Chapter 6180 - 5191: Soul Mechanica Arcadia (48)

"The people from the NDP contacted me."

The person referred to as Professor Dale looked younger than Dr. Henry, but his hair and beard were both streaked with white. He was much thinner than Dr. Henry—a skinny old man with a piercing gaze and a deep, serious voice.

"They said there’s a very valuable opportunity for Antarctic research, so I brought my students back ahead of schedule. Have they contacted you yet?"

"Ah, yes, given that I’m currently acting as the interim vice president." Henry nodded, unbuttoning his suit as he sat down. "Mrs. Madeline at the phone desk said you had a half-hour conversation with them. How do you feel about it?"

"It is indeed a very valuable opportunity." Professor Dale also sat down, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest. "Currently, international views on polar expeditions are not very optimistic, as you know. There have been several major accidents before, and even the Arctic expeditions have been unsuccessful. There’s even talk in the scientific community about the myth of the polar curse. At a time like this, NDP willing to fully sponsor Antarctic expeditions is truly rare."

"You should consider why they are willing to offer full sponsorship." Henry was persistently uneasy. He said, "Of course, I admit there are organizations that genuinely want to contribute to science without seeking return, but the NDP Foundation shouldn’t be one of them. Their lawsuit for illegally selling plasma products hasn’t yet been settled. Collaborating with such a foundation would not only drag down the reputation of Miskatonic University, but could also pose a danger to us."

Professor Dale nodded: "I agree. However, I’m considering whether it’s possible to investigate their intentions before departure, eliminating the dangers, and only using their funding..."

Professor Henry leaned towards him and said, "That’s very risky."

"Yes, but if successful, we would have the opportunity to explore the depths of the poles, which is of great importance to the human race, isn’t it?"

Henry pondered, and Professor Dale continued: "Two years ago, despite me not being on the East Coast, I’ve heard about the incident. It’s hard to imagine the terrifying existence you faced. Nonetheless, I fully agree with you. Humans shouldn’t sit and wait for extinction; we must acquire more knowledge to combat those that wish to destroy us."

Dr. Henry’s expression grew increasingly solemn. After a moment, he took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I will investigate the NDP Foundation’s intentions. Meanwhile, the selection for the expedition team must be extremely meticulous; there cannot be any mistakes."

"I have great faith in Reck," Professor Dale said. "His professional abilities are exceptional, the best among the new generation, and he is brave and fearless, making him the most suitable for ocean exploration. What do you think?"

Dr. Henry slightly frowned, recalling Frank’s evaluation of Reck, yet he didn’t immediately rebut. Instead, he said, "I agree Reck’s achievements in the professional field are undeniable, but, as he is still young, without a family or children, if anything goes wrong..."

Professor Dale also fell into contemplation, but Dr. Henry quickly switched topics, saying, "Did you know? Tibbers is back!"

"What?!" Professor Dale was surprised too. "Wasn’t that big dog missing for two years? Did it come back by itself?"

"Of course not, I was the one who found it." Dr. Henry vividly recounted how he managed to retrieve Tibbers, without omitting Shiller’s involvement.

After listening, Professor Dale said, "Compared to your dog, isn’t that cat a bit more peculiar?"

"Not just a bit peculiar, but quite peculiar indeed." Henry said, "Can you believe it? That cat can read, and several times sneaked into the library to check things, only to be caught by me."

"It feels like it caught you." Professor Dale shook his head, "But from your description, it resembles some type of intelligent creature, even closely akin to humans. Although its purpose is unknown, it doesn’t seem allied with the terrifying presence in Dunwich."

"Yes, the terrifying presences that pose a significant threat to humans I’ve encountered so far are all brutal and irrational, attacking indiscriminately. Even if this cat is some kind of exotic beast, at least communication is possible, thus utilizable."

"Since that big dog didn’t immediately pounce and bite it to death, it proves it’s different from the previous kind of contaminated beings." Dale said, "By the way, if we plan to go, you’ll need to lend us your dog."

"It just returned, possibly having endured a challenging epoch in a mysterious land." Dr. Henry was obviously quite reluctant but still said, "However, the Arctic is indeed too dangerous, bringing it might indeed be beneficial, ensure you take good care of it."

"Rest assured, my students are fond of cats and dogs." Professor Dale paused and then said, "As for that cat..."

"There’s more than just that cat." Dr. Henry said, "They are a group of very clever cats. If possible, you should take a few along; they might come in handy."

Professor Dale did not object, saying, "You go investigate first, and I’ll prepare potentially useful things. In a week, regardless of the outcome, you must inform me."

Dr. Henry nodded, and quickly returned to the tower, spotting the white cat curled up again on the mat in front of the fireplace. Dr. Henry’s expression softened; he petted the cat’s head, stoked the fire more vigorously, and then retired for the night.

Actually, Shiller wasn’t asleep at all; he just didn’t want Dr. Henry to know that he had eavesdropped on their conversation. Almost the entire night, Shiller was contemplating the Cthulhu Mythos plots related to Miskatonic University, repeatedly deliberating over the choices for the expedition team members, until he finally dozed off at dawn.

Dr. Henry went to the library’s counter to work, and Shiller accompanied him, listening to a morning full of exclamations. Everyone who came to the library was pleasantly surprised to find that the Big Dog, Tibbers, had returned and were astonished at how large he had become. This made Shiller realize that Tibbers might have had an encounter in that Mysterious Space, and subsequent checks on Tibbers confirmed this point.

"There are some unknown residues in his stomach," a lady in a lab coat said, taking off her glasses. "I’m not referring to the sausages he stole, but some substances never encountered before; I suspect it’s some kind of fungus."

"Fungus in the stomach? How is that possible? A dog’s stomach should not be able to support a fungal colony, right?"

"So the activity of these fungi is not very high," the female doctor said, "It looks like they have been mostly digested, which proves he has been feeding on them for a while. This could be the reason for his significant change in body type; these fungi contain some mysterious power that transformed Tibbers."

"Will it harm him?"

"As long as he’s conscious, there shouldn’t be any harm," the female doctor said. "It will only make him bigger and stronger, possibly with more sensitive senses; as long as his mentality is not affected, it’s a good thing."

"I don’t see any problem with his mental state," Henry said, stroking Tibbers’s head continually. "He bravely bit that thief to death before. Right, good dog?"

"Awoo, woof," Tibbers barked.

"Then take him back for observation," the female doctor said. "Come back for a follow-up in a week; if nothing unexpected happens, those fungi should be digested by then, and everything will be fine."

Dr. Henry took Tibbers home, and in the afternoon, he received a call and left the library, heading to the main teaching building’s reception room. Meanwhile, Shiller, who had been sleeping on the counter, woke up, knowing it was time.

He quietly entered the doghouse, calling out to Tibbers, who actually knew he had come in but didn’t want to pay attention, only twitching an ear and opening one eye.

"I don’t know if you can understand, but you have to come with me. The group of people dealing with Dr. Henry might be problematic; I need you to help me identify them." Shiller meowed a lot, but the dog clearly didn’t understand cat language, and Tibbers didn’t comprehend.

Magically, though, the Big Dog stood up, following Shiller. Shiller guessed that possibly the strength of Nya within him resonated with the transformations Tibbers acquired in the Mysterious Space. Simply put, they could now engage in a form of mental exchange, or just communicate using the language of the Outer God.

Although the specific content wasn’t understood, the emotions could be felt; Shiller could sense that Tibbers was very concerned about Dr. Henry and seemed skeptical about his meetings with certain people.

Shiller could stealthily slip into the main teaching building, but given the size of Tibbers, it was impossible to be as silent, hence much slower, and he couldn’t climb onto the balcony. Both cat and dog could only tiptoe to the door of the reception room.

"I sincerely hope you will consider it more," an unfamiliar voice said. "This opportunity is quite rare, and due to Miskatonic University’s reputation in this field, we are willing to cooperate with your institution..."

"Regarding equipment, we will dispatch the most advanced aircraft; whatever siege machinery you may need, we can find and bring along. Please just ensure you send professionals..."

Shiller listened quietly outside the door. It was clear that people from the NDP Foundation were inside, eager to persuade Dr. Henry to agree. Yet, Dr. Henry was just leading them in circles, probing their intentions overtly and covertly.

Clearly, this group had impure motives; going to such great lengths was not purely for scientific exploration. They even seemed to know something at the South Pole and wanted to organize a suicide squad to bring that thing back.

The people sent by NDP were experienced. Although expressing urgency and persuading insistently, they revealed no useful information. It seemed Dr. Henry’s inquiry would be fruitless. However, as the meeting ended and the guests opened the door to leave, the battle had just begun.

Several men in suits stepped out and immediately saw a Big Dog nearly as tall as a person. With fierce glints in their eyes and gleaming Fangs, they almost instantly appeared before the leader’s face. A scream sounded, and numerous tentacles burst forth, reenacting Wilbur’s tragedy.

The leader, bitten by the dog, immediately revealed his true form, transforming into a tentacle-laden mound. However, he hadn’t come as Wilbur did, alone; after being attacked, the companions behind him also revealed their true forms, instantly filling the corridor with cysts and tentacles.

Shiller let out a sharp cry, pouncing at the door, pushing Dr. Henry, who was trying to emerge, back inside, followed by a lash of his tail sending the nearest tentacle monster flying. Tibbers followed with a bite, severing the foe’s throat. The cat-dog duo coordinated seamlessly, quickly reducing the four tentacle monsters to a mass of shredded flesh.

Dr. Henry, stepping out, nearly fainted upon seeing a ground covered in writhing flesh and tentacles.

"Oh my God! What happened?!"