Not only do they speak the same Loen language, but a shared sense of grim tension hangs in the gray fog.
Where am I? What do I plan to do here? I'd like to know too... Calming himself, Zhou Mingrui silently echoes their questions. What strikes him most isn't the words themselves, but the raw bewilderment, vigilance, panic, and even reverence emanating from the two newcomers.
Dragged into this foggy realm by his own actions, Zhou Mingrui is already reeling. He can only imagine the sheer shock and disbelief of the couple pulled in passively. This must be far beyond anything they could have conceived.
Two options flash through his mind: feign victimhood to gain trust and observe, or maintain a mysterious persona to influence events and glean information. With little time to decide, he seizes the second idea – exploit their psychological state for his own advantage.
After a few seconds of silence in the fog, Zhou Mingrui chuckles softly. In a low but steady tone, as if responding to polite greetings, he calmly says, "An attempt."
An attempt... an attempt? Audrey Hall stares at the fog-veiled figure, her mind a whirlwind of absurdity, humor, horror, and strangeness. One moment she was at her dressing table, the next she's in this gray fog! Inconceivable! Audrey takes a breath, forcing a flawless, courteous smile. "Sir, is the attempt over? Might you permit our return?" she asks, a hint of perturbation in her voice.
Alger Wilson, though equally curious, is more composed due to his experience. He suppresses his urge to probe and remains a silent observer.
Zhou Mingrui looks at the questioner, seeing a tall, blonde silhouette through the haze. He then turns to the man, noting his messy dark-blue hair and average, non-stout build. A realization dawns: with more power or understanding of this foggy world, he might be able to see them clearly.
In this situation, they are the visitors, and I'm the master! With this shift in perspective, Zhou Mingrui notices details he missed before. Both the melodious-voiced girl and the mature, reserved man appear somewhat incorporeal, tinged with faint crimson, like projections of the crimson "stars" beyond the fog. This projection is tied to an intangible connection between the crimson and himself, one only he truly understands. Severing this connection would likely make them disappear, returning them... Zhou Mingrui nods slightly at the blonde, chuckling. "Of course, if you make a formal request, you can return this very moment."
Audrey, sensing no malice in his tone, sighs in relief. She trusts that a gentleman capable of such miracles would keep his word. Surprisingly, now that her initial fear has subsided, she's in no rush to leave. Her viridian eyes dart around, sparkling with an unusual radiance. "This is such a wonderful experience... Yes, I have always hoped something like this would happen. I mean—I like mysteries and supernatural miracles. No, my point is—what I mean is that, Sir, what can I do to become a Beyonder?" Her excitement builds, causing her to stumble over her words. The fantasies of her childhood, fueled by elders' tales, suddenly seem within reach. Her earlier fears are forgotten.
Good question! I'd also like to know the answer... Zhou Mingrui thinks, struggling to maintain his enigmatic image. He feels it's unbecoming to talk while standing. Shouldn't he be in a grand palace, seated at the head of a long table on a mysterious high-backed chair adorned with ancient patterns, silently observing his guests?
As this thought forms, the gray fog churns, startling Audrey and Alger. Instantly, towering stone pillars rise around them, capped by a vast dome. The entire edifice is magnificent, grand, and lofty, like a legendary giant's palace. Beneath the dome, where the gray fog gathers, a long bronze table appears with ten high-backed chairs on each side, symmetrically arranged. The backs of the chairs faintly glow crimson, outlining strange constellations unlike any in reality. Audrey and Alger find themselves seated opposite each other, near the head of the table.
"How fascinating..." the girl murmurs, looking around.
It is certainly fascinating... Zhou Mingrui extends his right hand, caressing the edge of the bronze table, maintaining a calm expression.
Alger surveys their surroundings. After a moment of silence, he suddenly speaks, answering Audrey's question in Zhou Mingrui's stead. "Are you a Loen? If you want to become a Beyonder, join the Churches of either the Evernight Goddess, the Lord of Storms, or the God of Steam and Machinery. Most of us will never meet a Beyonder. This has led churches, even some clergy within the largest ones, to doubt their existence. However, I can assure you that Beyonders still exist in courts, tribunals, and execution agencies, fighting against the dangers lurking in the dark. Their numbers are simply much fewer than in the early Iron Age."
Zhou Mingrui listens attentively, trying to appear nonchalant, like a child hearing a story. He recalls from Klein's fragmented history knowledge that the "Iron Age" refers to the current Fifth Epoch, which began 1349 years ago.
Audrey listens to Alger's explanation before sighing. "Mister, I know all about what you just said; I even know more, including the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punisher, and the Machinery Hivemind, but I don't want to lose my freedom."
Alger gives a low laugh. "You can't become a Beyonder without sacrifices. If you don't consider joining churches and accepting their challenges, you can only seek out royal families and nobles with over a thousand years of history. Otherwise, you can rely on luck to find clandestine evil organizations."
Audrey subconsciously puffs her cheeks and looks around flustered. Confirming that neither the "mysterious man" nor Alger noticed her tic, she presses, "Are there no other solutions?"
Alger falls silent for about thirty seconds before turning to the "mysterious man" who is silently watching them. Realizing Zhou Mingrui won't comment, he looks back at Audrey and says deliberately, "I have two sets of Sequence 9 Potion formulas."
Sequence 9? Zhou Mingrui wonders.
"Really? Which two sets?" Audrey clearly understands the significance of Sequence 9 Potion formulas.
Alger leans back slightly. "As you know, humanity relies on potions to become true Beyonders. The names of these potions come from the 'Blasphemy Slate.' Constant translations into Jotun, Elvish, ancient and modern Hermes, and ancient Feysac have changed the names to fit different eras. The essence lies not in the names, but in whether they represent the 'core characteristics' of the potions. I have a Sequence 9 Potion named 'Sailor.' It grants excellent balance. Even on a storm-tossed boat, you'll move freely as if on land. You'll also gain immense strength and illusory scales under your skin, allowing you to swim like a fish, difficult to catch, and move agilely underwater like marine animals, able to submerge easily for at least ten minutes without equipment."
"Sounds great... the 'Keepers of the Seas' from the Lord of Storms?"
"It was called that in the past." Alger continues without pausing. "The second Sequence 9 Potion is called 'Spectator,' though I'm unsure of its ancient name. This potion grants an exceptionally sharp mind and acute observational abilities. Think of opera and play spectators – they judge the 'actors' of the secular world, glimpsing their true thoughts through emotions, conduct, and words." Alger emphasizes, "Remember, whether at a grand banquet or a crowded street, spectators can only ever be spectators."
Audrey's eyes shine as she listens. After a long moment, she asks, "Why? Alright, a follow-up question. I—I think I've fallen in love with this feeling—of being a 'spectator.' How can I get this potion's formula? What can I trade for it?"
Alger seems prepared. "The blood of Ghost Sharks, at least 100 milliliters."
Audrey nods excitedly, then asks worriedly, "If I can get it—and I'm saying if—how do I give it to you? How can you promise me the formula in return for the Ghost Shark's blood, and guarantee its authenticity?"
Alger replies calmly, "I'll give you an address. I'll mail the formula or tell you directly here once I receive the Ghost Shark's blood. As for promises, I believe we can both feel secure under the witness of the mysterious sir." He glances at Zhou Mingrui, sitting upright at the head of the table. "Sir, the fact that you brought us here shows unimaginable power. Neither of us would dare break a promise with you as our witness."
"That's right!" Audrey agrees excitedly, her eyes sparkling. In her mind, this mysterious, powerful gentleman is the ultimate "authoritative" witness. How could I or the guy opposite me dare trick him! Audrey half-turns to Zhou Mingrui earnestly. "Sir, please be the witness of our trade." Then, realizing her impoliteness, she hurries to ask, "Sir, how should we address you?"
Alger nods slightly, echoing the question seriously, "Sir, how should we address you?"
Zhou Mingrui is taken aback. He gently taps his fingers on the bronze table. The earlier tarot reading flashes through his mind. He leans back, withdraws his right hand, crosses his fingers, placing them below his chin, and gives the duo a faint smile. "You can address me as..." He pauses for a moment, then says amiably and calmly, "The Fool."