Eldritch Horror Theatre

"So that's how it is? That makes a lot more sense."

Fu Qian nodded expressionlessly at Elena's explanation.

He had found their behavior a bit strange earlier.

Anyone with half a brain would know the Goddess Statue was vital to this death game.

For a strategic player like Elena especially, finding the Statue early would definitely be an advantage.

And if they were veteran spectators, they logically should have known its location inside out.

Yet the duo hadn't been in a hurry to set off, choosing instead to stand around and watch the commotion.

Even now, with the Goddess's favor granted and the game officially underway, they were still hanging around trying to recruit a team.

It was truly abnormal.

The frontrunners seized the initiative, but they also had to clear a path through the thorns.

These two had truly taken the art of laying low to its absolute limit.

"Thanks, that clears up my confusion," Fu Qian told Elena.

She looked as if she had expected this, her eyes bright and lively.

"As allies, sharing information is only right."

She was actually quite curious about Fu Qian.

Before today, she had done her research on almost every threatening opponent.

Judging by his performance in the hall, his strength could comfortably sit in the absolute highest tier.

Yet she hadn't noticed his existence at all.

And after their brief exchange, he didn't seem to be faking it; he was clearly quite unfamiliar with this Redemption Game.

Powerful, arrogant, and a recent arrival.

Elena quickly made her deductions.

"Since our goals align, things are simple. We've gathered some experience regarding the locations where the Statue might appear. How about we lead the way for now, Mr. Fu?" Elena asked, her mind racing.

"No problem."

Fu Qian glanced around and readily accepted her suggestion.

In such massive Underground Ruins, there was no telling how long it would take to find anything by wandering blindly.

He would also likely run into ambushes. It wouldn't be dangerous, but it would be troublesome.

After all, killing people tainted one with Sin Fire, and accumulating too much would make him a target for the Sin Seeker.

As for the two masters of laying low in front of him, they would undoubtedly do their best to avoid conflict before finding the Statue. Following them couldn't be more perfect.

"Then without further ado, let's set out. I'll share some important information with you along the way."

Elena shot a glance at Cross beside her. He glared coldly at Fu Qian before stepping to the front to scout the way.

The relationship between these two was quite interesting.

Watching this unfold, Fu Qian thought silently to himself.

Even though only one person could ultimately obtain redemption, temporary alliances like the one in the hall earlier weren't strange when survival was on the line.

But the two in front of him had clearly exceeded the boundaries of mere cooperation.

Fu Qian cast a glance at Elena. Her white skirt was completely spotless, her steps unhurried.

As for the man named Cross, he trailed beside her in a protective posture. It felt as though he wouldn't hesitate for a second even if she ordered him to die.

Fu Qian had little interest in other people's drama, but he was curious about how long their dynamic would hold up amidst this slaughter.

"Let's start with the conflict just now. That red-haired guy in the hall is named Patrick. He's our primary concern and the strongest competitor in this contest."

The three walked briskly through the gloom, Elena lowering her voice slightly.

The Red-Haired Slaughterer was named Patrick?

Fu Qian nodded.

"His strength is indeed pretty good."

"His temperament is extremely brutal, too. His nickname on the outside is Butcher. The man who died by your hands was considered a famous thug, but compared to Patrick, he wasn't on the same level at all."

"Over the years, Patrick has committed countless crimes throughout the Shattered Land. Often, it isn't even a conflict over benefits, but purely venting his emotions. He kills for the sake of killing."

So his nickname really was Butcher, huh?

Fu Qian gestured for Elena to continue.

"Furthermore, and most importantly, out of everyone here, he is the only one who has participated in this death game before. To be exact, this is already his third time."

"His third time?"

Fu Qian recalled the fanaticism in Patrick's eyes. To think this guy was a three-time participant.

"Yes. I think that speaks volumes about his strength. Plus, compared to those of us who only get our information through footage, he undoubtedly has far more personal insight."

So the events happening in here really could be seen simultaneously on the outside. Fu Qian confirmed his earlier judgment.

"I have a question," he said after a moment of thought.

"Since he was caught three times, how has this guy not been beaten to death on the outside yet? After all, it's obvious the Goddess of Sins didn't purify him."

"It seems you really aren't familiar with the situation here, Mr. Fu."

Elena gave a slight nod at his words, her expression natural.

"We have to start from the origins of this death game."

"As the Shattered Land is the largest known forbidden zone, the Night Watchers do not prohibit transcendents from entering. Aside from hunting down wanted criminals who flee inside, they don't restrict any behavior here either. Everyone is completely left to fend for themselves."

"For a very long time, this resulted in a place with no rules whatsoever—sheer chaos and widespread slaughter."

"Then one day, Sir William, whom you saw earlier, appeared."

"It's said that his hands were originally covered in blood as well. During an expedition, he discovered this place and received the redemption of the Goddess of Sins."

"From then on, he attained complete enlightenment. He transformed into an enforcer of justice, hunting down villains everywhere."

"But he never kills. Instead, he captures these people and, at a fixed time every year, sends them all in here together to seek the path of 'redemption'."

"The reason Patrick has come in three times in a row is very simple. Only William can catch him."

So that was it!

After Elena finished speaking, Fu Qian nodded repeatedly, basically understanding the whole story.

But at the same time, a profound sense of absurdity welled up within him.

An enforcer of justice who never killed... He wondered if this Sir William only operated at night, driving his Bat Chariot.

"And as you saw just now, Patrick's strategy is clearly different from ours. He completely ignores the threat of the Sin Seeker and rapidly accumulates Sin Fire."

"His actions are bloody and frenzied, fully living up to the name Butcher—though, of course, as a participant in this game myself, I have no right to criticize others for being brutal."

Elena let out a sigh, her gaze deep and quiet as she looked at Fu Qian, seemingly expecting him to say something.

"Following your logic, as a participant in this game, I similarly have no right to evaluate your self-evaluation."

Fu Qian remained completely unmoved.

...

His words left Elena momentarily stunned. She stayed silent for a moment before speaking again.

"Are you wondering what crime I committed to end up in here?"

Not at all.

"Actually, it's fine if I tell you."

Elena, however, had completely entered a state of talking to herself. There was a smile on her lips and a glint in her eyes.

"I killed my father."

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