r18novel Page 33
Page 33
He drawled, "This so-called 'Level 4' sealed artifact is actually... a misnomer? It's not that dangerous, so sending a 'Sequence 7 - Order Master' like you is more than enough?"
Randolph felt a chill run down his spine and immediately understood Zhang Su's subtext—the other party was questioning the weight and value of this Level 4 anomaly.
He quickly suppressed his smile and said solemnly, "Your Excellency is mistaken! This anomalous object is absolutely worthy of the 'Level Four' danger level! The reason I am escorting it alone is just as you mentioned—as a transcendent being of the 'Order Master' path, I have a unique advantage in 'controlling' and 'sealing' anomalous objects."
He pointed to the black box: "This anomaly is in a deeply inert state that has been 'defined'. As long as the 'silence' definition I imposed is not actively lifted, it is like a real stone, posing no danger whatsoever. Even if the definition were to loosen unexpectedly during transport, with my capabilities, I can 'seal' it again before it causes any substantial harm. Other Sequence 7s might not dare to carry a Level 4 sealed object alone. This is not to underestimate this object, but because it is the right fit for my expertise."
Zhang Su nodded thoughtfully: "Alright, your explanation is reasonable enough, I believe it. Then, would you please, Secretary-General, formally introduce this unusual object? I need to understand its details so that I don't accidentally trigger its dangerous effects when I take it away later."
“Of course, Your Excellency.” Randolph stood up, extended his right hand, and gently touched the smooth black cube with his index finger, saying, “Dispel the silence.”
As he uttered the deep and precise "lawful words," countless fine silver cracks silently appeared on the smooth, mirror-like surface of the black cube.
The cracks instantly spread to the entire box. Then, the entire cube seemed to be torn apart by the internal force, silently shattering and disintegrating into a fine black dust that drifted upwards and then disappeared.
And something appeared where the cube was originally located.
It was a piece of something that looked like a shard of frosted mirror.
It was about the size of an adult's palm, with irregular, jagged cracks along the edges, clearly broken off from a larger mirror.
The material of the lens itself is unknown; it is neither glass nor metal, and it presents a cloudy, dark gray color, as if covered with a layer of moisture.
The mirror surface is not completely flat; it has subtle, ripple-like undulations, like solidified water, and no light reflection. It is more like a polished dark gray stone.
Zhang Su looked at the unremarkable, even somewhat ugly, fragment, his brows twitching almost imperceptibly, a genuine surprise flashing in his eyes: "Oh? This black box is just a sealing container? The true form of a Level 4 anomaly is just a broken mirror?"
He looked at Randolph and feigned surprise, saying, "This first release is quite unexpected."
Randolph nodded in agreement, "Yes, Your Excellency. My first reaction was the same as yours. It was hard to believe that something that looked like a piece of junk picked up from a junkyard could be a Level 4 sealed artifact. Until I learned about its effects..."
At that moment, Zhang Su asked Yuan Shu a question in his mind:
[Yuan Shu, how is the 'Sealed Artifacts' ranking system divided in this world? What are the specific rules?]
Genshu immediately responded:
[Searching for and integrating relevant information from the information overload... Analysis complete.]
The mainstream classification system used in this world for 'sealed objects,' 'extraordinary items,' and 'anomalies' typically employs a ten-level system, with the numerical levels progressing strictly. The core basis for this classification is the potential or actual threat posed by the item to human social structures, the stability of physical laws, and the survival of intelligent life. The higher the number, the higher the threat level, and the more exponentially the difficulty of containment and the risk of loss of control. A detailed overview of the levels is as follows:
Level 1: Virtually harmless. The effects are weak and controllable, with minor and reversible side effects. It usually causes only minor inconvenience or limited benefit to the individual (such as a powder that causes temporary itching, or a luminous stone that only illuminates the fingertips).
Level 2: Low risk. Effects or side effects begin to have a noticeable impact on an individual's health or mental well-being, but are small in scope, short in duration, and easily reversible. Examples include liquids that cause sneezing for half an hour or sachets that attract mosquitoes within a ten-meter radius.
Level 3: Moderate risk. Effects or side effects may cause substantial harm to an individual (e.g., moderate burns, several days of mental confusion) or have a significant negative impact on a small group (e.g., a persistent regional odor). Containment measures are usually required.
Level 4: Highly dangerous. Effects or side effects may result in individual death, permanent disability, severe psychological trauma, or cause significant disruption, economic loss, or personal injury to a small to medium-sized community (such as a neighborhood). Specialized team intervention is required if the situation becomes uncontrollable.
Level 5: Regional Threat. Capable of easily destroying a town or causing mass casualties, long-term environmental damage, and social collapse. The effects are often irreversible, requiring strong and sustained containment measures. Out of control constitutes a major catastrophe.
Level 6: City-level disaster. Possesses the ability to destroy a large city or an ecosystem of equal size. Effects may include reality distortion, large-scale mind control, release of deadly memes or plagues. The consequences of a containment breach are unimaginable.
Level 7: Nation/Continental Threat. Possesses the potential to overthrow a nation's regime, permanently alter the continent's landscape or ecology, or cause mass extinctions of life. Usually directly associated with ancient taboos or powerful entities.
Level 8: Civilization Extinction Level. Threatens the survival of the entire human civilization or intelligent species. May trigger global catastrophes, shifts in physical constants, dimensional collapse, etc.
Level 9: Species-level annihilation. Possesses the terrifying power to completely destroy a planet's biosphere, exterminate all intelligent life on its surface, and even destroy the planet itself. Usually considered an uncontrollable "natural disaster."
Level 10: Unspeakable. The highest theoretical level. Its very existence may shake the fundamental laws of the observed world, triggering a chain reaction of reality collapses or attracting the gaze of incomprehensible Outer Gods. Information is extremely scarce, usually existing only in legends or the deepest forbidden archives.
Addendum: Threat level determination is based not only on the destructive power of the item itself, but also on its potential to trigger a chain reaction, the intensity of information contamination, the difficulty of containment, and the resources required. The threat level of some items may fluctuate depending on how they are used.
Zhang Su digested the level information provided by Yuan Shu, his gaze falling once again on the dark gray, inconspicuous fragment on the table.
Level four... corresponds to a high risk rating of individual death, permanent disability, or community disruption. What effect would such a fragment have?
He looked up at Randolph: "Then, Secretary General, please explain in detail. What exactly is the 'effect' of this fragment?"
Randolph took a small breath and said solemnly, "Your Excellency, its ability is..."
Volume 1: Chapter 30: Friendly Cooperation, Night-Weeping Mirror
“As night falls, its surface gradually becomes smooth as a mirror, emitting a cold glow similar to moonlight. If it is not 'silently' sealed again in time…”
Randolph Stone's fingers lightly tapped on the dark gray, frosted glass-like shard of lens on the table, his voice deep and carrying the professionalism characteristic of handling dangerous materials:
"It will then begin to emit an extremely eerie sobbing sound, like a mixture of a baby and a woman, which is terrifying and unsettling. At the same time, its size will increase at a visible rate."
"After about fifteen minutes, it will stabilize into a complete oval mirror, about fifty centimeters long and forty centimeters wide. But the real terror is just beginning."
As Randolph spoke, he gestured an ellipse in the air with his finger.
"A pale, bloodless hand will first emerge from the mirror, followed by a female ghost dressed in filthy white clothes, with long, disheveled hair covering her face, and a distorted form, slowly crawling out of the mirror."
As Zhang Su listened to Randolph's description, a chill crept up his spine. He thought to himself, "This description... it sounds so familiar."
After thinking for a while, he finally realized what that sense of déjà vu was. He couldn't help but curse inwardly, saying, "Holy crap! Isn't this the 'bell' from The Ring?! It's just changed its appearance, from a TV to a mirror!"
Thinking of this, he tried hard to suppress the urge to complain and maintained a calm demeanor.
Randolph continued, "This thing is extremely dangerous! Her range of activity is limited to a radius of 400 meters around the mirror's spawn point, but within this range, she will indiscriminately hunt down and kill any living thing she can sense."
“She is a physical entity that can be attacked or even temporarily ‘destroyed,’ but… as long as the mirror is still there, she will be able to climb out of the mirror again unharmed in a very short time.”
"What's more troublesome is that once she successfully climbs out, even if you immediately destroy the mirror that has already taken shape, the fragments will quickly reassemble and restore itself, making it impossible to stop her regeneration. Only when dawn breaks will her existence dissipate on its own, and the mirror will also collapse, leaving only the largest fragment—which is the one you are seeing now—waiting for the next night's cycle."
Zhang Su frowned as he listened, taking a deep breath: "That does sound troublesome. But, Secretary-General, hasn't your official team tried to destroy it? For example, when it's dormant during the day, could you use even more powerful mystical methods to completely destroy it, making it unable to harm anyone anymore?"
He astutely grasped the key points in Randolph's words.
“Your observation is very keen.” Randolph nodded in acknowledgment. “Theoretically, when it is in a completely inert state during the day, any supernatural power of a higher rank than itself—or one whose energy level is sufficient to overwhelm its nature as a level four sealed artifact—could completely destroy it.”
Zhang Su said, "If that's the case, why not do it? Why keep it when it's so dangerous? Hmm... let me guess, besides summoning this deadly female ghost, it must have another 'benefit,' right? And this 'benefit' is so great that even your government can't bear to destroy it."
Randolph's face instantly showed an embarrassed smile, as if he had been exposed. He coughed lightly and said, "Your Excellency is wise. Indeed... it has another ability, an ability that can be considered strategic in certain situations—teleportation."
"Teleportation?" Zhang Su raised an eyebrow. This turn of events was unexpected, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense. Mirrors are a classic symbol of spatial connections.
“Yes,” Randolph explained, his expression regaining its professionalism, “after it has completely transformed into an oval mirror and the ghost has successfully crawled out, if you can temporarily distract or trap the ghost, then quickly approach the mirror, place your hand on its surface, and clearly visualize a specific location you have personally visited…”
He made a hand gesture: "The mirror will then ripple like water, clearly reflecting the scene of the place you want to be. At this point, you only need to firmly think 'enter' in your mind, and it will suck your whole body into the mirror. The next second, you will appear in the place you want to be. It's a very precise spatial transfer."
"Oh?" Zhang Su became interested. "That's amazing?!"
“Yes, Your Excellency, it is indeed very powerful,” Randolph affirmed. “However, the teleportation is one-way. When you arrive at your destination, an identical oval mirror will be generated behind you, but it will only last for about two seconds before shattering and disappearing on its own, leaving no way to return. It can only teleport in one direction, and there is no way to go back.”
“It is indeed an extremely convenient ability, especially in emergency situations.” Zhang Su stroked his chin thoughtfully. “However, Secretary-General, can you be sure that its teleportation is absolutely reliable? Will it malfunction once and teleport people to dangerous places, or to some more terrifying being?” He raised a very practical question, after all, it involved space jumps, which were extremely risky.
Randolph was prepared for this and replied confidently, “Please rest assured, Your Excellency. Regarding its teleportation capabilities, our official organization has conducted no fewer than two thousand rigorous tests under absolutely controlled conditions. The test locations covered the Empire from the most bustling cities to the most remote wilderness outposts, and even included some special ‘safe’ anomalous spatial nodes. Every teleportation accurately delivered the test subject to the target location, with an error margin of within one meter of the target point’s radius. Its positioning accuracy and stability have been repeatedly verified and are absolutely reliable.”
“Two thousand times…” Zhang Su was also taken aback by the number. The official research was indeed quite in-depth. “Then, what about the cost? Such a powerful teleportation ability can’t be without a cost, right? It can’t be that as long as we lure away that female ghost, we can use it as freely as taking a public carriage, right? If it were, it would be more than just a level four anomaly.”
Randolph's expression turned serious again, and he lowered his voice slightly: "Yes, this effect comes at a cost. But the cost is not at the time of use, but... cumulative."
“Accumulated?” Zhang Su’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes.” Randolph nodded. “According to our observations and research, after a user has used the teleportation function three times in total, they will begin to experience… auditory hallucinations. Initially, they may occasionally hear a faint ‘snap’ sound, like a lens shattering. As the number of uses increases, these auditory hallucinations become more frequent and clearer.”
He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully: "What's more serious is that, starting from the fourth time, every time the user looks in the mirror—whether it's a dressing mirror, a reflection in the water, or even a gleaming metal surface—they might catch a fleeting glimpse of the female ghost in the mirror! Although it's just a fleeting moment, like an illusion, the sense of horror and mental impact it brings is enormous."
"Being in this state of constant fear for a long time will put immense pressure on a person's mind, making them extremely sensitive, anxious, and even prone to paranoia. The end result is often a mental breakdown, leading to severe self-harm, or sudden death in extreme terror. We call this 'nightmare'."
After listening, Zhang Su remained silent for a moment before his gaze returned to the seemingly harmless dark gray fragment.
He pondered for a moment, then asked, "This 'Mirror Nightmare' does sound troublesome. However, since it's caused by the 'contamination' accumulated from teleporting using mirrors, then... after the symptoms appear, is it possible to 'purify' it through other mystical means? For example, by finding a higher-ranking being, or an extraordinary individual proficient in purification?"
Randolph immediately replied, “Of course, Your Excellency. As long as a transcendent being of a sufficiently high rank or skilled in purifying contamination or dispelling abnormal states is found, the ‘Mirror Nightmare’ can be eliminated. However, this requires at least Sequence 7 or higher power to ensure effectiveness and prevent future problems. Once purification is successful, the previously accumulated usage counts will be ‘reset to zero,’ allowing the user to start accumulating them again, essentially resetting the ‘cost.’”
A glint flashed in Zhang Su's eyes: "Oh? This is quite a 'safety valve.' As long as the frequency of use is controlled and the accumulated contamination is purified in time before reaching the critical point of three uses... then this mirror can almost be said to have no immediate or irreversible side effects? It's practically a near-perfect teleportation tool!"
"So, this anomaly, with such powerful functions and relatively controllable costs, is something your official organization isn't keeping for your own use, but instead giving to me? Mayor, isn't this 'gift' a bit too valuable?"
Randolph maintained his signature professional smile and replied, "You're right, its teleportation capabilities are indeed powerful, but not irreplaceable. We have other, more stable, lower-cost, or easier-to-manage methods of spatial movement within our organization."
"In addition, there's the inherent risk that this mirror summons a female ghost every night... all things considered, its practical value to us is far less than it seems. Therefore, after careful consideration, Your Excellency the Mayor believes it is more appropriate to give it to you, a friend who can properly 'handle' the anomalies. It's really not that useful in our hands."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Su couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Haha, so it's 'tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw away'! The Secretary-General is quite frank. Alright, I, Zhang Su, will accept this generous gift! Please thank Mayor for his 'kindness'."
Randolph could only manage an awkward smile, offering no rebuttal. This gentleman's words were always so sharp and difficult to counter.
Zhang Su then asked, "By the way, Secretary-General, has your official organization given this fragment of the mirror a formal name? It can't just be called 'Level 4 Anomaly - Mirror', can it?"
Randolph quickly replied, "Yes, Your Excellency. Based on its most prominent dangerous characteristic, we internally call it 'The Mirror That Cries at Night'."
“The Mirror That Cries at Night…” Zhang Su repeated, his brows furrowing slightly. He then shook his head and said, “The name is fitting, but it’s too straightforward and too long. It lacks a bit of… well, mystery or beauty. How about I change it?”
“Of course, Your Excellency!” Randolph immediately replied. “It is now your property, and you have full naming rights.”
After a moment's thought, Zhang Su said, "Its danger stems from the weeping and calling of the night... How about calling it 'Night Weeping Lens'? It retains the core imagery of 'night' and 'weeping,' is concise and powerful, and sounds better than your original name."
“Night-Weeping Lens…” Randolph pondered the name for a moment, then nodded in approval. “Concise, refined, and evocative, it certainly has more charm than our naming. A good name! From now on, it will be ‘Night-Weeping Lens’.”
"Okay, it's settled then." Zhang Su nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Randolph stood up, straightened his suit, and resumed the capable demeanor of a chief secretary: "Mr. Zhang Su, the Level 4 anomaly 'Night Cry Lens' has been safely delivered to you, and its characteristics and effects have been explained in detail. My mission is successfully completed, so I won't bother you any longer. Is there anything else you need me to convey or handle?"
Zhang Su slowly stood up, looked calmly at Randolph, and said something that surprised him: "There is indeed something that I need the Secretary-General's help with."
"Please speak, Your Excellency," Randolph said, adopting a posture of attentive listening.
“Go back and convey my message to the Mayor,” Zhang Su’s voice carried a formal tone, “that our organizations may have opportunities to cooperate in the future, whether it’s dealing with some common ‘abnormal’ threats or other matters. To facilitate future contact, perhaps we could exchange contact information?”
When Randolph Stone heard the word "cooperation," a fleeting look of surprise crossed his face, but it vanished quickly, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, barely causing a ripple before being replaced by perfect professionalism and the mask of a politician.
He immediately bowed slightly, his tone becoming even more solemn: "Your words would be a great honor for the Mayor. Regarding contact information..."
He straightened his posture, a confident smile on his face: "On this matter, His Excellency the Mayor has already granted me full authority before his departure, so there is no need to consult him further."
As he spoke, Randolph deftly took out a small, exquisite leather notepad and a gold-plated pen from the inner pocket of his well-tailored dark gray striped suit.
He quickly turned to a blank page, and his pen moved smoothly across the paper, writing down a clear and unique combination of numbers.
After finishing writing, he carefully tore off the note and handed it to Zhang Su with both hands: "Sir, this is the code for a highly confidential telegraph communication frequency band directly under the Imperial Intelligence Department. You only need to send information to this frequency band through any terminal device with telegraph transmission capabilities, whether official or civilian, as long as the power is sufficient, using the general telegraph code. Once the information is received, we will process and respond to it with the highest priority."
Zhang Su reached out and took the note, glanced at the string of numbers, and nodded: "Understood. A very efficient method." He then put the note into his pocket.
Just as Randolph thought the farewell was imminent and was about to bow again to say goodbye, Zhang Su made an even more unexpected move.
Zhang Su stepped forward, his face displaying a calm yet undeniable solemnity, and extended his right hand to Randolph Stone—the chief secretary to the mayor of Twilight Harbor in the Calidor Empire.
The action was so natural, yet so... inconsistent with the previous atmosphere of uncertainty and mutual probing between the two.
Randolph was completely stunned. He even subconsciously took a half step back, his blue-gray eyes filled with disbelief, doubt, and caution.
He glanced quickly at Zhang Su's outstretched hand, then looked sharply at the other's face, trying to decipher the deeper meaning behind this sudden gesture. He asked hesitantly, with intense uncertainty, "Your Excellency Zhang Su, are you... going to shake my hand?"
Zhang Su smiled kindly and said, "Of course, Secretary-General. Otherwise, what do you think I want to do?" Looking at Randolph's still bewildered face, he added clearly and forcefully:
“This handshake does not represent only me personally, Mr. Randolph Stone.”
"On behalf of my organization, I would like to formally express our goodwill to you personally and to the Calidor Empire you serve."
"I hope that this simple gesture of courtesy today will lay a preliminary and solid foundation of trust for possible exchanges and cooperation between us in the future. May this friendship continue and develop as we face this world full of unknowns and challenges together."
These diplomatic, polite words were something Zhang Su had thought about all night, recalling all the news broadcasts and newspaper documents he had ever watched. It took him a lot of brain cells; he had racked his brains to come up with them.
Its meaning is also clear—from individuals to organizations, from casual contact to formal "friendly" statements, this is a qualitative leap!
Randolph Stone's heart pounded in his chest as he realized the immense weight behind this seemingly simple handshake!
This means that the mysterious and powerful figure before them, and the mysterious organization behind him, have proactively sent a clear signal to the official forces of the Calidor Empire, seeking to establish a formal relationship!
The last trace of surprise on his face quickly faded, replaced by unprecedented solemnity and a hint of barely perceptible excitement.
He immediately adjusted his posture, straightened his back, and put on the most sincere and appropriate smile. Without hesitation, he extended his right hand and firmly grasped Zhang Su's outstretched hand.
"It is a great honor, Your Excellency Zhang Su!" Randolph's voice was filled with heartfelt enthusiasm. "I, Randolph Stone, in my personal capacity and on behalf of the authorities of Twilight Port and the Calidor Empire, solemnly accept this friendly offer from you and your organization! Your Excellency the Mayor will surely be overjoyed upon hearing this news! I assure you that this goodwill will be valued and responded to with the highest honors by the Empire! May our future cooperation be as solid and long-lasting as you wish!"
Their hands clasped tightly. This time, it was no longer a test or a calculation, but the beginning of a potential conflict between two forces.
Volume 1: Chapter 31: Farewell, A New Journey
After Randolph Stone left, only Zhang Su and the six extraordinary objects of various shapes and sizes remained in the living room.
His gaze swept over the "Bloodthirsty Dagger," the "Unquenchable Candle," the "Shadow Thief Gloves," the "Hungry Ghost Bag," the "Fool's Mask," and the newly renamed "Night Cry Lens," and his thoughts stirred slightly: "Source Hub, activate the containment protocol."
In an instant, ripples spread across the space above the coffee table, and the six items were swallowed up by an invisible giant mouth, disappearing without a trace and being safely sent into the void.
The living room table is now empty again.
Zhang Su straightened his clothes and stepped into the lobby on the first floor.
A faint scent of incense and candles filled the air, along with a somber atmosphere. The hall had been set up as a mourning hall, with Dongyuan Qiu's coffin placed in the center, surrounded by plain-colored flowers and ever-burning candles.