novelraw Chapter 149: The End is Approaching
Chapter 149: The End is Approaching
The caregiver led him on a winding path, taking several detours as if intentionally wasting time.
What were they trying to accomplish?
Xiao Gui'an followed behind with slightly darkened eyes, continuing to walk without raising any objections.
But even with the detours and slow pace, they would eventually reach their destination.
The main entrance to the Acting Director's office was closed.
Xiao Gui'an tried knocking with the Gentleman's Cane, but no sound came from inside.
He didn't think the Acting Director would have any reason to summon him at this point.
After all, he hadn't done anything out of line or rule-breaking this morning.
The caregiver stood silently to the side after leading him here.
[Writer] cast a slightly oppressive gaze toward him and asked, "Is the Acting Director busy?"The other man buried his head even deeper. His hands grew long and thin, hanging before him as he repeated mechanically, "She might not have heard—"
Xiao Gui'an didn't believe that for a second.
He didn't want to linger here any longer, but when he tried to move aside, the caregiver shifted position to block his path.
"Please, please wait a little longer..."
The caregiver spoke these words mechanically, his figure seeming to shrink even smaller before [Writer].
But if Xiao Gui'an wanted to leave now, how could a mere caregiver possibly stop him?
Some commotion came from upstairs, where a shadow of black sludge flashed across the wall.
Something seemed to have hurriedly opened a door and emerged from the Finance Office, spotting [Writer] standing downstairs.
The person was elderly, somewhat portly, wearing glasses and a slightly yellowed white shirt with numerous black dog hairs on the collar and shoulders.
Though he had never met [Writer] before, after carefully adjusting his glasses and studying him for a while, he recognized the ink-haired young man standing downstairs. "Hey, hey, you downstairs, aren't you the new Teacher Yan?"
"You're here to see the Acting Director, right? Why not come up for some tea or something while you wait?"
What was this? One leaves, and another appears?
The performance wasn't convincing enough!
This was clearly someone sent out at the last moment to delay him.
His conversation with the caregiver hadn't been loud, so someone in a closed office might not have heard it.
Even if that could be explained by the other being a ghostly creature, why would his second sentence upon seeing him directly mention the 'Acting Director'?
Though phrased as a tentative question, it felt far too artificial.
The intention to engage him in conversation and keep him here was far too deliberate and obvious.
[Writer] gave a slight nod to the other man, declining the invitation as he said, "The Acting Director must be busy elsewhere. I'll go find her myself."
The elderly committee member opened his mouth, about to say something more. "No need to rush, Teacher Yan!"
He tugged on the dog leash in his hand, and the black dog scrambling at his feet barked fiercely twice at [Writer] downstairs, baring its teeth.
The black dog was enormous, its form gradually mutating—black fur growing longer, fangs protruding, crimson eyes fixed intently on [Writer].
It gave off the terrifying impression that if its master let go, it would immediately pounce down and devour the other.
What an ill-mannered vicious dog—
His Scavenger was much better behaved.
As Xiao Gui'an thought this, his long-dormant title characteristic activated.
Driver of 『Scavenger』—
New characteristic unlocked:
【Devourer】 The territory guarded shall not be violated.
【Deterrence and oppression against ghostly creatures increased to 100% suppression. Can break through characteristic abilities of existences with lower Hierarchical Status than the Main Body. Automatically triggers when provoked or attacked...】
『Scavenger』 had formed that kind of connection with Xiao Gui'an over a long period.
Having spent considerable time together, Xiao Gui'an's aura now contained a faint shadow of 『Scavenger』's mark.
As one of the top-tier entities among mutated monsters, 『Scavenger』 exerted suppression similar to primal power over monsters with identical characteristics or related natures.
Even other ghostified creatures felt a natural, irresistible fear toward 『Scavenger』.
Both were drivers—one controlling a ghostified black vicious dog, while [Writer] was surrounded by an unpredictable chaotic monster.
In the black giant dog's eyes, the slender figure below suddenly gained a massive monster behind it that roared deeply, completely enveloping it in black shadow.
The gaping abyssal maw contained terrifying rows upon rows of compound teeth trembling, as if ready to devour it in the next second.
This was an existence it couldn't oppose. Suppression from the depths of bloodline and Hierarchical Status made the black giant dog immediately tuck its tail between its legs.
Its proudly raised head dropped instantly as its entire body trembled violently.
"Oww..." With a mournful cry, the black giant dog collapsed to the ground, prostrating itself, completely devoid of any will to resist, having lost all its former ferocity.
"This, this? Get up!" The committee member naturally didn't understand what was happening. Unable to see 『Scavenger』's shadow, he could only pull hard on the dog leash in his hand.
But the vicious dog of before had been frightened out of its wits, offering no response no matter how he called to it.
Roughly understanding what had occurred, Xiao Gui'an curved his lips slightly upward before turning to leave directly.
The enormous monster shadow behind him gradually faded from the black giant dog's perception.
When Xiao Gui'an returned to the teaching building, it was already empty.
Looking around, he found no one there either.
Walking around the paths, he felt somewhat puzzled.
Where was everyone?
Where had they all gone?
What was the Acting Director trying to accomplish by luring him away?
Only when he turned another corner did he spot Teacher Xu surrounded by a flock of black crows. The crows were unusually large, flapping their wings and stirring up gusts of wind.
The moment they detected [Writer]'s approach, the crows scattered abruptly, flying away in a flustered fashion and quickly disappearing from sight.
Pressing down on her trembling other hand, the woman with the stern, pale face watched [Writer] approach and said in a dark, hoarse voice, "She took a child there."
After speaking these words, without waiting for [Writer] to say anything else, Teacher Xu moved somewhat stiffly and limped away.
Someone had been taken by the Acting Director?
Taken where?
If that individual was planning something again today, it was probably similar to yesterday.
Had she taken another orphan to the Punishment Room?
Was it Xu Zisheng? Or one of the two official personnel?
Or perhaps one of the ghost orphan children?
Since Teacher Xu had only said this much, she must have assumed he would understand her meaning.
Indeed, Xiao Gui'an could guess most of it.
So without delay, he headed directly toward the Punishment Room area.
If today's situation was the same as yesterday's, then why had the Acting Director tried to divert him today?
Was it because he witnessed it yesterday, so she took precautions today to prevent him from interfering?
So hurriedly, and during the orphans' free activity time too.
Teacher Xu clearly wouldn't collaborate with the Acting Director.
But unlike himself, she was probably subject to more restrictions under the rules.
He wondered what excuse or method the Acting Director had used to take one of the orphans away.
He had seen the Acting Director's condition yesterday herself.
She had clearly been using Ghost Tools and authority that didn't belong to her, so she must have suffered Backlash, which was why she hadn't appeared while he was accompanying Xiao Fan.
Had she recovered that quickly?
Or was she not using that keychain and watch today?
To open that row of Punishment Rooms, even without the watch, she would still need to bring that keychain, right?
When Xiao Gui'an stepped into that area again, he encountered the Acting Director looking extremely displeased with weakened energy.
She clearly hadn't expected Xiao Gui'an to arrive so quickly.
But unwilling to show weakness, she maintained her usual calculating and powerful demeanor.
"What is it, Teacher Yan? I was just about to look for you! I didn't expect we'd just miss each other!"
Xiao Gui'an narrowed his eyes, observing her. Her condition wasn't good—her eyes shifted uncertainly as she spoke.
Time had always played a crucial role in this Orphanage instance.
But the individual before him seemed to have violated certain underlying rules.
Xu Zisheng had said she only appeared during major cleanups to administer punishments.
But judging by the current situation, there was definitely something fishy going on.