Facing an Ancient God for a Year

“You really put this script together quickly.”

Fu Qian looked at Collins, whose lips curled into a smile, a look of ‘I knew it all along’ on his face.

The reaction just now clearly showed that, after losing control, he shifted to another script within seconds.

Just like at the banquet yesterday.

The pain and disgust were exactly like what Grace experienced back then, stemming from the disruption of the script in her cognition.

Theoretically, that shot could have been harmful to himself, provided it hit the target.

Unfortunately, the moment Collins fired the gun, Fu Qian had merely taken a staged fall in cooperation.

And a feint from a Demigod was simply impossible for him to see through.

“Quick reaction, but if you were smart, you would have stayed down and gambled on whether I would take another shot, which might have given you a slim chance of survival,” Collins said coldly and mockingly.

“But it’s just a maybe, after all, the result would have been no different,” Collins continued.

“Your true identity, your purpose, your mastermind behind it all—I’ve had it all under control for a while now, just playing along with you for fun.”

He aimed the gun at Fu Qian’s head.

“Try dodging this time.”

“Really?”

Fu Qian blinked and wiped his face with his hand.

The next instant, his features morphed into Nate’s.

“I was just trying to have a little fun with everyone.”

…

That uncomfortable expression reappeared on Collins’ face.

A few seconds later, Collins slowly lowered the gun, his face filled with emotion.

“Alright, I’ve indulged your nonsense long enough. That’s enough.

“I wonder if this will help you forget your pain for a while, although the game isn’t very interesting.

“I don’t want anything like this to happen again.”

Collins’ ability to switch tactics at will was truly remarkable!

Watching Collins put the gun away and walk off, Fu Qian shook his head in admiration.

Clearly, Collins had shifted to his third script in an instant, turning it into a soothing journey for old Nate.

It was all about playing along to help Nate overcome the pain of losing a child.

It proved that this ‘Actor’ state, while seemingly normal, was in fact completely illogical.

Just a little thought would show that if Fu Qian was really old Nate, he could never have dodged that bullet just now.

Under the ‘Actor’ state, one is wholly a puppet of the script.

Of course, no matter what, the trouble was over.

It’s not that he couldn’t play a little longer, like transforming into a Gausman or something.

Actually, Fu Qian was quite curious what Collins would come up with then.

Unfortunately it’s getting late now.

Fu Qian looked up at the sky; it was nearly lunchtime.

He had to start preparing for his visit to Grace’s house.

…

“You’re back…”

When Fu Qian returned to his place, Veil was staring out the window, lost in thought.

Seeing that he had actually come back before lunch, her smile became even more forced.

“I’m not too late, am I?”

Fu Qian completely ignored the worries on her face.

Regardless, he had to visit Grace’s house no matter what.

He was very curious as to how this seemingly normal middle-aged woman would turn into an ‘Actor’ under certain conditions.

And whether she had had any special surgery before.

“Not late…”

Realizing Fu Qian was determined, Veil felt helpless, swallowed all the excuses she’d prepared, got ready, and accompanied Fu Qian to the banquet.

On their way, Veil also took the time to explain her relationship with Grace to Fu Qian.

According to her, this lady is a distant cousin of hers and Riet’s on her mother’s side, whose family has been operating in Byeluk for many years, and who has been very close to her since childhood.

This time, when she learned that she was coming over to see Riet, she not only arranged accommodation for her but even the identity was forged by Grace.

It was obvious that Veil did not want this cousin to be harmed in any way.

“You don’t know, Aunt Grace was very depressed for a long time because she couldn’t have children.

“And because of the restrictions in this place, I haven’t been back for many years, and I’ve always been quite worried about her.

“Unexpectedly, when we met this time, she seemed much more cheerful.”

Veil said softly.

Is the subtext that she actually feels quite pitiful and invokes a sense of compassion in oneself?

Fu Qian picked up on Veil’s implication.

Don’t worry, I don’t have any prejudice against that lady.

…

Grace’s residence was, unsurprisingly, extravagant and splendid.

When Fu Qian and Veil arrived, the lady was already there waiting for them early.

Perhaps Veil had made some explanations to Grace after Fu Qian had left, for this time their interaction did not have that ambiguous tone.

However, her gaze still wandered back and forth between the two, with a smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

Since there was some time left before lunch, she especially took Fu Qian and another person to appreciate her collection.

From the myriad of books, paintings, and sculptures in the house, it was evident that the lady came from considerable wealth.

As for art, Fu Qian didn’t know much about it, and his principle was to appreciate what was pleasing to the eye without delving into the stories behind them. He judged purely by aesthetics instead of getting entangled with the anecdotes behind the artworks.

Even so, a cursory glance over the collection was enough to feel the refinement of Grace’s collection; she truly was a wealthy person.

What is this?

Yet, upon seeing one of the items, Fu Qian suddenly became interested.

It was a diamond-shaped white bone shard, about one centimeter thick, curved like a boat, with dense sutures visible on it.

A piece of a human bone.

As an expert in the power of flesh and blood, Fu Qian had an intimate knowledge of the human body by now.

He recognized at a glance that it was a piece of a human skull.

Throughout history, there have been many cases of human bones used as artwork, so it wasn’t anything unusual.

But Fu Qian could bet that this bone shard had not been removed from a body for long, and its surface was devoid of any decorative treatment.

Yet such an item was placed at the center of the entire room.

“What’s wrong?”

Grace seemed to notice Fu Qian’s gaze and, with a smile, she and Veil looked his way.

“This piece… feels very special.”

Fu Qian pointed at the bone shard inside the glass case.

“Is it?”

Grace was momentarily surprised, then covered her mouth with her hand, revealing a mysterious smile.

“What is special about it?”

“It’s sturdier than the rest!”

Fu Qian answered earnestly.

…

Hahaha!

Fu Qian’s response left Grace stunned for a moment.

After a long while, she finally came to her senses and couldn’t help but laugh without regard for her demeanor, struggling to catch her breath.

Veil standing beside her clearly didn’t understand the exchange between the two, puzzled as to why her aunt was laughing so hard at one sentence from Fu Qian.

“Sometimes being too sturdy is not a good thing oh!”

Finally calming down, Grace said to Fu Qian with a laugh, her words implying something more.

“An overly sturdy barrier can protect you while also possibly blinding you.”

“That makes sense.”

Fu Qian nodded, but he sighed internally.

He seemed to have guessed what kind of surgery she had been through.

Resisting the urge to look at the top of Grace’s head, Fu Qian instead recalled the experience of the previous night, the room full of Mediterranean scenery.

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