Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Okay.”

How could a top-tier hunter like Demigod Su fail to notice that something was off about the waitress, Sunny?

Yet, after a casual glance, and with Professor Fu saying nothing, she made no unnecessary moves. She merely listened to the ordering suggestions and followed him to a seat in the corner.

It was clear she also had a good impression of a place like this in the dead of night.

Even when Sunny braced herself to approach them, Su Gao simply took the menu and genuinely considered her options.

Seeing this, the waitress seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, when her gaze swept across Fu Qian’s face, she couldn’t quite maintain that natural demeanor.

The exchange that had taken place in this exact spot not long ago was still fresh in her memory.

This mysterious figure before her—someone even Professor Lanaya feared—truly possessed an astonishingly sharp intuition.

And an astonishingly threatening presence....

It was a comforting sight.

Having at least exchanged business experiences with her, Fu Qian had no objections to Sunny’s temporary choice to ’live a peaceful life.’ Nor was he in any rush to force her into becoming a real experimental subject for the Academy.

What truly satisfied Fu Qian, however, was Su Gao. Not only had she quickly blended into this mundane, lively atmosphere, but thanks to his excellent example, she was making a rare attempt to switch up her diet.

”Does this one taste good?”

Aside from her unsurprising choice of dessert, Su Gao had listened intently to Fu Qian’s order and was now showing interest in the fish he had just ordered two portions of.

”Quite good.” Fu Qian did not skimp on his praise.

He even waved a greeting at the smiling shop owners who were looking their way as he spoke.

Though he had committed the vile act of watering down the alcohol in their establishment, he had ultimately made a brave confession to protect their reputation, all while working hard to promote their dishes.

Moreover, he never forgot to ask for a receipt, helping the small shop standardize its business practices.

How could such a customer not be welcome?

Withdrawing his gaze, Fu Qian savored the internal monologue he had just supplied for them, genuinely feeling that the owners ought to give him an extra portion.

”Here, an extra portion for you.”

A moment later, those very words actually transitioned from imagination into reality.

The shop’s landlady brought their food over personally, adding that extra explanation as she set the items down.

The only problem was that she wasn’t talking to him.

Instead, she placed two distinct desserts in front of Su Gao, smiling warmly at her as she spoke.

’Alas, this shallow world that only judges by appearances...’

Sighing deeply in his heart, Fu Qian took the fine wine Sunny had set aside and poured himself a full glass to drown his sorrows.

”It tastes excellent. Does Professor Lanaya frequent this place too?”

As the saying goes, affection goes both ways. After sincerely thanking the landlady, Classmate Su Gao didn’t waste a single bite. She savored each item and made no effort to hide her delight.

”More frequently than she sleeps in her own bed.”

Fu Qian naturally felt no psychological burden about gossiping about his superior, casually exposing Lanaya’s excellent daily routine.

Unfortunately, Demigod Su didn’t even cast a second glance at the adult beverage that the professor appreciated so much.

...

”What do you sense?”

As the harmonious nightlife continued, more diners arrived after finishing their day’s work, gradually livening up the atmosphere.

And just as the waitress Sunny got busy, constantly weaving her way through the shop, Fu Qian—having already finished both portions of his fish—casually asked Su Gao for her opinion.

He didn’t even bother to hide the gesture pointing at Sunny.

”Incomplete.”

Su Gao’s astonishing talent was once again on full display.

Prompted to speak, she observed Sunny for merely a few extra seconds before arriving directly at a conclusion.

It was exactly the same conclusion that Fu Qian, who already knew the truth, had given Professor Lanaya.

At the same time, it was quite comforting that although Sunny’s body stiffened for a brief moment, her reaction was much more natural compared to last time.

She seemed to have already gotten used to being observed like a specimen.

Thinking about it carefully, this might actually be the most suitable arrangement for her.

She didn’t have to formally become an experimental subject, allowing her to live a normal life.

At the same time, she occasionally received visits from various Academy experts who came by to conduct the four diagnostic methods of looking, smelling, questioning, and pulse-feeling.

”But it feels like she truly possesses her own will. It’s a very unique state indeed.”

Su Gao always followed Professor Fu’s rhythm. Since he didn’t shy away from asking for her opinion, her tone was quite casual as she softly continued her assessment.

Worthy of the Power of Echo—truly sharp.

”Anything else?”

Fu Qian praised her inwardly for a moment before continuing his test.

”Compared to her Rank, her level of power feels disproportionately high. At the very least, my ability tells me that I need to treat her seriously.”

Su Gao didn’t disappoint, answering fluently.

”How does she compare to Chief Yuan’s cat?”

Nodding in satisfaction, Fu Qian suddenly brought up a certain small animal they had both met.

...

The cat, naturally, referred to Old Man Henry, a dual Covenanter of the Blazing Rainbow and some unknown Divine Entity.

Although Su Gao had only seen him in his feline form, she certainly wouldn’t treat him as a mere small animal.

”The difference in Rank is massive... but there is indeed a similarly unique feeling.”

Professor Fu’s new question made Su Gao ponder for a few extra moments.

And she didn’t let his patient wait go to waste, genuinely delivering an anticipated answer.

The essence of a Covenanter was incomplete, regardless of their Rank.

This was an earlier deduction that had now received Classmate Su Gao’s additional validation.

And that wasn’t the only takeaway.

Sunny’s covenant target had been explicitly mentioned in the mission summary: it belonged to the Cosmic Deity classification and hailed from the starry sky.

Serving as a contrast was the other category: Divine Entities native to this land.

So much so that Fu Qian had harbored a lingering question: where did all these native higher entities run off to?

Among the more active Divine Entities he had encountered so far, including Patches, several had been illuminated by that Lantern, the Miniature Universe Aberrant Color, proving that they were also Cosmic Deities.

In comparison, the local personnel seemed a bit too low-key.

He had originally wondered if Old Man Henry’s other covenant target might be more native, which would have led Su Gao to a slightly different assessment.

Unfortunately, it seemed she didn’t sense anything particularly different.

But it didn’t matter; that was just an incidental thought anyway.

”Hi there.”

The next moment, Fu Qian called out to the busy Sunny.

Even though she technically wasn’t looking in his direction, he believed she could absolutely receive the message.

”Could you help split this fish into two portions?”

As Sunny lived up to his expectations, turning around and looking over with a slight trace of nervousness, Fu Qian pointed at the portion of fish Su Gao had ordered.

At the exact same time, he flashed the Lucid Dream Ring on his finger toward the fish’s owner.