Eldritch Horror Theatre

”You memorized the key points quite well!”

Professor Fu immediately praised the answer Ji Liushuang had struggled so hard to produce, then followed up with some earnest guidance.

”But you must also remember that this is merely my personal opinion. It hasn’t been backed by enough empirical evidence.”

”And although it isn’t entirely appropriate to apply here, your spirit of skepticism is highly commendable.”

”Thank you... So you also think there’s something wrong with this Sanctum?”

Despite the praise, Ji Liushuang was clearly a little confused by the ”not entirely appropriate” remark.

Even so, she still subconsciously chose the mildest possible words to describe this Land of Purity.

”It certainly has an imposing presence. Even I can almost feel Transcendence, joy, and Eternity here, not to mention the name... White-Headed Sanctuary.”

Fu Qian expressed his full understanding of her feelings. With a sigh of admiration, he took two steps forward and gently brushed the back of his hand against the hanging silver threads.

”I believe if this place were open to the public, it would easily be booked out for weddings years in advance. Don’t you agree, Mr. Honma?”As he spoke, Fu Qian’s gaze shifted to their test subject.

...

”I can certainly picture that.”

Wearing an incredibly infectious and gentle smile, Honma—who had maintained a posture of complete enlightenment and let go of all earthly attachments—surprisingly showed no displeasure at Fu Qian’s assessment of the Sanctuary.

”In fact, I believe if that could truly be done, it would give their lives unique meaning and allow them to experience incredible beauty—”

The next second, that speech—which made him sound as though he were about to become a Buddha on the spot—came to an abrupt halt.

Because at that exact moment, a moan like a weeping plea echoed through the Land of Purity.

Accompanied by this soul-stirring sound, globs of a viscous liquid dripped from above, splashing all over the long table.

What absolute blasphemy!

In that instant, the sight before them forcefully shoved that thought into everyone’s minds.

The bright glow in his eyes finally dimming slightly, Honma instinctively looked up at the source of the liquid.

From the dome directly above the table, a slender, pale-pink limb curving like a tree branch stretched out from behind the low-hanging canopy.

As the silver threads fluttered, a dense cluster of more limbs could be seen behind it.

All of these limbs unfurled at grotesque angles, resembling a bizarrely misshapen spider that had just woken up.

And the dripping liquid came from a swollen, deformed head nestled amidst those branch-like appendages.

It had a mangled face, cloudy eyes, and uneven hair that looked like a patch of unruly weeds.

With every scorching pant—a heat so intense it was almost visible—the fluid gushed continuously from its mouth.

It was mangled so far beyond recognition that even the person themselves would struggle to identify their own reflection in a mirror—

”Yi’an?”

Yet the next moment, facing a scene that was ten times more blasphemous, Ji Liushuang—who was also looking up—spat out a name in a dazed tone.

...

What sharp eyes this girl has, to actually recognize him in this state.

Hearing Classmate Liushuang speak up on her own, Fu Qian inwardly praised her.

This was naturally his handiwork.

As the Dream Dominator, this was his absolute home turf. Slipping an acquaintance inside was a piece of cake.

Even though both were members of the Academy, given Professor Yi’an’s style, he probably wouldn’t have spared a glance even for a genius of the Sword Comprehension Institute like Ji Liushuang. The two of them shouldn’t be very familiar with each other.

Yet, even with his appearance ruined beyond all recognition, Classmate Ji could still make an accurate guess. It truly highlighted her extraordinary perception.

”What... is that thing?”

Unfortunately, Brother Honma—the actual victim of this event—was clearly unfamiliar with the name. Stimulated by the mind-blowing contrast of the scene, he finally cried out.

Especially a second later, as the slowly extending limbs grabbed the silver canopy and slid down, inch by inch.

Glistening and wet, soft and boneless. The longest appendage, its tip sporting a swaying fleshy nodule, swept past the group and pressed down onto the messy table.

...

For such a filthy monstrosity to appear in this Sanctum—even though she had a vague guess as to who was responsible—the young genius of the Sword Comprehension Institute turned deathly pale, looking as if she might vomit at any moment.

Ugh—

Of course, right as Honma asked his question, he threw up.

Faced with this overly shocking sight, the power of willpower seemed utterly insignificant.

”What’s wrong? Doesn’t the color match perfectly?”

At this moment, Fu Qian—the root of all evil—timely expressed his concern and bewilderment. He frowned as he watched the tree-spider fully drop down.

Its pale skin tone is already a very close match to the surroundings. Do I really have to turn its hair white too?

As he wondered this, Professor Yi’an dragged his massive body forward. A long pink tongue hung from his mouth, licking a path across the table with his face pressed flat against the wood.

Greedy and thirsty. As these emotions practically materialized and surged outward in all directions, his body left a long, snail-like trail pointing straight toward that massive Sacred Emblem.

”No—”

A heart-wrenching howl finally erupted from Honma, one of the spectators.

Sadly, despite carrying an unprecedented amount of emotion, the scream came to an abrupt halt—he had cut it off himself.

”I understand... Heh, what a beautiful sight...”

After just a moment of silence, Honma’s voice rang out again as he stared at the body that had climbed onto the Emblem, inflicting the ultimate insult on this White-Headed Sanctuary.

Except this time, his tone was entirely renewed. A seemingly familiar sense of complete enlightenment appeared on him once more.

Staring straight at the Emblem, the scene that had been completely unacceptable to him just a moment ago suddenly seemed to transform into the most wonderful picture in the world, bringing him an indescribable sense of relief.

”What do you make of this?”

Fu Qian didn’t ruthlessly interrupt him. Instead, he turned to test his remaining audience member.

”This guy...”

Having witnessed the entire transformation, Ji Liushuang found it hard to look away. At the same time, she gripped her sword tightly.

”...went mad a long time ago.”

Taking a deep breath, she finally offered her sharp assessment. She even turned to examine the Sanctuary, as if she had figured everything out in an instant.

”This place doesn’t eliminate desires; it brings Sublimation to them...”

”Just like how the other victims indulged in pleasure, while Honma gained even greater gratification through temperance. Denying the purity of this temperance brings him pleasure just the same...”

”And then, there is the denial of purity...”

”From the moment the seed was planted, so-called rationality became nothing but soil for desire, existing solely to cultivate pleasure...”