Free Web NovelChapter 201: Chapter 115: Cannot Look Directly at Them...
’So, is it possible to modify the City-State Array without deactivating it?’
Hm?
As soon as he had this thought, his knowledge of Runology automatically provided the answers.
One: alter the Rune Patterns and bypass the rune nodes within an extremely short time. It must be noted that the new Rune Array must adhere to the principle of array uniformity.
Two: use an Isolation Array to shield that section of rune nodes, then perform the modifications. It must be noted...
Three...
Wei’en looked at the dozen or so standard answers that appeared in his mind, and a vein twitched on his forehead.
’Damn it, if these methods exist, why is there a rule that says you can’t modify runes without deactivating the Array?’
This was a Rune Array regulation established by the top Runology scholar, Hector Tru, in the year 1148 of the Third Era, based on the principle of academic rigor.
Wei’en: "..."
’Damn academics,’ he thought. ’They cause no end of trouble.’
"Is there a problem, Investigator?" William asked, noticing he was lost in thought.
"No, it’s nothing."
Wei’en shook his head and continued his questioning. "Second question: during your time working at the City-State Array, have you noticed anything unusual?"
"Unusual? Hmm, what do you mean by that?"
"Has anyone acted strangely? For example, volunteering to stay on duty, or asking for breaks at unreasonable times."
William thought for a moment. "No, everyone’s been acting normally, just doing their jobs according to the regulations."
"What about you?"
"Me? I haven’t either... Huh? Investigator, are you suspecting me of tampering with the City-State Array?"
"What do you think? You just started working there, and then the Array has a problem. Doesn’t that make you suspicious?" Wei’en asked, staring into his eyes.
’There’s something not quite right about this young man...’
Despite wearing thick glasses, his eyes weren’t dull like someone who’s nearsighted. On the contrary, they were bright and clear. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Furthermore, his hair was a mess, but his body was very clean—at least, you could tell from his neck that he was clean.
"No, it wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!"
William waved his hands frantically, a panicked look on his face. "Investigator, I only started a few days ago! I haven’t even begun to work on the Array..."
"Haven’t begun to work on it?" Wei’en’s expression turned cold. "That’s not what your teacher, Professor Lin Qiaoya, said. You’re lying!"
"..." William opened his mouth, a look of disbelief on his face.
[You have been scanned by Reinhart Tania’s Spirit perception. Reward: Survival Points +1.]
Huh??
A flicker of change crossed Wei’en’s eyes. ’This place has a Rune Array that blocks Spirit perception. No one outside should be able to sense me, which means...’
’He’s Reinhart?’ freēwēbηovel.c૦m
’I can’t believe my casual bluff actually turned something up.’
"So, how are you going to explain the work situation?"
The look of astonished shock on William’s—no, Reinhart’s—face slowly faded. He raised a hand, took off his glasses, and looked at Wei’en calmly.
"That’s right. I was the one who tampered with the City-State Array..."
CLICK.
Wei’en instantly drew his flintlock and pressed it to Reinhart’s head. He gestured to the white-haired girl at his side. "Tina, back away a little."
"Tina, understands."
Clutching her clown doll, Tina moved to stand behind him, peeking out and staring fixedly at Reinhart with her empty, soulless eyes.
"Investigator, you’re really... I’m just an ordinary person. There’s no need for this."
"An ordinary person can’t impersonate someone else," Wei’en said coolly.
"Impersonate?" Reinhart paused for a second. "How did you figure that out?"
"So, where is the real William?"
Seeing that Wei’en didn’t answer his question, Reinhart didn’t seem to mind. He even examined the flintlock in Wei’en’s hand with great interest. "This must be the standard-issue weapon of the Secret Investigation Department, right? It’s very well-made..."
BANG.
Wei’en had fired without hesitation.
A bullet whizzed past Reinhart’s ear and slammed into the storage cabinet behind him.
"Er, this gun’s a bit loud. It could use some improvement."
Seeing that he was still perfectly calm, Wei’en asked, "Are you not going to answer my question?"
Reinhart smiled. "Just as you said, I impersonated William and took the opportunity to alter some of the Rune Cores."
"And?"
"That’s all. That was my only mission."
"Mission? Who gave you this mission?" Wei’en frowned. He was one step closer to the truth.
Reinhart gave him a half-smile. "Now, I can’t tell you that. If I did, the game wouldn’t be fun anymore."
"The Despair Sect?" Wei’en said, staring into his eyes as he threw out a name.
"What’s that?"
"The Red Moon Church?"
"Why are you asking about all these?" Reinhart asked, looking puzzled.
"The Desire Sect?"
Wei’en saw his finger twitch subconsciously, but his expression remained unchanged.
’Hm?’
’So he’s not from the Desire Sect either?’
"The Abyssal Sect?"
’Hm?’
’His pupils contracted.’
’He’s from the Abyssal Sect?!’
Wei’en’s heart jolted. He suddenly realized that if Reinhart was from the Abyssal Sect, then the Spirit perception he’d felt at the door...
’Not good!’
"You’re coming back to the Secret Investigation Department with me."
"I’m not going anywhere, Investigator." Reinhart, still unaware that he’d been exposed, feigned confusion. "It seems you’ve figured something out, just from those few questions?"
"I’ll ask one more time. Are you coming or not?"
"I am not."
BANG.
Wei’en fired without hesitation.
[You have hit Reinhart Tania with a flintlock, triggering Death Trait - Calamity. Instant Kill progress: 1/10. Evaluation: He has an Abyssal Creature in his body... Special Reward: Survival Points +3, Marksmanship +1.]
’An Abyssal Creature?’
BANG, BANG BANG...
Wei’en noted the information in the prompt, and his hands didn’t pause for a second as he fired a series of shots.
[You have hit Reinhart Tania with a flintlock... Special Reward: Survival Points +3, Marksmanship +1.]
[You have been locked onto by Bolsen Heikmei’s killing intent. Evaluation: Flee!! Reward: Survival Points +10.]
Hm?
Bolsen??
"What... are you doing... to my subordinate?"
"..."
Wei’en stared at the black-masked man who had appeared in an instant, shielding Reinhart. A drop of sweat slowly trickled down his face and dripped to the floor.
’Now, this is going to be troublesome...’
PS: A big thank you to our patron, "Why Destroy The World," for the character Reinhart Tania—I’ve officially requisitioned him! Also, please keep reading the latest updates! Don’t save up the Chapters to binge later, everyone. We have a real shot at the premium list!
