Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 468: The Final Deadline

Hu Li nodded, speaking, "There’s not much to say about the situation underground. I basically followed along with the Cult of the Cadaver onto the ship without much pressure. However, due to the tight security of the Cult of the Cadaver on the ship and the fact that foreign tourists like Tian Qing were confined to relatively closed cabins, I couldn’t investigate the situation inside. So, I found a place to rest on the ship, planning to contact you all once the ship docked. But shortly after setting sail, I noticed a group of Deep Ones boarding. They clashed with the Cult of the Cadaver followers onboard because the Cult didn’t help them catch Baruka as agreed."

"However, the conflict was more bark than bite. After the head of the Cult of the Cadaver onboard promised to continue assisting the Deep Ones in pursuing Baruka, they grumbled and left. Then, the Ghouls onboard started berating the Deep Ones for their lack of contribution and constant complaints. It’s evident the cooperation between the Cult of the Cadaver and the Deep Ones is fragile and internal conflicts have emerged. So, we might find an opportunity to exploit this rift."

"Because the Cult of the Cadaver was discovered by the English Coast Guard, they decided to disperse. They abandoned the large ship and split into multiple smaller vessels. Naturally, I chose to hide on the same boat as Tian Qing and Li Mengyao. There, I found a peculiar large crate riddled with holes. It was guarded around the clock by Cult of the Cadaver followers. However, I couldn’t sense any living presence inside the crate, not even a scent."

"So, I became curious and seized an opportunity to enter the crate. Inside, I found a wooden sculpture resembling a totem pole from South America, adorned with numerous bizarre creatures. Initially, I thought nothing of the sculpture except for its exquisite craftsmanship. However, soon after, I heard two people standing in front of the crate."

"Suddenly, the wooden sculpture emitted black smoke from all over, pouring out through the holes. I heard someone collapse, and then the black smoke slowly turned crimson before returning into the wooden sculpture. The sculpture, originally wooden in color, also turned slightly red. That’s when I realized something was amiss. But as I tried to find a chance to leave the crate, I noticed a monster on the sculpture seemed to be staring at me. My intuition warned me that if I moved recklessly, I’d surely die inside that crate."

"So, I had no choice but to play along and stay put in the crate. That’s why I haven’t contacted you all this time. Roughly every hour, someone would be brought outside the crate to become food for this sculpture. When the black smoke started changing color, the person’s vitality weakened until it vanished completely. However, they didn’t seem to become corpses but rather turned into zombies, still able to move."

Upon hearing this, Alice couldn’t help but interrupt, "Miss Hu Li, where is the wooden sculpture now?!"

Hu Li thought for a moment, pointing towards EinsCastle, "If the Cult of the Cadaver hasn’t relocated it, then the sculpture should still be at EinsCastle."

Alice nodded, somewhat frustrated, "It seems that the wooden sculpture is the Cult of the Cadaver’s ultimate weapon against us. So, if I’m not mistaken, its effect is to turn living people into zombies. Moreover, the Cult of the Cadaver likely has a way to expand the sculpture’s range of influence. In that case, the entire Manchester will be threatened by this sculpture."

"Yes, after each feeding, the sculpture’s color becomes increasingly red, and the emitted black smoke becomes denser. Furthermore, after arriving at EinsCastle, the Cult of the Cadaver took the sculpture to the Dreamrealm, indicating they intend to further enhance its power," Hu Li said seriously.

Liu Xing nodded, curious, "So, Miss Hu Li, how did you manage to escape from EinsCastle and also rescue Miss Tian Qing and Miss Li Mengyao?"

Hu Li shrugged, smiling, "I suppose I was lucky. Besides the wooden sculpture, there were many wood shavings and cotton inside the crate to cushion it. So, although I couldn’t leave the crate recklessly, I could still transform back into my original form and hide among the fillings. After arriving at EinsCastle, your Bai Hecheng came with some followers to take away the sculpture. Although he glanced inside the crate, he didn’t notice me."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xing realized Bai Hecheng might not have passed Judgment, hence failing to detect Hu Li’s presence.

"After Bai Hecheng and his group left with the sculpture, I seized an opportunity to escape. Initially, I planned to flee directly. However, as I was leaving EinsCastle, I noticed Tian Qing and Li Mengyao being taken to EinsTown in batches. There was only one Cult of the Cadaver follower guarding them. So, after finding a drivable car, I seized the chance to rescue them. Then, I drove back. Of course, I changed cars several times along the way, ensuring that the Cult of the Cadaver’s people didn’t catch up," Hu Li said with a smile.

At this moment, Li Mengyao interjected, "By the way, the reason the Cult of the Cadaver took us to that town was to brainwash us separately. When I and Tian Qing were brought into a room by one of the Cult of the Cadaver’s followers, he lit a candle in front of us and forced us to stare at the flame continuously. After a while, I felt like I entered a semi-conscious state, losing control of my body and constantly hearing someone whispering in my ear."

Hu Li nodded, saying seriously, "That candle contained a certain amount of sedative, inducing an extremely relaxed mental state. Moreover, when I found the car to rescue Tian Qing and Li Mengyao, I saw that Cult of the Cadaver follower reciting a spell, attempting to influence Tian Qing and Li Mengyao, making them believe that the Cult of the Cadaver was the righteous side."

Liu Xing nodded, finally understanding why those four foreign tourists willingly became suicide bombers.

"It seems we have to act in advance. It’s highly likely that the other foreign tourists have already been brainwashed into loyal followers of the Cult of the Cadaver. This means the Cult gains several hundred significant pawns because these tourists are technically victims, and we can’t entirely restrict their actions. So, they might cause us significant trouble," Zhang Jingxu said, stroking his chin.

Liu Xing nodded, finding Zhang Jingxu’s words very accurate. After all, in the public eye, these foreign tourists were all victims, and their families have been urging the English authorities to rescue them promptly. So, when the Cult of the Cadaver releases these fully brainwashed foreign tourists, even if the English authorities know they’ve turned into followers of the Cult, they won’t be able to control them. At most, they’ll be questioned by police officers for a while before being released.

And when these brainwashed foreign tourists integrate into society, they can do a lot of things. For example, they can control public opinion, propagate how good the Cult of the Cadaver is, and justify their kidnapping as a means to draw attention to the Cult and resist persecution from the English authorities.

Though these statements might seem nonsensical, many people would believe them, and various conspiracy theories would arise to support them. Then, the Cult of the Cadaver can openly emerge into the spotlight.

Of course, the Cult of the Cadaver would definitely choose to change its name at that time. After all, the name "Cult of the Cadaver" doesn’t sound like something good...

Just then, Alice’s mobile phone rang, displaying Chris’s caller ID.

"Alice, have you seen the news about the sudden appearance of Thick Fog along the English coastline?" Chris sounded urgent.

Alice frowned, replying, "Yes, we just saw the news, and we’re certain that the Thick Fog is the work of the Cult of the Cadaver. What’s more concerning is that this Thick Fog also seems to have some lethality."

Chris sighed, saying, "I already know about that. The Cult of the Cadaver has made contact with the London authorities. They’ve requested a negotiation in three days at a farm on the outskirts of London. They haven’t disclosed the agenda, but according to the information from our undercover agent in the Cult of the Cadaver, they likely want us to acknowledge them as a legitimate sect and grant them the right to freely propagate!"

Indeed, the Cult of the Cadaver was preparing to step into the limelight.

"What was your response?" Alice inquired.

Chris replied, "We’re in a tough spot now. We can’t dispel the Thick Fog, and as you know, England being an island nation, blocking maritime and air transport would be catastrophic. Our economic sector estimates we only have three days before the economic losses from this Thick Fog become astronomical. So, we have no choice but to negotiate with the Cult of the Cadaver. We might have to make concessions to a certain extent..."

Upon hearing Chris’s words, Liu Xing had a foreboding feeling.

Because if the English authorities chose to compromise with the Cult of the Cadaver, it meant that their group might lose the support of the English authorities. Then, the balance of victory in this module would directly tip towards Bai Hecheng’s side.

Thinking about this, Liu Xing couldn’t help but speak up, "Alice, can Mr. Chris and I have a private conversation?"

Alice nodded, passing the mobile phone to Liu Xing.

Taking the phone, Liu Xing addressed Chris, "Mr. Chris, this is Ryuusei. I’d like to ask, if the authorities in London decide to compromise with the Cult of the Cadaver in three days, can you delay fulfilling the promises?"

At this point, Wesker’s voice came from the phone, "Give me the phone."

"Mr. Ryuusei, I understand your concerns, but I hope you can understand ours too. England’s economic situation is already dire, and we can’t afford a prolonged standoff with the Cult of the Cadaver. So, if we haven’t found a way to dispel the Thick Fog within three days, we’ll definitely have to concede to the Cult of the Cadaver. However, rest assured, even if we choose to compromise, we’ll still support you in dealing with the Cult of the Cadaver because we all know their ambitions," Wesker said earnestly.

Though Wesker’s words sounded noble, Liu Xing knew better than to fully trust politicians’ words, or else you’d be left counting your losses after being sold out.

Liu Xing was certain that if the Cult of the Cadaver demanded the English authorities to reveal their group’s whereabouts, or to directly expel them from the country, or even arrest them and hand them over, the English authorities would undoubtedly comply without hesitation.

After all, when push comes to shove, self-interest comes first.

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Xing decided to ask Wesker one last question, "Mr. Wesker, if you do compromise with the Cult of the Cadaver, how long can you delay before taking real action?"

As Liu Xing finished speaking, KP Li Shunchan interjected, "Now, please select a representative from each player to roll a 1d10+3 dice. The result will determine how much longer you can stay in this module. Of course, if you fail to complete Phase Three Mission within this time, you’ll be eliminated altogether."

Just as Liu Xing expected.

Sighing inwardly, Liu Xing said, "Then let me roll the dice. I think my luck has been decent lately."

Ling Ishikawa and the others nodded gently, agreeing to let Liu Xing, handle this crucial dice roll.

Liu Xing, 1d10+3 = 6+3 = 9

Nine days.

Liu Xing breathed a sigh of relief. Three more days, and they should officially enter Phase Three. As long as the missions in Phase Three weren’t too challenging, six days should be quite ample.

"Okay, so this module will end directly after nine days. I hope all players will continue to work hard and make the most of these final nine days to complete the missions. By the way, these missions won’t just be about combat for you all," KP Li Shunchan said with a smile.

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