Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Really? No wonder I felt it was Fated the moment I saw this watch.”

In the bedroom heavy with the scent of Incense, Fu Qian voiced his admiration for Reginald’s strict principles. Rather than rushing to take the watch, however, he turned to glance at Amira.

Her expression was slightly grim.

Compared to their earlier debate over whether to demand ”more,” she and Reginald seemed to have swapped positions.

One pushed for it, while the other hesitated.

”If I take this, is there anything else I need to do?”

Fu Qian asked, his smile never faltering.

”...What you need to do has nothing to do with whether you accept it or not.”

She fell silent for a few seconds. Meeting the dual scrutiny of Fu Qian and Reginald, she finally shook her head slowly.

”We will report what just happened as quickly as possible to ascertain the views of The Order’s higher-ups.””But regardless, considering your performance at the end, they will definitely need your cooperation on more matters going forward.”

Sighing softly, Amira spoke with utmost honesty.

”This time, you probably won’t have the option to refuse.”

”More... Just hearing that makes me impatient. I won’t stand on ceremony, then.”

Nodding continually as he listened, Fu Qian finally took the Pocket Watch from Reginald’s hand, delivering a line that was painfully shameless.

Why didn’t that feel strange at all...

Amira’s face stiffened, but she wasn’t overly shocked.

For someone who purely sought pleasure in the Nightmare, the more things happened, the better. Why would he fear any potential reaction from The Order?

”How do you feel right now?”

Not dwelling on the matter, she looked Fu Qian up and down and made her final inquiry.

”Great. As great as before.”

Fu Qian told the truth, his expression completely relaxed.

He had confirmed it at the first opportunity: the damage his clothes suffered in the Nightmare hadn’t carried over to the outside world, much to his relief.

”I believe you’re telling the truth.”

Amira glanced at Reginald, and only after seeing him give a slight nod did she continue.

”Because we can’t sense any changes in you, either.”

”What is comforting is that the pollution wasn’t brought out by either you or this gentleman. We can consider this a successfully completed Night Patrol.”

What an optimistic spirit!

Although the Nightmare’s invasion seemed to have caused trouble, it clearly wasn’t enough to make The Order feel things were out of control. Their staff still had plenty of confidence.

Fu Qian noted this silently.

”Night Patrol. Is that your daily routine?”

”For almost a month now, yes.”

Amira rubbed her head slightly as she said this.

”I’ve seen more bizarre things in this period than in the past few years combined.”

”Fortunately, situations like tonight don’t happen very often.”

As she spoke, she looked at the man on the bed with some sympathy.

”This is the second time he’s been soaked in a pool of water, and the torment he endured along the way was arguably the worst we’ve seen.”

This brother really had it quite rough.

Fu Qian fully agreed.

”Then what about those Hunters from before?”

”Hunting in the Real World? Their operations are nowhere near as frequent; otherwise, this city probably wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

”Besides, you don’t need to worry. Although they aren’t easy to communicate with, with our endorsement, the Hunters will definitely not cause you any trouble.”

Amira had clearly misunderstood Fu Qian’s motive for asking.

”Furthermore, I promise you won’t be dragged into any special hunting dimensions again. However, the thing you showed at the end...”

As if remembering something, Amira’s expression suddenly turned serious.

”Did it originate from that Painting World?”

”Wasn’t it strong?”

Fu Qian looked arrogant, completely ignoring Reginald, who frowned at the provocation.

”Indeed... That kind of coldness clearly affected more than just physical matter. Willpower, and even everything around us, seemed to freeze.”

Amira still seemed to harbor lingering fears as she described it.

”So what exactly was it?”

”Dark Moon.”

Fu Qian pointed toward the sky, his expression instantly turning solemn.

This world also had a moon, but at this moment, it was only a crescent sliver, and its color had absolutely nothing in common with a Dark Moon.

”Silent, elegant, commanding the darkness.”

”No matter where I go, He has always been protecting me.”

”I once thought I had lost His favor. Facts have proven that He never abandons His insufficiently devout believers.”

...

Given their previous experiences, this was obviously a bit hard to refute.

The problem was, it sounded like a gift derived from faith. That made them somewhat wary.

Amira hesitated, but after thinking about it, she still voiced her opinion.

”It is a very special power, even giving me a sense of familiarity akin to a Star Law. The higher-ups of The Order will surely be very interested in this, and they will try everything to help you recreate it.”

That went without saying. What he used was a Commandment Residue enhanced with the Burning Frost Special Effect, after all.

Facing Amira’s evaluation, Fu Qian scoffed inwardly.

Although he spoke of the Dark Moon above, this escort mission was clearly not that simple. Up until now, the Pope was still entirely MIA.

Starting from the Thread of Attachment just now, it had all been a precisely orchestrated one-man show.

The polluted filth targeting him was one thing, but to ensure The Order’s continued investment of resources, he had to let Reginald and the others witness truly special changes.

Therefore, after confirming that Amira and Reginald couldn’t do any more, Fu Qian decided to bring the Pope’s Gospel into this world.

As for the method of manifestation, there were three reasons he ultimately chose the Commandment Residue.

First, he had tested it long ago; under the effects of Burning Frost, the visual impact of this move was astonishing and carried the greatest shock value.

Second, the effect was similar to an aura. It wasn’t a direct attack skill, so it wouldn’t put people on high alert.

Finally, and most importantly, its form was the closest to The Order’s commandments.

This wasn’t to say he wanted to use it to inspire goodwill from The Order. One had to know that peers in the same trade were often bitter rivals.

But that didn’t matter. Hostility was also a form of attention, after all.

All he wanted was to squeeze The Order for maximum value.

He wanted them to pour all their resources and push themselves to the absolute limit to find the Painting World.

”Help?”

His thoughts raced, but the next moment, Fu Qian wore a confused expression and snapped his fingers.

An invisible frost instantly swept across the entire room.

”Why would I need help to recreate it?”

...

Gazing at the figure shrouded in ethereal frost once again, both Amira and Reginald were petrified.

How was it possible? He could use it at will?

Didn’t that make it even more like mastering a Star Law?

They had originally assumed it was a Miracle’s protection that appeared only in a moment of life and death, especially since, just as he had said, no changes could be observed on the volunteer’s body...

This contrast was truly far too immense!

As her mind finally recovered from the shock and began to spin again, Amira’s first reaction was toward another critical issue.

”Quickly, put it away. He’s going to die.”

Casting a sharp look at the man on the bed, she hurriedly shouted at Fu Qian.