Eldritch Horror Theatre

He wasn’t entirely sure if it would work. If he couldn’t handle it, Professor Ah Kai would just have to turn himself in to the Academy.

The purpose of grabbing the man’s head, naturally, was to attempt to dispel that ”curse.”

His experience lending a helping hand to the little mermaid princess Niniane at the Ash Sea had proven, to a certain extent, that this method yielded better results.

Add to that the Decree of Return—which had been fundamentally reconstructed and completely reborn after the battle at West Plain. If it still couldn’t affect this curse, the true nature of the affliction would be curious indeed.

Even more curious, of course, would be seeing exactly how the Academy, or even the Night Watchers, planned to handle it in that scenario.

”Thank you. I do seem to feel it a little... something isn’t quite right.”

Though slightly startled at first, Ah Kai’s comprehension was undoubtedly up to par; he instantly realized Fu Qian was trying to clear up his ”little problem.”

On one hand, he was stunned by Professor Fu’s methods, amazed that he would casually attempt to handle a power they had just agreed was terrifying.

On the other hand, Ah Kai showed complete trust by not pulling his head away, cooperating fully as he described what he felt.

”But even looking for it specifically, the effect isn’t too pronounced. It feels more like my mind just isn’t quite clean... The Rank of this curse might be high, but it seems relatively mild?”As he spoke, a hint of hesitation flashed across Ah Kai’s face.

”After all, it brings a fear of withering away, rather than sudden death.”

Fu Qian offered a casual remark, not denying his assessment.

”Are you thinking that since it only makes you die a bit faster, we shouldn’t rush to clear it, but study it a bit more instead? I can accommodate that request.”

Not only that, but in the next moment, Fu Qian considerately handed the choice back to the patient.

It was perfectly clear; he had easily caught the gleam of scientific curiosity hidden in Professor Ah Kai’s hesitation.

...

”I will still have to trouble Your Excellency to handle it...”

It was clear that in that moment, Ah Kai genuinely went through a brief internal struggle.

But as a member of a faction dedicated to scholarship, he likely recalled the life lessons of past sages—that he who lives to the end is the true master. Ultimately, he made a more conservative choice than the people over at Apocalypse would have.

”Don’t mention it.”

Fu Qian replied politely, withdrawing his hand almost immediately.

Backed by the Pseudo-Law of the Existence Core, the effect was truly extraordinary.

This curse, despite its high Rank, hadn’t yet set in deeply. During their short exchange, it had melted away like ice and snow.

This included the curse on both Ah Kai and himself.

Naturally, the physical flesh of his fingers still needed time to slowly recover.

”Thank you so much!”

The patient was clearly shocked by its efficiency.

Ah Kai closed his eyes and sensed his condition for a long while before expressing his disbelief and gratitude.

He truly lived up to his reputation as the Academy’s newly advanced demigod, a Lifetime Professor of Apocalypse who fit in as if he had been there for ages despite his recent appointment.

He had dispelled such a high-level anomaly with just a casual gesture.

Furthermore, looking at this current project alone, it was entirely understandable why Professor Fu commanded such respect in Apocalypse.

Not only had his selfless sharing directly pushed the project into existence, but he also treated all findings with equal discussion, never once acting arrogant. He had even prepared for the project’s potential hazards in advance, moving at top speed to clear the anomaly from Ah Kai’s body.

It was practically like handing him a massive gift for free.

”I will dismantle this thing first. If there are any further findings, I will definitely share them with Your Excellency immediately.”

Ah Kai didn’t waste any words, stepping forward as he made his earnest promise.

”I look forward to it.”

Fu Qian nodded as he watched him pace in a circle around the area, silently reflecting on the extra gains he had already secured.

...

It had actually been dispelled.

The process met with absolutely no resistance, nor any fury.

The curse on Ah Kai was one thing, but Fu Qian had been paying close attention to the changes in his own body throughout the entire process, reviewing them frame by frame.

From an intuitive standpoint, it was exactly as Ah Kai had described—this power carried a distinct flavor similar to the authority of Death.

So, while trying to grasp the essence of the Miracle earlier, Fu Qian had kept wondering if this was connected to an old friend he had dealt with before—the Dominator of Death.

Yet the entire process had actually gone off without the slightest resistance, just like the times he had poached believers or assumed a false identity.

If this point further increased the likelihood that the higher entity involved was indeed the Dominator of Death, then the true essence of the Miracle became all the more thought-provoking.

A genuine tale of a Deity, serving simultaneously as a cheat code for the world—that was the conclusion he had reached along the way.

But what was its relationship with the subject of the story?

Was it similar to a super-simplified ritual meant to specifically please a Higher Existence, prompting them to grant a boon?

Leaving aside the overly chaotic components—and the question of why a practitioner acting like a servant to a dozen masters would even receive a response—the Dominator of Death had struggled immensely just to recruit Covenanters. Would He truly have the free time to manage this sort of thing?

If it didn’t require pleasing a Higher Existence at all, and simply took effect automatically as long as the password was correct, that would certainly fit the Benevolent Curse Institute’s definition of a Miracle much better.

But if that were the case, wouldn’t it mean those higher entities had pathetically weak control over their own authority?

It was obvious that this wasn’t just a unique form of power and method of advancement. The very existence of Miracles seemed to be an extraordinarily unique concept across the entire transcendent world.

Actually, when they had been discussing ”genuine tales” a moment ago, the very first thing that came to Fu Qian’s mind was Akons and the others from his last mission.

He also thought of when he had chosen the King of the Abandoned Prison to fashion his Divine Skin.

Almost all of these cases served as proof that a considerable number of higher entities were already completely and thoroughly dead.

Under these circumstances, it didn’t seem entirely impossible that the connection between His name and His authority had formed a sort of unconditioned reflex circuit.

After all, back on Ye Island, the Kamakura Tombkeeper Clan had actually demonstrated a similar case: the Ancient Engraving of the Mad God.

The final reward description had explicitly mentioned the ”remains” of that old god, proving He had perished long ago, yet He could still react to ritualistic prayers.

Drawing that comparison, his envisioned scenario didn’t seem out of the question at all.

Unfortunately, the current situation left him a bit baffled.

Could it be that this Miracle didn’t point to the Dominator of Death after all? Or was it because of the God of Death’s unique authority that His death was fundamentally different from other Gods?

Although he hadn’t reached a definitive conclusion, this project had certainly been immensely rewarding for him.

”It’s done.”

While Fu Qian was lost in thought, Professor Ah Kai stopped pacing. He turned around and spoke earnestly.

”You’d better take some time to rest for now. Write up some reports or something.”

Fu Qian didn’t actually need the reminder; he already knew the Seed of Death was gone.

Summoned at will and dismissed just as easily—he had to admit, it felt far too much like fleecing dead higher entities.

It was hard to imagine any Divine Entity swallowing that kind of insult.