Eldritch Horror Theatre

"Why are you here?"

After a brief, silent standoff, Gerald ultimately chose to face the situation head-on. He led his team through the broken window and leaped into the hall.

He signaled the others to split up and stand guard, then asked directly in a deep voice.

Fu Qian wasn't surprised in the least. He still held the Sunken Anchor; there was no way this guy would just turn around and walk away.

It was a transcendent item capable of restraining even a Demigod Realm existence. Gerald likely didn't want to bear the cost of losing it.

"Taking shelter from the rain, and then I got attacked by a dragon."

Fu Qian's answer was sincere and concise. He even raised a hand to point upward.

...

Unfortunately, this overly easygoing attitude contrasted so sharply with his previous demeanor that it left Gerald momentarily doubtful.

Gerald took a moment to compose himself, gritted his teeth, and rephrased the question.

"I walked."

Fu Qian wasn't bored enough to pretend he didn't understand. As he answered, he raised his right hand to show off the Iron Anchor still wrapped around it.

He really just walked over here...

Actually, Gerald didn't need the reminder. He had been paying attention from the very beginning. He was already certain it was the genuine Sunken Anchor, and its condition was completely normal; it hadn't lost its effect.

But it was exactly this realization that threw Gerald's mind into chaos.

So the person in front of him really was that lunatic? He had forcibly dragged the Sunken Anchor all the way here?

Was this a joke? Not even Kelsen, at the Demigod Realm, could do that!

Unless... someone was helping him?

His brain practically short-circuiting, Gerald suddenly grasped a thread of logic and looked over at Elena and the other two beside him.

The might of the Ancient Giant Dragon just now had been palpable even from afar.

Consequently, the strike that hit it must have been just as formidable.

If those three had fired that arrow, then their group's strength far exceeded his initial estimates. It would also explain how they had the courage to try snatching food from a tiger's mouth.

And back in the Legendary Little Shop, they had publicly declared themselves temporary allies.

...

This was the trouble Mister Lu had mentioned... they really should have left sooner!

Under Gerald's sharp, assessing gaze, a wave of regret inevitably washed over Elena.

She had only been thinking about the possibility of the Ancient Giant Dragon returning to launch another attack, completely neglecting the misunderstanding that the three of them just sitting there might cause.

She naturally understood the meaning behind Gerald's suspicious expression. However, even if she tried to explain and emphasize that they were no longer allies, he had to be willing to believe it.

Ultimately, the people from Siren had simply arrived too quickly.

Speaking of which, the same went for Mister Lu. There always seemed to be these incomprehensible developments during this operation.

"In a place like this, you actually split your forces?"

Just as the silent psychological warfare between the two sides intensified, Fu Qian seemed entirely uninterested in explaining himself. Instead, he looked past Gerald and focused on another issue entirely.

Compared to back in the Legendary Little Shop, the number of Siren personnel was down by nearly a third.

"It's so chaotic in here. Aren't you worried you won't be able to regroup after making such a bold move?"

"...We naturally have our ways."

The fact that he actually sounded concerned about the risks made Gerald feel incredibly strange, but he braced himself and replied anyway.

"That makes sense. Siren is a massive organization; you must have plenty of special transcendent items."

Fu Qian gave a slight nod. As he spoke, he casually toyed with the Sunken Anchor, completely ignoring how the gesture made Gerald's eyelids twitch.

"But even so, aren't you afraid of suffering a loss if you run into the Ji Clan?"

The next moment, as if recalling something else, he continued his display of concern.

...

Unexpectedly, as soon as this question was asked, Gerald's eyelids twitched even harder.

"I get it. You split up precisely because you suffered a loss?"

Seeing this, a look of sudden realization dawned on Fu Qian's face.

"Are the others taking care of the wounded?"

"Minor friction is always inevitable. Thank you for your concern, Mister Lu."

Unwilling to appear weak, Gerald finally confirmed Fu Qian's guess in a level, unyielding tone.

Interesting. Compared to their previous behavior, hadn't this friction occurred a bit too hastily?

Confirming that the situation was exactly as he had guessed, Fu Qian grew thoughtful.

"You're welcome. After all, I was just being polite. So, you shattered my window just to come in and take a break? Feel free to take a seat."

"...Why would it be your window?"

Trying hard to ignore the man's excessive bluntness, Gerald ultimately couldn't help but retort to that particular claim.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Fu Qian patted the seat beneath him, then pointed at the others who were sitting or standing around.

I...

Gerald followed his gaze. Although he really didn't want to admit it, the posture and aura of the guy sitting there were so on point that it made his own group look like they had come for an audience.

So what exactly was he here for?

Given that Gerald had misjudged him and the man actually had the ability to move while carrying the Sunken Anchor, he hadn't fled; instead, he had specifically come all the way inside.

Even after coming in, he didn't seem to have any real goal, doing nothing but throwing out sarcastic remarks and claiming a seat like a king.

"No need to be polite. It's been years since this place was so lively."

While Gerald was still tangled in his thoughts, Fu Qian spoke again, though this time he directed his words toward the space behind a closer window.

"If you don't mind, please use the front door?"

...

Gerald's first reaction was that the guy was mocking him again, but he quickly realized something and immediately went on high alert.

Less than half a minute later, the main doors at the entrance were pushed open further from the outside, and Amir's face was the first to appear.

This team looked much more intact in comparison!

The new guests entering the door were none other than the members of the Ji Clan. Compared to Siren, they hadn't lost a single person; they only bore faint traces of a scuffle.

Their style was clearly much more cautious, as they had chosen to observe from the shadows first.

"Amir..."

Gerald was noticeably less peaceful. The moment he saw the newcomer, he gritted his teeth.

"You actually have the nerve to show your face in front of me!"

"I should be the one asking you that. How does it feel to bring humiliation upon yourself?"

Amir's verbal attack power was simply far superior. He immediately let out a cold snort.

"Besides, it sounds like Mister Lu was the one who invited me in."

Without waiting for Gerald to retort, he turned directly to Fu Qian, making his stance clear.

"Mister Lu, we rushed over because we saw signs of the Giant Dragon manifesting. We don't care about anything else—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the dim Great Hall was suddenly illuminated, as if lit by a comet.

Silently, a tremendously grand golden torrent pierced through the very window they had just been hiding behind.

The figure on the Golden Seat, who had just been listening to him speak, was instantly engulfed.

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