Chapter 52 – First appearance

Translator: Xena

Qin Zhuo withdrew the hand that was touching the other person’s hair, took a step forward, and sat down on the window sill.

Those indifferent crimson eyes swept over the artifacts on the highest platform and took in everything below. Lazy and disinterested, It remarked, “It’s about to begin.”

Jian Xie put down the auction brochure.

【Hold on.】

Qin Zhuo reached out and took Jian Xie’s hand. His fingertips brushed lightly against the ring on Jian Xie’s ring finger, carrying a tingling sensation akin to skin being caressed.

【Now is not the time.】 It looked up and said, 【Stay here.】

“……”

As It’s words fell, a man in a suit slowly made his way onto the stage. He was clearly the auctioneer for this event.

“Welcome, everyone, to this evening’s gathering.”

Despite the great distance, Jian Xie could see the professional, courteous smile that had been on his face. However, after his routine gaze inadvertently fell upon the guests, the expression on his face suddenly changed and he couldn’t help but tremble all over.

Even though he had presided over countless auctions, he had never seen guests in the audience stare with this much intensity at the items on display.

At the same time, after he uttered that opening line, countless expressionless faces slowly turned toward him, sending a shiver down his spine.

It felt like… to these people, he was no different from food!

What was even more terrifying was that in the blink of an eye, the figures of these guests before him seemed to have changed.

In his line of sight, a woman in the front row seemed to feel something on her face. She raised her hand to wipe it away, only to tear off her entire face, revealing bloody facial muscles and teeth. Yet, she appeared utterly oblivious of it and continued to stare intently at him.

“I’m so hungry…”

A foul, yellowish drool oozed from the corners of its mouth. “I want to eat…” 

The humanoid monster staggered to its feet, bumped into a chair, and fell to the ground. Using both hands and feet, it scrambled toward the display case with astonishing speed!

The auctioneer recoiled in terror, his legs going numb. He stumbled unconsciously on the steps, unable to stop the monster from closing in.

Witnessing this scene that happened in an instant, screams of fear suddenly broke out in the hall.

W-what the hell is that?!

It was like a signal to start. In the blink of an eye, several figures in the other seats began to melt, revealing their hideous true forms. They lunged toward the stage, seemingly intent on tearing the host to pieces right then and there—

“Bang!”

Amid the flash of sparks, the monster about to seize the auctioneer was shot through the head, causing blood to splatter instantly.

Its body twitched once before slumping limply to the ground.

“Are you fucking crazy? Shooting at a time like this?!”

Amidst the curses, Cheng Li had already leapt onto the stage, grabbed the terrified auctioneer by the collar, and tossed him backstage. Fu Huanyu, who appeared out of nowhere, caught him, shoved him into the nearest private room and swiftly closed the door behind him.

Cheng Li retorted without hesitation, “Do you want to watch ordinary people get eaten, you coward?!” 

The two who were standing on the auction platform were instantly exposed to all the monsters.

Most of the monsters had shed their humanoid forms. Tentacles, eyeballs, and slime were flying everywhere. Scraping against the walls were layer upon layer of climbing creatures piled up and closing in like a surging tide. Only those face to face with it could grasp the sheer horror of the sight.

Like a bizarre feast of wine and meat, the monster’s limbs reassembled into a sea of flesh. At first glance, all one could see were chunks of meat.

Cheng Li, however, took it in stride, calmly stating, “Look, they’re still devouring each other. We don’t have to take on every single monster.” 

Fu Huanyu looked utterly hopeless and said with gnashed teeth, “But I’m only C-level! Why would I charge head-on?!” 

—And there are definitely A-level monsters here!

Amidst the horde of monsters driven by appetite and bloodlust, several humanoid figures remained seated in place. As if the carnage unfolding around them held no effect whatsoever, they wore expressions of sated satisfaction, seemingly savoring the fear radiating from the other humans present.

Whether out of arrogance or confidence, they did not strike immediately.

Instead, they maintained their composure and watched from the sidelines.

“Everyone, lock your booths and don’t come out!”

Cheng Li raised his voice and fired another shot at the nearest monster, saving a human who was sobbing uncontrollably. Though clearly reluctant, Fu Huanyu risked his life to rush over, shoved the trembling woman into the closest booth, locked the door, and then dashed back to the stage under the cover of Cheng Li’s fire.

Amidst the chaos, other investigators also emerged from their hiding places, rescuing ordinary people from the monsters’ clutches.

“Why are there so many ordinary people?” Cheng Li frowned. “Didn’t the Bureau clear the area? And why hasn’t Xu Yujin shown up yet?!” 

This situation wasn’t looking good.

The investigators were already at a disadvantage, and having to protect other ordinary people further reduced their combat effectiveness.

Meanwhile, Xu Yujin, the Special A-level investigator responsible for containing anomalous objects in the plan, remained unaccounted for.

Once the Special A-level monsters made their move, everyone present was as good as dead. It was only a matter of time.

“You asked earlier why the monsters appeared early. This clearly points to one thing. Monsters have been infiltrating the Bureau for quite some time! Xu Yujin might not even know of the situation!” 

Fu Huanyu didn’t care about what he was agonizing over.

The most urgent task at hand was to secure the artifact that has caused a commotion among both investigators and monsters.

After all, they were after it from the start. Whatever they planned to do with it, anyone with half a brain knows it couldn’t possibly be anything good.

We absolutely cannot let them get their hands on it!

The thought flashed through his mind. He turned around, intending to lift the display case immediately and carry Cheng Li away. Suddenly, his pupils contracted.

Too fast—

The very second he turned, a dark figure flashed past his peripheral vision.

The figure broke through Cheng Li’s defenses, closing in on the display case faster than he could react. He didn’t even have time to respond before he was sent flying.

“This is it, It’s sacrificial statue.”

What was even more startling was how utterly relaxed it looked leaning against the display case. It was as if it was just attending some afternoon tea party and clearly paid them no mind whatsoever.

Judging solely by its appearance, it could be said to possess a rather handsome face, but its complexion was as bluish as if it’d indulged in excessive pleasures, giving it an extremely sinister look.

“Nice to see you again, Cheng Li.” It spoke with a hint of contempt as it stared down at Cheng Li on the ground, its tone leisurely and self-satisfied. “Last time, you risked being corrupted just to barely use that Special A-level prop, yet you still failed to kill me. Were you disappointed? …This time, I won’t let you off.” 

At these words, a flicker of surprise crossed Fu Huanyu’s eyes.

He knew Cheng Li had been demoted for overuse of props, but he didn’t know the monster he fought with hadn’t actually been killed.

“Go to hell.” Cheng Li gritted his teeth. 

The monster snorted derisively. “I have more pressing matters to attend to. As for you? In a moment, I’ll tear every inch of your muscle tissue to shreds and chew it in my mouth…”  

As it spoke, it opened the glass case with a hint of fascination flickering in its eyes, and reached out toward the wooden carving.

It was a symbol of power, as long as It…

“Ah—!!”

The moment it touched the wooden carving, blazing fire erupted in an instant. An excruciating pain unlike any it had ever felt made it scream in agony and tumble to the ground in a heap. Still, it could not extinguish the terrifying flames crawling up from its fingertips—they would burn it alive!

At that moment, the lights throughout the entire hall abruptly went out, and all sound vanished instantly.

It wasn’t because time had frozen that this happened, but because at some unknown moment, an intensely sinister aura had forcefully filled the entire space!

Under immense psychological terror, both humans and monsters present had forgotten what they were doing. Though physically unrestrained, they remained utterly immobilized by an invisible force, unable to move or even utter a sound. They were completely subdued by an unseen presence whose nature they could not discern.

The investigators stood there, their teeth chattering.

What is this…

Could it be a new Special A-level monster?!

However, a single thought lingered in the minds of the monsters present. They knew whose statue it was, and they knew the true reason for their uncontrollable trembling—

It must be It! It is enraged!

Third floor.

Qin Zhuo finally withdrew his gaze from the floor below and turned to look at Jian Xie, who had remained expressionless from the start. It’s human had indeed stayed obediently by It’s side.

From the very beginning, It never let go of the human’s hand. Now, It hooked their fingers together and stood up. It’s gloomy face was filled with annoyance. First, It tutted It’s tongue impatiently, then spoke,【The card I gave you wasn’t used.】

Jian Xie: “……”

That’s probably not the main point right now.

【I know you don’t want to be seen.】 Qin Zhuo raised an eyebrow, It’s tone conveying an air of nonchalance.【 So once we shut off their vision, it won’t matter anymore.】

Shut off… their vision? Is it even possible to accomplish such a thing?

Jian Xie couldn’t help but glance downstairs.

The lights in the hall remained on, casting a bright glow that illuminated every expression on every face in minute detail.

But whether investigator or monster, they all stood there like headless flies, tilting their heads slightly in confusion, seemingly unable to see anything.

Though aware of Qin Zhuo’s extraordinary identity, the ease with which It accomplished this still made Jian Xie instinctively pull back the hand It was holding.

Yet in the next instant, it was seized back by a hand a million times colder than his own, wrapped around and clasped tightly between the fingers.

As if the moment it was released, Jian Xie would slip away.

【……Don’t be afraid of me.】

Though the voice conveyed no emotion, for some reason, Jian Xie somehow detected a deeply hidden feeling within it.

…This all-powerful evil god actually revealed a hint of unease in his presence.

It was impossible not to think of how Qin Zhuo had stayed inside his body for a full year but never made a sound… Could he have been wrong all along? Perhaps the other hadn’t been too lazy to interfere with his affairs, but rather feared that It’s very presence would make him fear and reject him like these monsters and investigators?

Jian Xie paused.

“I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.” He said calmly, “And I’m not afraid of you.” 

Whether it was the tentacles emerging from the black shadows or the faint traces of extreme possessiveness revealed by the other party, none of it frightened the emotionally detached Jian Xie.

As someone who has always kept to himself, though he has never experienced most extraordinary feelings, being so blatantly and intensely cared for actually didn’t feel unpleasant.

Instead, it made him feel needed.

【……】

Without releasing their intertwined hands, Jian Xie pushed open the door without a word and made his way to the elevator.

They took the elevator downstairs.

As if falling into a bizarre hell.

With his overly neat appearance and composed expression, Jian Xie looked like a passerby who had stumbled into a freak show.

In the dead silence, the sound of the descending elevator stood out sharply, instantly capturing everyone’s attention. With their vision plunged into darkness, they had no idea what was happening, only feeling the fear intensify.

Cheng Li, who was lying on the ground, stirred.

Fu Huanyu blinked blankly.

Oblivious to what was happening.

Behind them, Jian Xie looked toward the front, where one of the materials essential to Qin Zhuo’s body lay inside the glass display case.

His shoes stepped onto slick, bloody flesh, staining his carefully polished leather boots. Yet he remained unbothered as he slipped past the crowd, leaving behind a faint, sweet scent that made the monsters salivate. Ignoring the charred remains of a monster scorched by flames beside him, Jian Xie stood before the glass display case.

Clear, amber-colored eyes stared straight at the sacrificial statue that exuded a sinister and terrifying aura.

[What do you want me to do?] Jian Xie asked, [How am I supposed to make you…]

【Just touch me.】

Though unaware of what transpired, the A-level monsters present belatedly sensed something amiss. They realized that an excessively fragrant human, taking advantage of their moment of fear, had crept silently toward It’s statue and was even attempting to defile the absolute power with his own hands.

…They were obviously, obviously being played for a fool!

How could It suddenly appear and personally escort a mere human through the venue? Do they really think they don’t know about It’s brutal, irascible, and capricious nature?!

Even they wouldn’t dare conclude that It would help them, let alone the investigators It always looked down upon!

Therefore, this could only be a diversionary tactic by those pesky investigators from the Bureau, who managed to temporarily confuse them by exploiting their lingering fear.

Unlike the A-level and B-level monsters frozen in terror, several S-level monsters began moving once they grasped this notion. Cold smiles appeared on their faces as they sought to punish the humans who dared deceive them. Although they couldn’t see, sight was unnecessary for creatures long dwelling in the abyss.

“Kuchi.”

The monsters’ compound eyes widened, glaring with hatred at the scene before them.

Although the specific scene inside the hall couldn’t be seen clearly,  the interwoven colored lines of red, blue and green were still visible to them. It was similar to the thermal imaging device of humans.

In those buzzing eyes, a slender youth stood with his back to them and his fingers reaching toward the statue before him.

Simultaneously, the protruding outer joints and tentacles from their bodies lashed out in all directions toward the figure’s back. The whistling wind made the terrifying scene vividly imaginable even to those deprived of sight. It seemed as if they would pierce the target’s body at any moment—

But then.

A hand with distinct joints as elegant as a work of art, rose and extended forward.

“Ah!!”

A piercing scream of agony echoed through the hall. But it wasn’t humans who uttered it, rather it was those initially arrogant monsters.

If anyone could see, they would witness limbs and tentacles being twisted and snapped inch by inch before the youth who appeared out of thin air. They bent unnaturally, emitting a series of teeth-grinding creaks—

It was an irresistible force in the void, which invisibly crushed all of their external bones into powder!

Absolute dominance, absolute perverse taste.

“Is that it?” Qin Zhuo said boredly. “Can’t you be a little smarter?” 

Though Jian Xie didn’t turn around, his heartbeat quickened uncontrollably upon hearing that familiar, melodious voice behind him.

At his fingertips, the divine statue had already burned away into ashes.

He could feel the cold touch behind him. His back was pressed against the other party’s, separated only by a layer of fabric. The tangible sensation was entirely different from before.

Qin Zhuo withdrew It’s hand and examined It’s body.

Although it has many limitations because it was just one of the materials of the body…

It snapped It’s fingers, and a crack opened in the void. The ring It had long prepared fell out, landing precisely in the palm of It’s hand.

Then Qin Zhuo reached out and casually slipped the cold diamond ring onto It’s left ring finger.

Author’s Note:

Qin Zhuo: The first thing I did upon arriving was put on the ring.

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