Eldritch Horror Theatre

”What a lively night!”

Clad in a yellow robe that reeked of wickedness, Fu Qian watched Su Gao’s figure disappear, sighing as he glanced upward.

It was exactly as Su Gao had said. The Scorching Ring, radiating endless oppression, was clearly hanging in the sky, yet it looked close enough to drop directly onto the Church’s upright Spire.

Given such a bizarre sight, it was hardly strange that the Night Watchers had reacted instantly.

Of course, in Fu Qian’s view, they didn’t need to be quite so nervous.

At least up to this point, the thing’s main purpose was likely just to attract attention.

Ever since the ”Welcome to Sacred Night Capital” greeting, the Blazing Rainbow’s methods had been highly targeted. He was its sole objective.

Unless absolutely necessary, it would never bring in the Night Watchers’ faction to introduce new variables. After all, they had a Tier 1 holding the fort and a multitude of High Tier members.

Indeed, Fu Qian was quite certain that the timing of the Scorching Ring’s appearance was no coincidence.

Just like how that Divine Emissary had improbably failed to discover him and Su Gao.And how the Tier 1, with their unknown methods, had also failed to find this place.

From the moment Su Gao confirmed the sky was purple, Fu Qian’s pacing had abruptly shifted. His pursuit of maximum efficiency instantly turned into an open, leisurely stroll.

Yet, following that shift, not only did the relentless artificial obstacles vanish without a trace, but the rest of the way had been so smooth it felt like someone was clearing the path ahead.

This exaggerated contrast reached its absolute peak the moment Su Gao tried to lure the Night Watchers over—an incredibly oppressive and bizarre entity appeared, drawing all attention away.

Not to mention that this bizarre entity looked like an aberrant sun.

Old Man Henry had once mentioned that during the Mythological Era, the authority of the Blazing Rainbow and the Ancient Sun God had intersected.

Such a distinct posture made it seem all the more like the board was set and the net was closing.

Fu Qian withdrew his gaze. Instead of joining the commotion at that convergence of faith, he straightened his robe and strolled down the significantly quieter Casino Boulevard, heading toward the largest casino that had recently suffered a loss.

...

He didn’t even catch a glimpse of Old Man Henry’s wandering figure.

The casino soon came into view. Having leisurely taken in the local sights along the way, Fu Qian let out another heartfelt sigh at just how smooth the trip had been.

Not only had he failed to run into any other High Tier participants, but there was also no trace of the previously relentless Old Man Henry.

’Is this what it feels like to be highly valued? No wonder I always hear the saying, ”I just want to see a good attitude!”’

”Care to see how your luck is holding up?”

The next moment, just as Fu Qian was marveling at this rare life experience, a rather magnetic voice rang out.

He stopped and looked over, finding a roadside shop with its doors wide open.

A blue-and-green striped headscarf, a gold-and-red strapless dress, and straight black hair cascading all the way to her waist—the person calling out to him was a woman of indeterminate age.

Both her sharply defined features and her bare arms boasted a healthy bronze complexion, giving her a distinctly exotic flair.

She was sitting behind a wooden table, smiling in his direction like she was soliciting business.

Combined with the room’s decor, her earlier words left no doubt that she was in the fortune-telling business.

Although her look wasn’t particularly solemn, it was normal enough for Casino City.

The only issue was that inside the modest street-side shop, a brilliant rain of light spun around like a nightclub—blazing and psychedelic.

Forget comparing it to religious sanctuaries where one might pray for good fortune; even the casino seemed far more dignified.

”Actually, I had planned to go over there to test my luck.”

Fu Qian didn’t decline, however. He walked straight into the little shop, took a seat, and gestured toward his original destination.

”A casino isn’t a place to check your luck—it’s a place to verify it.”

”The moment you walk in without certainty, you’ve already lost.”

Seeming extremely satisfied with Fu Qian’s reaction, the woman offered her explanation with a serious expression.

”If you walk in with certainty, is it still a casino?”

Fu Qian frowned slightly, taking issue with this charlatan-like warning.

”That does sound exactly like something you would say.”

The woman’s smile faded slightly. A unique, inhuman aura suddenly emanated from her, making the simple act of looking directly at her feel fraught with immense resistance.

”You can, of course, treat everything like a casino—so long as you don’t run from the consequences.”

”Rest assured, I never run.”

Fu Qian looked down at his own hand resting open on the table, bathed in a myriad of colors by the lights.

But he had already noticed when he walked in: there were no actual lights in this little shop.

”What should I call you? It’s easy to see you don’t particularly want your honorific name to be known.”

The next moment, he let out a light sigh.

Indeed. Other than the ancient Divine Entity who had been taking such meticulous care of him, who else could this person be?

’Running a fortune-telling gig in Casino City... Such business acumen. Truly worthy of a higher entity’s wisdom.’

...

”Thank you for keeping my secret. As for what to call me, you can be completely casual about it. For instance... the Indigo Witch?”

In his line of sight, the corners of the woman’s mouth curled upward. Her tone was teasing, offering no denial whatsoever.

’Her killing intent is resolute, as expected. I don’t see any room for negotiation.’

This obviously couldn’t be her true name. She was clearly targeting the conversation he had just had with Su Gao.

Perhaps even their interactions within the Lucid Dream.

Not only did she openly admit to monitoring him from every conceivable angle, but even when facing a man about to die, she still refused to reveal any true information about herself.

Her stance couldn’t be any clearer.

Fu Qian shook his head inwardly.

”Actually, you don’t need to get too into character. I have a very high tolerance, and I never expected a higher entity who has lived for god-knows-how-many years to be all that bubbly.”

”True... You have demonstrated that point more than once.”

Fu Qian’s suggestion appeared to be instantly accepted.

As she spoke, that trace of inhuman aura thoroughly permeated the space. The Indigo Witch stopped playing the part of a Sacred Night Capital fortune-teller.

”However, compared to your words, your body seems a little tense.”

The next moment, she pointed at the Ring on Fu Qian’s hand.

”Methods like this that forcibly elevate your Rank clearly have a limited duration. Are you sure about activating it now?”

”No matter how you look at it, this will only put you at a complete disadvantage.”

”Believe it or not, it’s actually still a bit early for my hospitality. We’re just having a chat ahead of time.”

’I believe it, of course.’

Fu Qian thought to himself in response to the Indigo Witch’s statement.

Her observation was naturally dead-on. Long before he even walked in, Pseudo-God Incarnation had already been activated.

And since it required a buffer period and couldn’t be activated consecutively, it was exactly as she said—when the time came, he would be at a severe disadvantage.

But so what?

Fu Qian stared directly into those deep, emotionless eyes. Even though she was still just an incomplete projection, her unrestrained divinity gave him the distinct sensation of being looked down upon.

”It doesn’t matter. When the time is up, I’ll find a way to add another hour to the clock.”

The next moment, he rubbed the Ring on his finger, gesturing for her not to worry.