Mystery: Survival from the Secret Doll

Chapter 341 340 Alive or Dead?
When it comes to matters concerning Miskatonic, the best teacher to answer questions is naturally Don Eggers, Klein's friend.

“We are already aware of the situation at the Sunwell. Mr. Abraham has reported your speculations and possible scenarios to the school…”

In a corner of an inconspicuous café on a bustling street outside the University of Tingen.

The waiter brought over the drinks the two had ordered, as well as the chocolate cake that Tang had suggested.

"This is a specialty of this coffee shop. Try it, it tastes pretty good." Tang picked up the coffee in front of him, which had a lot of sugar in it, took a sip, and then picked up a small black chocolate cake and started cutting it with a fork.

Klein also picked up his cup, using the bitter taste of coffee to stimulate his mind.

"Well, it tastes really good."

It was just a little too bitter.

“Right, my dad always says that drinking too much of this stuff will cause insomnia at night and stuff…” Tang put down the plate of cake and started to get down to business: “As for the investigators… just like your Captain Smith said, the mortality rate in this industry is no lower than that of those official extraordinary individuals.”

"So, you don't necessarily have to join. If you just want to do some research, I can try to get you a pass to take up a spot at Hoy University and get you into Miskatonic."

In Tingen, there are two institutions of higher learning: the University of Tingen, which admits students from outside the mystical field, and the University of Hoy, which admits both wild and official extraordinary individuals. One aims to cultivate talent in the field of science and technology, while the other aims to cultivate talent in the mystical field.

Of course, there are some overlaps in courses between the two universities in certain situations. Students from Hoy University sometimes come to Tingen University, but students from Tingen University generally do not go to Hoy University.

After all, people who exist in the material world do not need to delve into the irrational and mysterious side of the world.

"Ahem, of course, in principle, unless there are special circumstances, one does need to be an investigator to enter the Miskatonic library."

In principle, "no" means "yes" and "yes" means "no"... Well, as a former office worker before his transmigration, Klein had long since mastered this art of speaking.

So, "it seems I need to pull some strings?"

Klein picked up a small cake from the table and took a bite.

Hmm, compared to the bitterness of coffee, the sweetness of the cake is just like the cakes that Klein would occasionally buy from those cake shops when he was craving something before he traveled through time. It tastes even better.

Thanks to the changes brought about by the transmigrator predecessor, he was not left without even a decent meal in this other world.

“After all, the security around Miskatonic is always very tight… Okay, I’ll give you the pass in a couple of days. Ah, of course, if you really want to join the investigator team, you don’t need to go through all this trouble; you can get in through the proper channels…”

Tang Xiaoxiao said, "Your captain is right. These kinds of things need to be considered for a while. As for the meal, you can treat me as payment. How about that?"

Klein was somewhat surprised: "That's it?"

Tang, holding a coffee cup and a piece of cake, said, "Otherwise, do you expect me to offer you a hundred gold pounds to pull some strings for me?"

Klein chuckled awkwardly, then said seriously, "If you ever need my help in the future, please let me know."

Tang waved his hand, "Alright, alright, our Mr. Clown, you should get ready to see when you can be promoted to magician."

But I reckon you won't be happy if I ask you for a "small" favor later.

The following day, at the tarot meeting on Monday afternoon, Klein introduced the new member, Mr. "The Sun," to Ms. "Justice" and Mr. "The Hanged Man," while Mr. "Mistake" introduced the new member, Mr. "Strength," to Audrey Hall, the "Justice," and Alger Wilson, the "Hanged Man."

"This is Mr. 'Strength'."

In the mysterious space above the gray fog, Mr. "Mistake" sat at the head of the long bronze table, leaning back in a high-backed chair and elegantly overlooking everyone in the Tarot Club.

As this figure, towering above like a god, gracefully and calmly introduced her, "Justice" Audrey looked at "Strength" sitting next to "The Hanged Man."

Because of the gray fog, she could only vaguely make out the other person's clothes.

"This doesn't look like the everyday clothing of people from the Northern Continent. Is it someone from the Southern Continent?"

Noticing the scrutinizing gaze of "Justice," "Power" Gal Blai also calmly observed the two people who had been "wrongly" brought up.

"A spectator of Sequence 9, a storm priest of Sequence 7."

Sequence 7 of the "Sailor" pathway is known in modern times as Navigator and in ancient times as Storm Priest.

Too weak and insignificant to be part of the plan, so were we just left to grow wildly...?

Perhaps, it's an opportunity.

Mr. Error glanced at Gal Bly the Power, maintaining his haughty demeanor.

He neither joins nor participates, but merely observes. Except for what "The Fool" Klein says and does, and some special events, Mr. "Mistake" generally prevents events happening in the Tarot Club from being synchronized to the Tarot Club here.

"After all, this is a ceremony for the final promotion to Sequence 0, so the general situation needs to be synchronized."

Otherwise, when it comes to this mysterious space above the gray fog, the authority of "error" and "loophole" will be difficult to exercise.

"He's not young, very composed, and also aloof... as if he's been isolated from his surroundings for a long time, always alone..." As a viewer, "Justice" Audrey could only extract these external details from Mr. "Power".

But from her intuitive feeling, the person who was pulled into this gray fog by Mr. "Mistake" must be very powerful.

Regarding the other party's sequence, pathways, and so on, unless such a mature and experienced extraordinary being reveals some information himself, Audrey felt that even if she became a Sequence 8 mind reader, she would not be able to read the inner thoughts of this "Power" gentleman.

Alger Wilson, the "Hanged Man," also had similar thoughts.

Extremely, extremely powerful.

Experienced, mysterious, and seemingly the kind of warrior who has fought monsters for thousands of years... As a "pirate" floating on the sea, "The Hanged Man" Alger subconsciously avoided the other's gaze when it swept over him.

Perhaps he is a demigod...

Even the experienced "Hanged Man" Alger couldn't help but gasp in shock.

Of course, knowing that Mr. "Mistake" was the organizer of this Tarot Club above the gray fog, he had already predicted that a demigod would appear here.

After all, Mr. "Mistake" is an extremely powerful being, and those who can catch his eye, besides the experimental personnel who can be called "guinea pigs," include Mr. "Mistake's" confidants or special individuals.

Amidst a flurry of thoughts, Alger the Hanged Man had mentally prepared himself and felt more confident about what he was about to say.

After Audrey and Alger handed over some of Roselle's diaries from his later years to Mr. "Error," Alger, the "Hanged Man," looked toward Audrey, the "Justice," and Gal Bly, the "Power."

"I have a request."

"Mr. 'The Hanged Man,' what is your request?" Audrey "Justice" asked in confusion.

Alger, the "Hanged Man," then delivered his prepared speech:

"I've received intelligence that the notorious pirate known as 'Hurricane Admiral' Zilingus has recently secretly landed on the Five Seas and infiltrated Backlund. I wonder what he's up to..." "'Hurricane Admiral' Zilingus? The 'Hurricane Admiral' who's one of the seven pirate generals?"

Audrey's eyes widened slightly upon hearing the news, and she seemed to lose her composure as a viewer.

This is a very important figure from all over the world!

Ah, of course, Audrey quickly composed herself. This was the land of "Mr. Error," after all, and he was just a pirate general... No, no, no, Audrey couldn't help but think:

When will she be able to add the word "only" to the prefix of a pirate general?

“Audrey, you need to understand that you are still weak enough in the extraordinary world. The powerful one is Mr. ‘Mistake’, not you.”

As a viewer, after quickly adjusting her own emotions, Miss Audrey, the "righteous one," continued listening to what Mr. "The Hanged Man" had to say.

"Yes, he is also a Sequence 6 Beyonder Wind Favored by the 'Sailor' pathway, possesses a magical item, and is quite cunning and cruel."

Alger solemnly introduced Miss "Justice".

As for Mr. "Error" and Mr. "Power," whose details are unclear but who is obviously very powerful, they do not need to be introduced by him.

To these truly important figures, "Hurricane Admiral" Ziringus was nothing more than an ant that could be toyed with at will, just as they were to "Mr. Error."

Even with that sealed artifact, "Hurricane Admiral" Zilingus is nothing more than a pawn that these real, powerful figures can kill, discard, and manipulate at any time.

Seemingly sensing Alger's gaze, Mr. Error snapped out of his reverie of examining Russell's diary and looked at the figures on either side of the bronze table.

“Zilingus…”

The ancient angel lowered his eyes, seemingly recalling some insignificant figure from who-knows-where.

Yes, Mr. "Mistake".

Alger, the "Hanged Man," didn't expect that such a minor figure could ever attract the attention of Mr. "Mistake." He only hoped that Mr. "Mistake" could provide some help in certain situations.

For example, reciting the other person's honorable name can gain their attention and provide protection in a short period of time.

This kind of thing is commonplace for the investigators at Miskatonic University; the name "Mr. Error" resonates throughout the world, but in most cases, extraordinary individuals who are not investigators and utter this name will not have a good ending.

Reciting the name of a deity is tantamount to courting death. However, perhaps, when death is inevitable and the deity one believes in cannot respond, calling upon this name may yield unexpected results.

For example, dragging others down with you to be buried with you.

"The Hanged Man" Alger wanted to put a strong insurance policy on his plan to eliminate Hurricane General Ziringus.

And the best insurance would be the highest-ranking person he can currently directly contact.

"really."

Mr. Error's lips curled slightly, as if he had already recalled the person this name represented: "A powerful figure above the five seas, 'Hurricane Admiral' Qilingus, a Sequence 6 Wind Chosen One..."

“I remember him. He has some connection with a clandestine organization and was indeed in Backlund recently on a mission.”

"Mr. 'Mistake,' what kind of mission is this?"

"Justice?" Audrey asked curiously.

"You'll find out then, Miss Justice."

Mr. "Mistake" said with a smile.

Anyway, what you encounter then will probably be a secret partner.

Tang originally planned to let Zilingus go to Backlund, and just use "fixed number" to cause a wave of pollution and that would be the end of it.

But who knew that Hermes would tell Zilingus a little secret, and Zilingus discovered that there were marionettes around him?

Then you can't blame him. Hanging him up as a secret puppet isn't really a big deal.

As long as the script continues, nothing will be a problem; everything will eventually turn into an "incorrect" "mistake."

"If it's a Sequence 6 Wind Chosen One."

At this moment, Mr. "Power," who had remained silent from the beginning, spoke up.

His voice drew the attention of "Justice" Audrey and "The Hanged Man" Alger, who saw "Strength" calmly say, "I can handle this."

"Do you want to live, or die?"

Alive or dead?

Alger, the "Hanged Man," choked on his words, somewhat stumped by the question.

His initial idea was to proceed slowly, since the sealed artifact of Qilingus was not easy to deal with. Even a demigod would need to find it before he could kill it.

After all, Zillingus is able to change his appearance.

"His sealed artifact..."

“No problem.” Mr. Power said simply and decisively, “As long as it doesn’t involve a demigod-level sealed artifact, there won’t be any problems.”

In other words, without the protection of a demigod or a sealing artifact of the same level, one can kill, and one can kill at will.

Alger, the "Hanged Man," blinked, speechless for a long time.

Is this the demigod?

For Audrey, the "Justice" girl, this seemingly fearless existence is the kind of power that only great figures in the mystical world possess, which she admires.

However, as someone who is only Sequence 9...

Miss Justice's eyes flickered slightly. She felt that perhaps she should also find an opportunity to be promoted to "Mind Reader".

Mr. "Mistake," seated at the head of the table, lazily watched everything unfolding below.

One can't help but sigh silently:
Ah, what a peaceful and harmonious tarot session.

(End of this chapter)