Vision shifted.
Night evaporated like illusion, supplanted by blank whiteness.
When Sharon regained awareness, she stood in a room with whitewashed walls and grey floor tiles.
The entire space featured pale grey tiling and snow-white walls, starkly minimalist.
Only the central white conference table commanded attention.
On either side of the long table stood three grey chairs, their backs seemingly adorned with planetary designs, suggesting frequent meetings were held here.
Suddenly transported from speeding down the highway into this room, Sharon's pupils contracted slightly.
She quickly realised this space was likely the product of a terrifying spatial-type Abyss Artefact, or perhaps the rarer phenomenon – a pocket dimension that could be controlled by humans.
Either possibility represented a danger level of 22 to Sharon.
"I heard Truth Astronomy controls a pocket dimension known only to its inner circle, making them the most dangerous secret organisation. So, is this the place from the rumours? Or somewhere similar?"
Sharon murmured to herself before suddenly sensing something and turning her gaze towards the head of the pristine white table.
There, where nothing had been before, now stood a chair engraved with solar patterns – and a figure seated upon it.
A young man dressed in a black suit, with jet-black hair and piercing dark eyes. A ruby ring adorned his right ring finger.
He sat quietly at the head of the table, hands folded.
Sharon observed the suddenly appeared man – someone she'd briefly encountered before – in silence. After a pause, she took the third seat to his right, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and asked:
"How should I address you?"
"You may call me Mr Sun, Miss Sharon."
Luo Shu raised his head slightly, revealing those bright eyes as he smiled and said:
"How does it feel to be reborn?"
Rather than showing joy at this question, Sharon's expression turned grave as she asked:
"What price must I pay for this new life?"
There were no free lunches in this world. Having gone to such lengths to rescue her from official encirclement, it was impossible that there wouldn't be some form of compensation.
Luo Shu appreciated Sharon's realistic attitude. Smiling, he said: "Join the organisation I've founded. Serve me for three years."
This was the timeframe Luo Shu had carefully considered – too short would arouse suspicion in someone as perceptive as Sharon, while longer held no real meaning.
From his understanding, no existing secret organisations could currently offer stable pathways for ability advancement like he could.
With such a core advantage, were it not for the system's requirement that Familia recruits meet heroine criteria, Luo Shu could easily have expanded his Astronomy Society into a large force.
But with membership restrictions, he could only adopt an organisational structure of a few elites leading mostly ordinary peripheral members.
And Luo Shu was certain someone like Sharon, who walked the line between life and death, wouldn't refuse an opportunity to grow stronger.
Even if it meant serving someone of unknown origins like himself.
"Might I ask... is your organisation Truth Astronomy?"
After a long silence, Sharon ventured cautiously.
After all, among her impressions of Luo Shu, his use of Demon Power stood out most prominently.
And wielding Demon Power was one of the hallmarks of Truth Astronomy members.
Hearing the name, Luo Shu shook his head slightly with self-deprecating amusement:
"No, we're just a small organisation, a little club called the Astronomy Society."
A small organisation that possibly possesses high-level spatial artefacts, or even an alternate dimension?
Sharon found Luo Shu's answer utterly ridiculous.
As a Seven-Star Demon Hunter, she was well aware of her standing within the hidden world.
She ranked just below the leadership of major organisations, counted among the highest-level operatives deployable as senior executives - a veritable VIP within secret societies.
Having personally experienced Luo Shu remotely controlling her body to unleash its full capabilities, Sharon understood all too well the extent of this man's power.
She even suspected that in Luo Shu's eyes, her body might be covered in numerous white spots - any one of which, if touched, could effortlessly end her life.
This man before her radiated such danger that she couldn't shake the suspicion he could obliterate her instantly if he ever got serious.
If she were a VIP in the hidden world, then he was undoubtedly at the absolute pinnacle—a leader among secret organisations.
And such a person claimed the organisation he founded was "small"? In what way was it small?
Yet seeing Luo Shu's expression that seemed to say "this is what I believe, so you should think so too", Sharon bit her lip and remained silent.
Fine. If you prefer calling it that, then by all means, do so. Whatever makes you happy.
Though this name "Astronomy Society"...
Sharon gave Luo Shu a puzzled look before hesitantly asking, "What's the difference between us and Truth Astronomy?"
She'd instinctively said "us" to demonstrate her compliance.
"The difference?"
Luo Shu appeared to genuinely consider Sharon's question before soon replying with a smile:
"Perhaps the difference lies in the fact that Truth Astronomy worships demons, while the Astronomy Club worships deities."
"Worshipping deities in the same way Truth Astronomy worships demons?"
Sharon's expression twisted into one of such shock that even Luo Shu found it unsettling.
Just as Luo Shu was wondering why she reacted this way, the nun spoke in a tone laced with fear:
"So the Astronomy Club's goal is to usurp divine power, just as Truth Astronomy usurped the authority of demons?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately realised Sharon had misunderstood. He chuckled, his tone tinged with self-mockery:
"Not usurpation... but reclamation."
Not usurpation, but reclamation... Sharon's mind reeled as she finally grasped the profound meaning hidden beneath the man's casual words.
Was he comparing himself to a deity?
Or rather...
He was the god!