🎊🎊SCIAW: Chapter 352/354

Chapter 352: Sorry, It's a Little Tough

Sure enough, this guy has a strong command over the gray fog… Klein couldn't feel any pressure from it at all, but he was being manipulated without resistance.

But that wasn't the issue Klein needed to focus on right now.

What mattered more was that the aura above the gray fog could be sensed by angels.

This wasn't exactly Klein's fault. In fact, he was well aware of it himself.

The difference in perspective was too great. His own level was only that of a Seer at Sequence 9, so he had no way of raising his perspective beyond his current limits. He couldn't possibly know that the aura above the gray fog would be detected by higher Sequence beings.

That was a serious problem.

However, once he became aware of it, someone stepped in to deal with it on his behalf. The only thing that concerned others now was—who was it that helped him?

Of course, aside from the fright, this meeting also had its benefits. At the very least, he now knew that the Evernight Goddess might not be targeting him.

If the Evernight Goddess truly cared about it, Miss Justice's heretical behavior would become a major issue.

But as long as the Evernight Goddess didn't concern herself with it, that also revealed her attitude. She tacitly approved of his actions.

Especially considering what the Joker had just said—if the angels could already sense the aura of the gray fog from him, there was no reason the Evernight Goddess couldn't.

Or rather, it wasn't that she couldn't sense it. She noticed it—but chose to let it go.

That alone was meaningful for Klein.

After a brief silence, Audrey asked the first question:

"Mr. Fool, Mr. Hanged Man, I have a few questions. If the answers are of significant value, please let me know, and I'll offer appropriate compensation."

"No problem."

Alger nodded slightly after a moment of thought.

At this point, he no longer intended to test the organization—or the Fool. He only wanted to establish his value within it. Now was the time to demonstrate that worth.

Klein also nodded slightly.

He was happy to engage in a knowledge exchange. It benefited him just as much.

Ren watched with interest.

After confirming everyone had nodded, Audrey began asking her questions:

"The first question—what exactly does 'acting' mean? After taking the potion, I can feel a very faint influence from the spirit within it. Is that because I've been 'acting' as an audience member?"

Ren smiled, glanced at the Hanged Man and the Fool, and answered first:

"This one's pretty straightforward. It's a question every Beyonder faces at the start. Acting, in this case, is just like the word implies. An extraordinary person is essentially an actor on a grand stage. The Spectators give their judgments while watching the actor's performance. Each person is handed an identity card. If an actor behaves in a way that strays from that identity, the Spectators will find the performance revolting."

"An actor loathed by the Spectators has no more stage time. Their fate is to be completely thrown off the stage."

"And when that happens, the actor, overwhelmed by the shame and rage from being despised, loses control. Eventually, they're consumed by their emotions and die."

"The reason Miss Justice is only lightly affected is because, on the one hand, her potion's Sequence is low. On the other hand, she's been performing her role on the grand stage quite well."

Then Ren kindly added:

"Of course, Miss Justice needs to remember—she's merely acting. She isn't actually the identity assigned to her. That identity card is just a role she plays on stage. Always remain alert. The moment you become that identity in your heart, it means your mind is deeply affected by the spiritual imprint within the potion."

"As the saying goes, life is like a play, and there's no rehearsal for the grand performance. Just like how Miss Justice wears multiple masks—if you keep one on too long, you'll feel suffocated and resistant. You also need to step out of character once in a while and breathe. That's the essence of 'acting.'"

Life is like a play… Those words struck Audrey like an epiphany.

Thinking back on her own life, her usual noble and elegant persona was only one facet of her upbringing. Behind closed doors, she didn't always maintain that poise. She got tired too, and pretended to be more relaxed around others.

"So, a Beyonder's potion… is like an identity card for an actor. If your performance aligns with it, the Spectators won't reject you. But once your play ends, your life does too… Mr. Joker, is that right?"

After drawing her conclusion, Audrey looked at the Joker with a spark of excitement.

"That's right. Put simply, potion acting works like that. People who are socially adept often wear different masks. Sometimes, they wear a mask for so long, they start to believe it themselves. That's what it means to lose control along the Sequence path."

"As an actor, you first need to understand your role. You're just playing a part. The identity card is the role you act out—it's not who you are. You're merely the performer."

"That's why you must never forget your place. Of course, there are times when you do forget, and in those moments, it's the Spectators who will remind you that you're an actor."

"Huh?"

Audrey was momentarily stunned by that statement.

Not just her—even Alger and Klein looked puzzled.

"The thunderous applause and excited cheers from the Spectators are all reminders to the actors on stage that they are still just actors. The higher a Beyonder's Sequence, the more they become a lead role on this stage, and the more cheers they attract."

After saying that, Ren paused and added with slight apology:

"Ah, sorry. That's a knowledge point meant for demigods above Sequence 4. It might be a little early for you all right now."

(To be continued.)

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Chapter 353: 13 Complete List

Demigod… Klein hadn't expected the topic to escalate to such a level.

But he was still seriously pondering the metaphor Ren had just made.

The world is a grand stage. Beyonders are the actors on that stage, while the people are the Spectators watching the performance.

Beyonders must use acting to minimize the risk of losing control, just like actors must fully commit to their roles without breaking character in front of the Spectators.

Forcibly digesting the lingering spirit within the potion is equivalent to deviating from the role meant to be played. This deviation causes the Spectators to feel revulsion, leading to the actor's rejection and being forced off the world stage.

On the other hand, if an actor shows exceptional acting skills, they'll gain the Spectators' appreciation, be granted more significant roles, and gradually become iconic figures. Just like those high-sequence Beyonders.

That's why Beyonders may lose themselves in their roles and forget they are merely actors. This is also a manifestation of losing control. The cheers from the Spectators can wake up the actors on stage and remind them of their identity as performers.

So, this is the key!

Klein quickly reached a conclusion. He now understood that this might be a shared method high-sequence Beyonders use to resist losing control.

This was… truly unexpected. Klein was genuinely shocked. But he could feel that this wasn't something accidentally revealed—it had been stated intentionally.

This was happening above the gray fog, and this method of resisting loss of control for high-sequence Beyonders was being presented openly. Klein felt himself gradually calming down.

Although he still didn't know who this person in front of him really was, none of his actions so far had shown hostility. In fact, he was being quite friendly.

If this weren't the case, the person wouldn't have deliberately shared knowledge only demigods would know.

"Mr. Joker, is it because the information is very valuable?" Audrey was very curious about the ongoing topic, especially when it suddenly touched on the level of demigods.

"If so, I am willing to pay the price."

"Using money to exchange for knowledge? Hmm, I actually quite like that method of trading. If you want to know, I can tell you about things related to demigods. I even know a lot about the potion formulas and the corresponding rituals required to consume them from the mid-sequence and onward."

"Then what do you think Miss Justice could offer that I'd be interested in?"

Ren's words instantly made all three listeners visibly excited.

Potion formulas were what every Beyonder longed for. Such knowledge was only held by a few Orthodox Churches and considered their most treasured secrets. They would never share them easily.

What would Mr. Joker be interested in... That question gave Audrey a headache.

As a Telepathist, she could observe people's inner thoughts to some extent, but right now, she had no way of knowing what Mr. Joker was thinking.

Right! If Mr. Fool is a true god, then maybe Mr. Joker's interests align with His… Audrey suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

She considered it carefully and felt that it might be her only viable answer. So, she asked bravely:

"Is Mr. Joker interested in diaries?"

"Diaries… Heh~ You're guessing based on the Fool's interests, right?"

Ren immediately understood Audrey's reasoning, but he didn't deny the accuracy of her answer.

"You guessed right."

Audrey completely relaxed upon hearing that.

"But I'm not interested in that Roselle guy's diary. I already know plenty about his life. I have no interest in his story. However, I am quite interested in your life."

Ren was indeed interested in the stories of these individuals. Beyond that, he wanted to experiment—if changing certain key figures in the world of mystery might earn him a reward.

"How about this: you can record some interesting bits of your daily life, and during each gathering, I'll evaluate the value of your diary and give you something in return."

"For example, a magic potion formula."

"And don't worry about whether I can give you the corresponding potion formula. I know the complete sequences of 13 pathways: Seer, Marauder, Apprentice, Spectator, Sailor, Bard, Reader, Secret Suppliant, Corpse Collector, Sleepless, Warrior, Lawyer, and Arbiter."

He knows everything?!

Klein was completely shaken by this staggering claim.

He had just joined the Nighthawks and already knew that it was remarkable for an Orthodox Church to possess even one or two complete sequences. But now someone claimed to know 13 full sequences? He couldn't help but question its authenticity.

Yet Klein quickly rejected his own doubts.

If someone were bragging, they'd probably just name one or two complete sequences. No one would risk suspicion by casually claiming all 13. When a lie is too exaggerated, it becomes unbelievable.

But this person said it calmly and confidently.

So, he probably wasn't boasting. He truly did know all 13 sequences.

Did I just meet a true god? Klein was starting to doubt the reality of his own life.

And it wasn't just Klein—both Alger and Audrey were stunned speechless.

Audrey was only slightly dazed. Alger, however, was outright terrified.

His position within the Church of the Lord of Storms wasn't low, especially after being promoted to Sequence 7. His status had risen alongside his strength.

He had some insider knowledge about the complete sequences the Orthodox Churches possessed.

Within the churches, aside from the divine path of the god they worship, the rest were typically limited to one or two incomplete sequences.

Now someone had said they possessed the full sequences of 13 divine paths… If not for everything that had just happened, and if Miss Justice hadn't demonstrated through her actions that Mr. Joker and Mr. Fool were both true gods, Alger might have blurted out his disbelief on the spot.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to MadZ3non for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 354: Transaction

"You've mastered quite a few Sequences."

Even Klein couldn't help but comment at this point.

"I guess so. I observe the fate of others, and if I feel it can be changed, I change it. If not, I let fate take its course. Collecting is also one of my hobbies."

Ren didn't deny it and admitted it rather bluntly.

So this is what a Spectator is like… Klein now had a clearer impression of this strange god in his heart.

"Besides, don't you also control the three paths—Seer, Apprentice, and Marauder?"

"???"

Klein's expression broke apart at that moment.

Me? Control the Seer, Apprentice, and Marauder paths? How come I never knew?

Klein was completely confused.

"Hmm? No reply? Or is your memory affected in that area? That's… not good…"

"…"

The only answer was silence.

Ren's voice quieted slightly, still filled with amusement. But in the next moment, his tone turned even more teasing.

"Oh~ So even those memories are restricted? No wonder you're holding such a small gathering. Looks like your state is the worst out of everyone who's been tricked by Him. You're trying to recover those sealed memories bit by bit through these meetings, right?"

"No wonder I thought your reactions were a bit slow."

"You control Origin Castle, yet you can't even recognize the three key paths. Tsk tsk. Looks like someone else is competing with you for the right to transcend the Sequence."

"Ah… Sequence 1 of the Marauder Path Kings of Angels."

"Tsk tsk, I knew your state was bad. And just your luck, someone discovered you and took the chance to set you up."

"Of course, for Him, whether it's you or the Sequence 1 of the Marauder Path who ascends above the Sequence, the end result still benefits Him. In fact, your fight with the Marauder's Sequence 1 is exactly the scenario He wants to see, and one you can't avoid either."

"Your story's getting pretty interesting."

Listening to the unfiltered curiosity in Ren's voice, Klein felt immense pressure.

He now had the distinct sense that his fate was already entwined in someone's scheme. Especially when thinking about what lay ahead…

Could it be… even my transmigration was part of a greater plan? Klein couldn't help thinking about the moment he crossed worlds and suddenly felt it might not have been random at all.

Klein tried to calm himself down. He now suspected that the mystery behind his transmigration held a huge secret, something he'd have to uncover in the future.

But what made him feel even more pressure was the mention of that so-called Kings of Angels. From what Ren had said, it seemed their identities clashed. Competing for the path above the Sequence… that meant beyond the realm of the gods?

Klein felt that the burden he carried was far too heavy, and the road ahead would only grow more difficult.

If he didn't move forward, he might not even have the power to resist in the future.

Headache… Klein felt extremely troubled. Why had he suddenly learned so much all at once?

But Klein quickly pulled himself together. What he needed now was a solution.

"Trade."

"Trade? What a surprise. I didn't expect you to be so shameless. I thought you'd act as stubbornly as those typical true gods. Never thought you'd actually choose to lower yourself."

Ren's voice was filled with disbelief, but there was a trace of excitement by the end.

So Mr. Fool really is in bad shape… Alger now believed this more than ever. Mr. Fool must be severely weakened if he's choosing to trade. Otherwise, a true god wouldn't make such a compromising decision.

But because of that, Alger also believed that Mr. Fool would one day recover. After all, he had seen another god seemingly helping Mr. Fool, and that made Alger even more determined to earn his place in this organization.

Only when Mr. Fool is weakened enough would the contributions of ordinary followers matter most. Just like that other god said—if Mr. Fool wasn't in such a dire state, he would never have hosted such a tiny gathering.

Miss this chance, and such an opportunity might never come again.

Alger tried to calm his excitement.

"Alright. Since you're choosing to trade, I'll play along. Trade your interesting life with me, and I'll tell you what I know."

"…Okay."

"Hmm~ I'm very happy to hear such a direct response. Your life is far more interesting than you realize."

"Let me read your life diary at the next gathering. Based on how entertaining it is, I'll give you a reward. Say, a fun factor of 3.5 would earn you a fitting equivalent. Or, if you prefer, I also have some small toys I made."

A small toy… Klein's mouth twitched slightly. Thinking back to the amulet Ren gave Miss Justice last time, he had already figured out its function.

An amulet that could effectively suppress corruption and loss of control… and it was just a "small toy"? That was practically the ultimate dream artifact for any Beyonder.

"As a little appetizer, I'll continue the previous topic. It's just the right time for your new believers to understand what they should watch out for after reaching Sequence 4."

Audrey, Alger, and Klein all immediately focused.

This kind of knowledge was normally inaccessible to those below Sequence 4. Only now, because of this rare occasion, did they get a chance to learn it ahead of time.

(To be continued.)