Eldritch Horror Theatre

So what was the ultimate goal?

Although he had a few guesses, it remained a complicated question even to Fu Qian.

The main issue was that the group’s styles and methods varied drastically. Furthermore, they were clearly guarding against one another, making it quite difficult to observe them and draw any conclusions.

Beyond that, there were naturally the constraints of objective conditions—namely, time.

No matter how easygoing and natural his posture was, Fu Qian estimated that if he chatted for even a few more minutes, he would probably be bidding a permanent farewell to his human form.

Considering that such a massive location would be difficult to load onto a vehicle for transport, the mission objective of heading to the Sanctuary would most likely be declared an immediate failure.

And this critical situation was naturally all thanks to Nepheli.

He could only say she truly lived up to being the first to volunteer as a tormentor. Even she herself probably couldn’t imagine the true effects of her torturous methods.

Of course, Fu Qian didn’t think this was an entirely bad thing, nor did he feel he would absolutely have to avoid it if given the chance to do it all over again.

Anyone’s actions served to inject a variable into the current stalemate.While Nepheli’s methods had drastically compressed his own window for action, they had simultaneously compressed everyone else’s. That was why they had been treated to so many spectacular scenes.

Otherwise, if this group had been given the time to plot slowly—especially with so many skilled actors among them—the situation would have likely devolved into an even bigger mess.

”Understood. It seems Professor Fu has arranged everything perfectly, so I have absolutely nothing to worry about.”

For example, Wen Li, who was still bound alongside him, actually nodded with utmost seriousness after listening intently. She acted as if everything was proceeding according to some nonexistent plan and she no longer needed to pretend.

”I just can’t help but be curious about who the other person on our side actually is.”

Relieved of her burden, her tone lightened considerably as her gaze swept over the rest of the group.

...

Look at that. Not only an actress, but a master at muddying the waters.

Wen Li’s glance undoubtedly added fuel to the fire, making the overall atmosphere feel suffocating.

She had originally been pushing everyone forward, but now she had just flipped sides. No matter how one looked at it, they were entering an era of a free-for-all brawl. Not to mention, there was still a hidden third lackey, making the situation so chaotic it was impossible to act.

Of course, this was still only the First Layer.

As long as the people present weren’t blind, they could tell that Wen Li’s words were clearly just roleplay. Whether she actually agreed with Professor Fu’s claims was hard to say.

”So how did you do it?”

Impressed by Wen Li’s control over the scene’s atmosphere, Fu Qian had no intention of clearing things up for the crowd. Instead, he sought out the pensive Nepheli, pointing at his own body as he asked for guidance.

Its rationality could perhaps be analyzed from various angles, but no matter how one looked at it, the thing this woman had detonated on his body involved a high level of technical skill and touched upon the very essence of this special place.

”You care about this at a time like this?”

Although she had grown somewhat accustomed to Fu Qian’s mental state, Nepheli couldn’t help but find it a bit amusing.

Obviously, as the chief culprit, she was very confident about just how dangerous Fu Qian’s situation was.

”Because it genuinely seems very interesting to me.”

Fu Qian told the truth.

”...Then it seems I have no reason to just tell you for nothing?”

In the pursuit of knowledge, the virtue of honesty was so charming that it immediately made Nepheli fall silent for a moment.

However, when she spoke again, she clearly felt that this reason wasn’t enough.

”Am I not helping you clear your name?”

Fu Qian didn’t see it that way, casually retorting with a question.

...

He wasn’t wrong.

If she were the third lackey, there would be absolutely no need for this conversation to take place.

In that moment, not only was Nepheli silent, but none of the spectators voiced any objections either.

After all, if such a vulgar conspiracy really existed, the mastermind had already achieved massive success. There was no need to put on this kind of performance to confuse others.

”Or have you also started focusing solely on application, without seeking to grasp the knowledge behind it? Dean Nepheli.”

Fu Qian hadn’t even finished speaking before he continued, lamenting the lack of theoretical occult research and addressing her directly by name.

...

”Dean... It’s been far too long since I’ve heard that title.”

It was difficult to describe the atmosphere inside the Sanctuary at that moment. Finally unable to hide her surprise, Nepheli stared at Fu Qian for a moment before sighing.

She looked as though she had never expected that name to be known by Fu Qian. Although she was quite candid once it was pointed out, making no clumsy attempts to deny it.

So what exactly is her relationship with me?

While Nepheli was being straightforward, Fu Qian was frowning internally.

The situation was becoming even harder to understand. Everyone had arrived here because of their bonds with him, yet in Nepheli’s perception, he wasn’t supposed to know her name.

Did the Warehouse not wake up properly today? It’s just randomly altering character settings.

”First, tell me what you’re feeling.”

Amidst his inward complaints, Nepheli seemed to have thought things through, adopting the tone of a teacher imparting wisdom.

”I can’t feel much right now, but I’m leaning toward this being a higher-end method. Rather than triggering some special effect of this building, this thing likely involves the very essence of the Mind Space.”

”The reason it resembles your symptoms might simply be due to the proximity principle, as I am physically close by.”

Fu Qian also turned serious, describing his somewhat one-sided sensations and boldly making a judgment.

”Very good.”

Nepheli, who had entered the zone, listened intently. In that moment, she looked as if she could barely resist awarding him a little red flower.

”What I did was very simple. I just detonated the world’s underlying fallacy upon your body.”

...

Hold on, were these two actually having a chat?

Amidst their back-and-forth technical exchange, the crowd seemed to have recovered from the shock of the ’Dean’ title.

While they had already formed some guesses about Nepheli’s identity, the conversation between the two made the listeners’ expressions turn strange.

Not only was it genuinely quite technical, but they even seemed to be getting along swimmingly.

But that was exactly what made it so bizarre. Wasn’t the topic about how she had tortured him?

A prisoner and an executioner swapping notes on blade techniques—wasn’t that a bit too harmonious? Were all researchers like this?

...

The world’s underlying fallacy... Things were getting even more interesting.

Fu Qian could naturally sense the spectators’ mindsets with ease, but he didn’t care about such vulgar views.

What he just said had indeed been his true feelings, and while Nepheli had only spoken a few words, she had hit the nail on the head.

For a moment, he seemed to gain a much clearer grasp of the true nature of his symptoms.

The ”fallacy” at the bottom of the world. Was the Excellency Nepheli before him currently in a state of complete enlightenment after understanding the essence of the world?

Was this also why she didn’t care much about whether she could get out or not?

In his past conversations with her, the core topic had been nothing other than the authenticity of the entire world.

And what was happening to his body could seemingly be understood as a chaotic splicing of various concepts.

Thinking about it a bit more, it felt like something only someone with complete enlightenment could achieve—

”What did you do?”

Unfortunately, before he could even ask another question, Nepheli’s tone abruptly changed, as if she had discovered something incredible.