Li Andy froze.
The heart at the center of the pistil beat twice more before turning into a puddle of black, dirty iron fluid, melting into the blood.
Clockwork Heart?!
No—
Clockwork Heart cannot reside in flesh and blood!
Is that a Puppet Heart?!
Li Andy searched his memories, his face gradually turning grim.
He seemed to have misunderstood something… that was, he had treated the mastermind behind Miss Molly's incident as a specific individual.
However, in reality, it might not be one person, but a group of “non-humans”!
In the later stages of the game, there was a disgustingly difficult high-level map called “Utopia Theocracy.”
It was a small religious country located on the eastern edge of the Middle East.
The believers there were friendly and harmonious, with no conflicts or disputes among themselves.
Outsiders who came there with curiosity and lived for a period would also be influenced by its atmosphere, gradually becoming devout members of the theocracy and sharing peace with everyone.
This place was like the ideal utopia.
However, the truth was that the believers there were not human, but a group of puppet monsters wearing human skin.
Their appearance was indistinguishable from the humans they once were, but their minds were rigid, retaining only cold memories, devoid of any emotion.
Under the guise of the doctrine of “Blissful Ascension,” they lured humans in various ways, assimilating them into their kind, completing their unique form of “reproduction.”
For “reproduction,” they also instigated wars in multiple Middle Eastern countries.
It was against this backdrop that the protagonist received a commission to go to that place.
When players killed these monsters, they would drop materials called 『Puppet Heart』. The more deeply assimilated an individual was, the more obvious and stable the mechanical structure beneath their skin became.
Because their appearance was similar to Clockwork Heart but had no lore connection, players often joked that it was the development team's laziness or material reuse.
But it turned out they actually were connected!
‘Something isn’t right… ’
The thought of a late-game big boss possibly being here made Li Andy’s face turn pale.
The difficulty of the commission two years later was not high, but what about now?
The final boss of Utopia Theocracy was a twisted monster called “Puppet Mother.”
Its strangeness and power were a sticking point for many players who got stuck.
The specific reason for its birth was unknown, and it could only be inferred from fragmented clues that everything might have originated from a distant alchemy accident.
‘Should I just bail now? Go back and report it?’
‘But Sophia is still at the academy, and I don't know if they have the ability to construct barriers…’
‘Wait…’
‘Maybe, there’s no need to be so afraid.’
‘The time to go to the Middle East in the game is ten years later.’
‘The current boss might not necessarily be the ‘Puppet Mother’.’
‘The other party hasn't directly attacked, they must also be wary of me.’
‘So, I can't show weakness now…’
‘…’
As he thought, Li Andy’s mind had already calmed down.
At the same time, the outside of the restroom was already crowded with people, who were both terrified and yet couldn't help but gawk.
Not long after, a Dean walked out from among them, his brows tightly furrowed, looking at Li Andy:
“Miss Molly, please cooperate and come with us.”
…
…
Dean’s office.
The same room as last time, the same two people.
“Miss Molly, can you explain what happened?” the butler-dressed Dean asked, clasping his hands.
“She jumped down herself.” Li Andy picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and responded coldly.
The Dean paused, then nodded:
“I believe Miss Molly.”
“Believe?” Li Andy scoffed, putting down the teacup, “You just don’t want to blow things out of proportion.”
The Dean frowned:
“So you want me to believe you’re the murderer?”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Li Andy looked at him with disdain.
The Dean showed some anger:
“I admit Harveys’s current position in the guild, but I am not afraid of you!”
Li Andy suddenly grinned, revealing such a cunning smile on the face of a ten-year-old girl:
“Separating me from Harveys? You really know I’m not Molly!”
The butler Dean froze for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Miss Molly. If your illness hasn’t recovered, I can continue to help you with your leave of absence.”
Li Andy narrowed her eyes, quietly watched the butler for two seconds, then slowly stood up:
“I’ll consider it.”
…
Nearing dismissal, typing class.
This was the last class, and also one of the few machine-related classes in this aristocratic academy.
Li Andy entered a classroom, which had a faint smell of machine oil mixed with incense.
The people inside immediately showed fright and kept their distance from him.
Li Andy ignored them and walked directly to the back row.
He sat silently in front of an exquisite, antique, purely mechanical typewriter.
Even though he was sitting in the back row, there was always a malicious gaze, like needles, pricking his back.
This gaze had been following him ever since he walked out of the Dean’s office.
As if as soon as he showed any weakness, an attack would follow.
They probably didn't want to cause a big commotion, most of the people here were still normal, and they hadn't found Sophia yet…
After returning, he definitely had to re-plan.
If necessary, he would report it to Sister Anna.
At worst, he would share some of the commission fee with her.
‘Phew, just hold on a little longer…’
Li Andy let out a light breath. He was already sleep-deprived, and now he had to keep his nerves taut, he was truly tired.
Just as he was about to place his hand on the typewriter keyboard, the keys suddenly moved on their own!
Each descent seemed to be a jab filled with endless hatred.
Li Andy was stunned and understood the message above:
“You shameless thief!”
“Damn you!”
The next second, the typewriter vibrated and exploded with a “bang”!
The delicate parts turned into sharp fragments, flying towards his face.
“!!”
Li Andy’s eyes turned red, Mad Blood instantly surged through his body.
The dynamics of his vision instantly stagnated.
He forcefully twisted his muscles, gritted his teeth and squatted down, narrowly dodging the impact by grazing past the fragments.
“Whoosh—”
Machine parts embedded into the wall like rain.
As soon as Li Andy stood up, he saw all the typewriters in the room begin to vibrate.
‘What’s going on?!’
‘Are they crazy?!’
‘Aren’t they afraid of attracting official attention!’
‘Aren’t Clockwork Phantoms and Puppets on the same side?’
Without time to think further, Li Andy urged Molly’s body, sprinting towards the exit.
Behind him, one typewriter after another exploded in a bizarre manner.
Some students didn't even have time to scream before their eyes and throats were pierced by fragments.
The smell of machine oil and blood in the air instantly overwhelmed the incense.
Li Andy ran all the way to a ballroom.
Everyone stared at her in surprise, seemingly not noticing the ornate chandelier above their heads, which was swaying precariously.
Li Andy found Sophia, who was secretly eating at a tea table, and grabbed her arm:
“Come with me!”
Sophia was about to dodge, but she was stunned by his next words,
“You don’t have hair below your lower abdomen, and there’s a mole on your right side!”
“Andy?!”
Sophia’s mouth slightly opened. She knew only one scoundrel knew this. Having experienced the supernatural, her mind also shifted extremely quickly.
“It’s me, run!”
Li Andy pulled her, sprinting quickly.
The huge chandelier behind them crashed down!
Screams and blood spattered simultaneously, and the falling candlelight ignited the scattered wine nearby.
Like falling dominoes, disaster spread rapidly.
In the sea of fire, several skin-torn puppets swayed and stood up like zombies, and after a brief hesitation and silence, lunged at the two of them.