The person protruding from the wall was the High-Level False Man who had once confronted Shade in the core room of [House of False Men]. Last time, Shade had clearly destroyed it completely with the Young Ladies' assistance, using the power of the Red Moon, yet it had indeed been "reborn" from within [House of False Men].
Calling it rebirth was not quite accurate. It represented the collective consciousness of the "Doppelganger" group. So long as the relic's main body remained intact, such an appearance would never truly vanish.
"It's you again?"
The High-Level False Man, with half its fleshly body extending from the wall, recognized Shade, Ellie, and Winnie as well. Compared to last time, it now behaved much more like an ordinary human:
"What, do you want to come in too?"
The door of the Black Tower creaked open. Shade smiled.
"Do you really want me to go inside?"
He raised his right hand again. Though it was clearly daytime, inexplicable Red Moon light descended into his palm, condensing into that strangely luminous Corrupt Moon Flower.
This was a large-scale thaumaturgy designed specifically against flesh-and-blood life. Shade did not want to go in, but if the Doppelgangers dared let him enter, he would be quite willing to find out just how powerful the thaumaturgy Daniste had repeatedly warned him not to use at full strength truly was.
The Doppelganger's expression did not change, but the Black Tower's door closed.
"Perhaps we can make a deal. When I fought you on Southern Island last time, I saw through part of your nature. You are not human; you are actually one of our kind. How about I exchange the answer I know for one instance of cooperation?"
Shade shook his head.
"I am not [Blood Spirit School] or the Weeping