Chapter 55: Chapter 55: What’s So Special About That Place?
According to the book’s simple introduction, Tier Five, Tier Seven, and Tier Nine are the three most transformative stages for an Extraordinary Being.
After reaching Tier Five, an Extraordinary Being’s lifespan is drastically extended, allowing them to break free from the shackles of a mortal lifespan. This is why it’s called ’Transcendence.’
After reaching Tier Seven, an Extraordinary Being is no longer confined to their original life form, which is why it’s called ’Ascension.’
As for Tier Nine, that goes without saying.
"I believe you’ll get to where I am someday, but it would be best not to do it the way I did."
The butler continued, striking a pose with his hands on his hips. Then, he lifted his hands upward.
Just like that, his entire upper body floated into the air. His lower half remained seated, but a closer look revealed it was just an empty pair of pants.
’So it’s true... some people can literally lift themselves up?’
Lloyd’s eyes widened instantly.
He hadn’t quite understood what "no longer confined to their original life form" meant, but after seeing the butler’s little ’Magic’ trick, he was starting to get it.
’This must be what a High Position master is like, huh? He doesn’t even need props to saw a person in half.’
Lloyd turned to glance at his sister and Desda.
They were still flipping through fashion magazines, completely ignoring the butler’s "performance" as if they’d known about it all along.
"Did I scare you?"
the butler asked with a faint, unreadable smile. He "reattached" himself, straightened his posture, and then continued.
"This sort of thing is more popular over in the City of Illusion, but it’s not a very good choice, to be honest. It brings a lot of trouble."
"The City of Illusion... Sir, are you from the Manifestation system? Then why would you come here?"
Lloyd quickly pressed, having already switched to a more formal address.
"I had no other choice."
The butler shook his head, not elaborating further.
Lloyd knew not to press the issue and changed the subject.
"Your... condition reminds me of the Chief Judge of our Eighteenth District. He’s a kind elder, just like you, sir."
"You must be speaking of Lord Tirtus, I presume? He is indeed as you describe—a kind and enthusiastic man. He is also a renowned scholar of exceptional caliber, famous for generously sharing his knowledge and insights."
This was the first time Lloyd had heard the Chief Judge’s real name, and the first time he truly grasped the man’s power. ’To be praised like that by a Tier Seven master, he must be an incredibly powerful figure himself.’
’I’ll never dare call him unsettling again...’
Afterward, Lloyd tried asking the butler for guidance on a few topics related to Divination and Orbits, which were his current weak points.
The butler seemed willing to answer anything, but he knew exactly where to draw the line, only discussing knowledge that could be found in the library.
It was less like a lesson and more like a discussion.
Finally, the butler offered a serious warning:
"Only knowledge from a Saint is truly safe. In a discussion like ours today, if I harbored any malicious intent, you could be unknowingly subjected to all sorts of unpredictable influences..."
Lloyd nodded firmly and replied,
"Thank you for the advice, sir. I’ll be sure to remember it."
Just then, Desda’s voice cut in from the side.
"Lloyd, Uncle Randolph, have you guys ever heard of ’Arkham Town’?"
’Yeesh... that name doesn’t sound like a nice place, does it?’
Lloyd grumbled to himself and shook his head, indicating he hadn’t.
But the butler’s reaction was strange. As if by magic, he produced a thick stack of advertising flyers from his pocket and asked,
"These are all tourism promotions for ’Arkham Town.’ Are you interested in taking a look, Miss?"
Desda quickly leaned in, taking a few flyers to look over.
Lloyd took one as well and glanced at it. It was covered in flashy, gaudy fonts and a ridiculous number of exclamation points:
"BLOWOUT SALE!!! For just 999!!! Experience humanity’s deepest fears and horrors!!! An absolute must-see for any true Mysticism enthusiast!!!"
’This is absolutely outrageous. Who in their right mind would run a business like this?’
As a young man brimming with a sense of justice, Lloyd felt he couldn’t let this stand. He quickly glanced at the address, planning to go uphold justice later—
by raining down righteous judgment upon this illegal activity in the form of an anonymous letter!
Just as he was contemplating his plan, he heard his sister’s voice.
"Ooh... that looks so scary, doesn’t it?"
Evelor had sidled up to him at some point and was now clinging to his arm, speaking in a piteous tone.
"I’d be too scared to go alone..."
Lloyd glanced down at the expression on his sister’s face.
’You might sound scared, but you’re clearly dying to go, aren’t you?’
To make matters worse, Desda the folklorist also seemed incredibly interested, immediately picking out one of the flyers.
"This one looks pretty good, don’t you think? ’Exquisitely crafted to bring you the most authentic Arkham experience.’ Should we go now?"
With that, she grabbed Evelor with one hand and Lloyd with the other, ready to depart immediately.
Lloyd quickly turned to shoot the butler a questioning look.
The man simply smiled without a word, his expression seeming to say:
’Don’t worry. Go have fun.’
. . . . . . . . . .
"Ugh... so sleepy... I can’t walk another step..."
By the time they got back to the base of their apartment building, Evelor’s eyes were drooping. Even the Dazed Hair on her head hung listlessly as she spoke in a faint voice, looking like she would fall asleep any second.
Lloyd was exhausted too, but he got the hint and bent down, hoisting his sister’s petite frame onto his back to start climbing the stairs.
"Hee hee, Yi is the best..."
Evelor was draped over Lloyd’s back, her eyes squinted as she gently nuzzled her cheek against him.
That so-called "most authentic Arkham experience" was just a shoddy escape room. The props and sets were completely half-assed, the actors were lazy, and the puzzles were mind-numbingly boring. They felt sleepy not long after they started.
’It should have been called "the most sleep-inducing Arkham experience."’
’No wonder Randolph the butler didn’t say anything. He must have known what it was like, right?’
’Good thing Miss Desda paid for it...’
’But speaking of which, why are there so many haunted houses and escape rooms themed around ’Arkham’?’
’Is it some famous place? How come I’ve never heard of it in the papers or on the radio?’
Lloyd mulled it over, puzzled.
’And another thing, why would the butler be collecting those flyers? A man of his standing has no reason to do something like that, does he?’
But he was just too tired to think much about it right now.
’Besides, it’s probably for the best not to try and figure out the thoughts of a High Position master...’
Comments