Chapter 553: Ch 553 : Being too normal is what makes it abnormal

At that moment, Su Yuan finally understood why, back in Fontaine, Dottore had always appeared and disappeared without a trace, and why no one had ever been able to locate him...

So that was it — Dottore had already teamed up with Aji long ago?

He had Aji cut him apart and hide his body pieces all over the place, evading everyone’s detection and surveillance?

But Su Yuan knew this wasn’t the time to dwell on that.

His situation right now was far from optimistic...

None of his companions were in sight — he had no idea where they were or what had happened to them.

Which meant... he would have to face both Aji and Dottore — two cunning and powerful enemies — all on his own.

"Aji! Dottore!" Su Yuan shouted at the two of them in anger.

"Where are the Traveler and the others? What happened to my companions?!"

Hearing this, Dottore’s expression shifted to one of intrigue.

Smiling with amusement, he said,

"Su Yuan, don’t worry. I know you’re someone who values loyalty and friendship, so let me reassure you — all of your companions have successfully passed the twelfth floor’s challenge."

"The challenge on the twelfth floor is to fight against one’s own duplicate. After all, the one who knows you best is yourself — so it’s not surprising that most were able to clear it."

"However... once they completed their trials, they all became my hostages."

"Haha, I must say, luring you all into the Spiral Abyss really was a brilliant plan. Using its very rules, I managed to collect a fine set of hostages all at once..."

"But what truly fascinates me, Su Yuan, is this — why did you have to face three copies of yourself during your challenge?"

"When I first saw you pitted against three clones, I was genuinely startled — even worried for your safety."

"And I’m not lying. Because if you had died on the twelfth floor, we wouldn’t be meeting here right now. I would’ve lost you forever."

Hearing Dottore’s words, Su Yuan could only feel disgust.

Though he could now wield the Abyssal power granted by the Foul Legacy’s Armor — perhaps enough to fight Dottore and Aji on equal terms — the fact that so many of his companions’ lives were in Dottore’s hands made him hesitate.

He couldn’t act recklessly.

"Su Yuan..." Dottore said softly, looking at him with a faint smile.

"You may not see the sky down here in the Spiral Abyss, but after all this time, you must realize that outside, it’s already night, right?"

"Dottore, what are you trying to say?" Su Yuan asked warily.

"Ah, Su Yuan, must you always be so hostile toward me?" Dottore replied lightly, smiling as though amused.

"I truly mean it when I say I want to be friends with you."

"What I mean is... although I have many questions I’d like to discuss with you in depth, it’s late now. You’ve been up all day — running around, fighting your way through the Spiral Abyss..."

"So, I’ve decided to let you get some proper rest. Whatever we have to discuss — we can continue tomorrow."

The moment Dottore’s words fell, Su Yuan suddenly felt his head spin, his thoughts turning hazy — as though he were about to pass out.

"A sedative? Or some kind of other agent..." Su Yuan muttered weakly, clutching his head.

"When did I... get hit by it..."

A moment later, he collapsed to the floor — his consciousness fading away.

——

When Su Yuan slowly regained his senses, he could feel himself lying on a soft, comfortable mattress — a sharp contrast to the burning pain in his right palm.

Then, in an instant, his eyes snapped open.

He bolted upright, glancing around with high alert.

"Dottore!!!"

"Well now, Su Yuan," Dottore’s voice came lazily from nearby, "I didn’t expect the first thing you’d do upon waking would be to call my name."

Following the sound, Su Yuan saw Dottore sitting at a nearby lab bench, manipulating some instruments and examining a report.

But what made Su Yuan’s blood run cold — was that he suddenly realized he felt a chill all over his body.

Looking down, he was horrified to find himself completely naked.

"Dottore! What did you do to me?!" Su Yuan roared, glaring daggers at him.

"Now, now, Su Yuan," Dottore chuckled, unfazed.

"What kind of look is that? You make it sound like I’ve done something indecent."

"When performing a full-body examination, isn’t removing one’s clothing... perfectly normal?"

Dottore didn’t seem to care at all about Su Yuan’s reaction — instead, he spoke on his own, as though lost in thought.

"I originally thought that, given your unique constitution, Su Yuan, I might be able to detect some clues hidden within your blood or flesh — perhaps uncover the underlying principles behind it..."

"But now, after running these tests, I find myself... rather surprised."

"Because according to the results, every single indicator of your body is perfectly normal — completely within the standards of an ordinary human."

"However, being too ordinary... too normal — that, in itself, is abnormal."

"After all, who can claim that their body is entirely healthy, without a single flaw or trace of illness?"

"Moreover, Su Yuan, you’ve previously been able to wield Hydro and Geo elemental powers, and now even possess control over Anemo and Abyssal energy..."

"Yet within your blood, there isn’t the slightest trace of any of those powers. That, too, is quite the puzzle."

"Anyone with eyes can see that your physique is powerful and special — yet these test results make you appear far too normal..."

"As if this normality itself... has been deliberately fabricated."

As he spoke, Dottore tossed a set of clothes toward Su Yuan.

Su Yuan quickly grabbed them and put them on.

Dottore continued speaking casually:

"Su Yuan, tell me — are you aware of what I’ve just described?"

"This method of concealing your own bodily condition... was that something you did on purpose?"

"Heh, why don’t you take a guess?" Su Yuan replied bluntly, his tone dripping with defiance.

"Well then," Dottore said with a faint chuckle, "if you refuse to cooperate, don’t blame me for resorting to... harsher methods."

With that, he turned and left the room, seemingly going to fetch something.

Su Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that Dottore’s going to bring back torture instruments to force the truth out of me?

But then he quickly steadied his breathing — realizing that with Dottore gone, this might be his best and only chance.

Now was the perfect moment to check the mysterious mark hidden in his right palm.

The key to turning the tables... lay right there!