Eldritch Horror Theatre

'Truly, Learning Has No Bounds.'

Olinter's shocking statement successfully piqued Fu Qian's interest.

He hadn't forgotten that the objective of this mission was to complete the purification before sunrise.

From the very beginning, Fu Qian had been pondering the significance of this specific time.

Now, he finally had a clue. Would Jane's Blasphemous Blood be exposed once that time passed?

Was it because those ruthless Hunters from The Order developed an especially keen sense of smell after sunrise?

Of course, this sense of smell was likely just a metaphor. In short, the Hunters possessed special means to heighten their sensitivity to unclean things during the day?

He had to admit, this was rather unexpected.

Given his past experiences, he had assumed they embodied the ultimate archetype of The Order: active at night, sluggish by day, hanging in caves to rest.

So dedicated. Was this the power of faith?

"That's not her fault..."

Unfortunately, Olinter's well-reasoned statement did not seem particularly convincing to Mister Winslow.

Looking mournfully at his prostrate daughter, he merely shook his head in a daze at Olinter's supposedly rational choice.

"She is a kind child. She shouldn't have to suffer any kind of harm..."

"I know... but she was unlucky."

Hearing those words, Olinter fell silent for a moment.

"Most of the suffering in this world is never a punishment for wrongdoing, but simply a matter of bad luck—"

"Doctor Olinter, I might need to remind you that the patient still hasn't come down from up there."

Unfortunately, this sorrowful, oppressive atmosphere was instantly ruined by Fu Qian's remark.

"Are you sure your diagnosis is correct?"

"As sure as the fact that you will be coming with me shortly."

Fu Qian had clearly—and very efficiently—drawn his ire once again.

Olinter's expression hardened in a second, his tone turning icy.

"I admit you are indeed unusual, to remain so calm in this situation."

"That's right. It means the thing on Jane hasn't dissipated, even though the most severe part was removed."

"This isn't surprising. From our experience dealing with those things, they are never that easy to handle, which is why more needs to be done."

"The things in the Mist?"

At Olinter's words, Fu Qian nodded slightly and continued his shocking remarks, sprinting down the path of courting death.

"If Jane's problem is really caused by them, I'm sorry, but I can't help noticing one thing. You actually mistook it for the Boon of the Stars earlier... Are those things really that special in nature?"

"...How do you know that?"

The killing intent radiating from Olinter was no longer merely palpable; it had taken physical form.

The Lead Flame Long Serpent that had bitten Jane just moments ago crawled out from his arm once again.

"I remember now! I know where I've seen you!"

Before Fu Qian could answer, Nathalie suddenly cried out, her hand trembling slightly as she pointed at him.

"You were lost that day too. I ran into you... No wonder I thought your face looked familiar... Is this why you know my name? You heard other people calling me. Wait a minute—"

She looked around, her face revealing a realization that was terrifying upon deeper reflection.

"You probably know more than just my name..."

'Quite a fast reaction.'

Watching Nathalie's emotionally charged performance, Fu Qian silently praised her.

The claim that they had gotten lost together was, naturally, almost certainly nonsense.

Based on past experience, the Warehouse had likely fabricated the connection out of nothing, forcefully stuffing him into this social relationship.

As for why Nathalie was lying, that was easy to understand.

If he answered Olinter's question truthfully, it would be extremely disadvantageous for her.

It was better for her to strike first and falsely accuse him of also being corrupted by the Mist.

He had to admit, this was a rather clever adaptation. Not only did it perfectly explain why he knew there were things in the thick fog, it also aligned with two earlier pieces of information—

Why he knew her name, and how he had known all along that this was the Winslow Residence.

Finally, with a single exclamation, she made his motives for coming here to practice medicine infinitely suspicious.

Just look at Mrs. Winslow; already in a complete panic over her daughter's severe injuries, she was now staring at him with terror in her eyes.

Of course, even such a perfectly timed lie didn't convince everyone.

At the very least, Mister Winslow's gaze toward her grew even more profound.

But that didn't matter. Obviously, Nathalie only needed Olinter to believe her—and it seemed he really did.

"So you knew Jane had come into contact with the Mist, and you knew she fell ill afterward. And before her leg turned out like that today, you were the one treating her all along..."

Imagination is forever humanity's greatest power. In an instant, Olinter had already woven together a complete storyline.

Its motives were so reasonable and its logic so smooth that he didn't even bother confirming further details with Nathalie.

"You're not an ordinary person; you've just disguised yourself well. What exactly did you do to Jane?"

Staring coldly at Fu Qian, Olinter was fully prepared for battle.

...

'He actually got that part right.'

"As the attending physician, my job is naturally to make a correct diagnosis and dismiss the incorrect ones—"

Fu Qian explained quite briskly, and Olinter was clearly just as quick to react.

Before he even finished speaking, a metallic-colored fire serpent roared straight toward him.

Accompanying it was a thoroughly murderous declaration.

"Sometimes, it is necessary to borrow the methods of Hunters..."

It was obvious Olinter was quite confident in his rigorous deduction, deciding to verify it directly using Fu Qian's corpse. It was just a pity...

In his line of sight, Fu Qian—who was locked onto by the fire serpent—was casually strolling in a few circles, looking like an old man wandering through a flower and bird market.

Yet it was exactly this kind of pacing that allowed him to effortlessly dodge the fire serpent, because the latter was shockingly moving at the exact same speed.

The killing move that had easily pursued Jane just moments ago was now moving as if steeped in thick asphalt.

After being dragged around for two laps, it dissipated reluctantly.

"What's going on?"

Not just Olinter's, but the rationality of everyone present was clearly being put to the test.

"For a doctor, your observational skills are far too lacking."

Fu Qian let out a long sigh and pointed to their surroundings.

"Aside from what I pointed out earlier about her not coming down yet, the patient has exhibited more than one new symptom, and you actually didn't notice at all?"

"Everything in this room has had its movement speed restricted to a very low level—starting right after Jane lost the ability to walk. And there is one more thing..."

Fu Qian gestured above his head.

"A minor reversal of time is even taking place."

Following his words, they saw the burning ash that had scattered all over the ceiling actually coming alive and squirming, slowly converging toward Jane's severed limb and returning to its original position.

"Those ashes never fell back down. Didn't you ever stop to think about what that meant?"

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