There's definitely something wrong with this murder mystery game

But now she can realize this problem.

It means she can already control herself well.

Xu Shuo couldn't resist squeezing the little girl's soft, chubby cheeks, then stood up and looked at Los.

Los pushed up his glasses and said: "Actually, if we leave this little creature behind, it might be somewhat useful in slowing down the rate at which this world is being devoured by the Abyss."

"Qing is not a creature!"

"Useful?" Xu Shuo raised his brow slightly.

"Last night's Abyss contamination happened because Themis cleared all Abyss traces before leaving, causing a retaliatory outburst when the Abyss lost contact with your presence."

Los continued, "But if this little creature stays here and maintains contact, it will create an illusion for the Abyss that it is constantly eroding you, naturally slowing down the devouring speed of this world, thus breaching the world's barriers at a normal pace."

"Qing is not a creature!"

Xu Shuo pondered and said: "I think I understand your point, but this approach is no different from drinking poison to quench thirst."

Los remained expressionless: "In any case, this world is already being devoured, so it doesn't matter what method we use."

Moreover...

The rest of Los's thoughts were murmured in his heart: You clearly seem like you want to use this little creature to fight against the Abyss, make the enemy fight itself, and have others help you complete the task.

This is exactly Xu Shuo's favorite method!

...

Xu Shuo called Los over to inquire.

It's just a matter of understanding whether Qing's situation is suitable for being left in this world.

What? Not suitable?

Then ask if there are any areas that require special attention.

But now it seems the situation is proceeding smoothly.

Although letting Qing consume too much Abyss may lead to unpredictable evolutionary mutations—possibly even expanding into an Abyss Demon.

But such things...

Let's worry about it after this world survives.

Once things were resolved, Xu Shuo planned to leave.

Wait.

It seems there's still an Abyss Rift in the alley.

"She shouldn't need to rely on the Abyss Darkness here, should she?" Xu Shuo suddenly asked Los.

"The characteristic of a Divine Spirit allows it to have a 'positive' side, which appears as the image of a little girl with green-faced fangs during the day. So, besides devouring the Abyss Darkness, it can also feed on the dark sides of living beings, though over-absorption will turn it into a creature," Los said.

"Alas! Qing is not a creature!"

Xu Shuo nodded: "Since that's the case, would you mind helping me fill that rift while you're at it? It's a task I need to report to Captain Zheng tonight, and well, the Safety Bureau's reward can be split with you by half."

Los: "..."

...

In the end.

Los still completely filled in the Abyss Rift that was taped over.

The Safety Bureau's compensation for contract workers was quite generous. Xu Shuo looked at his savings and considered the current situation of this world, feeling it wasn't much to split it with Los.

So after returning to his residence.

Los received a text notification from the bank about the payment.

Los: "..."

For someone as miserly as him.

Voluntarily giving money was quite rare indeed.

But what's the use of him having this world's money?

Los sighed, put away his phone, and when he walked into the darkened living room, he saw the glow of a phone screen flashing on the sofa.

"You're still playing with your phone on the sofa this late?" Los raised an eyebrow.

"I was waiting for you to come back to talk about something."

Luofu innocently looked up and said: "Others have already noticed our movements, and it's very likely they've pinpointed the world we're in. Brother, do you want to go back and appease them?"

Los remained expressionless: "Had you not come here with Angela, they wouldn't have been able to locate us."

Luofu skillfully and obediently admitted her mistake: "Sorry."

After apologizing.

She continued: "Besides, due to the frequent Abyss disturbances lately, most worlds and Subspaces have been devoured, and the First Palace has summoned the other five to discuss countermeasures. You need to represent our Sixth Palace."

Listening to this string of events.

Los felt a little annoyed and rubbed his forehead.

"I understand."

"And also..."

Los immediately gave his sister a glare: "When did you also learn to keep pausing while speaking?"

Luofu blinked: "Sorry. And just now, Sister Angela came back, took your bank card again, and also moved the computer."

Los: "..."

It seems that suddenly the money in this world became useful.

...

...

And another sleepless night.

After resolving the Abyss contamination in Peach Blossom District, Xu Shuo did not keep Qing by his side but let her roam freely outside the world's barriers.

If she encounters a rift, Qing can then enter this world.

If not, she has the freedom to move around.

A practice known as free-ranging.

Initially, Qing was very afraid of the Abyss Demons outside.

She cried, screamed, and clung to Xu Shuo, refusing to leave.

Then Los, unable to bear it, charted an escape route between the world's barriers for her—if she encounters an insatiable Abyss Creature, just run to the vicinity of the "Defense Line."

Although staying near the "Defense Line" would surely be uncomfortable.

Most Abyss Creatures instinctively avoid that unpleasant area, including the Abyss Demon, thus it becomes a natural shelter for the Evil Fiends, right?

Though letting a creature seek the protection of light.

Feels a bit off.

But it's the best method for now.

Qing: Aggrieved...

Xu Shuo patted her head: "Be good and stay there, anyways, you have the chance to come in and see me. It's just that Qing's presence here affects the world, so we have no choice but to let you leave."

With reassuring comfort, Qing nodded firmly.

"I will wait for the next meeting with Uncle Dai!"

Xu Shuo just smiled.

Just see the next time.

If Qing can still maintain her thoughts.

That should be enough.

...

Thus tonight.

Xu Shuo slept in the studio until morning.

When Li Ziwen came to open the door and saw him, although somewhat puzzled, he didn't ask much but simply placed the work schedule in front of him.

"As per your idea from yesterday, the Mystery City Store is temporarily closed, and all work before Mid-Autumn and National Day is crammed into these two or three days."

"Mm."

Xu Shuo nodded.

Yesterday morning he had a chat with Li Ziwen about life.

Since Ji Xiaoxia's identity was exposed, she's temporarily unable to go to work during this period.

With society recently in slight unrest due to official silence, Xu Shuo simply shut down the offline store for a while, focusing all efforts online.

As for that store.

His initial intention in opening it was for Xu Xi to take over after graduation, so he could reopen it in the future.

—A reasonable way to reduce his work schedule.

"By the way."

Xu Shuo suddenly called out to Li Ziwen, who was ready to leave.

Li Ziwen turned around in confusion.

Then he saw Xu Shuo pull out a gift bag box from under his desk, place it on the desk, and push it towards him.

"Mid-Autumn Festival gift."

"Shouldn't it be distributed to the whole company?"

"You order the rest according to this standard."

"..."

Li Ziwen speechlessly picked up the gift bag printed with Mid-Autumn patterns and left.

Back in his office.

He paused, opened the bag to search through it, and then pulled out something that was not a mooncake.

An unknown metallic pendant.

Looking at this item.

Li Ziwen cast a thoughtful look at the computer screen before him.

On the screen were the latest online news.

Social unrest was intensifying, with countless apocalypse theories discussed online, even initiating discussions on humanity's escape from Earth.

Yet even at this stage, the officials had not issued a statement to explain, just performing some superficial soothing guidance.

This trend...

Actually revealed quite a bit already.

...