Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

"Right, let’s get back to the point. I think we’re most likely going to have a showdown with those synthetic beasts this time around. What do you guys think?" Ling Ishikawa opened the discussion.

Liu Xing nodded, smiling, "Of course, those synthetic beasts aren’t just there for show. So, I suspect once we rescue the Ancient One and leave the research facility, we’ll have to engage in a chase with those synthetic beasts. However, we should be able to acquire some weapons of the Ancient One within the research facility. Otherwise, relying solely on our old-fashioned rifles and crossbows, it’s nearly impossible to kill those synthetic beasts."

Zhang Jingxu pondered for a moment before speaking, "But rather than worrying about the synthetic beasts, we should consider how to deal with the automated defense robots inside the research facility. Those robots are the real trouble for us. After all, these automated defense robots, at the very least, should be equipped with several machine guns or even cannons. If we encounter them in the indoor terrain, we’re likely to be riddled with bullets."

Liu Xing rubbed his chin, looking at Ling Ishikawa, "It’ll be up to our great Wizard, Mr. Ling Ishikawa, once again. These automated defense robots should still be vulnerable to electrical magic, right?"

Ling Ishikawa furrowed his brows, shaking his head, "Not necessarily. Although the Ancient Ones might be somewhat embarrassing, their strength is still considerable. So, they may have equipped those automated defense robots with insulation."

That’s a point...

Liu Xing felt a bit embarrassed, scratching the back of his head, unsure of what to say for a moment.

Fortunately, Zhang Wenbing stepped in, saying, "Anyway, it’s best for us to avoid those automated defense robots. We’d definitely be at a disadvantage if we fought them. So, we need to find the Ancient One and the members of the China Dao Men as soon as possible. I believe they should have a way to deal with those automated defense robots. But it seems like Maisky didn’t give us the specific map of the research facility."

"In that case, we’ll have to play it by ear once we’re inside the research facility. But what concerns me now is that the Ancient One might turn against us," Liu Xing said seriously.

Liu Xing suspected that the Ancient One might turn against them because he believed the Ancient One’s motives for exploring the research facility on Zekiel Island were dubious. Since Sirius, another Ancient One, could analyze what the research facility was for with some intelligence, this Ancient One likely came for something within the facility, such as control over the synthetic beasts on Zekiel Island.

Though currently, the Ancient One was cooperating with the China Dao Men and had been given considerable freedom, Liu Xing felt it was possible that the Ancient One intended to establish dominance on Zekiel Island and end its cooperation with the China Dao Men.

Thus, there was a possibility that the Ancient One might become an antagonist boss.

However, if the Ancient One did become an antagonist boss, Liu Xing believed the difficulty of this module would increase significantly. After all, if the synthetic beasts had someone commanding them, it would be terrifying.

"Alright, discussing this now won’t help much since we know nothing about the situation inside the research facility. So, we’ll have to adapt on the fly," Zhang Wenbing shrugged.

Liu Xing nodded. Indeed, discussing it now was meaningless. After all, they knew nothing about the situation inside the research facility, and they were likely to be caught off guard.

So, not having a plan now might actually be the best plan.

Perhaps...

At that moment, the private room time had ended, and everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

However, in the dead of night, Liu Xing once again sneaked to the surface to summon Rundell.

This time, Rundell arrived promptly.

"Ryuusei, do you need my help with anything today?" Rundell asked with a smile.

Liu Xing nodded and said, "I’d like you to be on standby on Zekiel Island tomorrow afternoon. Because today, I found synthetic beasts have appeared on Zekiel Island. So, I might encounter their attacks, and I hope you can fly me off Zekiel Island when the time comes." ṜΑΝＯβƐȘ

"No problem. When I came here earlier, I also checked the area near Myriad Beast Mountain. Although some synthetic beasts with wings have appeared, their wings are completely disproportionate to their bodies, so they can’t fly. Therefore, I should be able to take you away from Zekiel Island without any trouble. However, I need to mention, Ryuusei, that if you want me to take your companions with us, it might be difficult. I noticed that like you, I can only enter and leave Zekiel Island once per hour. So, you must ensure your companions can evade the synthetic beasts’ pursuit before I return," Rundell said seriously.

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the restriction on the Byakhee tribe by Zekiel Island.

Seeing Liu Xing’s surprise, Rundell shrugged and continued, "Actually, this is quite normal. After the Shoggoth rebellion occurred among the Ancient One race living on Earth, they became more cautious. Therefore, on many islands controlled by the Ancient Ones, similar barriers were set up to prevent non-Ancient One races from entering or leaving multiple times in a short period. Especially hostile races like the Deep Ones are strictly prohibited. So, Ryuusei, after you and your companions escape from the research facility, if you need my help, just run in one direction and jump into the water. The synthetic beasts shouldn’t be able to leave Zekiel Island... under normal circumstances."

Liu Xing nodded and said, "Alright, we’ll go with your plan then. Oh, Rundell, didn’t you say you were going back to report to your chieftain? What did your chieftain say?"

Rundell chuckled and said seriously, "Our chieftain believes you’re a good god-user, Ryuusei. Unlike some other god-users who are unreasonable, arrogant, or like to stir up trouble and make us clean up after them, our chieftain says if you need anything else, you can negotiate with it through me. By the way, our chieftain also plans to take you to visit our tribe’s territory when you have time. After all, interstellar travel like this is quite exciting."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow. In the Cthulhu RPG Game, the Byakhee were nicknamed "Interstellar Taxis" because riding a Byakhee was practically the only way humans could travel interstellarly... unless you count having your brain in a jar taken away by the Migo as interstellar travel...

Of course, Byakhees can indeed freely fly you through space, but riding on a Byakhee is like riding in a taxi without any protective measures. This means you’d have to face the harsh conditions of space, such as low temperatures and lack of oxygen, while on the back of a Byakhee. So, riding a Byakhee for interstellar travel without protective measures is basically asking for death.

Thinking about this, Liu Xing looked at Rundell skeptically and said, "Although I haven’t experienced interstellar travel yet, I can guess it’s not that easy. After all, the harsh environment of space is not something an ordinary person like me can adapt to."

Rundell smiled again and said, "You’re right. The space environment is indeed very harsh, and I can’t provide protection for you in space. However, our Byakhee tribe has plenty of Golden Honey Wine. Just drink a glass of Golden Honey Wine, close your eyes, and you’ll arrive at our Byakhee tribe’s territory."

Golden Honey Wine.

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow. Indeed, in interstellar travel, Golden Honey Wine and Byakhees were the perfect match.

Golden Honey Wine could be considered an essential item for human interstellar travel because drinking it allowed humans to ignore the harsh conditions of space and safely travel across tens of light-years.

But in the Cthulhu RPG Game, the process of making Golden Honey Wine was not simple. The five special materials required for making Golden Honey Wine were practically impossible for ordinary players to find because they were mostly extraterrestrial materials.

So, in the forums of the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall, the materials for making Golden Honey Wine were considered priceless, and there were several posts offering high prices to buy these materials, but none received any responses.

And even if one managed to obtain the special materials for making Golden Honey Wine, making it required a significant amount of magic points and sanity points. Otherwise, the effect of the Golden Honey Wine would be very poor, and it would be highly toxic.

After all, the materials used to make Golden Honey Wine were from outer space, so it was normal for them to be toxic to humans. Therefore, if there were any accidents during the process of making Golden Honey Wine, it was very likely to result in poisoning and death. Additionally, each time Golden Honey Wine was consumed, it had to be enchanted first, which required a large amount of magic points and sanity points.

So, wanting to embark on interstellar travel in the Cthulhu RPG Game was not a simple matter.

Therefore, even though the Byakhee tribe was willing to provide Golden Honey Wine, Liu Xing didn’t want to try interstellar travel recklessly because he didn’t want to die inexplicably in space.

So, Liu Xing decided to change the subject and said, "Let’s talk about this later. Rundell, you’ll be on standby near Myriad Beast Mountain tomorrow. Wait for my call."

Rundell nodded and said with a smile, "No problem. I’ll be waiting near Myriad Beast Mountain early tomorrow morning for your call, Ryuusei. But I suggest you be careful of the surroundings after entering the Ancient One’s research facility because the Ancient One race developed paranoid tendencies in the later stages of the war. They liked to install various defense mechanisms in their territory. So, I suspect there will be various traps waiting for you in the research facility on Zekiel Island."

"Thanks for the reminder, Rundell. See you tomorrow... Well, it would be better if we didn’t." Liu Xing smiled.

After bidding farewell to Rundell, Liu Xing returned to the underground camp.

Upon returning to his room, Liu Xing didn’t forget to enter the Soul Casket to find Sirius.

After telling Sirius about what had happened today, Liu Xing continued, "Sirius, do you know what defensive measures are in the research facility?"

Sirius thought for a moment and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, this research facility should also adopt modular assembly design. In simple terms, each area is relatively independent. If an area triggers an alarm, that area will be completely sealed off, and automated defense robots will gather around the perimeter. When the number of automated defense robots reaches a certain value, they will enter the area for a search and eliminate any intruders in their eyes. But this shouldn’t be a problem for you, Liu Xing. As long as the recognition program of the automated defense robots is not damaged, they won’t attack you because, in any case, you’re an Ancient One officer. At most, you’ll be treated as an abnormal intruder and taken to the research facility’s confinement room."

Confinement room?

Liu Xing realized that the Ancient One was most likely in the confinement room now.

Since Sirius couldn’t provide any more information, Liu Xing chatted with Sirius for a few more words before leaving the Soul Casket.

Nothing eventful happened during the night.

Early the next morning, Liu Xing and his group ate and drank well, preparing to use the Beast Retreat Grass to enter the research facility.

Of course, Miguel was still responsible for staying behind at the underground camp this time.

"Alright, after we enter the research facility later, everyone should try to stick together. If we encounter any unexpected situations and get separated, the first goal is to reunite with the others. Don’t try to be a lone hero, especially since we know nothing about the situation inside the research facility," Liu Xing said seriously.

Zhang Jingxu nodded, smiling, "Of course, this isn’t some blockbuster movie from the United States of America. Playing the lone hero will only end in a gruesome death. But in the research facility, if your identity, Ryuusei, is recognized, then we’ll be much safer."

"That’s right. If necessary, I’ll try to reason with those automated defense robots," Liu Xing said with a smile.

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