Chapter 160: The Mastermind
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 160: The Mastermind
\Squirm, squirm…\
What the hell is all this? Dammit.
As I drew closer to the mansion’s study, the world before me continued to unravel, losing all semblance of structure.
The surrounding corridors had already been eroded by shadows, with tentacles squirming and stretching in every direction. The doorknob on the distant study door was twisted into such a bizarre shape that I wasn't even sure it would turn.
\Thud…\
Fucking hell…
As I moved a few steps further, the study door suddenly flipped 180 degrees.
At this rate, it would be impossible to open that door in the body of a cat. Did this mean I had to revert to my human form just to get inside?
\Squirm…\
Ugh.
The tentacles writhing everywhere were a serious cause for concern. If these dangerous abominations were only staying docile because they didn't recognize me as a cat, I had no idea what might happen if I shifted back. I certainly had no desire to be at the mercy of a tentacle monster right now.
...But I can’t just turn back.
If I retreated now, I’d never find out why the erosion rate had abruptly spiked by 30%. I had stayed in this world specifically to prevent its destruction, even after earning the right to return to my original world. I couldn't allow the erosion to worsen.
Is there really no other way?
With a grim expression, I scanned my surroundings and spotted something new. I noticed a window where the red glow of the sunset was bleeding in; the shadows and tentacles seemed thinner there.
Is this monster weak to light?
I suddenly recalled the investigation results published by the London Metropolitan Police Department. Jack the Ripper—a being whose aura was comparable to the horror I was witnessing now—also operated predominantly at night.
If I could produce light, I might be able to resist this thing to some extent.
\Poof…!\
\Gyuryuk…?\
Realizing this, I decided not to waste any more time. I put my plan into action.
\Gyuryukkkkk, gyuryuk…\
“Ugh, fucking disgusting…”
My mana was nearly depleted from maintaining the cat’s form for so long, so I reverted to my original body. As expected, the tentacles surrounding me began writhing violently, lunging toward me.
\Fizzle…\
However, their sudden assault didn't last. The creatures recoiled as I chanted a spell, casting a brilliant light from my hand.
Thank goodness.
Shifting my gaze forward, I frowned. Now that the area was illuminated, the monster’s repulsive form was even clearer, revealing every grotesque detail.
“…Huh?”
I realized then that the study door appeared perfectly normal. I was baffled.
Is this how it looks from a human perspective?
That meant that to non-human beings, the world appeared as distorted as I had seen it in my cat form. That realization only unnerved me further.
“…Phew.”
\Click…\
Though I hesitated for a moment, I took several deep breaths to steel myself and turned the doorknob. I needed to check if the room was safe. If it was, I could move between the patches of sunlight.
\Gyuryuk?\
“…Guh.”
I realized my blunder the moment the doorknob turned fully.
\Squeak…\
“Ah…”
A single tentacle that had stealthily approached from behind was now entwined around the hand I was using to cast the light.
\Gyuryukkk, gyuryukkkkk…\
As that lone tentacle threw itself forward, sizzling as it smothered the light, a grotesque chorus of wriggling horror erupted from all around me.
“Bloody hell.”
In that split second, I only had one choice.
“So be it. Whatever happens, happens!”
\Crash…!!!\
Dodging the innumerable tentacles stretching toward me, I hurled myself into the study and slammed the door shut.
“……..”
Having narrowly escaped the crisis, I was met with heavy darkness and silence.
“Ugh…”
In that oppressive atmosphere, I frantically peeled the writhing tentacle off my arm. Once free of the abomination, I cast a simple illumination spell again.
“………”
But the sight that met my eyes left me speechless—horrified.
\Gyuryukkk, gyuryukkkkk…\
\Gyuryuk?\
“Fucking hell.”
Inside the study, several times more tentacles lay in wait, wriggling in their grotesque patterns. And every single one of them was focused on me.
.
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.
.
“…Hmm.”
An unknown amount of time later.
Where the hell am I…
I slowly opened my eyes, unaware of when I had passed out. I realized I was still sitting inside the study.
…Am I still in one piece?
A shiver ran through me as I frantically surveyed the room. Fortunately, there were no traces of tentacles anywhere. It seemed the light in my hand, which hadn't gone out even while I was unconscious, had protected me from those writhing horrors.
“Phew…”
\Thud, thud…\
“Eh!?”
I tried to rise, moving cautiously to avoid making a sound, but something tapped me on the shoulder.
“Wh-Who’s there…?”
\Gyuryuk?\
I spun around, my face turning pale instantly. A single tentacle rose from the floor, swaying gently before my face.
\Gyuryuuuk…\
Wh-What do I do?
Cold sweat poured down my body as the tentacle slowly bent and began to wrap around my foot.
Should I burn it with light? No, what if the light goes out again…
\Gyuryuk…\
Should I just stay still? No, that’s not an option. Maybe I should just run…
My mind raced a mile a minute as I desperately sought a solution.
\Gyuruuuuuu!!!\
“…….?”
As I stood there with a vacant expression, the tentacle wrapping my foot suddenly started to shudder, emitting grotesque noises.
“………”
Despite my revulsion, I found myself reaching out to tap it. Why was I doing this?
\Tap…\
“It looks kind of cute like this…”
As I stared blankly, I realized the tentacle bobbing its head in front of me was actually somewhat endearing. What if I just cut off a little piece and carried it around with me?
Pull yourself together!!!
“…Let’s see.”
It seemed like a wonderful idea. I began preparing to tear off a small piece of the tentacle that had climbed up my leg.
I’m sorry. I won’t make you do this kind of thing again.
“Hehe…”
Please, come to your senses…
But I felt like I was seeing something in front of me. Why?
[That is the false prophet standing between you and us.]
“…I see.”
[Do not be deceived. Let us become one and enjoy infinite pleasure.]
“Right…”
The thought that I might have missed the opportunity for joyful unity made me clutch my chest. I reached out to dismiss the false prophet—the light—which was emitting all sorts of colors in a desperate attempt to stop me.
It was fortunate I came here today. Otherwise, I might have been deprived of uniting with the greater whole.
What exactly was this "joy of unity"? Of becoming one with the greater whole? It felt somewhat unsettling, but it didn't really matter. Everything would make sense once we were unified.
{CASE: The Crawling ■■■■■}
{THE END}
{To end the world, press the screen.}
Let us follow the revelation of the true prophet who has so graciously appeared before us.
.
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“No, that won’t do.”
Adler, half-entwined by a tentacle, reached out with a faint smile toward a system window of an entirely new design. Just as his fingers were about to touch it, a familiar voice rang out, accompanied by the sudden tightening of the grotesque appendage.
“Even after being defeated and driven into hiding, you still dare to show your face to me?”
\Crrrraaaack…\
\Gyuryuuk!? Gyuryuk…\
The tentacles that had been ready to devour Adler began twisting and deflating with a sharp whooshing sound.
“Ah…”
As the appendages withered and fell away, Adler felt a glimmer of consciousness return. He gazed dumbfoundedly at the figure who had burst through the study door.
“Professor…”
“…Adler.”
Uncharacteristically covered in severe injuries, Jane Moriarty was clutching her bleeding head with one hand while dispersing grey mana into the room with the other.
“Fear not…”
\Gyuryuukkk… Gyuryuk…\
“For I am here now.”
As the grotesque wails of the tentacles echoed throughout the study, and the Professor’s voice trembled with more worry than ever before, Adler’s consciousness finally cut to black.
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“Again… another failure.”
In a dark room in an unknown location, a young girl crumpled up a page filled with dense handwriting.
“…This time I even summoned a higher being, but that damned Professor ruined everything again.”
She muttered to herself in irritation.
“Should I just summon the original body…?”
\Crackle…\
“No, no, that would turn England into a hell. I can’t erase such a beautiful country…”
She threw the crumpled paper into a trash can already overflowing with failed drafts. Her eyes were heavy with dark circles as she picked up her pen once more.
“…It would be better to just move the monsters.”
\Rustle, rustle…\
“This time, Jill the Ripper and the Phantom Thief Lupin… I should have them join forces…”
A sinister smile crept across her face as she began to fill the pages again.
“…If only I could meet him again.”
“Rebecca, come out to eat!”
“Ah, I said I’m not eating!”
Startled by the voice outside her door, the girl quickly shoved the pages into a drawer.
“Are you writing that horror story again?”
“It’s not that!”
The pen rolled across the floor, catching a glimmer of light in the dim room. It illuminated a signature engraved along its side:
Rebecca Phillips Lovecraft