Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Heh... from what I’ve gathered, you aren’t an indiscriminate eater.”

Unfortunately, faced with Fu Qian’s ”honesty,” Mariana still seemed unsatisfied.

”Every brain was meticulously cooked, each prepared in a completely different way. And you only ever ate the right eyeball.”

It was obvious she didn’t mind letting Fu Qian realize exactly how much she knew.

”And it’s obvious you have your own strict standards for the freshness of your ingredients. When the last victim was found, they hadn’t even stopped breathing.”

”So much so that more than one person wondered if your killing spree was to vent anger or simply to satisfy your peculiar diet. In fact, that’s exactly why you weren’t immediately hanged. A lot of people are interested in what goes on inside your head, and now, of course, so am I.”

As Mariana spoke, the Flesh Vines extending from her body nimbly circled Fu Qian’s head before both pointed directly at his eyes.

”Can you tell me how you managed to open your eyes in a place like this... and what you saw?”

What did he see...

The bizarre, sharp vines were right in front of his face, the faint traces of blood on them gleaming as if ready to drip, yet Fu Qian remained entirely unfazed.Mariana’s latter question, however, seemed to finally stir something in him. A moment later, he silently raised his head, as if gazing into the infinite heights above.

”You’re not going to tell me you saw the Stars, are you? Honestly, that would be incredibly disappointing. I might even have to agree with the critiques of your paintings—completely uncreative.”

Mariana paused for a moment before nearly laughing, shaking her head with a sigh.

...

”How could I? I’ve never seen the stars in here, because as far as I can remember, that window has never been opened.”

Fu Qian finally spoke, gesturing with his eyes toward the opposite side of the Corridor.

There sat a narrow, completely sealed skylight.

”Mind opening it so I can take a look? According to your plan, I won’t remember anything in a little while anyway.”

It was a strange request.

”Mariana...”

Although Ben hadn’t acted out of turn, he clearly couldn’t hold back anymore and softly urged her from the side.

”...Alright.”

Mariana didn’t even turn her head, merely gesturing for him to stay calm.

The next moment, one of the Flesh Vines actually stretched across the space and wrapped around the metal plating of the small window.

With a heavy screech of friction, the cover was forcefully wrenched open.

...

Brother Ben was right; twilight had only just fallen, and the night sky wasn’t even truly dark yet.

But it was enough.

Fu Qian didn’t hesitate. Peering through the small window at the faint Stars, he quickly confirmed that this was not the same starry sky he had been seeing over the past two days.

It perfectly matched the definition of a Nightmare—one with all sorts of distinct anomalies.

It was worth spending a little time to explore its value.

Fu Qian confirmed his next plan of action almost instantly.

”Feel anything?”

Even the awakened one, Mariana, was being incredibly cooperative by delivering herself right to his doorstep.

...

”Your analogy is quite interesting. A drowning man poking his head out to see the real world.”

Withdrawing his gaze, Fu Qian signaled that she could close the window again, unabashedly plagiarizing the exact viewpoint from their earlier conversation.

”But sometimes, what’s more pathetic than ignorance is paranoia. It’s the difference between a lost lamb and one led astray; the former might be numb, but the latter only invites unnecessary pain.”

”Are you calling us paranoid—”

Mariana clearly disliked the assessment.

”That world is real, and you are indeed inside a Nightmare.”

Fu Qian interrupted her, eliminating any meaningless argument by completely agreeing with her core premise.

”But what you see is still too far from the truth. Take the Stars, for example.”

”What about the Stars?”

Despite her cold and dismissive expression, Mariana couldn’t help but ask.

”We don’t have time to waste talking nonsense with him. Glenn is going to wake up soon.”

Not expecting the two of them to actually strike up a conversation, an increasingly uneasy Ben couldn’t resist reminding her.

”Then let him sleep a little longer.”

Controlling the vine to seal the small window again, Mariana cast a resolute glance at the neighboring cell as she spoke.

Although Esther hadn’t made a sound, she was obviously listening intently.

Attacking without a word earlier would have been fine, but it was no longer a matter of acting on impulse. Esther’s thoughts were clearly already being influenced.

If things weren’t made clear, the purpose of their trip would likely be heavily compromised.

She couldn’t say she had zero regrets; she could only blame this guy for bringing up topics that so easily stoked her curiosity.

”A very interesting power, but your eyes will deceive you. They might even leave you unaware of where the gift truly comes from.”

Watching the exchange between Mariana and Ben, as well as her slowly retracting vines, Fu Qian pointed two fingers at his own eyes and answered her question in a calm tone.

”That is a completely vague and meaningless assertion—”

Mariana’s critique came to an abrupt halt, because the man behind the bars lowered his hand.

His revealed pupils were rapidly turning a bloodshot scarlet.

”You are...”

Mariana’s words were cut off once again as the other party broke into a cheerful smile, clearly displaying the fangs elongating beneath his lips.

”Blood Clan. If you’ve seen enough of reality, you wouldn’t be completely ignorant of this.”

Fu Qian didn’t waste time trying to keep them in suspense.

In truth, he had considered sprouting a pair of wings, which might have had a stronger visual impact.

He ultimately chose the eyes and teeth mainly because it saved a lot of effort.

”I have indeed heard of it, though I never thought it actually existed... just like how I couldn’t tell you weren’t an ordinary person.”

Mariana and Ben were undoubtedly both shocked by the transformation before them, simultaneously entering a state of high alert.

”I don’t blame you. Even in that ’real’ world, mortals are unaware of our existence, aren’t they?”

Fu Qian, however, was extremely easygoing.

”There are very few people who can truly open their eyes, just like how the saints of The Order believe their gifts come from the Stars rather than the Dark Moon.”

Dark Moon?

This time, Mariana didn’t even have time to voice her question before another change occurred right before her eyes.

A clear, pure moonlight instantly cloaked his already somewhat eerie face.

It was sublime and freezing cold, accompanied by a white frost that seemed to freeze one’s very thoughts.

It only lasted for a fleeting moment. In the very next second, it all retracted back into Grimshaw inside the cage, who then turned to look the other way.

Esther, who had been listening the whole time, had actually stepped out without realizing it, a vacant look on her face.

”But it doesn’t matter. As an apostle of the Dark Moon, the eyes of the Blood Clan have been opened. We will carry out her will, everywhere.”

Smiling in welcome, Fu Qian’s voice was calm yet resolute.

He didn’t have time to watch these awakened ones take things slowly. Let the Nightmare’s reaction hit a little harder.