Chapter 192
Just like the sudden misfortune that struck me before, inexplicable good fortune can also descend upon my life... If you want to know the specifics, you can read my diary. To put it simply, it’s as if money is falling from the sky as I walk; my luck has become almost as exaggerated as that of a "Destined One" (tiānmìng zhě).
Isn’t it ironic? The very thing you want to escape from, to eliminate, is what you once yearned for.
This period has truly been one of the happiest times in my life, ranking among the top. Unfortunately, you can’t experience it...
But with the right mindset, I remind myself that all of this is merely a beautiful and fleeting illusion. With the abilities of Aobode and Lucy, even a month might not be enough; two or three months would surely allow them to uncover all the rules.
Accepting tranquility is akin to accepting death.
Now, back to business.
After a brief pause, Charles gently pinched the paper between his thumb and index finger, then slowly turned the page.
The events described by the simulated version of myself did make Charles's heart flutter slightly, but that version quickly dispelled any lingering thoughts with more intense language.
The simulated self had plenty of time to ponder these matters, while the real Charles had only 24 hours to work with. The simulated self was well aware that it needed to shatter the beautiful fantasies of the real Charles quickly.
Otherwise, it would affect the quality of the entire simulation.
Charles continued to gaze at the notebook before him.
First, regarding the description of the power of "Nature," I scoured all the ancient texts that Aivina lent me during my free time, but I couldn’t find any relevant descriptions.
However, many sects are named after "Nature," which likely indicates a term that has been passed down since the Age of Chaos. The origin of that feather quill might indeed have some connection to the Old Ones.
What I can currently infer is that the "Nature" power likely refers to the "Gardener" and the "Coroner."
There’s another conclusion I reached after some experimentation.
The rules of the feather quill have no effect on system abilities. Even if one uses the system to employ certain extraordinary powers or directly utilizes system skills, it won’t be classified as extraordinary and thus won’t attract misfortune.
Perhaps the existence of the system far exceeds the limits set by the rules of that feather seal, so it remains unaffected.
Do you know how I figured this out?
The thought trailed off there, and Charles had to turn the page to continue reading.
A cliffhanger.
Charles silently scoffed at this, but realizing he was essentially mocking himself, he swallowed his frustration.
You asked me to find a way to separate the spirit of the feather quill from the seal itself, and I found a method with a relatively high success rate.
It does require using Aivina’s "Death Substitute," which I’ve already borrowed in advance. I just asked Aivina to send it over on July 21, as I can’t come into contact with extraordinary items too early; I’m afraid of dying unexpectedly.
In addition to the "Death Substitute," I’ve devised a more foolproof plan. After all, no matter what method you use, you can’t guarantee that the feather quill will be injured by the "Death Substitute" once it possesses you.
This plan is called "Death Reversal."
Do you remember the description of "Death Reversal" at level 2?
When "turned to ash," one can still exist in the form of a pure spirit.
Isn’t this "pure spirit" just the spirit of oneself when not under control? I was wondering if, when under control, I could use "Death Reversal" to regain some control over my body—but certainly not to the point of being turned to ash.
You know how the system never fully explains skill descriptions. For instance, "Agility" also enhances strength and reflexes.
I was thinking, can this "pure spirit" be triggered before the body completely dissipates?
To that end, I conducted several weeks of suicide experiments.
Constantly killing myself to find loopholes in the system?
Charles suddenly felt a phantom pain in his body... It felt like something he could do.
Suddenly, he no longer envied the simulated version of himself enjoying a few carefree days.
One instance of "Death Reversal" requires nearly two full days to restore my spirit. This process can’t involve Aivina helping me recover my spirit; it’s incredibly torturous.
Perhaps it’s because ordinary suicide cannot achieve a state where the body is immobile, leaving only the spirit. Moreover, this suicide cannot completely destroy my body; otherwise, if "Death Reversal" ends and I haven’t recovered, I would truly be dead.
In such a situation, the only thing I could think of was poison.
I must say, aside from her significant medical expertise, Adele has a profound understanding of toxicology.
If we were to judge her talent based on foundational disciplines, Adele’s level would be somewhere between "Medicine Lv.2" and "Medicine Lv.3."
After Adele completed the second-tier "Plague Doctor" summoning ritual, I wrote to her with my request.
I needed a neurotoxin that could quickly kill an enemy, along with an antidote that could keep the body alive.
I needed a mental death—essentially becoming a vegetable—this might be the key to triggering the "pure spirit."
I specifically chose the last week to conduct this experiment. If I failed, I would merely arrive a week early; a more perfect "Killer" potion has already been prepared for you, which wouldn’t affect your actions.
Of course, the fact that you can read this summary means I succeeded.
Charles took a deep breath and continued turning the pages.
Adele was even more impressive than I had imagined. Once she learned that I would be the one taking the poison, she called Aivina to research it together. In less than a week, they produced a potion far beyond my expectations.
This isn’t a poison in the traditional sense; it’s more like "fake death." When the poison and antidote are taken together, the poison first takes effect, paralyzing all bodily organs, including the brain, while the antidote, "Awakening Elixir," triggers half a minute later, reactivating bodily functions.
At the moment the organs are paralyzed and cease to function, it is already considered a death sentence. Without the "Awakening Elixir," this would be a complete poison.
Although Aivina and Adele have done everything they can, pausing bodily functions for half a minute will still cause irreversible damage to the brain and organs, especially with the powerful "Awakening Elixir," which is another severe strain on the body.
This can only be used in the simulation, but the good news is that after taking the poison, I successfully triggered the "pure spirit" of "Death Reversal."
The "pure spirit" can control a completely immobile "corpse" to continue moving, but the mental toll is immense. I took nearly five or six days to recover, and only then did the headaches and sensory dullness begin to ease.
By the way, you can place the poison in the left molar and the antidote in the right molar; just bite down on both. Adele recommended a physician who can help you drill into your teeth. The address is in the poison box; I went there myself, and it didn’t hurt much.
If you don’t have enough time to wind the pocket watch before being possessed, just bite down on the poison and antidote, then use the "pure spirit" to activate the "Death Substitute."
I really can’t resolve things with Lucy and Aobode without getting hurt. I’ve already sent Tara to gather people, and she should arrive today, so please keep an eye out.
Wishing you great success in your endeavors.
Good luck.
Harsh.
Charles found himself at a loss for words to describe the simulated version of himself.
This behavior is nothing short of treating one’s life as expendable, acting recklessly.
Even from the perspective of an observer, reading these words sent chills down his spine.
Yet, the logic of the simulated self mirrored that of the current Charles almost perfectly...
So this is how I appear in the eyes of others...
Charles pondered over the things he had done.
It seems he couldn’t deny that he had been extreme.
He rummaged through his canvas bag and found the wooden box containing the poison and antidote, which sparkled like crystal diamonds. Inside the box was a note with an address.
As for the potion and the "Death Substitute," they were still in Aivina’s possession. According to what the simulated self had said, they should be arriving today.
No matter what... let’s get the poison ready first.
Charles halted the moving carriage and handed the note with the address to the driver in front. The carriage then turned around, heading toward the clinic mentioned in the address.
The "Killer" potion, huh...
Indeed, no matter how I think about it, drinking this potion is the safest choice. If I can’t handle the "Killer" potion myself, Charles felt that not many others would be able to either.
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