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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