Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 166: The Peculiar Oil Painting

"Uh, didn't expect Liu Xing, your luck to be so bad. You actually encountered a major failure right off the bat. I wasn't even prepared for the punishment of a big failure. Well, let it be. Even after losing 1 point of SAN value, you've directly passed an inspiration check. However, this time, the SAN value check won't increase your Cthulhu Mythos knowledge." KP Li Shunchan pondered for a moment and then chuckled.

Liu Xing breathed a sigh of relief. In the grand scheme of misfortune, losing only 1 point of SAN value was a stroke of luck. As for automatically passing an inspiration check, it was what Liu Xing had wished for. After the SAN value check, he had planned to proceed with an inspiration check to discern the anomalies in this oil painting.

After KP Li Shunchan spoke, Liu Xing felt that something was off about the painting. The features of the girl, who had originally had a proper appearance, suddenly shifted. Every part seemed out of place, simply put, the eyes were not eyes, and the nose was not a nose.

Liu Xing furrowed his brow. He had only lost 1 point of SAN value, so why was he experiencing hallucinations?

At this moment, Liu Xing heard the sound of dice rolling behind him. Turning around, he saw the young man in a black coat.

Gu Jun, 74/50, failure.

Seeing Gu Jun's SAN value, Liu Xing knew that this Gu Jun was likely a troublemaker, and his Cthulhu Mythos knowledge probably exceeded 20.

"Hello, sir. I'd like to ask you something. When you look at this painting, do you find something strange about the facial features of the girl in the painting?" Gu Jun approached and struck up a conversation with Liu Xing.

Liu Xing feigned confusion and replied, "Indeed, that's true. When I first saw this painting, I didn't notice anything unusual, but after looking at it for a while, the facial features of the girl in the painting suddenly shifted."

Gu Jun stroked his chin and thoughtfully said, "It seems I'm not the only one with this perception. It looks like I came to Ziwu City at the right time."

Liu Xing asked tentatively, "Uh, sir, do you have any thoughts on this painting?"

Gu Jun chuckled and said, "Judging by your accent, you're also Chinese. I'm Gu Jun, an occultist. I was invited by the president of Ziwu City University a few days ago to teach archaeology."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, surprised to learn that Gu Jun was an occultist teaching archaeology!

Liu Xing sighed quietly, mentally preparing himself for a strange encounter. After all, dealing with occultist scholars came with its own set of challenges.

Although Liu Xing was reluctant to continue the conversation, he had to ask, "Oh, in that case, Gu Jun, do you think there's something wrong with this painting?"

Gu Jun looked at the painting, shook his head, and said, "I'm not entirely sure about the specifics of this painting, as I've never encountered such a thing before. However, I can confirm that this painting should be the work of a wizard."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow and pretended to be surprised. "What? Are there really Wizards in this world?"

Gu Jun looked at Liu Xing mysteriously and said, "Do you really have no idea whether Wizards exist in this world?"

Liu Xing's expression darkened, momentarily unsure how to respond to Gu Jun's words.

"Hehe, don't be nervous. As an occultist with a few tricks up my sleeve, I can tell you've experienced some supernatural events and encountered mythical creatures," Gu Jun confidently stated.

Liu Xing looked at Gu Jun with surprise. He didn't expect occultists to possess such unique skills.

"Well, I have indeed encountered some strange things and seen mythical creatures. But what does that have to do with anything?" Liu Xing feigned a puzzled expression.

Gu Jun chuckled and said seriously, "In that case, I finally understand. If things go as expected, this painting has a triggering mechanism. Ordinary people only see the surface of the painting, but those of us who have experienced supernatural events and encountered mythical creatures trigger the mechanism, allowing us to see the true form of this painting."

Liu Xing nodded in agreement. Gu Jun's explanation was logical and convincing, making Liu Xing realize that being a daring scholar might have its uses.

"So that's why. No wonder this painting is displayed here. Ordinary people can't see its true form," Liu Xing pretended to have a sudden realization.

Gu Jun nodded with a smile, pointing upstairs. "Let's go up. I asked the library staff earlier, and they mentioned that the library director is on the third floor. I want to inquire about the details of this painting. I believe you might be interested in knowing more too."

Liu Xing shrugged and said, "Of course. By the way, Gu Jun, you can just call me Liu Xing."

Liu Xing and Gu Jun exchanged a smile and headed straight to the third floor.

On the third floor, Liu Xing and Gu Jun quickly found the library director of Ziwu City Library, as there was only one person reading there.

To Liu Xing's surprise, the library director of Ziwu City looked to be in his twenties and was quite handsome, wearing black-framed glasses, exuding an idol-like charm.

"Hello, are you Mr. Kuroba Naoki, the library director of Ziwu City Library?" Gu Jun approached Kuroba Naoki and asked with a smile.

Kuroba Naoki pushed his black-framed glasses and nodded. "Yes, I am Kuroba Naoki, the library director of Ziwu City. What brings you two here?"

Gu Jun got straight to the point. "Well, I'd like to ask, Mr. Director, what is the painting at the corner between the first and second floors?"

Kuroba Naoki nodded and took out a book from the shelf titled "King Tindalos." However, this book's appearance was quite poor, resembling the cheap, pirated novels you might find on a street vendor's stall.

"It is said that during the Asuka Era, in the current Ziwu City territory, a country named King Tindalos was established. King Tindalos was the founding king of this country and its only reigning monarch. King Tindalos was brave, wise, and even prophetic. He defeated armies sent by the Emperor Suiko several times, even in extremely unfavorable situations. The painting depicts King Tindalos's daughter, who, unfortunately, fell seriously ill at the age of thirteen and passed away. After her death, King Tindalos lost interest in ruling, disappeared shortly afterward, and the once-prosperous King Tindalos country declined, eventually being destroyed by Emperor Suiko," Kuroba Naoki explained calmly.

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