Chapter 141 DestinyTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2449 wordsUpdate time: 2024-10-26 17:30:03
There was a trace of confusion and struggle in Grellint's eyes, as if he was experiencing some unspeakable inner struggle. His breathing was a little rapid, and his fingers were trembling slightly, as if he was trying to suppress some emotions in his heart. After a moment, he took a deep breath and finally broke the silence.
"Professor," he whispered, his tone mixed with helplessness and vigilance, "In this extraordinary world, there are too many things that cannot be explained by common sense. At that moment... I don't have any memory."
Professor Steve's eyes suddenly sharpened. He stared at Greylint, obviously surprised by this sudden turn of events. "No memory?" the professor repeated in a low voice, as if he was savoring the deep meaning behind these four words.
Graylint nodded, his expression becoming more serious. "Yes, at that moment, my consciousness seemed to be completely taken away by some force. I don't know what happened, or how I survived. All my memories of that moment seemed to have been erased, and I can't even recall the smallest details."
He paused, his eyes showing some uneasiness and self-doubt. "Perhaps, there is some existence that I cannot understand that is interfering with my destiny. And I am just a pawn in it."
Professor Steve frowned slightly, as if he was thinking about something. After a moment, he asked in a deeper voice: "Have you ever tried... to restore these lost memories? Through some extraordinary means?"
Greylint smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Professor, I have tried. I have tried every possible method, even seeking help from Beyonders who are more powerful than me, but everything is in vain. That blank space seems to be blocked by some higher-level power. I feel... it is not just lost memory, but may also hide a truth that I should not know."
Professor Steve frowned even more, and the atmosphere in the room became more solemn. It was as if in this silence, a thread of fate quietly wrapped around the ankles of the two people, leading them to an unknown abyss.
The professor sighed deeply, stood up slowly, turned his back to Grallint, and walked to the window. He put his hands behind his back and stared at the low-hanging clouds outside. The sky outside the window was gray and heavy, as if foreshadowing some kind of impending conspiracy and uneasiness.
"The secrets of this world are far more complicated than what we can see." Professor Steve's voice echoed in the silence, with a hint of deep thought and heaviness in his tone. "You, Greylint, have reached the edge of the truth."
His voice seemed to penetrate the dark clouds outside the window, and it seemed to be a warning to Grellant's fate. Grellant stared at the professor's back, with complicated emotions surging in his heart. Although the moment before him was calm, it was like the brief calm before the storm.
He understood that this meeting was not just a reminder, but a profound warning. Every word the professor said seemed to foreshadow a deeper truth, a conspiracy that Grellant could not fully understand at present, which was quietly brewing.
His fake death did indeed deceive the eyes of the royal family, and that power provided him with hidden shelter. But Greylint knew in his heart that this was only a temporary escape. Those forces hidden in the dark would not let him go forever. Perhaps soon, those eyes would lock on him again, even more dangerous than before.
"I always thought that faking my death could put an end to all this." Greylint whispered, with a hint of helplessness and fatigue in his voice.
Professor Steve didn't look back, still staring out the window, as if pondering some unattainable answer. "The end?" He repeated softly, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, "In the extraordinary world, there is no real end, only constant beginnings. Your fake death only temporarily covered up the appearance, but the truth... will always find its way out."
The room fell into a brief silence, and Grellint's heartbeat seemed to be synchronized with the dark clouds outside the window. He suddenly realized that this game was far more complicated than he had imagined, and perhaps his every step had been observed and controlled by some unknown force. All he could do was to keep moving forward and uncover the mysteries.
"Perhaps," the professor finally turned around, his eyes flashing with complex light, "the real threat is not the enemy you see now, but the forces you have not yet perceived. Remember, Grellint, walking to the edge of the truth does not mean safety, but means that the challenges you will face have just begun."
Grellint did not respond immediately, nor did he make any move. He just quietly raised his head and looked through the window at the gloomy sky. The dark clouds in the sky rolled, as if foreshadowing the complexity and unpredictability of fate.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment, and the silence in the room was shrouded by an invisible sense of oppression. After a long while, Grellint spoke softly, his voice low and calm, as if he was just talking to himself:
"Perhaps, all of this... was already a destiny that was arranged from the very beginning."
His voice was very soft, with a hint of powerlessness, as if he was facing some kind of irresistible fate. The words seemed to penetrate time and space, echoing in the room, with a hint of compromise with reality.
Professor Steve did not speak again. He stood aside silently, looking at Grellant with complicated eyes. The sound of the wind outside the window mixed with the low hum in the distance, as if responding to Grellant's heavy words.
Fate seemed to have already laid out the path, and they were just following this destined trajectory. A deep sense of powerlessness suddenly arose in Grellint's heart, as if all this had already been predetermined, and he was just an insignificant chess piece involved in this huge chess game.
In that brief silence, Grellint realized that perhaps the starting point of all this was beyond his understanding. And now, he has reached a point of no return.
Perhaps, from the very beginning, he had been walking on a path carefully arranged by others.
A heavy feeling of oppression surged in Grellint's heart, as if the road under his feet no longer belonged to him, but a fateful road paved for him by some invisible force. He raised his eyes again and looked at the gray sky, with a myriad of thoughts in his mind. Those fragments of the past, at this moment, formed a chilling conclusion in his mind - no matter how he struggled or resisted, perhaps he could no longer escape the control of fate.
At that moment, Grellant felt a deep loneliness and helplessness. Whether it was the royal family, the professor, or the forces hidden in the shadows, it seemed that everyone and every force was pushing him and forcing him to move towards an unknown destination.
The dark clouds outside the window rolled slowly, as if responding to the trajectory controlled by fate. The wind whistled past, taking away the uneasiness in his whispers, but leaving him with deeper contemplation.
He had no choice and no way out.
He could only keep going and going.
No matter how tortuous or dangerous the road ahead was, Grellint knew that he had no choice. The road under his feet seemed like a bottomless maze, with no way back and no end in sight. Every step seemed to be pushed forward by some invisible force, forcing him step by step towards the unknown abyss of fate.
The dark clouds outside the window grew thicker, as if the whole world was shrouded in endless darkness. The wind whispered in my ears, and the sound was mixed with vague prophecies, as if hinting at an inevitable outcome in the future.
Grellint knew in his heart that the things that had happened, the forces that he could not control, had already tightly entangled him. He could not stop, could not resist, and could only keep going. Maybe one day, he would find the truth, but the price of the truth might be beyond his imagination.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if preparing for the road ahead. No matter what the future held, he could only move forward.
All I can do is keep going.Chapter 142 Be Careful with KnowledgeTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2011 wordsUpdate time: 2024-10-27 17:30:07
Professor Steve remained silent and didn't say another word. His eyes followed Grallant's back, as if he was thinking about something deep and secret. The whole room fell into a strange silence, the air seemed to freeze, and time seemed to be stretched at this moment.
Grellint nodded slightly and turned to leave. The moment he stepped out of the room, the air around him suddenly became strange. He felt a spiritual wave, an invisible force surged like a tide, enveloping the entire room. The feeling was both strange and familiar, as if an invisible hand gently touched his consciousness.
In this brief moment, a low and warning murmur came to my ears: "Be careful with knowledge!"
The voice was icy but filled with endless vigilance, as if it had penetrated his soul directly. At this moment, Grellint's heart skipped a beat, and the meaning of that sentence pierced through his mind like a sharp blade. However, when he reacted and wanted to turn back, everything in the room returned to normal, as if nothing had happened. The spiritual fluctuations disappeared without a trace, and the professor still stood silently in front of the window, as if he had never spoken.
Grellant's hand froze on the doorknob, the words still echoing in his mind. The words "be careful of knowledge" were like some kind of omen, reminding him of the danger he was about to face. After a short moment, he did not stop, gently pushed open the door, and walked into the outside world.
The cold wind whistled past, mixed with the chill of November in Backlund, and swept through the streets mercilessly. As soon as Grallant stepped out of Professor Steve's house, he felt the biting cold wind rushing towards him. The cold wind cut across his cheek like a blade, causing him to shrink his neck involuntarily and tighten his coat.
The streets were filled with thick fog. The dim light of the street lamps seemed weak and unreal in the fog, unable to illuminate the shadows in the distance. Backlund's winter was as dull and depressing as ever. The air was mixed with damp and cold water vapor and smoke, making people feel heavy.
Grellant took a deep breath of cold air, as if to clear his mind. However, the words "be careful with knowledge" still haunted his mind like a ghost, lingering. The professor's final warning seemed to hide some deeper meaning, which made him feel uneasy.
The cold wind blew up the fallen leaves on the roadside, making a rustling sound, as if telling the unknown secrets of the city. Grellint stood in the cold wind, looking at the misty night in the distance, and his heart was hard to calm down for a while. Things were becoming more and more complicated, and behind the truth, there might be a price he could not bear.
He pulled his collar, buried his face in his scarf, and hurried into the cold night of Backlund. The sound of the wind echoed in his ears, as if whispering about the upcoming test of fate.
As Grellint walked home, the whispered words "Be careful with knowledge" still echoed in his mind. Although the wind was biting, he hardly felt it. He just walked mechanically, as if he was walking in an illusory fog. His thoughts were confused and heavy, as if he was being pulled by countless hidden clues, unable to break free or sort out.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally returned to his residence. The door lock made a slight "click" sound, and the cold handle made him suddenly realize that he was already standing at the door of his home. Pushing the door open, the warm atmosphere inside the house hit him in the face, forming a sharp contrast with the cold wind outside. The room was dim and quiet, with only the faint firelight in the fireplace occasionally jumping, reflecting a few faint light and shadows.
Without turning on the light, Grellant walked straight to the desk, sat down, covered his face with his hands, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his chaotic thoughts. He felt as if he was suffocated by an invisible burden. His mind was intertwined with memories and doubts, Professor Steve's warning, the royal family's pursuit, and the mysterious power - everything was like pieces of a puzzle, but no matter what, they could not be put together to form a complete picture.
"From the beginning, perhaps I had no choice." He muttered to himself, thinking back to every decision he made and every step he took, as if they had been set in stone. He vaguely felt that he was being pushed into an unknown abyss, the outline of the truth was getting closer and closer, but the fear and anxiety were also deepening.
As the night deepened, the silence in the house became more and more suffocating. Grellant leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, his tired eyelids becoming heavier and heavier. Unconsciously, his consciousness began to blur, as if he was drawn into a bottomless dark vortex.
Fortunately, Bernadette's sudden return broke the silence and chaos that Greylint was about to fall into.
Just as his thoughts were sinking deeper and deeper into a whirlpool, the door made a soft "click" and was pushed open from the outside. Bernadette appeared at the door, her cloak swaying slightly in the wind, her eyes still maintaining that calm and resolute expression.
"Grelint," her voice was as calm as ever, but with a gentle power that seemed to instantly pull Grellint out of the quagmire of his thoughts, "I'm back."
Her voice seemed to bring a long-lost vitality to the house, and the fire in the stove seemed to be dancing brighter. Grallint slowly stood up from his chair, realizing that his mental state had fallen into extreme confusion. Bernadette's arrival was like a taut string being gently plucked, gradually easing his tension.
"Bernadette, you're back." He said tiredly, with a hint of weakness in his voice.
Bernadette looked at him, walked to the table, took off her cloak and hung it aside, her eyes lingered on Greylint for a moment, as if she saw through his predicament. "It seems you need to calm down, something has obviously affected your state." As she spoke, she poured two cups of hot tea and handed one to him.
Grellant took the teacup, and the warm breath made him regain some clarity. He was silent for a moment, as if thinking about how to start.
"The professor's warning has shaken me a little." He whispered, his eyes still a little confused. "He said 'be careful with knowledge', but I always feel that it is more than just a warning... as if there is something deeper, like some kind of power is warning me."
Bernadette's eyes narrowed slightly when she heard the words "Be careful with knowledge". She gently put down the teacup, and her eyes became deeper. After a moment of silence, she seemed to have grasped some hidden clues and spoke softly: "'Be careful with knowledge'... This refers to the Knowledge Association, isn't it?"Chapter 143 RestTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2131 wordsUpdate time: 2024-10-28 17:30:01
Grellint was slightly startled. He did not expect Bernadette to be able to immediately associate this meaning. He nodded, frowning slightly: "Yes, I also vaguely felt it. The professor's warning is not only a reminder to me personally, it is likely a hint to the organization I am in - the Knowledge Association."
Bernadette's expression became solemn. She looked straight at Greylint and said slowly, "The Knowledge Association has always been pursuing extraordinary power and truth, but you also know that there are too many secrets hidden in this organization. The professor's warning is obviously not just to make you wary of knowledge itself, but to make you be careful of certain forces in the association - those who may be controlling everything."
Bernadette's tone revealed a hint of uneasiness and contemplation, as if she was sorting out the complex and intertwined clues in her heart: "The Knowledge Association is nominally pursuing truth and power, but it is no secret what it has been looking for. Its true purpose has always been shrouded in mystery. Many Beyonders are attracted to it, but few can really touch the core. Perhaps the professor has realized that you are being involved in some bigger conspiracy, and all of this may not just be about your personal exploration."
Grellint was silent for a moment, his eyes flashing with a trace of solemnity and doubt. The Knowledge Association had indeed never fully revealed its true goal to the outside world. Even within the association, a lot of information was blocked. The professor's warning might not only let him be careful about knowledge itself, but also to be wary of the hidden forces and plots behind the Knowledge Association.
Bernadette looked at him and her tone changed, becoming more resolute: "Of course, you don't need to rush into all this right now. The most important thing for you now is to hide yourself and avoid being noticed. Growing up quickly is the key to your success in this game."
Graylint nodded, understanding what Bernadette meant. At present, he did not have enough power to uncover these mysteries, but he could use time and his extraordinary abilities to improve himself, keep a low profile, and not let those potentially dangerous forces notice his existence.
"Growth is your only way out," Bernadette continued, with a hint of calm insight in her eyes. "When you are strong enough to face the secrets behind this world, you will truly understand the professor's warning and the true danger of the Knowledge Association."
Grellint took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "I understand. I will do as you say, keep a low profile, and focus on improving myself." There was a newfound determination in his words.
Bernadette smiled slightly, obviously satisfied with his reaction. "We have enough time to prepare, don't be anxious, act cautiously. As long as we don't act rashly, the gears of fate will always turn in our favor."
In this depressing and complex atmosphere, Bernadette's calmness and wisdom became a beacon for Grellint on his way forward. Although the road ahead was full of unknowns and dangers, with her assistance, his inner confusion and anxiety gradually dissipated.
"Next, we must be careful with every step." Bernadette's voice echoed in the room again, as if sounding the alarm for the challenges they were about to face.
Bernadette frowned as she watched Grallint fall into deep thought again. She knew that excessive thinking and anxiety would only make it harder for him to stay awake and calm. So, she added softly, "Of course, the most important thing now is to have a good rest."
Her voice was gentle, as if to relieve the burden on Greylint's heart. She took a step closer, her eyes gentle but firm: "You have gone too far on this road, and mental and physical fatigue will only make you more vulnerable. Take a rest, and you will have a clearer mind to face everything tomorrow."
Grellint took a deep breath and nodded slowly, realizing that he was indeed exhausted physically and mentally. The professor's warning, the conspiracy of the Knowledge Association, and the unknown future made him almost breathless. At this moment, perhaps what he really needed was what Bernadette said - a short breath.
"You're right, I do need to rest." Greylint whispered, with a hint of fatigue and relief in his tone.
Bernadette smiled and nodded, then turned around to help him tidy up the room and make sure everything was in order. Then, she walked to the window and looked out at Backlund, who was shrouded in the night, with a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"Rest, Grelinte," she whispered. "The night is still long, and the road ahead is equally long. But as long as we have enough time and wisdom, any conspiracy and crisis will eventually be solved."
Her words were like the wind at night, gentle and calm, bringing a sense of reassurance. Grellint leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and felt his body gradually relax. The fire in the room was still flickering, reflecting the two people's quiet figures, while the night quietly enveloped the whole world.
Bernadette looked at the sleeping Grallint in front of her, and her expression gradually became complicated. The firelight cast a slight shadow on his face, and his brows were still slightly furrowed. Even in his sleep, he seemed unable to completely free himself from his thoughts and pressure. Bernadette stood aside, staring at him quietly, but her thoughts had already flown back to the distant past.
In her mind, the image of her father involuntarily emerged. That tall, wise man was always full of deep thoughts and unspeakable loneliness in her memory. She couldn't help but start to wonder: Was her father also pushed forward by some unknown force like Greylint now? Step by step, he fell into this complex and unfathomable extraordinary world.
Bernadette's father was once a time traveler, a soul from another world. Like Grellint, he struggled to survive in this strange world, pursuing truth and power, trying to find his hometown in another world. But on this road, he encountered more dangers and betrayals, and the dark forces hidden under the extraordinary eventually pushed him to an inevitable fate.
Now, looking at Grellint in front of her, Bernadette couldn't help but have a trance illusion. This man was also a time traveler, also pursuing his own unsolved destiny. His persistence, his doubts, and even his loneliness hidden beneath the surface were so similar to her father's, as if fate was repeating the same drama in different time and space.
"Father... have you ever felt this powerlessness before?" Bernadette sighed softly in her heart.
She understood that Grellint was now walking on an extremely dangerous road, just like her father. They were all chess pieces on the chessboard of power, and seemed destined to be led to an unknown destination. And she had watched her father walk further and further on this road, and finally disappeared into the unfathomable darkness.Chapter 144 PursuitTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2444 wordsUpdate time: 2024-10-29 17:30:07
Bernadette gently closed her eyes, her fingers trembling slightly, as if she was suppressing her inner emotions. She must not let Grellant repeat his father's mistakes. Whether for herself or for this traveler from another world like her father, she must try her best to help him. She knew that Grellant's road ahead was full of conspiracies and dangers, but as long as she could be by his side, they would have a chance to break the seemingly inevitable fate.
"I won't let you become a victim, Gralinte," Bernadette made a silent resolution in her heart. She looked at his sleeping face, with a complex emotion in her eyes, both concern and responsibility.
The firelight flickered in the fireplace, illuminating her thoughtful face. She knew that the gears of fate were already turning, but this time, she would personally participate in it and change its trajectory.
"For the regrets of the past!" Bernadette muttered in her heart, and the light in her eyes became more determined. That regret, those unsolved secrets, and her father's disappearance once entangled her heart like a nightmare, making her feel helpless and lost. She could not save her father, nor could she solve the mystery buried at that time, but now, standing in front of Grallint, she saw a glimmer of opportunity to make amends.
The Grellint in front of her, sleeping in the vortex of fate, seemed to be the other side of her father who failed to save her. He also carried the memory from another world and was also involved in this treacherous chess game. Fate was like an invisible hand, pushing him step by step towards the unknown abyss.
Bernadette sighed softly, her thoughts flying back to many years ago. She still remembered the shock she felt when she first discovered the extraordinary power her father was pursuing, and the wisdom and determination that flashed in his eyes. But as time went by, that wisdom seemed to have turned into an obsession, an obsession that made him go deeper into danger and darkness. In the end, her father completely disappeared in those untouchable truths, leaving her with only endless confusion and pain.
Bernadette's heart trembled slightly, and the firelight in front of her reflected her clear determination. "I won't let Greylint repeat the same mistake." She said to herself in her heart. This was not only because they became allies in the extraordinary world, but also because she didn't want to experience that kind of powerless loss again.
"For the regrets of the past and for the path that my father failed to complete, I must protect him." Bernadette clenched her hands slightly, and a soft and resolute light appeared in her eyes. She knew that everything that was going to happen would not be easy, but she would do her best to help Greylint avoid those hidden dangers and find out the real secrets behind the Knowledge Association.
Her eyes fell on the sleeping Grallint again, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Those unsolved mysteries and the gears of fate were pushing them towards an unknown future. And Bernadette had decided that no matter how dangerous the road ahead was, she would not let regrets happen again.
The night grew darker and the firelight gradually dimmed, but Bernadette's determination was like an unshakable beacon, illuminating the direction for her and Greylint in this dark world.
Bernadette stared at the fire, her determination growing stronger. She must find a way to see the hometown that her father had been dreaming about in his diary. It was a place she had never set foot on, but was extremely familiar with - because in her father's diary, that hometown was not only a physical existence, but also a spiritual home that held all his emotions and obsessions.
She remembered that her father had described that mysterious world in his diary countless times, the place where he came from, full of bustling cities, advanced technology, and endless possibilities.
The words in her father's diary were full of homesickness, and the descriptions were filled with deep nostalgia and endless desire. He longed to return to his hometown, not just to pursue knowledge and power. Bernadette knew that her father's pursuit of extraordinary power might not only be to explore the unknown truth, but also to find a way to return to his hometown.
"I will find that method..." Bernadette said silently in her heart, her eyes becoming more determined. She was not only fighting for Greylint, but also fighting for her deepest desire. She wanted to see with her own eyes the world that her father repeatedly mentioned in his diary, the land that he never stopped missing.
If her father had really found a clue to return to his hometown, then she must continue the unfinished mission. Perhaps, Grellint is the key to solving this mystery. He and her father are both travelers from that mysterious world. Maybe by helping him, she can find the road to her hometown left by her father.
Bernadette's heart is filled with complex emotions, including a deep longing for her father's unfulfilled wish and a strong curiosity about the unknown world. She knows that the road ahead is full of challenges and dangers, but she has no choice. For her father's regret and for her obsession, she must find the way to another world.
"I will definitely find it, find a way to return..." She whispered to herself, as if she was swearing. No matter how difficult the road was, she would go on without hesitation. The hometown that appeared repeatedly in her father's diary would become the end of her pursuit.
Bernadette's eyes became more determined in the firelight. Only in this way could she truly catch up with her father's footsteps, find the road that had never appeared, and find the father who had long been believed to be missing forever. She never believed that her father was dead. Although the church personally announced his death and everyone firmly believed that he had left this world, she always had an unshakable belief that her father was still alive.
She recalled the day when the church announced her father's death, and everyone was immersed in grief, as if that great and extraordinary person had become history.
The conclusion announced by the church was so decisive that almost no one doubted its authenticity. But Bernadette did not believe it. She could never forget the look in her father's eyes before he disappeared, the unspoken determination and secrecy.
She knew that her father was not the kind of person who gave up easily, especially after he had touched some deep truths. He could not disappear for no reason. He must have found some way, perhaps a way to another world, or some more mysterious realm. It was because of this that she believed that her father was still alive, just trapped somewhere, waiting to be discovered, waiting for her to find him.
"I must find him," Bernadette muttered to herself, her fingers clenched slightly in her sleeves, "No matter how difficult the road is, no matter what the cost, I will not stop. My father is still in the world he has always longed for. I will catch up with him and solve all the unsolved mysteries."
She took a deep breath and looked at the sleeping Greylint. This time traveler might be the key to her finding the truth. Her father and he came from the same world, and perhaps the connection between them was far deeper than she could understand now. Helping Greylint grow up might not only be to uncover the conspiracy of the Knowledge Association, but also to find clues to her father.
"I will find you, father." She swore in her heart, as if this was her life mission.
Even though the church had confirmed his death, and even though everyone believed that was the truth, Bernadette never wavered in her belief. She knew that this world was filled with too many powers and secrets that ordinary people could not understand, and her father was attracted by these powers and went to places that ordinary people could not reach. Only by following his footsteps could she uncover everything, find the truth behind his disappearance, and finally reunite with her father.
The firelight flickered slightly, illuminating the resolute outline of Bernadette's face. She was ready, no matter how dangerous the road ahead was, she would embark on this path of pursuit without hesitation.Chapter 145 Ryan AshburnTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2107 wordsUpdate time: 2024-10-30 17:30:04
When Grellint woke up again, the sun shone through the gap in the curtains into the room, shining on the wooden floor, bringing a hint of warmth. He rubbed his eyes and felt his mind clear, as if the long-accumulated fatigue and anxiety had dissipated a lot after this sleep. When he opened his eyes, he realized that he had slept until noon the next day.
The room was filled with a quiet atmosphere. The fire in the fireplace had gone out, leaving only a little charcoal ash and a little residual heat. The air was filled with the light fragrance of burning pine wood, which made people feel at ease.
He slowly sat up from the bed, looked around, and gradually regained consciousness. Last night's events replayed in his mind, the professor's warning, Bernadette's analysis, and the heavy thoughts he had once fallen into. Now, after a night's rest, although these problems still existed, he felt that his mentality had calmed down a lot, and he even had some new ideas.
Grallint got out of bed and stretched his stiff body. Bernadette was not in the room at this time, and he was the only one left in the room. Obviously, Bernadette had already gone out to deal with her affairs, but she deliberately left him this quiet time so that he could rest and recover his energy.
He walked to the window and opened it. The streets of Backlund had returned to their daytime hustle and bustle. In the distant streets, pedestrians were hurrying, carriages were coming and going, and the smoky city was still busy and full of vitality. The cold wind blew gently, bringing the chill of November, but under the sunlight, there was also a hint of warmth in the chill.
At this moment, a note left on the table attracted his attention. Grellint walked over, picked up the note, and saw familiar handwriting on it.
"Have you rested well? I have some things to take care of. We'll talk again when you've recovered your energy. Remember, don't act rashly. The most important thing now is to be cautious and patient." - Bernadette
Her handwriting was as elegant and clear as ever, revealing her calm wisdom and careful consideration of future plans.
Grallint smiled slightly and put the note back on the table. He understood Bernadette's intentions and knew that her reminder was correct. At this moment, acting rashly would only lead to greater danger, and he must use this time to improve himself and hide his strength until the right time comes.
He took a deep breath and felt that he was ready to go again. The road ahead was still full of unknowns and conspiracies, but at least he was ready to face it.
As Grellint looked out the window, he felt an unprecedented peace in his heart. Next, he just had to keep moving forward, not dwelling on past doubts and hesitations. The professor's warning and Bernadette's guidance were meant to make him understand that now was not the time to stop or look back. No matter how many mysteries or dangers lay ahead, he had to keep moving forward unwaveringly.
Whether it was the conspiracy of the Knowledge Association or the unsolved mystery left by his father, he knew that he was already deeply involved and could not turn back. The only way out was to move forward, improve himself, and find the truth. The questions that had troubled him for a long time - why was he involved in this chess game, and whether his future fate had already been arranged - were no longer important at this moment.
"Keep moving forward and don't hesitate."
Standing in front of the window, Grellint stared at the fog and noise of Backlund, but he had already made a decision in his heart. He knew that his past self had ended with last night's meditation and vigilance. Now, he was on a brand new path, and this path would require a new identity to face the world.
He needed a new name, one that would match his future destiny.
Grellant pondered for a moment, with a glimmer of determination and decisiveness in his eyes. He thought of many things, but in the end, he whispered the name to himself - "Lian Ashburn."
It was as if the name had already existed in his mind, just waiting for this moment to come.
Ryan symbolizes rebirth and change, and means no longer being bound by the past. Ashburn, this name carries a certain calm and ancient atmosphere, just like a family buried deep in the dust of history, heavy and mysterious, hiding endless stories and power.
"Lian Ashburn." He repeated in a low voice again, feeling the name gradually taking root in his heart, integrating into his new determination and belief. This name was not only to hide his past identity, but also a symbol of his new beginning. The new name meant that he would face the Knowledge Association, the extraordinary power, and the truth behind his destiny with a brand new mentality.
From today on, he is no longer the Grellint who is pushed forward by fate, but has the power of his own choices and actions. He will move towards an unknown future as "Lian Ashburne", and he is ready for any mysteries and dangers ahead.
Everything will start from this new name.
"Then let's get started."
From this moment on, everything will unfold with this new name, and a new journey has begun. Ryan Ashburn will use his will to uncover the truth hidden behind this world, fight against the forces that try to control his fate, and move towards an unknown future.
He is ready. All the fog will eventually dissipate and the gears of fate will be reversed in his hands.
The next step is to continue to be a good detective.
Ryan sorted out the case files, put them into his bag one by one, put on his coat, and walked to the door. The sun shone through the window, bringing with it the slightly chilly air of Backlund in November. He took a deep breath and walked out the door with firm steps.
The streets were still as busy as ever, with cars and horses coming and going, and pedestrians hurrying. The smoky city hid countless unsolved mysteries. Ryan pulled his collar and walked towards the nearest case location. As a detective, his job was to track clues and uncover the truth; as an extraordinary person, his mission was to digest the potion and become a stronger self.
The case was undoubtedly his best chance.
He moved through the bustling crowd like a hidden thread, blending into Backlund's huge machine. Every step was forward; every step was preparation.
Knock knock.
Ryan's knock echoed in the silent corridor, steady and powerful. He stood in front of an old wooden door, the mottled paint on the door seemed to tell its age. There was no immediate response from inside the house, and the only sound around was the wind gently blowing through the window lattice.
He was not in a hurry, but stood in front of the door with a calm and alert look. As a detective, he was used to waiting and knew what kind of situation this knock on the door would open up.
After a moment, there were light footsteps behind the door, and then an older voice sounded: "Who?"
Ryan took a deep breath and answered in a calm tone: "Ryan Ashburn, detective. I'm here to accept the commission."Chapter 146 ReunionTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2497 wordsUpdate time: 2024-10-31 17:30:06
After a moment, the door creaked open a crack, and a pair of old and alert eyes looked at Ryan from the crack. It was a haggard old woman with a hint of doubt and fatigue in her eyes, as if she had been troubled by some hidden pressure for a long time.
"Lian Ashburne... Detective?" she repeated in a low voice, with a hint of uncertainty.
Ryan nodded slightly and said gently, "That's right, ma'am. I'm here to accept your commission regarding... the missing case you mentioned earlier."
The old woman's expression gradually relaxed, and she finally opened the door and motioned Ryan to come in. The air in the house was filled with a faint old smell. The paintings on the wall and the furniture showed traces of time. It was obvious that this place was quite old.
"Please come in," she whispered, with a bit of tired resignation, "You are my last hope."
Ryan nodded and walked slowly into the room, noticing every detail in the room. He knew that every tiny detail could be the key to unlocking this commission.
Ryan walked slowly into the house, carefully observing the surrounding environment. His eyes swept over the old furniture, faded wallpaper, the fireplace that had not yet completely burned out, and a few old newspapers piled in the corner. The atmosphere in the room was dull and depressing, as if hiding some unspeakable sadness and tension.
At the same time, he recalled the report he had read in the newspaper not long ago. This commission attracted him because of the various anomalies in it. The missing person was the grandson of the old woman, a young man, who was said to have disappeared mysteriously one night. The family searched everywhere but had no clues, and the police investigation also failed to provide any clues. Strangely, a few days after the disappearance, a neighbor claimed to have heard strange whispers in the middle of the night, as if someone was whispering in the house, but no one was seen.
The newspaper only gave a brief report on the incident, but the words revealed a confusing atmosphere. Ryan knew that things were far from being as simple as they seemed.
He stopped at a table and his eyes fell on a yellowed photo. It was a family photo. The young missing person stood in the front row, smiling, as if he was forever young. He looked at the old woman calmly and asked in a low voice: "Madam, can you tell me more about the details of the night he disappeared? And... the abnormal circumstances that occurred after that."
The old woman's face changed slightly, as if she was immersed in painful memories. She nodded slowly, her voice a little hoarse: "That night, he went home as usual... but later, I never saw him again. The whispering sound came from his room, but when I went to check, the room was empty..."
Ryan narrowed his eyes slightly, listened carefully to the old woman's narration, and quickly sorted out the information in his mind. The missing grandson, the whispers at midnight, the empty room - all the signs pointed to the power of the extraordinary world. He realized that this was not just a missing case, but a deeper danger and secret hidden.
Bernadette had reminded him that if he wanted to digest the potion quickly, he had to go deep into the unknown realm of the extraordinary world and come into contact with higher-order beings. And this case might be a rare opportunity. Facing the unknown directly is the true way to play the role of a detective.
He raised his eyes to the old woman, and said calmly and firmly: "I will get to the bottom of it and find the truth, no matter what is hidden behind it."
A glimmer of hope appeared in the old woman's eyes, and she nodded slightly. Ryan took a deep breath and made up his mind: this case will be the beginning of his further entry into the extraordinary world.
"I can feel that he is beside me, in this room, but I can't see him." The old woman whispered, with uncontrollable trembling and helplessness in her voice. She slowly turned around, motioned Ryan to follow, and walked towards the bedroom.
Ryan followed her, his steps slow, his eyes scanning the surroundings sharply. The door of the room was half-open, letting in a dim light, as if there was some kind of secret atmosphere hidden inside. The old woman pushed open the door, and the room was neatly furnished and the bed was clean, as if it was still waiting for the missing owner to return.
He stood at the door and felt a chill in the air, as if something was flowing quietly.
Ryan slowly closed his eyes, opened them after a moment, and activated his spiritual vision. The room in front of him was suddenly shrouded in a hazy light blue halo, and the energy flowing in the air was clearly visible.
Right beside the bed, he saw a faint, translucent illusory spirit - the figure of a young man. His expression was a little confused and sad, and he seemed to be shouting something silently, but it could not be heard.
Ryan held his breath, stared at the spirit, and asked softly, "Is it you? Still wandering here, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?"
The spirit shook slightly, and there seemed to be a hint of response in its eyes, but it remained silent. Ryan realized that he might have found the key clue to the disappearance.
The old woman beside him obviously heard Ryan's words. A flash of excitement flashed in her eyes, and then she suddenly reached out and grabbed Ryan's sleeve, her fingers trembling slightly, as if she was trying to control her emotions. Her lips opened slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but the shock and complex emotions made her choke for a moment, and her voice was blocked in her throat.
Her eyes moved back and forth between Ryan and the illusory spirit, filled with anticipation and fear that she could not confirm.
Ryan lowered his head slightly and whispered soothingly: "Madam, his spirit is still here. Maybe he has something to say to you, but he needs a little help."
The old woman listened, tears flashing in her eyes. She nodded slightly and held Ryan's hand tightly, as if she had grasped the only hope.
Ryan did not make any unnecessary movements. He silently used his spiritual power to create a closed space in the room, isolating himself from the outside world. Then, he took out a few basic materials for ritual magic from his pocket - a pinch of salt, some candle oil, and a piece of paper with spiritual runes. After placing the materials, he whispered the spell, and the spiritual fluctuations spread out, simple and precise.
After a moment, a simple ritual magic was completed in this closed space. The spiritual fluctuations quietly attached to the surface of the spirit, as if covering it with a thin veil of reality. The outline of the spirit gradually became clear, with a faint light, appearing in the air like a shadow.
The old woman opened her eyes wide, staring at the illusory figure, tears falling from her eyes, but with a hint of surprise and comfort. She stretched out her hand tremblingly, and although she couldn't touch him, she seemed to be closer to her grandson than ever before.
Ryan stood quietly by her side, watching her silently, knowing that this was her farewell and also a response to her unfulfilled wish. All he did was to let her witness it with her own eyes and put an end to her obsession.
The illusory spirit body trembled slightly, and the confusion in his eyes faded little by little, gradually becoming clear and firm. As if being attracted by the woman's silent call and emotion, his eyes slowly moved towards her, with a trace of gentle attachment in his eyes, as if crossing the boundary between life and death.
Suddenly, the spirit spoke. The voice was not the faint echo of a regular spirit, but a real and clear sound quality, as if it came directly from reality. This low and gentle voice echoed in the quiet room, familiar and warm, it was the voice of the old woman's long-lost grandson:
"Grandma, I'm fine..."
The old woman heard the voice, tears welled up in her eyes, she choked, covered her mouth with one hand, and her legs weakened slightly, as if she couldn't believe that all this was true. She reached forward, trying to touch the familiar but untouchable figure, her eyes filled with complex emotions - both joy and pain.
"I hear you..." Her voice trembled, filled with comfort and unspeakable relief.
Ryan stood quietly by, watching this scene, his heart calm and solemn. The voice of the spirit echoed in the world, beyond the scope of ordinary rituals, which meant that there might be a deeper extraordinary power behind it. The power of this obsession not only attracted the soul to stay in the world, but also made him cross the boundary between life and death, leaving a brief farewell.Chapter 147 GoodbyeTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2386 wordsUpdate time: 2024-11-01 17:30:06
Ryan stood quietly by, listening to the spirit whispering something to his grandmother, his words filled with deep reluctance and attachment. A subtle warmth filled the air, as if it had crossed the barrier between life and death, bringing a brief reunion.
The spirit's voice gradually became lower, and finally turned its eyes to Ryan, pointing to the floor next to the desk. Ryan understood, walked to the desk, knelt down gently, fumbled in a corner of the floor for a while, and found a loose board. He carefully pried open the floor and took out a yellowed notebook from the secret compartment.
Ryan opened the first page of the notebook, which was covered with detailed handwriting. Obviously, this notebook contained important information about the spirit before his death, perhaps his unfulfilled wish, or a secret he could not tell.
He gently closed his notebook, looked up at the gradually blurry spirit, and nodded, as if making a promise. The spirit slowly smiled, and finally stopped at grandma, nodding gently in greeting.
The old woman stood there quietly, her eyes fixed on her grandson's spirit, her eyes full of mixed emotions. She did not speak, nor did she move a step, but just stared at the gradually disappearing figure in front of her, as if she was afraid that he would disappear completely in the blink of an eye.
The faint light of the spirit gradually faded in the air, but the old woman's eyes never moved away, as if she wanted to firmly engrave this final scene in her heart. The deep longing and relief made everything in the room seem quiet and heavy, as if even the air had frozen.
Ryan stood aside, silently putting away the notes, silently accompanying her, waiting for this moment of peace. The old woman stopped sobbing, and the tears in her eyes gradually calmed down, until the spirit completely disappeared and the room returned to silence again.
"Mr. Ryan, I'm sorry," the old woman said with a trembling voice, trying to calm down. "I think I'll need some time... Could you please come back tomorrow? I'll prepare your reward."
Ryan nodded gently, his eyes gentle and understanding: "Of course, ma'am. I'll come back tomorrow."
He put away his notes, turned and walked to the door, closing it gently.
In his home in the North District, Ryan sat at the dim desk and gently flipped through the notebook he had taken back from the old woman's house. The notebook paper was yellowed, and the handwriting was a little hasty and sloppy, with the excitement and anxiety of entering the extraordinary world for the first time. Ryan's eyes fell on the first page and read the opening line:
"On July 7, a mysterious organization invited me to join. This was the beginning I had longed for, and an extraordinary world was opening its doors to me."
Ryan frowned slightly. The mysterious organization and the extraordinary invitation all indicated that the old woman's grandson had already touched the edge of the extraordinary world before he disappeared. He continued to read on, trying to find more clues.
In the following pages, the young man recorded his initial contact with the extraordinary world, his repeated meetings with members of the "mysterious organization", and his pursuit of unknown forces. As the notes went deeper, a hint of fear and uneasiness gradually emerged between the lines, as if he had realized that this adventure was far from as simple and beautiful as he had originally imagined.
Ryan closed his notebook and realized that he was touching upon a hidden existence. According to the clues revealed in the young man's notebook and his strange disappearance, this organization was obviously a cult active in Backlund. Such organizations often use extraordinary power as bait to lure those who are eager for the mysterious world but lack the means to do so, so as to achieve some ulterior purpose.
He stared at the slightly yellowed notes on the desk, his thoughts gradually deepened. In fact, he had also wondered: Why didn't the church make the formula of the potion public, but locked these ways and knowledge in the hands of a few people? In this way, ordinary people who yearn for extraordinary things can only grope in the dark and try to approach the extraordinary in their own way. In the end, they either returned empty-handed or fell into the hands of the evil cult and became victims.
Is this kind of closure for protection or for deeper control?
Ryan tapped the table lightly, his eyes deep. He knew that in this world surrounded by layers of taboos, it was not easy to get in touch with the real power, and every step was full of danger. But he also understood that no matter what the purpose of the church was, since he had chosen this path, he must always be vigilant and explore the truth alone.
He quietly put away the notes, feeling more determined.
From now on, he would go all out to infiltrate this organization. He raised his head and looked out the window. The streets of Backlund were shrouded in the mist of the night. The lights were scattered in the mist, looming, as if foreshadowing the ambiguity and danger of the road ahead. Ryan knew that the road ahead was destined to be bumpy, but he was never afraid.
A street name mentioned in the notes came to mind—this was a place that young people frequently visited. "They" seemed to be particularly active there, as if it was a place of temptation and seduction. He had already made up his mind. He would go to that area tomorrow, hide his Beyonder aura, and observe potential contact points in the most ordinary identity. If he could find a suitable opportunity, he would contact a few members on the periphery to find out the movements of this organization.
Ryan closed the drawer of his desk, stood up, and gently drew the curtains. The night was dark, and the scene outside the window seemed to be shrouded in some unsolved mystery. No matter what he had to face next, he was ready not to look back.
He walked slowly towards the bed, knowing that the calm at the moment was the silence before the coming storm.
The next morning, Ryan went to visit the old woman with a new plan. However, when he knocked on the door, he was surprised to find that the door was not locked and opened slightly as he knocked. He suddenly had an ominous premonition in his heart, and without thinking too much, he quickly pushed the door open.
Ryan's heart tightened, and he pushed the door open. The atmosphere in the house was quiet and stagnant, as if time had stopped. He called the old woman softly a few times, but the only response he got was a faint chill in the house. The lights in the house were dim, the curtains were closed, and the living room was silent. Even the usual atmosphere of life seemed to be swallowed up.
He walked slowly forward, crossed the corridor, and headed straight for the young man's room. The moment he pushed open the door, his eyes fell on the old woman at the desk - she was lying on her back, holding the silver pocket watch tightly in her hand, with a look of relief and peace on her face. Ryan walked forward slowly and noticed a letter and a small bag of coins on the desk, which was obviously the reward left by the old woman for him.
He picked up the envelope, opened it, and saw a line of beautiful handwriting:
"Mr. Ryan, I'm afraid I won't be alive when you read this. Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'm exhausted from waiting for this long, and this is the only way I can follow my grandson. Please accept this small reward as a token of my gratitude for your help."
The words revealed endless grief and a kind of reluctance to leave, as if at the last moment, she finally chose to leave this painful world with her grandson. Ryan's eyes swept across the letter and fell on a small medicine bottle beside the desk - the traces left in the bottle showed that she had chosen her own ending.
He quietly put the letter away, feeling a little heavy in his heart. Whether he could uncover the truth of the missing case or not, the old woman could no longer see the belated answer. However, her determination and persistence made Ryan more determined to track down the case.
He put away the pocket watch and the letter, took one last look at the old woman's quiet face, and made a silent promise in his heart: he would find the truth for her and uncover the secrets behind the mysterious organization, even if he would have to face endless darkness.
As he turned and left, his back was shrouded in the morning light, with a hint of solemnity and determination.Chapter 148 PartyTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2257 wordsUpdate time: 2024-11-02 17:30:03
Ryan walked slowly on the streets of Backlund, his eyes casually sweeping over the passers-by, but his heart was entangled with a deep regret. From time to time, the peaceful face of the kind old woman appeared in his mind. At the last moment, she tightly grasped her grandson's pocket watch, as if she had made up her mind before choosing to leave.
He regretted that he shouldn't have asked her in front of her, and shouldn't have used ritual magic to let her see the spirit. Perhaps if he hadn't intervened, she could still carry on with a glimmer of hope, and with the longing for her grandson, and even if she was sad, she could still find a reason to live.
"Perhaps I was too eager to find the truth and ignored her fragility and pain..." Ryan sighed in his heart.
However, all this is irreversible. The gentle and strong old woman chose her own ending and left with her obsession and love. He can only turn this regret into motivation and continue to investigate, so as not to let this truth devour other innocent people.
Ryan took a deep breath and looked up at the gray sky of Backlund with a firm gaze. The old woman's departure made him understand more clearly the cruelty of the extraordinary road. However, it also made him more convinced that he must continue to move forward and uncover all the truth in the darkness.
Of course, in the process, Ryan secretly reminded himself not to ignore the people around him and their emotions. This is not a chessboard of cold truths and mysteries, but a real world. Behind every person and every choice, there are their stories and struggles, and even inseparable emotions and ties.
He realized that the extraordinary road certainly required vigilance and wisdom, but if he only focused on the truth and power and ignored these tiny but real emotions, he would sooner or later become an indifferent puppet and even gradually lose the essence of being a detective - to help and understand.
He gently placed his hand on the pocket watch in his arms, as if he could still feel the old woman's deep affection and concern for her grandson. This emotion reminded him that every step forward was not only to uncover the truth, but also to protect others and bring peace.
Ryan looked up at the bustling streets, a soft and firm feeling intertwined in his heart. No matter how lonely and dangerous the extraordinary road was, he would move on to the next journey with this respect for others and the truth.
The next step is to investigate that evil organization.
Ryan carefully put away the pocket watch, put aside the regret in his heart, and focused on the clues in his hand. The notes of the old woman's grandson emerged in his mind. The obscure description and the record of the suspected gathering place were undoubtedly an important breakthrough. To uncover the true face of the organization, he needed to infiltrate carefully and deeply, especially to get close to its core without exposing his identity.
He sorted out his thoughts and decided to start with the nighttime activities in that neighborhood. According to the notes, it was a "trial" place often visited by new members, hidden somewhere in an ordinary neighborhood, and only visible at night. There might be sentinels and surveillance there, so he had to be careful.
The night was dark, Ryan restrained his breath, and cautiously approached the depths of the alley. He crept in the shadows, trying to avoid the swaying lights on the street corners, and stared ahead like a hawk - there were several figures talking in low voices, seemingly exchanging some secret words or gestures. He was startled, and confirmed that these were the peripheral members of the target.
He stopped at a corner, quickly took out some invisibility ritual materials from his pocket, and set up a simple invisibility array. As the spiritual fluctuations spread, his figure was gradually swallowed up by the darkness, as if merging into the night.
He approached the figures silently, capturing snippets of their conversation.
"...after midnight, enter in order..."
"…The ceremony is about to begin…Don't let the news leak out…"
Ryan silently remembered these words in his heart, and looked in the direction they pointed, and saw a small door hidden behind the wall. After the few people left, Ryan suppressed the sense of urgency in his heart, quietly approached the small door, gently pushed it open, and stepped into the unknown darkness.
The corridor exuded a rotten and damp smell. The light was dim, and there were faint sounds of low chanting, as if it was the prelude to a ceremony. He followed these sounds carefully, his inner vigilance as tight as a string. A small hall full of runes and candles gradually appeared in front of him. Several members in black robes stood in the hall, with their hands clasped together, chanting obscure spells in a low voice.
Ryan held his breath and stared at the scene in front of him. The candlelight cast a swaying shadow on the black-robed man, and the whisper of the spell echoed in the small hall, with a hint of weirdness and oppression. However, he analyzed it calmly in his heart and came to a definite conclusion - there were no Beyonders higher than Sequence 7 in this cult. If there were higher-level beings, his invisibility would have been exposed long ago, and he would not have been able to sneak in so smoothly.
This discovery made Ryan feel a little relieved, but it also made him more cautious. These extraordinary people in front of him were obviously peripheral members of the organization, acting as assistants in the ritual or low-level believers. He quietly observed their every move, looking for deeper information in order to uncover the secrets behind the organization.
At this moment, Ryan heard a man in a black robe whisper, "Midnight is approaching, prepare to start the induction ceremony... The mentor will be present in person at the final stage, and we must ensure that everything goes well."
"Mentor?" Ryan's mind moved. It was obvious that this "mentor" was the core of the organization, and perhaps the breakthrough point he was looking for. He lowered his body, blended into the shadows, and silently waited for the "mentor" to appear.
Of course, Ryan knew that the so-called "mentor" must not be of high sequence, at most a Sequence 7 or even lower Beyonder, otherwise he would have been exposed long ago. Such organizations are often cautious, and true high-level Beyonders will not easily show up, especially in such basic ritual occasions with almost no spiritual fluctuations. The arrangement in front of him seemed rough and ordinary, with runes and props piled up in a mess. It was more like a symbolic gathering to instill faith in peripheral members and maintain their loyalty.
In such low-sequence gatherings, those who usually participate are peripheral members of Sequence 9. Ryan glanced over and noticed the strange symbols and simple decorative details painted on the wall, which further confirmed his speculation. This was not a true extraordinary ceremony, but a gathering used by the organization to unite people.
He silently let down his guard and continued to wait for the arrival of the "mentor", secretly planning how to take this opportunity to find out more information. This kind of gathering may not be a real ceremony, but it is an opportunity for him to infiltrate this organization and get close to the core.
Soon after, light footsteps were heard from the depths of the hall, and a thin man in a black robe slowly walked onto the stage. He wore a hood, and his face was hidden in the shadows, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes, which exuded a cold and calm aura. This man was obviously the "mentor" of these low-sequence believers. Although he did not have the powerful pressure of a high-level Beyonder, his every move carried a kind of prestige that made people dare not disobey.
"Midnight is approaching." The black-robed "mentor" spoke in a hoarse but bewitching voice. "Tonight, all of you gathered here will witness extraordinary power. Your loyalty will bring you supreme blessings."Chapter 149 Spiritual CultTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2091 wordsUpdate time: 2024-11-03 17:30:05
The believers bowed their heads in silence, their expressions revealing piety and longing. Ryan watched this scene from the shadows, secretly analyzing the true intention of this gathering. Obviously, the "mentor" was manipulating these low-sequence believers, leading them step by step to a deeper level of superstition and loyalty through the disguised sense of mystery.
The black-robed "mentor" then whispered, "Tonight, a new initiation will be led by a sincere follower. This is the first step on an extraordinary path."
After that, he took out a small bottle of dark red liquid from his sleeve and handed it to a believer kneeling on the ground with a solemn expression. The believer took the bottle with trembling hands, and his eyes were full of awe and desire. Ryan narrowed his eyes, knowing that this was a means to induce them to obey further, and this bottle of liquid was most likely a low-level potion.
Ryan watched with bated breath, and in his mind he quickly weighed how to take this opportunity to investigate further. He knew that this "mentor" was testing the loyalty of his followers, and the next move might be the key to his in-depth investigation of this organization.
"Remember, set up the ritual magic first, then use the potion."
Ryan was shocked and could hardly believe the instructions he had just heard. He quickly recalled the diary of the old woman's grandson. The ritual content and symbols described in the last record were very similar to the arrangement in front of him. This was not a potion for becoming a Beyonder, but a dangerous ritual that turned people into spirits!
He stared at the bottle of crimson liquid, his heart growing heavier. This organization was clearly using this potion and ritual to "test" its believers - inducing them to take the potion, cross the boundary between life and death, and transform them into spirits. This transformation was not a ritual leading to power, but rather stripping them of their lives, trapping them in a lingering spirit state forever, and turning them into tools controlled by the organization.
Ryan held his breath, hiding in the darkness, and constantly calculating various possibilities in his mind. Perhaps it was this strange ritual that led to the disappearance and death of the old woman's grandson, and this gathering was preparing to conduct the same "trial" again. Everything was crueler and darker than he expected.
He knew that if he led this so-called "mentor" into the ritual and let him personally experience the effect of the potion, it would destroy the atmosphere of the gathering. If the believers saw their "mentor" suddenly disappear in front of their eyes, their faith in the organization might be shaken. But the price of doing so was obvious - once the mentor became a spirit, he would lose important clues, which would directly affect his exploration of the truth and might even delay his own potion digestion process.
Ryan lowered his head and took a deep breath. The gentle face of the old woman appeared in his mind. Her persistence and perseverance eventually brought her a brief reunion with her grandson, but also consumed her last life. This pure longing and sadness left a deep mark in his heart, forcing him to admit that the rational choice had lost its weight in his heart at this moment.
"Sure enough... I can't be completely rational." Ryan sighed in his heart, realizing that he had already chosen to intervene.
He recalled the description of the ceremony in his diary. Fortunately, the items needed were not complicated. Glancing around, he confirmed that there were indeed a lot of simple ritual materials stored here, perhaps just for the gathering that was ready at any time. He quietly collected a few necessary props under cover, lowered his head and checked his pockets to make sure everything was ready.
Ryan quietly approached the edge of the steps where the "mentor" was, gently clenched the materials in his hands, and silently calculated the next move. When the critical moment came, he would push the "mentor" into his potion and ritual with one blow. Let him encounter the terrifying fate in front of the believers, which would not only prevent the ritual from continuing, but also shake the prestige of the organization and save those innocent believers from this nightmare.
Everything was ready, Ryan looked sharp, quietly waiting for the best opportunity.
At this moment, he waved his hand gently on the steps, and the spirit controlled the potion bottle in the believer's hand to float up gently, and slowly flew towards him in the surprised expression of the "mentor". The mentor could not help but step back, intending to avoid it, but his retreat just led him into the ritual magic circle that Ryan had set up in advance.
The "mentor's" expression instantly turned into fear. He opened his mouth unconsciously, and the potion quickly slid into his mouth and poured into his body through his throat. He covered his throat in fear and coughed in pain, making a hoarse sound. His eyes widened, his expression was ferocious, and he uttered a trembling voice: "The Spiritual Cult... will not let me go..."
Before he finished speaking, his voice was interrupted by a sudden scream of pain. Everyone witnessed all this, their eyes filled with astonishment and fear, they saw the "mentor's" body begin to corrode rapidly, the skin festering, black smoke coming out of his robes, and his entire body gradually turned into a broken spirit in the eyes of the believers.
He struggled amidst the terrible howling, trying to stay awake, but the corrosion spread rapidly, and his whole body was engulfed by intense pain. The shrill cry echoed in the hall, chilling every believer's heart. They retreated in fear, with panic and confusion in their expressions.
Ryan watched this scene calmly, but he had no mercy in his heart. Through this demonstration, he shook the foundation of the ritual and warned the believers. As the spirit of the "mentor" gradually dissipated, he knew that he had grasped a valuable clue - the "Spiritual Cult".
The moment the mentor completely disappeared, Ryan slowly retreated into the shadows and no longer paid attention to the remaining chaotic scene. The fear and wailing of the believers had nothing to do with him at this moment. His mission was completed - the ritual had collapsed, and he had obtained crucial information.
He silently followed the route he had taken and quietly left the gathering place. The night outside was still dark, and the streets of Backlund looked quiet and cold under the night. Ryan hid in the shadows, carefully avoiding any possible attention along the way, and finally blended into the darkness of the street and disappeared beyond the lights.
"Spiritual Cult..." He murmured the name in a low voice, thinking secretly in his heart. He was able to try to use this organization to threaten unknown enemies at the last moment of his life, which showed that the "Spiritual Cult" was definitely not an ordinary cult. The "mentor" was just a low-sequence member on the periphery, and had no core secrets. Ryan knew that if he wanted to understand this organization in depth, he would need stronger support and more information.
Bernadette's figure appeared in his mind. She had been involved in the extraordinary world for a longer time and was knowledgeable. She might have some understanding of the "Spiritual Cult". Ryan's heart moved and he decided to go and seek her help and find out her opinion.
The night was like a curtain, and a breeze swept through the streets, bringing the chill of early winter. Ryan tightened his collar, blended into the dark streets, and quietly walked towards Bernadette's residence.Chapter 150 The former churchTitle of the Book:Secret: The Story Hidden Under DestinyAuthor: Little Fish Listening to the RainChapter word count: 2140 wordsUpdate time: 2024-11-04 17:30:09
North District, at Bernadette's home.
Ryan sat by the stove, his eyes fixed on the dancing flames, his mind still lingering on the details of the previous investigation. Suddenly, the air twisted slightly, and Bernadette's figure silently appeared in the living room, skillfully exerting the ability to block the space. Ryan looked up at her actions, and couldn't help but sigh at her calmness and control over her power.
"Grelint," Bernadette said calmly, with a hint of scrutiny in her voice, "Why are you investigating the Spiritual Cult?"
Ryan was slightly startled, pondered for a moment, and then briefly recounted his investigation into the disappearance of the old woman's grandson.
"During the investigation, I found that this young man finally came into contact with the Spirit Cult. They use a magic potion combined with a ritual to transform people into spirits. The 'mentor' mentioned the Spirit Cult before he died. Obviously, this organization has a far-reaching influence." Ryan paused and continued, "I want to learn more about the background of this organization. Their scale seems to be far beyond my expectations."
After Bernadette heard this, she was silent for a moment, with a complicated look in her eyes, as if she was weighing how much information to reveal. After a moment, she slowly said:
"The Spiritual Cult is not an ordinary cult. It originated from the old Church of the God of Death, and attempts to guide people to contact the spirit world and death itself through secret agreements and rituals. They are extremely secretive in Backlund, and their members are scattered into small groups. They do not know each other's identities and only contact designated personnel in the southern continent. When investigating, be careful. The goal of the Spiritual Cult is far more than just 'resurrecting the God of Death'."
After a pause, Bernadette slowly added:
"Perhaps they have long forgotten their original purpose, and are left chasing after a vague goal, constantly indulging themselves in the mist of rituals and spirituality. Their beliefs have gradually evolved into blind worship, and even they themselves are unclear about why they exist."
There was a hint of melancholy in her voice, and her eyes revealed a faint disdain and deep thought for the Spiritual Cult, as if these believers were nothing more than driven shadows in her eyes.
"However, although the core of the Spiritual Cult is in the southern continent, they have at least a demigod-level Beyonder stationed in Backlund." Bernadette's voice was low and calm, with a hint of warning in her eyes. "As the former Church of the God of Death, they will not easily give up their base in the northern continent. During the investigation, you must be cautious - any mistake may expose you to their surveillance."
Although her tone was calm, it faintly revealed the unfathomable power of this organization in Backlund.
Ryan couldn't help but feel a headache. Initially, it involved the royal family, and now it involved the former church organization, and even the extraordinary people at the demigod level. Whether it was the power of the royal family or the power of the spiritual church, they were far beyond his current sequence and ability. It seemed that these were not the levels he should be exposed to now.
Ryan's fingers tapped the armrest of the sofa unconsciously, and a trace of deep thought and helplessness flashed in his eyes. The situation before him was much more complicated than he had initially imagined. Both the royal family and the church were existences that he could not touch with his current ability.
"I'll be careful." He whispered. Although he knew he had to act with caution, his inner persistence drove him unwilling to give up. He decided to investigate as deeply as his ability allowed.
Bernadette said nothing, but nodded slightly, as if she had anticipated his choice. She took out a small amulet from her bosom and handed it to Ryan.
"Carry this thing with you," she said calmly, her eyes revealing concern, "It can shield your breath at the critical moment and temporarily avoid their detection. Don't try to challenge the demigod of the Spirit Cult easily - leave some room for it."
Ryan took the amulet, felt the spiritual power condensed in it, nodded slightly, and realized that Bernadette's warning was of great significance.
Bernadette looked at the man who was constantly involved in the secret organization, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, as if she was recalling a distant figure. She nodded slowly and said nothing more. As the familiar spiritual fluctuations dissipated, her figure gradually faded and finally disappeared into the air, leaving Ryan with a quiet room and an unspoken concern.
Ryan stared at the place where Bernadette disappeared, his eyes sank slightly. He understood that he had been pushed onto this unfathomable path by fate.
He took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes, as if leaving all distracting thoughts behind. After a moment, he opened his eyes, with a hint of coldness and determination in his gaze.
Next, Ryan secretly decided to continue collecting intelligence about the Spiritual Cult in secret. He knew that a single investigation would not reveal the true face of the organization, and he needed to proceed step by step and carefully test it.
At the same time, Ryan also knows that he has to maintain his identity as a detective. Various commissions will serve as a cover, and also as an opportunity to obtain intelligence and contact the extraordinary world. He needs to continue to expand his horizons through these daily cases and scattered clues, and accumulate more experience and resources for the next action.
His eyes became firm again. The Spiritual Cult's investigation would continue, but he would not rush for success. Instead, he would take a calmer attitude and peel off the veil of the truth step by step.
…
Knock knock.
As the footsteps approached, Ryan said:
"Lian Ashburn, detective. I'm here to take a commission."
The door opened slightly, and a middle-aged man with a slightly anxious look appeared in front of Ryan. Although he was dressed neatly, he could not hide his fatigue. The other man looked at Ryan with a hint of expectation and hesitation in his eyes, as if he had unspeakable worries deep in his heart.
"Please come in," the middle-aged man said in a low voice, and stepped aside to make way, obviously unwilling to stay outside the door for long.
Ryan nodded, then walked into the room, looked around, and noticed that the interior decoration was simple and low-key, but it revealed an indescribable sense of oppression. As soon as he sat down, he could feel the other person's burning gaze locked on him, with an eagerness and uneasiness, as if suppressing a huge burden in his heart.
Ryan leaned forward slightly and spoke calmly, "Please tell me in detail what happened."
The middle-aged man took a deep breath, as if to calm down his emotions, and then slowly said: "It happened last night... My wife suddenly disappeared, as if she disappeared out of thin air. That day we just had dinner as usual, and then she went to sort out our old things. But somehow, when I woke up in the middle of the night, I found that her bed was empty..."
"Can I go take a look at that room?" Ryan asked in a low voice, with a hint of concentration in his eyes.
The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment, then nodded, stood up and led Ryan through the corridor to the door of the simply decorated but somewhat dark room. He gently pushed the door open. The room was neatly arranged, but there was a stale smell in the air, as if no one had moved for a long time.
"It's right here." He whispered, his eyes flickering with anxiety, as if he was recalling the scene of that night.