Eldritch Horror Theatre

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Applause rang out.

Like an old photograph being restored, color bled back into the space before him inch by inch.

As the black, white, and gray rapidly receded, the mummified corpses they covered transformed back into living people, stirring into motion one after another.

The man behind the bar was the one clapping. It was none other than Ji Ping, the man who had delivered the Badge to him last night.

”Welcome, welcome.”

”I knew I didn’t misjudge you!”

Ji Ping continued to clap as he picked up a bottle of liquor and filled the glass in front of Fu Qian.

”A toast to our new friend.”

Fu Qian noted the gray eyeball in the man’s palm. It had changed since he last saw it—the eye was now tightly shut.The illusion from earlier was likely tied to that.

”No drinking on the job.”

Fu Qian tossed out the casual excuse, making no move to take the offered glass.

”Besides, your welcome ceremony didn’t feel particularly friendly.”

”Our Jenny welcomed you personally. Is that not friendly enough?”

Ji Ping wore an exaggerated expression of surprise, then snapped his fingers.

The rhythmic clop of hooves echoed behind him. Fu Qian glanced back and realized the centaur had changed her appearance.

A heaving chest, a swaying body—beneath a custom-made black leather jacket, flashes of snow-white skin peeked through as she walked.

Most importantly, beneath her thick, flowing brown hair was the face of a young woman.

Fu Qian specifically checked her back. Where the fabric had been torn to shreds earlier, a black-and-gold cape embroidered with exquisite patterns now draped down, covering her pert backside.

Her two full, firm hind legs likely belonged to her original human body, while her equally pale and slender front legs clearly belonged to some sort of equine.

No wonder the centaur hadn’t seemed very large earlier.

Fu Qian nodded to the lady and handed back her spear.

”Pardon the offense.”

Hmph!

Jenny was visibly displeased. She snatched the spear without a word, trotted over to the bar, and downed a glass of liquor in a single gulp.

The glass had already been half-empty, a lipstick stain marking its rim. It seemed this group had been in the middle of a wild revelry before he showed up.

Ji Ping grinned as he refilled Jenny’s glass.

”I told you Mr. Fu was exceptionally strong. Do you believe me now?”

She simply scoffed again and turned her head away.

”What do you think of our Jenny, Mr. Fu?”

Ji Ping chuckled, turning back to Fu Qian.

”Elegant and captivating.”

Fu Qian replied mildly.

It wasn’t an empty compliment.

In fact, if one ignored what she might have looked like before the modification and judged her purely on her current form, her limbs were perfectly proportioned and her lines beautifully sleek.

The aesthetics of two different forms blended together at just the right angles, making this the finest piece of craftsmanship he had seen so far.

One’s sense of aesthetics shouldn’t be too narrow; true art had to touch the soul. The words he had spoken to Tan Ying hadn’t been total nonsense.

”However—”

Fu Qian added.

”If I remember correctly, limb grafting has strict limits on body proportions. This lady’s current state looks incredibly dangerous.”

Fu Qian wasn’t just talking nonsense. Ever since he learned about limb grafting, he had dug through plenty of material on the subject.

Although the White Tower Company had obtained a permit from the Night Watchers, the Night Watchers had imposed extremely strict regulations to prevent limitless modifications and ethical violations.

There was even a rigorous mathematical formula for it; exceeding the limit by even a fraction was strictly forbidden.

Uh...

At those words, not only Jenny but even Ji Ping was visibly taken aback.

”Mr. Fu truly has a sharp eye.”

After a few seconds of silence, Ji Ping clicked his tongue in admiration.

”Jenny’s modification was calculated to exactly meet the maximum limit. Rest assured, it hasn’t exceeded the threshold by a single hair!”

”I see.”

Fu Qian looked at Jenny, who was glaring at him in sullen anger.

”What a pity.”

”What’s a pity?”

The woman, who had been glaring at him, finally couldn’t hold her tongue.

”If you added a tail, the effect would probably be even better.”

Fu Qian gestured toward her backside.

Was this guy serious?

Ji Ping cast a bewildered glance at Jenny’s back before letting out a chuckle.

”Perhaps, but our Jenny is already a superstar as she is. She’s incredibly famous!”

Was that so?

Fu Qian didn’t really doubt Ji Ping’s claim.

Regardless of any potential flaws, her aesthetic was a literal deep, dark fantasy for people with niche fetishes. It wouldn’t be surprising at all if she had amassed a massive fanbase.

”I assume you didn’t just invite me here today to rate her. Are you going to explain what this means?”

Fu Qian took out the Badge and placed it on the table.

”Of course not. I believe you’ve already learned a bit about our situation.”

Ji Ping chuckled.

”Actually, our goal is quite simple. Would you be interested in joining the Club?”

Fu Qian frowned at him.

”I thought you could only join if you became a member of the Archipelago?”

”Generally speaking, yes, but that wouldn’t be a problem for you at all, right?”

That much was true. So far, he hadn’t run into anyone who could put up a real fight. Securing a victory would be a breeze.

Unless the White Tower Company was shameless enough to throw their own people in at the last minute.

Suddenly, Fu Qian felt like that was highly probable.

”Actually, I’m very curious.”

Seeing that Fu Qian remained silent, Ji Ping spoke again.

”With your strength, why would you come to the Archipelago?”

”I’m sure the rewards that others are flocking like ducks to pursue hold no temptation for you at all.”

”You can stay curious. In the meantime, tell me what the benefits of joining you are?”

Fu Qian scoffed, putting on the perfect demeanor of an expert as he answered a question with a question.

”Joining us comes with exceptional benefits, of course.”

Ji Ping’s smile didn’t falter.

”Do you know why we’re called the Rebirth Club?”

He flashed the palm of his hand.

”I believe you’ve just experienced its effects firsthand.”

”To tell you the truth, I used to be nothing more than an ordinary person. But now, with its help, I can lay traps that many transcendents are incapable of breaking.”

”Our club is made up of a simple group of enthusiasts. Our shared philosophy is that limb grafting isn’t merely piecing things together; rather, it should be a Sublimation of life.

Everyone can complete their Rebirth as a new lifeform by finding the piece that perfectly resonates with them.”

”That holds true for ordinary people and transcendents alike.”

”And if you join us, not only will you have an incredibly vast selection to choose from, but you’ll also be able to attempt the process an infinite number of times until you achieve a state of flawless fusion.”

This gave off the overwhelming vibe of a crackpot pseudoscientist!

Fu Qian marveled internally as he watched the impassioned Ji Ping.

He had absolutely no interest in this so-called Sublimation, but based on the information slipping through Ji Ping’s pitch, his earlier judgment had been spot on.

The backing behind this Rebirth Club was far from simple.

A vast selection combined with infinite attempts... If he wasn’t just blowing hot air, they had to have a considerable degree of control over the Laboratory.