Wu Chang's vision went black, and when he recovered, two Kerosene Lamps appeared almost right in front of his face, the brightness making his eyes sting.
He shielded one eye with the back of his hand, adjusting to the sudden light, muttering under his breath:
"This woman is too impatient."
He had only been in the Moonlight Sanatorium for two days, and the deadline Julie mentioned was still far off. He had originally planned to gather more information before approaching the Dean in a couple of days, but unexpectedly, Julie said, "There's no time," and pushed him through a door.
After a brief adjustment, he walked forward along the light, passing through a short corridor into a spacious Office.
Compared to the bright corridor, the Office was much dimmer, with only one dim Oil Lamp, just like the other patient rooms.
In the faint light, he could see a massive Shadow sprawled across the desk.
The moment he stepped into the room, the black shadow stirred like a startled giant beast, its body shaking as it stood up.
As the shadow rose, Wu Chang's gaze shifted from level to looking upward.
Dean Randy's height exceeded three meters, his shoulders as broad as a wall, and the circumference of his upper arm was comparable to an adult male's waist. Combined with his long golden hair, he resembled a standing lion.
Setting aside Randy's absurd height, even if an Ordinary Person ate nothing but steroids and testosterone, they couldn't build this physique.
Dean Randy's fitness drug regimen—surely he didn't copy the mature Arnold, did he?
Wu Chang really wanted to go out and ask Julie if she was sure Randy's ancestors were Mages, and not some Berserker.
Randy walked to within two meters of Wu Chang, sizing up the intruder. Feeling the oppressive aura washing over him, Wu Chang swallowed, momentarily unsure how to begin.
Perhaps sensing Wu Chang's predicament, Randy found a topic for him.
Randy took out a massive Smoothbore Gun nearly two meters long from behind his back, pointing the muzzle directly at Wu Chang's forehead, and muttered to himself:
"The condition has worsened again; the Hallucination has actually taken the form of a Stranger."
"Dean, don't shoot! It's me." Now Wu Chang knew how to start the conversation.
"Who are you?"
"I am an Imperial Envoy from the Royal City. Your Majesty asked me to deliver a message to you."
Fearing Randy wouldn't believe him, Wu Chang quickly handed over the King's Emblem he had been clutching.
Randy hadn't intended to waste time talking with Wu Chang; he planned to quickly conclude today's Illusion and return to work. However, the moment his gaze swept over the King's Emblem, his eyes were firmly locked onto it, unable to move.
This creation, representing the pinnacle of Human magic and craftsmanship, possessed an unparalleled sense of grandeur. Although made only of Metal, it would not be the least bit inferior when placed next to the most dazzling jewels.
It required no anti-counterfeiting measures; merely seeing it was enough to believe it was the King's Emblem.
Randy was very confident in his own aesthetic judgment; this was not something he could conjure out of thin air.
It was the Real Deal.
Confirming Wu Chang's identity, Randy's expression softened. He reluctantly returned the emblem to Wu Chang and asked:
"Why has the Envoy come this time? Does Your Majesty still believe in Myths and Legends like the Cursed Gold?"
Wu Chang shook his head, adopting the posture of an Envoy, pacing in the Dean's Office, and said:
"No, I have come regarding White Stone Town. According to our preliminary investigation, the shadow of the Church of Serenity is behind the strange occurrences happening there."
Hearing the words Church of Serenity, Randy subconsciously frowned.
Seeing Randy waver, and with the backing of his identity as an Imperial Envoy, Wu Chang prepared to seize the opportunity to persuade Randy to recognize Reality and Awaken the Ability within his Bloodline.
"Dean Randy, do you believe in the existence of Mysticism?"
Randy replied decisively: "I do not believe."
Wu Chang was about to deliver his prepared speech, but when he looked up, the words were choked back in his throat.
He narrowed his eyes, looking at the Golden Crossbow hanging on the wall. Next to the crossbow were three Art Piece-like silver crossbow bolts; the middle bolt emitted a Deep Red Grudge.
Perhaps due to the passage of time, the scene contained within the Grudge had dissipated, leaving only an ordinary Last Words and a Bloody Last Words.
「First Law of Mysticism: Human cognition is one of the Origins of Mysticism's existence. The more people believe in its existence, the stronger its Power becomes. The best Seal is not strict guarding, but complete forgetting.」
【Eliminate or completely Seal the remnant soul of the Evil God Leman.】
First Law of Mysticism?
"How about it? Isn't it beautiful?"
Randy's voice sounded from behind him, pulling Wu Chang's attention away from his thoughts.
"This Golden Crossbow is the merit my ancestor earned through constant warfare, forged in blood and fire. It is also proof of the Anderson Family's former glory. Although it cannot compare to the King's Emblem, it is a rare Art Piece in the world. Even in our most destitute times, the family never considered selling it."
"Its existence constantly reminds me to be grounded and revive the family with my own hands, like my ancestors, rather than pinning hopes on some Myths and Legends."
Wu Chang pursed his lips, swallowing the carefully organized speech completely. "I apologize, it is indeed beautiful, so beautiful it captivated me. Where was I?"
"You asked if I believe in the existence of Mysticism," Randy replied.
"And your answer is?"
"I do not believe."
Wu Chang nodded in agreement: "I don't believe either."
"Hm?" Randy seemed somewhat surprised by Wu Chang's answer.
Wu Chang took out the Silver Dawn, saying with complete sincerity:
"Beyond my identity as an Imperial Envoy, I am actually a scientist, and also an engineer. This gun is my creation. I firmly believe that the future of Humanity must lie in machinery and science."
Randy only glanced at it but marveled at the compactness and refinement of the short firearm. Even when he studied medicine in the capital, he had never seen such an exquisite firearm.
Sensing that the other party was also a proponent of science, Randy's gaze instantly became much friendlier.
Wu Chang continued: "Based on my investigation, I suspect the Church of Serenity is manufacturing some kind of hallucinogenic drug."
"Hallucinogenic drug?"
"Yes. That drug is addictive while simultaneously eroding the user's mind, making their Spirit unstable and blurring the boundary between Reality and Hallucination. Everything seen in the Hallucination then becomes what the Church of Serenity calls a Divine Miracle."
Randy pondered for a moment, returned to his desk, picked up a fountain pen, and said with a grave Complexion:
"As you can see, the Situation in White Stone Town is Out of Control. It is difficult for one person's Strength alone to salvage it. I will issue you a Doctor Passage. Take this and you can move freely within the Sanatorium and White Stone Town. You should take this chance to leave and report your findings to Your Majesty."
Hearing about the Passage, Wu Chang's face lit up. He hadn't expected the Dungeon Clear to come so easily.
Wait, wasn't that a bit too easy?
He looked at the King's Emblem in his hand, narrowing his eyes as he thought carefully.
Was Julie's goal the Passage from the very beginning?
Allowing so many Players to die, that woman was certainly not soft-hearted. If an opportunity to leave was presented, she would definitely stab her newly met, convenient Ally in the back.
Wu Chang quickly walked up to Randy and said righteously:
"No, precisely because the current Situation is critical, I cannot leave. The journey to the Royal City is long, taking nearly a month round trip. By the time I return, everything will likely be too late."
"Even if it means death, I must destroy the evil Plan of the Church of Serenity and not stand by while such a tragedy occurs!"
Randy was moved by Wu Chang's spirit and immediately said:
"White Stone Town is my territory; how can I let the Envoy fight alone? I must be included. As long as you have a need, I will satisfy any request to the best of my ability."
"I actually do have one thing that requires your help, Dean," Wu Chang seized the opportunity to say.
"The Church of Serenity chose White Stone Town as their Experiment location, and I suspect, besides Revenge, they are also wary of the Anderson Family. I suspect the Arcane Knights of that era possessed a method to cure Delusion Syndrome."
"Is there any place here like an Underground storage room that holds documents concerning the Arcane Knights?"
Randy raised an eyebrow and said, "There is indeed an Underground Secret Chamber that stores old books left by my ancestors. Although I think the possibility is slim, you can try your luck there."
"There is one more thing."
Wu Chang's gaze fell upon the crossbow bolt on the wall, and he said:
"As an engineer and craftsman, I would like to borrow one of the silver crossbow bolts to study its manufacturing technique. I wonder if that is possible."
Randy shrugged and said, "No need to borrow. Take whichever one you like; your courage is entirely worthy of it."