Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 84: Falling Out?

Chapter 84: Falling Out?

Tang Tai's acting was impressively convincing, leaving Wang Wei with no choice but to nod and agree, "Alright then, let's hurry to the van to retrieve your wallet, Mr. Tang Tai."

As Wang Wei was about to lead the way, Mo Jin caught his shoulder, saying, "Hey, Wang Wei, tell me about Earth Dragon Village. Didn't you say the specialty dishes there are delicious? I'm quite a foodie and very interested in culinary delights."

While speaking, Mo Jin shot Tang Tai a knowing glance. Tang Tai, understanding the cue, smiled and suggested, "Then Wang Wei, why don't you enlighten Mo Jin about Earth Dragon Village's special cuisine? Just hand me the car keys, I can go to the van and retrieve my wallet by myself."

Wang Wei, glancing at Mo Jin, reluctantly handed over the keys to Tang Tai, "Mr. Tang Tai, remember to lock the car after getting your wallet back."

Taking the keys, Tang Tai assured with a cheerful grin, "Of course, don't worry about it, Wang Wei. I'll be back soon, please wait for me."

After saying this, Tang Tai quickly headed to the van.

Meanwhile, Wang Wei had no choice but to start describing the special dishes of Earth Dragon Village to Mo Jin, who nodded along with a smile, though whether he was actually listening to Wang Wei's explanation was another matter.

Soon after, Tang Tai returned, handing the car keys back to Wang Wei, "Thanks, Brother Wang Wei. I've got my wallet."

Liu Xing noticed Tang Tai's subtle nod, indicating he was unaware of any tampering Wang Wei might have done to the van.

After receiving the keys, Wang Wei nodded and pointed towards Earth Dragon Village, "Let's head out. It's already around seven o'clock, we should hurry to Earth Dragon Village. I still need to speak to the village chief about arranging your accommodations."

Liu Xing and the others nodded, starting their walk towards Earth Dragon Village.

Located at the foot of a mountain, Earth Dragon Village was a considerable descent from their mid-mountain parking spot. Thanks to their youth and strength, the group reached the village in less than half an hour.

Surprisingly, Earth Dragon Village seemed unaffected by the earthquake. Lights shone from the houses, and the voices of villagers could be heard, everything appearing normal.

As the epicenter of the earthquake, Earth Dragon Village was expected to be heavily affected, yet its current state seemed eerily untouched, leading Liu Xing to a chilling thought — 'When things are too strange, there must be demons at play.'

This anomaly provided Liu Xing a chance to escape, "Uh, Wang Wei, doesn't Earth Dragon Village seem unaffected by the earthquake? There's no collapsed buildings, nor any casualties. My skills as a doctor seem unnecessary here."

Shi Ying, also a doctor, quickly agreed, "Right, it seems Earth Dragon Village is unscathed and doesn't need our volunteer rescue efforts. Could you take us back to the county town, Wang Wei? We can be more useful elsewhere tomorrow."

Wang Wei, confused by Liu Xing and Shi Ying's observation, stammered, "Uh, I don't know why Earth Dragon Village is untouched. I just, no, earlier when I called the village chief, he said the village was severely affected by the earthquake…"

Hearing this, Liu Xing knew Wang Wei was lying. He had called the village chief himself while parking the car.

This suggested that Wang Wei wasn't controlled by the Earth-boring Demon Worm but was misled by the village chief, who was under the demon's influence, into bringing Liu Xing's group to Earth Dragon Village as sacrificial offerings.

Realizing this, Liu Xing proposed, "Ah, Wang Wei, you shouldn't have kept this from us. How about you give us the car keys, and we'll drive back ourselves? We can return the car to you tomorrow."

Just then, an old man, surrounded by middle-aged villagers, approached them.

Without doubt, this was the village chief of Earth Dragon Village.

"Dear volunteers, don't blame Wang Wei. I instructed him to bring you here, so I fabricated some stories. The reason I lied is that Earth Dragon Village needs your help with some matters," the village chief explained as he approached.

Liu Xing frowned, puzzled, "Old sir, you must be the village chief of Earth Dragon Village. Isn't your village at the earthquake's epicenter? How come nothing happened?"

The village chief chuckled, pointing to the largest building in the village, "Here's the thing. When the earthquake struck, our villagers were participating in a ritual at the Ancestral Temple. Although the temple is centuries old, it's extremely earthquake-resistant. It wasn't damaged, so our villagers were safe, and

the village buildings remained largely intact."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, continuing, "So, there are no casualties in Earth Dragon Village? Then we have no reason to stay. We'll take our leave, village chief. Other areas need our help more urgently."

As Liu Xing made to leave, the village chief quickly stepped forward, holding him back, "Please wait, volunteer friend. Earth Dragon Village still needs your assistance with other matters."

Shi Ying gently pulled the village chief away, saying resignedly, "Village chief, although Earth Dragon Village was spared, other villages aren't so fortunate. We must help them as soon as possible. So, please let us go. After all, saving lives is of utmost importance."

With that, Liu Xing and the others turned to leave, knowing that if they let the village chief continue, they might trigger a main quest, making it impossible for them to leave Earth Dragon Village.