Super Righteous Player
Chapter 731 - 272 Distributed Computing_1

Chapter 731: Chapter 272 Distributed Computing_1

Annan certainly remembered that time.

His estranged uncle, who he had never met and who had never even married, was killed by the Hand of Winter during that kidnapping incident when they were rescuing hostages. Later, Ivan’s father also died of depression because of this.

The decisive Hand of Winter who killed the hostage, was the old man who later followed Maria to the White Tower.

"...What exactly is ’The Worm’?"

Annan carefully asked, "Is there some kind of trap in this room?"

"’The Worm’ is not a real insect, but a representation, a symbol. It is the embodiment of the ’Non-Snake’ in elven rituals. And according to current archaeological research, the ’Non-Snake’s’ prototype seems to be some kind of giant parasite... It parasitizes the earth just as snakes are born from the earth," Zoya explained in a more academic tone. "It generally embodies concepts such as [Parasitism], [Invisible Pain], [Self-Devouring], [Cycle], and it will be materialized in this type of ritual, just as rituals based on the concept of [Silence] summon darkness or ones based on [Luck] summon dice."

"The ’Rustless Blood’ of the Goddess of Cup is also serpent’s blood, and here the serpent’s blood refers to the blood of The Worm. Since ’Non-Snake’ is a parasite of the earth, it is also the blood of stone, the blood of trees."

...The earth?

Is this referring to the Bone Mother?

Annan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Speaking of which, back in the day ’The Night’ gave away a part of its power to create the Mysterious Lady. And when the Bone Mother was ’The Earth’, did she transform into her current form without losing any power?

Since the existence of ’Delightful Blood’ is related to The Worm... can it be understood that The Worm also stole a part of the power that belonged to ’The Earth’?

Just as the Mysterious Lady possesses a part of the Night’s power.

But this was not a gift; it was a theft—an "Invisible Pain."

And [Self-Devouring] and [Cycle]...

"What is the concrete image of The Worm?"

Annan pressed on.

"It has no tangible form, but in the ritual, it is a snake that devours itself, forming the shape of a ring," Zoya answered.

...Ouroboros?

Annan’s eyes widened slightly.

Isn’t that the Ouroboros?

Zoya continued to explain.

"If someone has a black, broken ring pattern on the front of their heart or at the joints at the end of their limbs, it can be understood as having been bitten by ’The Worm’.

"That is to say, they have died once... but have been resurrected in this way. Even among the bold ritualists who fear neither heaven nor earth, the worm ritual is a taboo among taboos."

"Why?"

"Because ’The Worm’ is contagious," Zoya answered.

"It is more accurate to say that The Worm ritual is a kind of self-backup rather than a resurrection ritual. The personality possessed by one resurrected through The Worm ritual is not the original personality of the deceased, but a mixed personality dominated by the solidified personality of the ritualist... If they continue to kill and carry out The Worm rituals, they can still flawlessly transmit the original ritualist’s personality.

"Because the ’host’ resurrected by The Worm ritual has no memory of the ritualist, only the personality of the ritualist at the moment of the ritual—they know what they need to do, but they can’t access those memories through the Soul Snatching Spell because they lack that experience.

"And the resurrected can move for thirteen days. After thirteen days, the corpse will rot... but within those thirteen days, if another ritual is performed, they can pass on their mission.

"At first, it might spread slowly, but once it starts to spread, it becomes very crazy—even the ritualists themselves may not be able to stop it."

Like a virus that replicates itself.

Annan understood.

No wonder the Winter officials wanted to exterminate this jester organization.

They themselves are not harmful, but the taboo ritual they hold is very dangerous—once out of control, it is a disaster.

"...But is this really a ritual held by the elves?"

Annan furrowed his brow slightly, expressing deep skepticism, "I feel this ritual is filled with a sense of evil."

"Because... this ritual wasn’t originally used in this way."

Zoya shook her head, "Even before Your Highness was born, we had already investigated the Worm Cult..."

She was about to continue explaining when Zorgen interrupted her.

"You take His Highness and get back a little farther."

Zorgen didn’t turn his head, just muttered in a low whisper to Zoya, "Osthoff Dolgorouki revealed his identity willingly. I suspect he may have prepared some kind of trap in the room."

"Shall I go in and check?"

Four-of-Kind couldn’t help saying, "I can be resurrected."

"Destruction Wizard, go to the other end, don’t stand with His Highness."

Zorgen said bluntly, "I am very experienced, but you would be a burden to me if you are with me."

...I feel you are discriminating against us, Destruction Wizards.

Four-of-Kind pursed his lips and said no more.

Annan leaned on his staff and retreated to the entrance of the corridor.

Yet with such a commotion upstairs, there was still no sign of any reaction from the Viscount’s wife and son on the first floor.

The three players exchanged glances.

"I’ll go down and keep watch."

The Wandering Child said softly.

Xitan Pulan shook his head, "You’re not suitable... Your weapon is too large, it’s not easy to carry. I’ll go... I’ll also chat with the mother and son while I’m there. Remember to open the live stream and share your perspective with me, I’ll be watching from below."

"You do the same, if you encounter danger just stall for time. We will come down immediately."

The Child said softly.

He too realized... things here appeared to be different from what he initially thought.

This wasn’t a safe house, but the interior of an instance.

If it was said that the customs of the Worm Cult were imitations of those of the elves... then this entire town seemed off. Not to mention those two relatives with an unmistakable sense of discord.

"I will."

Xitan Pulan nodded and headed downstairs alone.

They watched as Zorgen placed his right hand on the door, and his shadow flowed like a living being, seeping through the gap under the door—this scene reminded Annan of Kafney.

But Zorgen’s control over shadows seemed somewhat different from Kafney’s.

If Kafney’s shadow tentacles were like limbs, then Zorgen’s shadow made Annan think of an elemental pool.

—It was as if he was a Cleric from back in the day, calling upon powers from the elements.

But Zorgen is now only Silver rank, and he probably hasn’t awakened to the elements yet...

"The elves developed the Worm ritual not to continue their own personalities—elves have many life-extending rituals, they also can utilize their own innate magic, and besides, elves naturally have long lives. They have no need to ’copy themselves’ in such a manner."

Zoya continued, "At the outset, this was a ritual used for research.

"Its purpose was to duplicate one’s thoughts into multiple copies... using several ’individuals’ to apply the same line of thought in synchronous pondering."

...Distributed computing?

Annan was immediately startled.

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