Omniscience and Omnipotence (God)

Lobby Bar.

Other than being built within a hidden realm of the universe, it was almost no different from any other bar.

The vintage tables, chairs, and counter, along with the posters hanging on both walls, gave every corner an air of mystery.

Even Sally Valence was visiting this place for the first time.

A flicker of inexplicable excitement crossed her beautiful, youthful face.

She looked at the strange magical creatures, her expression full of delight and curiosity.

Chen Ji remained composed.

His gaze swept across the room.

Then he immediately looked toward the bartender approaching them.

And the bartender's status panel made his breath catch!

[Name]: Jack

[Identity]: Bartender

[Traits]: Omniscience and Omnipotence (God).

[Omniscience and Omnipotence] (God): As the Fulcrum of the multiverse, he was nearly all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent.

"Omniscience and Omnipotence?!"

"What was going on with this 'God'?"

"A god-tier talent?!"

"So golden talents weren't the highest-tier talents?"

"...The Fulcrum?"

Chen Ji's heart jolted.

He vaguely remembered such a character!

The Fulcrum!

He was responsible for ensuring that the matter of the real world remained in its proper place and fulfilled its proper role!

His power far surpassed that of the Cosmic Gods!

It was said that his status was second only to OAA!

And as the absolute supreme being of the multiverse, OAA was both the creator of the omniverse and the master of the Living Tribunal!

Yet such a cosmic deity had opened a bar and become a bartender who welcomed and saw off customers?

Was that real?

The other customers seemed completely unaware!

The bearded sorcerer Doran directly slung an arm around bartender Jack's neck.

"Jack!"

"This is Chen, and this is Sally."

"They're the new guardian sorcerers of our New York Sanctum. Hurry and mix your best cocktail for these two little ones to try!"

Doran acted like they had known each other forever.

He was already holding a glass of chilled mead, tilting his head back and gulping it down as though he could not get enough!

"Doran."

"Don't tarnish Kamar-Taj's reputation."

"Sit down."

Master Drumm's expression turned stern.

Kamar-Taj.

As the legendary sacred land of mystic arts.

It had always held the top position in the hidden world.

Even in a mixed bag of a place like the Lobby Bar, anyone wearing Kamar-Taj's attire would surely earn the respect of others.

"Three cocktails?"

"One mead?"

"Where's the young man who came to the Lobby Bar last time?"

"Why didn't he come with you?"

"I remember him saying he wanted to become the Sorcerer Supreme!"

Bartender Jack's eyes shifted. The moment he looked at Chen Ji, he could not help narrowing his eyes slightly.

Then he looked toward the Lobby Bar's storeroom, his expression growing somewhat complicated.

Naturally, Chen Ji did not miss that detail!

He knows me?

Chen Ji's heart tightened.

How was that possible?

He had only just arrived at the Lobby Bar!

"Jack."

"The guardian sorcerer you mentioned died beneath the claws of a spiritual creature."

"I failed to protect him."

Master Drumm looked ashamed.

The painful memory was immediately stirred.

"Death is not the end."

"Forgetting is."

"I'll make a special cocktail for you later."

"Drumm."

"Your brother has only just left."

Bartender Jack smiled.

Then he returned to the bar and began his performance, pouring sweet, delicious liquor into containers one after another.

As he gently shook them, the sound of ice striking the glass immediately rang out.

A moment later.

Three brightly colored cocktails and a glass of chilled mead were set before the four of them.

"Thanks for the trouble."

"Jack."

"Did my brother leave any words for me?"

Drumm lifted a cocktail and took a small sip. The spicy, slightly sour liquor burst across his tongue.

Then he handed over five ancient coins, one of which was a tip for bartender Jack.

"So the currency of the hidden world..."

"Was all ancient coinage with collectible value?"

Chen Ji's eyes flickered.

"No."

"Drumm."

"However, your brother earned the title of Voodoo Doctor through his own abilities."

"He deserved to be called a Legendary Sorcerer."

Bartender Jack put away the ancient coins, a teasing smile appearing on his face.

It left Master Drumm thoroughly embarrassed.

"Legendary Sorcerer...?"

Sally Valence furrowed her brows.

"Yes."

"Legendary Sorcerers were among the very top mystic masters."

"They could even challenge the Sorcerer Supreme. If they defeated the Sorcerer Supreme, they would become the Sorcerer Supreme."

Bartender Jack smiled.

But his eyes remained fixed on Chen Ji.

"Is there something dirty on my face?"

Chen Ji felt uneasy.

Why had the Fulcrum set his sights on him?!

"Chen."

"You probably... didn't sleep very well at night, did you?"

Bartender Jack's tone was meaningful.

"I'm fine."

Chen Ji's gaze froze.

But he did not mention his curse!

After all, the Lobby Bar was a mixed crowd, and walls had ears. He could not tell whether bartender Jack was friend or foe.

Revealing his circumstances would inevitably bring a chain of trouble, and that was not what he wanted.

"Chen."

"I want to give you a gift."

"Please wait a moment."

Bartender Jack entered the storeroom. When he returned, he carried a painting in his hands.

Though the frame was wrapped in white paper.

It was still obvious.

It was a painting!

"A painting?"

Chen Ji's pupils contracted.

An unbelievable guess immediately surfaced in his mind!

Could it be...

That Jack's gift for him was connected to the Weird World?!

Why does only Chen get a gift?

And not me?

A trace of gloom flashed through Sally Valence's beautiful eyes.

Then she snatched the painting first and tore open the snow-white wrapping, revealing the painting's true appearance.

"Sally!"

"You opened the wrapping without Jack and Chen's permission."

"Was that how your ancestors taught you manners?!"

Master Drumm sternly rebuked her.

Sally shuddered.

She instantly realized that she had overreacted!

"Sorry."

Sally murmured softly.

However.

Chen Ji's gaze had already been firmly captured by the painting!

This painting...

Its background was pitch-black.

Dim.

Deep.

The shattered ruins, dilapidated buildings, and scarred earth all closely overlapped with the Weird World he had personally experienced!

Several tiny figures could vaguely be seen standing at the edge of the canvas.

Most of the painting was shrouded in dark fog of war.

Among them.

The most eye-catching figure possessed a mountain-like body, a skull-like face, and hollow eye sockets...

It was unmistakably the [Weird Troll]!

"This painting!"

"...Thank you for the gift, Mr. Jack."

"But I don't have any treasure to give in return."

Chen Ji accepted the painting and took a deep breath.

So the Weird World he had been in really was nothing more than a painting!

"Then consider it a debt of one hundred ancient coins."

"Haha."

"Just kidding."

"Gifts are given to those destined to receive them."

"I believe we will meet again."

Bartender Jack's eyes were playful.

Then he returned to the bar and began serving the next table of customers.

"I'd never seen Jack give anyone a gift before!"

"Chen!"

"You've definitely got something fishy going on, kid!"

The bearded mage Doran steadied himself.

His whole face was flushed red.

He seemed completely unable to hold his liquor.

"Don't mind him."

"Chen."

"Don't let Jack's kindness go to waste."

Master Drumm smiled.