The Final Member / Night Raid on the Chamber of Secrets (Combined Chapter)

[Flender: Brother Zephyr, how is your body now? Has it recovered?]

After some time spent talking, the four people in the Chat Group had grown much closer. At the very least, polite forms of address like "sir" could finally be retired.

[Zephyr: Very well. Or rather, I couldn't be better. Right now, I feel like those two bastards Garp and Sengoku together still wouldn't be a match for me.]

[Dumbledore: Oh? Then it seems you've received another great gift.]

As his magic increased, Dumbledore's lifespan had increased tremendously as well. Under normal circumstances, living for over a thousand years would be easy.

Wizards, especially powerful wizards, already lived far longer than ordinary people. Someone like Dumbledore could easily live to one or two hundred even without the Chat Group's enhancements, so long as he did not die unexpectedly.

His vast lifespan and broadened horizons had made Dumbledore's thinking much more diverse.

For instance, after seeing the world of One Piece, Dumbledore had begun considering whether he should train his body. Physical combat seemed rather good too, and Hogwarts could even add physical education classes. A wizard having a strong body was certainly not a bad thing.

[Samuel Oak: How wonderful. Everyone has gained a better future through this place.]

Professor Oak said cheerfully. His body had also been greatly strengthened. Setting aside his lifespan, what delighted him even more was that he could use his abilities to adjust and improve his partners' lifespans and health.

That was what mattered most. A long life alone could be very painful.

At that, all four of them sighed emotionally. Aside from the help provided by future plots, this improvement in aptitude was the true treasure for people like them, who had already achieved something in life.

[Flender: Come to think of it, isn't there still one group member who hasn't responded to us?]

[Dumbledore: You mean "Evil Eldest Disciple and Filial Second Disciple." He truly hasn't said a single word so far.]

[Samuel Oak: If he was resting last night because it was late, then he should know we exist by now, shouldn't he? Why isn't he speaking?]

[Zephyr: I did indeed go to bed early yesterday because of my routine. I only suddenly discovered this panel just now. Perhaps that person is like I was before and has yet to notice it?]

[Flender: That shouldn't be the case, right? Unless something unexpected happened, he shouldn't fail to notice the current situation.]

Flender pondered this. The notification sound whenever the Chat Group received a message was quite obvious. It might indeed be easy to miss while busy, but when there was nothing else to do, it would be hard not to notice.

At night, one could say he was resting, but what about now?

Flender thought it over. Given the current state of the Chat Group—every member was connected to teaching in one way or another—the final member's silence, coupled with that member's name, led him to speculate about who the person might be.

Suddenly, a very classic senior figure appeared in Flender's mind.

"If it's him at that time, then he really would be unable to communicate with us," Flender murmured thoughtfully.

Yao Chen, Yao Lao, the old man in the ring from Battle Through the Heavens. He had two disciples: his eldest disciple had betrayed him, while his second disciple was very filial. If he was currently in a period of soul dormancy, then he truly could not communicate with them.

Flender and the others had already tried @-ing him many times, but there had been no response at all.

Ordinary people could sense the Chat Group's @ notification even if they were paralyzed or had lost all five senses. Only someone with a problem with their soul would be unable to sense it.

Still, Flender was not certain. In his previous life, he could not be considered well-read; he only knew the stories and characters he personally knew.

What if that person was not Yao Chen, but some character Flender did not know whose situation was similar? That would not be strange either.

Still, there was no harm in trying.

[Ding! The Battle Through the Heavens series has been released. It matches the worldview of member "Evil Eldest Disciple and Filial Second Disciple." The Chat Group has automatically completed it and converted it into a real destiny trajectory. Only that member may view it.]

[Flender: Oh, I guessed right. It seems the final member is also someone I know.]

[Dumbledore: I see. Are people being brought in according to worlds you know, Flender?]

[Samuel Oak: That would explain why you know our stories. You are the initiator of the Chat Group.]

[Zephyr: Is that so? Then in the future, will this Chat Group have stories that we know but Flender does not?]

[Flender: I have no idea. I only came into contact with this Chat Group myself not long ago.]

The four eagerly began discussing the Chat Group's recruitment pattern, but in the end, they could not reach any conclusion.

For now, everything was merely speculation. If they truly wanted to understand the recruitment pattern, they could only wait for another new member to join.

In the end, since no one had clicked on Battle Through the Heavens, it naturally could not be made public. Flender could only rely on his memories to give them a rough oral account.

The other three also learned what kind of world the final member lived in, what abilities he possessed, and what sort of person he was.

The result was satisfying. Although the five people in the Chat Group did not have completely compatible personalities, they could all be considered positive figures, and they shared a certain common topic—teaching children and students.

Under such circumstances, the Chat Group could function quite well. At the very least, it would not become inactive and die off in a short time.

However, what the future held would depend on the personalities and conduct of future members. If someone like Blackbeard or Voldemort joined, then it would be very difficult for the group to remain harmonious.

"I hope future group members are all friendly, peaceful people who can become friends. At the very least, don't let any anti-human, anti-world terrorists join. Even morally ambiguous, two-faced characters would be fine."

This was the most sincere hope in everyone's heart within the Chat Group.

After chatting idly for a while longer, they went their separate ways. Each of them had things to do.

Flender was still traveling, as was Zephyr. Professor Oak was still summoning old friends and gathering connections. Only Dumbledore could take action immediately.

The hidden dangers at Hogwarts had yet to be completely removed!

Late at night, Hogwarts.

"Hey, Albus, have you really not gotten something wrong? There is truly a thousand-year-old Basilisk in the school? The legendary Chamber of Secrets really exists?"

In the headmaster's office, Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures professor who had yet to retire, stared fixedly at Dumbledore as though he were looking at an unopened treasure chest in a maze.

Dumbledore wore a helpless expression. For safety's sake, and because he did not want to make himself seem too aloof, he had shared all the information that could be shared.

This included the four Heads of House at Hogwarts and this old Care of Magical Creatures professor. When it came to Basilisks, he certainly knew more than anyone else.

"Of course, Silvanus. It is Slytherin's legacy. I only learned of it recently after uncovering some secrets."

Dumbledore smiled as he found an excuse for his recent actions.

"Really?" Professor McGonagall cast him a suspicious glance. Was this "headmaster" truly not just trying to slack off?

"Of course, Minerva." Dumbledore raised both hands in mock surrender.

Professor McGonagall watched Dumbledore without speaking. She knew exactly what kind of person this old man, both her teacher and friend, was.

He was indeed worthy of respect, but it was equally true that he could be unreliable.

This was the second night after Dumbledore had joined the Chat Group.

On the first night, Dumbledore had already obtained Ravenclaw's Diadem from the Room of Requirement and spent a long time studying the Horcrux.

Although Tom needed to be eliminated, the diadem was innocent. If Tom could be destroyed without harming the diadem, Dumbledore was naturally willing to do so. After all, it was Ravenclaw's relic—though it had been stolen by her daughter...

After a night of research, using the magical knowledge he had already possessed along with the knowledge from the gift package, Dumbledore had already found a direction. He simply had not acted yet.

To be safe, Dumbledore planned to gather all the Horcruxes before eliminating them in one stroke, killing Tom in the fastest and safest way possible.

Dumbledore already had plans for the remaining Horcruxes as well.

The Locket had been found ahead of time by a brave child and was constantly being destroyed. Unfortunately, that house-elf was powerless to do so, but Dumbledore already knew its location: the old House of Black residence.

Hufflepuff's Cup was at Gringotts. Dumbledore had no direct solution, so he could only decide to sneak in and take it through illegal means. For him, that would not be difficult.

The Diary was in the Malfoy residence. Dumbledore planned to pay old Malfoy a personal visit. For the safety of his family and the school, he would agree. Little Malfoy was coming to Hogwarts next term, and Dumbledore would not allow something so dangerous to be secretly brought into the school.

Gaunt's Ring was at the old House of Gaunt residence, and Dumbledore was prepared to go there himself. The temptation of the Resurrection Stone still existed, but Dumbledore could now remain calm. He had seen that other worlds possessed many methods, so although he was anxious, he was not desperate.

Nagini had yet to be born. As for Harry... Dumbledore now had a plan for him as well. Now that he knew Voldemort's existence for certain, he would never raise this child so carelessly again.

Also, Quirrell would arrive next school year, bringing Tom with him. Dumbledore felt deep sorrow over Quirrell's choice, but this time, he would try to save the poor child. A single wrong turn could be forgiven, after all. His enemy was Tom.

Dumbledore had no method to separate temporary Horcruxes before. Now, things were different.

After quickly reviewing his plans in his mind and confirming that there were no mistakes, Dumbledore smiled slightly at the friends and colleagues before him. Beneath his half-moon spectacles, his bright blue eyes blinked happily.

"All right. To avoid disturbing our pleasant nightlife, let us act first and find the gift Slytherin left behind."

The four Heads of House nodded, some solemnly and some with tense expressions. Only Professor Kettleburn pouted.

"You already disturbed my nightlife by calling me here. It's too late to say that now, dear Albus."

Looking at Kettleburn, who had only one arm and half a leg remaining, Dumbledore gave a wry smile.

This old friend who had been with him for nearly sixty-four years was still technically on probation. Kettleburn had accumulated sixty-two teaching accidents in Care of Magical Creatures and had once been placed under observation.

What Dumbledore remembered most vividly was a mime performance of The Fountain of Fair Fortune in the Great Hall. Kettleburn had been tasked with providing a giant worm, but he brought out an Ashwinder enlarged by magic instead. It exploded directly onstage, triggering terrifying flames. The school hospital was packed afterward, and the pungent burnt smell in the Great Hall took several months to fade.

If not for this old friend's outstanding professional skill, as well as the fact that Kettleburn—who had reached the complete form of one and a half limbs by the time Dumbledore became headmaster—had become much more restrained than before, Dumbledore would likely have had quite the headache.

After the discussion ended, the six walked through Hogwarts' hidden passages, each concealing themselves as they moved silently.

Though it was currently the holidays, quite a few ghosts still wandered around the school. The Basilisk was a creature capable of harming even ghosts, and to avoid trouble, Dumbledore still decided to deal with everything in secret.

Dumbledore walked at the front, his steps light. With the information in hand, Tom had already shed his most dangerous outer shell.

Soon, they reached the abandoned bathroom on the third floor.

Dumbledore checked the area first. Once he discovered that no one was nearby, and even Myrtle Warren, who usually stayed here, was absent, he stepped inside with relief.

The bathroom was old and dim. Dumbledore looked around, then inexplicably lost focus as he considered whether he should renovate this place in the future.

He walked straight toward a faucet marked with a snake symbol. In Dumbledore's eyes, it stood out like a crane among chickens.

Dumbledore approached it. His pale blue eyes glimmered strangely as he softly muttered in Parseltongue.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss." (Open.)

A strange hissing sound echoed out. The professors glanced at Dumbledore, but none of them felt that anything was amiss.

From beginning to end, Dumbledore had been a genius. His official records stated that he had mastered both the Mermish and Goblin languages.

Professor McGonagall focused all her attention on the faucet before her, gripping her wand tightly. She looked like an old cat stalking prey.

She believed Dumbledore, so she did not think they were here for a picnic.

The moment the Parseltongue ended, the faucet emitted a dazzling white light and began spinning rapidly. Then, the sink started moving as well.

Before the professors' eyes, the sink slowly vanished. In its place appeared an enormous pipe, wide enough for a person to crawl through.

The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets had opened once again.

Professor McGonagall's pupils contracted. Hogwarts held countless secrets. She had thought she understood those words well enough, but apparently, she had not even come close.

"Wow!"

Kettleburn cried out excitedly. Like a Niffler spotting a coin, he rushed forward impatiently.

"It's in there, isn't it? Slytherin's gift, the Chamber of Secrets, the thousand-year-old Basilisk!"

"Albus, I'll go in first—"

"Professor Kettleburn."

Before Dumbledore could speak, Professor McGonagall spoke first. Kettleburn's body stiffened, and his smile visibly vanished.

"All right, all right. I'm no match for you, Minerva. Let's listen to Dumbledore."

Dumbledore smiled happily, but when he saw McGonagall looking at him, he immediately restrained his smile.

"I should be the first one in."

With that, Dumbledore stepped forward and jumped into the pipe without the slightest hesitation.

In a certain sense, Dumbledore was a rather reckless person. As a Gryffindor, perhaps that was not so strange.

Professor McGonagall shook her head at the sight. After discussing the order with the others for a few words and placing Kettleburn in the middle, she followed them one by one into the pipe.

Before doing so, McGonagall did not forget to close the bathroom door first.

The feeling of sliding down the pipe was not pleasant. It was slimy inside, as though it had not been cleaned for centuries, and it seemed to stretch on forever.

It twisted and turned, winding endlessly downward at a steep angle. Only after they reached a depth even lower than Hogwarts' underground classrooms did they land with a plop.

Professor McGonagall stood up with an awful expression, feeling as though she were covered in mud. She waved her wand, and her body immediately became clean again.

This was a pitch-black stone tunnel. Following the faint specks of light, McGonagall quickly spotted Dumbledore wearing a warm smile.

The other professors arrived one after another, their wands constantly moving like diligent little bees.

"We seem to be beneath the Black Lake." Kettleburn stepped on a puddle beneath his feet and looked delighted as water splashed up.

"Is a great adventure coming next?"

"You may treat it as a nighttime outing."

Dumbledore lightly flicked his wand, tracing starlike glimmers that were incredibly conspicuous in the darkness.

Then Dumbledore saw Professor McGonagall's thoroughly disapproving expression.