"It's nothing serious, just a brief unconsciousness. He'll wake up soon."
"Thank you."
"It's our job, there's nothing to thank us for, but honestly... was this guy really suffocated?"
Seeing the intense curiosity in the medic's eyes, Vera could only manage a forced laugh and brush it off.
"Oh, I understand." The medical operator nodded knowingly.
"Since you're already here, why don't you get checked out too?"
"No need, I'm perfectly healthy."
"Hmph, everyone says that, but this is the Medical Department... Listen to me, let me see!"
The remaining agents slowly approached; they had a contingency plan for dealing with uncooperative patients like Vera.
Fortunately, Whitesmith came to the rescue just in time before the medical personnel could completely surround them.
"Ahem... If Miss Vera doesn't want to, then forget it."
"Whitesmith? You're here for an inspection too?"
Despite expressing their doubts, the agents acted swiftly, taking over control of the wheelchairs without hesitation.
"Yeah, my vision gets a little blurry when I'm working."
"It's gotten worse again? Wait! Have you been working all night!?"
"Only one hour..."
"Not even ten minutes!"
Amid the reprimands from the operators, Whitesmith was pushed indoors, nodding to Vera as they passed each other.
Is her illness very serious?
Vera glanced to the side; the medical staff who had been chatting and laughing had all returned to their posts.
"It's serious. Whitesmith's Originium fusion rate is so high that it's affecting basic operations, even his line of sight... We're almost there!"
One of the medical staff took a moment to reply, and then, at the urging of his colleague, pushed the equipment away.
Seeing Whitesmith surrounded by various pipes through the isolation window, Vera turned and left.
Oripathy...
This disease, with a 100% fatality rate, once again demonstrated its terror to Vera.
Contrary to what Vane said, the Babel Tower's current ability to treat Oripathy is quite limited.
The thought of the almost complete infection within the mercenary group gave Vera a headache.
[Vera: Vane, is there really no cure for Oripathy?]
There was no reply, and Vera wondered if the other person was still dealing with trouble—
[Vane: Here we go, Oripathy? Anyway, there's no cure for it in the game yet.]
[Vera: Does that mean all the characters in the story will die?]
[Vane: No one can escape death, but while there's no cure, there are ways to mitigate it.]
[Vane: The Doctor's blood can produce quite powerful inhibitors, but it seems the Doctor hasn't made up his mind to research it yet.]
[Vane: Why are you asking this? Has Ifrit's Oripathy relapsed?]
[Gregor: Who?]
[Vera:... No, that's not true. I just saw some of the Infected's conditions.]
[Vane: Why don't we try our medicine? Maybe that's why Ifrit hasn't relapsed for so long.]
[Gorth: They don't even share the same worldview, will it really work?]
[Vane: We obtain the Power to Deny the World from outside the world... Pshaw! He unconsciously chanted it.]
[Vane: Whether it works or not... let the Babel Tower prove it. Here are some potions as a friendly gift for the Doctor.]
[Vera: Then it's decided.]
[Gregor: What were you doing just now, fourth brother? We're about to meet the Doctor, aren't you ready yet?]
[Vane: Don't rush, don't rush, we're preparing.]
[Vane: Image JPG]
With scarlet eyes and tiny sharp teeth, the picture shows a round, cute, chibi-style bat.
[Gregor:... So you've finally come this far, decided to stop being human?]
[Gorth: It's not so strange that Vampires don't act like humans.]
[Vane:... While I'm glad you guys picked up on the joke, I want to solemnly declare that I didn't go for anything abstract this time.]
[Vera: Is this Lucky?]
(Lucky: The bat pet in Soul Knight)
[Vane: That's how it was sculpted~ Doesn't it look alike?]
[Vera: What's the use?]
[Vane: To your bodyguard.]
[Vera: This?]
Looking at the teacup-sized bat in the picture, Vera was filled with suspicion.
[Vane: Don't underestimate it. I created this using my Bloodline Heir and half of my life essence. It has all the abilities I have.]
[Vera: What about other uses?]
[Vane: Aren't you moved?]
[Vera: I don't know you? Tell me, what exactly do you want?]
[Vane: Okay... it's the second body I created.]
[Vane: Although we can't teleport to each other, other people and items don't count. I just want to try creating a new body.]
[Vane: But it seems like even if someone is conscious, they can't teleport. So I'll try a different approach and add Seaborn in.]
[Vane: We'll teleport Lucky there, and then transfer my consciousness into Lucky's body via the We Many. That way, we can have a different kind of reunion.]
[Gregor: Does this count as exploiting a bug?]
[Vane: Being able to use cards is called a special ability!]
[Gorth: So why don't you just create a human body?]
[Vane: My blood is precious! I already have all the necessary abilities, no need to waste them on my appearance!]
That's suspicious...
Vera looked at Vane's reply with disbelief.
Just kidding, the fourth one has so much blood he could soak a dragon egg in a hot spring. Besides, it's not like he can't reproduce.
This guy... definitely has some ulterior motive.
With that in mind, Vera didn't expose Vane.
Regardless, the intention to protect safety is genuine.
[Vera: Are you free now? I'll pick up Lucky.]
"I'm busy!"
"But you've been ignoring that guest for so long, aren't you really going to go see him?"
"I already told you I'm busy, I really have something to do!"
After replying in the group chat, Vane, now free, leaned against the softness behind him.
"Little bird, you can't judge a book by its cover. I may look like I have nothing to do... but what if I'm actually busy?"
"Mr. Vane... does your so-called 'busyness' mean turning into a child and sleeping in Miss Skadi's arms?"
"What are you talking about! I'm Vane, and I don't even know anyone named Vane!"
The youthful Vane shifted his body, letting the softness behind him envelop him more evenly.
"Tsk, I wish it were bigger..."
Hearing Vane's words, Skadi, who was hugging him, tilted her head.
"Can you use a little more force?"
"Huh? Wait a minute... Pfft!"
The girl's arms pulled inward, feeling the sudden increase in force and the closer softness; the chibi Vane was experiencing both pain and pleasure.
Twitching her eye, Irene could only try to calm herself down as she looked at Vane, who was acting like a scoundrel in front of her.
The young Inquisitor glanced at the Yan merchant still standing outside and considered the matter from a different perspective.
The other party's manners were impeccable, and Vane's surprise upon hearing the merchant's name indicated that he knew him.
So, this reaction now...
"So... does Mr. Vane dislike that gentleman?"
Vane didn't respond, and Irene nodded knowingly.
"If that's the case, then I'll decline on your behalf."
Skadi seemed to feel some chest tightness, so she reduced her pressure, giving Vane some space.
"Ahem! That's why you can't judge a book by its cover."
"On the surface? But that gentleman was clearly very polite, and the relevant documentation also..."
"Politeness? Someone who trespasses into a house without permission... can be called polite?"
As he spoke, Vane looked at the sofa inside the room.
"Aren't you right, Seventh Brother Sui?"
In Irene's bewildered gaze, the once empty sofa space rippled like water, and the businessman who had been outside was now sitting there.
"When!?"
Realizing what had happened, Irene immediately drew her weapon, her face filled with remorse.
The earlier words were a reminder that, as Inquisitor, someone had brazenly allowed themselves to be brought before him...
"I'm sorry, Mr. Vane, I'll arrest him right now!"
"Garlic Bird~ Garlic Bird~ You can't beat him~"
To the little bird's bewilderment, Vane laughed after his achievement became visible.
"Oh, you must be Ji."
Performance: "..."
His methods were exposed, and Ji confirmed that the person in front of him was the target he had been looking for.
But... the other party doesn't seem to like me much?
"Oh, little bird, you don't recognize him yet, do you?"
Distracted, Vane began explaining things to the little bird who didn't understand Yan slang.
"The person in front of you is not just a merchant from Yan."
"He is one of the twelve agents of the Yan's Behemoth 'Sui,' a guy who is quite close to 'Sea God.'"
"By the way, his power is related to 'illusion and reality.' What you saw outside just now was an illusion he created; the real one has already been inside."
Irene didn't understand the so-called power of illusion and reality, but she understood the phrase "getting close to the sea god".
In other words...
"That's right, he's an absolute dangerous element, officially certified by the Yan ~"
"This guy should have been closely watched by Sui Regulator, but he's here now probably because he used his power to shake off the other party."
Seeing Vane so casually expose his secrets, Ji was not annoyed at all; on the contrary, he was even more delighted.
The more capable you are, the more reliable your calculations will be!
Ji stood up, bowed, and cupped his hands in greeting.
"I apologize for my rudeness and previous offenses. I hope you will forgive me."
Before Vane could respond, Ji pulled a scroll from his pocket.
As the scroll unfolds, all sorts of jewels and antiques fly out, filling the entire space.
"This is just a small token of my apology; I hope you will accept it."
As he spoke, Ji observed Vane's expression, trying to discern his preferences.
But who is Vane? How could he possibly be interested in such mundane things?
"Oh dear, since you're already here, why bring a gift?"
Laughing, he jumped off the hug, and the chibi Vane, after tossing and turning among the clutter, jumped to Ji's side.
Seeing Vane's reaction, Ji was even happier.
It's good if he likes it. There are plenty of these material things; the more the other person takes, the easier it will be for him to ask.
Vane was laughing happily, and so was Ji.
But soon, his smile faded.
Vane gripped the scroll, then slowly pulled it from Ji's hand with the movement of his arm.
Like any normal businessman, Ji chose to display all kinds of gifts; even if Vane wanted them all, it would be nothing more than a drop in the ocean for him.
But Vane doesn't follow the usual path; knowing the plot, he naturally understands what the painting is.
The creation of "Xi," the agent of the Sui Beast.
Although it looks small, there's a whole world inside.
(Calling it a spatial ring might not be entirely accurate; you can refer to the Mountain and River Map in the Nezha movie.)
If I enter the painting myself and then attempt to teleport, will it be successful?
Thinking about possible uses, before Vane could even put it into practice, he felt a resistance in his hand.
Ji forced a smile, the end of the scroll being held tightly by him.
"... Unwilling?"
"Of course I'd like to."
As he said this, Ji's hand did not loosen.
"There are some personal items among them, and if they are not removed... they might offend your eyes, sir."
Personal items?
Vane paused for a moment, then uttered something startling.
"It wouldn't be your sister's..."
The force in his hand suddenly increased, and seeing Ji's unnatural expression, Vane's eyes lit up.
"Four mates for one?"
"Make a deal!"
With the force on the other end released, Ji successfully retrieved the scroll.
But there were more than two people in the room. Feeling the strange looks from the two girls, Ji stiffly raised his hand.
"Just some textiles..."
"It's not a body pillow, is it?" Vane murmured.
"My older sister's body pillow..."
Following Vane's words, Ji's face flushed slightly, then he suddenly woke up with a start.
"No! How can you overstep the bounds?!"
Feeling Vane's mocking gaze, Ji knew he had lost his composure.
Forcing himself to stop thinking, Ji tried to regain control of the rhythm.
"I hope you will refrain from further jesting... I have come here today to discuss important matters."
"Oh, so you're plotting to overthrow the Sui dynasty?"
Interrupted once again, Vane knew he couldn't let the other person take control of the conversation.
"As a businessman, you should understand this too."
"For a business to last, both parties must at least share the same level of risk."
"Don't try to fool me. Unlike that madman Ya, I have no grudge against the Sui Beast."
Ji opened his mouth, but the prepared speech remained stuck in his throat.
He understood this principle, of course, but what price could be paid to fight against the Sui Beast?
No, I haven't even said anything yet, how did he already understand?
[I'll do it...]
In the silence, it seemed as if someone sighed.
A chess piece flew out from Ji's sleeve, its dark light flashing.
In a flash, the small house in front of Vane had transformed into a completely different world.
The sky is like ink painting, and the Daichi is shrouded in mist.
Giant chess pieces are laid out horizontally here, and when viewed through the clouds, the entire Daichi appears as an illusory chessboard.
Vane turned around and looked at the figure behind him.
His long, withered black and white hair cast a sinister gaze, perfectly matching his somber demeanor.
But in stark contrast to the middle-aged man's gloomy demeanor, there was a plump, long tail that took up half of his body.
Wang sat upright behind the chessboard, intending to gesture for Vane to sit down, but he hid his tail under the other's overly blatant gaze.
"Well..."
A regretful sigh came from behind him. Wang twitched his brow and raised his hand in acknowledgment.
"Please."
As we walked towards him, Vane's small body grew steadily with each step, and in the blink of an eye, he was back to normal.
After casually taking a seat, Vane got straight to the point:
"What? Shouldn't you hate any unexpected changes on the chessboard? Now you're thinking of seeking cooperation?"
Looking at Vane, he felt like cursing.
"It's not that we're seeking cooperation, but rather that your presence has disrupted the intended plan."
"We? Your power can extend to those you've never even seen?"
"Four crimson stars shattered that veil of illusion; as many saw them, so many knew of them."
Vane was not surprised by Hope's arrival, nor did Hope care where Vane got the information from.
"That's strange. You clearly calculated it, so why didn't you think to eliminate the variables first?"
Vane, propping his chin on his hand, asked, casually disrupting the chessboard he had set up.
Wang waved his hand, and the black and white chess pieces returned to their places in the chess basket.
The chessboard was empty again; Wang raised his hand to signal.
"Please."
"..."
Looking at the empty chessboard, Vane wondered if this guy was deliberately making things difficult for him.
Although he doesn't know how to play Go, Vane still set up the black stones.
The next instant, Wang's white piece immediately caught up.
Why not rule out variables?
Of course he had thought about it.
Upon discovering the change in the chess game, he immediately used his powers to perform calculations.
Hope received an answer, an answer that brought both joy and fear.
The cost of eliminating variables is far greater than the cost of cutting down the year's harvest...
The black piece landed again, Vane raised his head and laughed:
"I won."
Wang was stunned for a moment, then looked down and saw that the game had only just begun.
Looking up again, Vane raised an eyebrow and said:
"What are you looking at me for? Five in a row, I won!"
See. "..."
He waved his hand, clearing the chessboard again, then, with a dark expression, raised his hand once more.
"Please!"
Vane accepted the challenge, his eyes fixed intently on the chessboard.
Although they were playing Gomoku (Five in a Row), a tense atmosphere suddenly arose between them.
With a resounding crash, the chess pieces fell one by one, quickly filling the chessboard.
Draw.
Looking at the messy chessboard, Wang said coldly:
"A pointless trick, from beginning to end, has only one solution."
Who said that?
Vane chuckled as a black piece landed outside the board.
"Five in a row, I won again!"
He gazed silently at the black piece outside the chessboard and sighed.
"Can you... completely kill Sui?"
"No need."
Vane picked up a chess piece and tossed it up and down like a coin.
"Anyway, you just don't want to return to your original forms. As long as this method is achieved, what does the existence of the Sui Beast have to do with you?"
"... Can you persuade Him?"
He looked down at the chaotic chessboard.
"I have confronted Him for a thousand years, and have never won."
"Of course, the game is set by Him, and anyone who wants to defeat Him within the rules of the year will inevitably pay a heavy price."
Wang's hand clenched suddenly; the heavy price... someone had already paid for him.
"I hope... sir, you can help me."
"Sui, or Jie?"
Wang looked up abruptly, and there before him was Vane's greedy smile.
"Let me make this clear beforehand, my price is quite high~"
What are the odds that both are...?
"Everything is possible."
Vane answered confidently, then crossed his arms and waited for a response.
"And what about you? What kind of reward can you offer?"
"All is permitted."
Vane raised an eyebrow, feeling a chill run down his spine at the bold response.
"Once a move is made, there's no going back?"
Wang closed her eyes.
The fate of the Sui Beast has already been decided; all grudges and gains will be settled here.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, victory is assured.
But can the price paid for this be considered a victory?
Actors are heartless; once a move is made, there's no going back.
Can one truly have no regrets...?
[If one day, one of my younger siblings suddenly disappears and I never see them again, I want to see if you'll regret it...]
Wang shook the chessboard violently with both hands, scattering black and white pieces all over the ground.
He braced himself against the sides of the chessboard, his head gradually lowering until it touched the board.
"Once a move is made, there's no going back!"