Eldritch Horror Theatre

After the Night Watcher Suzune left, everything fell quiet once more.

In the cavernous space, only the sound of Kisaragi Kana chewing and swallowing remained.

The flavor wasn’t anything special, but the unique source of the ingredients filled her with an unprecedented sensation.

At the same time, though she wondered why Fu Qian wasn’t eating, she knew better than to ask.

Even though he had magnanimously overlooked the trouble she’d caused, this Mr. Crawford was clearly a man of unpredictable temperament.

Faced with this Schrödinger’s gentlemanly demeanor, all she could do was accept it.

Fortunately, she was very good at accepting things.

...

”When did this business with the Miracle Potion begin?”

Not long after, the neatly dressed pair left the manor.Acting as chauffeur, Fu Qian asked the question casually from behind the wheel.

”Begin? That depends on how you define it.”

Having just enjoyed a full meal, Kisaragi Kana looked fantastic.

She leaned lazily against the car window, the light filtering in making her lips look red enough to drip blood.

”If we count from when I submitted my application, it’s been almost ten months.”

”In the beginning, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep at night, but their review process was just too slow.”

”I didn’t receive the interview notice until I was on the verge of despair.”

Kisaragi Kana recalled the past, her eyes distant.

”In the end, it only took me three minutes to win them over, and that was just a week ago.”

At this point, she looked at Fu Qian in the rearview mirror, her face showing profound satisfaction with her own charm.

”I’m different. I have always felt that.”

Judging from her words, the potion test actually required candidates to apply for it themselves? The Anjing Group really played their cards well.

Judging by Kisaragi Kana’s reaction, simply qualifying for the test was treated as a tremendous honor.

Fu Qian nodded slightly.

”What an inspiring story, but it seems a Miracle didn’t appear.”

...

With those words, Kisaragi Kana’s enraptured state was abruptly broken.

”Since it is called a Miracle, it’s naturally rare...”

After a long pause, she spoke, half-answering him and half-comforting herself.

It was obvious that the failure of a Miracle to manifest after taking the potion was a heavy blow to her.

”Is that so? How rare is it?”

Fu Qian, however, didn’t drop the subject and continued asking.

”...Judging from previous cases, the probability of a Miracle appearing is about the same as winning the lottery, and that includes negative Miracles.”

”But people have indeed won the lottery?”

Fu Qian nodded.

”Of course, more than once.”

Kisaragi Kana’s answer was absolute, her tone full of longing.

”Just from a single potion, transcendent power can awaken within a person’s body. Isn’t that amazing?”

”In fact, I can feel everyone’s desire for this kind of Miracle.”

”It’s highly likely that your bodyguards, while protecting you, have also been secretly submitting test applications on the side, you know?”

She covered her mouth and chuckled lightly as she spoke.

”After all, the testing fee isn’t outrageous. Most people can still afford it.”

So not only did one have to submit an application for screening, they even had to pay for it out of pocket?

Given the context, Fu Qian wasn’t too surprised by this; he had already guessed a possible reason.

”Let me think. The reason you have to pay for it yourselves is because of the Night Watchers?”

”Of course. It seems Mr. Dancy truly doesn’t pay much attention to these things!”

Kisaragi Kana’s words carried undisguised surprise.

”From the time the Anjing Group proposed the Miracle Potion plan to when it was actually implemented, there was a considerably long period of negotiations. After all, in theory, the Night Watchers strictly forbid the use of ordinary people for tests in the transcendent domain.”

”Fortunately, after a lengthy struggle, they eventually managed to pass this model where ordinary people take the initiative.”

”Anyone can submit an application, and then the Anjing Group will provide charitable assistance within their capabilities.”

”I think it’s very reasonable. After all, it’s a person’s right to earn rewards through taking risks.”

Kisaragi Kana spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

”No one would dare say they don’t desire transcendent power. Having a tightly organized institution that can mobilize massive resources to take the lead is always better than making countless pointless attempts on your own...”

...

As their conversation continued, the two of them arrived at the legendary Anjing Building ahead of schedule.

It was clear that, although she acknowledged aloud that the odds were comparable to winning the lottery, the sliver of hope deep in Miss Kisaragi’s heart hadn’t been extinguished.

This was evident from her suddenly tense expression.

Of course, the exact same expression appeared on far more than just one person.

Even though it was nearly ten o’clock at night, there were still many men and women waiting for their tests in the same place.

The vast majority of them were young people, and many were accompanied by others.

The way these people sized each other up was quite interesting to watch.

Considering he hadn’t brought the Mask of the Witch, Fu Qian restrained his aura as much as possible.

Fortunately, the benefit of playing a pervert was that he didn’t need to restrain his demeanor too much.

Fu Qian tried observing his surroundings with the eyes of someone appraising a meal, discovering that if he were the real Dancy, this place would undoubtedly be an excellent food market.

It was also obvious that someone like him, who could only afford the Death Mark service, was far from a VIP client to the Anjing Group.

Right up until Kisaragi Kana had her identity verified and entered the testing area, no account manager stepped out to personally greet them.

And barely ten minutes later, Kisaragi Kana walked back out, unable to hide her disappointment.

”Doesn’t look much like a Miracle.”

Fu Qian greeted her with this piercingly direct observation.

”The observation period isn’t over yet. Anything is possible.”

Kisaragi Kana forced a smile, but it was the person walking her out who explained.

”Mr. Dancy, I presume? I am Sawada, the project manager in charge of Miss Kisaragi’s test.”

The newcomer introduced himself while taking the initiative to extend a hand toward Fu Qian.

”I am not mistaken. Miss Kisaragi absolutely possesses a distinctive talent.”

The project manager spoke with great confidence, clearly thinking highly of Kisaragi Kana.

”Actually... the same goes for Mr. Dancy.”

The next moment, he pivoted the conversation to Fu Qian.

”Mr. Dancy gives off a similarly extraordinary aura. I wonder if you might be interested in taking a test to see if there’s a suitable potion to help forge a Miracle for you?”

”No need.”

As soon as the man finished speaking, Fu Qian refused him without a moment’s hesitation.

”I am perfectly fine as I am now.”

It was obvious that these last words were Sawada’s true objective; the man was targeting him.

But even so, Fu Qian didn’t think he had been exposed. Although the man was clearly a transcendent, the gap in their strength was simply too vast. There was almost zero possibility of Sawada seeing through him.

So it was the identity of Dancy that had attracted this attention?