The real culprit

Lin Yu sat there, listening as "Schreiber" as "Xiao Nian" briefly recounted their experiences.

Although he is no longer active as a "Director," Xiao Nian is not deliberately hiding it.

She still told Lin Yu almost everything truthfully.

"I understand... So, you were actually attacked by someone who could manipulate 'dolls' inside the Divine Power Group. Everyone except Good Night was tricked by these dolls. Only Good Night encountered a Weirdo in White Suit who called himself the 'Creator' and provided him with this information?"

Lin Yu spoke, and Xiao Nian nodded.

"Yes... and based on my deduction, that freak who claims to be the 'Creator' is most likely the manipulator of those Puppet."

Lin Yu's expression showed appropriate surprise, but it quickly turned into a slightly disdainful look—a typical reaction from a "Schreiber."

"Ah, that's not such a difficult conclusion to draw... However, it's quite remarkable that you 'Order' fellows were managed to be completely fooled by a few Puppet —it's fortunate that the other party genuinely didn't seem to have any ill intentions, otherwise, one or two of you would probably have lost your lives there."

As Lin Yu spoke, Xiao Nian didn't seem particularly angry.

"That's true... Whether that guy is a 'Creator' or not, he's incredibly powerful."

At this point, Xiao Nian paused for a moment.

"So, what do you think, Schreiber... do you think he's the Orthodoxy heir of the 'Creator,' or just an imposter?"

Lin Yu shook his head. "We'll have to wait and see—the 'Director' and I called you here because we've captured one of the 'Creator's' confidants—one of them, Omia Bosen, the 'Creator's' most important right-hand man."

"During my conversation with him, I learned that this guy is still in contact with another person who also claims to be the 'Creator'."

"Next, we'll see if the 'Creator' and 'Good Night' saw the same person, and whether they were also playing with Puppet —if so, that would be perfect."

"However, what I'm worried about now is that there are two groups claiming to be 'Creator' at the same time—after all, with President Paris framed and Steward Tennyson killed, there must be another group involved besides the Remnants 'Supreme Evolution'... So, whether this other group is also claiming to be 'Creator,' or whether there are actually three hidden forces involved in this matter instead of just two, is what we need to verify next."

Xiao Nian pondered for a moment, "Based solely on the information we have now, what do you think is the likelihood that the 'Creator' we encountered is the real one? Not that she is definitely the Creator herself, but rather... she is the legitimate heir to the mantle."

Lin Yu inserted the memory card into his Communicator and glanced at the contents of the device.

"Based on his understanding of you 'Order' guys, I'm more inclined to think he's 'The Player'..."

At this point, Lin Yu paused and lightly tapped the Communicator screen with his finger. "Of course, this doesn't contradict each other, because I've had a suspicion since the beginning— the Creator himself might have had cooperative relationships with other 'Player' besides the 'Secretary,' and even... the 'Creator' himself might be a 'Player.'"

"Now... this can be considered 'evidence'."

As Lin Yu spoke, he then placed the experimental case report on the "Artificial Life" project before the Xiao Nian.

"... The experimental subject exhibited highly unstable behavior, was unable to communicate, lacked consciousness, displayed strong aggression upon external stimuli, and possessed the characteristic of absorbing energy..."

Xiao Nian glanced at it, somewhat puzzled.

"I saw that too... It's just a failed case, why did you determine it's related to 'Player'?"

"Because the 'failed product' of this thing no longer exists," Lin Yu said in a low voice. "You might not have recognized the 'failed product' of this project at first glance, because it had the characteristic of 'absorbing energy'."

"This project was originally intended to create an experimental life form that would be naturally compatible with any Alchemy Component, Alchemy Energy Affinity that tends towards positive infinity, and be able to obey commands. However, it ended up creating a monster that is not only capable of absorbing 'Alchemy Energy'."

"This thing is indeed no longer found in the Barren Realm, but on Mist Island... beyond the Absolute Sea, it's one of the most common monsters in the Dead City."

As Lin Yu spoke, Xiao Nian suddenly realized.

"You mean... the Wraith in the Dead City?"

Lin Yu nodded. "Yes -- although the Barren Realm has a relatively mature development of the 'Gate of Boundary,' the 'Supreme Evolution' must have received assistance from 'Player' to completely erase the traces of this failed project and dump it in the Mist Island Realm."

"And we all know that this wasn't the 'Secretary's' doing; it could only be the work of another 'Player'."

"There's still too little information about the previous version. Even though there's a 'General,' he doesn't know much about the Previous Version Player, since he only joined near the end," Xiao Nian said with some regret. "So, identifying which 'Player' are suspects isn't an easy task."

"Being able to impersonate a 'Creator' isn't actually that powerful," Lin Yu said in a low voice, turning off the Communicator. "Besides... I roughly know which realm those Puppet's supernatural abilities, beyond Alchemy, originated from."

"It's Witchcraft from the Black Marsh World."

As Lin Yu spoke, Xiao Nian asked with some surprise, "Black Marsh World Witchcraft... How did you come to that conclusion? Why are you suddenly saying this?"

"Because I do have some knowledge of the Black Marsh World," Lin Yu said, his gaze shifting past Xiao Nian and back to the doorway. "Secondly, I've already sensed the unique spiritual power of the Black Marsh World's 'Witchcraft'."

"Although it's very subtle and well-hidden, almost completely concealed by the fluctuations of Alchemy Energy, at least... it can't hide it from me yet."

Upon hearing Xiao Nian paused for a moment, then immediately turned around.

At the main entrance of the archives room...

Before anyone knew it, a Puppet had appeared there.

This Puppet was several times larger than the Xiao Nian we encountered earlier, reaching about the height of a person's calf.

After noticing Lin Yu's gaze...

The Puppet also stiffly made a "bowing" gesture.

"That's really impressive... John H. Arthur, it's hard to believe you have such abilities, that Nightless Sky Huo Le only managed to secure you a department head position!"

"If it were me, I would at least give you some shares and a seat on the Board Members."

Xiao Nian's nerves were on edge, and the longbow appeared in his hand.

The Nightless Sky Huo Ming even more exciting than the Xiao Nian.

"Damn it... Dongming Shuliu!"

She immediately realized that her deputy was still waiting outside the door.

Therefore, Nightless Sky Huo Ming immediately called out the name of Dongming Shuliu.

But...

There was complete silence outside the door; there was no response.

Nightless Sky Huo Ming immediately became more uneasy, and a dangerous aura emanated from him.

"Hey... Whether you're the 'Creator' or just some trickster, what did you do to Dongming Shuliu?"

The Puppet calmly said, "Oh, don't worry, I didn't hurt her—she's just temporarily 'falling asleep'... Believe me, proper deep sleep is actually beneficial to her physical and mental health."

"After all, working in the Great Wilderness, opportunities to get a good night's sleep are few and far between."

Although the Puppet's tone was sincere, its electronically synthesized voice made it sound somewhat sarcastic no matter how you listened to it.

Nightless Sky Huo Ming's expression grew even more solemn, but Lin Yu gently patted her.

"Don't worry, I can assure you that Dongming Shuliu is not in any danger."

Although he didn't know the basis for what his Supervisor Arthur, had said, Nightless Sky Huo Ming seemed genuinely relieved to hear it.

However, while comforting Nightless Sky Huo Ming, Lin Yu himself was not entirely at ease.

Because he did indeed sense that Dongming Shuliu stable vital signs and a peaceful and calm mental state, and had indeed fallen into a deep sleep for some reason.

But...

Dongming Shuliu is not the only one that has fallen asleep in this place.

And at the doorway...

Sure enough, the Puppet spoke again.

"Of course, the privilege of a good night's sleep isn't just for that girl on guard duty... In fact—everyone in the entire outpost is currently lost in the beautiful dreams I've woven."

"However, this also means... no one will bother us."

The Puppet spoke, and the synthesized voice combined with the content of its words sent chills down the spines of everyone else in the room.

Xiao Nian looked at the Puppet.

"What... do you want to do?"

The Puppet spoke again.

"You probably already know what my purpose is, right? After all, even my presence here... should have been part of your plan."

"John H. Arthur —now, release my companion."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow. "Who are you talking about? 'Mr. Candle' Omia Boson, 'Adventurer' Ailan Rainbowlight?"

"Your Excellency the 'Creator,' are they truly your 'companions'?"

The Puppet looked at Lin Yu.

"I don't understand you."

"I knew you'd come here, but I don't believe you're here to rescue them," Lin Yu said calmly, looking at the Puppet. "Actually, your real purpose here... is to silence them, right?"

"Because you were the one who killed 'Aide Rainbowlight' and 'Tennyson' as well."

"Your Excellency, the Creator."