Eldritch Horror Theatre

It even happened right here.

In the Midnight Bookstore, across the wooden counter and ornate seat, the vampire lady sat quietly, listening to the bookstore owner tell the tale of the Revelation.

The so-called Ancient Angel, of course, referred to Serana.

This title wasn’t even Fu Qian’s original creation. He had plagiarized it back in Moore, straight from the creative minds of the Greed Worms.

And the reason the Greed Worms found such inspiration was that right here in this bookstore, he had personally recorded the exact scene mentioned in the Revelation.

To make the effect even better, he had specifically sought out the chief emotional officer, Eldest Miss Wen, pairing it with the Ecstasy obtained after receiving the boon, and transmitted it all together.

The final result turned out to be a bit too effective. Not only did the Greed Worms believe it, but they even went out of their way to invent a title for her.

And the person in question had just heard this title only a day ago.

”...Why would an Ancient Angel have the power to summon the Dominator of Death?”

Unsurprisingly, Serana’s reaction was profoundly meaningful. After a moment of silence, she didn’t fixate on the title, but instead grew curious about the angel’s power.”Because she is the Emissary of the Dominator of Death, walking upon the earth to spread His name. That is what the Revelation says.”

Fu Qian once again put on a reminiscent posture, as if reciting from some ancient tome.

”So what exactly is this Revelation, and how do you know about it?”

Feeling as though he had both answered and dodged the question, Serana finally couldn’t help but ask about the Revelation and where Fu Qian got his information.

”Actually, you should ask what else I know. It’s an easier way to get more valuable information.”

Fu Qian chuckled at this. Seeming moved by her straightforwardness this time, his words carried a hint of guidance.

”If you consider me a target for trouble, what exactly are you hoping I’ll tell you?”

...

The vampire lady remained silent in that moment.

After all, the bookstore owner’s words were perfectly reasonable.

You interrogate me, and then expect me to reveal things that might threaten me or satisfy your suspicions?

Walking the jianghu, one truly shouldn’t harbor such naive sentiments.

Even if he did speak, how much value could his words hold when their truth was impossible to verify? ...It would be better to take this opportunity to continue broadening her horizons.

”You’re right...”

With a long sigh, Serana ultimately admitted she had been taught a lesson.

”You—”

But just as she spoke, she froze with her mouth hanging open, staring at the shifting face behind the counter.

In the blink of an eye, the bookstore owner had completely changed his appearance.

It was unfamiliar enough, and much younger.

”But since you asked so sincerely, I’ll be merciful and tell you a bit.”

And it had to be said, that half-smiling expression actually looked much more natural on a face like this—and naturally, much more mocking.

”This is my true face.”

Pointing to his own face—the face of a certain academic leader from the Academy Apocalypse Institute—Fu Qian continued to speak the truth.

”Professor... Fu?”

In that instant, Serana seemed to understand a great deal. Hesitating for only a single breath, she blurted out his title.

It made perfect sense. How could a young, mysterious demigod not attract attention?

Her ancient family had spanned over a thousand years, after all; how could their intelligence network be that isolated?

”Just call me Fu Qian.”

With just one look at his true face, Serana had actually exposed his identity and position outright.

Fu Qian wasn’t the least bit surprised by this performance. He merely indicated that he was off the clock and there was no need for professional titles.

As had been established long ago, an unknown demigod had abruptly appeared out of nowhere.

Low-profile, overwhelmingly powerful, with ambiguous goals... Even with no conflict of interest, veteran figures of the jianghu would automatically take stock of all the powerhouses in the world.

Not to mention that the bookstore owner, Fang Xun, had quite a few interactions with this Ancient Blood Clan member.

Under such circumstances, it would be far too unprofessional not to have any guesses about his possible identity.

And as Professor Fu was an academic titan who had recently risen to prominence, no matter how low-profile the man himself was, getting a portrait of him obviously wouldn’t be hard.

”So it really is you. Pardon my disrespect!”

This was where the professional caliber of an academic worker truly showed.

Seeing Fu Qian openly admit his true identity, Serana hesitated for a moment before finally using honorifics.

”I’ve heard of your many glorious deeds. I just never expected you to hole up in such a small place to scheme against people.”

But she still harbored some emotion about it; her praise carried a faint hint of gnashing teeth.

”You flatter me. It’s nothing but an empty reputation.”

Professor Fu was exceptionally humble, indicating that the world mostly spread rumors.

”Besides, Shangjing isn’t a small place. It’s always been quite lively, hasn’t it?”

...

That was true, but didn’t he contribute quite a bit to that liveliness as well?

It was obvious that, in that moment, Serana badly wanted to make a sarcastic retort.

”Thank you for your trust, Professor Fu. Please forgive me for any past offenses.”

However, her aforementioned maturity was displayed once again. Taking a deep breath, she actually chose to apologize first.

Personal strength was one thing, but the fact that he actually belonged to an organization meant that some of Gulade’s previous actions had been somewhat impolite.

”So this bookstore is merely a cover, and you have actually been investigating the Revelation all along?”

But that was as far as it went. Having casually conveyed her meaning, Serana once again pivoted back to the main topic.

”Actually, you can’t really say that. If it were up to me, I’d very much like to just run a business in peace.

”Furthermore, the Revelation is only a small part of it. To me, it’s nothing more than a side pursuit.”

Stirred by a sudden touch of sentimentality, Fu Qian’s gaze swept across the small shop, his tone carrying the distinct air of a man wishing to retire from the world.

”Then what is your main area of research?”

Rationally, it was very hard to believe such words, yet in that moment, she couldn’t spot a single flaw in his tone or demeanor.

Infected by the mood, Serana couldn’t help but picture the scene before pulling herself back to the matter at hand.

No matter what, his revealing his true face was a rare display of sincerity. She was absolutely not going to let such an opportunity for conversation slip by.

Heh—

Even though he gave a light chuckle, the gaze he cast her way still made her feel somewhat unsettled.

”Do you know the Rebirth Club?”

...

”Of course I do.”

To Serana, the name of that organization was clearly more than just something that had recently risen to fame.

Recalling her final experiences in Moore, she suddenly realized that, in a sense, she could be considered a member of that organization herself.

”Not too long ago, an accident occurred in the Ring Archipelago, which subsequently caused that originally small organization to completely lose its foundation.”

”I know. Bai Jinting was killed, and a severe accident occurred in the Laboratory.”

Not minding this rambling style of conversation in the slightest, Serana was already beginning to faintly realize something.

”That’s right. I did it all.”

Fu Qian proved that her suspicions were entirely correct.