Eldritch Horror Theatre

Unusual, yet reasonable.

An abandoned motel, a stolen car with its engine still running. Listening to the old man behind him detail the final item on the Dying Wish List, Fu Qian felt a pang of genuine emotion.

What made it unusual was that a Mid Tier transcendent who commanded extraordinary power was genuinely and calmly stepping toward death, rather than making some wish for another few centuries of life.

Yet it was also perfectly reasonable. It was a Dying Wish List, after all. The final item being death simply couldn't fit the theme any better.

Even his chosen method of death was something anyone could easily empathize with.

Passing away quietly in one's sleep was a decent enough ending for the vast majority of living beings.

"So, what do you need me to do?"

While appraising the plan inwardly, Fu Qian hadn't forgotten his role as a hired hand and took the initiative to confirm the old man's arrangements for this final task.

"You can stay in the car... I'm sorry, I can't tell you any more than that. Because I don't trust you."

Moreover, perhaps because they were nearing the end, the Old Man actually offered a sincere apology and an extra word of explanation this time.

Of course, a dying man's words tended to lose their tact, and he was completely upfront about his suspicions regarding Fu Qian.

"This is indeed a situation outside my plans. But just like I said when we were drinking coffee, your performance makes me think things aren't too bad this way.

"Also, please believe that as long as you sit right here, you'll be helping me."

...

Oh?

Admittedly, the sincerity in the Old Man's words was moving. He sounded increasingly like a senior offering earnest guidance before marching to his death.

He had even given a highly positive assessment of Fu Qian's performance.

"Understood. I'm honored just to be of help. Besides, it's not like I'm walking away without my own spoils, right?"

Fu Qian waved a hand modestly and held up the Cross Star Pendant.

He wasn't being sarcastic. A moment's thought was all it took to realize just how bizarre his image must be in the Old Man's eyes.

The sheer contrast of looking like an ordinary person while actually being a transcendent was enough to overturn anyone's perception.

Not to mention all the actions with unclear motives he had taken along the way.

And the key point here was that even if he had wanted to make his intentions clear, it would have been useless.

Should he just tell the Old Man directly that he was here to help, and that Kadon should treat him like a magic wishing lamp?

If he had actually done that, it was hard to imagine just how high this experienced old man would have raised his guard.

Kadon had a complete Checklist, an entire plan to embrace death.

The plan was so comprehensive that it could even accommodate a highly paid ordinary hireling turning out to be a transcendent of unknown origin and intent.

With such a scheme, the Old Man surely wouldn't allow the initiative to slip from his grasp.

So the most likely outcome would simply be Kadon expending more effort, using lies and misdirection to build a firewall against the risks Fu Qian might pose.

Their interactions from the very beginning had existed in an incredibly delicate state.

Although he seemed to have been casually coasting along, in Fu Qian's judgment, managing to have this clear-headed conversation right now was already quite a rare achievement—

"In your original plan, what would have happened if I gave up halfway? You should know the chances of that were high. An ordinary person's tolerance is limited."

Kadon's gaze fell on the Cross Star, and Fu Qian casually voiced his curiosity.

"It would be fine. You still would have followed me here, and even followed me inside..."

Without hesitation, the Old Man pointed to the room that had once belonged to his father, a cold confidence hidden within his flat tone.

...

Very reasonable. The plan was flawless indeed.

Fu Qian nodded inwardly in that moment.

Just as he had noted earlier, the Old Man had made a thorough and fault-tolerant plan for this final journey of his life.

As for the subtext in his answer, it might have sounded a bit too overbearing—whether Fu Qian wanted to continue or not, he would definitively finish the rest of the process.

But one couldn't forget that even if money lost its magic, the man before him was still a Psychic Type transcendent.

Directly forcing an ordinary person with a weak will would be child's play for him.

"But you still won't tell me what role I'll play?"

Making no effort to hide his admiration, Fu Qian asked for further confirmation.

"No. Knowing would only reduce the chances of you actually being helpful."

Unsurprisingly, Kadon shook his head at once.

"Understood. But I can share a small discovery with you."

Not minding the rejection at all, Fu Qian abruptly changed the subject. He signaled Kadon to look up while adjusting the angle of the Pendant in his hand.

"Did you notice? If you stretched this shape out a bit, it would make a pretty good fit for the missing hand."

He meant the cheap decorative clock at the top of the motel.

At this exact moment, Fu Qian confirmed that the clock's face, the Pendant in his hand, and Old Man Kadon's eyes were perfectly aligned.

...

"We talked about this place's commercial potential earlier. Logically, it shouldn't have been too bad, yet it went completely bankrupt... I feel like I've just found a possible reason why."

Kadon remained silent, though he didn't pull his gaze away.

Fu Qian didn't mind and kept talking freely.

"I thought back then that the clock had its pros and cons. It could bring in wealth, but it could also ruin fortunes, especially if it stopped running smoothly... Looking at it now, could the missing clock hand have been the deliberate work of some malicious actors?"

The more he spoke, the further the topic drifted, and his facade as a jianghu charlatan became glaringly obvious.

"It should be their doing. They were always a group to begin with."

Yet, a surprising response came the very next moment.

Kadon finally withdrew his gaze and looked at Fu Qian's face. His expression was somewhat profound, and he actually seemed to agree with Fu Qian's wild divination.

"What's more... my father sensed that greatness right here."

Not only that, but he went on to reveal an even more shocking piece of news.

"I have to admit, your continuous stream of surprising performances is something else. Rather than leaving you to your wild guesses, it might be better to share a bit more...

"The reason my father brought me here was that a familiar patient needed his help. And indeed, after arriving, he was extremely busy and had no time to look after me... As I'm sure you can guess, the target of his long-distance medical trip was also a member of that special group."

It perfectly echoed what had been said earlier: to avoid interference with the plan, the Old Man would only share information corresponding to the extent of Fu Qian's discoveries.

It was undeniably shocking news. With this, the entire series of events from back then seemed completely connected.

Additionally, Kadon's expression was quite subtle when he mentioned his father. He even pointed at his own mouth.

"I was shocked when I found that out too, but what shocked me even more was his method of treatment... My father, along with the other Unrighteous Ones, ate their sister."

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