Chapter 316: Great Old One
In Liu Xing’s view, having these three magic arrays should be sufficient. The cumulative effect of these three magic arrays was already considered close to perfection, and there was little need to add more magic arrays.
However, after analyzing the three magic arrays, Liu Xing discovered another one within the Composite Magic Array, and the complexity of this magic array’s incantations far surpassed the previous three.
It is worth noting that the easiest and quickest way to assess the strength of a magic array is by examining its intricacy. The artistry of drawing magic arrays is also a factor, and typically, more powerful magic arrays tend to appear more elaborate, as they require the depiction of a greater amount of content.
Of course, if the person drawing the magic array possesses sufficient strength, they can simplify complex incantations into a more ordinary appearance, although the effects remain undeniable.
However, Liu Xing could tell that these magic arrays all originated from the same person. This assurance allowed Liu Xing to conclude that the final magic array would likely be the most powerful among the four.
Therefore, despite the tight schedule and the possibility of Dogo Aige arriving to deliver food at any moment, Liu Xing resolutely decided to analyze this last magic array.
Liu Xing: 1/85, critical success.
Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, surprised that he had achieved a critical success at such a crucial moment. He couldn’t help but acknowledge his good fortune.
While pondering, Liu Xing entered a state of deep concentration.
However, just as Liu Xing entered this state of intense focus, KP Green Light chuckled. The sound of dice hitting the table followed, as KP Green Light initiated a covert action, unbeknownst to Liu Xing.
During this time, all the players, except for Liu Xing, received a notification from KP Green Light. "Matsui Yui’s anxiety level has risen to 80."
Zhang Jingxu, who was checking the remaining potions he had, furrowed his brow. He immediately contacted KP Green Light, asking, "KP, what’s going on? How did Matsui Yui’s anxiety level suddenly jump to 80? That’s awfully fast, especially since we’re all just staying inside the villa right now."
KP Green Light replied with a smile, "Player Zhang Jingxu, please understand that it’s not only player actions that can increase Matsui Yui’s anxiety level. NPC behavior can also contribute to it. We can’t have you all idly doing nothing in the game, after all."
Zhang Jingxu nodded in understanding and sighed, "I see. So, KP, can you tell us why Matsui Yui’s anxiety level spiked so dramatically this time?"
"I cannot disclose that. Please explore it on your own," KP Green Light responded before falling silent.
Zhang Jingxu shook his head in resignation, realizing that they would need to figure out why Matsui Yui’s anxiety level had suddenly surged.
However, Zhang Jingxu couldn’t help but glance at Liu Xing’s room. Although KP Green Light had mentioned that it could be NPC behavior affecting Matsui Yui’s anxiety, Liu Xing was currently making progress in his research on the Composite Magic Array on the window frame. This made Zhang Jingxu suspect that Liu Xing’s advancements in understanding the Composite Magic Array might be the cause of Matsui Yui’s anxiety spike.
As everyone became equally anxious about Matsui Yui’s sudden increase in anxiety, Liu Xing finally completed the analysis of the last magic array.
This unnamed magic array left Liu Xing uncertain about its effects. However, he could faintly sense that it might be connected to a powerful entity. Though he was reluctant to admit it, this formidable entity might be on par with King Hastur in Yellow Robes, whom he held in high regard.
At this point, KP Green Light chimed in, saying, "Okay, player Liu Xing, you have successfully analyzed all the magic arrays within the Composite Magic Array. You can find ways to preserve these four magic arrays, and when you have the ability to use them, the system will notify you."
Liu Xing raised an eyebrow and immediately took out a notebook from his backpack. He sketched all four magic arrays that he could remember clearly. In an instant, his notebook transformed into an item—a record of the magic arrays.
After noting down these four magic arrays, Liu Xing fell into contemplation. He hadn’t expected the last magic array to be related to the Great Old One, and it seemed that the connection between this magic array and the Great Old One was not simple.
Moreover, Liu Xing believed that, without a doubt, this Great Old One was none other than Cthulhu.
After all, even among the Great Old Ones, there were different tiers of power, such as Cthulhu and Hastur, being some of the more formidable ones.
Therefore, since this magic array’s description mentioned Hastur, Liu Xing naturally connected it to Cthulhu.
However, Liu Xing couldn’t help but think that this module was filled with intricate plots. It involved not only Moon Beasts, Star Kin, and Ancient Ones—powerful mythical creatures—but had also brought forth the Great Old One. Liu Xing began to suspect if Nyarlathotep’s incarnation might become the scapegoat of this module.
Fortunately, his luck had held, and he had achieved a critical success. Otherwise, he would have gained nothing from analyzing this final magic array.
Just as Liu Xing was lost in his thoughts, he heard Ling Ishikawa’s voice from outside the door.
"Master, how is it going?" Ling Ishikawa asked in a hushed tone.
Liu Xing opened the door and nodded, saying, "I’ve completed my study of this Composite Magic Array. I’ve understood everything I can, and for those aspects I couldn’t grasp, there’s nothing more I can do. So, Ling Ishikawa, please inform the others to gather in the downstairs living room."
Ling Ishikawa nodded and headed to the third floor to find Panda Pig and Miyako Goudong.
Meanwhile, Liu Xing knocked on Zhang Jingxu’s door.
As he opened the door, Zhang Jingxu eagerly asked, "How did it go?"
Liu Xing nodded and then shook his head, saying, "I’ve analyzed the magic array on the window frame to a reasonable extent. The effects of these magic arrays are similar to what we previously thought. However, the current situation is far from optimistic. Let’s go downstairs first, and we’ll discuss further when everyone is present."
Zhang Jingxu nodded and called for Lu Tianya from the adjacent room. Liu Xing, Zhang Jingxu, and Lu Tianya then proceeded downstairs.
Once everyone had taken their seats, Liu Xing began, "Firstly, concerning the Composite Magic Array on the window frame, it likely consists of four different magic arrays. The first one is the Memory Loss Array we’ve already discovered. This array can erase our memories, making it nearly impossible to retrieve the forgotten memories we’ve mentioned before."
Upon hearing this, Panda Pig breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That’s a relief. At least this Memory Loss Array didn’t target our most important memories. We’ve only lost some insignificant memories, which shouldn’t have much impact."
Liu Xing nodded and sighed, saying, "Indeed, we’re fortunate to have discovered this early. You see, this Memory Loss Array is quite sophisticated. Once we lose a certain amount of memories, it won’t slowly erode us anymore. Instead, it will swiftly and aggressively wipe out as many memories as possible in a short period. So, if we hadn’t noticed this Composite Magic Array, we might have woken up tomorrow morning not remembering our own names or why we’re here."
Hearing Liu Xing’s explanation, everyone looked horrified.
Liu Xing paused and continued, "As for the second magic array, it complements the Memory Loss Array because its effect is to weaken our willpower. In simple terms, it can make us lose our mental strength, and like the Memory Loss Array, it gradually undermines us, causing harm over time."
At this point, Zhang Jingxu, as a professional, had already grasped the situation and said, "I see. So, Matsui Ichiro intends to turn us into Fisher’s Village residents. Most spiritual spells or magic that affect the mind essentially involve a battle of wills between the caster and the target. If your willpower is strong enough, Matsui Ichiro’s magic won’t affect you, but if your will is weak, Matsui Ichiro’s magic will easily control you."
Liu Xing nodded in agreement, saying, "Exactly. You see, the effect of this third magic array is to plant a psychological suggestion in us. While I can’t determine the specific effects of this psychological suggestion, we can make educated guesses."
Ling Ishikawa sighed and said helplessly, "It seems we’ve fallen right into the trap. This Composite Magic Array has us thoroughly calculated. Fortunately, Liu Xing, you noticed something amiss early on. Otherwise, we would have been in real trouble, not even knowing how we’d meet our end."
"Now it appears that Yamashita Kojiro and the others have indeed become residents of Fisher’s Village. The things left behind in this villa were forgotten because their owners lost their memories. In addition, Matsui Ichiro doesn’t attach much importance to these items, which is why we discovered them," Lu Tianya added. Zhang Jingxu looked at Liu Xing and asked, "But Liu Xing, you mentioned that this Composite Magic Array contains four different magic arrays. What could be the purpose of the fourth magic array? In my opinion, the combination of these three magic arrays is already perfectly effective. There seems to be no need to add a fourth one."
Liu Xing shook his head, acknowledging that the fourth magic array was indeed optional. It had almost no direct connection with the first three magic arrays. However, Liu Xing believed that the first three magic arrays were meant to serve the fourth one.
"As for this fourth magic array, I can’t say for sure," Liu Xing began. "My research on this magic array has yielded little. I can only make some bold speculations. This fourth magic array likely involves a powerful entity, something that could be called a god."
Although Miyako Goudong also understood that Liu Xing was referring to the Great Old One when he mentioned "god," he pretended to be surprised and asked, "A god? Is it possible that gods truly exist in this world, Ryuusei-kun? You’re not joking, are you?"
To play along with Miyako Goudong, Ling Ishikawa also chimed in, "Ryuusei-kun, are you referring to the Deep One that the Deep Sea Gospel Society worships when you mention ’god’?"
Liu Xing shook his head and turned to Zhang Jingxu, saying, "It’s a bit challenging to explain. I’m not entirely sure myself. I believe Mr. Zhang Jingxu, you already understand my point, and you probably have a better grasp of the definition of this ’god.’ So, please enlighten us."
Liu Xing deferred to Zhang Jingxu because he was concerned that appearing too knowledgeable about everything might arouse "Zhang Jingxu’s" suspicion. After all, "Zhang Jingxu" had already warned him about being cautious regarding the secret cult.
Therefore, Liu Xing needed to appear more modest now.
Zhang Jingxu, understanding Liu Xing’s intention, nodded without hesitation and said, "Ryuusei-kun, when you mention ’god,’ you’re most likely referring to the Great Old One, as per legends."
Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, surprised that "Zhang Jingxu" was familiar with the concept of "Great Old One."
In the Cthulhu RPG Game, most players, upon encountering Great Old Ones, referred to these indescribable entities as "gods" or "Eldritch Gods," rather than using the term "Great Old One." After all, most players were not acquainted with the concept of "Great Old One."
Therefore, in the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall’s forum, there was a belief that anyone who knew the concept of "Great Old One" within the Cthulhu RPG Game, whether player or NPC, was someone not to be trifled with.
For example, "Watanabe Ryuusei," despite receiving the favor of King Hastur in Yellow Robes, viewed King Hastur in Yellow Robes as a god. As for King Hastur in Yellow Robes’ adversary, Cthulhu, "Watanabe Ryuusei" regarded Cthulhu as just another Eldritch God.
Hence, "Watanabe Ryuusei" did not yet comprehend the concept of "Great Old One."
Now, Liu Xing realized that his SAN (sanity) value was at risk.
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