Eldritch Horror Theatre

”In a certain place called The Abyss, it seems you were prepared for my inevitable arrival.”

Blazing Rainbow gave no response, so Fu Qian continued.

”Your hospitality left quite an impression. You have such a deep understanding of certain things, and an absolute determination to obtain them.”

”The perfect outcome, of course, would have been to thwart any disruption, smoothly seize control of The Abyss as planned, completely wipe out a Scavenger, and perhaps even harvest a brand-new pawn.”

”From your perspective, I imagine it was a nearly foolproof plan.”

”Even so, I would never underestimate the sense of caution harbored by an ancient higher entity.”

”Even if the chance of failure was virtually zero, I suspect you didn’t mind preparing for it—or even exploiting it.”

”Edral.”

Fu Qian offered the name softly.

”Over the long years, the adversary constantly making trouble for you has been left riddled with holes. How could you not exploit that?””Judging from this man’s tragic fate, it’s clear you can guide certain things, leading young Scavengers into a death trap before they even realize it.”

”And what you used was a Containment Object bearing a fragment of your power.”

”Your opponent is clearly dedicated. Despite being incredibly weak, it still hasn’t given up targeting you. Unfortunately, the meager gains from its repeated attempts ended up serving as your reverse-tracking coordinates... until someone actually survived that death trap.”

”Your meddling was discovered. Not only was the Containment Object gone, but even the items derived from its power were rejected and destroyed, causing you to lose control of the situation.”

Fu Qian was naturally referring to his previous experience of being pulled halfway into the Furnace.

The pitiful Edral behind that door had likely gone to his grave simply believing he was too weak.

Though it was a bit unfair, that was certainly one way to put it.

”And shortly after that, you orchestrated that operation. Success meant controlling The Abyss; but if it hit that minuscule probability of failure, then certain fragments of your power would be routinely contained, once again serving as planted coordinates.”

”The two outcomes only differ in their degree of victory. How could a Deity ever lose out?”

Fu Qian’s sigh sounded overflowing with sincerity.

”When did you become aware of my existence?”

That sincerity seemed to have successfully swayed the interrogator.

”When did I...”

Fu Qian put on a contemplative expression.

”Strictly speaking, from the moment I rejected that Scepter.”

”Impossible.”

Blazing Rainbow’s comment came instantly this time.

”I understand what you mean. After the observation accident caused by a reckless attempt, I naturally don’t remember what I saw... but as a professional, how could I not remember that I had forgotten?”

Fu Qian pointed at his head.

”A small skip suddenly appeared in my memory out of thin air; that in itself was a gain.”

”Coupled with some later experiences, it was enough to make some deductions.”

”So to sum it up, yes, I knew you would absolutely come.”

”In fact, as long as I brought the correct trait into the historical fragment, your reaction would appear immediately, confirming my choice.”

”To show my welcome, I even prepared a special invitation, didn’t I?”

Fu Qian held out his right hand.

”I brought a lot of things, but I deliberately excluded a certain Lantern.”

”As an item with an obvious deep connection to you, leaving it out was undoubtedly a display of caution, but it also hinted that I was defenseless in other areas.”

”Very polite indeed. What do you wish to know?”

The ancient Divine Entity across from him offered genuine praise after listening carefully, then returned the courtesy by allowing Fu Qian to ask questions.

”Two questions. First, regarding the trait, why did you react so quickly?”

Fu Qian didn’t stand on ceremony. Every second of this Q&A consumed what little sanity time he had left.

That was also why this conversation could even continue.

”Whether it was its creation out of thin air or its unique connection to me, both should have occurred under relatively secretive circumstances.”

”Yet you still perceived it instantly, and even provided a remarkably precise distraction. How did you do that?”

This was a question Fu Qian had been wondering about since before he even obtained the two traits.

Blazing Rainbow’s appearance proved that his earlier deductions weren’t just conspiracy theories, making the egg retrieved from the Blood Lake extremely intriguing.

”Especially since, given various concerns, I wouldn’t expect you to be watching me constantly. Logically, you shouldn’t have been able to react so quickly.”

”It is quite simple. I first knew of the Divine Trait’s appearance, and then reverse-deduced its possible connection to you.”

”The existential form of the trait is far more special than you imagine, especially an entirely unique, newly created one.”

With Fu Qian showing his sincerity first, Blazing Rainbow finally fulfilled its promise.

”Its creation out of thin air is instantly transmitted to all existences within the Transcendent Tier, even before it is truly born. The only difference lies in whether you can perceive it.”

’A more special existential form, instantly transmitted to all, prior to its birth...’

Fu Qian was undoubtedly a student adept at grasping key points, especially when he came seeking answers. Prodded by the other party’s reminder, he seemed to faintly realize something.

”A more abstract influence on the conceptual level? The rest of the Transcendent Tier gained a mark of its existence, and only then did it begin to gestate?”

”After all, given its Rank, it’s hard to imagine an actual ripple of power influencing all existences.”

”You can understand it that way. However, you must note that this process of generating a mark is not so simple. Some fragile balances might even be broken because of it.”

Understood. To a certain extent, it was similar to his current task: Midas did not exist, yet his legendary tale could genuinely grant people luck, and even stir up the tranquil night of the Sacred Night Capital. Wait a minute...

Fu Qian suddenly remembered the fire at Brother Jifeng’s house.

1-039, Hotbed.

If he remembered correctly, that was his first task after completing the Pseudo-God Ritual.

And the task summary had contained a specific line—”The flames are finally extinguished; a new balance is reached.”

At the same time, whether it was Yuan Fang, a Native of the Unseen Hill, or Chaumont who had brought Old Man Logan in search of medicine, both had clearly been very shocked by the sudden surge in the fire.

Going by Blazing Rainbow’s explanation, could he himself have been the arsonist?

Originally, Brother Jifeng had been bitterly resisting the Mother of Gospel, maintaining a fragile balance.

But because he completed the Pseudo-God Ritual, had he added a straw to one side of the scale?

With such suspiciously coincidental timing, it was truly hard to rule out the possibility!

”How much time is left?”

Amidst his pondering, a question genuinely related to time appeared in his mind.

”Within three minutes.”

Knowing exactly what the other party was asking about, Fu Qian gave a natural and affirmative response.

”You may continue asking.”

”Alright, what is troubling you?”

Fu Qian didn’t decline, directly posing his second question.