A common tavern that connects all fantasy worlds

In this situation, she couldn't even take a break, so she simply got up and went downstairs again, and came to the kitchen at home, wanting to drink some water to soothe her tense nerves.

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the house.

Meghan, who was alone at home, was startled by the knock on the door, and walked cautiously to the door, only to see a figure in police uniform standing on the porch outside her house.

There was no light at the door, and the front of the figure was pitch black, only the light of street lamps in the distance shone behind him, reflecting a silhouette who could be seen wearing a police cap, a gun around his waist, and a police badge; The people inside couldn't see his face at all.

"Strange... the porch light is out again?"

Megan was talking to herself, pursed her lips, and asked cautiously through the door: "Who are you looking for?"

The black figure shook, and spit out intermittent low words: "Megan Horsey... your, father, was in an accident and is... in the hospital, unconscious. Please, quickly, come with me ... go."

Megan's heart skipped a beat, and she said to herself that it's no wonder she's always flustered tonight. It seems that something really happened to her father!

"Please, please wait..."

She immediately said that she would go to the house to change clothes and set off when she turned around.

But then she thought again, should the police officer come in and sit in the living room to wait?Wait, I didn't even see his face, I only saw the shape of half a police badge, so I can't be sure that he is a real policeman, right?

Thinking of this, Megan couldn't help but look back towards the door, and saw something falling from the body of the black figure.But not only did he not intend to deal with those things, but he also drew the gun from his waist and pointed it at the door lock.

She froze for a moment, then quickly turned on the light in the hallway.

The light through the transom on the door illuminated the person at the door, and Megan saw at a glance the big hole in his chest that was full of blood, and the pieces of internal organs that were flowing out wrapped in mucus and dripping to the ground.

His face was also covered with blood, and his eyes reflected a strange yellow light. He pointed the gun at the door lock without any expression, and pulled the trigger twice.

"what!"

Megan screamed and instinctively wanted to flee upstairs, but she was so frightened by the horrific sight that her limbs became numb and she made a mistake in her busy schedule. She missed her foot, sprained her foot, and fell down the stairs.

While pressing her ankle, she desperately crawled backwards, avoiding the monster that broke open the door and walked in step by step.

The guy was still saying: "Please, come with me... together."

At this critical moment, the girl suddenly heard a familiar voice calling outside: "Megan! Megan! Are you there!"

"Dan! I'm here, come and save me!" She yelled with all her strength, supported her body with her hands, grabbed the vase next to it and slammed it at the monster in front of her, trying to block its movement.

The monster stretched out his hand to block the vase, and the broken porcelain and water splashes only delayed him for a second, but this second was enough.

With a click, a silver figure smashed the window and jumped in by stepping on the window sill.

Putting on his armor again, the Paladin Jess raised his shield in one hand and brandished his flail in the other. As soon as he landed, he made a sudden charge. Like a silver chariot, he hit the guy who was about to raise his gun with the sound of a violent wind. , Pushing him against the wall, all the bones in his body creaked.

Jess took two steps back and charged up again. The flail he clenched in his hand slapped on the monster's flank, tearing the flesh and breaking the spine, almost breaking its entire body in two, and it couldn't be rebuilt. Standing steadily, he fell directly to the ground.

Dan, who was carrying something on his back, climbed in from the window at this time, first helped his girlfriend up, and then shouted at the paladin over there: "Jess, get out of the way!"

Jess immediately jumped aside, followed by a blazing flame spraying towards the monster that fell on the ground.

It was only now that Megan saw clearly that her boyfriend was carrying a large pressurized medicine pot on his back, which was connected to his hand with a hose; what he was holding in his hand was also the kind usually used by insecticide companies and weeding companies. There is a valve-type nozzle for spraying chemicals, and a lighter is tied with a wire not far in front of the nozzle.

A liquid with a pungent smell was ejected from the nozzle, ignited by a lighter, and turned into a rocket, which was thrown onto the monster in front, and was engulfed in flames together with the surrounding carpets and wall panels.

Several humans here stopped their hands, looking at the monster that was being burned to ashes, and were silent.

In the end, Megan came back to his senses first and asked, "What happened?"

"Didn't you read the news..." Dan tiredly put down the homemade flamethrower in his hand, and said to his girlfriend, "Get out of here first, and explain slowly on the way."

For some unknown reason, Megan was dragged out by her boyfriend, put on his jacket, and got into a second-hand car.

It was Herbert sitting in the driver's seat. Seeing several people coming out, he just pushed his glasses unnaturally and said, "Where are we going next?"

"Go back to the academy, at least the defenses are established," said Dan, who was sitting in the back seat with his girlfriend.

Jess, who was dressed like a tin can, had no objection, so Herbert nodded, kicked the accelerator, and the car swayed and drove towards the school.

In order to let the ignorant girl know what was going on in the town, Dan motioned Herbert to turn on the car radio in the car.

On the radio, the hostess's clear and slightly flustered voice came, announcing good news that was not good news: "As far as we can see, the 'living corpse' has entered Fourth Avenue, but it is being captured by the guards. The fire is blocked between the residential area and the commercial street. We are authorized by the security forces to issue an authoritative message, and all surviving residents of [-]nd to [-]th Streets are asked to go to Princeton Station for inspection immediately, and do not believe anyone who walks and cannot speak continuously people, watch your surroundings to avoid attack."

Looking out from the car window, such a guy has already begun to roam the streets, and the streets are surrounded by beast-like pupils shining with yellow light.

The darkness is spreading on the surface. Human beings who had no time to escape were thrown down by black shadows that appeared from nowhere, and tripped over by traps like tree vines. They only had time to leave a short scream before being dragged into the darkness.

In the car, Dan was also explaining to his girlfriend: "...Professor Hill probably injected himself with that kind of potion, and now I don't know what it turned into... He is hunting humans in the town, and then put their The corpses are transformed into their own companions. Only the college is the safest. The remaining policemen, campus policemen, professors and all the students of the town police station are there, blocking the surrounding street intersections with old cars and illuminating the 'boundary' with torches , Use searchlights to patrol. Except there, I am afraid that most of the town has been controlled by living corpses!"

"Where did Professor Hill get so many potions...Even if he made some himself yesterday, it wouldn't be enough to revive so many people!" Herbert interjected, bringing up the most incomprehensible thing he could think of. question.

Jess lifted the visor of his helmet, tapped the shield that was placed across his knees, and snorted: "You don't think it's a 'resurrection' now...they are obviously not the person they were when they were alive. Yes, they are monsters driven by another force, undead. Your potion did not bring vitality back to their bodies, but just changed the expression of 'death'."

Unexpectedly, this time Herbert nodded readily and agreed: "...That's true, the experiment time is too short, the number of experiments is too small, there is no pharmacological analysis at all, and even the efficiency of these guys' energy utilization, their The sources of energy are very unscientific... If science really doesn’t make sense, it’s okay to explain it from the perspective of ‘occultism’.”

Megan remembered the key question, and asked quickly: "Then... what about my dad? Is he at school?"

Dan fell silent immediately, gritted his teeth, and had a fierce psychological struggle before answering his girlfriend's question: "No... Dean Horsey took someone to Professor Hill's house and planned to arrest him. , now it seems that there is no luck."

Megan pursed her lips, not knowing what expression to make.

The car was still heading towards the school, because the direct route was blocked by the "defense line" formed by scrap cars, and several people had to make a detour and enter from the only entrance.

In the darkness of the street, there were more and more eyes shining yellow, and the low roars of the dead gradually overshadowed the sound of the wind, and the blocks of Arkham went dark one after another, and it was still far from dawn.

When he was about to reach the defense line established by the school, in the car that had been silent for a long time, Dan suddenly asked again: "What should we do? Just wait in the school for dawn? These living corpses may not be afraid of the sun, right?"

Herbert, who was driving, replied: "Yes, but with sunlight, at least it is easier to find where they are, and then burn them one by one..."

Both of them closed their mouths at the same time.

The car slowly stopped within the range of the searchlights. A soldier from a nearby military base with a "real" flamethrower in front of him was pointing his weapon in this direction, carefully watching a certain police officer approach and interrogate him. Whether the people in the car have symptoms such as glowing eyes and smelly bodies.

At this moment, Herbert pushed his glasses, and suddenly turned his head and said to several other people in the car: "I think... the current situation is my responsibility, at least, if I don't study the potion, There will never be what happened today. Therefore, I think I must also take the responsibility of 'repairing the aftermath'....Can you help me find Professor Hill?"

Chapter 41 Going Back to the Roots

"So...you came to look for me?"

At that time, Boss Xue had just sent away some new guests, and he even found a book about North American mythology to read.After hearing Jess and Dan's request, he even froze for a moment.

It's not surprising, but listening to their descriptions, there is always a special sense of déjà vu, as if the tavern has dealt with similar problems several times before...

No, even if the forms of expression are similar, their "essence", or "source" should be different.

In particular, the "living corpse" that Jess and the others met this time seems to be extremely tenacious. Judging from what they have seen, even if the limbs are cut off, the severed limbs can move on their own; The minced meat on the ground will also wriggle forward.

This is no longer like a unified individual, it is more like a large-scale cluster of small organisms or even single-celled organisms; the unity of behavior they exhibit is not due to the consciousness of a whole The independent "thoughts" they have constitute a network of group consciousness.

A bunch of cancer cells that are almost as smart as people, probably feels like this.

Facing the two men who were in urgent need of help, Boss Xue didn't talk nonsense, he took out a piece of paper, wrote and drew on it and said: "Now, let's simplify the problem, since those corpses were all changed by the potion." If it became like this, it must be something wrong with the medicine, right?

"What is the source of Herbert's potion? Where did he get the original formula, how did he improve the formula, and where did he find the raw materials?

"From your narration, we can clearly get these answers. The original formula comes from a copy of a fragmented page of the 'Book of the Dead', which may be missing or mistranslated, which led to the failure of his research at the University of Zurich ; the improved recipe was also inspired by the 'Necronomicon', this time the complete copy in the Miscattonian library; the missing raw material was found in the Miscattonian specimen collection, from Dunwich, about Its naming and traits are only recorded in the 'Necronomicon'.

"Isn't that obvious enough... have you guys read the book?"

Dan Kane, who was a Miskatonic student, hesitated for a moment, and immediately asked the other two to look at him.

He thought for a while, and replied with some uncertainty: "I have indeed read it... because that book is quite famous in this school."

How could such a legendary book not be famous?Although there is no mention of it in any official records, it is passed around miraculously among the students.Every batch of freshmen will listen to the senior students mysteriously tell those weird and even crazy stories, what book can open the door to the past and the future, and can summon the unimaginable monsters that can drive everyone who sees it crazy, and so on.

According to the school's regulations, the administrators of the school library strictly limited the people who can access the book. Even if they want to borrow a copy, they need to make a report in advance, and they can only read it accompanied by the dean, professors and librarians of the school. .

Such strict supervision has further fueled rumors among the students, and even in recent years, betting on whether they can read the book without being discovered by the professors has become an entertainment activity for students in various colleges to enhance friendship.

This kind of thing is impossible for the vast majority of students... Every year, a group of unlucky people will be arrested and reprimanded for trying to break into the precious library at night.

Of course, Herbert did not go through this process. Just like obtaining a sample of cattail beans, he quite naturally photocopied key passages in the copy by means outside the rules, and was not found.

Dan was almost there. Although he had also read the book, he couldn't understand anything at all. He just thought it was a kind of crazy talk that didn't make sense and was scary.

"So... have you ever thought that the school, or the librarian in other words, knows that there will be big problems if the book is handed over to students to borrow at will, otherwise such a rule would not have been introduced at all."

Xue Li shrugged, and further guessed: "I guess there should be more than one supernatural event related to this book in the past, so the school restricts borrowing in such a way... After you go back, you might as well ask about that book Administrator, he may well be able to provide you with some key information."

Of course Jess and Dan agreed, but the paladin raised another crucial point: "But the situation in the town is already critical, and the mobilized corpses are hunting for the living... Although it can be resisted for the time being, but I'm afraid there is no time to go deeper into the truth behind this matter before taking action."

"Exactly, our hunter is finally willing to come back." Xue Li said, pouted to the other side of the bar.

The two looked in the direction he indicated, and saw Amelia glaring towards him angrily.

"I just went to help David for a while. They have no experience in managing others, and they don't know how to use their previous connections..."

In the second hour after midnight, Jess and Dan returned to Miskatonic Medical College.

Herbert and Megan were waiting on the lawn in the middle of the college. The streets in the distance were brightly lit, and crackling gunshots sounded from time to time.

Most of the survivors who escaped from the town in time gathered here, and everyone huddled together in fear, waiting for the arrival of dawn-no one wanted to sleep at this time.

"Let's put it this way, Amelia and I went out to hunt some living corpses, see if we can find where Professor Hill is, Dan... you and your friends go to the librarian, my The advice is to tell the truth and ask for help sincerely."

Compared with the living corpses all over the street, a knight in medieval armor is not so conspicuous... Or maybe Jess is still conspicuous, but the officers just don't have the time and energy to take care of him now.

He just stuffed the thing Boss Xue gave him before he left into the strap of the shield armrest, wrapped it up carefully, and held it tightly.

Although he may still not have the help of the Holy Light, he will still stick to his oath, treat the weak with kindness, face powerful enemies bravely, fight for the defenseless, and help all those in need.

Dan stepped forward, held Jess's hand tightly, and sighed helplessly: "I'm so sorry... You probably had your own plan, but I dragged you into an incident that you should face yourself. If it weren't for your help, Meghan, she, or myself would have been in trouble... I really don't know how to thank you."

"The encounter between people is like this. I can't do it if I am indifferent to the evil... If my actions from the heart can help you, that would be the best. Now is not the time to stop, remember if When you get an answer or discover something, use the 'machine' that Boss Xue gave you to contact us as soon as possible."

Jess laughed.

Amelia with two steel arms just stood aside, breathing the air of another world.

Having said that, she herself was originally a member of "evil", and neither humans nor vampires of the same race were considered by her.

However, after quitting the blood and after so long, she seems to have gradually regained the feeling of being a "human being".

The things that have to be said have been said, and it is time to go.

Watching a few students walk towards the library, Jess turned back and asked Amelia: "Are you a 'hunter'? I have no experience fighting with hunters before, but I will try my best to block all enemy attacks... ..."

"Haha. You can't be so strict when hunting, young knight..." Amelia moved her fingers a few times, and a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes: "You have the mentality of the prey, but now... we are the hunters .I can already smell the fishy prey, try to keep up with me and hunt with me."

As she said that, she jumped up abruptly and sank into the night sky above. Even the paladin could only see a large group of vague shadows quickly drifting towards the western street.

"……All right."

Jess laughed aloud, that woman doesn't look very old, why is she not only so strong, but also old-fashioned in her speech.However, it's been a long time since I had such a friendly match with my partner.

Since it is said to be hunting, let's try it!

He took off his visor, jumped out of the safe area when the humans guarding the line of defense didn't notice, strode after Amelia in the direction where Amelia left, and disappeared into the darkness in an instant. .

On the other side, several students found the gray-haired administrator in the library.

Although the administrator looks very old, he is energetic and healthy. He is smoking upstairs in the library while looking at the town outside the window and frowning. He saw a few young people coming timidly. I was quite curious when I found him.

"...The library is temporarily closed today." He said to several people who came upstairs.

[130. No. 130]

Dan felt terrified at the sight of the old man, and hurriedly poked Herbert in the ribs, telling him to come forward and speak.

Herbert walked up to the second floor calmly, and said bluntly: "What happened in the town today is all because I used a recipe in the Necronomicon to prepare a potion that can resurrect the dead. What remedy is there now?" way?"

The librarian immediately choked on the smoke in his mouth, coughed for a while, and then asked incredulously, "What... did you do?"

"I use the Necronomicon..."

"Okay, that's enough... I'm getting old, and this is the end of my acceptance."

The librarian interrupted him with a wry smile. After thinking for a while, he threw the cigarette in his hand on the ground and stamped it out, and said seriously: "Young people still have to be a little bit more measured...even if you don't think about the consequences very much, but in the end At least know what you are dealing with.

"There is no sanctity in this world, and the existence of human beings in the universe is actually insignificant-but human beings rarely understand their own smallness, short-sightedness, and insignificance. Beyond the dimensions we can understand, there is a greater, indifferent knowledge and power , that kind of thing is not only far beyond our imagination, but also doesn't care whether we exist or not at all... What will be the result of trying to control such a force? Maybe it's like an ant trying to lift a white dwarf..."

Chapter 42 Hunting the Living Dead

It is normal for the trio to fail to borrow the Necronomicon as they wished.

After hearing that something might have happened to Dean Horsey, the old man in front of him couldn't help showing a trace of nostalgia on his face.As for Carl Hill?

"I never liked that fellow, and you, Mr. Herbert West with spectacles, I'm sorry to tell you, were exactly like that fellow Hill when he was young."

The old man was sitting upright, with his straight waist like a flagpole.Few people at this age still have a standard and healthy body like him, which made the few students in front of them stand upright and began to listen to him in a respectful manner.

He went on to say: "...you are the kind of people who believe in your own abilities and are proud of the existence of human beings. You feel that everything in the world can be analyzed and defined, and that all problems can be solved with scientific methods. Solution. Your thirst for knowledge is too strong, and you lack awe for the unknown of the universe... This may be a good thing in many cases, but it is not when it comes to the 'Necronomicon'.

"You don't need to know what's recorded in it. The more you know, the more dangerous it may be... I don't need to give you another example, right? The streets are full of Mr. West's creations.