Act 0: Ethereal-Formless

Act 0⑨ [Ethereal · Formless]

Foreword:

Some people spend their whole lives chasing illusions, and can only find fulfillment within them.

—William Shakespeare | The Merchant of Venice

[Part 1 · Intrusive Thoughts]

"At the most crucial moment, he hesitated."

Judas held Billy's head—

—the supreme leader of the Church of Guiyi, an authority within the Immortals Alliance, was now speaking to Billy Horn with a sincere look and a timid voice, telling him an unbearable truth.

"At the most crucial moment of all, Fuyanni hesitated."

"Billy Horn."

"I want you to take your time and think this through."

"I know it's hard to bear. It's heartbreaking. It's an obstacle in life that's hard to overcome."

"It's nobody's fault. If anyone deserves to be held responsible, then the person who deserves the most punishment is me."

Judas studied Billy Horn's eyes carefully.

Ever since the kid heard that Fuyanni was dead, he'd immediately fallen into a state of despair and lost all will to fight.

His eyes were unfocused, his lips pale. He didn't want to say a word or blame anyone. He didn't want to shout. He'd shut himself off completely, unwilling to understand what had happened. In just six short hours, Billy Horn had struggled between life and death, hovering at the very edge of the Gate of Death. His heart was already in tatters.

Fuyanni had been dragged off the boat by a monster and fallen into the river. That was the ironclad truth. Judas and Fay had been powerless to do anything; there was simply no way to save this weak-willed Homo sapiens.

"The only good news is that we're safe for now. The temperature in the surrounding area keeps dropping. The lightning stars Wood cultivated prefer warmer waters. Following the instincts of their fish-man hybrids,