Chapter 1186 – Opportunity and Danger Are Two Sides of the Same Coin
Alger recounts his mysterious encounter with the ethereal voice to Mr. Fool, revealing the promise of becoming a demigod and gaining access to the Western Continent. The Fool Klein acknowledges the opportunity but warns of the danger, emphasizing the need for caution and protection. Alger vows his faith to Mr. Fool, and the conversation hints at the importance of incantations to enter the Western Continent, though Klein withholds this information for now.
As Alger returns to the real world, he leads his sailors to the elven ruins, seeking answers and resources. However, his thoughts are consumed by the implications of relying on the Queen of Calamity to become a demigod and how to navigate his relationship with the Church. He considers various scenarios, including rebelling against the Church or finding a way to gain their trust, all while keeping his true intentions hidden.
Alger’s inner turmoil gives way to determination as he decides to take a risk and explore the ruins, searching for a way to fulfill his promise to Mr. Fool. He leads his sailors into the ancient structure, but soon finds himself alone, pulled into an illusionary realm where a stunning coral palace awaits. The atmosphere thickens with mystery and danger, leaving Alger – and the reader – wondering what lies ahead.
Chapter 1187 – Change
Cattleya, a Mysticologist, converses with Nina, a half-Feysacian boatswain, about her mission in Loen’s capital, Backlund, where she’s dealing with a cultist. Nina guesses Cattleya’s connection to Intis’s intelligence department, but the captain’s true target remains unclear. As Nina leaves, Cattleya emphasizes the importance of monitoring Heath’s condition, Ottolov’s mysticism knowledge, and warns Nina not to drink until her return.
Cattleya’s gaze falls on the invisible city of Backlund, and she draws a tarot card, revealing The Hermit, a symbol of solitude and guidance. Meanwhile, Audrey, a Dreamwalker, awakens in her bedroom, her emerald-green eyes glowing eerily in the crimson moonlight. She’s finally digested the Dreamwalker potion, thanks to her unique experiences with demigods’ dreams, mental illness, and evil spirits. Audrey realizes her luck has changed for the better, which she attributes to a sacrifice to a Fate domain’s angel, “His” Blessed.
As the night unfolds, Audrey’s confidence grows, and she formulates a new principle: to mastermind and conduct behind the scenes, making interference subtle and unnoticed. Her newfound abilities thrill her, but also raise questions about the mysterious forces at play.
Chapter 1188 – Thick-Skinned
Fors, still reeling from her newfound abilities, wakes up to a sumptuous meal prepared by Xio, and after indulging, she sets her mind to summoning a messenger. She reveals to Xio that she’s been instructed by “that person” to use an alternative method, bypassing the traditional ritual. Fors successfully summons the Historical Void projection of Gehrman Sparrow, who appears with an unyielding air and cold expression. However, instead of being under her control, the projection displays a life of its own, issuing instructions and then disappearin
Chapter 1189 – Winter Gifts Day
As the dark clouds dissipate, the Holy Wind Cathedral returns to normal, and Klein’s Historical Void projection disappears, leaving him mumbling to himself about a marionette. Meanwhile, Leonard receives a message from Pallez Zoroast, inquiring about a colleague who’s searching for truth in the Forsaken Land of the Gods.
Fors, still reeling from the previous summoning, is thrown back into the real world and feels exhausted. Xio warns her against advancing in her current state, sharing a gruesome tale of a previous trial involving a psychotic murderer who used potions to create monstrous creatures, and how he was sentenced to become a Sealed Artifact researcher instead of execution.
As Fors rests, Xio keeps watch, and eventually, Fors awakens, concocts a potion, and prepares to test her limits, warning Xio to be prepared to take drastic measures if she loses control. The air is thick with tension as Fors takes a bold step forward, leaving the reader wondering what lies ahead.
Chapter 1190 – Resonance
As the hymns echo across Memorial Square, the Loenese citizens who participated in the Mass are overcome with emotion, their spirits cleansing and spirituality releasing. The chanting seems to transport them to a dreamlike state where they’re reunited with loved ones who have passed, filling them with sorrow and longing. As they bid farewell, a wave of sadness washes over the crowd, mixed with the choir’s chanting, taking on a life of its own.
Meanwhile, Audrey, still reeling from her previous encounter, takes a bold step forward, gulping down a mysterious potion that allows her to merge with the sea of collective subconscious. As she loses sense of her physical body, she’s bombarded by the dark thoughts and fears of humanity, threatening to consume her. However, she finds a way to resist, repeating the prayer “The only escape is tranquility!” to center herself and regain control.
With her newfound connection to the collective subconscious, Audrey splits into multiple illusory bodies, traversing the mind islands that represent different people, witnessing their deepest sorrows and pain. As she delves deeper into this mystical realm, the stakes are raised, and the mysteries of this world begin to unravel.
Chapter 1191 – Grasping One’s Mentality
As Fors ponders The World Gehrman Sparrow’s question about projecting friendliness, Audrey steps in with a clever plan. She suggests that Fors fabricate stories to convince her teacher, Dorian Gray Abraham, of Mr. World’s good intentions. Audrey’s strategy involves exploiting Abraham’s desire for information and his concerns about the ancient curse plaguing his family. By writing letters that tantalize Abraham with hints about the mysterious Mr. Door, Fors can maintain a connection with her teacher and create an image of Mr. World as a benevolent figure.
With calculated precision, Audrey outlines the benefits of this approach, including Abraham’s likely curiosity and willingness to continue the exchange. Klein, impressed by Audrey’s cunning, sees an opportunity to use this connection to his advantage. He plans to request a transaction with Abraham, promising to break the curse in exchange for valuable items. However, Klein’s true intentions remain shrouded, and his reluctance to reveal the full extent of his plan only adds to the intrigue.
As Fors and the others witness Audrey’s impressive manipulation, they can’t help but be intimidated and respect her mastery of the mind domain. Her transformation from a naive newcomer to a sophisticated strategist has been remarkable, and her ability to orchestrate events to her advantage is both captivating and unsettling.
Chapter 1192 – Each Serving their Duty
As the group continues to navigate their intricate plan, The Hermit Cattleya proposes a new approach: having Fors, aka Miss Magician, attend various Beyonder gatherings in Backlund, “accidentally” revealing her connection to the Abraham family to attract the attention of the Aurora Order. Audrey, aka Miss Justice, will use her manipulation skills to make the scheme appear natural and reasonable, while Cattleya plants the Eye of Mystery Prying on Fors to monitor her surroundings and prevent surprise attacks.
Klein, though impressed by the plan, can’t help but recall his own experiences with 0-08, realizing that their approach might be reasonable but could also lead to unintended consequences. Meanwhile, Fors is anxious about the lack of experience among the group, but her concerns are alleviated by the presence of powerful Sequence 4 demigods like Cattleya and Audrey.
As the plan takes shape, Cattleya explains the importance of gathering feedback from the scenes and adjusting their strategy accordingly. Audrey is tasked with using her control of the sea of collective subconscious to monitor participants’ thoughts, while Fors will have to navigate the risks of being watched by Cattleya through the Eye of Mystery Prying. The group’s complex web of schemes and manipulations is set in motion, but it remains to be seen how their intricate plan will unfold.
Chapter 1193 – 1193 Heading Eas
Cattleya’s eyes widen in shock as she uncovers mysticism knowledge, realizing the gravity of the risks she’s taking. With Mr. Fool’s protection and Gehrman Sparrow’s help, she’s able to digest the Mysticologist potion, but her plan to meet Queen Mystic is foiled when she learns the queen has left Backlund. Klein, posing as The World, ominously remarks that a price is exacted for what’s bestowed, his words echoing in the minds of the Tarot Club members.
As the gathering disperses, Klein expands his vision to the dark mountain where the Dark Demonic Wolf Kotar once hid, now a place where Amon seems to be watching him. Frustrated, Klein mutters about Amon’s haunting presence and how he always seems to be one step ahead. Undeterred, Klein ventures into the wilderness, driven by his desire to verify the Dark Demonic Wolf’s past and outmaneuver Amon.
Meanwhile, Audrey ponders how to release the “bait” in a seemingly reasonable fashion, contemplating how to monitor the thoughts of Beyonder gathering participants. Her thoughts are interrupted by the realization that she lacks quick and efficient methods to do so, leaving her determined to find a solution.
Chapter 1194 – A Lion’s Hunt of a Rabbi
Dorian Gray Abraham carefully reads the letter from Fors, his emotions ranging from enlightenment to pain. He burns the letter, packs his belongings, and leaves his rented apartment, settling into a new place. He writes a reply, offering advice on acting as a Traveler and expressing interest in the Abraham family’s curse. As he writes, he seems deep in thought, his eyelids twitching with a slow sigh.
In a basement in West Borough, the Saint of Secrets, Botis, meets with Saint Tenebrous, Kisma, who has been investigating a mysterious target. Kisma reports that the target is cautious and not attempting to expose themselves, but Botis is skeptical, wondering if it might be a trap. They discuss the target’s attempts to purchase an ancient wraith’s cursed item, a key ingredient for the Scribe potion, and speculate about the Abraham family’s involvement.
Botis reveals that he wants the Abraham family to die to ensure his own safety, citing a philosophy of nipping revenge in the bud. He pulls out a dark crystal ball, its purpose unknown, as the shadows surrounding Kisma seem to stir and writhe. The atmosphere is tense, with the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, and Machinery Hivemind closing in, and the Saints of the Aurora Order are watching their every move.
Chapter 1195 – 1195 Grade 0
Botis, the Saint of Secrets, recognizes Leymano’s Travels, a mystical item crucial to the Abraham family, and deduces that Fors, the holder, isn’t a family descendant. He reveals a three-layered jewelry box, a Grade 0 Sealed Artifact, snatched from the Abraham family, and opens it, transforming the room and its occupants into toys. Fors, now a puppet, and the other Beyonders are trapped inside the box, allowing Botis to magically control them.
As the room returns to its original state, Botis explains the box’s origins, created from an Abraham family angel’s corpse and Beyonder characteristic. He describes its abilities, including turning locations into toys and switching locations, as well as recording different regions to explore. However, he hesitates to think about the third level, fearing its power.
With Fors and the others captured, Botis exits the concealed area, using his Secrets Sorcerer abilities to remove the concealment. The scene ends with Botis holding the mirror, ready to proceed with his plans, leaving Fors and the others trapped in the Box of the Great Old Ones.
Chapter 1196 – The Ugly Duckling
Botis, still holding the Box of the Great Old Ones, opens its first level, transforming the room and its occupants into dolls. However, he’s caught off guard by Cattleya, who blows the Horn of Magic, shattering the concealed space and summoning Saint Tenebrous Kisma, a towering knight in black armor. Botis reacts swiftly, creating numerous illusory doors to escape and throws the Box into one of them, using his “Exile” ability to isolate it from reality for twenty seconds.
As the Horn’s effects dissipate, the room returns to normal, and the black-armored knight reforms into a rug covering the room. Saint Tenebrous Kisma, attempting to obstruct potential enemies, rises from the corner, revealing a powerful vampire from the Forsaken Land of the Gods – a Sequence 4 Shaman King of the Moon pathway. The Shaman King reaches out, digging out one of his eyes, which illuminates the room and reflects Cattleya’s image.
Botis seizes the opportunity, phasing behind Cattleya and gaining the upper hand. The scene freezes, with Cattleya bound by darkness, as Botis prepares to make his next move. The chapter ends with the Saint of Secrets poised to reclaim control, leaving readers wondering what will happen next in this intricate web of powers and alliances.
Chapter 1197 – Mind Storm
Saint of Secrets Botis is suddenly attacked by a blood-stained spear that emerges from nowhere, forcing him to retreat behind a series of illusory doors. The spear, however, effortlessly pierces through the doors, and Botis is forced to use his “Shadow Substitute” spell to evade the attack. The spell disperses his shadow, which then reassembles after the attack.
As Botis recovers, he uses his “Reboot of Fate” ability, gained from crushing the Abraham family, to rewind reality for three seconds. This allows him to recover from the attack and prepares him for the next move. Saint Tenebrous Kisma, the powerful vampire, takes advantage of the reboot and binds Cattleya with illusory black chains.
The Black Knight, summoned by Kisma, advances on the mysterious woman in a purple-patterned black robe, while Botis uses his Abomination Suah state to attack her. His arm elongates, covered in dark, sticky liquid, and sprouts pale skulls, eyes, and teeth, spreading evil and madness throughout the room. The cockroaches on the floor collapse, and the ground cracks under the intense power.
Chapter 1198 – Frenzy
Botis traverses the spirit world, heading towards the Sonia Sea, but his thoughts blur, and he exits through another location. He finds himself in a remote area in the suburbs of Backlund, under a crimson moon. Realizing his mind world has been infiltrated by someone else’s consciousness, he uses the “Shadow of Depravation” ability to erase the foreign thoughts and escape the influence of the Manipulator. This ability, recorded from Saint Tenebrous Kisma, separates his depraved thoughts into a shadow, forming an uncontrollable creature.
However, Botis soon realizes he’s infected with “Mental Plague,” which affects his mood and judgment. He becomes dispirited and depressed, trying to resist his mental illness. Cattleya, wearing a purple-patterned black robe, appears in front of him, having traced Justice Audrey’s Virtual Persona. She uses the “Sleeping Beauty” magic, making Botis feel extremely exhausted and wanting to collapse.
As Audrey’s “Virtual Persona” affects Botis, her “Frenzy” magic triggers his emotions, making it difficult for him to control himself. Botis’s mental state deteriorates further, and he shows signs of losing control. The situation becomes increasingly dire, leaving Botis on the brink of collapse.
Chapter 1199 – 1199 Inauspicious Box
Botis, under the influence of “Mental Plague,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “Frenzy,” struggles to maintain control, his mental state deteriorating further. Cattleya and Justice Audrey, aware of his precarious situation, simultaneously take out a “Teleportation” charm, using the patterns from Leymano’s Travels to escape and plan their next move. As they vanish, Botis’s attempts to open the third level of the Box of the Great Old Ones fail, and his incomplete Mythical Creature form collapses, leaving behind two frozen eyeballs with an indescribable look of horror.
Meanwhile, Klein, monitoring the battle through Xio’s and Audrey’s crimson stars, finds an opportunity to enter the world above the gray fog. He prepares to intervene, but the Saint of Secrets’s counterattack fails, and Botis’s unexpected failure to open the box leaves him puzzled. Klein discovers that the crimson star representing The Magician is covered in black ash, making it impossible for him to see Miss Magician’s condition, a situation he’s never encountered before.
As the situation unfolds, Klein forms theories about the Spear of Longinus and “Sleeping Beauty” magic, drawing parallels with Mystical Re-enactment, while pondering the true nature of the Box of the Great Old Ones. With Botis defeated and the box’s secrets still unknown, the story takes a dramatic turn, leaving readers wondering about the consequences of these events and the fate of the characters.
Chapter 1200 – Randomness
A mysterious door materializes in the collapsed forest, and a handsome man with golden eyes, Celt, emerges. He’s met with a violent storm and the arrival of Deep Blue Officiant Randall Valentinus, the cardinal of the Church of the Lord of Storms. Randall demands to know what happened, but Celt claims he just arrived. The scene is interrupted by the appearance of Anthony Stevenson, the bishop of the Church of Evernight, who’s supported by a gigantic Spirit Body.
As the four demigods confer, they notice a tarot card – The Hermit – lying in the middle of the forest, radiating a polluted aura. Meanwhile, above the gray fog, Klein is in the ancient palace, where the Box of the Great Old Ones has triggered a massive power surge in Sefirah Castle. The castle’s energy engulfs the box, rendering it motionless. Klein, though initially frightened, breathes a sigh of relief, knowing he must now figure out the box’s secrets to rescue Miss Magician.
As the story unfolds, the four demigods stand in silence, pondering the implications of The Hermit card, while Klein begins his inspection of the Box of the Great Old Ones. With the fate of Miss Magician hanging in the balance, Klein’s investigation becomes a race against time, and the consequences of these events remain shrouded in mystery.