Eldritch Horror Theatre

'Care to sit down together?'

As an expert in social etiquette, Fu Qian had no trouble deciphering the gesture's underlying meaning.

Exactly. It felt just like an old acquaintance reuniting after a long separation, casually inviting him to sit down for a chat—preferably a long one.

Considering they had only crossed paths once before, such a gesture was exceptionally polite, offering a rare touch of warmth in this decaying apocalypse.

The problem was that the gesture conveyed far too little information. It provided no substantial answer to his previous questions—and it seemed the man had no intention of offering one.

He watched as, shortly after making the invitation, Yuan Fang's movements reversed like a rewinding tape, returning him to his original posture.

"Thank you. I didn't expect so much to happen while I was away."

Fu Qian took no offense. He sat right in the spot the man had indicated, continuing to stare down at the massive cauldron with deep emotion.

"This sight really does match what you told me before—that everyone is just ash unable to escape its fate. There isn't even a need for the samsara of death; everything is just withering away, endlessly."

He had to praise the man as a true Prophet. Yuan Fang looked as though this were his first time here, yet this sight of a massive cauldron incinerating people fit his old analogy perfectly.

Not every body in the crowd at the bottom of the lake was intact.

Missing limbs and deformities were everywhere, as if their sense of self was gradually withering away and losing itself within an endless slumber.

So that bustling Unseen Hill... was it filled entirely with the projections of these bodies?

And was death merely the temporary erasure of a projection, only for it to return at some unknown time?

Honestly, that model aligned perfectly with the final conclusion of his previous mission.

Theoretically, it was only with his help that this current state of stability had been achieved.

After all, at a glance, he could no longer see any "fire."

Not only had a new balance been reached, but the Mother of Gospel seemed to have left absolutely no trace behind.

If he had entered this place during that mission, perhaps the cauldron before him would have been burning red-hot.

...

Yuan Fang still gave no response. However, after burning for a while, the Lantern grew slightly brighter.

"It looks like the door in your room has turned into a special kind of passage. It doesn't lead to freedom, but it does allow people to see the Truth."

Staring downward, Fu Qian continued to chat casually, even bringing up the path he had taken to get here.

"Though their reactions upon seeing the Truth might be a little concerning.

"After all, hope is wonderful, but having it shattered is exceptionally devastating."

Even though his old friend didn't react, Fu Qian wasn't just spouting nonsense; he was simply sharing his own deductions in a one-sided conversation.

"Besides, I'm very curious about who left those things behind. After all, the chances of it being your doing are quite slim.

"In fact, the way I see it, the probability of them being left with good intentions isn't very high either. Oh, right, did you know? Not long ago, I ran into someone with your exact name. He seemed to be a descendant of yours."

Changing the subject, Fu Qian finally brought up the theory he had wanted to verify.

"That Yuan Fang explained that out of respect, his father specifically chose the name used by their ancestor.

"And that incredibly brilliant ancestor received the call of the Supreme Will in his youth and passed away in meditation... If there really is such a coincidence, it forces me to wonder about the source of that call, and why it sought you out."

'Hmm... So there's not even going to be a nod or a shake of the head?'

As he spoke so casually, the lack of any reaction ultimately proved disappointing.

To be precise, absolutely nothing had changed. After the initial invitation, Yuan Fang showed no further reaction whatsoever.

"The deepest accumulation of humanity...?"

Fu Qian still didn't criticize him. Instead, muttering to himself, he casually snuffed out the Lantern beside him.

Darkness descended on cue, and everything returned to a deathly silence.

Throughout the entire process, he hadn't shifted his posture at all, continuing to stare toward the massive cauldron.

Second after second ticked by. It seemed as though everything would persist like this for eternity.

'Oh?'

Yet at a certain moment, an unusual glow surprisingly emanated from the direction he was watching, shattering this Darkest Night.

...

'So it's here? Sure enough, delivering others means delivering oneself.'

That was right. It was none other than the goat-headed demon he had dragged in earlier.

Fu Qian found that orange glow rather familiar.

It even made quite a bit of sense.

If everyone from Unseen Hill was concentrated within the massive cauldron, then a projection returning to its true body after entering the door seemed logical, didn't it?

It even explained why the creature had vanished from his hands in an instant.

Unfortunately, it looked like this particular fellow still wasn't very lucid.

Finally standing up, Fu Qian leaped lightly, jumping straight down into the cauldron.

...

'Is it because its Rank is too low?'

With the light serving as a guide, finding it was incredibly easy.

Wading through the overlapping layers of limbs, Fu Qian quickly confirmed that the creature buried deep below was indeed the one he had brought in.

Furthermore, the magma-like scorching brands on its partially mangled body were only emitting a faint, meager glow.

The creature itself was only slightly more active than the bodies surrounding it, struggling purely on instinct without any sign of waking up.

Its limbs were even continuing to deteriorate with every movement.

'Is it so weak that even with the Truth placed right before its eyes, it lacks the strength to open them and see?'

That seemed to be one explanation—or rather, a baseless guess.

But regardless, it had already been of great help.

Not to mention that there seemed to be a way to verify it—crack!

With a soft snap, a certain amber-like item he had been gifted upon his departure was crushed outright.

That was right. Excellency Crystal's "Golden Core."

Even though its owner had claimed it was merely an emergency contact tool—and despite it showing absolutely no reaction from earlier up until now—Fu Qian still used it directly as a one-time consumable.

It melted upon touch.

The phrase was a very apt description.

As the outer layer shattered, the tiny humanoid figure inside was revealed.

Yet before it even touched his fingers, it vanished completely, leaving absolutely nothing behind.

But it didn't matter—

Snap!

The next moment, Fu Qian surprisingly reignited the Lantern and waited in silence.

...

"It's a little dark. You might need to adjust for a moment."

The bottom of the cauldron was very quiet. Fu Qian waited a while before breaking the silence, as if he were casually chatting with someone.

"I also understand that this kind of scene might not be the most ideal situation.

"But look on the bright side. The bottom of this cauldron is quite round, isn't it?"

His comforting tone was evident, making him sound like a sincere elder guiding a young person whose dreams had just been shattered.

"Also, did you know? I really didn't think you were that naive, but that didn't stop us from using each other."

...

As his final words trailed off, the Lantern in Fu Qian's hand abruptly snuffed itself out without any wind, and the faint sound of sobbing seemed to echo in his ear.

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