Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 210: Watanabe Jiang, Falling (A Fusion of Sorts)

Fortunately, Otonashi Takuya's navigation skills were top-notch, allowing him to quickly retrace his steps and return to that dilapidated shrine... now in ruins!

Observing the remnants of the shrine, Otonashi Takuya noticed traces left behind by Aoki's group, leading him to believe that they had successfully rescued Sawada Tomohiko and the Godless Priest. Consequently, he decided to head back to Ziwu City directly.

Upon his return to Ziwu City, Otonashi Takuya sensed that something was amiss in the atmosphere. He decided to disguise himself and discreetly gather information within the city. It was there that he learned the grim truth: Sawada Tomohiko and the Godless Priest had been murdered by Aoki's group, who had subsequently faced divine retribution at the hands of Kanna Ryoko, leaving them obliterated.

Otonashi Takuya quickly realized that he had unwittingly become entangled in a massive conspiracy. In haste, he chose to leave Ziwu City and seek refuge in his hometown of Kyoto.

However, shortly after departing Ziwu City, Otonashi Takuya discovered himself trapped within an invisible barrier, preventing him from leaving the confines of the Ziwu City Library. In his despair, Otonashi Takuya had no choice but to assume a new identity and take shelter near the buried great sword.

Over time, Otonashi Takuya realized that his appearance and physical abilities remained unchanged, as if his body had become immortalized.

And so, Otonashi Takuya led a low-profile life for centuries. One day, not long before the first sighting of the Killer Demon, Otonashi Takuya witnessed the great sword he had guarded for centuries soaring through the air, heading straight for the undeveloped area that once housed the Elder Gods' shrine. Otonashi Takuya knew that Tsutomi Tomohiko had most likely been resurrected.

This event reminded Otonashi Takuya of that rainy night and the words spoken to him by the girl with a fan. It became clear to him that the apocalypse was imminent.

With this realization, Otonashi Takuya assumed the identity of an orphan and entered the Ziwu City Grand Hotel. He began investigating the circumstances surrounding Sawada Tomohiko and the impending apocalypse.

When Otonashi Takuya learned that Mian Gu Lu might be possessed by the Eldritch God Taketori, he understood that the end of the world referred to Taketori's arrival.

"Alright, that's the extent of my story. Although I didn't accept the power from the girl with the fan, I still want to protect this world." Otonashi Takuya confided all the hidden burdens he had carried for centuries, and Liu Xing could sense his relief.

Liu Xing, however, found himself feeling somewhat uneasy. It seemed he had an uncanny connection with Nyarlathotep. In the previous module, he had encountered Nyarlathotep's incarnation, Aughra, and now, he had encountered Nyarlathotep's other incarnation, the Swollen Maiden. Liu Xing suspected that sooner or later, he would encounter Nyarlathotep in its true form.

"By the way, Otonashi, how did you come into possession of that oil painting?" Liu Xing inquired with curiosity.

Otonashi Takuya pondered for a moment before responding, "I found that oil painting in a relic beneath the current Ziwu City airport, located within the Kingdom of Tindalos. One day, I ventured inside for a look around, and strangely enough, when I laid eyes on that painting, I felt an inexplicable urge to take it with me. Moreover, when faced with Kuroba Naoki, I sensed an overwhelming need to sell it to him. So, I believe there's something amiss with that painting. Now, in hindsight, I believe I fell victim to King Tindalos' scheme."

Liu Xing nodded in agreement. It indeed seemed to be a trap set by King Tindalos, utilizing Otonashi Takuya to deliver the painting to Kuroba Naoki, who would then guide the players.

"Alright, that's all the information I have. I must warn you, Liu Xing, that Kanna Ryoko is a highly suspicious individual. I still can't fathom why she cursed Aoki's group without giving them any chance to explain themselves. Most importantly, according to my observations, Kanna Ryoko has not left the Godless Shrine since Sawada Tomohiko's incident," Otonashi Takuya earnestly revealed.

Frowning, Liu Xing nodded in agreement. Initially, when he encountered Kanna Ryoko, he thought she might be a distant but well-intentioned NPC. However, given the growing list of dark deeds associated with Kanna Ryoko, his perspective had shifted.

"Well then, I believe Aoki's group would like to meet with me," Otonashi Takuya said casually.

Liu Xing nodded and shared the time and location for their meeting with Aoki's group.

"Okay, I'll go meet some old friends tonight. You guys take care of Mian Gu Lu. Oh, and I have something for you," Otonashi Takuya said as he rose and retrieved a palm-sized stone tablet from his motorcycle.

"What is this?" Liu Xing asked, perplexed.

Otonashi Takuya shook his head and explained, "I don't know exactly what it is, but I found this artifact in a relic beneath the Kingdom of Tindalos. I've carried it with me all this time because I felt it might be important. Now, I believe you might need it more than I do."

With that, Otonashi Takuya handed the stone tablet to Liu Xing.

Liu Xing took the stone tablet from Otonashi Takuya's hand and immediately noticed its extraordinary density. It was about the size of a palm and only about one centimeter thick, yet it weighed as much as ten pounds. What intrigued Liu Xing even more were the intricate inscriptions on the tablet, a script he had never encountered before. Although he couldn't decipher their meaning, his instincts told him that this stone tablet might be some sort of signal generator, designed to manipulate Otonashi Takuya into delivering the oil painting to Kuroba Naoki.

After all, the Yis People were a technologically advanced race, and they preferred technology to solve problems whenever possible, relying less on magic. Otonashi Takuya, blessed by Nyarlathotep, should possess enhanced physical and mental capabilities, making him resistant to ordinary spells. However, this stone tablet, if it were a continuous hypnotic signal generator, could keep Otonashi Takuya under its influence, compelling him to act in accordance with King Tindalos' will.

Now, it seemed that Otonashi Takuya had unintentionally passed this predicament on to Liu Xing.

Realizing this, Liu Xing felt as though he had inherited a hot potato.

However, he quickly considered that these suspicions might be mere paranoia, so he forced a smile and tucked the stone tablet into his pocket.

After chatting with Otonashi Takuya for a while, Liu Xing decided to head upstairs to see what Gu Jun was up to.

Just then, KP Li Shunchan suddenly spoke up, "Hehe, congratulations to the player Watanabe Jiang for successfully dropping out."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, surprised that Watanabe Jiang had dropped out at this moment?!

KP Li Shunchan continued, "I'm sure all the players are very curious about how Watanabe Jiang dropped out. If you want to know, you can contact me for a private session."

Liu Xing promptly contacted KP Li Shunchan and initiated the lucky roll.

Liu Xing, 29/80, succeeded.

"Hehe, Liu Xing, you can now turn on the television," KP Li Shunchan said with a grin.

Liu Xing went to the living room and turned on the TV. It was currently broadcasting Ziwu City news, but after a few seconds, the screen transitioned to an urgent news report.

In essence, it was about a fugitive who had entered the Ziwu City Public Hospital with a firearm and was apprehended outside the hospital director's office by security. Subsequently, the fugitive was taken directly to the superior county of Voidville, where they were incarcerated pending judgment.

It was evident that the fugitive in question was Watanabe Jiang, and since he had been sent to Voidville directly, he had effectively dropped out.

Liu Xing couldn't help but feel exasperated. After leaving Unseen Pond, why had Watanabe Jiang chosen to enter the Ziwu City Public Hospital? Moreover, he had even brandished a gun, leading to his exposure and subsequent identification as a fugitive.

Liu Xing was certain that initially, Watanabe Jiang had been discovered for some minor infraction, likely resulting in his expulsion from the hospital. However, he must have done something foolish to expose his possession of a firearm, leading to his arrest as a fugitive.

Since Watanabe Jiang had dropped out, Liu Xing and his group had no way to rescue him, so they could only lament his misfortune.

At this moment, Yin En also came downstairs, holding a phone and saying, "Liu Xing, did you know? Watanabe Jiang got caught!"

Liu Xing sighed in resignation, pointing at the television. "Of course, I know. It was just reported on TV. Now, all we can do is dedicate a song to Watanabe Jiang."

Yin En nodded and added, "Right, if Watanabe Jiang is still in Ziwu City, we might be able to seek help from the Sawada Family to get him out."

After a while, Chen Wenbin and Yoh Asakura returned home. They had also learned about how Watanabe Jiang had dropped out. After a brief discussion, they decided to overlook the matter.

Then, Yin En played the videos from the memory card. Of course, they fast-forwarded through the content related to Tennoji Sohide's pedophilia and focused on Honda Koichi's experiments.

"I see. No wonder the Dark Willow Gang was so determined to capture Mian Gu Lu. They wanted to use Eldritch God Taketori's blood to grant Hisanobu Ito immortality," Chen Wenbin exclaimed in surprise.

Otonashi Takuya, who had been quiet until now, chimed in, "I know this guy, Honda Koichi. He was obsessed with various mythological legends. I never expected him to discover the existence of Mian Gu Lu."

Otonashi Takuya's revelation stunned everyone except Liu Xing, as they hadn't expected Otonashi Takuya to be acquainted with Honda Koichi.

Liu Xing summarized what Otonashi Takuya had just shared with him, leaving the others in astonishment.

"I never realized you had such hidden depths, Otonashi Takuya. Impressive," Yin En said with a smile.

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