Chapter 226

Chapter 226

Three hours earlier...

Unlike Black Cat's team, who had a smooth journey, the Tainted Masses' infiltration was far from uneventful. This was due to Uncle Hao's reckless intrusion into an NPC's room, which led to his deletion by the rules. Upon returning and realizing what had happened, the homeowner flew into a rage, promptly ordering the town guards to capture the culprit. Of course, Babba and Yeye, who had been monitoring the channel, had already fled beforehand.

With the leaf still in the possession of the homeowner, they couldn't simply leave the town; doing so would be tantamount to suicide. Thus, they were forced to devise plans to hide and evade. Thankfully, there were no rules restricting movement at night in this town, or else they would have been doomed on their first night itself.

Nonetheless, Yeye and her teammates didn't have an easy time. Without knowledge of the town's specific rules, they proceeded with caution. Even then, during dusk, when they encountered a bald individual, Yeye narrowly escaped with her life.

Fortunately, just as their situation seemed dire, a local unlicensed doctor, unable to bear watching Night die, stepped in to save them. As payment, Barbara was tasked with scouring the small town's library for the information he needed.

This black-market doctor believes that the emergence of these rules must have some underlying cause, but all such information has been concealed by the leaders of this small town. Determined to uncover the truth and overthrow their rule, he found a kindred spirit in Barbara. They swiftly formed a temporary alliance. After a series of perilous maneuvers, Barbara successfully infiltrated the library.

Discovered within the innermost bookshelf, a coverless notebook lay concealed.

At first, Babba didn't think much of it; his primary focus was on finding historical records of the same small town that the black doctor had been searching for. However, as he casually flipped through the pages, the name on the very first page elicited an intense reaction from the live stream comments.

"Blimey? Did I misread that? Bab, quickly, check the name on the first page!"

"Are you serious? Randolph Carter? Isn't that a name we made up?"

"Dammit, a coincidence?"

The players' astonishment was understandable, considering how famous this name was in the Cthulhu universe. More importantly, they had previously researched at the University of Michigan and found no such person, even going as far as to create an Easter egg to fool NPCs.

So why did he suddenly appear now?

"Is the official team messing with us? Did they decide to forcefully insert this character because of the players' Easter egg?"

"It can't be that serious. Maybe it's just a coincidence. Quickly, check the contents!"

Prompted by the chat, the Druid turned the pages of the notebook.

"May 12th

I am on the verge of embarking on a journey into the Dreamlands. I wonder if I'll be able to return safely to the real world this time. Regardless, I must go. I have to uncover the truth behind that doomsday prophecy – whether the world truly is destined to end in a century.

May 13th"

By the Almighy's means, I've truly arrived in this world – a wonder, yet perilous. The climate can shift four times a day, and night and day can even reverse. The continent quakes—could it be that wars rage somewhere?

The diary isn't sequential. Apart from the initial days, Randolph's life became arduous, resulting in sporadic entries. At times, he hastily documented his escape from pursuers, and humorously, on several occasions, when he thought his end was near, he left farewell messages in his journal, only to later cross them out after surviving.

As he befriended a native species of the Dream World, the legendary investigator seemed to find safety, and his diary entries grew more tranquil, reaching a crescendo, capturing the essence that players found in Lovecraftian originals.

"The convergence of timelines, indeed."

"Hahaha, even Randolph from a different timeline is a legendary investigator."

What followed stirred the players' excitement even more.

"May 10th

I met humans living in the Dream World – a marvel. They likely serve as the origin of all humans today. According to my friend in the Dream World, they possess incredible powers akin to the Old Ones, albeit corrupted by the taint of the malevolent gods, turning them into caged time bombs.

Oh, that's what my friend said. Intrigued by the current state of the Old Ones and the Perfect Ones, I've decided to infiltrate and observe.

May 31st"

I visited several domains, and I must admit they're right. If this continues, the Old Gods will be drained by the Corrupt Gods, and the Perfect Ones will perish. Forcing my presence won't yield any positive outcome. Yet, it's evident that some theologians refuse to let go."

Two pages were torn out here.

"What does 'captive bomb' mean?"

"I have no idea. If you're writing a diary, can you please not use riddles?!"

"Riddler, get out of the Dream World!"

"It'll continue, continue! Watching the big shots' adventures is so interesting!"

Baba kept flipping through the pages, nearing the last one, which was also the longest.

"1st December

Another year has passed, and I haven't returned to reality for a long time. People there probably think I'm dead. But it might as well be true. A mighty existence entrusted me with a task. If I succeed, I'll likely offend the God of a Thousand Faces (an alias used here). Still, I can't refuse. The deity is attempting to replicate the miracle of the Blasphemous Twins. Two Pillar Gods sacrificed parts of their power. If successful, this war between the Old Gods and the Corrupt Gods could last eternally, given how much chaos and despair that being relishes.

After completing this, I expect to incur its wrath. The Dream World won't be safe anymore. I'll have to seek refuge elsewhere. However, with a human body, interstellar travel is impossible. Thankfully, I don't think I qualify as human anymore."

After so many adventures and countless brushes with death, that mighty entity had helped me transcend the limits of my human form. Now, with only one piece left to complete the puzzle, it seems my existence in the human world will soon fade away.

[Text deleted for brevity]

I've accomplished what I set out to do, and it's time for me to depart. Facing the Pillar God granted me the final key. Little did I know that this universe holds countless parallel dimensions and diverse worlds, some with fascinating technological advancements that inspired me. I've left a small invention behind in the Dream World, hoping that one day true peace will come to it.

Oh, and one last thing – I should now be able to slow down the inevitable destruction of the Perfect Humans. Though I cannot change the ultimate outcome, perhaps I can buy some time. I hope those eternal children will eventually understand.

The God of Many Faces is likely on my trail, so it's time to embark on another adventure.

"!!!"

"Well, well, what a revelation!"

"Baba, you must have rolled a critical success with this notebook!"

"It's obvious you joined mid-story. As someone who's been watching the live stream, let me confirm: indeed."

"Holy crap, the big guy has really ascended, or rather, gone off to play in the cosmos!"

"The absence of Randolph's name might be because the big shot is no longer human... just like how nobody remembered Miskatonic previously?"

"It could be even more complete than Miskatonic's case. Didn't Lane restore it? But it didn't matter that we wrote the big shot's name in the books."

"The God with a Thousand Faces, though a pseudonym, is clearly referring to Nyarlathotep! The two Pillar Gods are also obvious references to Yuggoth and Mother Shub-Niggurath. The conception of the Blasphemy Twins was based on their genetic material. Does that mean Nyarlathotep originally intended to create something akin to the Blasphemy Twins?"

"Yuggoth and Mother Shub-Niggurath, those names sound so familiar."

"Yes... isn't that the one..."

"Len?!"

Lane gazed at the live stream of the Troublemakers Squad, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

Although he had learned from Best that Randolph was somehow connected to his origins, he never imagined that the mystery of his long-standing heritage would be revealed in a player's live stream.

Furthermore, he had unknowingly been part of the Chaos Conspiracy of the Crouching Fiend, though his involvement was later thwarted by Randolph.

And the trinket he mentioned...

Could it possibly be a player forum?

"Is something the matter?" Best asked, noticing Len's prolonged silence with confusion.

Len looked at Best with a complicated expression. "I think I might know about my origins now."

Best was utterly perplexed. ????

The Cat Goddess appeared skeptical. "Really? What is it? And why do you suddenly know?"

Indeed, how did I come to know?

Len was just as emotionally conflicted. He had initially thought that he wouldn't have the time to explore his origins until after his battle with Judah. Yet, unexpectedly and coincidentally, he found Randolph's notebook in the player live stream.

...Well, this is for the best.

The mystery of his past had been a lingering shadow in Len's heart. Despite numerous clues and plausible speculations, without concrete evidence, he could never fully put his mind at ease.

And now, before the final, decisive battle, Len finally laid his confusion and uncertainty to rest.

Regardless of whether his power originated from an evil god or his body from the Dream World, he no longer needed to hesitate between the two.

He would simply follow the path that had long been decided. He didn't entirely belong to the evil god, nor did he completely belong to the old gods; his heart had given him the ultimate answer.

In that moment of resolution, it was as if a cheer resounded in Lane's ear. The world seemed more embracing and accommodating to him. His wandering soul returned to the embrace of his mother, and his ability to manipulate dreams, belonging to the old gods, grew stronger, no longer inferior to that of an aged old god.

"It seems you've come to some realization," Bestir observed, noticing Lane's change.

"A truth I should have understood a long time ago," Lane replied with a smile.

"Are you confident about winning this game now?"

"Not the next one, but yes, I will win eventually."

Lane's confident tone fanned the flames of Bestir's competitive spirit. "Don't be so certain, my dear brother."

"You also said you wouldn't hinder me from using external forces, right?"

"Yes, what are you planning to do?"

With Best's curious gaze upon him, Lane smiled and snapped his fingers. In the blink of an eye, a door materialized in mid-air. As it swung open, a player, his face filled with confusion, appeared within the palace.