The same Runic language, the same heavy and tense atmosphere.
Where am I? What am I supposed to do? Kevin silently repeated the questions of the two people, maintaining his composure.
What impressed him the most was not the words or their meanings but the panic, vigilance, fear, and awe displayed by the man and the woman!
Being inexplicably dragged into this gray misty world, even Kevin, as the "culprit," was extremely astonished and shocked. How much more so for them, the passive ones!
To them, such an event must have exceeded their wildest imagination.
At this moment, Kevin considered two options: first, to pretend he was also a victim, concealing his true identity to gain some degree of trust, observe the situation, and fish in troubled waters; second, to maintain the mysterious image in their eyes, actively guide the development of the situation, and gather valuable information from it.
Without much time to deliberate, Kevin seized the fleeting thought in his mind and quickly made a decision, opting for the second method.
Leverage the current psychological state of the other party and exploit his greatest advantage!
The gray mist was silent for a few seconds. Kevin let out a soft laugh, his tone calm and his voice low but not heavy, as if responding to a polite visitor's greeting:
"A trial."
A trial… a trial? Audrey Hall looked at the mysterious man shrouded in gray mist, feeling the situation was absurd, amusing, horrifying, and strange.
Just moments ago, she was in her bedroom, in front of the vanity, and then suddenly "came" to this mist-filled place!
It was inconceivable!
Audrey took a deep breath, showing a flawless polite smile, and nervously asked:
"Sir, has the trial ended? Can we go back now?"
Arjey Wilson also wanted to make a similar inquiry, but with his extensive experience, he was more composed, suppressing his impulses and merely observing silently.
Kevin looked at the questioner, faintly able to make out the figure through the fog—a tall girl with soft golden hair, though her specific features were unclear.
He did not rush to answer the girl's question, instead turning to the other man, who had deep blue, seaweed-like disheveled hair, and an average, unremarkable build.
At this moment, Kevin suddenly realized that once he became stronger or understood this gray misty world better, he might truly be able to see through the haze and clearly make out the girl's and the man's appearances.
In this event, they are the guests, and I am the host!
With this change in mindset, Kevin immediately noticed details he had previously overlooked.
The sweet-voiced girl and the composed, reserved man both appeared rather illusory, tinged with a slight red, like the projections of the two deep red "stars" in the gray mist.
This projection was based on the connection between himself and the deep red, an intangible yet perceptible link.
If this connection were severed, the projection would dissipate, and they would return… Kevin nodded almost imperceptibly, looking at the blonde girl, and said with a soft smile:
"Of course, if you formally request it, I can let you go now."
Audrey, relieved not to detect any malice, believed that someone who could perform such miraculous feats would certainly keep their promise.
Feeling slightly more at ease, she did not rush to request departure but instead, her blue eyes flickered with unusual excitement.
She spoke with a mixture of trepidation and eagerness:
"This is truly a marvelous experience… Well, I've always anticipated something like this. I mean, I love mysteries and miracles beyond nature. No, my point, my meaning is, sir, how can I become extraordinary?"
She grew more excited, even somewhat incoherent, as her childhood dream of hearing strange tales from elders seemed to be coming true.
In just a few sentences, she had forgotten her previous fear and anxiety.
Good question! I also want to know the answer… Kevin self-deprecated.
He began to think about how to answer in a way that maintained his mysterious and inscrutable image.
Meanwhile, he felt that standing and talking was somewhat low-key; such a scenario should involve a grand temple, a long table, and many carved, mysterious high-backed chairs, with himself seated at the head, quietly observing the guests.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, the gray mist suddenly churned, startling Audrey and Arjey.
In an instant, they saw towering stone pillars appear around them and a vast dome overhead.
The entire structure was grand, magnificent, and towering, resembling the palace of a giant from legends.
Directly beneath the dome, amid the encircling gray mist, there was now a bronze long table with ten high-backed chairs on each side, and similar seating at the front and back. The backs of the chairs glowed brightly with deep red and outlined strange constellations not found in reality.
Audrey and Arjey were seated opposite each other, at the closest positions to the head of the table.
The girl glanced left and right, unable to help but murmur:
"This is truly magical…"
Indeed, magical… Kevin extended his right hand, lightly brushing the edge of the bronze long table, maintaining a composed demeanor.
Arjey also looked around, and after a few seconds of silence, he suddenly spoke, answering Audrey's question on Kevin's behalf:
"You are a Runic, aren't you?
To become extraordinary, join the Church of the Night Goddess, the Church of the Storm Lord, or the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery.
Although the vast majority of people never see the extraordinary in their lifetime, leading to doubts about the churches' claims, and even within the major churches, many clergy members share similar doubts, I can tell you clearly that in the Tribunal, in the Court, and in the Execution Bureau, the extraordinary still exist and continue to combat the dangers that grow in the darkness. However, their numbers are much reduced compared to the early days of the Iron Age or before."
Kevin listened intently, but his body language showed an effort to appear disinterested, as if listening to a child's story.
Based on Klein's residual historical knowledge, he understood that the "Iron Age" referred to the current era, the Fifth Epoch, which began 1,349 years ago.
Audrey listened quietly, then sighed lightly and said:
"Sir, I know all that, and even more, such as Night Watchers, Penalizers, and the Heart of Machinery. But I don't want to lose my freedom."
Arjey chuckled softly and replied vaguely:
"Who doesn't want to become extraordinary without paying a price? If you don't consider joining a church and undergoing its trials, you can only seek out the royal family, those nobles with a family history of over a thousand years, or, by luck, find those elusive evil organizations."
Audrey instinctively puffed her cheeks, then anxiously looked around left and right. Once she confirmed that neither the "mysterious sir" nor the man opposite was paying attention to her small actions, she asked:
"Are there no other ways?"
Arjey fell silent for a moment. After several breaths, he turned to look at the silent and observant "mysterious sir" Kevin.
Seeing that Kevin gave no indication, he looked back at Audrey and said thoughtfully:
"I actually have two Sequence 9 potion formulas."
Sequence 9? Kevin mused inwardly.
"Really? What are the two?" Audrey obviously knew what Sequence 9 potion formulas represented.
Arjey leaned back slightly and replied in a measured tone:
"As you know, to become a true extraordinary being, humans must rely on potions. The names of these potions come from the 'Desecrated Tablets,' translated through Giant Language, Elvish, Ancient Hermetic, Ancient Vossak, and Contemporary Hermetic languages. They have changed to fit the times; the name is not the key. The key is whether it represents the 'core symbol' of the potion.
One of the Sequence 9 formulas I have is called 'Sailor.' It grants you excellent balance, allowing you to move as freely on a storm-tossed ship as you would on land. You will also gain superior strength and illusion scales beneath your skin, making you as elusive as a fish, agile like a sea creature in water. Even without any equipment, you can dive for at least ten minutes with ease."
"It sounds amazing… Is it the 'Sea Devotee' of the Storm Lord?" Audrey asked, half in anticipation, half for confirmation.
"In ancient times, it was indeed called 'Sea Devotee,'" Arjey continued without pause. "The second Sequence 9 formula is called 'Observer.' As for what it was called in ancient times, I don't know. This potion grants you outstanding mental and keen observational skills. I believe you've seen operas and dramas, so you understand what 'Observer' means. Like a spectator, you can examine the 'actors' in secular society through their expressions, gestures, catchphrases, and unknown actions to glimpse their true thoughts."
At this point, Arjey emphasized:
"You must remember, whether at lavish banquets or lively streets, an observer is always just an observer."
Audrey's eyes lit up with excitement, and it took her a while to respond:
"Why? Alright, that's a question for later. I think I've developed a liking for this feeling. 'Observer,' how can I obtain the formula for 'Observer'? What should I use to exchange with you?"
Arjey seemed prepared and replied in a serious tone:
"Shark's blood, at least 100 milliliters of shark's blood."
Audrey first nodded with excitement, then worriedly asked:
"If I can get it, I mean if,
how should I give it to you? And how can I ensure that you will give me the formula and that it is genuine after receiving the shark's blood?"
Arjey replied casually:
"I will give you an address. Once I receive the shark's blood, I will either send the formula to you or tell you directly here.
As for assurance, I think with this mysterious gentleman as a witness, both you and I will be sufficiently reassured."
At this point, he turned his gaze to the seated Kevin:
"Sir, you have brought us here and possess unimaginable power. Your witness, whether for me or for her, is not to be disobeyed."
"Yes!" Audrey's eyes brightened with excitement and agreement.
To her, the mysterious man with unimaginable methods was indeed a sufficiently "authoritative" witness.
Neither she nor the man opposite would dare deceive him!
Audrey half-turned her body and earnestly looked at Kevin:
"Sir, please be the witness for our transaction."
At this moment, she realized she had forgotten a question, which was quite impolite. She quickly added:
"Sir, how should we address you?"
Arjey nodded slightly and then solemnly asked:
"Sir, how should we address you?"
Kevin was momentarily taken aback, his fingers lightly tapping on the edge of the bronze long table. He suddenly recalled the content of the earlier divination.
He leaned back, withdrew his right hand, crossed his fingers under his chin, and smiled at the two:
"You may address me as…"
He paused for a moment, then continued in a soft and neutral tone:
"The Fool."