Odd Containment Specialist.

Chapter 918 Compromise?

"The loosening of the seal is no coincidence... Yes, I'm completely certain of it now."

Xia Shou nodded in agreement.

"There are likely two enemies, one of whom is targeting me."

The other is the nameless who existed in the scarred era.

The unusual appearance of Verona's door is very likely part of the other party's scheme, and if it is left unchecked, unexpected consequences may occur.

What brought this to fruition was the fall of the Underworld into the Scarred Age. The mastermind behind this was likely the Nameless One, so it's very possible that my enemy is collaborating with the Nameless One.

[It's highly likely that the traitor knew about the flaw in that door, which is why they specifically went to that era to find anonymous individuals with whom they could cooperate, and together they planned this historical counterattack.] The notes offer this opinion.

"So there are three enemies? The Nameless One, the Traitor, and Sprite," Xia Shou sighed.

Although Sprite appears to be being manipulated by the other two, her power should not be underestimated.

But has Sprite's role come to an end?
It might be the end; perhaps Spread's counterattack was just a magic cloth to attract attention.

Now, the Bureau of Control has relaxed its guard considerably, and its remaining vigilance is all focused on the now-safe Sprite, so the anonymous person has enough room to maneuver.

“The purpose of the anonymous is to be named. What kind of naming method will the followers of the Horse in the Forest adopt?” Xia Shou muttered to himself.

[It's impossible to be certain. The ways to use names are endless and require imagination. Being clueless won't stop it. To predict someone's actions, perhaps one would also need to rely on the power of the Forest Horse. If only there were excellent diviners.]

A good fortune teller?

Xia Shou had someone in mind.

Salo...

When Xia Shou pushed open the door to the minister's office, Shangguan Yan was on the phone.

"Okay, then let's do it this way, alright..."

While communicating with the person on the other end of the phone, Shangguan Yan looked at Xia Shou and pointed to the chair next to him.

Half a minute later, Shangguan Yan put down the phone and smiled at Xia Shou: "What's wrong?"

"Minister, I have some important new information to share."

"Go ahead."

Xia Shou briefly recounted the news about the missing person.

After he finished speaking, Shangguan Yan remained silent, making no comment, as if he were thinking about something very serious and difficult to handle. Xia Shou kept his mouth shut and waited quietly to the side, his anxiety growing with each passing second of silence.

"Xia, you can't just tell people about being an anonymous person."

“I know, Rosa also reminded me that it’s best not to know some things, but I think you, Minister, must know about the anonymous.”

Shangguan Yan nodded: "That's right, the information you provided is indeed very important. If it is accurate, then the bureau's current layout will have to be completely redone."

Although you don't have direct evidence to prove the accuracy of this intelligence, based on your past contributions, the Bureau of Control will definitely recognize the intelligence you provided and make corresponding tactical adjustments. But even so, it's still not enough.

Because we don't know how the other party will sign their name, and without knowing the method, we can't stop them—this is the latest dilemma we face.

Shangguan Yan took a deep breath and changed the subject: "Moreover, preventing the use of names is no longer the highest priority. Although the Bureau of Control will try its best to prevent the use of names for the long term, sometimes in special circumstances, we can only choose the lesser of two evils."

A successful naming of an entity might influence tens of thousands of mortals in the future, but this influence is like a chronic illness. The imminent catastrophe, however, is real and undeniable. Compared to the cataclysmic disaster, the few extra percentage deaths each year are something we must accept. The Control Bureau's current focus is on the Heart of the Rending King. If the Heart of the Rending King's activity continues to increase, we will have no choice but to activate Project Fire.

"Is it that serious?"

"It may be serious, but don't worry too much."

Xiaoyue has made some progress. Although she cannot sever the death line of the Heart of the Rending King's main body, with training and the blessing of the sealing artifact, she can kill the ends of the tentacles of the Heart of the Rending King. Although they will continue to extend and grow, it can slow down the cutting speed of the Heart of the Rending King.

According to the analysis department's calculations, if this plan is carried out, and the Heart of the Rending King continues to grow at its current activity rate for three months, it will consume about a thousand people per day, and after six months it will consume ten thousand people per day.

This is good news, indicating that even if we rely on sheer numbers, we can still persevere six months from now.

The bad news is that around the eighth month, the canyon's efficiency in converting offerings into flesh bridges will no longer match the rate at which the Heart of the Rift is cut down. At that point, even sacrificing a million offerings daily will be meaningless.

“Three months…that’s not a short time. So the plan has already started?!” A look of joy flashed in Xia Shou’s eyes.

“No, the higher-ups are still discussing it, and they also need to consult Xiaoyue’s opinion. Those sealed items and rituals will put a huge burden on her mind and body,” Shangguan Yan said.

Xia Shou was stunned, his mind blank.

Shangguan Yan took a sip of coffee and then said, "However, the nameless person you just mentioned might be the key to breaking the deadlock."

"Really?" Xia Shou suddenly raised his head.

Shangguan Yan nodded slightly: "If this matter is reported, the higher-ups might use the condition of allowing the other party to use their name to exchange for a way to stop the Heart of the Rift from continuing to awaken. They might use a name-based promotion to exchange for the lives of all mankind."

"To compromise?"

"Otherwise what? Haven't you ever watched a police drama? When kidnappers abduct hostages, if all else fails, they have no choice but to release the kidnappers to save the hostages' lives."

While the control bureau sometimes eliminates both hostages and kidnappers, this time they may have no choice but to compromise, since the entire world is hostage this time.

Moreover, we are not 100% certain that we can kill the anonymous person, and we may not even have the opportunity to negotiate. After all, the other party is hiding very well and has not even revealed his true identity. Even if we want to talk, the other party may not agree.

The advantage isn't on our side.

Shangguan Yan took in Xia Shou's changing expression, but still conveyed the most likely official course of action with great accuracy.

"Xia, if you have any better ideas, you can tell me," Shangguan Yan said.

"Hmm." Xia Shou was already deep in thought.

"Is there anything else you want to say? If not, I have to get back to work."

“That’s all.” Xia Shou shook his head, turned and walked out of the office.

He decided to go find Sharo.

The Death Note says that if there were a skilled diviner, perhaps they could glimpse the plans and intentions of the mysterious named person.

As Xia Shougang stepped out of the minister's office, he saw Li Ming walk in from outside, followed by a person with his eyes covered by a black cloth and wearing a gray cloak.

The moment Xia Shou saw the other person, his eyes widened in shock.

"Miss Sara?!"

"Hmm? Mr. Natsumori? I was just about to look for you."

(End of this chapter)