Chapter 55 Bai Ye: How to play with two accounts? Don't worry, the DM system will help you!
"What are those...?"
Yang Yan regained some strength and expanded the fireball a little bigger. Bai Ye saw that in the naturally formed cave, which split the cave in half, in the blood-red hot spring flowing with faint steam, there seemed to be some standing stones, like the dorsal fin of some large creature.
Yang Yan obviously had never seen it before, so he asked unconsciously. Bai Ye simply moved closer to it and could barely see that there was a name engraved on it.
"Hayakawa Betsy, Minister of the Metropolitan Police Department, donated soup ingredients: 54 people, soup price: 3.67 million, wish: immortality..."
Bai Ye's voice was frighteningly calm. He read out the words engraved on the stalagmites, which were dyed red by the hot spring water, word by word, and his expression became increasingly uglier.
Those names covered the entire upper class of Yedao, whether it was the Metropolitan Police Department, the Yamagumi, or famous entrepreneurs, none of them were spared.
"…These things are the monuments of those guys' sins and merits…"
It would be difficult for only a few demon apostles to carry out such a large-scale experiment involving soul particles on Night Island. Apparently, the upper class of Night Island was also aroused by the demon apostles' use of the corpse of the Serpent of Eden for experiments, and they wanted to achieve some terrible goals that violated the laws of nature.
"It's ridiculous. Demon apostles like Huo Gu simply cannot take their work as their own goal. They treat humans as raw materials and resources to provide to the enemies of mankind. They become a bloody mess just to achieve those impossible goals. Are these big shots crazy?"
Yang Yan clenched his fists and slammed them hard on the ground, venting his unwillingness.
"If the whole of Yedao becomes like this, I can still..."
In the dim light, the red-haired boy gritted his teeth and looked up at Bai Ye, with deep confusion in his eyes.
The incident in Huangquan Town has already happened once in reality. Although the conspiracy of the devil apostle was thwarted, the sacrifices and deaths of countless people in the town cannot be changed. Yangyan remembers that disastrous day.
As an unattended homeless child in the town, he was chosen as the "soup ingredient" by the demon apostles who came to the town, and became the nutrient for preparing special spring water for the bigwigs of Yedao. Fortunately, before he was pushed into the blood-red pool, the vicious demon apostles set fire for unknown purposes. He and Saotome Rin, who was also chosen as the soup ingredient, ran frantically in the chaos, and met Mr. Spade from the Sun Law Enforcement Bureau who had discovered the abnormality in Huangquan Town and rushed over on Tanghongshan Road.
Saotome Rin was the only companion who survived with him in Huangquan Town. At that time, Kagero was unable to do anything. He failed to save Chizuru Mitsu, the kind-hearted witch goddess who often let him stay at the shrine, nor did he save the old woman who cleaned the hot spring and secretly gave him apple candies when she saw him passing by. Even the "soup ingredients" companions who encouraged each other in the dark disappeared into the evil hot spring deep in his memory.
All the townspeople who had helped him died in the sea of fire caused by the devil's apostle, and he could do nothing at that time.
But now...even though he was already a reserve member of the Sun Enforcement Bureau, he still failed to protect Saotome Rin.
"I am Soup Ingredient 044, and Rin is Soup Ingredient 004. In fact, before the start of the season when we met again, I told Rin: Don't worry, no matter how arrogant the Devil Apostle is, as a law enforcer, I will protect you."
Yang Yan smiled bitterly: "Now it seems that it was really a boast."
His eyes, which appeared too bright red due to the burning of soul particles, became even more confused.
"Bai Ye... Tell me, if we already know the outcome, does it mean that fighting has lost its meaning?"
"No, I don't think so."
Unexpectedly, Bai Ye denied his question immediately without even thinking about it.
"I can only say that Youyu is right. For some things, you have to do them before you know the results... Yangyan, so do what you want to do and stop this disaster. At least no matter what, I will choose to support you."
Because... I will not give up the fight. I will fight against everything in the world that goes against justice until I lose the strength to stand up.
Bai Ye tilted his head, his cobalt eyes as blue as the sky in the dark cave, making Yang Yan feel as if he was still on the surface, looking at the blue sky, like a free bird.
"The Squid Detective Agency will not give up on stopping this. We have all seen how crazy this town has become."
Using humans as raw materials and the hot springs flowing from the bodies of the Eden Serpents to conduct experiments was just to fulfill the absurd demands of some big shots...
How could he turn a blind eye to such a thing?
"But you also have to be careful. It's impossible that Huo Gu is the only demon apostle involved in the affairs of Huangquan Town..."
Bai Ye sighed, ready to pour a bucket of cold water on Yang Yan who was eager to rush forward, but Yang Yan didn't hear that it was cold water at all: "Don't worry, Bai Ye, ghosts born in the underworld have things they must do. If I can't hold on, I will definitely shout for help from your detective agency!"
Bai Ye's mouth twitched: "Why are you acting so immature? ... And who is worried about you? I'm just analyzing the situation, no one cares."
"Hehehe, even though you said that, you must still care about me, otherwise you wouldn't have to comfort me just now!"
Yangyan carried Saotome Rin on his back and spoke with a smile, but his smile suddenly froze on his face, attracting a strange look from Bai Ye.
"Bai Ye, I was just about to ask you, did you hear...the strange sound of drums?"
Yang Yan's voice was trembling. Just as he finished speaking, a series of crisp sounds and drum sounds commonly seen in shrine sacrifices rang out deep underground. Even the two people with excellent psychological endurance were frightened by the strange atmosphere.
“That sound seemed to come from that stream?”
Bai Ye and Yang Yan looked towards the stream, and saw the burning red fluid beginning to overflow between the flickering flames. The sound of drums and waves was like a signal, and the entire cave hall began to tremble violently, as if some energy suppressed deep in the earth's core was about to erupt.
"What's going on? Damn, I remember Tang Hongshan was a dead volcano, right?"
Yang Yan suddenly had a very bad premonition, and Bai Ye staggered and almost lost his balance: "Since the elder Susano killed the Yamata no Orochi a thousand years ago, it has never erupted again. Now it should be just a simple geothermal activity-"
"But why don't I feel like it's ahhh! Bai Ye! Hold my hand!"
Yangyan's ominous premonition soon came true. The ground beneath their feet quickly cracked and they fell into layers of magma pools at a speed visible to the naked eye. The entire cave hall sank dozens of meters. The feeling of weightlessness instantly enveloped the two of them. Thanks to Bai Ye and Yangyan's quick reactions, the former quickly grabbed the latter's baseball bat and temporarily stabilized their bodies on the crevice that had collapsed to only a few corners left.
"No, it's cracking too fast here, but it gives us an opportunity... Yangyan, look up!"
Bai Ye saw that the huge crack spreading from the magma pool was rushing towards the rock wall where the two were at an extremely fast speed. He looked around and saw that on the rock dome above his head, due to the geological activity just now, a hole big enough for one person to pass through had appeared. Outside the hole, he could faintly see the white and blue sky of Huangquan Town.
It seems that the geological activity has shaken the already fragile earth dome, giving them the opportunity to escape.
The cracks appeared too quickly and the entire wall was collapsing rapidly. It was estimated that in less than ten seconds, this rock wall would become decomposed ash in the magma pool.
"We are running out of time, Yang Yan, believe me, the distance is far, but we will definitely make it."
Bai Ye took a deep breath, calmed himself, and looked at the red-haired boy in front of him.
If it was You Yu, he would have definitely noticed that the other party was wrong. Bai Ye rarely spoke in such an affirmative tone about an event with a very low probability.
But now it is Yang Yan who faces Bai Ye.
It is Yang Yan who will choose to trust the other person unconditionally.
"Okay, I'll do whatever you tell me to do."
Yang Yan nodded, adjusted his breathing, and cast his gaze towards the cave entrance above his head, which seemed almost far away: "Hold me tightly!"
The red-haired boy jumped up the moment he finished speaking. The main attacker's jumping ability should have been the limit of human beings. If you really think about it, it might not be a fantasy for them to successfully escape. However, at the moment Yang Yan jumped up, he still realized that it was not enough.
Just one more section, just a little more section.
"Bai Ye, you and Lin first--"
Yang Yan just opened his mouth when he heard a monster roar mixed with drum sounds from behind.
Something jumped out of the lava pool and rushed towards them.
He wanted to turn back, but was stopped by the other person's calm voice as always.
"I said, trust me, Yangyan, don't look back."
Yang Yan was stunned, but because of this moment of distraction, he lost any chance of recovery.
A huge thrust was felt, and Bai Ye let go of his hand. In mid-air, he used all his strength to push Yang Yan and Saotome Rin towards the hole where sunlight was shining through, but he himself fell downwards due to the reaction force.
"You can definitely stop this... so keep going."
Bai Ye's voice was torn apart by the violent vibration like a candle in the wind.
"Wait! Bai Ye!"
Bai Ye's push perfectly made up for that short distance, and Yang Yan and Saotome Rin landed steadily on the grass outside the shrine. He rushed to the cave entrance to look, but he only had time to see the boy's inappropriate smile as he fell, and the fire monster that looked like a giant snake behind him that was about to bite his body.
"Bai Ye! Are you kidding me?!"
Yang Yan screamed with all his might, and he even wanted to jump down impulsively, but a hand grabbed the corner of his clothes.
The next second, the collapsed rocks covered his entire vision, and the entire cave entrance was blocked tightly by ashes and stones. Yang Yan raised his head, but was slapped hard on the head.
"That guy didn't save us so that you could jump again."
Saotome Rin's eyes were tired, and it was obvious that she had just regained control of her body. Her fingers were trembling, but her attitude was extremely firm: "Stand up, Kagero."
"We will not run away this time. Together we will give an explanation to the souls buried in this Yellow Spring Town."
**
Tanghongshan, hot spring behind the shrine.
"Where is this place?"
Lily of the Valley stopped walking. There were already many springs all around her. The abundant geothermal energy and hot spring energy of Tanghong Mountain were fully demonstrated here. Countless hot springs were spewing boiling hot air from the ground on the steep cliffs where rocks were piled up and there was no trace of snow.
A huge fissure like a crack appeared in the ground between the mountains. She and Xuedie were in a high position and could clearly see the architectural layout of Huangquan Town where they came from, as well as the tram tracks running through the mountains and forests.
That track should be the track that the tram passed when they came here, but that track is obviously abandoned now, and no one knows where the running tram they boarded before came from.
There are some tombstones scattered around the tram tracks, which answer the question of what those fluorescent green spots that rushed into the tram were - they really are the scattered souls of the dead.
When a human soul dies, it will release its accumulated energy. Some people have stronger energies, so they can even transform into ghosts and stay in the world intact, but human souls with less energy can only transform into fireflies, looking for opportunities for reincarnation.
Linglan turned her gaze to the black-haired girl in front of her, while Xuedie continued to walk forward on her own. Last night, when she disguised herself as one of those masked soup workers, she tried to find the other party's trace in the Great Evil Soup Residence. However, Xuedie, the soup guard who was supposed to be guarding the door, was not where she was supposed to be. Linglan had no choice but to choose to look for clues in other places in the Great Evil Soup Residence, but unexpectedly saw the true form of the so-called big shots in those sedan chairs.
The skin of the so-called "honorable guests" sitting in each sedan chair was a terrifying blood red, as if their skin had been peeled off and only flesh and blood remained.
Because of the momentary panic, when Lily of the Valley reacted, not only did she not find any trace of the blood butterfly, she even lost sight of Izayoi as well.
Since arriving in Huangquan Town, everything in the town has made people feel extremely depressing. In addition, there are people who are stamped by the DM system to hide secrets and infiltrate them, and they cannot be trusted. Even Linglan, who would never meddle in other people's affairs if possible, has realized that something is wrong.
She paused, her long, beautiful fork ready to be shaped by the winding ghost orchid vine.
"Blood Butterfly... Please don't go any further. Answer my question first... We are now getting farther and farther away from the shrine. It is no longer a place where Lin-san may exist."
Lily of the Valley spoke with a resolute determination.
Since it was decided to split the troops into three groups, Linglan and Xuedie chose the direction leading to the back mountain of the shrine. At some point, Xuedie began to walk to the front as a guide. Under the deliberate misleading of the blood butterfly, they have been brought all the way to this remote place with numerous hot springs.
"I heard the argument between you and Izayoi. You are different from us players. Are you... too familiar with this place?"
Of course, Linglan would not be so stupid as to completely side with Izayoi after discovering Blooddie's abnormality. In her opinion, there were too many suspicious points about both Blooddie and Izayoi. She just wanted to hear Blooddie's attitude now.
"...Indeed, it is very familiar."
Xuedie's back paused in front of a hot spring. The mist wet her long hair. She did not look as arrogant as Linglan had imagined. Instead, she looked a little pitiful.
"The reason why I know your theme is 'Yellow Spring Town' is because my theme is also that. And because I am too familiar with this place, I can solve the warm-up match faster than anyone from Yellow Spring Town."
Xuedie's voice became softer, and Linglan noticed that the other party's tone was even more coherent.
"I don't want to lie to you, Sister Lily of the Valley. In fact, what you said is correct. This is actually my hometown, if we follow the custom of humans calling the place where they were born their hometown."
Xuedie took a deep breath, but there was no trembling or emotion in her voice, she still sounded like an exquisite doll.
"As for why we didn't save Saotome Rin, it's because that guy doesn't need us to save him. Izayoi's worry is completely blind... There are people in this town who need to be saved more right now."
She suddenly jumped into the air, and the spinning blood butterflies flew from her side to the hot spring pool. Under the slashing of the rapidly-sweeping knife, the spreading mist dissipated under her attack. Lily of the Valley glanced in the direction of the hot spring mouth and could not move her eyes away.
The rocks below the hot spring mouth were shaped like the scales of a giant snake. In the hot spring, countless humans who had lost their ability to move and were wrapped in blood-red cocoons were groaning in pain. Linglan noticed that many of the people inside were wearing the clothes of the evil hot spring workers.
They are all selected "soup ingredients".
A violent vibration came from the distant Tang Hong Mountain, like a death knell for someone. Linglan looked at the team's status panel, but her face turned pale in an instant.
Bai Ye's status bar had turned gray, which symbolized loss of consciousness and being in a dangerous situation. His soul could disintegrate at any time.
**
Tang Hongshan, Shinto Torii.
Izayoi's steps were quick, and the blade of the samurai sword at his waist collided with the blade. He did not choose the third way, but suddenly turned back halfway and ran towards the shrine.
"Hey! Izayoi! Say something!"
You Yu shouted behind him for a long time but didn't hear any response. He was a little impatient, but the situation was urgent, so he didn't choose to stop the other party directly: "You are running so fast, do you know where Lin is?"
"Yes I know."
Shizaye suddenly turned around, looked at Youyu steadily, and then took another step forward.
"…Do you know Rin-san?"
Shuise looked confused, but Youyu spoke firmly. He repeated it again, this time with more confidence: "Not only you, you and Yangyan, even Xuedie, should know Lin."
Izayoi's steps suddenly slowed down, his brows furrowed, his hand already on the long sword at his waist: "Why do you say that?"
As if he hadn't noticed the hostility of the other party, You Yu spoke naturally: "It's too obvious. When they were arguing to that extent, they all stopped what they were doing when they heard the news of Lin's disappearance. Xue Die can explain it with a sense of responsibility, but as a close thug of the Yamagumi, it is absolutely impossible for you to care so much about the situation of an ordinary female high school student."
"...Very careful observation." Shizaye glanced up and down at Youyu. The boy in front of him was just an ordinary person, innocent and ignorant of the world, but his eyes were very penetrating, like a mirror that saw through everything.
"But I am not obliged to answer your questions. My purpose of coming here is to help the head patriarch achieve her goal, so I don't have any time to waste on you."
Izayoi took another step and rushed towards the shrine, but was stopped by a gentle female voice.
"Sir, the shrine's main hall is not open to the public right now."
A shrine maiden in red and white shrine maiden costume appeared from behind the torii gate in front, her smile gentle but unquestionable.
Youyu and Mizuiro both recognized each other as the leading shrine maiden who had previously invited Yangyan to live in the shrine.
"Who are you?!"
Izayoi's hand was already on the knife.
"I am Chizuru Shinto, the chief priestess of this shrine."
The young witch has long black hair and beautiful eyes like scarlet maple leaves. Although she doesn't have a stunning appearance like the blood-butterfly lily of the valley, she has a convincing temperament that is somewhat similar to Bai Ye and You Yu when they were reasoning.
Shuise narrowed his eyes and began to think. Bai Ye had not spoken in the headset for a long time. He clicked on the team panel to check the situation of the team members.
"Why do I remember that the shrine was always open to the public?"
Izayoi was aggressive and obviously very unhappy.
"That's because the shrine is currently holding a ceremony that only locals can attend. This is a local folk custom, so please respect it."
The witch still spoke gently.
Seeing that Izayoi was about to draw his sword, Youyu pressed his beret and tried to mediate the fight, hoping that everyone would sit down and share clues: "If it's a sacrificial ceremony and we are not allowed to visit, that's normal, that's normal..."
"Youyu."
Shuise, who was standing at the back silently opening the team panel to check the situation, suddenly spoke in a terrifyingly serious voice.
"The icon of the White Night has entered a state of semi-soul disintegration."
That is a state that only occurs under continuous and extremely dangerous circumstances. Bai Ye's soul may disintegrate at any time, and he may be forced to pay part of his soul to the hypocritical DM system as the price of leaving the game.
The direction he and Yang Yan left was the road leading to the mountaintop shrine.
"Excuse me, Miss Miko, I have to change my stance then."
You Yu, who was smiling, suddenly became serious: "I'm sorry, we also have someone we need to find, and he is in some danger at the shrine."
"So, please let me go."
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