Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Difficulty of Salvation
Busy.
That was Luo Ling’s first impression of Company headquarters.
Awakened Ones from various offices bustled back and forth, their diverse tokens identifying their origins.
However…
All Company tokens were watches, and among them… Luo Ling’s team’s were the most conspicuous.
While others wore ordinary mechanical watches, Luo Ling’s team all wore cartoon watches, instantly recognizable as members of the Wellington office.
The distinctive style was simply too eye-catching.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Miss Luo Ling.”
Cen Xiangyun leaned closer and whispered, “At least ours are proper watches. There are other offices with even stranger tokens, tattoos, paper watches… it all depends on the style of the first office head.”
Once the first head established the token, even their successors couldn’t easily change it. Theoretically, it was possible, but… the procedure was incredibly tedious.
Furthermore, the tokens of deceased Company employees were stored in the memorial archives… they couldn’t exactly reuse them, could they?
“…Indeed, quite liberal.” Luo Ling’s lips twitched.
At least… the former head of Wellington had decent taste.
Luo Ling, having never been to Company headquarters before, was curious. The others, however, were familiar with the place and quickly found the reception area.
Even for a rare summons from the board of directors, the Company didn’t have dedicated reception staff… since headquarters dealt with numerous Grotesquery incidents, only Awakened Ones were allowed entry.
Certain areas even required P8 clearance or higher—mostly related to Boundary matters.
Except for special cases like Luo Ling’s team, only Awakened Ones above eighth-order were allowed access to Authority-related information and knowledge of Boundaries and the Realm of Nothingness.
This world’s unique cognitive barrier was a protective mechanism. Reckless exposure without sufficient power could have severe consequences.
Eve was a prime example, requiring expensive Sacred Medicine to maintain her sanity after accidentally encountering a Boundary incident.
After receiving the message from the reception desk, Melissa, the board’s secretary, greeted them. She was a polite and proper woman, her meticulous attire reflecting Victoria’s traditional and somewhat rigid style.
Melissa’s position wasn’t insignificant.
Although nominally a secretary, since the three directors were rarely at headquarters, their whereabouts often unknown, she handled almost all matters related to them, including the formal invitation to Luo Ling.
In essence, Melissa represented the board at headquarters.
Having such a prominent figure personally greet them highlighted the board’s interest in this meeting.
“I apologize, but the board’s invitation is only for Miss Luo Ling. You cannot accompany her.” Melissa said softly, bowing to Cen Xiangyun and the others with an apologetic smile.
Even while refusing them, Melissa remained respectful, despite the vast difference in their status and power.
Although the Company was an Awakened organization, its internal structure resembled an ordinary company. Such polite superiors were rare.
“It’s alright, we understand. We’ll wait outside.”
Cen Xiangyun was slightly flustered. She understood Melissa’s influence. Even the heads of the various offices, her family elders, treated Melissa with respect.
They had anticipated this… The idea of them barging in to meet the three directors together was absurd. They were merely accompanying Luo Ling to headquarters, having nothing else to do.
“Thank you for your understanding.” Melissa bowed again, then gestured to Luo Ling politely. “Miss Luo Ling, this way, please.”
“Thank you, Senior.” Luo Ling said.
“Call me ‘colleague’ or ‘Melissa.’ I’m not used to being called ‘Senior’.”
Melissa smiled, her stern demeanor softening slightly. “Especially you, Miss Luo Ling. In all my years here, you’re the first ordinary person to be summoned by the board.”
“Ordinary person?”
Cen Xiangyun and the others were stunned. When did Miss Luo Ling become an ordinary person?
Did she mean ordinary compared to the Company’s high-ranking officials?
But that didn’t make sense…
Luo Ling’s eyes narrowed. This Melissa… was unusual, able to discern others’ strength.
Indeed, Luo Ling was currently an ordinary person. After witnessing her complete Grotesquery transformation in her consciousness space, she had awakened in this state.
It seemed… her Grotesquery form and her ordinary form had separated.
However, Luo Ling didn’t dare to attempt transforming now, unsure of the consequences, especially since her Grotesquery form had recently devoured a Boundary.
And this was Company headquarters…
“Actually, I’m not exactly an ordinary person.” Luo Ling said.
“Of course, I’m aware of that.” Melissa smiled faintly, not elaborating. “Let’s go, Miss Luo Ling. The directors shouldn’t be kept waiting.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
Luo Ling nodded to the others, ruffling Elsa’s hair before leaving. She had noticed Elsa’s sullen mood, though she didn’t understand why.
Perhaps, when she had some free time, she should offer some life guidance. After all, little Elsa had a difficult childhood and might lack some social skills.
However, if Elsa knew Luo Ling’s thoughts, she would think that Miss Luo Ling was the one lacking social skills…
Led by Melissa, Luo Ling walked through the classical and elegant section of Company headquarters. After crossing a certain boundary, the atmosphere changed drastically.
The bustling figures and the slightly noisy environment vanished instantly, Luo Ling and Melissa plunging into endless darkness, only silence remaining.
The Realm of Nothingness?
No…
Although similar, Luo Ling could sense that this wasn’t the Realm of Nothingness. There might be a connection, but it wasn’t that deadly void.
More importantly, Melissa, walking slightly ahead, remained unfazed.
Sensing Luo Ling’s puzzled gaze, Melissa turned and smiled faintly, pointing to her glowing token.
“We need some special barriers to prevent unwanted guests from entering the Company’s inner sanctum.”
Although not the Realm of Nothingness, this defensive barrier simulated its environment, requiring a certain level of clearance to enter unaffected.
However, Luo Ling was an exception.
Even the true Realm of Nothingness couldn’t harm her, let alone this imitation.
Therefore, Melissa hadn’t given Luo Ling a visitor’s token. It was unnecessary.
After walking for a few minutes, Melissa stopped. A more dangerous barrier seemed to lie ahead.
Her watch token dimmed slightly, indicating that her clearance ended here. She couldn’t proceed further.
“Unfortunately, Miss Luo Ling, I can only accompany you this far. Only P10 directors or authorized visitors can proceed beyond this point.”
Melissa’s professional smile remained unchanged. “However, you seem to be exempt from such restrictions—surviving a month and a half in the Realm of Nothingness… is unprecedented.”
She emphasized “unprecedented.”
Her meaning was clear.
She was questioning the truth of that claim.
Luo Ling knew that many, including Melissa, didn’t believe it. After all, it was Fiona’s word against theirs. No one had witnessed Luo Ling entering and returning from the Realm of Nothingness.
Even Luo Ling’s demonstrated ability upon joining the Company wasn’t enough to convince them.
From the moment they met, although polite, Melissa’s tone had been strange, including not giving Luo Ling a token before bringing her here. It was a test.
“Please.” Melissa stepped aside, then asked, “Or do you need this, Miss Luo Ling?”
She held out a glowing bracelet, likely a visitor’s token.
“No need.”
Luo Ling nodded and continued walking.
She wasn’t bothered by Melissa’s test and skepticism. It was understandable. The claim itself was too outrageous to believe.
If Luo Ling had died, her visit to the Realm of Nothingness might have been considered true, but since she hadn’t…
It was likely a fabrication.
Only Luo Ling’s friends and Fiona believed her. Most Awakened organizations now speculated that she had simply hidden somewhere for a while.
Some even suspected that it was a charade orchestrated by the Fate Society, targeting the Company, considering Luo Ling’s affiliation with them.
—Melissa was among those who held this view.
Few knew the true outcome of Fiona’s commission. She wouldn’t publicize the fact that she had retrieved her daughter’s belongings.
“Still not the Realm of Nothingness, but it does have some of its characteristics…”
Luo Ling sensed the surrounding environment, extending her hand, the darkness brushing against her palm.
It lacked the familiar sense of comfort.
The void that represented a nightmare and certain death to others was like home to Luo Ling, not only allowing her free passage but even enhancing her power.
“At least it confirms that even without my Grotesquery transformation, the Realm of Nothingness is harmless to me.” Luo Ling thought.
Her other forms, like the White Witch and Amethyst, were still affected.
Aside from her Grotesquery form, what exactly was her true nature?
As a faint light appeared ahead, Luo Ling pushed those thoughts aside and walked towards it.
Unexpectedly, at the end of this desolate barrier was a small, ordinary wooden cabin, the faint light emanating from its fireplace.
Luo Ling hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open.
Three gazes immediately fell upon her, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and an indescribable depth.
But…
Wasn’t this cabin too simple for the board of directors who controlled the entire Company?
The cabin was ordinary, almost bare, only the crackling fireplace offering a semblance of warmth.
The attire of the three directors was even stranger. The elderly man in the center wore a thick cotton-padded coat, his hands hidden in his sleeves, huddled close to the fireplace on a small stool.
The young man standing beside the fireplace wore an adult-sized tuxedo, reminding Luo Ling of her old “friend,” Artist, though Artist was a dwarf, while this young man was clearly a teenager, his face still youthful.
The third director was a woman, sitting on the cabin’s only piece of furniture, a leather sofa.
Although she looked to be in her twenties, she was dressed like an elderly noblewoman, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles with a chain, adding to her aged appearance.
“Heh, Miss Luo Ling, you’ve finally arrived.” The elderly man by the fireplace shifted slightly, making space for her. “Come, don’t mind us, this is how we are.”
Luo Ling walked over awkwardly, unsure whether to stand or squat, until the woman scolded, “Old fool, offer the young lady a chair! Do you expect her to sit on the floor?”
“I’ll get it, I’ll get it…”
The elderly man chuckled, offering Luo Ling his precious stool and sitting on the floor.
“I… can stand.”
What could Luo Ling say? Stop playing dress-up, you’re rich, can’t you get a decent office? Why torture yourselves like this?
She couldn’t understand the minds of the wealthy.
“We’re just shadows here.”
The young man explained, his voice unexpectedly deep, like a middle-aged man. “Since we’re shadows, a bit of nostalgia is fine. This was our first headquarters when we founded the Company.”
“…Starting from scratch?”
Luo Ling didn’t voice her thoughts, noticing the directors’ expressions turning serious.
“Luo Ling, you’re not an ordinary person, are you?” The woman said. “But why can’t I sense any trace of a ‘Path’ on you?”
“Indeed, we’ve reviewed your file. Initially suspected to be the mysterious Seventh Path, then confirmed as Judgment. In either case, you shouldn’t be like this.”
Luo Ling thought that if they had met yesterday, they might have sensed her Path, but even she didn’t fully understand her current situation.
“Just some useful little tricks.” Luo Ling said vaguely.
“Tricks…”
The three directors exchanged knowing glances.
However, this wasn’t important. They didn’t care about Luo Ling’s abilities, only one thing mattered.
“Miss Luo Ling, you did visit that area of the Realm of Nothingness, didn’t you?”
The elderly man said softly. “Others might doubt it, but we know that if you hadn’t, you couldn’t have retrieved Fiona’s daughter’s belongings.”
“…”
Luo Ling’s eyes narrowed. She was certain Fiona hadn’t revealed this.
But…
If she hadn’t, how did the board know?
“It seems your relationship with Fiona isn’t so simple.” The woman smiled, a strange glint in her eyes behind her spectacles.
“It’s just a client-operative relationship.” Luo Ling replied softly.
“Let’s get to the point.”
The young man, seemingly impatient with the other directors’ cryptic remarks, spoke directly. “We want to know what you saw in the Realm of Nothingness. What do you want in exchange? Just tell us… Beating around the bush is troublesome.”
Luo Ling didn’t answer, instead asking after a moment of silence, “I want to know what happened back then. Why did Linna’s team have to be sacrificed?”
Luo Ling didn’t care about anything else. She just wanted an answer.
Why did Linna and her teammates die?
What was the purpose of this senseless sacrifice and conspiracy?
Thinking of Linna’s sadness and bitter smile, Luo Ling felt a surge of anger towards the Company, the instigator, and the Torchbearers, the architects of this conspiracy.
The directors fell silent, hearing Luo Ling’s almost accusatory tone.
The elderly man finally spoke, his voice tinged with sadness.
“It’s difficult to give you a definitive answer, but… I can only say this.
“Their sacrifice saved millions of lives, including Victoria, from a Taboo disaster.”
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