266-270
Added 2025-04-23 02:40:11 +0000 UTCChapter 266: Red Wine
Sai Gong’s words caused a noticeable change in Spike’s previously calm expression.
As one of the seventy-two demon gods, Sai Gong was not one to speak without purpose.
Spike turned to glance at Amanda, who seemed completely unaware.
Although she herself felt nothing unusual, both Agent Zhou and Spike had clearly sensed something was wrong with her.
“Why are you all staring at me?” Amanda frowned, sensing the gazes directed her way. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she exclaimed, “Wait a second, the unlucky person you’re all talking about—is it me?!”
“What’s going on, boss?”
Seeing Amanda catch on, Agent Zhou wasted no time in pressing the question.
“What? I’m fine, nothing’s wrong.” Amanda instinctively denied it.
“You don’t seem fine. Not long ago, you were about to charge into the circus without even assessing the danger. That’s not like you at all.”
As the team leader, Amanda had always approached supernatural cases with caution. Yet earlier, her reckless behavior had been entirely out of character.
“I was just worried about Angela being left in the circus...” Amanda tried to defend herself, but her fingers unconsciously touched the necklace around her neck.
“So, you’ve noticed.”
Sai Gong’s lips curled into a sly smile as he observed her movement. “Amanda, my offer still stands. Agree to my terms, and I’ll solve your problem immediately.”
“You have a way to fix Amanda?” Spike cut in before Amanda could respond.
“Of course,” Sai Gong replied confidently, though he quickly turned his gaze to Spike and frowned. “This is between Amanda and me. It’s none of your business, Spike.”
“You’ve got nothing left to bargain with me.”
Amanda’s uniqueness had clearly caught Sai Gong’s attention, and he was eager to savor the taste of her soul like fine wine.
“I know,” Spike nodded slightly, his tone steady. “But I think a strong team is crucial for me to survive a little longer. Don’t you agree?”
He turned to Agent Zhou for backup.
“Absolutely. Without the boss’s efforts, I wouldn’t have made it this far,” Zhou replied knowingly.
With Zhou’s support, Spike’s smile widened. He looked at Sai Gong and said, “Amanda’s talents in investigating supernatural cases are invaluable. With her help, I’m confident I can find the culprit I’ve been after and achieve my ultimate revenge. Once that’s done, you’ll get the drink you’ve been waiting for.”
Sai Gong narrowed his eyes. “Are you threatening me, Spike?”
“Not at all. Consider it a friendly reminder,” Spike replied with a grin.
---
Inside the circus, Sai Gong stared at Spike for a long moment before shaking his head. With a flick of his wrist, a wine glass filled with red liquid appeared in his hand.
He handed it to Spike, his expression blank. “Drink this. It will help stabilize her condition.”
Without hesitation, Spike reached for the glass. But Sai Gong moved it just out of reach, fixing his gaze on Spike’s face. “Remember, this wine will only ease her symptoms. It won’t free her from the necklace’s curse.”
Sai Gong had no intention of fully solving Amanda’s problem without getting what he wanted. The wine would merely counteract the necklace’s side effects for now. The next time she called upon its power, the price would still need to be paid.
Or perhaps, even this wine was part of Sai Gong’s temptation.
Spike paused briefly but then decisively took the glass. He handed it to Amanda, who hesitated for a moment before drinking it all in one go.
The wine vanished, as did the glass, dissolving into the air. Amanda’s eyes briefly flashed red, and the necklace on her neck glowed faintly silver, as if resisting. However, the red light from within her body quickly suppressed the glow, and the necklace fell silent.
“What... happened?” Amanda asked, holding her head. Memories she had lost began to resurface.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed aside the lingering pain in her mind. The memories—mixed with her experiences as a patrol officer—brought a sense of clarity and determination back to her face.
Looking at Agent Zhou and Spike, Amanda’s expression grew complicated. “You didn’t have to do this for me.”
“We’re friends,” Spike said simply, providing an answer to her unspoken question.
“Besides,” he added with a smirk, “I prefer the you who’s steady and sharp, not the one who’s reckless.”
“If you remember, I’m sure you’d agree...” Spike began teasingly, but Amanda cut him off, clearly annoyed.
She turned to Agent Zhou, shifting the topic. “What’s the situation now?”
“We’ve located the missing BSI agents, including the three who vanished at Mary Shaw’s cabin. They’re all here in the circus.”
---
Thanks to the invincible power of Hokuto Shinken for the 500 coin reward!
Chapter 267: The New Ringmaster
The discovery of the three missing BSI agents came as a surprise even to Agent Zhou.
After all, the disappearance of these three agents had been extraordinarily mysterious.
The clues left at the scene were scarce, and despite BSI’s exhaustive efforts, their whereabouts remained a mystery.
Eventually, the investigation was shelved—until now.
Who would have thought these three would resurface in such an unexpected way—from within the circus?
“It seems like they’ve had a rough time recently. At least they picked up a new skill—acrobatics. Even if they leave BSI, they could still perform on the streets,” remarked Spike, raising an eyebrow at the sight of the three agents clad in circus outfits, supporting one another.
His teasing comment drew a sharp glance from Amanda, who then turned her attention to the BSI agents emerging from the circus, along with the bewildered Angela.
While Amanda sighed in relief, her heart remained vigilant.
Though the circus incident had concluded, the trouble with Saigon was just beginning.
The thought of this demon, who had so effortlessly defeated Barnum, pressed heavily on Amanda’s mind.
She turned toward Saigon’s direction, about to speak, but paused.
The place where the demon had been moments ago was now empty.
Unnoticed by everyone, the demon had vanished silently from the circus.
Roar—
As Saigon disappeared, the once-quiet circus erupted in chaos again. The massive circus tent, with a gaping hole in its center, began shaking violently. Ropes swung wildly through the air, slicing the silence with the sharp sound of whipping wind.
“The circus is out of control!”
Within the chaotic scene, the expressions of the recently returned BSI agents shifted dramatically to panic.
Meanwhile, the circus members seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.
The Lobster Man, clutching his face, lowered his hands and shouted frantically.
With his exclamation, the entire circus plunged into disarray.
“The circus is out of control?”
Recalling how Bearded Lady had once helped her escape the circus, Amanda wasted no time asking about the situation.
“Because the previous ringmaster, Barnum, is dead, the circus has lost its leader and is now running amok...”
Beside Jenny Lind, the pale-faced Bearded Lady explained.
The position of ringmaster could only be vacated willingly or upon the previous ringmaster’s death.
Earlier, Saigon’s presence had kept the circus in check.
But now, with the demon gone, the circus plunged into chaos, unable to contain itself without a leader.
“...A new ringmaster must be chosen immediately, or everyone here will be in grave danger.”
The circus’s weaknesses were relative only to beings like Saigon, a powerful demon.
If the circus were to spiral out of control, both Amanda and its members would face catastrophic danger.
Even Amanda, who had just begun to recover from the side effects of using her necklace, risked another relapse.
Understanding the severity of the situation, the Bearded Lady steadied herself with a deep breath. Breaking away from Jenny Lind’s support, she turned to the Swedish Nightingale and, with a solemn expression, said:
“Jenny, if anyone can become the next ringmaster, it’s you. The circus needs a new leader, and that leader is you.”
“...”
Meeting the Bearded Lady’s determined gaze, Jenny Lind’s expression wasn’t as resolute as one might expect.
“Ringmaster, circus—choose me as the new ringmaster!”
Dragging his battered legs, Thumb General raised his head and shouted toward the circus.
“There’s no time, Jenny.”
Hearing Thumb General’s declaration, the Bearded Lady grew even more anxious.
As a circus member, she knew Thumb General’s extreme tendencies. If he became the new ringmaster, he might very well turn into another Barnum.
Urged by the Bearded Lady, Jenny Lind quickly made up her mind.
Turning to face the rampaging circus, she spoke firmly:
“Circus, I will become the new ringmaster.”
Inside the circus, as the words of Thumb General and the Swedish Nightingale fell, the chaos slowly subsided.
The circus roared deafeningly, its massive form shifting, broken tent and all. It paused briefly over both Thumb General and Jenny Lind, as if deliberating between them.
Gazing up at the roaring circus, Thumb General’s grotesque face filled with anticipation. A flash of hostility crossed his expression as he glanced at Jenny Lind.
In contrast, Jenny Lind stood still, her expression calm, waiting silently for the circus’s decision.
The circus’s choice held the attention of everyone present, not just its members. Even the BSI agents were visibly tense.
Among them, Agent Zhou clenched his fists tightly.
Spike toyed with the ring on his hand, while Amanda touched the necklace at her neck with a grim expression.
“...”
Under the collective gaze of the crowd, the circus finally made its decision.
With a thunderous roar, the circus tent collapsed, enveloping Jenny Lind.
The sight caused alarm among the unknowing BSI agents, but the Bearded Lady exhaled in relief, a smile curling beneath her thick beard.
Meanwhile, the other circus members cheered as if celebrating the birth of their new leader.
“No, no! Why, why!”
Only Thumb General, sprawled on the ground, screamed in disbelief.
As Thumb General wailed, the BSI agents gradually pieced together what had happened.
It seemed the circus had chosen the Swedish Nightingale as its new ringmaster—a decision that was undoubtedly the best possible outcome for everyone present.
Everyone except Thumb General.
Amid Thumb General’s screams, the tent encasing Jenny Lind opened once more. From within emerged the Swedish Nightingale, now the new ringmaster, exuding grace and authority. She held a cane in one hand and a whip in the other, striding confidently out of the circus.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 268: Celebration
Beep beep, doo-dee-doo, dee-dee-doo-dee...
Beep beep, doo-dee-doo, dee-dee-doo-dee...
Doo-dee-doo, doo-dee-doo, doo-dee-doo, beep-beep...
That night, the cheerful sound of music echoed throughout the circus.
Everyone was thrilled that Jenny Lind had become the new ringmaster of the circus—everyone except for the "Thumb General."
He sat silently by the circus bonfire, watching the laughter and merriment of the crowd from a distance. His disfigured face bore a look of deep gloom.
"Why the long face, Tom?"
Noticing the melancholy "Thumb General" sulking in the corner, "Bearded Lady"—no, she should now be called Annie—approached and sat beside him.
"Why should I be happy?"
Tom glanced at Annie. Although her beard had been removed with the help of the "Swedish Nightingale," Annie's physique was still much bulkier than that of an average woman.
"I gave my all to please Barnum, but then he died. When I finally thought I might succeed him as the new ringmaster, I failed again. I've been ridiculed and looked down upon my entire life, even in the circus. They'd rather choose Jenny Lind as the new leader than pick me."
From Tom's words, Annie could clearly sense the bitterness and resentment in his tone.
Instead of saying much, Annie placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You don’t need to do that anymore, Tom. Barnum is gone. No one will force us to rely on grotesque performances to win the audience's laughter. If you don’t like the way you dress or perform, you don’t have to do it anymore."
"Do you really think I can change out of these clothes?"
Hearing Annie's words, Tom’s face initially showed silence, then uncertainty, as he sought reassurance.
"Of course."
Annie nodded without hesitation.
Even though the removal of her beard hadn't made her appear delicate, Annie's words brought overwhelming excitement to Tom's face.
With a twisted smile, Tom looked down at his circus uniform and tore it apart, revealing his frail, small frame. Tears streamed down his face.
...
Creak, creak—
However, none of the circus members noticed.
Amid the revelry, a small figure with stiff steps slowly walked out of the circus.
Turning its head 180 degrees with a grating sound, the figure gazed at the jubilant circus behind it. Its wooden eyes shifted up and down in their sockets.
The Clockwork Puppet rotated its head back into place. With the ticking of the mechanism on its back, it walked step by step away from the circus.
Suddenly, the puppet halted. The gears on its back continued to turn, but its wooden eyes noticed something unusual in its surroundings.
Under its gaze, the world began to distort.
A towering figure over two meters tall, clad in a suit and wearing a black hat that concealed all but its sharp teeth, appeared. Holding a twisted umbrella, the figure staggered toward the puppet.
Contorting its body, the tall figure bent down to stare directly at the Clockwork Puppet.
...
"I’ll be honest, I think all of this is pointless."
Washington, D.C., at the mouth of an alley.
Sitting in a car and silently watching the alleyway, the BSI agent in the passenger seat couldn’t help but complain.
"Even if this ‘mysterious’ bar exists in this alley, I doubt it would appear in broad daylight."
"Agreed, but you'll have to take that up with headquarters."
The agent in the driver’s seat nodded in agreement with his colleague's grumbling.
Glancing at the file in his hands, though, he shrugged and added helplessly, "We’re just following orders."
“...”
Hearing this, the agent in the passenger seat closed his mouth.
After all, they were just ordinary BSI agents acting under orders.
"At least be thankful that our mission is just to monitor this alley in Washington and not to investigate strange occurrences in some small town or remote area. Otherwise, the list of missing BSI agents might have two more names on it."
"Speaking of missing agents, weren’t all of them recovered? Even the three who disappeared earlier were found. What exactly happened? I heard the military was involved in the operation."
Due to confidentiality, BSI had not disclosed the details of the missing agents.
As field agents, they only had bits and pieces of information, enough to form a vague understanding of the situation.
"Not just the military. According to other agents, every one of the recovered BSI agents has shown signs of psychological distress. Especially the three who were first reported missing—they’ve been placed under mandatory psychological treatment. Until their mental health fully recovers, they’re off duty."
"Some agents, I hear, still can’t eat properly."
"Seriously?"
The passenger seat agent’s face showed surprise at the description.
Though he had heard some details about the case, it was far less detailed than what his colleague was now revealing.
"Ninety percent sure..."
The driver nodded, confirming the authenticity of his account, before returning his focus to the file in his hand.
The document outlined their surveillance target in detail: BSI-028.
BSI-028, a bar located in an alley on ███ Street, Washington, D.C.
The alley showed no anomalies from the outside. Under normal circumstances, no passerby could see the bar. According to reports from "mediums," the bar was protected by strong illusions to prevent ordinary people from stumbling in.
Initial intelligence about this bar came from the "mediums."
According to descriptions from Agent ███, who managed to enter the bar, BSI-028 was a retro-themed establishment playing 1980s and ’90s music. The bar was filled with numerous patrons. It remained unclear whether these patrons were part of the bar or outsiders who had entered.
The bar itself was owned by BSI-029 ███.
Warning: Any contact with BSI-029 ███ is strictly prohibited without BSI headquarters’ approval.
BSI-029 ███ is extremely dangerous.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 269: The Harvest
"…Please respond to my call…"
Washington, BSI Headquarters.
Staring at the faint flicker of candlelight before him, Spike began to murmur softly.
Puff, puff—
"…"
No matter how earnestly he called, the half-burned candle imbued with Harry Houdini’s powerful spiritual energy stubbornly refused to answer Spike's summoning.
Watching the flame dance atop the candle, Spike silently extinguished it, picked up his teacup, and took a trembling sip of the hot liquid. He stared blankly ahead, lost in thought.
[Story Points]: 2,852,030
San Marino.
Pulling his gaze away from Spike on the system screen, Allen glanced at the massive total of over 2.85 million story points displayed at the top of the panel. A sense of satisfaction surged through him—his tireless effort over this period had paid off.
Despite burning through a significant amount of [Story Points] to meticulously adjust the storyline, the results made it all worthwhile.
Of course, the [Story Points] weren’t the only valuable takeaway.
Taking a deep breath, Allen shifted his focus from the system screen back to the system’s backstage panel to assess the spoils from this script.
*[System&… BackendHistory… Records…&%￥ Exchange…& Items…]*
[Script 10]: "The Circus is Here"
[World Evolution Rate]: 5.1%
[Scene Card—Nightingale Circus (2/2)] (30,000/exchange)
[Card Rank]: Silver
Description: This card allows you to insert the scene into any script without expending additional [Story Points].
Notes:
The arrival of a new ringmaster has revitalized the touring circus. It no longer carries the same cruelty and madness. Though it still conducts mysterious performances worldwide, it now seeks only to bring joy without extracting any sinister price.
Pity—a compassionate ringmaster has made the show far less thrilling.
Siren Head: Beep, beep—
[Character Card—Zagan (2/2)] (80,000/exchange)
[Card Rank]: Silver
Description: This card allows you to introduce the character into any script without using extra [Story Points].
Notes:
Zagan, ranked 61st among Solomon's 72 demons, has the form of a bull with griffin wings. He can transform into a human, enhance eloquence, turn water into wine, transmute base materials into gold, and impart wisdom to fools.
[Item—Wine of Sacrifice] (10,000/exchange)
Effect: Removes costs.
Description: This wine, conjured by the demon Zagan, has miraculous properties that help mitigate the cost of using powers.
Note: Be cautious—nothing from a demon comes without strings attached.
[Story Item—Harry Houdini’s Candle] (10,000/exchange)
Effect: Spirit communication.
Description: This candle, which has burned beside Houdini’s photo since his death, is imbued with immense spiritual power. Lighting it allows anyone to communicate with the spirit world.
Notes:
Harry Houdini: "All mediums are nothing but frauds, and so-called spirit communication is merely a trick."
[Story Item—The Cane] (20,000/exchange)
Effect: Mutation.
Description: The cane used by circus ringmaster Barnum carries a potent curse. Striking it can cause horrifying mutations in anyone it touches.
Note: Creator, please accept my final gift.
The increase in [World Evolution Rate] was no surprise. After all, in the script "The Circus is Here," participants included Aurora, and even America’s military got involved.
If such events failed to boost the [World Evolution Rate], Allen couldn’t imagine what else could.
After casually noting the changes in [World Evolution Rate], Allen quickly turned his attention back to the items in the system’s exchange list.
The renaming of the touring circus to [Nightingale Circus] signified that [Swedish Nightingale] Jenny Lind had completely replaced Barnum, becoming the new ringmaster.
This change wasn’t without purpose.
As the script continued evolving, Allen intended to design organizations friendly to BSI—or humanity in general. Jenny Lind’s presence as a symbol of benevolence was a deliberate choice to counterbalance the once-malevolent Barnum, shifting the circus from a human threat to a neutral, or even friendly, force.
Given that the script's central theme revolved around the Rise of Darkness, Allen had created numerous narratives that featured the resurgence of evil powers.
However, if the forces of good were too weak, it would destabilize the storyline’s balance, making it harder to harvest [World Evolution Rate] and potentially turning the Rise of Darkness into a World Devoured by Darkness scenario.
To maintain equilibrium between light and dark forces—and thereby extract more [Story Points] through their conflict—Allen had gone to great lengths as the mastermind behind the scenes.
Sighing at the challenges of being a behind-the-scenes manipulator, Allen’s gaze lingered on the system's introduction to [Nightingale Circus].
Under normal circumstances, the circus’s card rank shouldn’t have reached Silver. After its one-sided defeat by Zagan, its remaining strength was, at most, Bronze-tier. However, the system’s [Notes], which mentioned Siren Head, offered a clue.
When first checking the exchange list, Allen had wondered where Siren Head, a key figure throughout the script, had gone.
It turned out to have been absorbed into the circus itself.
Thanks to Siren Head, the [Nightingale Circus] scene card had jumped from Bronze to Silver.
While the circus’s Silver rank might seem inflated, the [Zagan] character card in the exchange list was unquestionably genuine.
As one of Solomon’s 72 demons recorded in history, Zagan commanded undeniable prestige despite his relatively low ranking. His overwhelming dominance in the script easily earned him a Silver-tier classification within the system.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 270: Props
The key point is this:
The "Saigon" card is not merely a [Silver] character card; the seventy-two demons of Solomon each represent immensely powerful entities.
"Saigon," ranked 61st among the seventy-two pillars of demons, implies that there are still numerous [Silver] and even [Gold] level character cards awaiting Allen’s creation. Not to mention the top-ranked demon among the seventy-two pillars—Baal, King of Hell, commander of sixty-six legions of infernal spirits, and ruler of the eastern regions of Hell.
This King of Hell, a fallen deity originally revered as the Canaanite god of the sun, storms, and fertility, possesses a backstory rich enough to inspire Allen to craft an epic narrative.
Of course, given the current [World Evolution Rate], it’s far too early for Baal to make an appearance.
Suppressing his excitement, Allen shifted his focus back to the system's backend interface.
The [Wine of Consequence], introduced in the final segment of his latest script, has a straightforward yet highly versatile effect: it nullifies the consequences of any action.
This universal utility ensures that once Allen redeems it, he can safely use any item with ambiguous or negative side effects without concern. However, compared to the [Wine of Consequence], what Allen truly desires are the other wines held by "Saigon."
Unfortunately, due to Saigon's brief appearance and lack of deliberate exposition, the system only offered this specific item for redemption.
Setting aside his slight disappointment, Allen continued scrolling through the list. The [Harry Houdini Candle], for example, is a decent prop. Its ability to communicate with spirits, especially within the [Spirit Realm] Allen once designed, makes it intriguing.
However, Allen has no intention of contacting anyone in the [Spirit Realm], making this item more of a collector’s piece akin to the [Music Box].
As he perused the backend list, his eyes landed on the final item.
To be honest, if not for the system's last-minute [Remarks], the [Cane] would be an exceptional choice based on its abilities alone.
Infused with the Circus’ curse of grotesque transformation, it carries no adverse effects and is easy to conceal, making it highly practical. It ensures Allen’s safety in potentially dangerous situations with minimal effort.
Reflecting on this, Allen couldn’t help but admire Barnum's value as a supporting character. Even in his scripted demise, Barnum left behind a valuable gift for his creator.
As Allen read the [Cane]'s description, he absentmindedly stroked his chin, considering whether to design an Easter egg that would bring Barnum back for a cameo. It seemed only fitting to reward such a loyal character.
Of course, that would be a task for the future.
For now, the script for The Circus Is Coming had just concluded. Its impact needed time to settle, and Allen himself needed a break.
As the storylines deepened, Allen found himself increasingly consumed by the intricate planning required. Having just completed one script and reaped its rewards, there was no need to rush into the next.
One of the benefits of the system’s fragmented state was the absence of a supreme entity pressuring Allen to fulfill various tasks. He could choose when to create and evolve scripts at his leisure.
---
### ABC, Late-Night Talk Show
Amid thunderous applause, Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel took the stage, acknowledging the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Standing at the center of the stage with the band playing behind him, he basked in the audience’s cheers.
After a few seconds, Jimmy finally sat down and introduced the evening’s special guest:
“Tonight, we’re honored to welcome a legendary Hollywood director! Every one of his films has achieved astonishing box-office success. His latest movie, Heroes Unleashed, is set to premiere next week. Please give a warm welcome to the film’s director—Allen!”
As the band played lively music, the audience erupted into applause once more, welcoming Allen to the stage.
Though Allen, as a director and screenwriter, didn’t have the star power of Hollywood’s A-list actors, his rising reputation and achievements in filmmaking had made him a notable figure.
Especially in the film industry, where production companies and theaters held him in high regard despite his lack of recognition from the Academy.
Allen’s unique found footage-style films had also garnered a niche following among genre enthusiasts.
“Hi, Allen!”
“Hello, Jimmy.”
“Welcome to Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“Thank you.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jimmy shifted the conversation to Allen’s latest project, Heroes Unleashed, which Allen had come to promote.
“I’ve seen the trailer—it’s amazing, Allen. But I noticed something: it’s another unique documentary-style film. Can you tell us, is this yet another true story? Did you find another batch of mysterious footage no one else could?”
Jimmy’s remark drew laughter from the audience.
As Allen’s found footage-style films gained popularity, the novelty of his early promotional tactics, such as those used in The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity: The Awakening, had started to wane.
Understanding this, Universal had arranged for Allen to appear on talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! to generate buzz for the film.
(End of Chapter)
