Chapter 52: The Shadow of the Body

Beside a bearing factory in the Baihe District stood a dilapidated, filthy two-story residential building, its wall marked with a large red “demolish” character scrawled in oil paint.

Crows flew out of the mountains in unison, as if conspiring toward some dark scheme.

On the second floor, a gaunt middle-aged man gripped the rusted iron stairs, ascending step by step. Upon closer inspection, his eyes were squeezed shut, one ear was gone, his shriveled lips sewn together with thread so no sound escaped, and his body bore the marks of sharp beaks.

He was like a slender branch in a gale—one gentle breath could topple him.

As he pushed open the door, the crows gathered densely around him. In an instant, they became his flesh and form, swelling his meager frame into something vast and monstrous.

The crows opened their red eyes, transforming him into a pitch-black creature covered in crimson gaze.

Had anyone witnessed this, terror and panic would surely ensue.

Inside, a stylish black-haired woman, utterly out of place against the squalor, exhaled a smoke ring.

“Crow Strawman, a pleasure to meet you. Shadow of the Web, from the Department of the Body.”

The man enveloped by crows was the Crow Strawman—an executive of the Saint Calamity Association, leader of the Crow Flock, called Crow Strawman, formerly Wang Han, once owner of a pet bird shop.

His core talent was psychic resonance, granting him extraordinary speed in learning psychic techniques.

Thus, Crow Strawman mastered numerous basic mind control spells, enabling him to brainwash and control newcomers.

Born in New Capital’s Sixth District, he swiftly learned, under the tutelage of the Crow King from the game, to synchronize his mind with the crows’ vision and thoughts.

His current goal was to abandon his mortal flesh and truly become the “Crow Flock.”

The crows on him spoke in a hoarse, grating chorus:

“Shadow of the Body...Greetings. I hope you can sabotage the Baihe Branch’s network and power. You should be able to...”

This organization specialized in kidnapping newcomers, and one of their operatives—the Umbrella Bearer—had been slain by a novice!

That nightmare had haunted Crow Strawman these past days.

It could not end so simply!

Within the Saint Calamity Association, not even superficial comfort would be afforded for such failure.

Once Shadow of the Web had posted the news, embellished with exaggeration, on their forums, the others had pounced, mocking the Crow Flock’s incompetence and weakness.

This vengeance must be exacted; it was no longer just a matter of hatred, but survival itself!

The Saint Calamity Association was filled with madmen hungry for power and lone wolves.

They no longer regarded ordinary people as human—not even the weak among their own ranks.

Weak organizations had no right to survive. Now, with the Crow Flock’s leader gravely injured by the elite player Lunar Walker, the other groups eyed the precious, brainwashed “World Travelers” as resources to be devoured.

In Crow Strawman’s mind, if he could not resolve this, if he could not silence their derision, the Crow Flock would inevitably be swallowed up by another organization, and he, once a master, would become a slave.

Yet Crow Strawman knew well: to protect two newcomers, the Day Travelers’ defenses were formidable.

With elite player Old Fisherman guarding them, attacking would be like an egg striking a stone—suicide.

Unless he could lure them away...

Thus, he dared only to send a few crows each day to harass, creating psychological intimidation.

Vengeance must be had!

He had been ready to give up, but the more he considered it, the more furious he became; he refused to become fodder for some future elite player’s boastful tales.

He had to capture the newcomer who killed the Umbrella Bearer!

Then he would brainwash him into an obedient pig, and finally post videos of his tormented, brainwashed victim on the forum for all to enjoy!

And yes, he would stream it live, to compensate for his mental anguish.

That newcomer would ultimately kneel at his feet, licking the crows’ behinds!

But he would need help—the assistance of Shadow of the Web...

Crow Strawman lowered his posture as much as possible, addressing the cadre before him:

“If we succeed together, the spoils and the person are yours.”

The woman before him was codenamed Shadow of the Body. Her long black hair, flawless face and figure, the tear mole at her right eye and Gothic makeup lent her a ghostly allure.

Her only defect was her wide, upturned mouth.

Still, she was beautiful. Crow Strawman knew—this woman was crueler and more volatile than he.

She chose this ramshackle house for their meeting because someone online had mocked her for using beauty filters, so she had come here specifically to punish her detractors.

Shadow of the Body exhaled another smoke ring, speaking slowly:

“We’ll see. Your luck’s good; the Web Shadows have just received a big job in Baihe District.

Crow Strawman, I happen to need to gather information at the Day Travelers’ branch. If I have time...I can help you snatch that disobedient rookie.”

A big job!

The crows’ eyes flared wide. In the Saint Calamity Association, a big job usually meant summoning calamity.

Summoning calamity was no small feat, often requiring joint action from multiple organizations!

Unexpected...

Crow Strawman’s crows closed their eyes. He could not fathom what the upper echelons of the Saint Calamity Association were plotting, so obsessively searching for calamity artifacts to expand disaster on Earth.

It was not a secret he could grasp...

No wonder Shadow of the Web agreed to help; it was merely convenient for her.

Shadow of the Body saw Crow Strawman’s surprise and flicked her cigarette butt to the floor.

“Tonight, Old Fisherman—who was toyed with by the New Sun Mutual Aid group—along with Seabird on the way, and possibly Blue Snowflower providing backup, these elite players will all be handled personally by the Great Phantom Thief.

You and the others distract the defenders for me; I’ll steal the information. If there’s time after, I’ll help you take out that Night Traveler.”

With the Phantom Thief acting, all was assured.

Crow Strawman’s crows rotated their eyes, murmuring doubtfully:

“That newcomer is not easy to deal with. We should swarm him—cooperation is best, two against one.”

As he spoke, Shadow of the Body’s mouth twisted into two wicked smiles.

“Hahaha!”

Her grin stretched wide, the filthy room echoing with two sharp, mocking laughs.

“Cooperation? Needing help to beat a newcomer? Only the weak flock together!

Crow Strawman, consorting with those rookies has made you one yourself—a cowardly turtle!”

She clutched her stomach, laughing at Crow Strawman.

But that adversary’s ability was no simple matter. Crow Strawman ignored her derision, reasonably reminded:

“Better safe than sorry...”

But in the next moment, beholding the scene, all the crows on him froze!

Though their ranks were similar, she had reached a level he could only aspire to—the rare talent [Mindless, Heartless]...

Before him, Shadow of the Body had ascended to a new realm, one he desperately sought but remained out of reach.

They were no longer of the same order.

This realm...

Crow Strawman changed his tone immediately:

“Shadow Person, have you broken your limit? Stepped onto the path of madness...”

“This isn’t madness, but the way of true strength.

As night descends, the day of reckoning arrives. Don’t let the Tracker’s flames burn you to ash.

I’ll bring you the newcomer as whole as possible; in return, I want you to make him like a cat, using your brainwashing fruits—I’ve lately taken a liking to big cats.“

Shadow of the Body swiftly interrupted, lighting another cigarette, her gaze slowly turning toward Morning Radiance’s location.

To have a rare talent as a pet—what a delight!

...

Day Travelers Branch Tower.

Several urgent forum posts jolted Morning Radiance awake!

None were good news: the first reported an elite player attacked, the second said Crow Strawman had arrived and they were dealing with him.

The third, worse still—no network.

An organized, premeditated assault!

And another complication: he had just successfully captured a Shadow Lantern Fox in the game.

In the New Sun game, spiritual energy values and some skill cooldowns were shared with reality, meaning a dire situation could arise—enemies in both game and real world at the same time!

Thus, it was essential to have a safe haven in both realms.

Fortunately, he had just dealt with the Lantern Fox, but now the Shadow Soul skill was on cooldown.

Morning Radiance looked at the game.

[The Lantern Fox has devoured the Shadow Soul, but it’s still hungry. It’s on the verge of growth, climbing onto your right hand, gazing at you pitifully.]

[It’s hungry...]

[The Lantern Fox looks at you with tearful eyes, needing a large amount of shadow and lantern elements to grow. Just a bit more, and it will become beautiful and big, your obedient darling.]

“...”

The Shadow Dagger and Night Traveler’s Garment couldn’t be fed to it for now.

You’ll have to wait a bit, your master has some trouble right now...I’ll get you something to eat soon.

Morning Radiance took the Lantern Fox along, guiding his game character away from the Shadow Bone Land to somewhere safer.

This could be a serious problem...

He put on his gear, opened the door, and cautiously peered down the corridor.

In the dark hallway, there was no sound from staff; a few crows flew past the bulletproof glass windows.

In that darkness, Morning Radiance’s breathing grew rapid and shallow, searching his surroundings.

Was it Crow Strawman?

Yet, at the corridor’s end, a flame from a lighter flickered, as if reading his mind:

“No—not Crow Strawman. Something far more terrifying.”