Eldritch Horror Theatre

To think there would actually be an unexpected harvest.

While demonstrating how to catch a bullet barehanded, Fu Qian maintained absolute sincerity with Chief Yuan, who was currently in deep collaboration with him.

The flames had indeed manifested out of thin air following the earlier lashings, and he hadn’t felt a thing before the final strike.

Its state of existence was just as peculiar as described. Blazing as it was, it felt incomplete, requiring a vessel to anchor it.

But none of that mattered. The crucial detail was that he had seen this fire before—and more than once.

Most recently in the Sacred Night Capital, when facing the sun that descended at midnight, a golden meteor had appeared right as he unleashed the Power of Calamity at full output.

Even earlier, during the joint expedition to the Unseen Hill with the Night Watchers, Old Man Stoss had employed this exact method to interrogate the clown.

Fu Qian was fairly certain that the similarities went far beyond mere visual effects.

Thinking of this, he recalled a relevant discussion he’d had with Li He, the former dean of the Academy, while attending the banquet at Ehm Palace.

He had explicitly stated that the maddening power of the Tyrant’s Fist was similar to a certain method wielded by Stoss, suggesting Fu Qian pay the old man a visit when he had the time.Now, it seemed he had grasped a similar method without even needing to make the trip.

...

Under Yuan Shan’s somewhat dazed gaze, Fu Qian casually clenched his fist, snuffing out the ball of flame in his palm.

He was absolutely certain that his will had suffered a specific impact from that gunshot, similar to when the Tyrant’s Fist lashed him.

The Night Watchers truly carried the demeanor of a righteous, orthodox faction. To provide such an unexpectedly interesting reward meant his efforts in helping them stir up internal conflict had not been in vain.

”Then this really does... answer your request.”

Faced with Fu Qian’s juggling-like demonstration, Yuan Shan finally snapped out of her daze, weighing her words carefully before offering a cautious assessment.

His second request earlier had been for Transcendent Bullets. She never expected that, after all the twists and turns, something similar would actually emerge—one might even say it was an unlimited supply.

”So, after attaching this, what exactly is its effect?”

As someone who had ascended to the Demigod Realm at such a young age, she certainly lacked no curiosity regarding the supernatural. Having offered her comment, Yuan Shan couldn’t help but seek to get to the bottom of the matter.

”How should I put it...” Fu Qian said. ”The initial sensation seems to drive a person mad, but upon closer savoring, it instead carries a bit of transcendence, like finding peace amid the noise.”

Always obliging a request, Fu Qian earnestly described the sensation of using it.

Madness, yet transcendence?

If anyone else had said this, Yuan Shan would have assumed they failed their basic grammar lessons. Yet, coming from the man before her, it inexplicably felt somewhat reasonable.

”It sounds quite unique. Regardless, it is good that you gained something... So, does this mean we no longer need to visit the Warehouse to get bullets?”

The physical and mental devastation from earlier had not been in vain, bringing Yuan Shan a modicum of relief. Amid her sighs, she even cracked a joke.

”How could that work? Did you not hear me emphasize the need for a vessel?”

Replying instantly, Fu Qian solemnly flicked open the cylinder and spilled the empty casings out with a clatter.

...

”So how exactly did you pull it off? I still cannot figure out why that guy was afraid of clashing with you.”

Chief Yuan was amiable after all. Not only did she not renege on the bullets, but even though she was physically and mentally exhausted, she still personally guided Fu Qian over.

”Is there something special about being hit by this gun?”

However, it was obvious that her primary goal was to seize the opportunity to resolve her lingering doubts.

”It is very simple. Compared to the accumulated damage of that guy’s Time Cage, what follows being shot by this is a true multiplier attack.”

Fu Qian merely snorted, wearing the arrogant expression of someone about to transform.

”Though it does not trigger a hundred percent of the time, once this extra damage is stacked, it had no choice but to reassess the risks.”

A true multiplier attack... no wonder.

Yuan Shan, who already had her suspicions, suddenly saw the light.

Even if it wasn’t an absolute trigger, combining such a risk with that guy’s own Time Cage would indeed easily push things beyond its control.

Though the other party had acted rather cautiously, Strategist Fang had clearly not betrayed her trust by attempting and successfully exploiting this point.

As for where he had acquired this true multiplier attack item, Yuan Shan did not pry further into such private secrets.

Now that they shared a mutual secret regarding Kelin, his stance was arguably quite impeccable, sparing her from facing this heavy threat alone.

In fact, this is one of the reasons this seat felt that thing was a remnant of an Angel. Knowing perfectly well what Yuan Shan was thinking, Fu Qian mused to himself while looting the ammunition.

According to the Warehouse’s style, many rewards held a certain connection to the mission, or were simply fleece plucked straight from the relevant entities.

Therefore, upon deducing the effects of his excellency of the Laotian Pavilion’s Time Cage, Fu Qian’s first instinct was that it shared a bit of consistency with Mercy’s Merciful Boon of Release.

Even Mercy’s description mentioned concepts of purification and transcendence.

...

”Are you injured?”

Having done this many times before, Fu Qian’s efficiency was quite high.

Given their tighter united front, Chief Yuan not only refrained from bringing up the word ’waste’ this time, but even temporarily appointed him as a testing officer. She encouraged him to take and use as much as he wanted, asking him to provide more valuable feedback to drive the Night Watchers’ technological progress.

Before taking his leave fully loaded with supplies, Fu Qian even paid a specific visit to the recovering Eldest Miss Wen.

The latter was shocked by his appearance almost instantly.

Though the scars were no longer visible on his face, Wen Li, being familiar with Fu Qian’s style, could easily make a few deductions from his change in attire.

”A minor injury. Chief Yuan and I sparred a little, knowing when to stop.”

Waving his hand, Fu Qian signaled that it was nothing to worry about. He then immediately praised Wen Li’s performance during the incident.

”You did well this time. Rest here for now. Chief Yuan has already promised to provide the highest level of security.”

”Thank you... but I still feel like I was not of much help.”

Even with just verbal praise, Wen Li was clearly delighted, and she did not decline the recuperation arrangements.

”That works out perfectly. Chief Yuan promised to find some documents for me. If you have nothing else to do, you can go help out when the time comes.”

He never blinked an eye when roping in free labor. Sensing Eldest Miss Wen’s guilt, Fu Qian naturally slipped in the request.

...

Therefore, it seemed entirely possible to try a certain matter.

Wen Li naturally could not refuse the clerical work assigned to her.

After concluding his visit and returning to The Bookstore, Fu Qian was in no rush to open the Midnight Bookstore. Instead, he first fished out a bright red ring.

The Tyrant’s Fist.

Shaped like a ring but actually a weapon, its ability to inflict madness—now that his own inner flame had been stimulated—meant its functionality was undoubtedly becoming somewhat redundant.

At the same time, its suspected connection to the Tyrant meant it might possess special value in tracking the whereabouts of the King of the Abandoned Prison.

This was the most meaningful chain reaction brought about by the unexpected harvest.

His Armor rapidly dissolved into blood-red imprints, and Fu Qian casually tossed the matching crimson ring into the gaping maw that opened on his chest.