Above The Sky
Chapter 612 - 612 581 Can Everyone See Through My Disguise Right

612: Chapter 581: Can Everyone See Through My Disguise, Right?

(Giving Up) (2/3) 612: Chapter 581: Can Everyone See Through My Disguise, Right?

(Giving Up) (2/3) “What?!”

Initially, everyone was tense about someone infiltrating the diorama, but now, seeing the Flesh Shapeshifter, everyone could only think of inconceivability and shock: “When?

When did it blend into our team?!”

“It was Sade who got replaced—I knew Sade’s strength couldn’t have possibly dodged that bullet, no wonder he seemed like he was pretending to not be able to dodge!”

After all, they were all elite members of the Huai Guang Church, the squad immediately changed formation, and instead took Redemption Light as the lead, trapping the Flesh Shapeshifter in the middle of the team, a layer of invisible force field shielding compressed the space of the Flesh Shapeshifter, making it let out miserable howls and pleas for mercy.

The more it begged, the less likely the angered rescue team members, because a comrade had been replaced, would hold back.

On another side, Glorious Sword was holding his longsword, conversing with the ‘guest’ who had fired the revealing shot at the shapeshifter’s true form.

Holding the gun, Ian had intended to make a brand new self-introduction—he had already thought of an origin story for his new identity and was waiting to make an impactful entrance to deepen the impression.

But unexpectedly, Glorious Sword glanced at the black-haired youth before him, his lips moved slightly, forming the shape of ‘Ian?’

Ian’s expression froze, and for a moment he wanted to curse.

—Wait, was his disguise effective at all?

He had just felt proud of fooling Chancellor Moze, so why was he seen through upon arrival in Huai Guang Church?!

Back then, it was the same when he met the Bishop of the White Mist…

That could still be accepted since the Bishop had seen through even Teacher Hiliad’s disguise and had already known his true identity.

Damn it!

Did these Huai Guang clerics have the effect of True Sight or something?

And at that moment, Glorious Sword smiled as he made eye contact with Ian, his eyes illuminated with the blue Spirit Energy Radiance: [Please forgive me, Ian, I know you don’t want your identity to be revealed, so I won’t tell anyone your true identity—if you need to coordinate, feel free to let me know.]

The same ‘Mind Communication’ as the Bishop of the White Mist.

Ian had always suspected that the Huai Guang Church might possess the ability to share spirit energy, and now it seemed this could be confirmed as a fact.

[Just help me to reinforce the impression that I am from the City of Knowledge or perhaps the Dragon Worship Cult, keep it ambiguous.]

Ian somewhat helplessly said to Glorious Sword: [Also, where exactly did my disguise go wrong that you were able to see through my true identity so easily?]

[Don’t worry, it’s not your fault I could see your true identity, even spirit energy perception would be confused by the aura of the dream magical beasts on you, it’s an impeccable disguise.]

Glorious Sword reassured earnestly: [I was only able to know because…

I am a true Holder of the Huai Guang Office.

We perceive the world in a different way.]

[It’s difficult to explain, but in any case, we will not expose your identity, that is an oath made to Embrace Light.]

—Although it was bothersome, since it was the Huai Guang Church, Ian grudgingly accepted it.

After all, if they swore an oath, they would indeed keep it…

He realized why everyone, including Teacher Hiliad, harbored such complex emotions towards Huai Guang.

Ian’s expression now appeared even more overcast.

He sighed and began to talk to Glorious Sword in reality.

Since his true identity had been discovered, he didn’t have much energy for pretense, and his conversation with Glorious Sword could be summarized in just four sentences.

“I am very grateful for your help, but for the sake of caution, I would still like to know your name, for reference…”

“Mahdi.

You may also call me ‘You Gu (Secluded Valley).'”

“And your purpose for asking, Sir?”

“To save people.”

The matter was more or less concluded—Redemption Light led the squad to successfully eliminate the Flesh Shapeshifter.

These creatures were quite dangerous when undiscovered, but noticeably vulnerable in direct combat after being exposed.

“It really has Sade’s memories…

Damn, was Sade eaten by it?!”

“No…

look, Sade’s brain still exists…

This Flesh Shapeshifter parasitized inside his body, then slowly consumed all of his flesh and blood, using his brain as a memory bank!

No wonder we couldn’t detect anything wrong!”

As Ian communicated with the Glorious Sword, the squad had already started to dissect the enemy’s corpse.

But the results were quite surprising.

The Flesh Shapeshifter’s true form actually had some similarities to the Brain-Eating Parasites from the South Sea Great Labyrinth; they could both parasitize to acquire the memories and some thought patterns of their hosts, thereby imitating the parasitized targets for infiltration purposes.

Without a doubt, this was research conducted by the Central Research Laboratory on parasites, a type of highly effective spy monster.

Regrettably, these replicated parasites did not possess the efficient computational power of the Attached Brain from the previous era’s civilization, nor did they have the powerful differentiation capacity and Spirit Energy Network like the true Brain-Eating Parasite—in fact, they were too clever for their own good and couldn’t perfectly execute tasks, as they wouldn’t obey orders well.

In short, they were half-baked efforts.

The person parasitized was named ‘Sade,’ a silent but resolute Seven Cities Alliance Knight.

He was likely parasitized during combat, and because he rarely spoke, no one suspected him.

He managed to get through the initial integration period and, with a flawless disguise, ambushed two other comrades.

His brain was still alive, merely covered by the Flesh Shapeshifter’s body and preserved by Yingguang in a preservation vessel.

With the technology of the Spiritual Tool Church, it might be possible to transplant his brain into a full-body prosthetic.

“It’s unexpected that Yingguang is also here…

Will their teacher come too?

That Holder of the Huai Guang Office of at least the Third Energy Level…”

Seeing the familiar Dragoness Nun, Ian was slightly surprised, but considering Redemption Light’s presence, it wasn’t very strange.

After confirmation, Ian, who had disguised himself as a friend and been taken away, had now come to rescue someone from the Tranquil Sea and got to know everyone under the name ‘You Gu (Secluded Valley).”

“You Gu, how did you manage to discern that shapeshifter?”

A Queya Bowman sat down next to Ian rather casually, offering him a piece of dried potato in a very friendly manner, to the outwardly aloof black-haired knight: “If it’s a secret technique that needs to be kept confidential, it’s okay not to say, but the fact that this monster deceived all of us this time, causing three brothers and sisters to meet their end…

I really want to know.”

Ian took the dried potato, glanced at the Queya Bowman, weighed it, and then handed it back to her.

The Queya Bowman blinked, not quite understanding why Ian did that, but as she took back the dried potato, her expression suddenly changed—because the seemingly light snack had become very heavy.

Although she was not weak, the unexpected weight almost made her drop it.

“Earth Origin Quality…” she murmured to herself, and the dried potato quickly returned to its original weight.

“Density.”

Glancing sideways at the dried potato, Ian softly said, “The density around his brain was different from that of a normal person, too heavy.”

That was the answer.

Although Ian used a Silver Chip to verify after detecting the anomaly, that was just a necessary confirmation.

In fact, the density distribution of the Flesh Shapeshifter’s human form differed from that of a normal person, and if one was sensitive enough to it, they could sense that something was amiss.

But after all, it was a comrade who had adventured together for so long; no one would harbor suspicion over such a minor anomaly.

[What exactly is his background?

What is his purpose?]

As Ian started to get acquainted with the other members of the team after showing his hand, Redemption Light communicated with some vigilance through the internal communication with the Glorious Sword: [This is the first time I’ve seen you so reassured to let a stranger join the team—is he someone you know?]

[We’ve worked together for over a decade, you know all my friends,] the Glorious Sword calmly replied: [But indeed, he can be trusted—as for his purpose, think about it, how many people are detained in the Avak Laboratory?

And how many of them have significant identities?]

[Not to mention that dragon, but even the missing Fae might be there…

whether it’s the Dragon Worship Cult, Falling Star City, or the knowledge keepers from the City of Knowledge…

all are possibilities, aren’t they?

He’s also here for a rescue, so his path aligns with ours, and since we are from Huai Guang, he is willing to trust us.]

[You’re telling part of the truth to mislead us.]

Redemption Light stated confidently: [But now I guess I understand why you’re so reassured by him, which means he truly is trustworthy…]

[Yingguang, what do you think?]