Eldritch Horror Theatre - Ch. 133: Disorder (Part 4)
This Underground Prison was undoubtedly a rather magnificent structure.
Disguised as a Jailer, Fu Qian walked silently through the corridors.
The robe was obviously a bit too large, and its rigid texture made it very uncomfortable to wear.
However, considering its original owner's condition, it was understandable.
With skin like that, there was a high probability they wouldn't feel any chafing.
Gathering information about his surroundings as he walked, Fu Qian quickly built a mental map of the prison's layout.
His current mission was to leave this place.
Locking onto a few spots that might be entrances or exits, Fu Qian set them as his targets, constantly adjusting his route and taking detours when necessary.
The number of jug-carrying Jailers in the prison wasn't small, and they were constantly patrolling.
Furthermore, the corridors were relatively narrow, and Fu Qian wasn't confident he wouldn't be recognized up close.
Fortunately, the place was vast enough to provide ample maneuvering space, maximizing his ability to avoid head-on encounters.
This maze-like wandering lasted for nearly an hour. In between, Fu Qian even saw new prisoners being escorted by a Jailer.
As expected, every new prisoner was just like his past self, their bodies reflecting a strange white light—the so-called "Colorless".
This place wasn't a prison; it was a burial pit.
Thinking of the scene inside his cell, Fu Qian silently made a judgment.
Although he didn't know what harm these Colorless posed, someone was undoubtedly concentrating them all here, kept under the collective watch of these bizarre Jailers.
And the Jailers, apart from keeping them locked inside, even took on the role of a Death Hastener.
For instance, constantly adding lamp oil to ensure the oil lamps inside the cells never went out.
He had tested it earlier; that lamplight was highly lethal to the Colorless.
One by one, the Colorless quickly withered away in the prison.
An hour later, this thrilling game of Pac-Man finally ended. Following the route the Colorless were escorted along, Fu Qian arrived at a place that was likely an entrance or exit.
This must be it!
Before him was an upward spiral staircase, its height stretching beyond sight.
Fu Qian wasn't in a hurry to climb up; instead, he stood in place and waited.
Soon, the sensation of neural chaos struck. Fu Qian quickly adjusted and adapted his body, ensuring he didn't show any abnormalities.
About a minute later, Fu Qian once again adapted to the new chaotic paradigm and stepped upwards.
The staircase was clearly ancient. Fu Qian continued to ascend amidst the creaking sounds.
By the time the feeling of neural chaos dissipated, Fu Qian finally reached the top of the stairs.
However, what surprised him slightly was that, although the door ahead was left ajar, he could already hear a clamor of voices outside.
Peeking through the crack, Fu Qian discovered that the outside wasn't the desolate wasteland he had imagined. Instead, it was bustling with people coming and going.
Thinking it over, Fu Qian took out the few items he had, then quickly took off the robe and tossed it into a hidden corner.
After finishing all this and tidying himself up, he pushed open the door in front of him.
Almost instantly, the surrounding chatter ceased, and countless pairs of eyes focused on his face.
Yet, Fu Qian paid no mind to this. Instead, his first reaction was to look up at the sky.
In the azure sky, several brilliant streams of light hung aloft, varying in shape and radiating dazzling glory.
Auroras?
They looked somewhat similar, but it was clearly daytime.
Fu Qian stared at this unprecedented spectacle, feeling genuinely amazed from the bottom of his heart.
He had just counted a total of seven streams of light, and most importantly, the outline of one of them was exactly the same as the pattern on the iron piece.
To think there was such a thing!
In this strange world, Fu Qian refused to believe there was no connection between the two.
What on earth were these?
Sources of power? Constellation beliefs? Lights of the supernatural?
However, before he had time to observe closely, he heard someone scream the next moment.
"You... how did you get out?"
A young man pointed at him, stammering.
What are you yelling so loudly for? Do I know you?
Fu Qian grumbled internally, but judging by the person's reaction, he undoubtedly ought to know him.
The young man's eyes darted around, appraising Fu Qian with fear and uncertainty.
The next moment, his gaze fell on the scales on Fu Qian's arm, and his expression turned to inexplicable horror.
"This is..."
Fu Qian still ignored him, observing his surroundings instead.
He was currently standing next to a clock tower-like building, and the door he just emerged from was located on its side wall.
As for the crowd of onlookers, regardless of age or gender, everyone's attire was rather peculiar.
This place is a bit weird! Why does the art style feel so different from other mission scenarios?
Recalling the anomaly at the beginning of the mission, Fu Qian's ominous premonition grew heavier.
At this moment, a gap parted in the crowd, and a squad of people rushed over.
The squad consisted of five people, uniformly dressed in black trench coats with weapons at their waists, their auras quite formidable.
Compared to the crowd of onlookers, this squad could be considered exceptionally powerful.
The leader of the squad was a woman in her forties or fifties, looking quite intellectual.
The woman walked right up, sizing Fu Qian up with a solemn expression for a long time before finally speaking.
"Hello, could you explain the current situation?"
"Two days ago, we received a report. Given the signs of color loss on you, we threw you into the Underground Prison, but now you..."
The woman looked at Fu Qian's body.
"Not only did you walk out, but it seems you've already undergone Awakening?"
"Yes, it's quite peaceful down there, truly an excellent place for zen meditation and enlightenment. I cast aside distracting thoughts, achieved mental clarity, and then quickly reached Awakening."
Fu Qian spouted nonsense casually.
Down there is an excellent place for zen meditation and enlightenment?
The woman frowned as well, clearly not believing Fu Qian's words much.
The next moment, she waved her hand, and the people behind her quickly stepped forward, surrounding Fu Qian.
These people clearly treated the Colorless like a plague or a monster.
Looking at the people around him, Fu Qian roughly understood why the Colorless were treated that way.
This thing was probably like a contagious disease here; he was even reported and arrested.
Judging by their reactions, Fu Qian could basically conclude that of all the Colorless sent down, very few probably ever came back.
Thinking about it now, the predecessor in his cell must have known the fate he was about to face and made preparations in advance.
Hoping to rely on the two items he brought in to strive for an Awakening, thereby escaping his tragic destiny.
Unfortunately, even after swallowing the spiked stone to stay alert, he still couldn't succeed before being sent off by the Death Hasteners.
During the standoff, another figure rushed over from a distance. Even before arriving, he couldn't hide his shock upon seeing Fu Qian.
"It really is Dragon Communion!"
Comments
Post a Comment