madnovel Chapter 228 Mysterious Figure
Chapter 228 Mysterious Figure
Chapter 228 Mysterious Figure
After confirming that Professor Trelawney's prophecy was quite credible and likely pointed to a potential crisis in the "Soul Armor" experiment, Lynch began to re-examine and refine every aspect of the experiment with almost demanding standards.
He never considered backing down.
As he had previously told Reggie, the success or failure of this research transcends personal gain or loss—it concerns all those who could potentially benefit from it.
It was this heavy responsibility that forced him to rise to the challenge.
Go ahead to dangers.
This requires not only courage, but also meticulous preparation that refines every step to the extreme.
Lynch stood in front of the stone platform in the alchemy room, where two magic recording devices modified by the First Order Logistics Department were neatly arranged.
These were all modified from Muggle items. A camera of the same model had captured Voldemort's tracks in the Albanian forest, and that camera had also recorded Voldemort's abnormal state during his first contact with his soul, helping him deduce the number of Horcruxes.
Now, Lynch needs to modify these two devices again to record the nature of the basilisk's gaze.
He first picked up the camera, which had a relatively simple structure.
After disassembling the outer casing, he first used a quill pen to dip in mithril powder and re-etched anti-interference runes inside to enhance the device's resistance to high concentrations of curse magic.
Next, he switched to a specially made lens—forged from unicorn horn powder and pure crystal, with an extremely thin mithril coating on the surface.
This film is not for enhancing the image, but for filtering and downgrading the "instant death rule" in the basilisk's eyes the moment the shutter opens.
He then turned to the magic camera.
This device has a more complex structure, with a memory crystal at its core that can record dynamic magical images. Lynch carefully disassembled the outer shell and set up a buffer matrix woven from dragon blood silk around the crystal.
The matrix's function is not to completely block the basilisk's gaze, but to divert and attenuate its lethal energy, transforming it into a pure mental shock, which is then recorded by the memory crystal.
Finally, he replaced the camera with the same specially made lens.
After doing all this, Lynch placed the modified equipment in a lead box on the edge of the workbench.
The next step is to take them back into the sealed room, and under absolute control, briefly lift the ice cover to capture the true appearance of that deadly gaze.
When Lynch stepped back into the secret room, the chill in the air was even greater than before.
The giant basilisk was still firmly bound between the stone pillars by frost chains, but it was clearly more restless than before.
As Lynch's footsteps echoed in the empty chamber, the basilisk suddenly raised its head, its mouth and nose sealed by ice shackles emitting an even louder wail. Its massive body began to twist violently, causing the chains to scrape against each other with a grating metallic sound.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lynch walked straight to the head of the basilisk, but he kept his eyes tightly closed throughout the process.
Because this filming project aimed to obtain effective data while minimizing risks, Lynch devised an experimental plan to film the basilisk's eyes separately—he needed to confirm whether a single gaze possessed full lethality, and whether the eyes would exhibit different magical characteristics when recorded separately.
These details are crucial to understanding the nature of this gaze attack.
Lin Qi first took out the modified camera and set it up steadily on the tripod.
Just as he adjusted the angle, aiming the lens precisely at the basilisk's frozen right eye, the basilisk seemed to sense something and struggled even more violently. The ice chains creaked and groaned as it twisted, as if they were about to snap at any moment.
"Still won't behave?" Lin Qi whispered, his voice cold and stern.
"Like heavy chains!"
With a simple incantation, several thicker, gleaming chains of ice appeared out of thin air, rattling as they coiled around the basilisk's body like pythons. They especially reinforced the basilisk's wildly twisting neck and its head that was trying to rise. The chains tightened sharply, making a crisp clanging sound, and forced the massive head down to near-ground level.
Now, while the basilisk's struggles were still terrifying, its movements were clearly restricted. Ice shards and fragments continued to fall from its body, but its efforts seemed futile under the restraint of the newly added chains.
Lin Qi remained unmoved, as if the massive chain summoning he had just performed was merely a casual act.
He took a deep breath and raised his left hand again. This time, however, a very subtle and more refined magic power gathered at his fingertips.
With a wave of his left hand, the thick ice covering the basilisk's right eye melted away instantly, as if precisely cut by an invisible carving knife!
Almost at the same instant the ice cap disappeared, those chilling, bright yellow vertical pupils were exposed to the air!
The basilisk, now able to see again, let out a roar suppressed by its gag, its massive head thrashing wildly as it tried to cast a deadly gaze in Lynch's direction.
Even with his eyes closed, Lin Qi could clearly feel a cold, viscous, and death-laden magical energy surging and spreading like a tide.
"Snap!"
Lynch's right hand pressed the camera precisely, and the camera shutter made a crisp sound.
But in that instant, something unexpected happened. The camera lens was instantly clouded the moment it came into contact with that frantically spinning gaze, the protective runes newly etched on the casing flickered violently, and the camera body shook violently. A burnt smell immediately filled the air, and thick black smoke billowed from the camera's viewfinder. Clearly, the internal magic film and delicate components had been completely destroyed in this shooting.
Lynch didn't check the camera; he waved his left hand again.
The melting ice cap instantly reformed, once again tightly sealing the wildly spinning pupil. The basilisk, its vision once again stripped away, let out an angry hiss, its massive body struggling violently within the chains, and the suffocating pressure in the sealed chamber eased slightly.
Without delay, he quickly put away the camera and switched to the magic camera. The whole process was swift and efficient, completely ignoring the basilisk that was struggling wildly.
The camera was also set up in front of the basilisk's right eye.
With another wave of its left hand, the ice cap on the basilisk's right eye melted away once more, revealing its terrifying vertical pupil again. Regaining its sight, the basilisk immediately fixed its gaze on the camera, its pupil flashing with a ferocious light.
Lynch pressed the switch, and the camera immediately began working. The memory crystal emitted an abnormal buzzing sound, and the magic filter array in front of the lens flickered wildly, attempting to counteract the malevolent death stare. However, just three seconds later, the memory crystal emitted a blinding flash before completely dimming. Fine cracks appeared on the lens glass, and the entire device stopped working, emitting black smoke.
Lynch waved his left hand expressionlessly, and the ice cap on the basilisk's right eye instantly returned to normal.
Deprived of its sight once more, the basilisk let out a defeated roar, its struggles gradually weakening until only heavy breathing remained. The chamber was once again filled with the faint scraping of chains and the basilisk's resentful snorting.
Lin Qi slowly opened his eyes at this moment.
He didn't even bother to examine the two pieces of equipment closely. Judging from the thick black smoke billowing from the cameras and the numerous cracks covering the lens glass, they were clearly beyond repair. The air was thick with the acrid smell of burning and molten metal.
He glanced one last time at the basilisk, still twitching slightly in its chains. Its massive body looked even more disheveled from the fierce struggle it had just endured. Then, without hesitation, he turned and left the chamber with the damaged equipment.
Back in the stone house, Lin Qi stared at the two completely destroyed pieces of equipment on the table, their parts charred black, without any surprise on his face.
His initial plan was the most direct and also the most dangerous step: to attempt to fully record the most primal, lethal magical power contained in the basilisk's gaze.
He knew, of course, that this was almost a pipe dream. If lethal magic could be so easily captured by mortal devices, it wouldn't deserve to be called "forbidden."
However, he has a backup plan.
The next day, Lynch returned to the secret room with freshly prepared equipment.
This time, he brought a specially made silver mirror with intricate protective and stabilizing runes engraved on the frame.
He placed the mirror directly in front of the basilisk and adjusted the reflection angle.
He then aligned the two new recording devices with the mirror.
The ice cap melted again. Even with his eyes closed, Lin Qi could feel that familiar oppressive feeling, but after being reflected by the mirror, this oppressive feeling was significantly reduced.
The camera emitted a steady shutter sound, and the video camera emitted a normal hum of operation.
This time, there was no acrid black smoke, and no equipment vibration.
After filming was completed, he immediately sealed the basilisk's eyes before opening them again.
The equipment completed the recording work without any damage.
Lynch stood in the alchemy room of the stone house, while a crow perched on a branch above the stone platform, becoming the only source of light in the room at that moment.
The magical photograph he had just finished developing was placed on the stone platform. The photograph captured the eyes of the basilisk through the mirror—the unsettling, vertical, bright yellow pupils shifting slightly on the photographic paper.
Even though the image was only recorded through a mirror reflection, this photograph still exudes a chilling aura.
As Lynch stared at the photograph, a chilling coldness slowly crept up his spine. The vertical pupils seemed alive, staring back at him through the photographic paper with some ancient and malevolent will.
He felt a slight dizziness and his stomach churned uncomfortably.
These reactions are completely beyond conscious control; they are the most primitive early warning mechanisms that organisms employ when facing deadly threats.
A faint, almost imperceptible fishy smell seemed to permeate the air, and a hissing sound, almost like a hallucination, rang in my ears—a subconscious warning of danger.
Lynch's fingertips felt slightly cold, but he forced himself to continue observing.
He noticed his breathing becoming shallower and his heartbeat slightly faster—a primal reaction to a potential threat. Even knowing it was just a photograph, even with the mirror's reflection weakening it, the basilisk's soul-piercing power in its gaze remained.
"Interesting," he murmured to himself, his voice unusually clear in the quiet, dark room.
This kind of purely spiritual intimidation, while not as deadly as direct lethality, can cause lasting psychological trauma to those with weak wills.
It bypasses physical defenses and targets the most primal fears deep within the soul.
He then carefully placed the memory crystal into the specially designed projection device. The impact intensified dramatically as the moving image appeared on the dimly lit wall. In the image, the vertical pupils slowly rotated at an unsettling rhythm, each contraction and expansion carrying an eerie cadence. Less than ten seconds later, a strong feeling of nausea shot from his stomach to his throat, and a fine layer of cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
The continuous mental pollution caused by the moving images directly impacted his nervous system, triggering a stronger physiological stress response.
Lin Qi decisively turned off the projector, took a few deep breaths in the darkness, and waited for his body's natural reactions to gradually subside.
These reactions, though strong, were entirely within his expectations.
Once his heartbeat returned to normal, he closed his eyes and became extremely focused.
A deep syllable escaped from his lips: "Anima Tegumentum (Armor of the Soul)."
The dense, dark crystal-like walls are reconstructed on the surface of the soul.
A sense of calm and security emanating from within enveloped him.
Once everything was ready, Lynch turned the projector back on.
This time, the situation is completely different.
On the wall, the unsettling vertical pupils continued to slowly rotate, but Lynch simply gazed at them calmly, as if observing an ordinary magical specimen. All the previous discomfort—palpitations, dizziness, nausea—had vanished without a trace.
That crystalline barrier acted like the most sophisticated filter, completely isolating the mental pollution contained in the images.
He was even able to calmly analyze the frequency of pupil movement and use a magic quill to record the subtle changes in magical fluctuations on parchment.
Then, he looked at the still photo again.
The photo that once sent chills down his spine is now just an ordinary image recording a precious magical phenomenon.
The mental awe emanating from the vertical pupils in the photo was completely ineffective in the face of the Soul Armor.
A satisfied smile appeared on Lin Qi's lips.
After confirming that the Soul Armor was completely immune to the basilisk's gaze, which had been weakened by the mirror reflection, Lynch began the next phase of testing.
He needs to verify the stability of armor when faced with a stronger, more direct gaze.
To this end, he designed a gradual and dangerous experiment.
Day 1, Three-mirror reflection test:
Inside the sealed chamber, Lynch meticulously arranged a complex light path composed of three specially crafted silver mirrors. The first mirror received the basilisk's gaze, and after two reflections, the final image finally entered his eyes. This was a moderate stress test on his soul armor—after three reflections, the lethal rules in the gaze had been significantly weakened, but the essence of the deadly gaze remained.
As the left hand waved, the ice sheet melted, and the basilisk's gaze traveled in a winding path between the three mirrors.
Lin Qi stood at the end of the path of light and opened his eyes.
This time, he felt significantly more pressure than when watching the video.
A heavy chill tried to penetrate his will, a slight discomfort came from his stomach, and his heartbeat quickened slightly.
However, the dark crystalline barrier on the surface of his soul remained as solid as ever, isolating him from all substantial influences.
He calmly maintained his gaze, analyzing the ripples that each mental impact created on the armor, and recording the limits that the crystal wall could withstand.
Ten minutes later, he finished the test.
The results were satisfactory: the armor performed perfectly under the three-mirror reflection.
The next day, double-mirror reflection test:
Lynch removed a mirror, simplifying the light path to two reflections.
This means that the basilisk's gaze energy and mental pollution intensity will be significantly enhanced.
When the ice cap reopened, and his gaze reached his eyes only after being weakened by the two mirrors, the pressure suddenly increased.
That cold, viscous malice almost materialized, attempting to pry open the defenses of his soul. Lin Qi's face paled slightly, but his dark eyes remained clear.
He could clearly "hear" the silent roar of the mental impact striking the crystal wall of his soul.
The pulsation of the dark crystal wall quickened slightly, but the structure remained dense and tough, showing no signs of cracking.
He successfully withstood this even stronger impact and collected even more valuable data on the armor's operation under high pressure.
Day 3, single-mirror reflection test:
Inside the sealed room, the light path was simplified to the extreme, leaving only a solitary silver mirror standing between Lynch and the basilisk.
The air was so heavy it felt like you could wring water out of it.
The basilisk seemed to sense the difference this time as well, its bound body showing unusual restlessness, and the friction of the chains became more rapid.
Lin Qi stood behind the mirror, his soul armor already in place, the dark crystal wall pulsating silently at the soul level.
He took a deep breath and swung his arm.
The ice cap is melting.
In an instant, a mental torrent, far more ferocious, viscous, and filled with pure malice than ever before, surged toward Lin Qi like a flood after being weakened by the one-way mirror!
"Buzz"
A deafening, soul-shaking explosion that only Lin Qi could "hear"!
The dark crystal wall vibrated at an unprecedented frequency and speed, and clear ripples even spread across its surface.
The immense pressure acted on his mind instantly, causing him to feel a brief dizziness, as if the entire secret room was spinning.
The chilling aura of death seemed to penetrate the physical barriers, directly affecting his senses.
His stomach churned violently, his heart pounded, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back. This was the most primal and intense physiological resistance a living organism experiences when faced with the imminent threat of death.
However, the Soul Armor withstood this surge of power.
Amidst the violent tremors, the inherent toughness and profound rhythm of the dark crystal walls came into play.
It firmly kept out the torrent of malice and spiritual pollution, protecting the absolute domain of the inner soul. Lin Qi forced himself to calm his mind, his gray eyes fixed on the pair of crazed and evil vertical pupils in the mirror, fully activating his mental power to record every change in the armor under extreme pressure.
The process lasted less than a minute, but it felt incredibly long.
As Lynch resealed the basilisk's eyes, his slightly heavy breathing echoed within the secret chamber.
His face was pale, his temples throbbed, and his mental energy was greatly depleted. But his eyes were unusually bright.
The single-mirror reflection test was a success! Although the armor was under immense pressure, it was not breached.
On the fifth day, the final test—facing the Basilisk, Lynch stood at the entrance of the secret chamber, holding a specially made cage containing the rooster that Hagrid had sent earlier, which crowed exceptionally loudly.
A silencing spell was cast on the cage walls, maintained by a tiny bit of magic from Lynch, ensuring that the rooster inside wouldn't make any noise beforehand.
This was his final insurance policy—once he lost consciousness or cut off his magic, the silencing effect would be lifted, and the rooster's crow would instantly end the basilisk's life.
He placed the cage in a corner that would ensure the sound could effectively reach the basilisk's ears without being affected by the basilisk's struggles.
He checked the spell that held the silence effect one last time; it was as thin as spider silk, yet it connected life and death.
After doing all this, he walked to the front of the imprisoned basilisk.
Without a mirror or any intermediary, this would be the purest and most dangerous contact.
Standing in the designated spot, Lin Qi's mind was not agitated at all; on the contrary, it was unusually calm.
He knew perfectly well what he was doing and the consequences of failure—a petrified gaze from the weakened basilisk, or worse, death.
Despite numerous tests, facing the full gaze of the basilisk is still a high-stakes gamble that transcends life and death.
Several thoughts flashed through his mind: the unfinished research, his promise to Reggie, and the beautiful wish hidden in his heart—if he fell here, everything would come to an abrupt end.
However, what drove him was not mere curiosity, but a far heavier and clearer goal—to develop a protective measure against the Avada Kedavra Curse. Before his eyes flashed countless green lights symbolizing death, and the figures of those who, utterly powerless against evil, fell in despair. He embarked on this dangerous quest so that good wizards, and his comrades who fought alongside him, might have a glimmer of hope when facing that unforgivable curse in the future. If he were to retreat now out of fear of death, then all his previous efforts, all the risks he had taken, and this opportunity that could potentially save countless lives would be utterly meaningless.
"It's time," he murmured to himself, dispelling the last vestiges of distraction.
The soul armor silently empowered, and the dark crystal wall was completed at the soul level.
He opened his eyes, his gaze resolute.
The ice cap directly facing the basilisk's eyes melted away!
Those double pupils, carrying the most primal rules of death, crashed directly into Lin Qi's eyes.
The dark crystal walls of the Soul Armor vibrated violently to an unprecedented degree, emitting a hum that seemed unable to bear the strain.
Blood began to seep from Lin Qi's seven orifices, but he still stubbornly held on.
However, the power of the rules contained in the basilisk's eyes exceeded all his previous calculations.
"Click!"
A clear, soul-shattering sound rang out.
A tiny but real crack appeared on the dark crystal wall that was once thought to be indestructible!
The deadly chill, like an icy needle, pierced through the cracks and struck the very core of his soul.
At this critical moment of life and death, Lin Qi's will operated at an unprecedented speed.
He abandoned maintaining his original defensive posture and forcefully pressed his soul against the cracked crystal wall—Hold on for me!
The moment the crystal wall came into contact with the soul itself, a sudden change occurred!
In the real world, the space around Lin Qi let out a mournful cry of unbearable pressure!
A crystal barrier, seemingly absorbing all light and absolutely dark, solidified and materialized outside his body as if "squeezed" out from the depths of his soul, instantly sealing him inside!
He could even hear the faint cracking sounds of matter in the real world being pushed aside by this crystal wall that appeared out of nowhere.
Immediately afterwards, Lynch's consciousness began to sink.
In that fleeting moment when his consciousness was still intact, he severed the last vestige of magic that kept the cage silent.
"Ooh ooh ooh—!"
A loud and energetic rooster crow suddenly burst out from the cage in the corner, echoing throughout the entire secret room!
That sound was an absolute death sentence for the basilisk.
The behemoth, which had just been radiating terrifying pressure, suddenly stiffened, and its deadly yellow vertical pupils instantly lost all their luster, becoming dull and empty.
Its immense life force was extinguished suddenly, like a candle blown out by the wind.
The enormous head drooped limply, and the body, suspended by ice chains, ceased all struggle.
The basilisk is dead.
However, the moment the crystal wall completely closed, Lin Qi's soul was damaged, and his consciousness was about to sink into boundless darkness.
But in the last instant before he completely lost consciousness, through his blurry, bloodstained vision and the slightly distorted crystal wall, he saw a scene that should never have appeared—an outline, a blurry figure dressed in a sharp black suit and holding a silver cane, who had somehow silently appeared in this absolutely sealed chamber.
The figure gracefully bent down, the tip of its silver cane lightly touching the ground, seemingly calmly observing him frozen within the crystal wall.
Then, before his anger and shock could erupt, endless darkness completely engulfed Lin Qi, and he fell into a deep sleep.
In the secret chamber, only the occasional crowing of a rooster, the dead basilisk, and the eerie crystal wall that sealed Lin Qi remained.