They seemed relaxed, even chatting and laughing.

Li Shaoheng frowned. Were the people guarding the perimeter slacking off? At a time like this, how could they let ordinary people enter such a dangerous area?

Not to mention the Puppet Ballad and the mysterious girl, even the Grotesquery creations on the periphery could easily kill these people.

“Everyone,” one of the team members stepped forward, trying to stop the civilians.

But they ignored him, walking past as if he didn’t exist.

One of them even bumped into him, pausing briefly before continuing on their way.

The team member felt a surge of anger, wanting to stop these ignorant civilians.

The next moment, Li Shaoheng grabbed him, his voice trembling slightly with fear.

“Don’t move, look over there…”

The team member turned, his scalp tingling.

More civilians…

Dressed as usual, returning to their posts, mechanically yet vividly performing their roles.

Li Shaoheng even saw a few familiar faces, police officers Liu Songyi had assigned to help set up checkpoints around the incubation barrier.

Everyone seemed normal, as if Li Shaoheng and his team were the anomalies.

Something wasn’t right, something was very wrong…

Li Shaoheng wanted to call Old Madam Lu again, but he took out his phone and found that the signal was completely gone, the screen displaying static and distorted noise, like an old television.

“Shaoheng, we have to leave Jiangcheng County immediately.”

A firm, elderly voice echoed.

Li Shaoheng looked up and saw Old Madam Lu, her expression grim.

She extended a hand, and a gust of wind lifted the team members, carrying them away from the incubation barrier at an incredible speed.

“Is this… an Authority?”

Li Shaoheng recognized the power Lu Fangling was using. Within this strange incubation barrier, only Authorities could function.

After realizing that all their abilities were useless, and the true nature of the incubation barrier was revealed, Lu Fangling, guarding the perimeter, had made two arrangements.

One, to evacuate all personnel stationed outside Jiangcheng County, and two, to rush to the scene with her Authority and retrieve Li Shaoheng’s team.

Only eighteen people within the Company possessed Sacred Tools imbued with Authorities, and Lu Fangling was one of them.

As for Li Shaoheng, he didn’t count, because his method of using an Authority was a trump card, usable only once. Otherwise, he would have used it in the Realm of Nothingness.

“Madam Lu, what’s going on?” Li Shaoheng asked nervously.

Lu Fangling’s earlier composure was gone, her expression grave.

“Our assessment was wrong,” she said. “Actually, when I saw the incubation barrier in the city center, I knew it didn’t belong to a High-Risk Grotesquery, because it was too… ordinary.”

Even with its strange characteristics, compared to a Grotesquery within the top fifty Sequences, it was too ordinary.

The incubation barrier of a true High-Risk Grotesquery, a true “He,” couldn’t be this simple.

That was why Lu Fangling had taken over command from Li Shaoheng. She needed to focus on finding the real incubation barrier.

Not limiting her search to Jiangcheng County, Lu Fangling had dispatched the remaining forces of the Company branch to search the surrounding cities within the same Boundary.

But she hadn’t expected that the real incubation barrier… was the entire Jiangcheng County itself.

Normalcy, that was the rule of this incubation barrier.

Just now, when Luo Ling had eradicated the “egg’s” consciousness deep within, strange anomalies had begun appearing throughout Jiangcheng County.

First, the civilians outside the initial barrier had started acting strangely, then the police officers maintaining order had started rambling nonsense, and after the situation spiraled out of control, they had inexplicably returned to normal.

But this “normalcy”… was abnormal.

The civilians calmly returned to their positions, and even the police officers resumed their duties.

In a collapsed clothing store, the employees were arranging merchandise on empty shelves, a passing couple discussing what to have for dinner, then stepping into a collapsed building.

Except for Awakened Ones, almost everyone in Jiangcheng County had returned to this state.

Only a few remained unaffected, but their faces were filled with terror, as if they had seen something horrifying, most of them driven insane, rambling nonsense.

“The situation in Jiangcheng County is completely out of control. We can’t save anyone,” Lu Fangling said calmly. “Now, we can only take those who can leave… and leave this place.”

Li Shaoheng knew this was their only option.

But…

It was frustrating.

He clenched his fists and asked in a low voice,

“What did headquarters say?”

Lu Fangling glanced at him, not speaking, but conveying her words through the wind, directly to his ear.

“…Abandon Jiangcheng County. My branch has also been ordered to evacuate.”

Seeing that the High-Risk Grotesquery’s incubation was irreversible, Company headquarters wasn’t willing to suffer heavy losses here.

If they could kill the High-Risk Grotesquery, headquarters would be willing to pay a price for its valuable Sacred Relic.

But when the cost outweighed the potential gains, and the chances of failure were high…

The Company was quick to cut its losses.

In the words of the higher-ups, it was called avoiding sunk costs.

The Company… was always about business.

“…Typical of headquarters,” Li Shaoheng sighed, not saying more.

He knew that Lu Fangling taking those who could leave was already the limit of her ability.

“What about the local Awakened Ones?” Li Shaoheng asked.

“I gave them the choice,” Lu Fangling said softly.

Her gaze drifted towards the distance, towards the conspicuous white hospital among the mountains, a flicker of worry in her eyes.

…

Meanwhile, within Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital, in Ward Zero.

“Father, Mother has sent someone to tell us to leave.”

A woman in Republican-era student clothing held Ji Shinian’s hand and whispered.

The mysterious fourth administrator of the exchange group was Lu Manqing, Ji Shinian and his ex-wife Lu Fangling’s daughter.

The members of the exchange group surrounded the bed, everyone present except for the White Witch.

After realizing that the entire Jiangcheng County might be a Grotesquery incubation site, Lu Fangling had sent all the group members back to Qingshan Hospital.

Firstly, to let them decide whether to stay or leave, and secondly… Qingshan Hospital was located on the outskirts of Jiangcheng County, less than a kilometer from the county’s border.

Even if they decided to leave, they would have time.

Ji Shinian slowly opened his eyes. After some treatment, he could now perceive some light, but his vision wouldn’t fully recover.

Although still a Mid-Order Awakened One, his blindness rendered his ability practically useless.

As everyone watched and waited, Ji Shinian slowly sat up and sighed.

“To think it would come to this…”

He turned his head towards the sky, then closed his eyes in despair.

He had foreseen a great disaster coming to Jiangcheng County.

He had made preparations, including contacting the Company.

But perhaps because it had been so long since a true High-Risk Grotesquery had appeared, everyone had underestimated its power.

Including the Harbingers of Calamity.

The most terrifying part was that even if the Harbingers’ plan succeeded, they would only become nourishment for the Grotesquery’s revival.

Because… the entire Jiangcheng County was its incubation site.

It was a He, not an it.

He was mockingly watching his playthings perform their comical act on the stage.

“Leave,” Ji Shinian sighed.

He wanted to save them, but he couldn’t.

This small, remote city… no, not just this city, but the entire surrounding area, would likely be consumed.

If the disaster wasn’t contained, it might even spread further…

“…Alright.”

Liu Songyi nodded grimly.

Although heartbroken by this outcome, there was no other choice.

He pitied the ordinary people of Jiangcheng County, trapped by the Grotesquery’s influence, beyond saving.

They couldn’t violate the rules of the incubation barrier. Forcibly taking these affected people away would only trigger a greater disaster.

A heavy silence filled the ward.

Everyone present lived in Jiangcheng County, and except for a few, their families were ordinary people.

Among those abandoned, there were their loved ones.

But…

Precisely because they were Awakened Ones and understood the horrors of Grotesqueries, no one objected.

Perhaps after they evacuated, the Company would send someone to resolve this disaster, and those trapped in the city might still be saved.

Taking them by force, or staying in the city, was a death sentence.

“So be it,” Ji Shinian closed his eyes wearily.

“Go and pack your things. We’ll leave soon.”

Lu Manqing waved her hand, and everyone silently left the ward.

Only one person remained.

“You’re… Xu Qian, right?”

Lu Manqing bent down slightly, looking at the red-haired girl in the wheelchair.

Elsa nodded, and Bella, the teddy bear in her arms, said,

“She wants to find Big Sister Bai.”

“…White Witch, is it?”

Lu Manqing had seen the name in the exchange group but had never met her.

She knew this White Witch had an unclear connection to the Grotesquery plaguing Jiangcheng County. Little Xu Qian might be friends with the White Witch, but after the Grotesquery’s arrival, whether this “friendship” still held… was uncertain.

Especially with a Grotesquery like the Puppet Ballad, known for manipulating memories and emotions.

Elsa lowered her head slightly, seemingly fiddling with something in her hands.

“Let her go,” Ji Shinian’s weak voice suddenly came from the bed.

“Father?”

Lu Manqing frowned. This was sending the little girl to her death.

“Perhaps… following one’s heart… is the better choice,” Ji Shinian opened his cloudy eyes, as if seeing something. “Those who try to deceive fate will ultimately be deceived by fate.”

“…Alright,” Lu Manqing sighed, turning to ruffle Elsa’s hair. “Little sister, be careful.”

Elsa nodded repeatedly and, after receiving permission, quickly left the ward.

While everyone else was trying to escape Jiangcheng County, she was going deeper into this seemingly peaceful, normal incubation barrier.

…

“Yo, this is the place.”

A woman in exotic, sheer clothing wiped nonexistent sweat from her forehead and stretched languidly, her alluring figure on full display.

Beside her was a well-behaved girl with round-rimmed glasses, reading a book while leaning against a tree.

They were on a hill not far from Baiyan Village, just outside the massive incubation barrier of Jiangcheng County.

From here, they could overlook the entire county.

“Sister Gypsy, what are we doing here?” Wang Lili asked, adjusting her glasses.

Clearly, she wasn’t in her Seer state now.

“Of course, it’s to observe this ‘disaster’! Don’t forget, I’m the Harbinger of Disaster! I can’t miss such a good opportunity to rank up,” Gypsy Girl chuckled, finding a comfortable rock and lying down, her arm behind her head, a picture of relaxed indolence.

Walking their paths was how Awakened Ones ranked up.

But the specifics varied from person to person.

Most commonly, it was through consuming Holy Water of their corresponding path, but besides that,

Some needed to repeatedly use their abilities to deepen their understanding, some needed a special trigger, and some even ranked up after a good night’s sleep.

And Gypsy Girl, she observed disasters.

Hence, her title, Harbinger of Disaster.

“Shouldn’t we do something?”

Wang Lili looked worried, thinking her family was still in Jiangcheng County.

“Even the Company is running away, what can I possibly do?” Gypsy Girl rolled her eyes. “And you better not wander off, you’re a valuable asset…”

Wang Lili nodded obediently.

However…

“Sister Gypsy, can we get my parents out?”

Wang Lili touched the pocket watch on her chest, a birthday gift from her father.

“We can’t,” Gypsy Girl said softly, “And even if we could, it wouldn’t matter.”

“Why?”

“No reason.”

Gypsy Girl shook her head, her gaze falling upon Jiangcheng County, looking down at the people below.

Only pity remained.

“Just stay here. Even if you want to die, I won’t allow it,” Gypsy Girl said slowly.

She had lied to the people at the psychiatric hospital. Wang Lili wasn’t an Awakened One.

But Wang Lili was far more valuable than an Awakened One.

Whenever she entered her Seer state, when her mind wasn’t “normal,” she could see truths only visible to those who had encountered a Present Life Authority, including the Boundary and the Realm of Nothingness.

Once she awakened…

She would practically be guaranteed a Present Life Authority.

“Watch carefully, the beginning of this ‘disaster’…”

…

The warm body in her arms was rapidly losing its warmth.

The colors around her faded, a hazy gray enveloping Jiangcheng County.

Luo Ling had understood the truth about this incubation barrier before anyone else, after eradicating the “egg’s” consciousness.

That was why she had been so overcome with sorrow.

“No one could have imagined, even Ji Ying underestimated this…”

From the very beginning, everyone had been its food.

Whether it was the “egg” or Luo Ling, whether she or it emerged victorious, they couldn’t escape this fate.

But Luo Ling’s sorrow wasn’t because of her own defeat.

It was for Ji Ying, who, until her final moments, hadn’t known that all her efforts had been in vain, a futile struggle.

Luo Ling ignored the returning pedestrians, her expression bleak as she walked towards her final destination.

Home.

Her once warm sanctuary.

Also the place where she and Ji Ying had first met.

Luo Ling released her grip, and in the gray, distorted world, Ji Ying’s remains crumbled and dissipated.

She slowly raised her head and saw a familiar figure before her, her gentle gaze as if trying to melt her.

“Welcome home.”

“Xiao Ling.”

Chapter 90: A Human Conspiracy

This wasn’t the first time the Company specialists had entered an incubation barrier, but it was the first time facing one so recently formed, especially one belonging to a High-Risk Grotesquery.

Usually, Grotesquery incubation barriers were well-hidden. After all, they were meant to protect the Grotesquery during its incubation process, like in Baiyan Village. More important than containing intruders was concealing its existence.

So, by the time an incubation barrier was discovered, it had usually been active for a while.

And the stronger the Grotesquery, the longer the incubation period, ranging from several years to even decades for Dangerous Grotesqueries.

But a sudden incubation barrier like this… was unheard of.

Therefore, even though they were all High-Order Awakened Ones, the Company specialists proceeded with caution.

After forcibly breaking through the barrier, Li Shaoheng and his team carefully crossed the boundary and entered the incubation barrier.

Gruesome corpses and the remnants of Grotesquery creations littered the area. In the distance, flesh, buildings, and mycelia were intertwined.

Even more terrifying, some of the Grotesquery creations were still moving, their torn flesh revealing writhing mycelia, yet their movements were as usual, like ordinary people walking and working in an ordinary city.

Mechanically, yet vividly repeating their pre-death routines.

Looking up, in the distance, amidst the collapsed buildings, a giant, grotesque fungus stood tall, its mycelia threads reaching deep into the earth, their destination.

Even these seasoned veterans couldn’t help but pale at this grotesque and horrifying sight.

“…Similar to Baiyan Village,” Li Shaoheng observed the scene intently. These mycelia, absorbing the hosts’ memories, mimicking their actions, even replicating their emotions perfectly.

If left undisturbed… it would be difficult to distinguish between real and fake.

“Don’t touch anything. Although these Grotesqueries are only equivalent to Fifth or Sixth-Order Awakened Ones, their numbers are vast… even if only a tenth of them remain, we’ll struggle to handle them,” Li Shaoheng whispered.

It had been a workday, and at least twenty thousand people had been in the city center. Even if only five or six thousand hadn’t escaped in time, a tenth would still be five or six hundred…

Five or six hundred fearless, mid-level Awakened Ones with special abilities, even if they couldn’t kill the team with sheer numbers, after a difficult battle, the team would be left with little fighting strength.

And their true objective… wasn’t to eliminate the Puppet Ballad, but to gather intel about its abilities.

The team carefully avoided the floating mycelial creations, continuing deeper into the incubation barrier.

They didn’t use Li Shaoheng’s spatial manipulation ability, worried about landing in the middle of the enemy’s ranks.

However, as they went deeper, Li Shaoheng noticed… the number of Grotesquery creations was decreasing, even the usually pervasive mycelia threads were sparse.

As if a fierce battle had taken place.

Just as Li Shaoheng was assessing the situation, a shout echoed from within the team.

“Target sighted! All personnel, be alert, the target is highly aggressive!”

So soon?

Li Shaoheng was startled. Looking up, he saw the mysterious girl he had met at the train station.

Her silver-white hair, strands of sentient mycelia, her pale eyes like dead ashes, her delicate face devoid of emotion.

She raised a powerful, clearly handcrafted Sacred Tool and pointed it at them.

“Watch out!”

Countless mycelia threads surged from the surroundings, and the enormous fungus intertwined with the buildings in the distance swayed, seemingly noticing them, greedily extending its tendrils.

To Grotesqueries, Awakened Ones were highly nourishing, and High-Order Awakened Ones even more so.

At least a thousand ordinary people were needed to equal a single High-Order Awakened One.

The Company team, having entered the incubation barrier, knew this and were prepared. The moment the mycelia threads appeared, their abilities activated, eradicating them.

But they couldn’t block the mysterious girl’s blade.

While they were distracted by the mycelia, a silver flash, and three teammates were injured.

If Li Shaoheng hadn’t used his ability to pull them back, that single strike would have been enough to decapitate them.

“Such a fighting style…”

Li Shaoheng was surprised. This girl, clearly wielding the Puppet Ballad’s power, was using close combat…

Shouldn’t she be using mycelia threads, absorbing flesh and blood, and creating Grotesquery puppets?

And… that dagger was a Sacred Tool, wasn’t it?

She seemed to be using it as an ordinary blade…

Just then, the girl’s movements faltered, then she turned and attacked again, silently.

If it were just the girl alone, her speed, although impressive, wasn’t insurmountable.

Her combat skills, though present, were still somewhat unrefined.

But the problem was…

They weren’t just facing this girl.

The fungus in the distance seemed to be mocking them, its constantly extending mycelia threads gradually wearing down their will.

Combined with the girl’s attacks, several more team members were severely injured.

Li Shaoheng tried to kill the girl first, his throwing knives flashing, slicing through her arm.

But in the blink of an eye, the deep wound had completely healed.

“Such… an exaggerated healing ability.”

The next moment, Li Shaoheng’s own throwing knife was at his throat, a thin line of blood appearing, almost decapitating him.

“Ability replication!”

Li Shaoheng’s eyes widened slightly.

And it was a near-perfect replication… as if he himself were using it.

Mastering an ability wasn’t something that could be achieved overnight, especially a complex ability like Spatial Distortion.

It had taken Li Shaoheng at least ten years and countless battles to wield his throwing knives with such precision.

More importantly… the throwing knives were his Sacred Tool, yet she had somehow used them against him.

After that attack, Li Shaoheng quickly recalled his throwing knives, afraid she would use that move again.

He could handle it, but his teammates… couldn’t dodge such an unpredictable attack.

“Retreat!”

Continuing this fight would only result in unnecessary casualties. Li Shaoheng made his decision.

With his spatial manipulation ability, they could still escape.

Li Shaoheng decisively used Spatial Distortion, intending to teleport the entire team to the edge of the incubation barrier.

The scenery shifted, and they instantly reappeared at their entry point.

Before Li Shaoheng could breathe a sigh of relief, they were back in the depths of the incubation barrier.

The silver-haired girl held a strand of hair in her hand, her gaze cold as she looked at them.

“…Retrospect.”

Li Shaoheng’s face paled.

This was an ability he would never forget, one he hadn’t expected to see again after Scientist’s death, yet it had reappeared, used by this mysterious girl.

After using large-scale Spatial Distortion, Li Shaoheng was momentarily exhausted, and his team, caught off guard, was surrounded by mycelia threads again.

This time, they were completely trapped, unable to resist.

The greedy mycelia threads gnawed at their protective gear, and even though they had taken precautions against the Puppet Ballad’s parasitic abilities, covering all exposed skin, they couldn’t withstand the relentless assault.

The mission had failed.

And… it was a complete wipeout.

…They would all die here.

And more importantly, they couldn’t send out any information.

The silver-haired girl released the strand of hair in her hand, her beautiful silver hair swaying in the breeze, but no one had the mood to appreciate it.

All around, only terror and despair.

The enormous fungus in the distance writhed, extending its tendrils towards them, its greed and hunger palpable.

There were eight High-Order Awakened Ones present. Consuming them would be a feast, equivalent to almost half the energy within the incubation barrier.

The instinctive fungus wouldn’t miss this opportunity. In the battle between “eggs,” even a small amount of energy could tip the scales, and it wouldn’t let another “egg” gain an advantage.

The silver-haired girl slowly approached the trapped team members, more fungi creeping towards them from afar. This was a dead end.

Unwilling…

He had probably disappointed Senior Lu.

A bitter smile appeared on Li Shaoheng’s lips.

He watched as the girl approached, the fungus looming, death imminent.

Just then, a faint smile appeared on the girl’s doll-like face, a hint of humanity in the terrifying Grotesquery.

“Thank you, Mr. Li,” she said.

Luo Ling smiled slightly.

In her vision, several Grotesquery puppets, their bodies completely consumed by mycelia, stood before her, surrounded by towering buildings.

But she knew it was just an illusion, all of it fake.

“Puppet Ballad, you’re trying to trick me again, but it won’t work.”

Luo Ling had sensed something amiss when her first attack missed.

And the throwing knives that followed had confirmed her suspicions.

She had instinctively replicated the ability and finally realized the attacker was Li Shaoheng, the Company’s P8 specialist.

This “egg,” whether it wanted to use her hand to kill these outsiders or use the outsiders to kill her, didn’t matter.

This was the Puppet Ballad’s scheme, but also Luo Ling’s opportunity.

A chance to expose the “egg’s” true form.

Luo Ling had been killing and consuming the “egg’s” power, hoping to find its true consciousness within the enormous fungus and defeat it.

And during this process, the “egg” had been using Luo Ling’s memories to create illusions, trying to assimilate her power.

It was a long and arduous battle, and whoever faltered first would lose.

“Do you think I can’t tell the difference?”

“No, I can tell the difference very clearly.”

Even after killing her sister dozens of times, even with reality and illusion, memory and experience constantly intertwining, Luo Ling had maintained her composure.

She had calmly analyzed the situation, calmly killed her sister, calmly consumed the body, until she broke free from the illusion.

And the “egg” had been losing ground, perhaps sensing its impending doom, which was why it had tried to pit Luo Ling against the outsiders.

A desperate gamble.

But it had miscalculated.

After using Scientist’s ability, stored within a Spore, to pull the escaping team members back, Luo Ling knew that it couldn’t hold back any longer.

It was also afraid, afraid that after Luo Ling consumed these Awakened Ones, she would have the power to defeat it.

Only by using its true will to devour this flesh and blood could it trap Luo Ling within the illusion, assimilating her power.

After trapping everyone with mycelia, the “egg’s” true consciousness finally emerged, eager to begin its feast.

A seemingly insignificant fungus, hidden behind several larger ones, tried to consume Li Shaoheng.

But as it emerged, it was met with a flash of steel.

Severed, eradicated.

“Compared to Grotesqueries, humans are far more skilled at ‘conspiracy’… you’ve already lost.”

The twitching fungus struggled for a moment, then collapsed into a mangled corpse, vaguely recognizable as a tall woman.

Luo Ling’s vision returned to normal; she had once again broken free from the illusion.

This was the last time.

The mycelia threads binding the team members loosened, freeing them, but they were still in shock.

Who would have thought that the two Grotesqueries (?), who had been fighting side by side just now, would suddenly turn on each other? It was difficult to comprehend.

Li Shaoheng wanted to say something, but seeing Luo Ling ignore him, her expression filled with sorrow as she picked up the corpse and walked towards the withered fungus in the distance, he stopped.

Only a small figure remained, and although a teammate wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to attack, Li Shaoheng stopped him.

“We… might need to reassess her existence,” Li Shaoheng whispered, the image of the silver-haired girl’s smile and sorrow flashing through his mind.

Could she really be an apostle?

Could she really be a Grotesquery?

At this moment, Li Shaoheng’s certainty wavered.

Just then, a teammate exclaimed,

“The Grotesquery energy within the incubation barrier is disappearing!”

Li Shaoheng checked his device, and the readings were indeed decreasing, meaning the incubation barrier was collapsing.

It seemed the White Witch had truly resolved the source of the disaster. The corpse of the tall woman they had just killed was likely the Grotesquery’s true form.

But…

“Is it… really over?”

Li Shaoheng was silent, his heart filled with disbelief.

His intuition told him it wasn’t that simple. A High-Risk Grotesquery incident wouldn’t end like this.

But regardless… they had to leave this place first, report the situation to the Company outside the incubation barrier, and then decide on their next course of action.

“Let’s go.”

Li Shaoheng exhaled and used his ability.

…It failed.

“Wait, my ability…”

Li Shaoheng looked up, instinctively thinking that the White Witch had taken his ability.

Could the Puppet Ballad… even do that?

Only when the others also exclaimed in shock did he realize it wasn’t just him.

His phone rang. It was Old Madam Lu.

Impossible, the incubation barrier blocked all signals… at least phones shouldn’t work.

Could it be that the incubation barrier had disappeared?

Li Shaoheng answered the phone, and Old Madam Lu, without any pleasantries, said in a grim voice,

“Shaoheng, I’m afraid the worst has happened.

“Perhaps… all of Jiangcheng County… is an incubation site.

“It always has been.”