Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 145 - 139 Master of Divine Seal Awakens

Chapter 145: 139 Master of Divine Seal Awakens

"Number One thought I was from the Doomsday Era?"

I quickly realized that last time, in front of him and Number Four, Xuanming, I had allowed Number Two, the small bowl, to mistakenly think I was a person from the Doomsday Era. I hadn’t had a chance to correct this misunderstanding, letting it continue indefinitely.

I didn’t actually intend to keep using this misunderstanding. Although the true purpose of this Mist Dream Realm was still unclear to me, considering it had gathered so many people from different abnormal worlds, even those like Number Four, Xuanming and Number Six at the Great Impermanence Level, it might become a platform for exchanging information about the abnormal world. Eventually, the ill-suited "Person from the Doomsday Era" disguise could become cumbersome.

Like how I enjoyed playing the mysterious person and liked the atmosphere of mysterious organization gatherings, this ill-suited disguise did have its own appeal. However, if it hindered my information gathering, it would be better to voluntarily cast it aside in front of those who misunderstood and show a straightforward attitude.

"I am not from the Doomsday Era," I said.

"What? But you clearly..." Number One was surprised.

Observing his reaction made me feel something was off, so I then looked towards Number Four, Xuanming.

Number Four, Xuanming hadn’t presumed I was from the Doomsday Era as Number One had. It seemed like he naturally treated me as though we were from the same era while conversing...no, that was a test. I had been baited into talking.

He was also looking at me now and glanced at Number Two’s reaction, then said to me, "I see, you had no intention of using the identity of someone from the Doomsday Era for deception. It looks like I’ve misjudged you by assuming malicious intent."

I finally understood that he probably never fully believed I was from the Doomsday Era. So, previously, while I inquired why he collected Divine Seal Fragments, he simultaneously and unnoticeably drew information from me. He had at least tested me twice. Once by initiating the conversation as if we were from the same era and another by intentionally using the example of Number Two, who wasn’t present, when discussing people from the Doomsday Era. He was observing my reactions.

Although he acted with integrity, he also had a worldly-wise side.

However, this matter also involved my indifferent attitude. Initially, the identity of someone from the Doomsday Era was just an exterior put on to attract Number Two, and after I shed that identity in front of Number Two, the role of that identity ended. Yet, surprisingly, both Number One and Number Four, Xuanming, were still concerned about this identity and even specifically tested it, which I found both admirable and ironically amusing.

"Number One, I have a question for you too. May I speak with you privately?" I asked.

"Just say it here."

He still didn’t let down his guard and didn’t intend to interact with me in private.

"Alright," I nodded, "do you know Ying Lingyun?"

"—You mean Ying Lingyun?"

Number One indeed reacted.

"Why are you asking this? No..." he suddenly became extremely wary, "why did you choose to ask me?"

"I’ll just say it directly, I suspect you are Ying Lingyun, are you?" I cut straight to the point.

Number Two’s ability to detect lies had limitations, like the last time I didn’t directly tell her I was from the Doomsday Era, but merely showed my knowledge of it. She concluded by herself that I was from that era. This shows that although others can’t lie to her, they can still lead her to the wrong conclusions.

Moreover, I believed there were other ways to circumvent her lie detection mechanisms. Thus, instead of indirect probing, a direct approach usually leaves fewer gaps.

"I am not. How could I possibly be Ying Lingyun?" Number One answered without hesitation, then added with an angry tone, "To prevent more disgusting and pointless questions, such as whether I am his ’possibility avatar’ or his clone, or some other nonsensical stuff, and then due to this and that accident a rebellious self-awareness was born... none of that. I am just me."

"It seems you know quite a bit about Ying Lingyun..." I said.

Number Two, the small bowl, stood silently by my side without any particular reaction. We had a code – if she heard a lie, she’d signal me. Therefore, this implied Number One had not lied.

"It’s my turn to ask," Number One asked coldly, "why are you asking if I am Ying Lingyun? Where do I look like that beast to you?"

"You have a similar build to him," I replied.

"Not just that. He has a Divine Seal Fragment, which I am well aware of. You must have learned about it through some channel, which is why you suspected he might also be a visitor to the Mist Dream Realm, is that correct?" he asked with a cold smirk.

The conversation seemed to draw Number Four, Xuanming’s attention again. His purpose for collecting Divine Seal Fragments was unknown, but he would surely be interested in any other person possessing Divine Seal Fragments. This was also why I had initially asked for a private conversation with Number One.

If Number Four, Xuanming, targeted Ying Lingyun, he might outpace me. Although it wasn’t a big deal—I and Mazao aimed to investigate the clues of the Doomsday, with the bigger objective being the Human Bureau organization. Although I would like to confront Ying Lingyun again, I wouldn’t spend more effort to cover for him, as that would be an insult to a rival I once acknowledged. If Number Four, Xuanming’s actions caused great trouble for the Human Bureau, it might instead facilitate creating opportunities for me and Mazao.

Unlike me, who was merely suspicious, Number One seemed quite certain that Ying Lingyun possessed a Divine Seal Fragment. It appeared that owning a Divine Seal Fragment didn’t necessarily mean becoming a visitor to the Mist Dream Realm.

No.1 was still persistently questioning me about Ying Lingyun; it was clear he harbored significant hatred towards Ying Lingyun. I, however, didn’t engage much and kept the promise I had made previously to No.2 Little Bowl, deciding not to probe too deeply into No.1’s information.

At the same time, the others were not idle. No.2 Little Bowl was providing lie detection assistance beside me, while No.4 Xuanming was observing the conversation between me and No.1; although No.6 showed interest in me and No.2 Little Bowl, he didn’t rashly come forward to strike up a conversation but first asked No.5 about the general situation of the Mist Dream Realm, to which No.5 disclosed everything he knew, which was essentially what I had told him.

I turned my attention to the venue. Besides the giant, there were already six newcomers. The seven stone seats designated for the newcomers now had just one empty seat left. Once that was filled, the giant would awaken.

"I guess we’ll have to wait until next time."

Seeing that direct questioning was futile, No.1 hadn’t given up, but adopted a roundabout approach. First, he began by addressing what I was concerned about, "First it was you and No.2, then you and Xuanming, followed by No.5 and No.6... This place’s newcomers seem to always arrive in pairs. This time there are probably also only two newcomers; the final ’No.7’ might not arrive until a few days later."

"Is that so?"

The respondent was not me but No.6.

Suddenly, this individual, seemingly at the Great Impermanence Level, turned his head toward the depths of the mist and said, "It seems it’s not as you said."

"What?" No.1 was taken aback and then his expression changed slightly.

Because just two seconds after No.6’s words fell, footsteps once again sounded from the depths of the mist.

Soon, a new dark silhouette appeared within our field of vision.

This person looked slender and tall, with a distinctly female form.

Her stride was strong and vigorous, and despite seeing so many of us here, she did not show the slightest sign of surprise but silently, with great strides, went to the rock seat on the very edge and naturally sat down.

"The third newcomer... No.7?"

No.1 read in astonishment and then quickly gathered himself and looked towards another direction.

I followed his gaze, looking at the giant sitting far away.

There were now seven newcomers present.

As the stone seats filled up with their corresponding inhabitants, the giant, whom No.1 had named "No.0," finally stirred.

—He came to life.

Like us, he was shrouded in shadows, making it theoretically impossible to discern any change in expression. Yet, at that moment, even though he had no physical movements, I felt as though he was slowly opening his eyes.

This statue-like "deity," seemingly without any life, appeared to have gained true life.

Soon, he made definite movements.

He seemed to shift to a more comfortable sitting position, very slowly propping his arms on the armrest of his stone seat and resting his chin on his fists. He also slightly turned his face, bringing all of us into his field of view, observing each in turn. I felt as though his tangible gaze swept over my body.

After making a round, his gaze returned to me and stayed there.

Was he observing me?

I was very clear that I was probably an anomaly in this Mist Dream Realm, and being scrutinized by the being who likely ruled here, I inevitably felt immense pressure and danger.

What would he say to me next? What did he plan to do to me? I could not use my superpowers right now, and facing a threat from a giant who stood at least four meters tall, I indeed had no capacity to retaliate. Forget whether he possessed supernatural power, his sheer size alone was enough to slaughter everyone present without resistance.

While waiting for his further reaction, I also observed my surroundings, considering if there was a way to use the existing conditions to kill him instead. I found it somewhat humorous that even before he had a chance to express anything, I was already contemplating how to kill him.

This thought was not born of rationality or maturity, but rather of naivety and reflex. The inability to use superpowers made it easier for me to lose my usual composure than I had imagined. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that I am most myself when I can use my superpowers. But I don’t intend to use this as an excuse. I won’t look for any excuses.

Because being unable to maintain composure in such situations was precisely the thing that I tirelessly pursued.

Contrarily, No.4 Xuanming, who had always shown anger and malevolence towards the giant, stepped forward first, initiating a dialogue, "Are you the Master of Divine Seal?"

The giant—Master of Divine Seal—ignored him, continuing to gaze at me, the anomaly.