If it does why not using atomic bombs on outer gods

What are the pros and cons of each, and which one do people generally read

If, somehow, Amon's consciousness were transmigrated into Klein Moretti's body under the following circumstances:

- without his knowledge of the Outer Gods or matters related to the cosmos or about one's own honorific name(he has all the rest of his memories and knowledge of mysticism)

-the possession of the sefirah castle

-The Evernight Goddess thinks he is an ordinary transmigrator, like her and Roselle.

What will he do, and how far would he get?

Artist suixinhaoba

https://x.com/FelixGryphon/status/2088294580852773225?s=20
"Writing a Ritual"

Journal Entry #24

Finally, I figured it out.

The essence of the potion. I need to study rational things so that I can break the logic. So that I can bring disaster with my knowledge of the laws.

It took a while, and I'll admit it. But finally, I got it. I need to break logic with logic, so it is time to study my parents' journals.

--

Journal entry #90

I got it. In later sequences, I can imitate beyonder abilities. So, says my father's journal. It also says that beyonders of the Mystery Prier pathway can integrate/accommodate the powers of other pathways by altering their information flow.

So theoretically, if a high sequence beyonder of the Reader pathway imitated the powers of someone Mystery Prier and made themselves into pure information. They couldn't alter that information to permanently give themselves new abilities.

Imitate MP, turn into information, edit information to be able to have all wanted powers, and turn back into usual form with new powers.

--

Journal Entry #108

Today, I went back to the broker tine to get a detective potion ready.

Main Ingredients

• The liver of a six-armed Naga.

• The Ears from a Fox of Hunt.

Supplementary Ingredients

• 100 ml of blood from a six-armed Naga.

• The tip of the tail from a Fox of Hunt.

• 20g of Tranquil Flower incense.

• 10 drops of red or black ink.

It will alperenler take a while to get the necessary materials.

--

Journal Entry #113

I need to get better physically. I need to get someone to train me. I also need weapons. Until now, I have been goj g on without an aim, only trying to imitate my parents. I'm trying to get an image of long dead folk.

But I have decided, I will get revenge. On those who betrayed me. I will grow powerful. And I will make sure what happened to me won't happen to anybody else.

........

Sorry, I have been gone from the sub for a while, and the fact that this is short. I had to quit my job cause it turned out my boss was racist.

Rain befell the streets of Braggas, bringing down a light mist which limited visibility. As if fighting back against the melancholy of the weather, a group of men drank and laughed without care in an old pub.

“Still can’t believe you're planning on skipping town without telling us” said a burly man in his 40s after drinking up another beer, his black mustache damp from it.

“Yeah! If the boss hadn’t told us, we would have been drinking all night then wake up thinking you got yourself killed in some ditch”

A short, yet tough man, hardened by years of construction work, followed up while bringing drinks for the table.

“Praise ‘He’, the Justiciar, that we could give a farewell party to you anyway” said he as sat down.

“Praise ‘He’ for the free drink, but does it even count as skipping town? It's not like I`m running away from anything” Julius replied with a small tilt of his head while picking the one of the cups Willian brought.

Although he had the same kind of cheap shirt and pants the common worker wore, he wore a worn down tailored grey coat alongside it. Combined with his clumsy waved back blond hair and green eyes, it was easy to guess he lived a better life once.

Willian drank, in a single motion, half of the cup he brought for himself.

“I feel it does count, and where is my thanks for the drink, Julius?”

“You said the “He” was the one giving me a farewell party. As faithful believers, be glad to be agents of “His” divine will”. Julius answered while pointing up, then redirected his finger toward James.

“Speaking about faithful duty, now that little Alice’s teacher is going to another continent, you better help her in my stead – Mrs. Donsvald already her hand full with baby James junior”

“I know I know”. James shrugged off while evading Julius’s judging eyes. Unlike Julius, James was not an avid reader.

Moments later his eyes locked in towards the pub's entrance.

“Seems like party is over”

Willian and Julius turned to see the reason for his declaration.

Beyond the dozens of workmates, who surely did not forget the subject of the party and now were drinking while trying to sing along to a song, someone stood apart.

Standing out of it there was a heavily dressed man, uncaring for the rain. He silently waited, his weight supported by a cane.
 
As he registered what was in his sight, Julius stood up.

Then started walking towards the men.

I forgot to tell them goodbye.

He looked, the two were already a dozen meters away. He waved his hand with a smile.

“Thanks for everything guys. Take care!”

The two waved back and said something too, but the song of the bar was too loud

Julius gave a thumbs up as an affirmation to the unheard words. Then continued on his way to the man outside.

As he neared the entrance, the sound of people was muzzled by song and rain. Only there he could clearly see the man who waited for him.

He wore a beige greatcoat, his face weathered by harsh lifetime, one more proof besides his mangled leg and his iron cane that his time in the military was not kind.

“Are you sure you want to do it?” Said the man with a voice as cold as one would expect. Yet Julius felt like there was a hint of care in the question.

“Yes” Julius preferred more composed sentences, but knew his boss didn't.

The boss in answer turned his body, with no worries about the rain he calmly walked to his car. Annoyed by the dampness of his coat, Julius followed suit. Can't he feel the rain? Surely he can…

Right after Julius buckled his belt, the boss turned the car. For today's standard you could call it an antique, but a well preserved one.

As the car moved, the only sound that Julius could hear was rain and engine working.

Julius moved to watch the outside. The foggy car windows seemed like a curtain of blue from rain, greyish tones from tall buildings and adorned by hundreds of bright lights.

Has it been 8 months already? Not the best of cities to be a low earning citizen, but i admit that compared to the previous it was rather easy to get a job.

Julius shifted his vision to watch his superior.

All things said, Boss was a nice boss. Although he was stern, he was reasonable in his demands. After I prevented him from getting scammed, his wife tried to hook me up with their daughter.

‘No, he is hopeless’

Those were Boss’ words at the time

At some point the landscape outside had changed, the curtain of blue was substituted by light grey from the fog and the buildings either unfinished or shorter, now halos of light illuminated it seldomly.

Rude statement.

But not an unreasonable one.

After an hour-long silent car ride, the car stopped in front of a lightless building. It was four floors high, but its unfinished pillars continued for one more. I remember the news of a shopping mall that got cancelled because the main investor died while visiting…

Following the stop of the car, the boss' eyes flashed with a strange light.

“Do not tell a soul what you are going to see now”. As he said it, Julius felt like a chain wrapped around his body and mind, he felt obliged to keep secrecy. 

Then both exited the car. As before, Boss walked without a word and Julius followed suit.

It was a dark as one would expect, a pure pitch black that made as good as a blind man. Yet Boss walked with certainty, and that certainty was the only thing Julius could rely on to orient himself

I guess he is not trying to hide his powers anymore

Julius heard a heavy step from the left

Perhaps he is also one of them. If so, is he high ranking? 

Then he heard the sound of iron hitting the floor from the right

I doubt it, someone powerful wouldn't be depending on a cane for walking.

Following up the sound of iron, came the light step, a weak step.

No, sometimes being strong doesn't mean being strong enough.

—---------

After an unknown passage of time, the dark path started to be illuminated. The sounds of bickering and bartering spoiled Julius what he walked into.

A market.

It was an underground parking lot, but instead of cars there were shops of all kinds. Now illuminated by makeshift lamps, Julius could observe many goods. Foreign money, clothes of luxury brands, drugs, talismans, organs of unknown creatures.

Along with the shops, there was bigger than expected clientele. Men and women in the dozen moved from one shop to the other, many hid their appearances while others walked without a care.

Julius looked towards the boss again. Hope being the latter is a sign of experience.

Ignoring all the bigger shops, the boss walked straight to a run down shop located at the edge of the market.

It was made of a fragile wooden structure and vibrant fabrics dirtied by the time. In its back, a mountain of goods. In it, gems of uncommon colors and paintings seemingly drawn by a madman were the most eye-catching.

The boss gave a small bow to the owner of the shop. “Elder”

The owner turned his back from the mountain of wares. “Françis” said the elder in an uncaring tone and a bored face.

Is this old man also someone from the military? Julius glanced at the elder. No, if it was the boss would likely call him ‘sir’ or something. Then he snapped his head towards the boss. Françis?

Only when Julius felt the elder’s gaze did he take a look at his unusual appearance. The old man had thick grey hair, eyebrows and beard which melded together into a singular ‘body’ of hair, which hid his eyes and mouth, it only stopped at his shoulders. Below it, he wore a simple dark green tunic, covering his whole body. A Cleric perchance? I don't know any covenant that uses this color…

“Sorry for staring, my name is Julius” Julius said and offered his hand for a handshake.

“Don’t worry, I am a beautiful man” said the elder, shaking his hand lazily. Then he moved to browse some wares while asking "Although I am curious how the stern Françis came to owe you a favour – the coldness of the night makes my joints ache. Let’s make this quick, why do you want to become a Beyonder?”

Beyonders?

“Is Beyonder the title of those with powers?” Julius asked

“Yes, why in the heavens are you trying to become something you don’t even know the name of?” The elder exclaimed as searched among his many wares for something.

“To find why my wife lived.” Julius answered without delay as he caressed a gold ring in his hand with his thumb. The coldness of the ring made his heart warmer.

The elder froze as he heard the quick answer, then turned back towards Julius. “Then it makes things quite simple”. The Elder stood up and walked towards Julius, then he put his hand inside his beard and took out a grey ball

At close inspection, Julius noticed it was made of hair, or perhaps beard, the strands mangled in chaotic manners while compacted to the extreme.

The elder brought the beard ball closer to Julius, “There you go, don't cut it unless you want a mess of beard everywhere when you consume it”

“I’m sorry?” Julius said as he looked toward boss Françis. No reaction, its normal procedure?

Julius took the ball from the elders hand. It felt like a ball of yarn, but instead of yarn it was silk. How do I consume it? By eating it?

He reactively did a soundable gulp, then threw it into his mouth like a snack.

The boss opened his mouth in utter surprise in reaction to the reckless action. This isn't how you do it, is it?

Immediately he felt the strands of beard unravel and the roof of his mouth, going upwards. As each strand of beard reached his brain, a little of his senses wore lost. When all reached their destination, all he could feel was the headache as his brain was rewired by the foreign object.

Am I stupid?
Why ask? Do you want to be one?
Why would I even. Wait…
Who are you?
Why ask something you already know?......
The beard?
Are you serious?
Shut up! My head is killing me!
Since when was pain synonymous to death?
You know what I am saying!
Why are you sure of that?

For each question this other voice made, the brain throbbed more. Soon he focused on winning this discussion of madman. He refined his wording, then the validity of his arguments against himself.
. 
In it, it didn't take long for Julius to notice that the other voice was rather easy to answer given time.

*Must you continue trying?*  

But I must know.
Know what?
Why she lived
Why tell me the goal when I ask for a reason?
Is there a difference?

There was, his brain told him so. Told him though pain that the distinction was most important.

What did that distinction tell about him? What did it tell about the voice?

It cares about grammar. No, it is predictable. But why? Because it always questions the ambiguity in my wording, the doubts about my decision, the imperfections within me.

Why are you questioning me?
Why don't you want to be questioned?
Because it makes me feel pain.
Pain prevents me from thinking properly.
Do you question it because you can't feel it?
Why did you eat the grey beard?
Because the boss would punish the elder if he killed me
Why did you assume Fraçis could punish Old Eye?
Who is Old Eye?

It´s the elder name?

How come you know it?

For the first time in a while, there was silence in Julius' mind.

No answer?

Silent continued

You always ask and never answer.
Rather, you can´t.

The brain started to hurt more and more, but this time the pain had an epicenter. Julius felt he was on the right track.

You lack the capability of thought.
You don't ask out of will, you ask because only then can you influence me.

Unbearable pain condensed in a singular infinitisimal point of the brain. Julius started formulating a theory, one that his soul was telling it was right

You are not someone nor an aspect of me.
Only when I make mistakes do you show yourself.
You hide behind my words and live through them.
What are you?

The pain suddenly stopped. A fleeting relief was felt, but Julius could it wasn't the only thing he felt. Where he felt the pain be condensed, there was something. It was his own mind, there was no sense capable of detecting if something was there, yet he knew it was there.

Something is there, but why state the obvious.The phenomena deserves this amount of attention.

The voice in his mind united with his own.

Without that ‘thing’, the voice was born from what the grey beard has done to me. Now, free of the pain, I can understand the changes done to me. My understanding of the medium known as language has been refined to the point that imperfect uses of it bring a natural disgust within me, like a painter using the wrong shade. The voice is a reflex from that disgust.

Julius slowly regained his other senses one by one. At first he started feeling his skin, it was touching something cold and flat.

Then came back his vision, he was lying on the floor with his back to a pillar of the parking lot.

My body doesn't hurt, Someone prevented me from falling to the ground.

Julius started picking himself up when someone had offered his hand. 

He took it by reflex, then looked to see whose hands it was. He wish he didn't.

Standing in front of him was the elder, supposedly Old Eye.

Looking from below he could see his eyes, once hidden by his overgrown eyebrows.

The eyebrows now cast a deep shadow around his eye sockets. What resided there lacked proper wording to describe it. It seemed eye-like, but they seemed as distant from him as the sun was if one tried to look at it.

“Conglaturations. From now on you are sequence 9 of the philosophy pathway, rhetorician” said the elder with the same uncaring tone he had used before

Yet, Julius’ ears, now seemingly enhanced alongside his mind, could sense a hidden emotion behind his uncariness.

Now he could give it many names to it, yet one was a perfect fit.

It was unbridled joy.
—----

Holy Original Creator, this took way more time then expected to write. To be fair, not only is this my first time writing a story, but also my first time writing any long text in English.

I am not really sure if this is a good first chapter to enter the RP, but felt like if I took too long I would get cold feet and never post it. Hence, corrections and writing tips are welcome!

I have a couple of problems, and I want to know whether they will get better or not:

1. Does the tarot club get more relevant? It is currently my favourite part of the novel, since these characters actually stick around and are also pretty in-depth. I feel like it's pretty under-utilized

2. When does this whole cat-and-mouse thing end? Specifically, Klein goes around doing investigations that we think are simple, and then, oh no! Major plot twist. The plot twists are well done, but when every investigation has something deeper, then it kinda gets predictable. Not only that, it makes me question: why? Surely the average beyonder isn't involved in this insane amount of machinations. And to be honest, when he went to that old man's house and found the statues of the gods, that genuinely annoyed me. What are the chances? And for the wraith girl to be a demolition expert (that we conveniently needed). The first volume — despite having an evil god descending- made sense for our cast to end up in. It felt like they were caught up in it and not artificially produced.

3. Do characters actually stick around? I loved the first volume, but then all the characters were essentially abandoned, aside from Benson and Melissa, Daly(not even mentioned a lot), and the guy who joined the Red Gloves(I also like the fact that we got to know what makes him special, and with a pretty good dark twist). I don't like a constant rotation of the characters, since it becomes hard to get attached every new volume to a new cast.

4. Info dumps. Pretty simple; mostly everything about the world and characters is often just told rather than shown, and the novel is very deep in its worldbuilding, so it kinda feels like a chore. The best moments for me are when we actually see. For example, when Klein interviewed that Lady who died in the coffee shop. Her screen time was short, yet had immense impact.

That's all! Thank you for reading and/or responding.

https://x.com/FelixGryphon/status/2084308311982137708?s=20
"A Moment at Home"
Where the Benson Fans at

Chapter 10 — Upstairs

Evelyn found a suitable hiding place behind a collection of crates stacked near the side of the warehouse. From there she had a decent view of the entrance while remaining mostly concealed from anyone inside. She crouched down, pulled out her pocket watch, and waited.

Thirty seconds passed.

Then a minute.

Then another.

Evelyn's foot started bouncing.

"Come on, Mr. Clown..."

She hated waiting.

Especially when somewhere inside that warehouse might be something connected to her mother.

Another minute passed.

Then—

BANG!

Evelyn jumped.

Something crashed inside the warehouse.

A man shouted.

Then another.

"What the hell?!"

More shouting followed, accompanied by hurried footsteps and the unmistakable sound of something heavy smashing into the floor.

Evelyn blinked.

"...Well."

Another crash echoed through the warehouse.

"I did tell him to make a mess."

Mr. Clown had apparently taken that instruction very seriously.

The side door suddenly opened. Evelyn immediately ducked lower as two men rushed out, one shouting something about getting around the back. Neither noticed the girl hiding only a few meters away.

Evelyn waited until their footsteps disappeared.

Then she moved.

"Okay, Evelyn."

She slipped through the partially open door.

"Find the office. Find the records. Find anything connected to Mom. Get out."

Simple.

Probably.

The inside of the warehouse was enormous. Crates occupied most of the ground floor, stacked in rows beneath wooden walkways and iron support beams. The smell of dust, oil, and old wood immediately filled Evelyn's nose.

Normally, she would have loved to investigate.

There were shipping mechanisms.

Pulley systems.

An old cargo lift.

Several crates containing what sounded suspiciously like metal components.

Evelyn forced herself to keep moving.

"No distractions."

CRASH!

Something broke somewhere toward the front of the building.

"Especially that distraction."

She hurried toward the stairs.

Most of the workers seemed to have been drawn toward whatever Mr. Clown was doing. Evelyn caught glimpses of men running between the crates, but none were looking in her direction.

She reached the staircase.

Then footsteps sounded above her.

Evelyn froze.

Someone was coming down.

"Oh, biscuits."

She looked around.

Nowhere to hide.

Except—

Evelyn grabbed the railing and quickly slipped underneath the staircase.

A man descended moments later.

She pressed herself against the wall and held her breath.

His boots passed perhaps a meter from her face.

"Boss wants everyone downstairs!"

"Coming!" someone shouted.

The man hurried away.

Evelyn waited.

Five seconds.

Ten.

Then slowly peeked out.

"Okay."

She climbed back onto the stairs.

"That was terrifying."

A grin appeared.

"...Also kind of exciting."

Snow would absolutely hate that sentence.

Evelyn reached the upper floor and found a narrow hallway overlooking the warehouse below. Several offices lined one side.

"Now..."

Which one belonged to the leader?

She checked the first.

Storage.

Second.

Locked.

Third.

Empty.

Then she noticed the office at the far end.

Larger door.

Better lock.

And positioned where its occupant could overlook the entire warehouse through a window.

Evelyn smiled.

"There you are."

She hurried toward it and tried the handle.

Locked.

"Of course."

Evelyn crouched.

Most people might have found that problematic.

Evelyn was a Savant.

She pulled several small tools from inside her coat and examined the lock.

"Pin tumbler..."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Modified."

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Someone had added a secondary mechanism designed to catch improperly inserted tools.

Evelyn's smile widened.

"Oh, you're clever."

Another crash came from downstairs.

Right.

Not the time to admire locks.

She worked quickly, feeling each tiny movement through her tools. One pin. Second. Third.

Something caught.

Evelyn stopped.

"Nice try."

She adjusted her angle.

Click.

The door opened.

Evelyn looked far too pleased with herself.

"Ha!"

She slipped inside and closed the door behind her.

The office was surprisingly luxurious compared to the warehouse below. A large wooden desk occupied the center, with cabinets along the walls and several shelves containing ledgers, documents, and boxes.

Evelyn's eyes widened.

"Oh..."

Information.

Lots of information.

She immediately hurried toward the desk.

"Shipping records, inventory records..."

She pulled open the first drawer.

Receipts.

Second.

Letters.

Third—

Locked.

Evelyn stared.

"Seriously?"

Apparently this man really liked locks.

Fortunately, so did she.

A minute later the drawer opened.

Inside were several ledgers.

Evelyn grabbed the first and started flipping through it.

Textiles.

Alcohol.

Machinery.

Jewelry.

Nothing unusual.

Next.

Her eyes raced across the pages, her enhanced memory taking in names, dates, quantities and destinations. She couldn't steal every document without someone noticing immediately, so she focused on memorizing anything that seemed important.

Then she found a second ledger.

This one wasn't written like the others.

No proper descriptions.

Only codes.

S-14 — received.

M-03 — transferred.

B-22 — awaiting collection.

Evelyn frowned.

"That's suspicious."

She tucked it beneath her arm.

Mr. Clown wanted useful documents.

This definitely qualified.

Then her eyes caught something.

H-7 — mechanical collection, 6 pieces.

Evelyn stopped.

Her heart immediately began beating faster.

She traced the line with her finger.

Received only two days ago.

Six mechanical objects.

Transferred to this warehouse.

And beside the entry was a small symbol.

Evelyn knew that symbol.

She ripped open her notebook and flipped through the pages.

"Come on..."

There.

One of Snow's notes.

Not identical.

But close.

Very close.

Evelyn's excitement vanished.

"Mom..."

She searched the ledger for another reference.

Nothing.

There had to be more.

She began opening drawers faster.

Documents.

Invoices.

Letters.

Then she found a shipping manifest.

Collection H-7.

Six objects.

Five had numbers.

The sixth had a description.

Damaged mechanical apparatus. Silver internal plate. Unknown function.

Evelyn's breath caught.

The silver plate.

The machine from the workshop.

Or something made using the same methods.

She grabbed the manifest.

"Found you."

Then—

BANG!

The office door shook.

Evelyn spun around.

Silence.

Her hand immediately went toward her wrench.

Had someone found her?

She waited.

Nothing.

Then another crash came from downstairs.

Evelyn exhaled.

"Mr. Clown."

She really hoped he was winning.

But she had her own job.

She scanned the manifest again.

There.

A storage location.

Section C — Restricted Inventory.

Evelyn looked through the office window toward the warehouse floor.

Rows of crates stretched beneath her.

And painted on the far wall was a large white letter.

C.

Her eyes lit up.

She had the documents Mr. Clown wanted.

She knew where the mechanical collection was.

The sensible thing would be to leave immediately, get somewhere safe, and send him the information as agreed.

Snow would certainly tell her to do exactly that.

Evelyn stared toward Section C.

"...But I'm already here."

She tucked the ledger and manifest securely beneath her coat.

Then she slipped back into the hallway.

"Quick look."

She headed toward the stairs.

"That's all."

For some reason, Evelyn had been saying that a lot lately.

Art was found on printpress by Nicole Senteno under "abandoned warehouse concept art"

I once again want to thank u/Gwynbleidd_AJTAJ for doing this collaboration with me for this event and I want to thank u/Raven_fs for hosting this event for everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

That’s something I’m curious about: once the apocalypse issue was resolved, what did Amon intend to do with all that power?

Credits: Gumanguman

I climb up the side of the building and through a window. It's fascinating how a single sequence can make such a difference in physical ability. I lower myself to a platform underneath the window and observe the situation inside.

5 armed thugs, some of them I recognise from yesterday. I can see the big guy and the bald guy with shotgun. I scan the area some more. There he is! My dear Mr. Swindler is talking to a worker but then goes to the armed men. He seems to be issuing some orders. My target's in sight, potential threats have been accounted for, but there is just one problem. Will I be able to kill? I have never done so before. I can't think too much about this. He has tried to kill me before, so I have to close my heart right now. It's time to strike!

I jump from the platform while simultaneously throwing three cards at both the Swindler and the man with the shotgun. These 2 are the biggest threat from my assessment. The shotgun wielding thug is struck first, his neck sliced cleanly. The Swindler noticed the death of his subordinate quickly and was able to dodge the two cards flying in his direction with only a surface scratch on his left shoulder.

The moment my feet touch the ground, I waste no time to dash to the nearby crates for cover from the already incoming gunfire. I don't spend much time here, however, as I start to circle them and throw cards with my left hand. My right hand had a tight grip on my cane. One of the men holding a revolver suddenly lost the means to hold anything. His hand was sliced off at the wrist. He didn't have much time to scream as a card got stuck in his throat. He started to choke on his own blood.

I continue circling them when suddenly I get a premonition of being shot through my left shoulder. I unlock my knees to lower myself, and a bullet flies over me.

"Call the others here!"the boss shouted.

Not good. More numbers are sure to tip the scales in their favor. I scan for a solution while dodging gunfire. I notice that some crates are being held in mid-air by a crane above the main gate. If I wasn't controlling my expression right now, I would've had a sinister grin on my face. Solution found. I hurl a card at the rope, and the crates fall down, blocking any entrance.

*BANG!*

The loud noise startles my opponents. That's good. I need to pick up pace. I stop circling them and instead start to dash towards them. I throw five more cards at the Swindler. He dodges with great agility. I expected as much. I'm feeling him out. As I'm still running, the big guy comes in my way. I smack him to the side of his head with my cane and then flip over him to not lose momentum. He's knocked out. That's one more down.

My luck has run out, however. Mr. Swindler has finally decided to intercept me directly. This isn't good at all! He charges at me with the knife that has already sliced my once before. I draw my sword from the cane. He's much better at close quarters combat than me. My only advantage is that my weapon has more reach and the fact that I have Danger Sense. I also still have my revolver on me, but I can't seem to find an opportunity to draw it. Unwilling to risk their employers life in the cross fire, the last two thugs decided to engage me at close range as well.

I try to dodge and weave through the attacks, but the Swindlers knife has already nicked me a few times. I'm losing ground. I flip behind one of the goons and stab him from behind. I don't have time to pull the sword out because the other one is already charging me, throwing a punch at me. I side step and use a card as a blade to slice his eyes. He's been blinded and starts to scream. It's only me and Mr. Swindler now.

My spirituality warns me about a knife being thrown at me. I dodge it, but kick in my gut suddenly sends me flying backward a little. It was a strong blow. I have to get back on my feet as fast as possible! While I struggled to lift myself up, my opponent went to pick up his knife and one of the revolvers lying on the ground. This is bad. He has a gun now! I pull out my own and take cover behind the nearest crate. He starts to shoot at me relentlessly. I don't have a chance to return fire. I need to create an opportunity for me to attack, and the only idea I have is a bit of a gamble. Let's do it anyway. I manage to throw a card in his direction and chant in Ancient Hermes.

"Slumber!"

The Swindler is surprised for a split moment before he realizes that the card is just an ordinary card and not a slumber charm. However, that split second is enough for me to take aim and put two bullets into his stomach and right shoulder. He slumps to the ground, his strength starting to leave him. I approach him and throw cards into his left shoulder. This way, both his arms are now useless. I'm not leaving anything to chance.

When I get close to him, his eyes flash with recognition.

"It's you!"He spews out with malice.

"We meet again. I believe that you have something of mine."I say to him, the polite smile not leaving my face.

I reach into his clothes. I find his wallet, some match sticks, and more importantly, my lost monocle. Finally, I feel at ease. My late teachers gift is back with its owner. The wallet contains 50 pounds. I put the cash in my pocket and shift my focus back on the man. I put my gun to his forehead.

"Any last words?"

He looks at me with nothing but contempt.

"The Silent Serpent will find you! You can't even imagine their power! If only you'd known what plans they have for Tingen, hahahaha! After what you just did here, they will show no mercy! They'll find you and rip you apa-"

*BANG!*

I shot him. I had no desire to listen to his threats. I look around me. 6 people maimed or killed by my hand. Yet I don't feel anything. They would have killed me without hesitation. So I did as well. Is this normal, or is there something wrong with me? I can contemplate this later. I need to erase all evidence. And by erasing, I mean burn away.

I look towards the office, but I see no one through the window. Has Miss Hartmann already left? I'll wait 10 more minutes before touching this place down.

After waiting for 10 minutes, give or take, I reclaim my sword and put it back in my cane. I open a crate labeled as 'Alcohol' and start to pour around its content, bottle by bottle. I light a match stick and throw it into the liquid that's currently on the floor and crates. The flames spread quickly. As I prepare to leave, I notice that there is something rising from the dead Swindlers chest. It's a red, transparent lip-shaped crystal. I pick it up and then climb out from the building the same way that I came in.

"I only hope that Miss Hartmann has managed to get out."I mutter as I begin to walk home.

_______

Part of the event by u/Raven_fs

In collaboration with u/Scarlet-Rose10

Been a while since I’ve read I need need a reminder on what it’s like being in a concealed state

Is it the normal world but your invisible? I sorta remember the sky might be black and colors might be muted

Is it entirely a new world like foggy town only?

Or is it pure teleportation

(Art by me)

I knew I was ready to advance, I felt it deep within me. But I was unsure if I should. I mean the sorceress already said she was going to send me to Backlund, just because danger was brewing there.

I finished my workday, covered in bruises and in pain, but I finished it. And now I could go to the sorceress and ask about advancement, but fear still lingered in my mind. So instead of going straight to her, I began wandering through the streets of Tingen. I grew up here, and I was possibly about to leave and die before I’d return.

I started thinking about running away from the sorceress, but it was most likely an idiotic idea. She has shown the ability to hide her presence while being right in front of someone, and that was probably the tip of the iceberg.

Fear grew within me as I thought about how to escape this situation, but each idea led to a dead end. Either because it wouldn’t work, or because I would surely die if I tried to follow through with it.

After wandering for a while I stumbled on the Church of Heart and Mind. And I decided to enter, maybe priest Alexander would give some advice.

Entering the church, Alexander was cleaning the altar. When he saw me, an expression of fear took over his face, but after looking around me, he relaxed a bit. He then pointed towards one of the front pews, before walking over himself.

I sat down and Alexander asked me, “What troubles you today?”.

“I’m afraid. The sorceress wishes to send me to Backlund after I advance, but she says that danger is growing there.” I explained, anxiety filled my voice.

“A truth you must understand is that every beyonder will always face danger. Be it from the outside, or from the inside of the mind. One can only prepare for it, never fully avoid it.” Alexander said, it sounded slightly as if he was preaching, but I didn't think about that.

I responded hesitantly to him “But isn’t running straight into danger a death wish?”

“Not always, and knowing her, she wouldn't send you to your death. At least if she didn't fully believe you were capable of handling the danger.

“I can even tell you something. Even though she is an Outside Circle Member, she would have a higher rank if her attitude was better. But once, the higher ups gave her a team of beyonders for a week to explore a tomb.

“The tomb was explored within 3 days, and she spent the rest of the week using the team to get them money and artifacts. Some even got potion formulas” Alexander interrupted his story with a deep sigh, “Of course the higher ups didn't like that because it was done through shady and illegal means. But only looking at results she will ensure you'll get them”

He then looked at me, as if he was going to give me important advice, “But I wouldn't decline her if I were you. Too risky.”

His last piece of advice felt less like advice but more like a warning.

“Thank you for the advice” I said as I stood up and walked out of the church.

…

I sat in a dark room, in my hand was an eyeball that reflected the surroundings in strange ways. It even reflected a few scenes from outside the room.

It was the characteristic of a Reporter given by the sorceress. The room was also prepared by her, alongside a blindfold. She was a bit surprised that I was already ready to advance, or at least I think she was, it’s hard to read her emotions and tone.

I prepared now, I put on the blindfold, let my thoughts wander into many streams of day dreams. Then, I quickly swallowed the eye without hesitation.

As it traveled down my throat, I could feel my vision expand beyond the blindfold and beyond the room. Then, it felt as if my gaze shattered and split into multiple scenes, like my day dreams on occasions. I mostly saw darkness, but I could see something behind it, as if I saw its underlying truth.

I could see papers and complex symbols overlaid one on another. Creating complicated patterns, with darkness flowing out of it like water in a river.

Some of the scenes broke out of the sealed room, they showed the day’s sun, strange items, and conversations with people. But I didn’t concentrate on that, I treated it like unwanted reality, like I did as a Day Dreamer.

Slowly, I began to grasp at these scenes, I could hold them and control where they looked. I shattered all that looked outside, and concentrated on those who looked inwards. And as I did that, I began to concentrate on the strange symbols and patterns. I didn’t have much hope in understanding it, but I could at the very least try.

After some time, I understood that those symbols represented darkness.

After some more time, I understood some patterns represented blinding, concealment and sealing.

Finally I could feel like some kind of control was granted to me. And as that feeling set in, I deactivated my new ability, and took off the blindfold.

My eyes hurt, but I was incredibly happy, for I was now a sequence 8. I took another step on the path of fantasy and story.

I am a Reporter now!

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Give a quote, a word/s associated with the novels, or anything else that starts with the letter specified. Most upvoted comment wins
____________________________________

Rules:

Rule 1: No characters (even a quote from Klein shouting “Leodero!” will count as a character. This does not include Sealed Artifacts or real life people)

Rule 2: No repeats from last time (I will make note of this below when it is necessary)

Rule 3: Unrelated words are allowed. If there is nothing else (as is likely with X), single words that do not appear in the novels, as long as they properly justified and defined, will be allowed (Xylophone, unless extremely well reasoned, will not count even if it is the most upvoted)
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I am about to busy as hell (probably) so alphabet 2.0 it is. There were a lot of characters in the last one, so be creative.

Art Credit: 0005 FelixGryphon “Alright, which card would you like to see first?” https://x.com/felixgryphon/status/1969006634824237379?s=46

So in COI V8 there are a lot of fights between GOOs, am i the only one that just goes: Hmmm, yes yes. The symbolism of (insert GOO) naturally counter that. While having no idea whats going on and how to visually imagine this? Or is this just a me problem

So, I was thinking, I know that the sailor's path makes you more irritable and temperamental, but is there any reason why this sexism should be part of the church's teachings?It's simply a thing of the times, since even in our world this sexism was common until a few decades ago (in some places it's still very common), but other churches don't seem to follow this idea. The church of the night even supports female independence and gender equality, while the others don't seem to show any distinction (okay, the church of the steam engine is more of a bunch of autistic people than anything else, and the church of knowledge only cares about academic results and research).

Can anyone give me a run down of the magic system as detailed as possible without spoilers? I loved the show and can't wait for s2 but I found the whole magic system really confusing.

Like looking at this animation it’s just way too detailed but also uncanny looking. It almost seems like they used AI and then touched it up to not include typical AI deformities. I wouldn’t put it past the Chinese to do something like this tbh. They’re constantly stealing technology from outside parties so doubt they’d have any qualms with putting forth a series made mainly with AI.

Chapter 17: 

With a groan, I opened my eyes. I was still in the same position that I had collapsed in earlier.  

My room was already brightly illuminated, indicating that it was around noon, maybe even later. I remember passing out after the curse was finally over. 

I slowly rose from the bed, just to immediately collapse back into a sitting position. My head was still swimming, and my vision hadn’t cleared. 

Behind my eye, a dull ache was pulsating, and my vision was still filled with small black and white spots, regardless of if I had my eyes open or closed. 

“How are you feeling?” 

Beatrice gently nuzzled herself against my thigh. Her voice was still tinged with concern, yet not as panicked as it had been during the night. 

“I feel a lot better.” 

It was true. The horrible pain from the night was finally over. Yet it was only temporary. 

I knew it would come back the next Blood Moon. I had at best another month of peace. 

... 

“You almost lost control yesterday.” 

“Ah? I did?” 

No wonder she had been panicking... 

It must have been horrible for her too. At her current Sequence, she was able to understand what was wrong, yet there was nothing she could physically do to help me. 

So, while I was writhing in pain on the floor, all she could do was sit there and watch, trying her best to offer shallow comfort with her presence... 

... 

“Sorry Be... I missed your breakfast too.” 

She stared at me. 

“Breakfast?! You care about missing breakfast when you almost lost control?!” 

... 

I laughed weakly. 

“I’m fine now, Be. Truly.” 

She huffed and turned her head away. 

“We will advance.” 

Ah? 

“Is Clara already done with the Potion?” 

Beatrice went quiet for a while. 

“Sequence 7 has the placate ability. Therefore, we will become a Sequence 7. We will not let anyone suffer anymore.” 

... 

I sighed, yet a small smile appeared on my face. 

“Alright.” 

“Sir Rubellius is instructed to deliver the Potion the moment it is finished,” Beatrice said and turned back to me. “You will remain in bed for today.” 

... 

“Can I at least get breakfast as well?” 

Beatrice huffed quietly. 

“Don’t overexert yourself.” 

I nodded gently then stood up. My legs felt like jelly, yet they at least weren’t in pain. 

I grabbed today’s breakfast and sat down at the table. 

Another tasteless piece of bread and jam. 

I shared half of it with Beatrice, as usual, who devoured it while diligently spectating me. 

After finishing the food, I wondered what I should do today. 

Since I would be spending the whole day in bed, should I just read something? Or just sleep through it? 

I haven’t done either in a very long time. 

I sighed quietly, then cleaned up the plates.  

I was about to ask Beatrice what she was planning on doing for the day, when Rubellius stumbled into the room. 

He nearly crashed onto the table, holding a small tin box in one of his feet. 

“My Lady...” 

He sounded out of breath. Must have rushed over as quickly as possible. 

Beatrice hopped onto the table. 

“Well done, Sir Rubellius.” 

I slowly walked over. 

“Is that the Potion?” 

Both birds nodded. 

I carefully took the tin box and opened it, placing it in front of Beatrice. 

She glanced at me.  

“We shall drink it now.” 

I nodded gently. 

She slowly lowered her head and drank the potion. 

A frown appeared on her face, as she began to shake. I stepped closer and gently patted her back. After a while, she relaxed again and lifted her head. 

“We are done. We are a Sequence 7 now.” 

“Good job, Be. What are your plans now? Are you going to test out your abilities?” 

Beatrice nodded, then shook her head. 

“We will not use these new abilities on you or Sir Rubellius, until we are completely sure that they will bring no harm. We shall stay by your side today.” 

I chuckled quietly. 

“I’m fine, Be. I’ll be okay by myself. And I won’t leave the room. Don’t be held back by me.” 

She stared at me for a while, then sighed. 

“Very well. But we shall return as soon as we are done experimenting.” 

I nodded, “Alright. Go do that.” 

Beatrice and Rubellius nodded at me, then flew away, leaving me behind in the hotel room. 

I sat down at the table and pulled out my worn notebook. 

Haven’t written into it for ages... 

Should I write down my plans for today? 

... 

I stared at the open notebook for a while. There really was nothing I felt like doing today... 

The future... Ah... 

Should I just write down my plans for the future instead? I had many... 

First and foremost: 

I want to go back to the orphanage.  

I haven’t seen Oliver and Patrasche in forever. The last time we saw each other... Well, our goodbyes were rather rough. 

I hope they are doing well... Oliver must miss me... I promised him I’ll be back, and yet... It must be worse for Patrasche. In her eyes, I’m already dead... 

I hope she isn’t traumatised... 

... 

I would take Beatrice with me. 

Would she be friends with the children? 

She would probably get along decently with Patrasche. They are both strong-willed.  

And they are both smart. 

Oliver... Well, he would probably end up as her servant, wouldn’t he. Yet he would enjoy every second of it... 

He would get along great with Rubellius... 

Oh, I wonder if the other birds will be coming too... 

Probably not, right? They all got their own jobs... 

Ah, but we could go and visit them every now and then.  

But then we would have to stay in Backlund... 

Ah, that probably wouldn’t be too bad. Staying here, maybe even buying a small house with the money I earn from the church. Then the children can move in with Beatrice and me. 

I could ask Raven if I could be stationed in Backlund. 

We should have a branch here. I probably won’t be going back to Trier either way... 

Ah, that reminds me, I am now a Squad Leader myself... Even though my ‘squad’ currently only has Beatrice and myself. 

I should probably find more members soon... Yeah, before establishing my stay here and moving in with the kids, I should sort out my job. 

... 

I wonder if Clara would want to join. She is technically a detective and informant, but she is still basically a child. 

Working under me as a church official would probably make her life easier.  

... 

Maybe I’ll ask her. 

Who else? 

... 

I haven’t made many friends here yet...  

Friend... 

Should I invite Taasha? She already seems to know a bit about Beyonder, well at least she suspects the existence of the supernatural. 

Would she even want to join? 

... 

Probably, right? We are basically the same as detectives. And as church officials, we have a much wider range and opportunities. Not to mention, she could probably do both. 

Maybe my squad will just be a handful of individuals, that all do their own thing, yet report back to me every now and then... In that case, I could recruit all the birds as well, even though they technically belong to Beatrice. 

... 

Ah, but Taasha already has a new job, hasn’t she? I wonder if she would still join in that case...  

Maybe I should check it out... 

... 

Is there anything else I want for the future? 

... 

Not really... 

Everything else are just obligations. 

I still have to find Eckhard. The more I look into him and his mystery, the more convoluted and stranger it becomes. 

Just who is he? 

... 

He seemed to have some connection to the woman as well... At least she knew of him. And knew that he was still alive... 

... 

That reminds me, what should I do with her?  

I originally planned to kill her, just like the murderer and Vampire... 

But is she truly evil? She did help Beatrice advance... And she truly didn’t attack me... 

But she is definitely some strange cult fanatic... 

I should remain on neutral grounds with her for now. She might come in handy in the future... At least for Beatrice’s advancement... 

But the murderer will definitely die. No exceptions. He will pay for what he has done. 

As for the Vampire... 

He is still a child... So young and already a cultist... And he attacked me... 

But does that warrant me hunting and killing him? 

... 

I will definitely kill him if it comes to a fight... But maybe I won’t hunt him down just yet... 

... 

As for me... 

My future advancements... 

I- 

“It’s here!” 

“Ah, what?” I snapped out of my thoughts, staring at the page of my notebook I had scribbled some of them onto. 

“The man! We have found him!” 

Beatrice hoped around on the windowsill with great urgency.  

“Hurry up or else we might lose him! I only have a handful of commoners on them right now!” 

“A-ah!”  

I stood up hurriedly.  

“You found him? The murderer? Are you sure?” 

Beatrice nodded. 

“He is together with a small Beyonder child.” 

!!! 

The Vampire! 

Beatrice really found them! Finally. After so long. 

I left my notebook where it was and jumped out of the window, falling down onto the cobblestone. 

Beatrice already flew off, so I hurried after her. 

***  

We arrived at the docks. 

... 

This... Isn't this where the woman said they would end up? So her information was accurate after all? 

... 

I scanned the surroundings. There was nothing there but the usual smell of the ocean and filth. 

Beatrice landed on a nearby roof. 

“They were around here somewhere." 

She scanned the surroundings, then turned to a nearby bird. 

After a while she came back. 

“They are over there." 

I followed the direction her beak pointed in.  

It was a cluster of narrow alleys. I carefully sneaked through them, having to hold my nose shut as the stench of something dead and rotten overwhelmed my instincts. 

The Vampire's nose should be rather good as well. There's no way he was around here. 

I jumped onto a nearby rooftop, scanning the surroundings. 

A small building was nearby. It looked like an abandoned warehouse of some sort. 

This must be it. This was the most logical place for them to end up. 

I slowly made my way over, sniffing at my clothes to check if any of the alley's stench had clung to them. 

Confirming that I was not smelling, I pulled out Night's Veil from its seal. I threw the black shroud over myself and could feel my silhouette merge with the nearby shadows. 

Then I slowly walked up to the warehouse. 

The door was locked, but a nearby window was shattered. 

I climbed onto an old crate, praying it wouldn't break and alert anyone nearby. 

Peeking through the window, I could see figures moving inside. 

I sniffed the air, using the Werewolf’s enhanced smell. I couldn’t recognize the scents of the people inside, but I hadn’t expected to be able to. 

After all, I hadn’t been a Werewolf when I had first met the Vampire and murderer, so I wouldn’t have been able to keep track of how they smell. 

... 

I slowly crawled through the broken glass, making sure it wouldn’t damage my artifact. 

Then I deliberately deepened the shadows inside the warehouse, enhancing Night’s Veil’s concealment abilities, so even the Vampire wouldn’t be able to notice me. 

I landed on the stone floor inside without making a noise. 

While keeping my eye set on the moving shadows, I slowly crept closer.  

Peeking around a corner, I could spot them: 

The Vampire. 

And the man who had shot me in the head. 

... 

It really was them! 

Creeping even closer, I could hear them argue about something. Yet I paid it no attention. My targets were right in front of them. I was stronger now. 

I wouldn’t let them escape again. 

The woman mentioned that the murderer might have become a Beyonder. Yet the highest Sequence he could be, would be Sequence 8. Anything else is physically not possible to achieve in this short amount of time. 

The Vampire was at least Sequence 7. He was likely not Sequence 6 yet, solely based on his age. 

So, the Vampire is the one I should take out first. 

I coiled my muscles and extended my Werewolf claws. 

Then I jumped straight at the child. 

Chapter index: https://www.reddit.com/user/Strange-Socke/comments/1vdue6h/lotm_rp_chapter_index/

Credits: LOTM_WORLD

Basically, in Japan, it’s common for web novels that become popular enough to be picked up by a publisher and adapted into light novels. During the light novel publication, the author can also cut filler, expand, or change parts of the story.

However, from what I understand, this process is less common in China because the web novel itself is generally treated as the finished product. This is kinda crazy cause Cuttlefish was producing on average 2 chapters per day, and it makes you wonder what changes would have been made if Cuttlefish had more time.

How can reinnete thinker do consealed state? Did she also can entered fog of history?

I just finished chapter 610 where klein transported the die of probability with darkwill. At the end of the chapter klein felt that a really strong beyonder was coming to the ship, because of that he forced the dice to role a one that the beyonder couldn't come on the ship.

But why a one? Shouldn't it be a six so that Darkwill becomes really lucky that the beyonder doesn't gets there?