The Shadow Ascetic's Acting Principles

Backlund, East Borough.

The world is Distortion.

A frenzied and chaotic sound filled his mind, and no matter where he looked, a hideous face appeared at the bottom of his vision. These constantly distorting faces were full of malice, rebuking and laughing wildly, constantly stimulating Luther's nerves.

Luther is moving forward.

He endured unimaginable torment, his face blank, when a warm hand supported his arm, guiding him in the right direction.

In this Frenzy and Distortion world, only this hand could bring him peace of mind.

Luther followed that hand, taking steps one by one.

If it weren't for Cecilia, I wouldn't even be able to walk...

He smiled wryly to himself.

It was precisely because he believed that his sister would guide him from the outside world that Luther was able to focus his mind on himself, resist his semi-madness, and even have time to think while walking.

He was pondering why the "Shadow Ascetic" Potion had only slightly taken effect yesterday.

Remember when the Acting Method said that the key to digesting the Potion lies in Potion name? The term "Shadow Ascetic" originally refers to a hermit who lives a secluded life away from the world, practicing asceticism. They live a simple, even austere life, achieving devotion to the gods through asceticism, thereby attaining salvation.

However, Luther's behavior yesterday had absolutely nothing to do with this explanation.

Perhaps it should be understood more literally, in its literal sense, as a hidden cultivator...

The Shadow Ascetic's Potion ability is "Shadow," which allows extraordinary individuals to transform into shadows, move secretly, or hide within the shadows.

That seems to correspond to that meaning... but what about "monk"? Does that mean I should believe in True Creator?

Luther analyzed the various possibilities, he suddenly felt the arm supporting his arm gently patting him—a signal they had agreed upon.

He pulled his thoughts back and connected his Spirituality to the depths of his mind.

"Whoosh!"

The Phantom Tide then arose, and all auditory and Illusion were instantly dispelled, restoring peace to Luther's Mental World. He breathed a sigh of relief, looked around, and found himself in front of a row of Apartment.

"Brother, we've arrived."

He saw a girl with azure eyes standing beside him, one hand supporting him, the other holding a suitcase, smiling as she spoke to him.

To avoid being reported, they quietly moved out of their original residence and found a rental property through a notice posted at a nearby bar. In other words, they came to view the property today.

After some consideration, he decided to stay in the East Borough for the time being. The chaotic environment there was more suitable for hiding. Moreover, the strong negative emotions in this place were actually beneficial to his Acting.

"Hmm, it's a bit smaller than No. 6 Daffodil Street, "Luther thought to himself as he looked at the exterior of the Apartment. The two walked to one of the Apartment and stopped.

"Number 8 Hawes Street, right? That's the place."

He knocked on the door, and after a while, the Apartment door was opened a crack. Luther noticed that there was a chain hanging on the door.

Who is it?

Behind the door was a wary-looking girl, who appeared to be around 12 or 13 years old.

Good afternoon. We saw a room for rent at the nearby "Golden Dream" bar. Where are your parents?

Luther stepped forward and greeted her with a smile, his face usually charming to women. However, this time, his smile seemed to have no effect.

The girl looked at him warily, then looked past him and behind him.

"Is it for the two of you?"

She asked.

"That's right, we are siblings."

Luther replied with a smile.

"Then come in."

The girl unlocked the door and Door Opening to welcome them in.

As Door Opening, she placed a pair of scissors that she had hidden behind her back on the cabinet in the porch.

Quite alert... but still a bit lacking. If they were really bad guys, they could easily have lied and lured them in; that thin chain wouldn't have been effective at all.

Luther thought to himself as he followed the girl inside.

The house is a two-story structure. The first floor has a living room, kitchen, and bathroom, while the second floor mainly consists of bedrooms and a study. The house is somewhat empty and has little furniture.

"The living room, kitchen, and downstairs bathroom are shared. I live downstairs, and you live upstairs. Including furniture usage fees and a deposit, the weekly rent is 10 soli, payable in full for six months, which is 13 pounds."

The girl spoke in a deliberately sophisticated tone, showing them each room of the house.

Besides her, there was no one else in her family.

Luther noticed that the bedroom, which might have belonged to her parents, was now empty, and the Secrets Suppliant's eyes could see a faint aura of death lingering inside... It seemed they had been dead for some time.

"So, are you interested in renting it?"

The girl deliberately raised her voice, pretending to be nonchalant, but Luther could see the tension in her eyes.

Do girls who have lost their parents and are living alone have no choice but to rent out their family home to make a living?

Luther had a rough idea of what was going on.

Thinking of the similar experiences that the Rondal family had previously encountered, he sighed softly.

This is the East Borough; it would be too difficult for this young girl to protect her property on her own. She Luck to have met them; otherwise, she might have disappeared without a trace long afterward.

"Pay three months' rent upfront, then pay rent every six months thereafter."

Luther decided to do something good, so he said, "Six lists."

He didn't ask where the other party's family members had gone; instead, he went straight to negotiating the price.

The girl frowned, then nodded reluctantly after a moment. "Alright then, come to my room and sign the contract."

The three of them went downstairs together to the girl's bedroom/study. Her desk was piled high with textbooks and papers, indicating that she was studying very hard.

The girl pulled a standard contract from under a pile of books. "Do you have identification?"

"I was in a rush to get here and forgot to bring it."

Luther said casually.

The girl gave them a scrutinizing look. "I'll assume that's how it is... This is the East Borough, very dangerous. Don't cause trouble after you settle in."

"Okay, okay."

Luther coaxed the other party, took the contract, glanced at it, and signed his name after finding no problems.

Do you usually have classes?

He asked casually.

I attend grammar school in the Cherwood Borough.

The girl gave a brief answer.

"Studying is indeed very important; there's no hope of staying in the East Borough."

Luther sighed and handed the signed contract back.

"My name is Kafka Anderson, and this is my sister, Cecilia Anderson. And you, little girl?"

To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Luther temporarily adopted a pseudonym, and for his younger sister, he simply changed her surname as well.

My name is Emily.

The girl took the contract and signed her name on it.