The same language of Rune, the same heavy and tense atmosphere.
Where is this? What do I want to do? I want to know too... Zhou Mingrui calmed down, silently repeating the questions posed by the two strangers.
What struck him the most was not the words or the meaning embedded in those sentences, but the panic, wariness, fear, and reverence displayed by the man and the woman!
Suddenly pulling two people into this world of gray mist, Zhou Mingrui was just as startled and shocked as they were. After all, he, as the "cause" of the situation, was just as confused. How could they—being passive in this situation—have imagined such an encounter?
In this instant, Zhou Mingrui thought of two options. The first was to pretend he was also a victim, hide his true identity to gain a certain degree of trust, and observe quietly, maybe take advantage of the situation. The second was to maintain the mysterious image in the eyes of the man and woman and actively guide the development of things to gather useful information.
There was no time for further contemplation. Zhou Mingrui quickly decided on the second approach, seizing the opportunity based on their current psychological state, using it to his advantage.
After a few seconds of silence, Zhou Mingrui chuckled lightly. His tone was calm, his voice low but not heavy, as if responding to a polite greeting:
"An attempt."
"An attempt?" Audrey Hall looked at the mysterious man surrounded by gray mist, feeling a mix of absurdity, amusement, shock, and strangeness.
She had just been in her bedroom, at her dressing table, and now she was "here," in this fog-filled place!
It was incomprehensible!
Audrey took a deep breath and forced a flawless, polite smile. She then asked uneasily:
"Sir, is the attempt over? Can we go back?"
Alger Wilson also wanted to probe, but being more experienced, he was steadier. He suppressed his impulse and merely observed in silence.
Zhou Mingrui looked at the person who had asked the question. He could vaguely make out the figure of a tall girl with soft blonde hair, though her exact features were unclear.
He didn't immediately respond to the girl's question. Instead, he turned to look at the man on the other side. The man had deep blue hair, disheveled like seaweed, and a medium build—not particularly strong.
At that moment, Zhou Mingrui suddenly had an epiphany. Once he became stronger, or once he understood this gray mist world better, maybe he could truly see through the mist and clearly discern the appearances of the girl and the man.
In this situation, they were the guests; I am the host!
With this shift in mindset, Zhou Mingrui immediately noticed some details that he hadn't paid attention to earlier.
The sweet-voiced girl and the composed, reserved man both seemed quite ethereal, tinged with a faint red, like the two deep red "stars" in the gray mist.
And these projections were based on his connection with the deep red—something shadowless, shapeless, but with a tangible connection he could feel.
If he severed this connection, the projections would dissipate, and they would return...
Zhou Mingrui gave a barely noticeable nod. He looked at the blonde girl and smiled softly:
"Of course, if you formally request it, I can send you back right now."
Audrey, not sensing any malice, sighed in relief. She believed that someone who could perform such a miraculous feat would certainly honor their promise.
Her nerves were slightly soothed, and instead of rushing to leave, her emerald eyes flickered with a strange light as she looked around, visibly excited.
This was such a fascinating experience… Hmm, I've always been looking forward to something like this. I mean, I love the mysterious, the supernatural wonders. No, what I mean is, sir, how can I become an extraordinary one?
As she spoke, her excitement grew, and she even became a little incoherent. The childhood dream she'd had when hearing strange stories from elders now seemed to be on the verge of coming true.
Within a few words, she had completely forgotten the fear and unease she had felt earlier.
"Good question! I also want to know the answer..." Zhou Mingrui thought to himself sarcastically.
He began to think about how to answer in a way that maintained his mysterious aura.
At the same time, he felt that standing and conversing like this was a bit beneath the situation. Shouldn't this scene have a grand temple, a long table, and many high-backed chairs with ancient patterns carved into them, exuding a sense of mystery? And shouldn't I be sitting at the head of the table, quietly observing my guests?
Before Zhou Mingrui could finish this thought, the gray mist suddenly began to swirl, startling both Audrey and Alger.
In an instant, they saw towering stone pillars appear around them. Above, they could see a vast dome covering them.
The entire structure was magnificent, grand, and imposing, like the palace of a giant in an ancient legend.
Beneath the dome, in the midst of the swirling mist, a bronze long table appeared, with ten high-backed chairs on each side. The front and back were similarly furnished, and the backs of the chairs shimmered with dazzling, deep red light, outlining strange constellations that didn't correspond to reality.
Audrey and Alger found themselves sitting directly opposite each other, in the seats closest to the head of the table.
Audrey glanced left and right, then whispered to herself in awe:
"This is incredible..."
Indeed, it was incredible... Zhou Mingrui reached out with his right hand, gently brushing the edge of the bronze table, his movements calm and unnoticeable.
Alger, after a few moments of silence, finally spoke, replacing Zhou Mingrui and answering Audrey's question:
"You must be from Rune, right?"
"To become extraordinary, you must join the Church of the Night Goddess, the Church of the Lord of Storms, or the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery."
"Although most people will never encounter the extraordinary in their lifetime, to the point where they even doubt the churches themselves, even within the largest churches, many clergy share similar thoughts. But I can tell you with certainty that in the Arbitration Court, in the Judgment Hall, in the Execution Chambers, the extraordinary still exist, still fighting against the dangers growing in the dark. However, their numbers have dwindled greatly compared to the early days of the Black Iron Age or even before."
Zhou Mingrui listened attentively, though his body language pretended to show disinterest, as if he were listening to a child telling a story.
Thanks to Klein's remnants of historical knowledge, he understood that the "Black Iron Age" referred to the current era, the Fifth Age, which began 1,349 years ago.
Audrey listened quietly, exhaled lightly, and said:
"Sir, I know everything you mentioned, even more—such as the Night Watchers, the Arbitrators, and the Heart of Machinery. But I don't want to lose my freedom."
Alger let out a low chuckle and said vaguely:"Is there any way to become an Extraordinary without paying a price? If you don't consider joining a church and undergoing their trials, then your only options are the royal family, noble families with over a thousand years of history, or, by luck, finding those hidden evil organizations."
Audrey instinctively puffed her cheeks but quickly looked around in a panic. Once she was sure that neither the "mysterious gentleman" nor the man across from her noticed her small action, she asked,"Is there no other way?"
Alger fell silent. After several breaths, he turned to the quiet and observing "mysterious gentleman," Zhou Mingrui.
Seeing no indication or objection from him, Alger returned his gaze to Audrey and replied cautiously:"I actually have two Sequence 9 potion formulas."
Sequence 9? Zhou Mingrui muttered internally.
"Really? Which two?" Audrey was clearly aware of the significance of Sequence 9 potion formulas.
Leaning slightly back, Alger answered with a measured tone:"You know that for humans to truly become Extraordinary, they can only rely on potions. The names of these potions originate from the Blasphemy Slate and have undergone countless translations through languages like Giant, Elvish, Ancient Hermes, Ancient Fusac, and Modern Hermes. Over time, they've acquired characteristics aligned with the current era. The name itself isn't the key—the key is whether it embodies the 'core symbolism' of the potion."
"The two Sequence 9 formulas I have—one is called Sailor. It grants you exceptional balance, allowing you to walk as steadily on a storm-tossed ship as on solid ground. You'll also gain extraordinary strength and hidden phantom scales beneath your skin, making you as slippery as a fish, difficult to catch. You'll be agile underwater, moving as though you're part of the sea folk. Even without equipment, you can dive easily for at least ten minutes."
"That sounds amazing... Is it the Favored of the Sea of the Lord of Storms?" Audrey asked with a mix of expectation and confirmation.
"In ancient times, it was indeed called Favored of the Sea," Alger confirmed without pausing, then continued, "The second Sequence 9 formula is called Spectator. As for its ancient name, I'm not sure. This potion grants you extraordinary mental acuity and keen observational skills. I'm sure you've seen operas and plays, so you understand what Spectator represents. Like a bystander, it allows you to scrutinize the 'actors' of worldly society. Through their expressions, actions, habits, and unnoticed movements, you can glimpse their true thoughts."
At this point, Alger emphasized:"Always remember, whether at a lavish banquet or on a bustling street, the Spectator is always just a spectator."
Audrey's eyes lit up as she listened. After a long moment, she said:"Why? Alright, that's a question for later. I think I've fallen in love with the concept of being a Spectator. How can I acquire the Spectator formula? What do I need to exchange for it?"
Alger, as if prepared in advance, answered steadily:"Blood of a Ghost Shark—at least 100 milliliters."
Audrey first nodded excitedly but then asked worriedly:"If I can obtain it—I mean, if—how should I deliver it to you? And how can I ensure that after you receive the Ghost Shark blood, you'll provide me with the formula and that it's genuine?"
Alger replied in an even tone:"I'll give you an address. Once I receive the Ghost Shark blood, I'll send the formula back to you—or I can tell you directly here."
"As for guarantees, I believe with this gentleman's witness, neither you nor I would dare breach the agreement."
As he spoke, Alger shifted his gaze to the figure seated at the head of the table—Zhou Mingrui:"Sir, you've brought us to this place and demonstrated power beyond our comprehension. Your witness is more than enough to ensure that neither of us would dare to deceive you."
"Yes!" Audrey's eyes sparkled as she enthusiastically agreed.
To her, this mysterious gentleman with unimaginable means was undoubtedly an authoritative and reliable witness. Neither she nor the man opposite her would have the audacity to deceive him.
Audrey half-turned and looked sincerely at Zhou Mingrui:"Sir, please bear witness to our transaction."
It was at this moment that she realized she had neglected a question—one that was quite rude. Hurriedly, she asked:"Sir, how should we address you?"
Alger nodded slightly and followed suit with a solemn inquiry:"Sir, how should we address you?"
Zhou Mingrui was momentarily taken aback. His fingers lightly tapped the bronze table as a flash of inspiration from his earlier divination surfaced in his mind.
Leaning back, he crossed his fingers beneath his chin, smiling as he looked at the two and said:"You may call me..."
He paused deliberately before speaking in a calm and gentle tone:"The Fool."