Sandworm Bone Flute

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, Karl stood in the doorway, his little face tightly bound.

Grandpa asked me to come and call you.

"What's up?"

Karl pursed his lips and lowered his gaze.

"The mayor is in trouble."

Lu Yuan sat up.

What happened?

"Dead." Karl's voice was low. "Over at the warehouse... Grandpa wants you to go check it out."

He stood at the doorway, not going inside, his fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of his clothes.

They've clearly seen the scene.

Lu Yuan didn't ask any further questions.

The town mayor is dead.

Unexpected, yet perfectly logical.

He still remembered the hint given by the Gray-White Text that night: he possessed Knowledge Transcendent, yet he had a strange power within him.

The Pathfinder also mentioned that the town mayor had a Contamination aura about him.

A person with strange powers within them is bound to get into trouble sooner or later.

I just didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

Let's go.

Lu Yuan got up and tidied himself up briefly.

The two went out the door.

Karl walked ahead, taking quick steps, and this time, unusually, he didn't pester Lu Yuan for more words.

The townspeople on the road gathered in twos and threes, whispering to each other.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, some nodded, while others avoided eye contact.

The atmosphere is off.

The Warehouse District is on the edge of town, consisting of a few low stone houses with an endless desert behind them.

A dozen or so people were gathered in front of the largest warehouse.

Herman stood at the very front.

He wasn't smoking, and his face was somber.

Seeing Lu Yuan arrive, he walked over, his voice hoarse:

"They've arrived."

What happened?

Herman didn't answer directly, but stepped aside.

"See for yourself."

Lu Yuan strode into the warehouse.

A strong odor wafted towards us.

Familiar.

It was exactly the same as when they burned those two Mutation.

He didn't rush inside, but stopped and looked around.

The warehouse was large, with boxes of Sandworm Oil and various materials piled up against the walls.

Lu Yuan continued walking inside.

At the deepest part of the warehouse, there is a half-open door.

Behind the door are stone steps that extend downwards.

And right at the entrance of the stone steps.

A corpse lay there.

He's the town mayor.

The old man who was playing the Bone Flute on the high platform just a few days ago is now lying on his back on the ground, his eyes wide open and his mouth agape.

A large hole was torn in his chest.

The ribs were bent outwards, and bits of flesh and internal organs were scattered all over the ground.

Something was wriggling at the edge of the cave entrance.

Tiny, brown, worm-like things are slowly crawling out of the chest cavity.

[Detection target: Host remains after parasite reproduction]

[Status: Host dead, parasite leaving the nest]

[WARNING: This type of parasite is infectious; maintaining distance is recommended.]

Upon seeing this, Lu Yuan couldn't help but take a step back.

Really.

He possessed a strange power within him, which ultimately backfired upon him.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Herman walked in and glanced at the body on the ground.

He didn't say anything, he just stood there.

There was a long silence.

"... I knew this day would come."

Herman's voice was low.

"I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn't listen."

He paused, then sighed.

"It's better that they've left."

Lu Yuan glanced at him.

Herman's expression was complicated.

There was helplessness, there was self-blame, but more than anything, there was a sense of relief.

It's like watching a stubborn person finally stop suffering.

Lu Yuan did not press further.

"Get rid of these things first."

He pointed to the still-wriggling parasites on the mayor's chest.

"Otherwise, climbing out would be another problem."

Herman snapped out of his reverie and nodded.

He glanced at the corpse, his voice hoarse:

"Let's save him some dignity. Burn it; don't let others see him like this."

Lu Yuan did not object.

A moment later, the kerosene was brought in.

Pour it on, then throw the torch in.

Flame erupted, and the wriggling creatures hissed as they quickly burned to ashes.

The mayor's body also shrank and turned black in the Flame.

Herman stood to the side, watching the Flame, without saying a word.

Lu Yuan's gaze fell on the door leading underground.

What's next?

"His private vault," Herman's voice was a little hoarse, "He doesn't usually let anyone in."

Do you know what's inside?

Herman paused for a moment.

"I roughly know. He's researching Sandworm... trying to make a name for himself."

He gave a wry smile, his tone full of helplessness.

"I've tried to persuade him, but it's no use. He's been like this since he was a child; once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it."

Lu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"I want to go down and take a look."

Herman glanced at Lu Yuan, clearly surprised by Lu Yuan's request.

"I want to go down too."

His tone was calm.

"He's still the town mayor; whatever happens below, he has to give an explanation."

Lu Yuan did not refuse.

"Prepare first: bring Sandworm Oil, silver powder, and everything else you can."

Herman nodded, turned and went out to make the arrangements.

Taking advantage of this break, Lu Yuan walked around the warehouse, checking the corners and boxes.

No abnormalities were found.

It seems the Source of Pollution is only below.

Herman returned quickly, carrying a bag.

"Sandworm Oil, silver powder, tinder."

Lu Yuan took it and nodded.

"I'll get off first, you follow behind."

The two walked toward the door, with Herman following behind, lighting torches soaked in Sandworm Oil to ward off anything in the darkness.

The stone steps are narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time.

The deeper you go, the stronger the smell becomes.

Lu Yuan had already quietly grasped the Time Bestower in his right hand, and he slowed his steps.

After about twenty steps, a small space appears ahead.

Basement.

Or rather, a laboratory.

Several Sandworm Oil Lamp hung on the wall, still lit, emitting a dim yellow light.

[Environmental Perception: Low concentration of residual Contamination detected]

There is Contamination, but the concentration is not high.

Lu Yuan stepped inside.

Herman followed behind, watching all this, his face growing increasingly grim.

A long table was set out with various utensils and tools.

Several glass jars contained something that looked like the organs of Sandworm, but were distorted in shape.

Several booklets were piled up in the corner.

On another wall, symbols were drawn in black paint.

Lu Yuan approached the wall and examined it carefully.

He didn't recognize the symbols, but the way they were arranged...

Like some kind of ritual Formation.

Lu Yuan frowned, his gaze falling on the long table.

One of the bottles contained a clump of black liquid that was slowly wriggling.

[Detection Target: Mutated Extract (Concentrated)]

[Characteristics: High concentration of Source of Pollution can accelerate parasite reproduction]

[WARNING: Highly poisonous, do not contact]

This thing is the source of the strange power within the mayor.

Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze and walked towards the booklets in the corner.

Pick up a book and open it.

The handwriting is messy, but legible.

"Seventeenth experiment, failure. The Host completely Mutation on the third day, and the parasite failed to survive..."

"Twenty-third attempt, partially successful. Survival extended to seven days, but still unable to coexist..."

Lu Yuan quickly flipped through a few pages.

The town mayor is conducting an experiment.

An attempt was made to cultivate a kind of "Symbiote" using Mutated Extract of Sandworm.

And he wasn't doing it alone.

Someone is providing him with materials and methods.

The booklet did not mention the person's name, only referring to him as "he".

He said this time they would definitely succeed...

"He brought new samples..."

"He assured me that once I achieved symbiosis, I would gain true power..."

Lu Yuan closed the booklet and tucked it into his pocket.

This lab log is useful, but not enough.

He continued searching in the basement.

A thick manual was pulled out from the drawer of the long table.

The cover was yellowed and the corners were curled up, clearly indicating that it had been read many times.

Lu Yuan opened it and quickly glanced at it.

It doesn't record the experimental process, but rather various formulas.

He learned about the purification methods for Sandworm Oil, the manufacturing process of silver powder, and some pharmaceutical ratios he couldn't understand.

Several pages were specially marked, with dense annotations written next to them.

[Detection Target: Sandworm-Related Potion Recipe Manual]

[Contains multiple methods for preparing pharmaceuticals; some formulas have research value.]

Lu Yuan also put the manual into his pocket.

Herman stood to the side, letting Lu Yuan flip through the booklets, while he stared at the glass jars, his voice hoarse.

"I knew he was doing research, but I didn't expect... it to go on such a large scale."

He looked at the laboratory, at the symbols on the wall, and remained silent for a long time, understanding that the things here must not be allowed to leave.

Especially the wriggling liquid inside the bottle.

Herman had been to too many cities and knew very well what it meant for the Source of Pollution to be outside; it meant that once something here was exposed, the Night Watcher would immediately come knocking.

Anyone who participated in the experiment was treated as Heretic.

At that time, not only the mayor, but the entire Sandworm Town will be disrupted.

Herman withdrew his gaze, looked at Lu Yuan, and tentatively began to speak.

"Burn this place down..."

Lu Yuan knew what Herman was thinking, and simply nodded.

"I'll take these two books." He patted the things in his arms. "They might be useful."

Herman glanced at him, visibly relieved, and did not object.

"Take it. It'll just burn anyway."

The two did not stay in the basement for long.

Sprinkle Sandworm Oil in a corner of the basement, and the moment a torch is placed on it, a raging fire engulfs everything underground.

The liquid in the jars seemed to sense something, and began to twist and thrash against the jars, the immense force causing the jars to fall off the table.

But the jar was clearly reinforced.

It rolled a few times on the ground and fell into the sea of fire.

It was already dark when I left the warehouse.

The townspeople were still gathered outside, and when they saw Herman come out, they all looked at him.

Herman stood in the doorway, silent for a moment.

"The mayor has left."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was very clear.

The cause of death was not explained, and the laboratory was not mentioned.

He just said "he left".

A low murmur arose from the crowd.

Herman didn't say anything more and turned to walk towards Lu Yuan.

But he had one more thing in his hand.

Bone Flute.

"Here, take this."

Lu Yuan glanced at him.

"These belong to the mayor."

"He's gone." Herman handed over the Bone Flute. "This thing caused trouble; we don't want it to stay."

He paused.

"Karl told me you learn to play the flute quickly. For us, there's no difference between using the genuine article and a fake; we can't produce anything interesting with either."

That's the truth.

The level of Ancient Music Theory determines the effect of the Bone Flute. For townspeople with very low levels, there's really no difference between genuine and counterfeit flutes.

"Besides..." Herman's voice trailed off, "He's the mayor, and also my older brother. There's definitely someone behind this. If you can find out..."

He didn't finish speaking.

But Lu Yuan had already reached out and taken the Bone Flute.

It felt cool to the touch and was heavier than I expected.

[Sandworm Bone Flute (Special)]

[Material: Made from a special type of bone, possessing an indestructible effect.]

[Special Feature: Playing this flute according to Ancient Music Theory can summon reclusive beings.]

[Note: Use with caution if your Ancient Music Theory level is low; it's easy to invite a deity, but difficult to send it away...]

Lu Yuan glanced at the prompt. When did this thing start using idioms?

Without much thought, Lu Yuan put the Bone Flute into his robes.

I'll try my best.

Herman nodded and said nothing more, because he knew that the moment Lu Yuan accepted the flute, this matter would no longer be recorded in the Night Watcher files.

Just then, Lu Yuan suddenly noticed a figure in the distance.

Standing in the shadow of a mud-brick house, looking in his direction.

It's Morris.

The leader of the Pathfinder only came one person.

He didn't come over; he simply raised his hand and gestured to Lu Yuan.

Follow me.

Then he turned and disappeared into the darkness.