Chapter 2333 Fragmented Images <TOC> Chapter 2335 Mirror’s Projection
Next page password is bold portion: 7e5hosT_?7bRl
Translator: SumTLMan
In a scene shrouded in mystery, beyond the silhouette of a person, another clue emerges.
From the voids of blank apparitions, the outlines of numerous figures can be faintly discerned surrounding an altar, not as living sacrifices bound within the small caverns, but cloaked in the same manner as the figure in the background.
This reveals that the ritualistic activities within the cavern are not the endeavors of a solitary individual but are orchestrated by a collective.
However, their identities remain elusive at this point.
Upon viewing the second image, Totoro once again employs his mental power to arrange the third image by touching the parchment.
Totoro shares, “After seeing the symbols on the stone slab, several fragmented images flashed before my eyes. Through restoration, I managed to present two relatively complete images; this is the first.”
As the image materializes on the parchment, Angel and Nisi come to understand why Totoro described the image as “relatively complete.” Compared to the previous two images, this newly emerged one is indeed far more complete.
Only about a quarter of it remains blank, with the rest filled with color.
The scene is still set within the cavern, yet unlike before, the focal point of this scene is the rectangular stone platforms surrounding the altar.
In reality, Angel hadn’t paid much attention to these rectangular stone platforms, as they only bore single, fragmented skeletal limbs, such as arm bones, leg bones, breastbones, and some non-human bizarre skeletal remains.
Compared to the complete set of 360 skeletons in the cavern, these seemed rather inconspicuous. The only point of interest was that these limbs bore traces of being permeated with energy during their lifetime, possibly belonging to some extraordinary beings.
Unlike the bones in reality, which have turned to white skeletons or even calcium powder, the limbs presented in Totoro’s image on the parchment are still attached to flesh.
In the image, nearly every rectangular stone platform houses a special transparent container.
Each transparent container is filled with a turbid yellow liquid, within which different limbs are submerged.
Due to the varying sizes of the limbs, the containers also vary in size. For instance, a pair of massive demonic wings is soaked in a container as large as a small hill, while a thumb radiating a golden glow is contained within a vessel the size of a cup.
“These limbs include those of abyssal demons, void creatures, and even some… that appear to be from extraordinary humans,” Nisi observes, scrutinizing the various containers with a furrowed brow. “Could it be that someone is smuggling limbs from other worlds for sale?”
The practice of transplanting limbs from extraordinary creatures to pursue greater power is not particularly rare among wizards. As long as one can overcome the issue of bloodline compatibility, a full-body transplant would pose no problem.
Wizards of the bloodline branch have been engaging in organ transplantation since their apprenticeship, as they possess numerous methods to overcome organ rejection, a capability not as prevalent in wizards of other branches. This is one of the reasons why bloodline wizards tend to have stronger combat abilities compared to their peers at the same level.
Given the wizards’ need for transplantation of extraordinary Organs, a corresponding industry chain naturally forms.
However, many of these extraordinary organs originate from creatures of other worlds, and any industry involving otherworldly realms faces fierce suppression by the Extreme Sect. Thus, the smuggling and trading of extraordinary organs operate in a gray area within the Southern Region.
“If these individuals are part of a merchant group dealing in gray areas, then there’s no need to pursue this matter further,” Nisi stated, acknowledging that such merchant groups are not uncommon in the Wizarding World.
Even the Profane Wing Station that Rhine took Angel to last time falls within this gray area. The backing Profane Wing Merchant Group is among the high-end service providers in this gray market, evident by their ability to deal with awakened demons like Eremy.
Angel pondered, “It’s one thing for merchant groups to be involved, but why does it extend to the Qwest World? And, is there really a need for such large-scale human sacrifices just for the smuggling and selling of otherworldly organs?”
Three hundred and sixty human lives might not seem significant in worlds under the control of malevolent gods, but in the Southern Region, where otherworldly creatures find it extremely difficult to invade, such a number for a sacrificial ritual is substantial.
Moreover, the situation in the cavern suggests that the sacrifices were not for malevolent gods but for a certain entity or force within the Qwest World. The capacity to consume such a large-scale human sacrifice in one go should not be underestimated in the soul factions of the Qwest World.
“Is smuggling organs to this extent necessary?”
Nisi nodded thoughtfully, “Indeed, something doesn’t add up. Such rituals shouldn’t be associated with the usual nature of merchant groups.”
Angel added, “Another thing that strikes me as odd is, if it’s truly about smuggling organs, why would they leave the organs in the cavern to decay?”
Realistically, many of the rectangular stone platforms were found with desiccated organs. If the intention was to sell, it wouldn’t make sense to leave them in the cavern to rot.
Nisi, recalling the cavern scene Angel had previously conjured with illusions, noted, “I remember many of the rectangular stone platforms were empty, with only organ residues. But according to what Totoro saw, each platform had containers holding the organs, indicating that those behind the scenes did take many extraordinary organs with them.”
“But you’re right, if the purpose was trading, they would have taken all, not leaving any behind.”
After much contemplation, Nisi couldn’t decipher the intentions behind these actions and turned to Totoro, “You mentioned there was another scene?”
Upon receiving a nod from Angel, Totoro wiped the parchment clean and began to reconstruct the last scene he witnessed.
This final scene, the most complete of all viewed, had very few blank margins, with the main subject clearly visible.
At the center of this scene was, once again, the rectangular stone platform.
In a departure from the expansive vistas of the previous scene, this time the focus narrows to a rectangular stone platform.
Atop the platform sits the same type of container, within which a right arm adorned with black and red patterns is submerged.
The arm appears delicate, its nails painted with the same black and red patterns as the arm itself. It can be reasonably inferred that this arm likely belongs to a human or humanoid being.
The black and red patterns present a clue worth investigating, though neither Angel nor Nisi have encountered such patterns before, necessitating a temporary bypass of this lead.
A particularly crucial detail in this scene is the presence of three individuals standing beside the rectangular stone platform.
All three are cloaked, with their faces partially obscured by shadow, rendering their features indistinct. However, it is visible that each has black tattoos on their faces.
The person standing to the right rear has a side profile with a clearly visible tattoo of the number 6.
The tattoos of the individuals at the left rear and directly in front are less discernible, but if they too are numbers, details suggest they are 3 and 0, respectively.
With 3 and 6 positioned at the back and 0 at the front.
The cloaked figure with the 0 tattoo extends a hand, touching the container’s surface. A faint glow emanates from the point of contact, and a glowing symbol appears on the back of the figure’s hand.
This symbol consists of concentric circles with a hexagon inside.
“This is a symbol from the Qwest World!” Nisi, looking at the stone slab on the table, notes that aside from two worm-like symbols at the very center, the rest matches perfectly.
Nisi can’t help but turn to Totoro: “Is there a symbol inside the hexagon?”
Totoro nods: “There is a symbol, but I can’t remember it.”
This inability to remember aligns with the characteristics of symbols from the Qwest World!
“Is it the symbol on this stone slab?” Nisi pushes the slab towards Totoro.
Totoro shakes his head: “I don’t know.”
Although a definitive answer isn’t obtained, Nisi feels a premonition that the glowing symbol on the back of the hand of the individual cloaked in 0, and the symbols on the stone slab likely originate from the same source.
“It seems there’s some connection between this symbol and the organ in the container. Perhaps, this symbol could induce some kind of change in the organ?” From the actions of the individual with the 0 tattoo cloaked person in the scene, Nisi speculates: “If this speculation holds true, then this is certainly not a mere act of smuggling.”
Angel nods in agreement: “Unfortunately, with the current clues, it’s difficult to deduce the effect of the symbol.”
Knowing the effect of the symbol could perhaps reveal why this group is conducting a not insignificant ritual of live sacrifices in the cavern.
Nisi, too, is unfamiliar with the specifics and muses: “I’ll go ask Iron Armor Granny about it later at the ruins; Granny knows a lot about these obscure matters.”
In the beginning, it was Iron Armor Granny who deduced that the symbols on the stone slab most likely originated from the Steffi Soul Safe Zone in the Qwest World. Thus, Nisi immediately thought of Iron Armor Granny.
“Alright, then I’ll trouble you with this.”
Temporarily setting aside the effects of the symbols, Nisi and Angel shifted their focus to other clues in the image.
Nisi’s gaze firmly fixed on the faces of the three cloaked figures, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
“Tattooing numbers on the face is quite rare. Judging from the details of the characters, the area covered by these numbers is quite large, enough to obscure half of the face. Such large black numbers, I always feel a bit familiar.”
“Do you mean, Wizard Nisi, that you have seen such people?” Angel looked towards Nisi.
Nisi shook his head: “I can be certain that I **have seen them. However, I seem to have heard of people with similar tattoos.”
“Let me think.” Nisi’s index finger gently tapped on his forehead, lightly tapping in a rhythmic frequency, trying to awaken that memory hidden in the corner.
After a while, Nisi lowered his hand and shook his head at Angel: “I can’t remember.”
“My memory might not be as formidable as your mentor’s, but it shouldn’t be far off. Recalling things from hundreds of * ago is usually effortless. But this time, I **can’t remember, it’s very likely some minor detail I never paid attention to.”
“For example, places I’ve been to, some murals I saw unintentionally, or some rumors I heard inadvertently.”
These are all extremely fragmented memories; Nisi just unintentionally imprinted those details into his mind at that time. Searching for this bit of inadvertence among countless memories is quite difficult.
“I’ll think about it later, or I’ll ask others to see if they have **any impression.”
Angel: “That’s all we can do now.”
Seeing Angel sigh, a flash of guilt appeared in Totoro’s eyes: “It’s because of my lack of ability…”
Angel was stunned for a moment, not understanding why Totoro suddenly started blaming himself.
“You’ve done well enough.” Angel: “You **went to the cavern yourself. Just being able to see so much through an illusion is already very good.”
Hearing the conversation between Angel and Totoro, Nisi’s face was full of confusion.
This is considered not good? This is considered lacking in ability? To even feel guilty about this?
Nisi had previously wondered if the outside world’s evaluation of Totoro was exaggerated, but after seeing these images, Nisi no longer doubted Totoro’s **ability.
To be able to find so many images from the ethereal timeline without an on-site investigation after so many *years, even Witch Maya would find it difficult to achieve.
Even, Nisi suspected that the Observers from the Crown Star Church, if present, would probably be about the same as Totoro.
Totoro, still an apprentice, has reached such a level, which can be said to be extremely terrifying, and yet he still complains about his lack of ability?
Nisi remarked, “Your abilities are actually quite impressive already. If you could help me determine which node on the stone slab is more useful, then I could call you the foremost prophecy wizard of the Savage Grottoes.”
Totoro glanced at Nisi, completely disregarding him.
Nisi had no choice but to turn his pleading gaze towards Angel.
Angel thought that if Nisi could find the useful node sooner, it would save him the trouble of occasionally bringing the stone slab over. With this in mind, Angel still spoke a few words on behalf of Nisi.
With Angel’s support, Totoro naturally wouldn’t refuse and turned his head to look at Nisi, allowing Nisi to introduce what he was seeking.
Seeing Totoro’s double standards, Nisi had a lot of complaints in his heart, but he still introduced the situation of the stone slab with a smile on his face.
While Totoro and Nisi were communicating, Angel took a trip back to reality.
Using illusion, he displayed the images that Totoro had shown, in front of Freud. He asked Freud to help look up some clues.
The main focus was to investigate the logo on the boots, the black and red pattern on the arm, and the person with a number tattoo on their face.
After giving a thorough explanation, Angel returned to the Wilderness of Dreams.
By then, Totoro was no longer there, leaving only Nisi in the attic.
Sensing around, Angel found that Totoro had logged off and thus didn’t bother with him anymore. He walked over to sit opposite Nisi.
“How did it go, did Totoro find it for you?” Seeing Nisi staring blankly at the stone slab, Angel asked curiously.
Nisi sighed softly and shook his head, “No.”
“Oh? Totoro didn’t find it either?”
Nisi nodded, “It’s not his fault.”
Indeed, Totoro didn’t find the useful node, but this was not related to Totoro’s own abilities. Identifying the node itself required proficiency in the soul-based magic formulas, and Totoro, having never dealt with the complex formulas of the soul study, naturally couldn’t accurately find the node.
However, although Totoro didn’t find the node, he provided a numerical range. Totoro’s previous distraction was due to studying this numerical range.
“If the node really is within this numerical range, it could indeed save me a lot of effort.”
Chapter 2333 Fragmented Images <TOC> Chapter 2335 Mirror’s Projection