Azik's Anomaly

Luther had a strange dream.

In the dream, he saw a gigantic serpent as immense as a mountain.

The serpent was covered in huge dark greenish-black scales. From the gaps between them protruded white feathers smeared with pale yellow grease. It even had a pair of wings on its back, and as they beat, the serpent circled through the air between the pitch-black sky and the blue sea.

An ancient, decaying Bronze Gate slowly opened above the serpent. Countless bizarre creatures peered out from within. Some were made of white bones, while others were covered in rot, all exuding the stench of death.

The scene was terrifying and bizarre, yet it somehow carried a hint of holiness.

Luther watched the serpent. For some reason, he did not find it frightening in the dream at all.

The serpent circled around and finally turned to reveal its face—it was actually a human face, with pale flames burning within its eye sockets.

Luther locked eyes with the serpent.

Then he saw terror suddenly surge into the serpent's pale flame-filled eyes. It was as though Luther, who was staring at it, was something even more dangerous than it was!

It is afraid of me?

Luther was somewhat surprised. Just as he was about to speak, he realized that he could not move at all. He had been nailed to a rack and hung upside down! The black sky in his eyes was actually the ground, while the blue sea was actually the sky...

After that, he suddenly woke up.

Slowly sitting up, Luther found himself in what seemed to be a room in the Evil Dragon Bar. Looking down, he saw that he was lying on a long bench, with his coat draped over him.

"You're awake?"

A calm voice sounded beside him.

Luther looked toward the speaker and immediately saw a very distinctive-looking man.

The man had bronze-colored skin, black hair, brown eyes, and gentle features. Judging by his face, he appeared to be only in his thirties or forties, yet his eyes revealed an indescribable weariness, as though he had seen all there was to see in life and was unmoved by its storms.

He looked at Luther with an unusual expression, as though he had recalled something from the past. He seemed sorrowful and lonely.

Luther felt that the man looked somewhat familiar.

Ah, right—his face looked extremely similar to the human face on that gigantic serpent!

The reason I passed out was because I saw something pale...

I cannot look at him!

Luther swiftly shut his eyes, turned around, grabbed the back of the bench, and flipped over it, landing behind the long bench. As he landed, his right hand reached for the holster tucked in his clothes.

This man was definitely no ordinary person!

Luther had previously been affected after seeing the True Creator or the Hidden Sage, but those had been through rituals or Illusions, where he had only caught glimpses of phantoms symbolizing evil gods. This time, however, the other man had been right in front of him. Before the Golden Finger in his body could even react, his mind had crashed as if to protect itself.

That also proved that this man was unquestionably a powerful figure.

"You don't need to keep your eyes closed. I've already withdrawn all my aura."

The man's gentle voice reached him.

"I'm a Nighthawk. If you attack me, you'll be making an enemy of the Goddess Church."

As though he had not heard him, Luther warned the other man. His eyes remained tightly shut as he felt around and drew his revolver.

"I mean you no harm... I simply didn't expect you to be so sensitive that you could see the mysticism on me." The man's tone seemed somewhat helpless. "Besides, if I truly wanted to harm you, why wouldn't I have acted while you were unconscious?"

That seemed to make some sense...

Luther considered it and had to admit that point.

He cautiously stood up and observed the other man from the corner of his eye. He found no suspicious aura on him; he was like an ordinary person. If he had not just been struck unconscious, Luther might have thought something was wrong with his eyes.

"There's no need to be so wary. My name is Azik. I'm a history instructor at Khoy University, and I know Klein. I'm not some suspicious person."

The bronze-skinned man introduced himself.

Not suspicious? As if I'd believe that.

Luther grumbled inwardly. He recalled that Klein happened to be a graduate of Khoy University's history department. If the man's identity was genuine, then it was perfectly reasonable for Klein to know him and greet him.

"Where's Klein?"

he asked.

"He went to get you some water."

Azik said.

Sure enough, not long afterward, Klein entered the room holding a glass of water.

"You're awake? That's great!"

He looked delighted to see Luther standing.

But Luther could not be happy.

First Old Neil, then Azik. Klein, what kind of monsters are your teachers...

Luther forced a smile at him, took the glass, and drank a sip.

He noticed that Azik had been watching him, but his gaze was unfocused, as though it penetrated straight through Luther's body.

"There's an aura about you that feels very familiar to me, but I can't remember why."

he said wistfully.

But I don't know you.

Luther thought to himself.

"Besides that, like Klein, the Fate entwined around you feels somewhat discordant... Have you encountered many coincidences lately?"

Azik continued.

Coincidences?

Luther instinctively thought back, and then recalled the chain of events he had experienced since transmigrating.

For example, Sirius's letter being burned, Hanass coming to Blackthorn Security Company in the middle of the night, becoming Hood Eugen's roommate on the very day he was hospitalized, and being dragged into Lanevus's ritual... It could practically be said that coincidences were everywhere.

Could there be some deeper reason behind all this? Especially since the speaker was a High Sequence powerhouse, which made his words all the more credible.

"Mr. Azik, do you mean Luther has also been affected?"

Klein asked in surprise.

"Mm."

Azik nodded. He did not explain further, instead standing and putting on his hat.

"Since you're fine, please allow me to take my leave first."

He could see Luther's wariness. Seemingly unwilling to place too much pressure on him, he chose to step away for the time being. Only after reaching the door did he turn back.

"The aura on you is very unusual. It may be important to me... When it's convenient someday, I hope you can meet with me privately and help me with something," Azik said. "Of course, you may refuse at any time. But if you come, I will definitely offer you compensation that satisfies you."

Luther hesitated upon hearing that.

A promise from a powerful person was indeed highly tempting. Besides, he might even be able to use this opportunity to uncover the secret of his own body.

"Then how should I contact you?"

he asked.

"Through Klein."

Azik left after saying that.

Afterward, Luther asked Klein about Mr. Azik. As it turned out, Klein had only discovered Azik's unusual nature after becoming a Beyonder himself. In Klein's estimation, Azik might be a High Sequence powerhouse.

"Have you never considered reporting him?"

"Mr. Azik doesn't seem like a bad person. Besides, I performed Divination. If I don't report him, he'll save my life in something that happens later."

Klein explained.

"All right... Then what did he mean by discordant Fate?"

Klein then shared another matter with him. It turned out that Klein had also encountered many coincidences. Through Dream Divination, he had discovered that the mastermind behind those events was connected to a house with a red chimney.

Klein had already paid to hire a Detective to find that house for him.

Luther nodded. "I think we can work together on this. I'm willing to help. Let me know if you learn anything... Should we keep it from the captain for now?"

"Mm, it would be better not to let too many people know yet."

As they chatted, the two returned to Blackthorn Security Company.

Next, Luther would try making a Sleep Charm.