It took a full half minute for the closed corridor to stretch open again. The blood water lingering on the Flesh Wall was slowly being reabsorbed. Though he did not know the consequences of being swallowed by this corridor, forcing his way through it was clearly not a good idea.
"Seemed like we can't touch those ropes of flesh."
Enduring the headache and the slick sensation of his clothes seeming to stick to his body, Shade was about to discuss how to solve this problem with Winnie when an entirely new voice spoke:
"Mr. Watson, leave this to us."
Shade turned around and saw three Ring Arcanists wearing clown masks, Destiny Rings floating behind them, walking toward them from the still-unhealed hole in the room behind them.
Flesh Erosion was affecting them as well, but the strange clown masks they wore appeared to possess even more powerful Miracle Elements. Lord of the Ring's holy emblem was branded onto the cheek area of each mask. Aside from Mr. Mortis, the other two were both High-Ring Arcanists. Clearly, the upper ranks of the Clown Troupe had already arrived on the island.
Shade's gaze swept over the human markers above their heads, and then he noticed the familiar box Mr. Mortis carried on his back.
"I need to confirm your identities first—how did you enter such a deep part of the House of False Men?"
The Clowns understood Shade's caution. Mr. Mortis explained:
"This is my most fundamental ability as a 'Clown.' More specifically, with the troupe's secret arts and my Serpent's Shedding, I can pay a certain price to forcibly intervene in a story that is currently unfolding.
"We did not need to invade this place from outside. We arrived directly at your side."
Shade understood this as Mr. Mortis's Candidate Talent