Chapter 122

Chapter 122

Time rewound to just after Justice Is Beauty had completed her psychological evaluation at the Bureau's internal hospital.

As she and Judith emerged from the facility, they were prepared for every moment to be the one where they would be stopped, their actions from before being exposed.

Despite evading most of the surveillance cameras on the way thanks to the cleaner's advice, the elevators were an unavoidable obstacle. While her disguise as a cleaner might have temporarily confused the system, Judith's ID card would certainly leave a record of their visit on the top floor. It was only a matter of time before they traced it back to Justice Is Beauty.

Oddly enough, nothing happened as Justice Is Beauty left the hospital grounds. After some hesitation, she consulted with the cleaner and decided to upload the recording to the player forum.

The footage in her possession was a significant clue, but it might not be enough for them to unlock the main mission on their own. Besides, players who had already infiltrated the Bureau held a considerable advantage. They could simply wait for the main mission to activate and then compete based on their individual skills.

As expected, Justice Is Beauty's post and video sparked immediate discussion on the forum.

Meek Mouse: Whoa, what's this? Human experiments inside the Bureau?

I'm Lanbao Male: That flesh tube looks super suspicious...

Potato Chips with Salt: What's going on here? Is the main quest about to start?

Beauty is Justice: Hmm, I uploaded this precisely to initiate the main quest. Here's the story.

Beauty is Justice shared her position within the Investigative Bureau and the investigation of the internal hospital, along with NPCs Judith and Hans.

Black Cat: It does seem suspicious. Everyone should recall our speculations on the forum, right?

Druid: You mean the previous main quest?

Black Cat: Yeah, Darkness Thrives in Light was quite symbolic. That's why I speculated that this version's main quest might be connected to the Investigative Bureau. Could this clue from the player be related to it?

Matcha Milk Green: The flesh conduit does look highly suspicious... Plus the earlier mutation of the Investigative Bureau member... Could this be where they conduct human experiments?

Alon: I think it's very possible.

Night after Night: The crucial point now isn't about guessing this. Rather, how do we trigger the main quest in the game?

Night after Night's comment sparked agreement on the forum. Indeed, after various clues and plot developments, players were well aware that the Investigative Bureau was an antagonistic organization, full of suspicious activities like anomalies replacing humans, human experimentation, and disregard for investigators' lives. They were also suspected to be behind the fall of Miskatonic University.

Even casual players were aware of the complexity of the Investigation Bureau; there was no need for speculation here.

The key issue lay in how to transform the information players had into the main storyline quest.

Strongest Man: Hmm, I feel like the quest acquisition process in this game is reversed. Normally, NPCs provide information, and we take on quests, right? Now, it seems we know the information but not where to pick up the quests.

Black Cat: ...Wait, I just had an idea.

Strongest Man: What's that?

Black Cat: Exactly, if the NPCs aren't giving out quests, can't we provide them with information instead, forcing them to act? Would that trigger the main storyline quest?

Druid: Clever.

Matcha Milk Green: You always have a unique perspective.

God Among Us: Sounds intriguing, but unfortunately, I have some business at the new port. I doubt I'll be able to participate in this main quest (regretfully).

This game was renowned for its freedom, so much so that even acquiring main storyline quests was left to the players' discretion. If they didn't fancy it, they could opt-out, as each map had a clear storyline. There was no fear of missing out on the game world's charm by not engaging in main quests.

Beauty is Justice: So, what should I do?

Black Cat: First, we have the following information in our hands, or rather, in the players' hands: the possibility of an investigator being replaced by a strange entity, the betrayal of the undercover agent in the Alien Event, the connection between the University's fall and the Audit Bureau, and the need to convey any one of these to a trustworthy NPC.

Druid: Among them, I think the most suitable to reveal would be the one about the investigator being replaced by something eerie. Coupled with what Beauty is Justice has discovered, I believe this clue is crucial.

Black Cat: Yes, I agree. Let's base our plan on that. We need to find a way to pass the information to a reliable NPC within the Audit Bureau. @Beauty is Justice, do you have anyone in mind?

Beauty is Justice: Yes, I think Ms. Judith can be trusted.

Beauty is Justice: But there's one thing. I might have put her in a difficult position... When I investigated the hospital rooftop, I used Judith's ID card. If it comes to light, I might be kicked out tomorrow.

Black Cat: Don't worry... You might not be exposed.

Beauty is Justice: ?

Black Cat: It depends on the internal dynamics of the Audit Bureau. If the doctor is really involved, do you think he would be working with Ms. Judith?

Beauty is Justice recalled their interactions with Judith.

Beauty is Justice: From a personal standpoint, if the Doctor was indeed involved in human experiments, I don't believe Ms. Judith would be on his side.

Black Cat: Hmm, so assuming the Doctor is bad and Ms. Judith is unaware, what would be his reaction after noticing Judith's ID card record? Would he dare to confront her directly?

Beauty is Justice: But it was actually me who went to the top floor.

Black Cat: That doesn't change anything. You're now Judith's subordinate, and to others, you represent her.

Druid: So, if the Doctor has nothing to hide, he might simply ask Judith why she accessed the top floor. If he does have something suspicious going on, he might suspect that she's onto him and thus choose not to say anything.

Black Cat: Exactly, we'll see if Beauty is Justice gets kicked out of the Audit Bureau tomorrow.

Beauty is Justice: I understand. I'll upload the results tomorrow... So, how should I convey this information to Judith? Should I tell her directly?

Black Cat: No, you're just a new employee with low credibility. She might not take your word seriously. It's best if you have decisive evidence.

Druid: What kind of decisive evidence? Are you suggesting bringing Job along to show them his transformation?

Black Cat: Job is obviously out of the question; he's still in Professor Alders' lab. But photos and videos can be manipulated. Direct witness accounts would be more convincing. We don't know how the Audit Bureau internally perceives Job's team's disappearance. If Beauty is Justice presents information about Job's team, she might be immediately apprehended for interrogation.

Not Crazy: Are you guys really certain that Job has been replaced by a bizarre creature? That was just a speculation, wasn't it?

Black Cat: After joining Professor Alders' research lab, I've confirmed this. Professor Alders is now collaborating with Professor Alexis to investigate Job's replacement by the strange creature.

Not Crazy: Then we should be on the right track. How about this – we capture an investigator from the Bureau who has undergone the transformation, and severely injure them in front of Judith. Based on what happened with Job's transformation, these replaced individuals tend to reveal themselves when they're severely hurt.

Black Cat: That could work, but where do we find such a person? @Justice is in the Appearance, have you come across any targets with similar signs within the Bureau?

Justice is in the Appearance: No...

Cafeteria Lady: I have.

Justice is in the Appearance: ????

Janitor: ????

Cafeteria Lady: Don't underestimate a cafeteria lady, punk. After serving meals for so long, I know exactly what some investigators like to eat.

Justice is in the Appearance: Why would you remember something like that?

Canteen Lady: That's quite a story. Initially, I planned to slip laxatives into the food to incapacitate the entire Audit Bureau without any violence...

Aron: ?

Strongest Guy: ?

Babba: The Troublemakers Squad shows up uninvited, and our generation is truly blessed with talents (satisfied.jpg).

Black Cat: Hilarious! To be honest, does this game give you too much freedom?

Janitor: Hm... That's a valid point. So, would it be alright if I disable all the toilet flush systems, so they can't use the restrooms when you're putting the laxatives in?

Canteen Lady: Great idea!

Even Number Seeker: The lineage of troublemakers keeps producing remarkable individuals (leans back).

Druid: Enough already! Let's not turn this game into a simulator for troublemakers! Who started this trend? (tears of laughter)

Matcha Milk Green: @Troublemakers Squad @God Among Us

God Among Us: Why am I involved...?

Matcha Latte: Big Shot, do you want to take a look at what you did in your previous version? (Sincere)

Aloong: Despite the great accomplishments, weren't you the biggest troublemaker in the last version? It's hilarious.

Black Cat: Alright, alright, we're veering off course. @Canteen Lady, anyway, you have a list of investigators who might have been replaced by anomalies, right?

Canteen Lady: That's correct. I remember vividly because this person was very picky. He didn't eat coriander, celery, fish, pork, tomatoes, or peanut butter... Almost every time he came for his meal, he'd emphasize it multiple times.

Canteen Lady: But one day, he suddenly said nothing and I put a large piece of fish on his plate. He ate it without any change in expression.

Canteen Lady: After that, I started paying attention to him. Each time, I served him the things he used to dislike, even the mix of coriander, peanut butter, pork, and tomatoes, and he ate them all.

Black Cat: That does seem suspicious. Let's focus on him then. The question now is how to inflict severe injuries on him in public.

Nayumi: Leave that task to us. Our Troublemaker Squad has just arrived in Orland.

Druid: ? When did you guys go there?

Baba: Not long ago, it was mainly to accompany Yeye for a heart-soothing stroll after a supposed breakup.

Yeye: ? I didn't have a breakup.

Shushu Hao: You're always right.

Black Cat: Are you guys up for it?

Bandit Saint: Hehe, I'll lend a hand too. Do you remember the Kamui gathering? An NPC thanked me for saving him and offered to pass on his craft. Now I've successfully changed my occupation to a Master Thief. As long as Yan Ji Jie's team members and the Troublemaker Squad cooperate with me, we should be good.

Janitor: Alright, we have a group chat. I'll add you all in. Let's discuss the specific plan tomorrow.

Black Cat: Come on, guys! We're waiting for you to trigger the mission~ (waving a handkerchief)

Druid: The hope of the entire forum~ (also waving a handkerchief)

...

The next day.

Judith led Lane into the headquarters of the Audit Bureau, pausing just before crossing the threshold to take a deep breath. She tilted her head, looking askance at the calm red-haired youth walking alongside her. "Are you really sure you want to be here?"

Lahn nodded. "They often wear masks. I have to hear their voices to be sure."

They were referring to the Bureau agents Charlie had spotted at the Stranger. In truth, Lane had already obtained that list and had no need to verify their voices personally. His reason for suggesting this was to make a deliberate visit to the Audit Bureau to confirm a particular matter.

Such is the present state of affairs with destiny.

Lahn was uncertain about the mist's corrosive nature. While it had been established through Kerry's experiments that the mist was the root cause of human mutation, with the deeper one ventured into the Gap of Dreams, the denser the mist became, and the higher the tier one reached, the more they would gradually lose their human form. However, he was unsure if it posed a significant threat to the millennia-old Fate.

With the Origin of Destiny's powers, if Lane were to appear here today, the other party would surely detect him. That is to say, if Lane leaves the Bureau of Investigation unscathed today, and Destiny remains absent throughout, could it be inferred that the other side has deteriorated to such an extent that they've fallen into slumber?

Lane had two objectives for visiting the Bureau of Investigation. One was to seek out the physical manifestation of Destiny.

It was now largely confirmed that Destiny was an adversarial force. Their tenacity had been amply demonstrated in the previous incident. Though Lane had retaliated fiercely with the Mist, he wasn't certain if it would prove fatal to Destiny. Once the entity recovered, it might utilize the Bureau's power to engage the Secret Church in open warfare.

The Secret Church's current strength was still no match for the massive Bureau of Investigation. However, this didn't imply that Lane would be fearful. At worst, he'd retreat to Arkham and refuse to emerge. In the Divine Realm, any number of adversaries sent by the other party would be powerless.

But Destiny's abilities were indeed insidious. Lane couldn't rule out the possibility of being ambushed at any moment. Thus, he intended to strike while the iron was hot, aiming to strike directly at Destiny's stronghold.

The other was to uncover what was truly happening within the Inspectorate.

This was the resolution Lane had made the previous night.

Judith didn't actually approve of Lane's visit. If the traitorous messenger who had communicated with the foreigners was truly here today and had seen Lane's face, the young man might be in danger.

However, she couldn't persuade him otherwise and eventually gave in, bringing him along.

"Stay by my side every step of the way when we go in, understood?" Judith whispered.

Lanen nodded.

Thus, Judith led the way inside, drawing curious glances from investigators or other personnel they passed, who were taken aback by the young man trailing behind her.

"Miss Fremont? Who might he be?" The passerby looked at Lane with curiosity.

"A distant nephew of mine, whose parents have recently run into some trouble and entrusted him to my care. He's always been enamored with my line of work, and I couldn't bear to disappoint him," Judith delivered with a subtle wry smile. The despair in her eyes and the unspoken words hung in the air, prompting those around her to fill in the blanks of her story.

"Aspiring to be an investigator, huh? It's no easy task, young man. How old are you?"

"I'll be of age in just two years, sir," Lane frowned, adopting an expression of displeasure, as any child his age would when being underestimated. "I can choose my own future."

"Alright, alright, brave young sir," the staff member teased before tactfully retreating. Judith led Lane to her office.

Her office was semi-open, with two walls made of glass, allowing those inside to see out while keeping outsiders from looking in. She asked Lane to sit in her office chair. "I'll call the secretarial staff one by one. You can observe from here, is that okay?"

"You really don't need to shield me so much," Lane said, amused yet exasperated. "I'm not that fragile."

"It's not underestimating you; you're my ace in the hole," Judith chuckled, ruffling Lane's hair as a gesture of respect for the young man's pride.

With that, she left the office, presumably to attend to matters at the secretary's department.

Lenon let out a soft, melancholic sigh. "So it really wasn't necessary to guard it so tightly," he whispered.

This Mrs. Judith is, and so is Ogier.

"Do I appear that vulnerable?" Lane lowered his head, muttering to himself as he gazed at his shifting shadow. The outline beneath his feet transformed into various shapes. He dropped his hand and tapped it with his fingertip. "I wonder if the Director of Fate will make an appearance."

It would be best if they appeared soon, Lane thought idly, sparing him the need to search them out himself.

Then, his shadow stirred beneath his feet. Lowering his gaze, Lane said, "If you want to go look for them, that's fine… Don't worry, it's not easy for me to die. Besides, this is just an avatar; my main body is right here with you."

The shadow quivered, clinging to Lane's fingers affectionately before gradually fading away. Lane knew that it had gone in search.

At that moment, Judith reappeared outside the office, engaged in a heated argument with an unfamiliar man. Both approached with serious expressions.

"Freemont, don't push your luck."

"Who's being unreasonable here? Kurt, you're well aware of what your subordinates have done, yet you've allowed it."

"You have no idea, Fremont. Everything we do serves a purpose."

"What purpose? Why don't you just come out and say it?"

Indeed, it certainly sounded like an argument was taking place.

Lane's gaze passed through the glass of his office, focusing on the man named Kurt. A typical Europid, he had deep-set eyes, low cheekbones, and thin lips that could easily convey a sharp or unfriendly demeanor. He wore non-prescription glasses, exuding impatience.

They were the true hounds of fate, acting solely on its command. Lane had encountered one of their ilk before – Eugene.

Kurt was indeed on the list that Old Luke had given him. He was one of the people Charlie had encountered in Stranger more than a decade ago. This meant that fate had intervened in Soren's plan, though Lane couldn't fathom why.

However, Lane's expression soon turned odd.

Wait a minute, isn't that—

Since Lane's office was a small section partitioned from a larger office, he could easily see the entrance and exit. A hat-wearing… player was there.

Yes, a player. Lane saw the ID floating above his head, and it was a familiar one.

Baba.

Baba had gotten a new card and changed his appearance. He had sneaked in with the card he stole from Justice Is Fair, and the cleaner had smuggled him in through the staff entrance. He had even hidden the gun in a gift box.

Player Channel:

Canteen Lady: Did you see him? The one sitting deepest inside this office, with a mole on his face.

Baba: I see him.

The tasks for Thief Saint, Face is Justice, and Janitor had all been fulfilled. The final step was left to Babble, who had specifically crafted a new card for this purpose, ensuring the mission's flawless completion.

Babble cast a deliberate glance in Judith's direction. Well, perfect. Both targets were in the same area. It was time to strike.

With stealth, Babble tightened their grip on the shotgun concealed in their hand, approaching the man with the mole in the corner. "So you're here."

The man with the mole lifted his head, frowning. "Who are...?"

Babble didn't wait for a response. From the gift box, they pulled out the shotgun, taking a deep breath before yelling loudly, "You heartless scoundrel! After playing with my mind and body, you dare forget about me? I'll teach you a lesson!"

Lane: ????

Judith, Kurt: ???

Babble's voice boomed, catching everyone's attention in the office. It wasn't crowded during lunchtime, but everyone present was now eager for the drama. Seeing that Babble was also a man, their expressions became all the more intriguing. Naturally, some noticed the dangerous weapon in Babble's hand, but it was too late. Babble had already pulled the trigger while shouting.

Up close, the man with the mole couldn't dodge in time. He was riddled with holes, though Babble had deliberately avoided his heart, sparing his life.

Screams echoed throughout the office. Nearby investigators promptly drew their weapons from their drawers, while Babble discarded the shotgun, calmly raising their hands.

"Everyone, calm down. I was just getting back at a jerk. I won't shoot again."

All present: ...

Lane watched the scene in astonishment, his mind flooded with question marks:

What's going on? What are these people up to now?

Judith was also stunned but quickly regained her composure. She stopped the staff from apprehending Barbara and called for medical assistance. "Get her to the hospital right away!"

Fortunately, the Audit Bureau had its own internal hospital. Medical personnel promptly arrived to attend to the man with the mole on his face, and Judith followed closely, her expression filled with concern. The man worked in this large office, making him one of Judith's subordinates.

A hint of mockery flickered across Kurt's face. "See, Ms. Fremont? You have time to monitor what we're doing, but perhaps you should focus on your own people."

Judith ignored Kurt's taunt and hurried after them.

Lane quickly followed suit, as did Justice Is Appearance, who exchanged a subtle glance with the captured Barbara:

The plan had gone smoothly.

Within the Internal Affairs Bureau's hospital, Judith paced anxiously outside an operating room. A doctor emerged from within.

"Doctor, how is his condition?"

"He... His condition is quite intricate, and we're not sure why it's happening," the doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Would you like to see for yourself?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Judith charged in, and Yan Jiustice, realizing that it was about to begin, swiftly followed suit, casting a glance at the red-haired youth by his side in the process.

Having never seen a copy of Doomsday at Michigan herself, she didn’t recognize Lane’s face now, but his striking green eyes left a deep impression on her.

The doctor had intended to stop them; allowing an outsider into the operating room was already an exception, let alone admitting so many. However, considering the bizarre scene on the operating table, he gritted his teeth and decided against obstructing their entry.

Upon entering, Judith was stunned by the sight before her. No wonder the medical staff seemed helpless.

In the vacancies left by the man's extracted blood, there were eggs, one after another, each silver and containing what resembled tiny fish or worms wriggling inside.

A nurse's gagging could be heard, and Beauty for Justice, caught off guard, nearly succumbed to her trypophobia. Still, she managed to suppress it and forced out her lines with a strained, hollow voice.

"What?! The rumors within the bureau were true? Something has indeed taken the place of the investigator?!"

Judith turned to Face Value with a start, her lips quivering. "What did you say? What rumors?"

"That one everyone's talking about, that some might have been replaced by the strange," Face Value replied tersely. "I thought it was just a rumor... but now it seems not."

Lance finally grasped what the players were planning, his mouth twitching.

So, this group intended to force the main storyline to unfold ahead of time.

In his previous life, the Investigative Bureau's main quest wouldn't be available until the end of the open beta. The players, unable to receive the mission, were resorting to compelling NPCs to initiate the main storyline themselves?