Chapter 279

Wen Wen Xishu's guess was not wrong; Clara was indeed the Corruptor.

And as a Corruptor, she had a rather outstanding appearance and was naturally adept at manipulating others.

Clara's memory was very good, so good that she was clear about every card in her hand.

Clara knew the role of every person in the casino and every pawn at the current stage like the back of her hand.

In her plan, the few assassins would soon do something stupid in their lives, to the point that their fates would be completely changed.

Those targets to be assassinated had all been carefully investigated by her.

Even the assassins themselves would not know who the targets they were to kill were, or what kind of consequences it would bring.

And even big shots like Feng Feng Nuoyiman and Lei Nuo could not track her down, and even if they did, it wouldn't matter.

It would be nothing more than starting the next loop.

Admittedly, in the future Three Towers War, Clara was nothing, and even the Corruptors themselves had no future to speak of.

But they possessed an endless present.

Clara was a variable; Corruptors were variables.

But Wen Wen Xishu was very clear about one point: the more this was the case, the more Corruptors feared variables, and the more they feared that an outsider would appear in their own little territory.

Wen Wen Xishu just walked into the gambling club and immediately caught Clara's attention.

Over a dozen men and women were exchanging cheating techniques, and Clara saw it at a glance... a pawn that had deviated from its post.

Ethan!

She certainly knew that Ethan was a programmer, a very powerful hacker, but he had personality flaws, found it hard to leave his own room, and found it hard to make friends.

In Clara's eyes, every pawn had "fluctuations," but Ethan's "fluctuations" should have been the smallest.

How could such a person appear here?

Clara liked to create variables, but when a variable descended upon her own side, she would subconsciously feel fear.

Wen Wen Xishu didn't say much either, walking directly in front of Clara.

This wasn't the first time; the difficulty before was in knowing who the Corruptor was, but this time, with a perfect entry, Wen Wen Xishu had already figured everything out:

"Clara, manipulating assassins to kill the relatives of big shots, eventually leading to them being arrested—that must be a lot of fun, right?"

Clara's pupils were changing; that was undisguised fear.

"You... Ethan... you... no, you are..."

For a moment, she was in a state of mental confusion, becoming incoherent. She knew this was Ethan, but she knew she should pretend not to know, yet the panic caused her to expose quite a few problems at once.

"Pfft."

Wen Wen Xishu waved his hand:

"As a Corruptor, can we have a little class? Look at yourself now; do you still have a shred of the composure you had when toying with others?"

It could be said that every sentence Wen Wen Xishu said from his appearance until now was shocking Clara.

"We"?

She looked at Wen Wen Xishu in disbelief.

Wen Wen Xishu continued:

"Those few assassins have a greater role in a future we cannot reach, so... the high-level members among us have decided that your toying this time must be terminated."

"Simply put, don't interfere with their fate trajectories anymore. Go toy with others. I came here just to deliver this instruction."

"You should know who I am, right?"

Wen Wen Xishu actually didn't know who he was himself.

But back on the seventh floor, Jin Jin Zaimin, a subordinate of An Rongzai, had said that a Corruptor from a higher level seemed to have awakened a certain ability that could link Corruptors from other levels, to the point of influencing history on a grand scale.

Wen Wen Xishu guessed that Corruptors might have an organization.

So Wen Wen Xishu was attempting to play the role of someone under that character.

He was also attempting, through the character he was playing, to scam Clara and extract some information about the Corruptor "organization."

This was also the reason Wen Wen Xishu didn't use his own face. Using Ethan's identity was actually more shocking to Clara.

Clara knew Ethan was just an "NPC."

If he used "Wen Wen Xishu," someone who hadn't appeared here before, Clara might realize this was a "player."

And the reason he thought Clara would be an "organization" member was that he felt the forty-ninth floor was a level very much connected to the seventh floor.

Simply put, everything was just a probe before Wen Wen Xishu killed the Corruptor.

But this probe really did yield some discoveries.

After being stunned for a long time, Clara immediately stood up, drove away everyone in the gambling club, and then closed the club's door, saying with a somewhat respectful demeanor:

"How long will you be staying?"

This sentence itself contained a huge amount of information, and Wen Wen Xishu immediately realized the key point.

Clara was also probing.

This "how long will you be staying" was actually to see if the other party knew that key point.

Wen Wen Xishu was someone very good at reading comprehension; the honorific "you" meant that Clara realized immediately that he might be someone of a higher level than her.

But Clara's second half of the sentence was a bit strange, spoken somewhat vaguely; this might be a probe.

Multiple Corruptors would not easily appear in one area.

Thinking of this, Wen Wen Xishu said:

"If you are sensible enough, then Ethan will still be Ethan, and you can always be you. But I feel that Ethan wouldn't talk to you this much; perhaps Ethan can stop being Ethan, and you don't need to be you anymore either."

If you get a question wrong, just delete the question; what do I have to fear with the Power of the Three Phases? Such composure put Wen Wen Xishu and Clara on different levels of mindset.

So Wen Wen Xishu could boldly attempt, and his attempt indeed had a payoff.

Upon hearing this, Clara understood in her heart:

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have probed you!"

Wen Wen Xishu smiled:

"Who am I?"

Clara didn't quite understand this sentence.

Wen Wen Xishu repeated it again:

"Who. Am. I."

He no longer had a questioning tone, as if he were testing Clara.

Clara was now in a state of "brain-filling" the other party's status.

"Why would he ask me this? Does he not know who he is? He is Ethan... no, he couldn't possibly ask such a shallow question."

"Oh... right, he is hitting back at me, because I just probed him, and he wants to probe me too."

"Reasonable."

Thinking this way, Clara said:

"You are a manager in the organization; you could even replace me."

Wen Wen Xishu smiled mysteriously:

"Good girl, I won't replace you, but that requires you to perform well."

Clara instantly pressed up against him:

"Whatever you want me to do... I will."

Wen Wen Xishu pushed Clara away in annoyance:

"Do you think that as a Corruptor, it's difficult for me to find a woman?"

Clara lowered her head:

"I understand, I'm sorry, I won't arrange those few assassins again... If you need me to guide them to leave this area, that's fine too."

Wen Wen Xishu was still thinking about how to trick Clara into saying more about the "organization."

Currently, he already knew the "organization" indeed existed.

This organization was likely one that specialized in scamming "NPCs" and "players." In a sense, it had quite a large impact on history.

"A special existence has appeared recently, and some areas have already been hit, but they are all low-level areas. I appeared to tell you all..."

"To be more low-key, to be more cautious in your actions, and not to be targeted by that guy. His level is constantly rising, do you know?"

Clara didn't understand:

"I don't understand, who are you talking about?"

Wen Wen Xishu said:

"A guy who doesn't follow the rules, or rather, can be unconstrained by the rules. He is a 'player,' but he can use violence, and his strength is very high, no less than an ability user, and he is familiar with our existence. Once he finds us, he will kill us."

Clara shivered.

"Is there really such a person? He... can use violence?"

Wen Wen Xishu nodded with a solemn expression; some friends, some, I am one.

"Once you die at his hands, you will lose the protection of the power of the loop, and we will no longer be Corruptors. Dead means truly dead. The most terrifying thing is that that guy is always able to anchor that piece of history, and we cannot infiltrate it either."

Clara was terrified:

"No wonder you appeared; I was wondering... the organization hasn't had instructions for a long time."

Wen Wen Xishu realized this was an information point.

"Yes, the organization hasn't had instructions for a long time, because instructions require some cost. You know this cost, right?"

Clara nodded and then shook her head:

"This all has to do with those otherworldly people, those 'players.' In their world, it seems we are divided into many levels, and high-level 'players' can bring the ability to change rank to the organization's managers."

"Of course, this is just some things I knew when I was absorbed into the organization... I don't know the specifics."

Clara hoped to use this to show her importance. After all, if she weren't important, she wouldn't have been absorbed into the organization in the first place.

Wen Wen Xishu could be considered to have obtained quite a bit of information. First, the organization indeed exists.

Second, the organization has a "message-passing" ability.

Third, the organization also possesses the ability to "replace Corruptors," such as making Ethan a Corruptor and canceling Clara's original Corruptor status.

But now, the organization seems to have lost this ability. Because the use of this ability requires "consumables."

This consumable is the cost.

The consumable is highly likely related to players who climb the tower. And it is related to players who have the ability to climb above the seventieth floor.

Wen Wen Xishu suddenly remembered...

Evelyn, one of the Five Elders, stopped climbing the tower for some reason. Could there be a connection here?

In a sense, the appearance of Sagittarius meant that there were no more players entering above the seventieth floor of the Tower of Desire...

This, in turn, cut off the "ability supply chain" of the Corruptor organization.

Wen Wen Xishu felt it was getting interesting.

"I know Corruptors are related to Pisces; Corruptors are very likely the handiwork of Pisces."

"And the appearance of Corruptors has greatly overturned the original history, and the appearance of players has made the possibility of Corruptors overturning history even greater."

"After all, normal players find it hard to defeat Corruptors because they cannot use violence like I can."

"In this situation, high-level Corruptors, plus players... might make the original Three Towers War very, very chaotic. Everyone's fate trajectory might be constantly changing, and it might even affect the Mysterious Tower."

"The appearance of Sagittarius can be said to have greatly weakened Pisces!"

Sometimes, if you stand from the human perspective, you would feel Sagittarius is too hateful, cutting off all players who dare to climb the tower above the seventieth floor.

But if you switch perspectives, you would find that Sagittarius restricts Corruptors.

But overall, without the sniping of Sagittarius, it is more beneficial than harmful to the Bunker.

Wen Wen Xishu thought about it; Jin Jin Zaimin's conversation with him was in the Mysterious Tower.

That is, the World of Obsession.

Jin Jin Zaimin in the state of obsession actually remembered Corruptors; they must have left a deep impression on him.

What is certain is... that place, Jicheng, has tasks for the seventh floor, and it must also have tasks for the seventieth floor, or even higher levels.

Wen Wen Xishu said:

"Clara, you did the wrong thing; next time I hope you contact the organization proactively."

Clara was terrified:

"But I... don't have the ability to contact you."

"You know, I was just selected, but until now, the organization hasn't told me more information."

"You aren't being honest," Wen Wen Xishu said.

Clara shook her head frantically:

"I swear, I wouldn't dare hide anything from you! I like the days here; even if I have no future, at least in the endless loop, I can live very easily."

"I can toy with everyone, including those who have major missions in the future... I wouldn't dare hide anything from you; I don't want to be removed."

It looked like no more intelligence could be squeezed out. Oh well, today had already been quite fruitful.

Wen Wen Xishu nodded, and he sighed lightly:

"I just told you that there is a 'player' who can use violence and doesn't follow the rules."

Clara gave an "um":

"Thank you very much for the reminder; once I notice a new face, I will find a way to get rid of him!"

Wen Wen Xishu said:

"I have to remind you of one thing, Clara."

Clara asked:

"What?"

That face of Ethan revealed a strange smile:

"It's not necessarily always a new face; a familiar face can be one too."

Wen Wen Xishu suddenly made a move.

He already possessed the Power of the Three Phases, and coupled with his swift and decisive strike, Clara couldn't react in time and was grabbed by the neck by Wen Wen Xishu with one hand.

Wen Wen Xishu smiled:

"Those who deceive others should naturally accept the fate of being deceived by others, shouldn't they?"

"You... what are you doing?" Clara's eyes widened; with her neck grabbed by Wen Wen Xishu, she appeared to have difficulty breathing.

Wen Wen Xishu didn't speak, but soon, Clara realized where the problem lay:

"You... you are that person!"

"Correct! But there is no prize."

Wen Wen Xishu stopped torturing his opponent, just watching Clara's expression of extreme terror, and then twisted Clara's neck.

This Corruptor, who had toyed with several great assassins, toyed with the Investigation Bureau, and toyed with the Ark's generals, died at Wen Wen Xishu's hands without being able to resist in the slightest.

This time, Wen Wen Xishu didn't have a fixed mission; the mission this time didn't require making anyone happy.

Therefore, he could even bring misfortune to people.

After resolving the Corruptor and preventing the fate of the few assassins originally being captured by the Investigation Bureau.

Wen Wen Xishu didn't stay in Decheng any longer.

Before starting the login device, Wen Wen Xishu checked the file of the person he killed—the ability brought by the Scorpio Dagger allowed him to view the target's illustrated file after killing them.

Gai Yin, Zoe, Clara—Wen Wen Xishu didn't care about the first two, because he had already obtained enough information through the power of the Underworld Master.

But for Clara, Wen Wen Xishu decided to take a look, to avoid missing information.

"A new member of the Pisces Society, knows some things about the Pisces Society, but only knows the surface. Because the corruption style is the 'leave no trace' type, she was judged as not crazy enough."

There was almost no useful information, only a "Pisces Society," which seemed to lock the relationship between Pisces and Corruptors.

But whether there were other reversals inside, it remained unknown.

Then there was some data, like height, weight, measurements, favorite food, and the like. This information was somewhat useless; after all... the person had been killed by himself, is it necessary to know what food the other party likes?

After understanding all this, Wen Wen Xishu finally started the login device.

Perhaps because it was too free, this time Wen Wen Xishu didn't receive any prompts about changes in constellation favorability.

Cannon was still setting up an array, a kind of evil harvesting array. Of course, it wasn't a harvesting array in the sexual sense. Simply put, once this array was formed, if the enemy was injured or died inside, then correspondingly, the person at the eye of the array would absorb what the enemy had lost.

The Place of Reception.

After hearing the exaggerated laughter of the receiver, the Black Mysterious Head, Wen Wen Xishu immediately checked his panel.

【Slaughter Tower Level: 18. Slaughter Value Limit: 200.】

【Mysterious Tower Level: 47. Magic Resistance: 105 points.】

【Tower of Desire Level: 43. Luck Value: 93 points.】

Other attributes had almost no changes, but the Mysterious Tower level had actually risen by four levels. Magic resistance had also broken through one hundred.

The remaining Tower Power value had no changes, and the sequence slot had no changes either.

But correspondingly, the Mysterious Tower's Great Perfection allowed Wen Wen Xishu to possess a special sequence—Duel.

This was the new sequence Wen Wen Xishu obtained.

Three Towers Sequence 49: Fated Duel.

This was also the most important thing Wen Wen Xishu obtained from exploring the Mysterious Tower this time and achieving the perfect ending.

This sequence itself was not strong; it was just a rule-based sequence, but the sequence influenced Wen Wen Xishu's subsequent decisions.

Upon seeing the description of "Fated Duel," Wen Wen Xishu immediately thought of a possibility.

The description of Fated Duel was as follows:

"Sequence Description: Although you are unknown, you have the courage to desire to challenge gods, so go and fight, go and initiate a duel against them, and have a hearty, consequence-free showdown."

"Sequence Effect: When you have accurately captured the other party's aura, you can summon the other party to your side and initiate a duel. It lasts for ten minutes; within ten minutes, the other party cannot escape the battlefield and must respond to the duel. A target can only be summoned once, and the interval for initiating a fated duel is determined based on the target's strength."

Plain and unremarkable.

It seemed to have no meaning.

It looked like a product obtained after satisfying the assassins' desire to defeat the savior; with this, it seemed the assassins could have a fated duel with the saviors.

But the summoning of a fated duel had conditions; one had to sense the other party's aura.

This sequence could not bring Wen Wen Xishu any gains in combat ability.

But he immediately knew the terror of this sequence.

"It can forcibly summon enemies to my side... including Sagittarius?"

Wen Wen Xishu feared Sagittarius, but Sagittarius was not the strongest among the constellations; Sagittarius's power lay in his ability to ignore spatial differences and snipe enemies across dimensions.

But if Sagittarius were right by his side, and by his side... there happened to be a powerful teammate?

"Looks like you really like this sequence, chop chop chop chop chop." The Black Mysterious Head had a new laugh again.

"But don't be in a hurry; besides the regular level six rewards, there is one more facility you can obtain. This facility is called the Reform House. Simply put, it is a prison."

"The prisoners in this prison, if they don't obey the warden's management, their necks will explode; interesting, right?"

"Of course, as a level six facility, the prison carries a bit of a mysterious effect, which is that people who come to the prison will be particularly prone to repentance."

The Black Mysterious Head was still blabbering on, but Wen Wen Xishu didn't care much about such small rewards.

At this moment, Wen Wen Xishu had only one thought in his mind, to use this Three Towers sequence to pull off a showdown of top powerhouses:

"If it were the current Principal, after Sagittarius lost the distance advantage... could he defeat Sagittarius?"

Of course, no matter what, this matter had to be discussed with the Principal first.

(End of chapter)