I Went Crazy Killing in the World of Gods and Demons - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Whether there were always many unseen mystical creatures in this world, or whether encountering them became more frequent after stepping into this realm, Xie Qingling had no way of knowing. One thing was certain, however: this Mantis Sprite was a problem she had to resolve.

The Mantis Sprite lurking in the shallow grass opens its eyes wide to look at you. Despite its gnawing hunger, it endures the pangs in its stomach and resolves to initiate a fateful duel with you.

A duel?

Xie Qingling frowned, feeling somewhat troubled.

But since that was the case, it was the perfect opportunity to test her “Soul Return.”

Xie Qingling took out the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Clay Figurine she had just obtained, never expecting to use it so soon.

She murmured softly, “With your eyes, see what I see.”

The Killing Field instantly unfolded.

Both the Mantis Sprite and Xie Qingling were trapped within the Killing Field.

Simultaneously, Xie Qingling saw the Mantis Sprite in its entirety.

It was palm-sized, crouching on a flower bed.

Its lower body remained that of a mantis, while its upper torso more closely resembled a human form, looking as if a person were wearing giant mantis sickle gloves.

How would the duel proceed?

Would they just start fighting?

Xie Qingling instinctively tightened her grip on the gun in her hand.

However, before she could make a move, a voice echoed in her mind.

The Mantis Sprite challenges you to a game of rock-paper-scissors. If you lose, you will become its meal.

Facing the rule-based challenge that the Mantis Sprite can only initiate once in its lifetime, you have no way to retreat.

“…???”

Rock-paper-scissors? Was this for real?

Xie Qingling froze for a moment. After confirming she hadn’t misheard, she scanned the Mantis Sprite and nearly burst out laughing.

“Alright,” Xie Qingling said. “Let’s begin.” She might as well play along.

The Mantis Sprite began to move as well.

“Rock, paper, scissors.”

Unsurprisingly, Xie Qingling won.

Because the Mantis Sprite could, and only could, make scissors.

This was a rule-based sprite quite simple-minded.

As Xie Qingling pondered how to deal with the defeated sprite, the Mantis Sprite clutched its face in apparent agony and vanished.

The Mantis Sprite, which has never won a single game of rock-paper-scissors, disappears once again into its Grain in Ear season, waiting until the next Grain in Ear to briefly awaken. The Mantis Sprite lamented in anguish: Humans, why are you born with five fingers, capable of making all the moves in rock-paper-scissors? It truly resents this.

At that moment, on the previously blank pages of the Book of Observation, black handwriting gradually emerged, character by character, detailing information about the Mantis Sprite:

One of the sprites that appears during the twenty-four solar terms. Fond of challenging humans to rock-paper-scissors, it only throws scissors and retreats upon defeat.

Xie Qingling: “…”

Although she hadn’t stayed at her post until the very end today, the Book of Observation had been updated. Xie Qingling considered her first day on the job a success.

After the Mantis Sprite disappeared, Xie Qingling retracted the Killing Field and calmly walked back to the dormitory building.

As soon as Jiang Lvlv and Dong Jia in the dormitory saw her, they rushed over to inspect her closely. Only after confirming she hadn’t lost any limbs did they relax.

Jiang Lvlv said, “Hey, you didn’t come back last night. We were so scared we couldn’t sleep all night, worried you’d encountered some strange phenomenon again.”

Ever since the Mountain Goblin incident, Jiang Lvlv and Dong Jia had almost developed PTSD.

“I’m fine,” Xie Qingling shook her head. After a moment’s thought, she decided she would stay at the office from now on.

Her current identity was special, her work was unusual, and thinking back to the incident at the university student activity center, Xie Qingling always feared dragging them into these dangerous whirlpools again.

It was too dangerous.

“By the way, I’ve already received an offer, so I’ll be moving out starting tomorrow. I probably won’t come back to the dorm much after this. You two need to take good care of yourselves, and if… I mean if, you encounter anything strange, remember to contact me,” Xie Qingling said.

Upon hearing this, Dong Jia froze, wanting to say something but ultimately nodding instead.

She felt as though she had forgotten something, but she couldn’t recall what it was.

Still, Xie Qingling had always been capable of taking care of herself, so there was likely no need for them to worry.

Jiang Lvlv, however, reacted more strongly, immediately exclaiming, “What? We all submitted our resumes for the same positions in this dorm when did you get an offer?!”

Why was her internship still not confirmed? Why was she the only one who hadn’t found a job yet?!

Xie Qingling gave an awkward laugh, made up a random excuse, and fell silent after all, she had signed a confidentiality agreement.

Jiang Lvlv, on the other hand, felt an unprecedented sense of crisis and even began considering that law firm internship with a meager salary of eighteen hundred, where she’d have to work like a dog for a year before becoming a regular employee.

The next day, Xie Qingling went to the forensic science department building to see her academic advisor.

In her bag was the internship certificate that Ye Anran had hastily issued for her the day before.

This trip back to campus was not only to bid farewell to her roommates but also to explain her future plans to her advisor.

Most of her classmates had already found jobs and submitted their internship certificates. Xie Qingling, who had been inactive due to illness, had been heavily pressured by her advisor.

Today, she needed to give her anxious advisor an explanation.

Xie Qingling’s advisor was an elderly man with graying hair, ready to retire at any moment.

When Professor Zhou saw the internship certificate Xie Qingling placed on his desk, he glanced at her, then looked back at the certificate, scrutinizing it repeatedly.

After carefully examining the words on the paper once more, Professor Zhou let out a heavy sigh and fixed his sharp gaze on Xie Qingling.

He said with extreme displeasure, “Care to explain?”

Professor Zhou was a very strict man, never hesitating to deduct attendance points, which had earned him plenty of complaints from students.

Yet, despite his severity, Professor Zhou had always liked Xie Qingling because she consistently met his rigorous standards a rarity in his entire teaching career.

He remembered the first anatomy class: out of over thirty students in the class, even the burliest guys had been vomiting uncontrollably. Only Xie Qingling remained unfazed, completing the task flawlessly.

Her temperament and abilities seemed tailor-made for forensic science.

Professor Zhou had high hopes for Xie Qingling.

But he never expected that what she handed him would be… this.

An internship certificate completely unrelated to her field of study.

What was this “Special Events Department”? What was this “Record Keeper”? Both the organization and the position sounded so obscure that Professor Zhou had never even heard of them. It looked like some dead-end clerical job in a dubious unit, the kind where one just idles away time waiting to die.

No matter how he thought about it, Professor Zhou couldn’t understand why Xie Qingling, who had so much promise, would make such a choice.

Under Professor Zhou’s disappointed gaze, Xie Qingling steeled herself and said, “Professor, this is my internship unit and proof of employment. I’ve already started working and need to return to my unit tomorrow.”

“You ” Professor Zhou slammed the table as he stood up, “Have you lost your mind!”

“Your academic performance is outstanding how many related institutions were competing to hire you? Even working in a forensic identification department would be better! Why join some unheard-of department? What’s so good about it? Are you being threatened?”

Professor Zhou suddenly paused, realizing something. “Have you been tricked into a pyramid scheme? Tell me, I’ll help you resolve this. Leave that strange unit immediately!”

Though Professor Zhou was forceful and furious, Xie Qingling felt warmth in her heart.

How fortunate she was to have encountered such caring people throughout her journey.

But…

“I’m sorry, Professor.” Xie Qingling lowered her head and whispered, “I haven’t been deceived. This is my own choice. I’ve made my decision and won’t leave this department.”

“You ” Professor Zhou was so angry he nearly had a heart attack.

Furious, he exclaimed, “Making the dead speak, seeking justice for the deceased, bringing truth to light have you forgotten your own words? Do you have no respect for four years of hard work?”

Xie Qingling smiled bitterly but stood her ground. “I have no regrets in my heart, no shame toward myself. There are others in this world who can become excellent forensic pathologists, but this department cannot do without me.”

…This is insane!

Professor Zhou trembled with rage, gritting his teeth as he spat, “Get out!”

Xie Qingling bowed formally to him. “I may not become an outstanding forensic pathologist, but I will never forget your teachings.”

With that, she left the college office.

Abandoning the major she had studied for four years wasn’t without regret or pain that was undeniable. But how could Xie Qingling simply walk away?

There was no turning back once the arrow left the bow. As an Innate Spirit, remaining in that world was her destiny.

Xie Qingling heaved a heavy sigh, her footsteps slow and deliberate.

Search, wander, lie in wait Carrion Ghouls lurking here for untold days. These long-wandering spirits fear not the sun’s rays, eagerly opening their eyes to the call of the mortal realm.

Hunger, agony their starved bellies protest the neglect they’ve endured. Feed, plunder, for so many delectable meals await here.

Xie Qingling froze instantly.

How…

Again?

This time, it wasn’t minor creatures like the Mantis Sprite.

Her face turning cold, Xie Qingling quickly tapped her earpiece following the Work Guidelines Ye Anran had given her.

The Directional Communicator quickly connected to Ling Fang’s end.

Ling Fang’s voice came through, “What’s wrong?”

“Chief,” Xie Qingling reported, “There are Carrion Ghouls in the forensic department building at my university. Unknown numbers. Initial observation suggests they intend to feed on humans.”

Ling Fang responded promptly, “Find a way to evacuate the area and deploy the Killing Field. I’ll send backup immediately.”

After a pause, Ling Fang added, “You’re still inexperienced. Avoid confronting them alone unless absolutely necessary. Protect yourself until we arrive.”

“Understood.”

Xie Qingling ended the communication.

It was class time, and there were still anatomy lessons being held inside the teaching building. Both students and teachers were present, and the number of people was not small.

Luring all of them away would be somewhat difficult.

But it wasn’t impossible.