Chapter 133: Suicide Experiment and "Assassin" Ciel

Suicide Experiment and "Assassin" Ciel

After quickly flipping through a few pages, Ciel returned to the first page and began reading carefully.

This time, the notebook didn’t record daily events like a diary but instead contained a concluding statement at the end.

【Dear Self:】

【I’ve organized everything I’ve written these past few days and made a summary】

【Because most of the time was spent in peaceful daily life, there really wasn’t much worth recording, so I condensed them into essentials for your easy reference】

【If you want to read the full version, it’s in another notebook. You can check it yourself】

【I calculated the time; when you arrive in the simulation, it should be around the time I’m at work】

【You must be wondering why I didn’t get down to “business” but found an ordinary job instead, right?】

【This is the “business”】

Ciel turned the page.

【Previously, we both had a question: why did Lucy and Oppold receive unexpected “rewards” when following the established rules, while we gained nothing?】

【Because we never truly implemented “peaceful life,” or rather, “ordinariness,” to the end】

【In the first few days, I tentatively deduced the meaning of the rule “cannot contact transcendents”】

【This rule is actually a bit abstract. It seems to contradict my initial idea of “wanting to become stronger to protect myself.” This concept is somewhat abstract, not concrete enough】

【Contrastingly, Oppold used the “Evil Eye” to experiment bit by bit, figuring out the specific rules, living a torturous life he never imagined before】

【Lucy, relying on her “Favored” ability, also gradually figured out the specific rules and started working “seriously”—previously, she definitely didn’t plan to work properly here but intended to do other things】

This work is hosted on mananovel.com

Turned the page.

【As for me, I tentatively started living a truly “peaceful life,” living under the same roof with my sister, finding a well-paying job, moving out of Clock Tower Alley, and studying law courses in advance】

【Guess what?】

【Just like the sudden misfortune before, inexplicable good luck also befell me... If you want to know the specifics, you can read the diary. Simply put, I could even get hit by money while walking. My luck is almost as exaggerated as a “Favored”】

【Ironic, isn’t it? What you now want to break free from, escape, and eliminate is exactly what you dreamed of before】

【This period truly ranks among the happiest days of my life. Unfortunately, you can’t experience it...】

【But keep a level head. All this is just a beautiful and fleeting illusion. With Oppold and Lucy’s abilities, even if one month isn’t enough, two or three months will definitely be enough for them to fully investigate the rules】

【Accepting peace is accepting death】

【Back to business】

Ciel paused slightly, gently rubbing the paper with her index finger and thumb for a moment, then slowly turned the page. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

The events described by her simulated self indeed made Ciel’s heart tremble slightly, but her simulated self quickly used rather harsh language to dispel Ciel’s thoughts.

Her simulated self had a long time to figure these things out, while Ciel, having just arrived here, only had 24 hours available. Her simulated self also knew well that she had to quickly shatter the beautiful illusions of her real self.

Otherwise, the quality of this entire simulation would be affected.

Ciel continued looking at the notebook before her.

【First, regarding the description of “Nature” power, I spent my free time searching through all the ancient books Avena lent me but couldn’t find any relevant description】

【But many religious groups use “Nature” in their names. This might be a term passed down since the Chaotic Era—the origin of that quill pen might indeed be related to the Old Days, more or less】

【Currently, it can be inferred that “Nature” power likely refers to “Gardener” and “Coroner”】

【There’s another matter, a conclusion I reached after experimenting】

【The quill pen’s rules have no effect on system abilities. Even using certain transcendent abilities through the system or directly using system skills won’t be judged as transcendent, thus not incurring misfortune】

【Perhaps the system’s existence far exceeds the upper limit of the rules designated by that feather sealed artifact, hence it’s unaffected】

【Do you know how I found out?】

The text broke off here. Ciel had to turn the page to continue reading.

Cliffhanger bastard.

Ciel silently complained in her heart, but realizing she was complaining about herself, she could only silently swallow her grievance.

【You asked me to find a way to separate the quill pen’s spiritual body from the sealed artifact itself. I found one with a relatively high success rate】

【It indeed requires Avena’s “Substitute Death Relic.” I already borrowed it from Avena in advance, just asked Avena to mail it over on July 21st. After all, I couldn’t contact transcendent items beforehand; I feared dying unexpectedly ahead of time】

【Besides the “Substitute Death Relic,” I added a more secure plan. After all, no matter what method you use, you can’t guarantee 100% that the quill pen will injure itself with the “Substitute Death Relic” after possessing you】

【This plan is “Death Reversal”】

【Remember the description of “Death Reversal” Lv.2?】

【When “annihilated,” one can still exist as a pure spiritual body】

【Isn’t this “pure spiritual body” precisely one’s own spiritual body when not under control? I was thinking, could I regain partial control of the body through “Death Reversal” while being controlled—but definitely not annihilation】

【You also know, the system never fully describes skill introductions, like how “Dexterity” actually also strengthens strength and reaction】

【I was thinking, could this “pure spiritual body” be triggered even when the body isn’t completely dissipated?】

【For this, I conducted several weeks of suicide experiments】

Constantly committing suicide to find system loopholes?

Ciel suddenly felt a phantom pain in her body... This seemed like something she would do.

Suddenly, Ciel no longer envied her simulated self for having lived a few happy days.

-

【One “Death Reversal” requires almost two full days to recover my spirit. Avena couldn’t help me heal during this process either. It can only be described as extremely torturous】

【Maybe because ordinary suicide couldn’t achieve the state where the body is immobilized, leaving only the spiritual body. And this suicide couldn’t completely destroy my body, otherwise, if I didn’t recover after “Death Reversal” ended, I would truly be dead】

【For this situation, I could only think of using poison】

【I have to say, besides her great achievements in medicine, Adele’s research in toxicology is also very thorough】

【If judged by the basic discipline levels, Adele’s talent is at least between “Medicine Lv.2” and “Medicine Lv.3″】

【After Adele completed the second-tier “Plague Doctor” Reconstitution Ritual, I wrote to Adele expressing my request】

【I needed a neurotoxin that could quickly kill enemies, along with a matching antidote that could maintain bodily activity】

【I needed a spiritual death—that is, becoming a vegetable—this might be the key to triggering “pure spiritual body”】

【I specifically chose the last week to conduct this experiment. If I failed, you would just arrive a week earlier. A more perfect “Assassin” potion has already been prepared for you, not affecting your actions】

【Of course, since you can see this summary, it means I succeeded】

Ciel took a deep breath and continued turning the page.

【Adele was even more capable than I imagined. After knowing I was taking the poison myself, she called Avena to research together. In less than a week, they produced the first potion far exceeding my expectations】

【This isn’t truly poison, more like “feigned death.” After drinking the poison and antidote together, the poison takes effect first, paralyzing all body organs including the brain, while the antidote “Awakening Potion” triggers with a half-minute delay, reactivating body functions】

【The moment the organs paralyze and stop working, it’s already judged as death. Without the “Awakening Potion,” this would be outright poison.】

【Although Avena and Adele did their best, suspending bodily functions for half a minute still causes irreversible damage to the brain and body organs. Especially the potent “Awakening Potion,” which is another violent devastation to the body】

【This can only be used in simulations. But the good news is, after drinking the poison, I successfully triggered the “pure spiritual body” of “Death Reversal”】

【”Pure spiritual body” can control the completely immobile “corpse” to continue moving, but the mental consumption is terrifying. I took almost five or six days to recover fully; the headache and dulled senses only lessened slightly】

【By the way, you can put the poison in the left molar cavity and the antidote in the right molar cavity, bite them together. Adele recommended a physician who can help drill cavities in your teeth. The address is in the poison box. I went there before too; it didn’t hurt much】

【If there isn’t enough time to press the stopwatch before being possessed, immediately bite the poison and antidote, then use “pure spiritual body” to control the body and activate “Substitute Death Relic”】

【I really couldn’t handle Lucy and Oppold without injury. Already asked Tara to summon reinforcements. They arrive today too. Please check for receipt】

【Wishing you martial prosperity】

【Good luck】

Ruthless.

Ciel couldn’t find adjectives to describe her simulated self anymore.

This behavior was complete disregard for her own life, recklessly messing around.

Even reading these words from a bystander’s perspective inevitably made Ciel’s hair stand on end.

However, her simulated self’s behavioral logic was almost identical to her current self’s...

So this is how I appear from others’ perspectives...

Ciel carefully thought about what she had done.

It seems she couldn’t really be considered not extreme.

Ciel searched her canvas bag, found the wooden box containing the poison and antidote that looked like crystal diamonds. Inside the box was also a note with an address.

As for the potion and “Substitute Death Relic,” they were temporarily still in Avena’s hands. According to her simulated self, they should be mailed over today.

Anyway... let’s get the poison installed first.

Ciel stopped the moving carriage, handed the note with the address to the coachman driving in front. The carriage then turned around and headed towards the clinic at the address.

“Assassin” potion...

Indeed, no matter how she thought about it, drinking this potion was the most stable choice. If even she couldn’t digest the “Assassin” potion, Ciel felt few people could digest this potion.

After all, normally, the first-tier Reconstitution Ritual only required a few lives. The number of transcendents who died at Ciel’s hands in simulations and reality couldn’t even be counted on one hand anymore.

The carriage traveled for about five minutes, finally arriving at a secluded clinic. Ciel got off with her things, walked into the clinic, and saw a middle-aged woman wearing a white coat and a monocle sitting behind a wooden desk.

The woman was slightly stunned upon seeing Ciel, then seemed to remember something and asked, “Miss C...iel?”

“Adele referred me.” Ciel nodded, then placed the box in her hand on the table and said, “I need these two things embedded into my molars, intact.”

Looking at the familiar wooden box and familiar young woman before her, this familiar scene made the doctor sitting there unable to resist wiping her glasses with a handkerchief, glancing at the calendar on the table.

Today is the 21st, right...

Same young woman, same box, same words.

Why does this scene seem somewhat familiar?

The doctor wiped the sweat from her temples with a handkerchief, then whispered, “Miss... I won’t tell anyone your information. This is my principle. You don’t need to test me again...”

She remembered very clearly, about a week ago, this young woman before her had already come once, with the same request.

And at this moment, Ciel also realized something.

Her simulated self handled the initial poison here for experiments and trial-and-error. Coming again herself indeed seemed strange.

So Ciel thought for a moment, then said, “Used up the previous one, came to replenish.”

Replenish...

The middle-aged physician swallowed hard.

If she remembered correctly... that was extremely potent poison, right? She used to work at the Redemption Society and knew very well that crystals like these definitely contained very potent poison.

And Adele also warned her repeatedly before, not to damage it even slightly during embedding...

This young woman, treats poison like candy pills?

-

Knowing the young woman before her might also be a transcendent, the doctor dared not be negligent. She immediately got up, closed the main door, paused business, and led Ciel into the operating room.

Handling these things required extreme care. The entire surgery, hollowing out the molars and embedding the poison, took almost two hours to complete.

After finishing all this, the doctor wiped the sweat from her face as if exhausted and said, “Miss Ciel, it’s done... Please be careful, try to eat food that doesn’t require chewing.”

“Mm, thank you.” Ciel asked, “Is the surgery fee the same this time?”

“Yes, still free. I owe Miss Adele for this.” The doctor nodded.

“Okay.” Knowing she didn’t need to pay the surgery fee, Ciel didn’t act coy, directly walked out of the hospital, and returned to the carriage.

At this moment, Ciel felt a strange sensation.

In her mouth, at the back molars, were two unusual protrusions, a strong foreign body sensation, like getting a bone stuck while eating.

It felt like not much force was needed, just a slight bump, would shatter both the poison and the awakening potion.

Ciel could only gently bite her tongue tip the entire time, keeping her upper and lower jaws from closing together, avoiding accidentally biting the poison.

If accidentally bitten, she could only be more careful in the “next life.”

It was already 6:30 PM. By the time the carriage brought Ciel back home, it was almost seven.

Opening the door, Ciel smelled a meaty aroma wafting from the house. Ciel looked towards the dining table. On it was a bowl of steaming meat soup and a portion of chopped vegetables mixed together, looking like salad.

“You’re back?” Footsteps sounded from the stairs. Ciel looked up and saw her sister Lichie, wearing an apron, walking down from upstairs.

“I saw you hadn’t returned for so long, so I tried making a meal myself... See if it suits your taste?” Lichie asked with a smile.

This familiar and warm scene made Ciel slightly taken aback, but remembering what her simulated self said in the notebook, she took a deep breath and said somewhat stiffly, “I...”

Ciel was about to say she wasn’t very hungry, but looking at Lichie’s smile, she still chose to walk to the dining table, ladled a spoonful of meat soup into a bowl, and drank it down.

No need to think to know, these past few days, it must have been her simulated self cooking every day, while Lichie washed dishes and cleaned.

“Delicious.” The taste was a bit bland, salt was lacking, a common problem for novice cooks, but Ciel still smiled and gave positive feedback.

“I still have some work matters to handle. I’ll go back to my room first.” After speaking, Ciel slowly put down the bowl and chopsticks, walked upstairs with suddenly somewhat heavy steps.

Her simulated self was right; this was exactly the life she initially yearned for.

Find a better job, move to a better place with her sister, hang out with friends after work, not struggle for survival, enjoy life every day...

“You’ve been sick often recently, you need to eat well...” Lichie walked to the dining table and asked puzzledly, “Was my cooking too bad?”

Picking up Ciel’s bowl and taking a small sip, Lichie’s eyes showed some embarrassment. She said with a smile, “I’ll add some salt, heat it up again, and bring it to your room... By the way, your friend mailed some things over, I put them in your room for you.”

“Mm...” Ciel walked upstairs carrying her canvas bag. After returning to her room, she closed the door, locked it, leaned back against the door, and let out a long sigh.

She suddenly thought of a very old meme from her previous life.

It was a chuunibyou elementary school student leaning against a car window holding a toy gun, with the text “If I pick up the gun, I can’t embrace you; if I put down the gun, I can’t protect you.”

Ciel only thought such things appeared in memes or non-mainstream depression spaces. She never expected to encounter such a situation herself.

From the moment she activated the system and stepped into the simulation for the first time, to the moment she killed someone for the first time, Ciel already had no way back on this path.

Ciel saw the exquisite handbag her sister placed on her desk, went over, opened it. Inside was a bottle of potion, a jewelry box, and a letter.

This was mailed by Avena.

Opening the letter, Ciel saw the contents inside.

【Dear Ciel:】

【The money you sent over exceeded the amount for the potion. There were too many things, couldn’t fit. I’ll mail the extra money back to you tomorrow】

【Although I didn’t take the “Detective” path, I still hope you don’t embark on the “Assassin” path... I’m not denying your choice, it’s just that I’ve seen too many “Assassins” and “Butchers” in the family before】

【Previously you asked if I could get “Butcher.” Actually, I know where to get a more perfect potion. I’m sorry I deceived you. Maybe it was because of my selfishness; I didn’t want my friend to become like that...】

【Although the “Detective” path is difficult, I can teach you how to switch from the “Assassin” path to the subsequent “Law Officer”... provided you’re willing】

【I don’t know what exactly happened to you, and you’re unwilling to tell me. This feeling makes me very uncomfortable】

【Sorry, I seem to have rambled a bit too much this time】

【Maybe I miss you, Ciel】

【—Your Friend】

【Avena】

Ciel put down the letter.

Actually, her heart didn’t feel much. For Avena in the simulation, she hadn’t seen herself for nearly a month, but for Ciel, they just met yesterday, so it was difficult to empathize.

However, Ciel did indeed feel Avena’s sentiment.

Ciel took out the potion bottle. She decided to digest the potion first before looking for Tara.

From the moment she drank the potion, misfortune should begin brewing. The crystal bottle Ciel held seemed not like a crystal bottle, but Pandora’s box releasing demons.

Holding the crystal bottle up to her eyes, countless unknown particles floated in the pale purple liquid inside. Looking closely, they resembled thin fish scales, but judging by their softness, they clearly weren’t.

Instead, they looked like skin from some creature, sliced off piece by piece.

Ciel pulled open the potion bottle cap. A fragrant scent rushed into her nostrils, like high-end perfume, emitting a soft, fresh fragrance.

The scales originally soaked inside became agitated and swirled around, as if eager.

Ciel raised her hand and drank the potion down in one gulp.

-

A faint fruity fragrance filled Ciel’s mouth. The cool potion flowed down her esophagus bit by bit, completely absorbed before reaching the stomach.

Ciel closed her eyes, quietly waiting for the side effects and whispers to arrive.

Having drunk so many bottles of potion, Ciel had long gained experience. At this moment, she had already concentrated her spirit, prepared for confrontation.

One second, two seconds...

One minute, two minutes...

Time passed minute by minute, second by second.

The anticipated cold or burning sensation didn’t appear in her internal organs. Drinking that bottle of potion felt just like drinking a bottle of water.

She even suspected, did Avena secretly swap the potion for fruit tea?

Were the transparent scales inside actually just thinly sliced fruit pulp?

Ciel, with her eyes closed, slowly looked up, sensing the vague abilities and usage methods suddenly appearing in her mind, as if instinctive. Only then did she open her eyes in surprise.

Hmm?

Finished?

Just like that?

Ciel raised her hands. Translucent scales covered her hands, protecting every inch of her fingerprints and skin. Only then did she confirm she had really drunk the potion.

Where did Avena buy the potion? Such good effect? Let alone side effects, couldn’t even hear a single whisper. Must be very expensive, right?

Ciel took a deep breath, walked directly to the window, crawled into the quilt, held her breath, and tightly covered her ears.

Only under this condition, shielding out surrounding environmental sounds, did Ciel hear the faint whispers in her mind, almost drowned out by the wind and her own breathing.

Compared to the frantic whispers from potions drunk before, these whispers could even be described as “well-behaved.”

As if not daring to speak loudly.

Knock knock knock—

At this moment, knocking sounded from the door.

Ciel emerged from the quilt, her hair slightly messy, but she didn’t tidy it, just retracted her ability and opened the door directly.

Opening the door, Lichie stood there holding a bowl of steaming hot soup, smiling, “I tried it beforehand this time, the taste is definitely fine... Although still quite different from yours, try it?”

Ciel hesitated for a moment, then reached out, took the meat soup, drank it down in one go, and said, “Delicious.”

“Careful, it’s hot... Are you okay?” Lichie hadn’t finished reminding her before Ciel had already downed the entire bowl of meat soup.

“Thanks.” Ciel handed the empty bowl back to Lichie and said, “I’m going to sleep for a bit.”

Then, amidst Lichie’s somewhat puzzled gaze, Ciel directly closed the door.

What’s going on...

Ciel raised her hand and looked at her own hands.

Just now, when she saw Lichie, even when drinking the meat soup, the initial emotions had vanished without a trace.

Emotions like being moved, happiness seemed to have distanced themselves from Ciel. Even when looking at Lichie, she felt like looking at an unrelated stranger.

This situation made Ciel feel uncomfortable—but only uncomfortable.

Did the “Assassin” potion cause her emotional deficiency?

Can’t stay long.

Ciel took the “Substitute Death Relic” from the table, directly opened the window, climbed onto the roof, and jumped down from the other side of the street.

Scales already covered the poison in her mouth. The crystal wouldn’t be easily broken anymore. And whenever she wanted, with just a thought, the scales would instantly crush the crystals containing the poison and awakening potion.

She hung the “Substitute Death Relic” around her neck and hurried towards Tara’s residence. The “Assassin” potion seemed to have enhanced her inherent 【Dexterity】 considerably, allowing her running speed to exceed human limits.

The place she lived wasn’t far from Tara’s, both in the Gem District. Soon, Ciel arrived before Tara’s door.

The moment she stood before Tara’s door, Ciel’s skin keenly sensed over a dozen gazes fixed upon her.

This was the super sensory ability brought by “Assassin.”

Knock knock knock—

Ciel knocked on the door. Soon, Tara’s door opened. Tara, currently wearing a black dress, also saw Ciel, her eyes instantly lighting up.

“Lady Ciel~ Please come in~” Tara made way for Ciel to enter the house. Before Tara could speak, Ciel spoke directly, “Are all your confidants here?”

As expected of Mother Goddess... Nothing can be hidden from Her.

“Yes, Lady Ciel, I brought many confidants.” Tara nodded.

“Have them kill Oppold and Lucy, retrieve their sealed artifacts ‘Evil Eye’ and ‘Strong Luck Coin,’ now.” Ciel directly issued the command. And at this moment, Tara also noticed something slightly wrong with Ciel.

Mother Goddess’s human vessel... drank a potion?

And it wasn’t “Avenger” or “Ascetic”???

Tara took a deep breath, suppressed the joy in her heart, and said, “Congratulations Lady Ciel for retrieving part of your power... Tara will arrange the task you assigned right away.”

Tara lowered her head, slowly walked past Ciel, then rushed directly out the door, beginning to brief her brought confidants on the mission objectives and assign teams.

Ciel turned her head, looking at the gradually darkening sky outside.

This time, she didn’t wait until the last few hours but started the plan to attract the feather sealed artifact just a few hours after the simulation began.

The “Substitute Death Relic” could seal a spiritual body for about 24 hours. Ciel had no time constraints at all. Sealing early or sealing late made no difference; the difference lay only in the success or failure of the idea.

She didn’t need to spend mental energy waiting. If she failed, she had to immediately devise a new idea and start the next simulation.

Even if she really failed and got possessed, staying longer inside the feather, Ciel could also learn what it was saying.

Regarding Old Ansu script, the current Ciel could already understand simple conversations. Even if there were unfamiliar words, she could compare and translate after returning to reality.

After all, she could perfectly memorize those words and wouldn’t forget.

Time passed minute by minute. Less than 1 hour after Ciel gave the order, Oppold’s head, along with a blue-purple stained “Evil Eye,” was delivered into Ciel’s hands.

And another...