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.)
***
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