Eldritch Horror Theatre

It was truly swift and clean.

In a literal flash of lightning and stone spark, by the time the last plume of ash hit the ground, Professor Ah Kai hadn't even finished chanting his "incantation."

And the Second Level of the Ark, which had already given off a transcendent air, grew even quieter.

At a glance, not a single Feather and Fish could be seen.

Having spent countless years inside, they ultimately failed to see the day they could disembark.

Of course, they could still be sensed.

Although subjected to a certain level of suppression, Fu Qian could still tell that not far ahead, beneath the blanket of Feathers, another Feather and Fish had just taken a step before freezing in place.

Just as mentioned before, they might no longer be human, and their aggression was exaggerated, but they still possessed basic survival instincts.

"Are you done?"

With no new attacks emerging, he didn't follow up by reducing everything to ashes; instead, he looked directly at Ah Kai, who had come to a halt once more.

The Strange Candle Flame in the latter's hand was now slowly dying out.

"Done."

After quietly sensing his condition for a few seconds, Ah Kai nodded to indicate success.

"It can't be completely prevented, but this special protection grants my flesh and will a star-like stability, delaying the process."

Words alone weren't enough. A moment later, he even presented his palm to them.

Compared to earlier, it appeared to be coated in a layer of cold, clear radiance.

It enveloped his entire person while faintly shimmering, truly resembling the stars in the night sky. The visual effect was wondrous.

"I just tested it, and I'm absolutely certain that the rate of brightening has slowed down."

Seeing that Excellency Stoss remained silent, Ah Kai hurriedly continued his explanation.

...

"Good. Let's continue."

Excellency Stoss finally looked convinced, and he signaled for everyone to move out.

"The newborn one you encountered last time is further down?"

His train of thought seemed clear and direct.

Even though this was the site where the Prison Archangel had fallen, the Old Man had no intention of lingering. He glanced at Su Gao, preparing to head straight for "Marco."

"Yes, on the layer below. It was still alive when we left."

Answering fluently as always, Demigod Su's reliability was impeccable.

"Then we'll go check out that special one first. I'll have to trouble you to lead the way."

Sure enough, without brooking any argument, Stoss gestured for Su Gao to take the lead and instructed the others to follow.

...

"I can sense the light changing too."

Even so, just as the group descended the rough wooden stairs they had traversed before, Aike delivered some pessimistic news, indicating that she was experiencing the same symptoms as Ah Kai.

"I haven't yet."

Facing Old Man Stoss's gaze, Fu Qian truthfully reported his own condition.

Regardless of which piece of news it was, both clearly served as strong evidence for their earlier hypothesis.

"Neither have I."

There was even a third.

Before anyone could ask, Su Gao frankly declared her status from the side.

"...I have as well. It seems that no matter what, moving at maximum efficiency is the wisest choice."

Excellency Stoss pondered for a moment before finally revealing his own state.

The rule that a lower Rank meant a higher susceptibility to the influence had withstood the test once again.

At this point, Professor Fu's theory was universally accepted.

"That was the only mother body we found at the time."

Even as they conversed, the group's advance never halted. Soon, Su Gao pointed to a spot not far ahead.

"...It looks like there are still many unborn ones."

The wheat field composed of ropes and Amber undeniably packed a visual punch, especially given the human-like figures suspended inside the Amber.

As Aike surveyed the area, she couldn't help but frown and comment.

"They are almost purely dead objects, though the purpose behind doing this is rather intriguing."

Excellency Stoss casually remarked, signaling that there was no need for extra worry. The next moment, he intentionally stepped forward to examine the special corpse Su Gao had pointed out.

It was even more conspicuous and all the more unbearable to look at.

But regardless, its somewhat hollow abdominal cavity certainly looked as though something had crawled out of it.

"Let's find the living one first."

Without rushing to share any opinions or conduct extra tests, Stoss turned back to the halted group and gestured for them to keep moving.

"On the right, the third room."

Needing no reminder, Su Gao, who was already walking in front once again, quickly located the room and pointed toward the corner.

"I'll do it."

Leading from the front, Excellency Stoss stepped to the very front the next moment, pushed the door open with a casual shove, and strode into the dim space.

"My vision is brightening too."

By the sound of it, the place wasn't actually that dim anymore.

Upon entering, Stoss stood perfectly still. Waiting for the others to catch up, he casually disclosed his current state.

Clearly, even this Divine Emissary had ultimately failed to remain immune to the influence.

"Me too, the change just started."

Before anyone else could voice an opinion, Su Gao had also caught up and spoken.

...

Faced with this string of new developments, no one offered any comments for a time.

Instead, more than one pair of eyes landed on Fu Qian's face.

"Same here."

How could Consultant Fu not understand what that meant? A moment later, he offered a faint smile, readily accepting good advice.

Although this answer...

At least from Excellency Aike's eyes, one could tell she didn't quite believe this somewhat vague response.

It wasn't strange at all.

Fu Qian was well aware that Demigod Aike didn't think his vision hadn't brightened, but rather that it hadn't happened "just now."

That meaningful expression clearly suggested she suspected the change had occurred long ago.

Too considerate.

Although Classmate Su Gao didn't speak much, her instinct for danger was as sharp as her own "Echo" ability.

Yet in the face of this reaction, a different sigh of admiration echoed in Fu Qian's heart.

Even if he was telling the complete truth, had he spoken up a step before Su Gao just now, the impression he gave would have been far more suspicious.

The speed at which he was affected would subconsciously be compared to Old Man Stoss.

But with the demigod Su Gao inserting herself in the middle, his own Rank wouldn't easily draw suspicion.

Instead, they would merely assume his vanity was at work, deliberately claiming the change happened later than it did.

"So we'd better hurry up—go make it calm down and see if communication is possible."

And it seemed the Night Watchers didn't care much about their consultant's moral issues. A moment later, Stoss gave Aike a signal.

In the corner ahead, a figure resembling a mollusk yet sporting Feathers was locking onto them with a highly hostile posture.

Brother "Marco" had actually continued to hole up here.

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