Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1392: Chapter 1390: Calamity Strikes (5)

It is said that insects, when encountering extreme situations, have various stress responses to combat external disturbances.

For example, feigning death.

At this moment, as Fu Qian strived to find common ground with his colleague, the Interlocutor’s emotions were clearly provoked at a rapid pace.

The specific manifestation was that, following Fu Qian’s last sentence, this individual grasped his own head and forcibly twisted it one hundred and eighty degrees, leaving only a back of the head covered in messy black hair facing this side, without a sound to be heard.

”Brother Interlocutor, why go to such lengths!”

This reaction naturally moved the instigator, and Fu Qian immediately let out a sorrowful cry, ready to step forward.

Yet the Interlocutor truly adhered to his racial expertise, as even such a threatening action elicited no response, continuing the feigned death to the end.

Of course, Fu Qian did not actually step forward.

A gentleman’s friendship is as insipid as water, and how could the prestigious Grand Fate Ming Emperor do anything to force others?

”Moreover, there’s no need to be so pessimistic. Once I get out, I will surely invite you into the Dream.”

Although these words were filled with heroic passion, his friend ultimately did not respond.

Fu Qian reflected a bit and realized that perhaps his past actions made others concerned about the risks within the Dream. By then, even with goodwill, they might not dare to venture forth, so he nodded slightly.

”Or if you have any other acquaintances, you can tell me, and I’ll try to find them for help.”

...

Still no response, the Interlocutor seemed to have resolutely decided to play the dead insect.

”So you have no acquaintances? Interesting...”

Fu Qian, however, didn’t mind, and pondered aloud.

”Could it be that we come from different places?”

”... You’re really an unfathomable bore.”

As the saying goes, when sincerity reaches the point, even metal and stone will yield.

Originally in a meditative pose akin to an ancient monk, Brother Interlocutor was finally moved by this persistence and abandonment, letting out a hoarse and eerie response.

”Does the answer to this question hold any significance for you?”

But neither he nor the visiting old friend seemed to care about such details as voice.

”Of course, it’s significant.”

It’s said that benevolence resides in a healer’s heart. Having successfully treated autism, Fu Qian’s tone was full of comfort.

”This way, I won’t have to kill you.”

...

”Heh... Do you think I would fear such a threat? Do you think death in here would mean real death? Have you perhaps overestimated the situation?”

No doubt with a promising prognosis, Brother Interlocutor’s emotional manipulation was quite successful.

However, maybe it was a bit too successful, as faced with this series of rhetorical questions, Fu Qian almost felt disoriented for a moment, thinking it was Miss Harriet’s will invading.

”So being killed in here doesn’t lead to death?”

”Of course not.”

The Interlocutor laughed eerily.

”It’s just that each death will cause you to sink deeper.”

”And precisely because of this, there’s actually no need for you to fear, as it’s insignificant to us.”

I see.

Fu Qian let out an understanding ”oh.”

”So why are you standing so close to the door?”

...

”I remembered, you mentioned last time that doing something here might provoke the stored nightmares behind the door, leading to unimaginable consequences.”

”So you’re the Gatekeeper now, right? Willing to be beaten to death by me, just to guard the peace of the Corridor? And not, in fact, to jump through in the face of trouble?”

With an admiring expression, Fu Qian adeptly used a series of rhetorical questions.

”I seem to understand everything now... It stands to reason, that if it were truly a stress response, amputating a limb to survive would be more reasonable than feigning death given the current situation.”

”...It seems you should set out; it’s clear many people miss you.”

The Interlocutor was clearly starting to get overwhelmed, stiffly changing the subject once more.

But the content wasn’t nonsense, as Fu Qian also felt it.

At that moment, some special agitation was rising in the Corridor.

And the understanding in his heart told Fu Qian that as long as he chose to respond, he would directly descend into this newly emerged, related Dream.

”Alright, Brother Interlocutor, please wait a moment, I shall be back soon.”

Fu Qian didn’t waste words on this, responding directly with a nod.

And until the Corridor before his eyes faded, the Interlocutor remained silent.

...

Brother Interlocutor might not be a native of the bookstore world.

Though exhibiting an autistic demeanor under repeated stimuli, Fu Qian still vaguely confirmed a certain idea based on the Interlocutor’s reaction.

Although that styling was indeed a bit casual, in the initial contacts, Fu Qian hadn’t really thought in that direction.

After all, the bookstore world had too many demons and monsters, and the Interlocutor seemed very familiar with it, even having a concept of the warehouse, without any sense of incongruity.

However, the escort this time, and the small shop finally seen in Leytin, leaving Fu Qian intrigued, naturally led him to reverse thinking.

The Bee Monkey City incident nearly proved that Bernard and Rosetta found themselves in such strange circumstances precisely because of their connection with the Nightmare Corridor.

Considering that he undoubtedly completed the crossing with the powers of the Corridor, Rosetta’s ability to leave tea in Leytin through the same channel is almost certain.

So with the Nightmare Corridor clearly having such cross-dimensional authority, is it possible someone could come from its destination, reverse, and arrive in the bookstore world?

Or perhaps even wish to come but not yet succeed, like being trapped in the Corridor — just as he is now.

And if so, the reason for the Interlocutor’s familiarity with certain information could not be hard to fathom; it stems from the many souls annihilated here.

According to his introduction during their first meeting, the realms behind these five doors represent Dream dominated by higher will, and the numerous elements within the Dream were contributions by each character who fell in it.

This individual, who had been affixed to that door since appearing, suggested the greatest possibility prepared to leap through if the situation escalated.

That look of giving up on treatment, of disheartened demeanor, seemed rather poorly acted to Fu Qian.

Of course, concerning the claim that he couldn’t see the Dream’s details, Fu Qian was inclined to believe it.

It’s not about personal reputation, but about human nature.

After suffering such a significant loss last time, even the most carefree of fish wouldn’t recklessly bite again.

But it doesn’t matter, wasn’t he here to invite him?

...

Fu Qian wouldn’t make the mistake of being blindly optimistic.

The current place he’s in is one where even the Witch swiftly sent people back, not desiring to harbor an additional second of negativity.

Without attempting to extensively gather information and stand atop the shoulders of predecessors, relying solely on intuition could very well lead to pitfalls fatal to more than just himself — did someone really die?

As he pondered, the light rapidly brightened before him.

Fu Qian’s gaze was naturally drawn to a vivid crimson hue within it.

Thick and glaring, a large swath of gruesome blood was smeared across the snow-white sheets.

And at the center of the sheets was a bare body, just slightly less pale.