Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 544: A Narrow Escape

Clearly, this sound of the wind was not spread by the officials of the Island Nation or the Shadow Clan who were called to deal with the Ghost Island cultists and rescue the hostages. If that were the case, they could have waited until the Ghost Island cultists let their guard down before dealing with them one by one. Moreover, the primary target of this sound of the wind should have been the Ghost Island cultist who could summon the Flying Head Barbarian.

However, this sound of the wind chose to strike early, without any hesitation, killing their own comrades in front of other Ghost Island cultists. It showed no concern for the inspiration of the Flying Head Barbarian. This indicates that this sound of the wind is not here to help the Island Nation or the Shadow Clan. Instead, it is here to force the Flying Head Barbarian to detonate Tiger’s Den as soon as possible. Otherwise, these Ghost Island cultists will be killed.

Therefore, Liu Xing can be certain that this sound of the wind is most likely related to those four players and the mastermind behind them, Thousand Face. Their purpose in coming here is simple: to pressure Ghost Island into detonating Tiger’s Den and shift the blame for the Tokyo Skytree explosion onto Ghost Island.

After all, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If you dare to bomb Tiger’s Den in Kabukicho, it’s understandable that you would have bombed the Tokyo Skytree before.

As for the Island Nation officials, although they may suspect that Ghost Island is not responsible for the Tokyo Skytree explosion, they still need a scapegoat to appease the public and quickly find someone to blame. Therefore, Ghost Island is currently caught in the crossfire. The Island Nation officials will not let Ghost Island off the hook, especially since Ghost Island has long been on their blacklist.

Flying Head Barbarian is well aware of this. He now knows that his actions have been manipulated by someone else. This dilemma leaves Flying Head Barbarian feeling trapped. The situation is quite simple: Flying Head Barbarian realizes that this sound of the wind is a long-range magic that can be controlled remotely. Moreover, this magic has already penetrated the anti-magic stones he had set up in advance, indicating its high level. Unless his true form descends, he cannot stop this sound of the wind from attacking his cultists.

This means that the Ghost Island cultists inside Tiger’s Den are completely defenseless, unable to fight back. If this sound of the wind is willing, it can easily kill these Ghost Island cultists. At that point, Flying Head Barbarian will have no bargaining chip when negotiating with the Island Nation officials. It would mean that all his previous efforts have gone to waste, and he has completely offended the Island Nation officials.

However, if he directly detonates the remote-controlled bomb now, he would fall right into the calculations of this sound of the wind. In other words, he would fulfill the sound of the wind’s wishes and take the blame for the Tokyo Skytree explosion, which is inexplicable to Flying Head Barbarian. After all, Flying Head Barbarian knows what that blame represents.

Although Flying Head Barbarian, as a mythical creature, has been worshipped by humans for thousands of years, it naturally has a sense of superiority and doesn’t take humans too seriously. But Flying Head Barbarian also knows that modern humans are vastly different from those in ancient times. The modern weapons invented by humans can cause significant harm to mythical creatures like Flying Head Barbarian. So, with a little carelessness, Flying Head Barbarian could die at the hands of these humans.

Because Ghost Island is not what it used to be.

In simple terms, although the mythical creatures on Ghost Island are all called "ghosts," they belong to different races in strict terms. So, the internal issues of Ghost Island have never been resolved, and it has always been plagued by infighting. Although Flying Head Barbarian hasn’t studied it in detail, he knows that the number of mythical creatures on Ghost Island now is only three-tenths of what it was when Ghost Island was first established.

Therefore, Flying Head Barbarian can be certain that if the Island Nation officials choose to escalate the situation and send people to confront Ghost Island, then Ghost Island will likely have to resort to a "strategic retreat."

Thinking about this, Flying Head Barbarian couldn’t help but sigh. He didn’t expect that his impulsive actions would lead to so much trouble. He had fallen right into the hands of these damn humans and, most importantly, his mortal enemies would surely find trouble with him upon his return to Ghost Island.

It seems that he can only find a way to minimize his losses, right?

Flying Head Barbarian believes that his best option now is to directly accept the negotiation conditions put forward by the Island Nation officials and take control of those three islands. At least then, he will have gained control over three islands forthe Ghost Island cultists to retreat to. With this, he can protect his own people and minimize casualties.

However, Flying Head Barbarian is not one to easily surrender or submit to humans. He has always been a proud and powerful creature, and he’s not about to let these humans trample over him. He will negotiate, but on his own terms.

Flying Head Barbarian decides to gather his most trusted cultists and advisors to discuss the best course of action. He knows that time is of the essence, as the sound of the wind is still wreaking havoc on his forces inside Tiger’s Den.

As he gathers his cultists, Flying Head Barbarian’s mind is racing with thoughts of strategy and negotiation. He knows that he needs to find a way to outsmart the humans and turn the tables in his favor. This will require careful planning and cunning tactics.

Flying Head Barbarian knows that he has to stay calm and focused. He cannot let his emotions get the better of him. He must analyze the situation from all angles and come up with a plan that will not only save his people but also maintain his own position of power.

With determination in his eyes, Flying Head Barbarian addresses his cultists and lays out his plan. He explains the urgency of the situation and the need to negotiate with the Island Nation officials. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining control over the three islands and using them as a strategic retreat.

Flying Head Barbarian then assigns specific tasks to his cultists, delegating responsibilities and making sure everyone knows their role in executing the plan. He knows that teamwork will be crucial in these critical moments.

As the cultists disperse to carry out their assigned tasks, Flying Head Barbarian takes a moment to gather his thoughts. He knows that the road ahead will not be easy, but he is determined to do whatever it takes to protect his people and preserve his own power.

With a deep breath, Flying Head Barbarian sets off towards the negotiation site, ready to face the Island Nation officials and prove that he is not to be underestimated. He knows that the fate of Ghost Island hangs in the balance, and he will fight tooth and nail to ensure its survival.

Therefore, no matter what Island Nation officials do, they won’t suffer too much.

Of course, Liu Xing still hopes that Flying Head Barbarian will reconsider and accept the conditions set by Island Nation officials, so that he can leave this ghost place alive.

But at this moment, Liu Xing felt his mobile phone vibrating.

After the followers of Ghost Island took control of Tiger’s Den, Liu Xing set his mobile phone to vibrate mode. He was certain that Zhang Jingxu and others would contact him as soon as they learned about the terrorist attack on Tiger’s Den. Liu Xing didn’t want his mobile phone ringing and attracting the attention of these Ghost Island followers.

Moreover, Liu Xing’s mobile phone had been modified by Miguel. Now, it had a hidden mode. By simply pressing the volume + key three times, Liu Xing could activate it.

Once in the hidden mode, the mobile phone would connect to a pair of specialized glasses, projecting various information on the inside of the glasses. From the outside, it would appear normal. Liu Xing could even control the mobile phone through eye movements.

So, silently, Liu Xing took out his black-framed glasses from his pocket and softly recited, "If... wealth and honor, do not forget."

He almost recited the wrong password for the glasses’ activation.

It turned out to be a message from Alice.

Alice’s message was simple: she already knew that Liu Xing and Ling Ishikawa were trapped in Tiger’s Den, and that Ghost Island’s followers had installed a powerful signal jammer there. As a result, Zhang Jingxu and others were unable to contact Liu Xing and Ling Ishikawa through conventional means. Therefore, Alice was using a directional signal channel generator developed by England’s officials to communicate with Liu Xing and find out their current situation.

Liu Xing thought for a moment and directly attempted a video call with Alice. Of course, he made sure to mute his side since he didn’t have a Bluetooth headset with him.

Soon, Alice accepted Liu Xing’s video invitation, and Zhang Jingxu and others were also present beside her.

At this moment, Liu Xing began to survey his surroundings, making it easier for Alice and the others to determine the situation on his side.

After confirming Liu Xing’s situation, Alice took out a piece of paper and started writing because she knew Liu Xing couldn’t use sound.

To Liu Xing’s surprise, Alice wrote, "Don’t do anything."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow. He didn’t expect Alice to ask him to do nothing.

Does Alice know what’s behind this sound of the wind?

Liu Xing was puzzled, but he trusted Alice completely. He knew she would never harm him. So, Liu Xing nodded and chose to do nothing.

After a few minutes, during which the sound killed two more members of Ghost Island, Flying Head Barbarian seemed to have finally made a decision. He released his possession and returned to his original form.

Noticing this, Liu Xing prepared himself. If the remote bomb was detonated, he would have to take cover in a corner.

One minute passed.

The sound did not kill any more members of Ghost Island. It remained in place, as if waiting for something.

At this moment, the followers of Ghost Island suddenly took out a bottle resembling an IV bag and poured its contents onto their own heads. Just like snowmen encountering a raging fire, these followers of Ghost Island melted from head to toe in a matter of five seconds, forming a steaming pool of blood.

It seems that the Flying Head Barbarian has finally decided to give in.

As for that gust of wind, it retraced its path back to where it came from.

It appears that this gust of wind was indeed sent by the officials of Island Nation or the Shadow Clan.

However, this also brought relief to Liu Xing, as he had narrowly escaped the danger.

Just then, a group of police officers rushed into Tiger’s Den, awakening the sleeping hostages.

Subsequently, Liu Xing and the hostages were led out of Tiger’s Den.

Since the terrorist attack on Tiger’s Den had become widely known in Island Nation, there were numerous reporters and onlookers outside the establishment. Therefore, the Island Nation police decided to have all the hostages wear a hood, especially since many of them were prominent businessmen who didn’t want to be photographed at Tiger’s Den. It would have a significant impact on them and their companies.

Therefore, all the hostages willingly put on the hoods, and Liu Xing and Ling Ishikawa did not refuse either.

After all, Liu Xing didn’t want to become a celebrity at school...

Because they needed to give their statements, Liu Xing and Ling Ishikawa were taken to a police car, where they encountered a familiar face, Oko Hayato.

With great interest, Oko Hayato looked at Liu Xing and Ling Ishikawa and said, "I never expected Ryuusei and Ishikawa to have such good luck. It’s only been a day, and you’ve already encountered another terrorist attack and managed to survive."

Liu Xing shrugged and said with a frustrated expression, "Officer Oko, how can you call it good luck? Our luck has been exceptionally bad. We were just planning to have some fun at Tiger’s Den since we’ve been in Tokyo for a while now. How could we resist trying out this man’s paradise? But who could have imagined that those men in black would cause trouble? And most importantly, I’ve already paid all the money, yet I didn’t get the corresponding services. So, Officer Oko, can we demand a refund from Tiger’s Den given our situation?"

In response to Liu Xing’s peculiar question, Oko Hayato pondered for a moment and said, "I think it should be possible. However, I believe the owner of Tiger’s Den will proactively contact you and provide various compensation options. After all, you are valued customers of Tiger’s Den, and the owner wouldn’t be so short-sighted."

Liu Xing nodded and continued, "I see. That puts my mind at ease. But speaking of which, the mastermind behind this terrorist attack shouldn’t be the same as the ones responsible for the Tokyo Skytree explosion, right? Their methods are clearly different. And if I’m not mistaken, you, the officials of Island Nation, have even found a formidable master who can kill without a trace, ultimately forcing those terrorists to choose suicide."

Oko Hayato didn’t deny it and said directly, "You’re right. That guy is indeed impressive. But Ryuusei, guess who he is?"

Who is he?

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow and immediately thought of a possibility, so he said with surprise, "Could it be Thousand Face?"

Oko Hayato nodded and smiled, saying, "Exactly, it’s Thousand Face. He contacted us an hour ago, offering to help us eliminate these terrorists if we abandon the pursuit of him. In the end, we reluctantly agreed to Thousand Face’s proposal on the surface. But we didn’t expect him to be so formidable. It seems he acted with the intention of intimidating us since he must know that Island Nation officials would never stop investigating them."

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