Mutagen
Chapter 1183 - 1183: An Anomaly, The Story of the Master of Hundred Faces

Day 378 - ▋▋:▋▋ ▋▋ - VIP Room, The Manor Theater, CNC Subspace

The monster, no, Lucion, voiced his intention to process the transaction. However, the only response he received was the deafening silence of the room. Lucion could not help but look back at his guests.

A sigh escaped the Priestess's mouth. Around her were three men who stood confused as to what was going on. The staff of the Auction House were in the same state, while the three agents looked enlightened as they looked at Mark and Mei.

On the other hand, the receivers of the unwanted attention stood staring at Lucion. Mei, who was feeling uncomfortable due to Lucion's presence, moved behind her husband to hide to some extent. As for Mark, he stood in a confrontational manner, staring with undisguised displeasure.

Candidates of Godhood. It sounded like a grand title. For Mark and Mei, it was the mere result of defying fate. The two were not interested in becoming Gods, after all. As such, it was an open secret. They did not care if people capable of detecting fate, which was rare in the first place, realized it. However, the two would not go advertising it to just anyone.

Furthermore, if the title were to be known to the public, it would bring an astonishing amount of problems to Mark and Mei.

In a nearly destroyed world where no God would hear the prayers and cries for salvation, people would cling to the next possible source of hope they could find.

The Saviors titled by the [Eyes] and the [Observer] already fit that category, not to mention being Candidates of Godhood.

That was what this creature who called himself the Master of Hundred Faces had just done. Even the enemies Mark faced did not seem to spread it, and yet, this monster just blurted it out in front of everyone present.

Unfortunately, Lucion seemed to have no idea what was happening as he tilted his head in confusion. Was he oblivious, or was he just stupid?

"Mister," The Priestess spoke. "You had just revealed someone's secret to everyone present. That secret was more than enough to evoke confusion in these normal people. At the same time, you had just gained the ire of the people you were greeting."

"Huh?" Lucion seemed even more confused. "A secret? Why? Humans, Demons, and even Spirits proudly advertise such an achievement. You two were hiding it? Aren't you two going to spread your religion like the previous ones and ascend to Godhood?"

It appeared that Lucion had met other Candidates of Godhood in the past who had done such things. In recorded history, some people that fit the description did exist. Maybe Lucion had met them?

"Just because some did mean everyone will."

Mark spoke, finally voicing his displeasure. He then looked at Val'Flora and Devon. Were they the ones who told this creature? However, the expression of the two showed it did not seem to be the case. They also looked troubled by what was happening.

"I see..." Lucion appeared to acknowledge the responses he received. It seemed my elation led to me inadvertently offending you, sires."

Then, Lucion looked around.

"Should I facilitate a contract to ban everyone present from mentioning it to others?"

Those words confused the guests, but the members of CNC shivered in slight fear. It seemed that the contract Lucion mentioned would not be a simple one for them to react negatively.

"Before that, how did you even know about us? I doubt Val'Flora and Devon mentioned anything."

Mark asked.

"Oh," Lucion was hit with a realization that his actions could impact the client's trust in the agents. "Of course, they did nothing of sorts. I was already preparing to meet our esteemed guests at the start of the auction. Unfortunately, the host cannot leave the stage until the end of the event."

"The moment my true self had been seen, I will know. That is how it was."

Lucion added.

"And among the ones who can would be Candidates of Godhood."

Mark spoke.

"Not exactly," Lucion shook his head slightly. "The ones who can see my true self would be those detached from fate. I believe you can understand who belonged to those categories."

"Gods and those who are on the path to become one."

Mark replied, to which Lucion nodded.

"Should we sit down? I will gladly explain further," Lucion motioned to the lounging area of the private room and turned to one of the girls who brought the auctioned items into the room. "Prepare some Rainbow Lavender tea for our guests. Also, get a jar of Imperial Honey."

Upon hearing those names, the Agents nearly choked. To normal people, those might sound like some names of bogus products. However, the items Lucion casually mentioned were extremely rare articles that one could not buy even if they had the money.

It showed how highly Lucion valued Mark and Mei.

On the other hand, Mark was quite taken aback. His real appearance aside, Lucion was quite sincere with his words. While Mark could detect some hidden intentions, there was no ill will. If anything, Lucion seemed really elated to meet Mark and Mei.

Accepting Lucion's invitation, Mark gently grabbed Mei's hand and led her to the sofa. The two then sat together. The Priestess followed and actually sat on the empty seat to Mark's left side. She then looked at the three remaining guests.

"You three might be curious, but stay there for now," The Priestess pointed at the seats near the window. "There are things that are better not known."

The three complied. They might be representatives of their countries, but here, they had no power. Besides, just hearing that Mark and Mei were likely to become Gods in the future was more than enough to make them dizzy. Furthermore, while the Prime Minister of Japan and the new Acting President of the Philippines were on friendly terms with Mark and Mei, the Former President of the Philippines was a former enemy. He could not help but pale as he realized the possible repercussions of this fact.

With the seats arranged, Lucion sat on the sofa opposite the one Mark occupied. It made Mark and Mei frown a little. After all, they were now sitting closer to the source of the uncomfortable feeling they had.

"My apologies about this," Lucion was aware of what the two were feeling. "The ones I met before also felt the same, this sort of dissonance. Only Gods would not be affected by it, unfortunately."

Soon enough, the girl tasked to bring tea came back and professionally served the tea to guests. Not just the ones Lucion was facing, but the other three further away were included. They were all guests, after all. The jar of honey was also served on small plates.

Mark looked at the tea. It looked magical as it had a rainbow color. Moreover, the colors danced without mixing, a feat impossible for a normal tea to have. Mark was not really used to drinking tea. He was more of a coffee type of person. Nonetheless, the aroma of the tea made him want to drink it.

Without hesitation, Mark took a sip. He was surprised. Not only was it good, but it instantly made him feel less uncomfortable from Lucion's presence.

Mei also took a sip and seemed to feel the same effect. On the other hand, the Priestess seemed to have felt the full effect of the tea as she could not help but smile after taking a sip.

"It is good that it positively appealed to your tastes," Lucion spoke. "Now that you feel less uncomfortable, I can proceed with my explanation."

There, Lucion told his story.

Lucion was human. Or he was supposed to be. After all, he was born from parents who were both purely human. However, he was not. He was born an abomination. Unfortunately, or maybe, fortunately, everyone, including his parents, saw him as a normal child. Maybe, not too normal since they saw him as a child with stunning looks. Many admired his appearance.

However, Lucion was made aware of it early. What everyone was seeing was not his real appearance since in his eyes, he was a monster that looked different from a human.

Furthermore, while every one of his peers soon died of old age, he remained the same. After he stopped growing, he remained the same. But for some reason, no one seemed to mind it. It was as if he still looked normal to other people.

Then, the lost era came. Gods appeared in the supposedly Godless world. That led to Lucion meeting a wandering God who took an interest in him. That God told Lucion what he was.

"I am what the Gods called an Anomaly."

Lucion said to the three as he continued his story.

Anomalies were events or creatures that would sometimes appear and exist when they were not supposed to. In computer terms, they were glitches in programming. Anomalies were glitches of the world.

Lucion was a type of glitch that intertwined with the fates of those who see him, making them see him in the best appearance they could imagine. If more than one person were looking at him collectively, he would appear to them as the combination of the most pleasing traits they like in a person.

The Master of Hundred Faces. That was where Lucion's title came from.

It sounded like a trait to be envious of. After all, Lucion would appear attractive to anyone. But for Lucion, it was a curse. It was because while everybody knew him, they did not at the same time. It was all an illusion. No one knew of the real Lucion if that Lucion ever existed.

The most unfortunate thing was that Lucion had no way of controlling it. It was not a skill or ability. It was his trait as an Anomaly.

What was worse was that Lucion was raised in a good environment, maybe because of his trait, making him hate the fact that it felt like he was deceiving everyone.

It was why Lucion yearned for those who could see him as his real self, even if they deemed him a monster. Unfortunately, how rare could one meet a God or the like?

That was the reason why Lucion was very elated to meet the pair who saw through his illusion.

"It had been two thousand years since the last time."

Lucion sighed.

Apparently, it was the primary reason Lucion chose to own an auction house within the CNC. It was because rare articles attract rare people. And today, that thought bore fruit in the form of Mark and Mei.

Upon hearing his story, it now made Mark and Mei feel a bit bad for feeling uncomfortable. However, what could they do? It was an instinctual response.

"There is no need to force yourselves," Lucion saw through their thoughts. "The dissonance is caused by being slightly affected by my trait, but still seeing the truth. It would be akin to eating a delicious food that looked like, excuse me, fecal matter."

"Cough! Cough!"

The ones sipping on their tea choked.

"Again, my apologies, but that would be the best explanation for what these esteemed guests were feeling."

Lucion apologized to the guests who were coughing.

"I am really pleased to meet you," Lucion said to Mark and Mei. "Though it seemed that my elation led to a blunder. Now that I finished explaining my side, should we proceed with the contract?"

The contract to silence everyone present. Lucion was serious about it.

"That contract isn't anything dangerous, is it?"

The Priestess asked.

"It depends on the clause," Lucion answered. " We can make it so that they could simply not speak of it, or make it so that they would die instantly the moment they tried to. The choice belongs to our esteemed guests."

The choice belonged to Mark and Mei. It was a reasonable fact.

At this point, Mark asked a question.

"You also intended to include yourself in the contract, right?"

"Naturally," Lucion answered without hesitation. "It is a part of my blunder, after all."

"Then," Mark looked around. "Except for Val'Flora and Devon, bind the members of CNC present to the contract. As for the others, it's not necessary."

Mark then glanced at the Former President.

"I can just get rid of the others if they can't keep their mouth shut."

A cold threat that made everyone feel shivers came out of Mark's mouth.

"That could be done."

Lucion nodded without hesitation.

Val'Flora and Devon felt relieved. On the other hand, the others felt displeased. Nonetheless, they could not say anything. Agents? Country Contractors? These positions meant nothing in the face of Lucion, one of the thirteen founders of CNC. If a founder himself was willing to be bound to that contract, they could not say no.

"As for the clause..." Mark smirked. "Whenever the people bound to the contract try to speak about us, make them insult the person they were trying to tell it to. Is it possible?"

Mark's words make everyone surprised. It was not a deadly clause as one would expect. However, it was definitely not a pleasant one.

"Hahahahaha!"

Lucion's laugh suddenly echoed inside the room. It seemed that he found Mark's condition funny and amusing.

"It is possible. I'll see to... it?"

After laughing, Lucion faced Mark to answer his question, but his words trailed off.

It was because Mark and Mei were not sitting on the sofa anymore. No one noticed how or when they did it, but the two were now peeking at Lucion from behind the sofa.

Everyone gawked, especially those who knew the two since they had never seen the two behave like this. They were like startled kids.

"Did I look that scary?"

Lucion asked.

Instead of replying, Mark produced a pen and paper out of nowhere and began sketching swiftly. As Mark slammed the paper on the coffee table, there was a horrifying rough sketch of a faceless creature looking up with its lipless mouth opened wide as it laughed.

After looking at the horrifying drawing, everyone turned to Lucion. The handsome man sitting there and the creature in the sketch were the same person? It was really hard to imagine. Still, if that was what Mark and Mei were seeing, no wonder they felt uncomfortable.