Chapter 109

Chapter 109

"Turfgrass HHH, hallucinating about some magic school."

"Does the game developer not fear legal letters for doing this? HHH"

"The official is indeed playing with memes, confirmed."

"Sob sob, I'm so envious. I wish I could enroll in Mystic University too, qwq Why didn't I get the Arkham login! The airfare from Orland to Arkham is so expensive, new players like me can't even afford it."

"Fraud! This is fraud! Give me the slot, ahhhh!"

"Wahh, wahh, Wahh, my dear MIT!"

In the Druid's live stream channel, those who failed to secure an alpha test spot as cloud gamers or innocent newcomers who had their hard-earned spots stolen by unscrupulous players were weeping in despair.

What could they do? They could only loyally stay in the streams of experienced players, watching enviously as others enrolled in the long-desired MIT.

Of course, there were also plenty of sour grapes among the haters. Especially after learning that joining the Secret Church was the only way into MIT, many players grumbled with resentment and indignation.

"The authorities are being outrageously biased, aren't they? Only letting players from the Secret Church enter Michigan University? What kind of nonsense is this?"

"Yeah, I just got kicked out by a monster. What's the deal with that?"

"Official arrogance, I say. Michigan University is the breeding ground for investigators. How dare they let an evil cult privatize it? It's absurd."

"Exactly, such favoritism. They can't even maintain balance among factions. This game is headed for doom."

"The issue with faction balance has been around for ages, yet they refuse to fix it. They pretend not to hear the complaints. Haha, calling it 'Fate's Spiral' when they're so biased towards NPCs. Why not rename it 'The Secret Church' instead, right? :P"

As time went on, the ridicule in the live stream grew louder. Other viewers were also frustrated, but their criticisms were valid and couldn't be denied. The officials' bias was evident.

The authorities seemed to have given up on pretending, fully embracing the attention. They subtly pushed Lane as a leader NPC among the players.

Druid ignored the bickering in the live stream and, accompanied by Black Cat, cautiously stepped onto the pea. Surprisingly, despite its frail appearance and lack of apparent structural support, the pea didn't budge under the weight of many people.

Indeed, there were more people than expected. When Black Cat and the others reached the pea, they realized there were multiple paths, explaining why the trail hadn't been congested.

Now, the players formed a queue to step onto the pea. The unethical idol swallowed hard and said, "I have a bit of a fear of heights."

"Don't worry, it's just a game." Insane laughed lightly as he pulled his friend along. The pea pod spiraled upward, with no staircase structure, yet its surface was textured enough to provide secure footing.

As the group ascended, the Depraved Idol cast a glance downward and promptly shut his eyes in fright.

Insane commented, "Is it really that scary? The view is quite nice."

Players were happily capturing screenshots, and from their aerial perspective, Arkham Hospital below presented a different scene altogether. The Depraved Idol didn't respond. Upon reaching a certain point, a collective gasp escaped the surrounding players.

The Depraved Idol couldn't resist opening his eyes, and he too, couldn't help but be awestruck.

Previously, they were clearly ascending, but after passing a certain elevation, the heavens and earth seemed to invert. The sky transformed into the earth, and the earth into the sky. Thus, their upward journey became a descent.

"How fascinating, hahaha."

"Ah, ah, ah, a fairy tale-like entrance is so romantic, qwq. The officials really know how to create a mood."

"Look, the scene in the sky has shifted from the University of Michigan to Arkham Asylum. This implies that..."

"Look down there," the Druid exclaimed, eagerly pointing below. The players gazed and saw at the end of their sight, the entrance of Michigan University, where a crowd had already assembled on the open ground. It resembled the first day of college, with various departments and faculties setting up welcome stations.

The faculty and students of the University of Michigan were well aware of the grand event taking place that day. Although Lane had previously instructed them on how to proceed, the actual moment still filled them with nervous anticipation and unease.

What would the followers of the Evil God be like? Fanatical? Intolerant? Would a single misstep lead to being sacrificed?

Despite Lane's amiable demeanor, even bordering on affable, those who had prior encounters with cultists couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety.

Thus, when the first batch of excited players dashed over, the senior student volunteers at the reception couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Fortunately, Lane had anticipated this scenario. As the players eagerly rushed forward, Edmund, standing quietly by the side, stepped forward with a smile.

Oh, by the way, speaking of which, after Edmund had been in the Divine Realm for a while, Lane finally remembered what he had forgotten. He promptly invited Edmund to join his church.

Upon learning that Lane had a church and had personally extended an invitation to him, Edmund wept. When he discovered that the church had been operating for some time and had numerous followers, he shed tears once more...

"Please stop here," he indicated a nearby notice board. "Take a look at this first."

The players turned their attention to the notice.

"The Entrance Regulations for Miskatonic University:

1. This university adheres to the principle of open admission and strict graduation. Any student who arrives here automatically earns admission, but whether they graduate or not depends solely on their individual efforts.

2. Students may choose their major according to their desired field of development. Each major has an end-of-term assessment, one retake opportunity, and one practical assignment. Those who fail three times will either be automatically withdrawn or allowed to switch majors.

3. Please refrain from excessively bothering professors or senior students. Multiple complaints will result in deduction of academic points, and severe cases may lead to expulsion.

4. Upon becoming a formal MU student, you will receive a student ID, allowing free entry and exit to the campus. However, please be aware of the curfew hours.

5. The Chancellor's will prevails above all."

"Awesome! No entrance exam, yay! Everyone gets a chance to study at MU, hahaha!"

"Hmm, I'd still prefer an entrance exam, personally."

"Well, what would MU test then? A quiz on Cthulhu Mythos knowledge or practical activities? How about exorcising cultists and banishing evil deities as a practical task? Hahaha!"

"That's hardcore, I love it!"

For the smooth operation of MU, Lane had put in considerable effort. Primarily, the issue of access was crucial. Since MU resided within Lane's divine realm, originally, players couldn't enter freely. There were only two ways to enter: Lane's direct summoning or the initial opportunity to join the Secret Church, which granted entry to the divine realm.

But now, to ensure the players could smoothly advance in their professions and genuinely learn from the professors, Lane found a way to enchant special student cards. As long as the players were within the vicinity of Arkham Hospital, they could use these cards to enter Miskatonic University at any time.

Of course, it was only Miskatonic University. Lane planned to station Black Tree Guards at the Pea Pod Passage later to prevent the players from wandering around his Divine Realm unchecked.

The next issue was the players' learning process. Lane wasn't too worried about this, as according to the game's rules, players only needed to spend some time in class and pass a 'Growth Determination' dice roll to gain skill points randomly. Naturally, they would only receive these benefits if they simply idled in class.

What was truly valuable at Miskatonic University wasn't the addition of skill points, and it remained to be seen how many players would realize this in the future.

Back to the present, as the players finished reading the enrollment guidelines and approached the various departments, a barely perceivable unease flashed in the eyes of Miskatonic's faculty and staff.

Aldrich and Alexis were naturally present. As two of the few who had interacted with the deity personally, they were tasked with mediating any issues.

Lane had given them significant authority beforehand, allowing them to expel any believer. This would immediately kick the believer out of the Divine Realm. The guarantee left them with mixed feelings. On one hand, they were happy to feel the deity's protection and favor. On the other hand, it seemed to imply that these believers who had come to study might not be easy to handle.

Aldrich glanced at the seemingly composed Alexis and decided inwardly that he would take the lead if anything happened. If the Lord showed favoritism towards the believers, he would shoulder the risk alone.

Aldrich specialized in Dream Studies, a rather niche subject. Most players had more obvious goals, such as combat-oriented majors, mysticism, or folklore.

However, a group of people with clear intentions headed straight for him.

Alders and Alexis maintained their composure, their nerves taut as they professionally responded, "Are you interested in the Dream Research or Monster Department?"

"Yes, Professor, but first, we wish to fulfill a promise," the Druid said.

Alders frowned. "What promise? I don't recall meeting…"

"On the square at Miskatonic University, someone told us that its doors would always be open to us," the Druid continued. "Does that promise still stand?"

The professors' expressions turned increasingly astonished as they looked up at the Druid and the players behind him, their minds overlaying the figures with memories of the volunteers.

A similar scene unfolded with the Dishonorable Idol. After thoroughly reading the enrollment rules, he started selecting his major, with Mysticism being his top choice. After registering, he looked around and finally spotted Not Crazy's figure at the Potion Department registration desk...

Not Crazy rushed over to the Potion Department registration, catching the professor off guard as he asked for a recommendation letter for the Combat Department.

Potion Professor: "…Why don't you just register directly at the Combat Department? There's no need for recommendation letters now."

Not Crazy: "Of course I know that, but this recommendation is different. It was promised to me in Miskatonic University's auditorium."

The Potion Professor furrowed his brow. "Who made such a promise? This is the Potion Department, unrelated to the Combat Department. At best, we provide herbs to those battle fanatics when they get injured…"

Midway through his sentence, he paused, staring at Not Crazy in disbelief.

Not Crazy beamed. "With a record of slaying anomalies with one shot, I should have earned a recommendation for the Combat Department, right?"

A commotion suddenly erupted at the registration booth. The faculty and students who had survived the University of Michigan battle stood up together, causing momentary chaos.

Oaldes: "Y-You... You were really there back then..."

Druid: "Hehe, didn't recognize us, Professor!"

Alexis: "Oh my God, how did They do it?"

Tears welled up in both professors' eyes, while the students' reactions were more overt. A burly guy had pounced on the Druid, ruffling his hair.

The Druid managed to free himself from the big guy's grasp but was promptly surrounded by more University of Michigan students. These young adults, not yet fully mature, couldn't contain their emotions as they eagerly gathered around the players, realizing that their fellow warriors from that battle still lived.

"Wait, wait, don't throw me up!"

"Eh, what are you doing? I didn't participate in that dungeon—"

"Ahahaha, stop it, that's my ticklish spot."

The live stream was flooded with comments:

"Sob, such a touching reunion."

"My eyes welled up from watching since the Michigan University Defense."

"I didn't feel much until I saw an NPC actually crying."

"Sigh, this game's affection system is too well-made. I was wrong to criticize it for trying to cash in on romantic plots; affection goes beyond just romance."

"Yes, it's about sacrifice, reunion, and emotion."

Players who had gone through the Michigan University Defense, especially those who were at the auditorium, quickly bonded with the university's staff and students. New players watched enviously from the sidelines.

The Mischievous Idol was also envious, muttering, "This affection system is outstanding."

The bonds and imprints players left behind in this world never vanished.

After an exhilarating round of reacquaintance, the experienced Druids had gleaned much information from the Miskatonic faculty, such as the current state of the university, which was a result of reality being altered. They finally understood the significance of the recreation and were deeply impressed.

Especially the Black Cat, who anxiously grabbed Professor Alders, asking with concern, "What did you say? It was Lan... that Esteemed One who changed reality, pulling Miskatonic University out of the Dream World to here?"

Alders was puzzled by their reaction. "Yes, didn't you know? I thought He summoned you all to Miskatonic for this reason."

Black Cat: "...No, we didn't know."

Players had believed the recreation to be an official event. Some had raised doubts back then because during the first main storyline, clues hinted that Miskatonic had sunk into the Dream World and was gone. Thus, when the university reappeared in Len's Divine Realm, many logical players criticized the inconsistency in the official narrative.

However, most players had just emerged from the Miskatonic recreation, deeply moved by the faculty. Even if they knew about the inconsistency, the fact that Miskatonic was actually retrieved was seen as a positive addition, a way to rectify past regrets. As a result, the few dissenting voices were drowned out by the majority.

They had initially assumed it was just an official attempt to cater to player preferences. Who would have thought there was such a hidden secret behind it?

The Druid's live stream chat erupted.

"Wow! I thought the Miskatonic recreation was just a simple reproduction, but there's actually this backstory!"

"My wife is too amazing! She directly altered reality and pulled Miskatonic out!"

"Aaaaah, Lance is awesome! I adore my wife so much, sob sob sob."

"The purpose of that dungeon was to retrieve MiDa after all. Lance kept it a secret from us. If not for the Professor, would he have ever told us? Sob sob sob."

"I see now. It's thanks to my wife that I got the chance to study. Thank you, wife!"

A flood of "Thank you, wife" comments appeared, and others suddenly understood why only Lance's Divine Realm allowed access to MiDa.

"Those who complained about favoritism, step forward! This is clearly due to my wife's efforts. She rescued MiDa from the dream world. It was the players of the Secret Church who worked hard to clear the dungeon and made it possible! Why shouldn't MiDa be in Lance's Divine Realm?"

"Exactly! Without Lance, you wouldn't even have the right to glimpse at MiDa!"

"Lance is great, but I'm increasingly suspicious of my wife's identity. Is he really an evil god? Isn't he too merciful towards humans? Or does he have some ulterior motive for retrieving MiDa?"

"No idea, but this question has been around for a while. Her identity remains shrouded in mystery (sits with cheek on hand)."

"Professor Alders is here, can't we just ask?"

The Druid glanced at the queries in the live stream. He was curious about this matter as well, so he discreetly pulled Professor Alders aside. "Professor, do you have any idea about... that gentleman's background?"

Alders: "…Are you truly His believers?"

How could they know less than him?

With an expression of disbelief, Alders let out a forced laugh. "Don't worry about this. We're definitely fervent followers of Lane."

Staring deeply at the Druid, Alders continued, "If you truly are, then you should be aware of a phrase in His prayer."

"It is… unspeakable."

Alders turned around and rejoined the other freshmen, while the Miskatonic faculty and students had a rough understanding of how the Druids had been 'resurrected.' It wasn't entirely accurate to call it resurrection since the Druids had initially entered Miskatonic as 'non-existent' individuals. Although they didn't understand the exact mechanics, it was evident that Lane had allowed them into the university to save the day.

The Miskatonic faculty and students were equally stunned, not by Lane's power but by His mercy. At the same time, they couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive. Could Miskatonic repay such compassion?

The players noticed that the attitude of the Miskatonic faculty and students had become even more enthusiastic. The initial unease they felt seemed to melt away like snow with the appearance of the veteran players like the Druids. After all, these were comrades they had fought alongside, and they naturally trusted them.

As for the player group, perhaps due to their novelty and curiosity about Miskatonic, their true natures hadn't yet been revealed.

Thus, the Miskatonic faculty and students left an overly charming first impression on the players.

Soon, the players were led into the campus by the Miskatonic faculty. The veteran players had already visited once in the dungeon, so it wasn't that novel to them. However, it was the first time for the freshmen to tour the legendary Miskatonic. They excitedly took pictures and shouted in delight everywhere they went.

Miskatonic's architectural style leaned towards Gothic, with sharp structures on most rooftops. Coupled with the perpetual mist surrounding the Holy Kingdom and the bizarre spiritual plants that Len had recently planted on campus, it gave the impression of studying in a vampire castle.

The Miskatonic faculty and students were already accustomed to this, but the new players were a curious bunch, touching everything they could find.

Is it really that fascinating, just an ordinary school? some Miskatonic students couldn't help thinking. But deep down, they were delighted by the freshmen's enthusiasm and admiration for their university, and their lips curled into smiles.

"Choosing this time was a wise decision," Aldous explained to the freshmen. "Previously, Miskatonic didn't have such a vast area. Thanks to that generous gentleman who foresaw a large influx of new students, he expanded the campus significantly."

"Currently, Miskatonic is roughly divided into four zones. As you can see from the layout map, the area dominated by the Department of Alchemy is in the east, which is also the most heavily greened. I must warn you, if there's no reason, do not touch any plants growing within Miskatonic..."

As Aldous finished his words, he noticed a player foolishly attempting to pluck a daisy-like flower. The flower, or rather, the plant resembling a daisy, suddenly shot up two meters tall. A toothy gash opened in its pistil, biting the player's hand. It seemed to show mercy, releasing its grip after a nibble and scolding the player before shrinking back into the ground, resuming its role as a daisy.

The player glanced at their hand and the system notification about poisoning.

" Constitution: Failed "

The player fell peacefully, and Aldrich watched in eerie silence. Looking at his indifferent followers, an ominous premonition suddenly rose in his heart.

It seemed that he was about to experience his first major teaching setback as a professor at Mystic University, but he didn't yet realize the severity of the situation. He tried to reassure himself that it was just a one-off incident.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "Take this student to the first floor of the Alchemy Department's building. There, kind senior students will try to rouse this unlucky soul. Let's continue. The combat and monster departments are located beside the Alchemy Department. I hope you can have a good relationship with the faculty and students there. The departments of mysticism, folklore, and history are situated in the western area, where most research institutes are. I must emphasize that unless invited, avoid these institutes if you don't wish for a sudden, tragic end."

"The remaining science, technology, and engineering departments are in the southern teaching buildings. I must clarify that although Mystic University is renowned for its humanities, it doesn't mean that science and engineering are worthless. Professor Nigel Ellison of the Alchemy Department wouldn't agree with such a notion."

Aldrich shrugged. "However, those interested in alchemy should seriously consider if they possess the talent. Otherwise, most of your time will be wasted. At least, apart from Professor Nigel, few in the Alchemy Department truly grasp the essence of the subject."

"Alright, that concludes the general introduction. I know you have more questions, but it's time for the opening ceremony. We should head to the auditorium now."

Under Aldrich's guidance, the group of players made their way to the auditorium, where many other players had already gathered, seemingly having waited for some time. Surprisingly, the auditorium lacked the traditional setup of chairs and a stage for the ceremony. Instead, there were only four long tables, with the teachers seated at the front.

From the moment they entered, Black Cat and God Among Men's gazes were fixed on the top of the teacher's seating area. Lane was seated in the position designated for the university president. To avoid disturbing the Mystic University community below, Lane's face was still covered by the white cloth enchanted by Oglesby, much to the disappointment of the players.

Nonetheless, most players were content just to catch a glimpse of Lane.

"Ah, my dear wife, finally I see you."

"Why is my wife hiding her face? I want to behold your divine beauty."

"To those in front, didn't you witness the consequences before when faces aren't concealed? If not covered, the others might go mad, hhh."

"There's no choice, let's make do with this for now (screenshot of Lane's first main storyline)."

"Sob, it's all old material. The child wants to see new photos."

"Although I've tasted it before, I'll still savor it to satisfy my cravings."

This auditorium was where players once fought alongside Miskatonic University's faculty and students during the university's cataclysmic event. Lane thought that there was no better place for the opening ceremony.

It was the starting point of everything. Here, players got to know the Miskatonic community, making the university more than just a legendary place. The faculty and students also discovered the players here, forging the beginning of all connections.

When the majority of the attendees had arrived and filled the auditorium, Lane stood up:

"Dear new students, welcome to Miskatonic University. May you have a delightful time here. Our university's motto is Love, Knowledge, and Truth. I hope you will keep these words close to your hearts."

"Well then, without further ado, it's already noon, and I imagine you're all feeling peckish."

Lan knew players all too well. Food was far more appealing to them than any opening speech they might have heard countless times in reality. Fortunately, during his experiments with Spirit Seeds, he'd acquired quite a harvest of fruits produced by Spirit Plants, whose effects were yet to be tested.

It was the perfect opportunity for the players to experience the difference from ordinary ingredients. Assuming all went well, these Spirit Ingredients would become another specialty of the Secret Church, capable of granting various buffs.

Despite having absorbed almost 90% of the veteran player base, the new version's initial spawn locations still made him a little nervous. The more benefits and specialties his faction offered, the better.

Lan tapped his plate lightly, casually showcasing his skills once more. Instantly, a variety of dishes filled the long tables before every player.

Grateful for Ogler and the nurses from Arkham Hospital who had lent a hand, even though Michigan University lacked house-elves, it had diligent male and female housekeepers.

The moment the food appeared, the players were indeed delighted. The foodies among them eagerly stuffed their mouths without a second thought.

"Damn, what kind of meat is this? It's so tender and juicy!"

"Is this even meat? It feels like fruit. Wait, there's definitely a meaty flavor. How?"

"What an amazing dish, I've never tasted anything like it in reality."

Not only had they never tasted them, but some ingredients were entirely unfamiliar, as the Druid gazed at the fruit before him in contemplation. Why would a lychee grow to the size of a durian and emit a peach fragrance?

"Woah, damn," the black cat swallowed a scallop-like morsel, its eyes widening in surprise at the notification that popped up from the system.

"Obtained temporary buff: Enhanced Inspiration (+5)"

"Eating good food can grant buffs too." The black cat shared the system notification, and those players who were initially hesitant about the appearance of the food quickly consumed what was in their hands.

"Foods that give buffs!"

"It looks so delicious."

"I want to eat it! Isn't one of the joys of playing this full immersion game the fact that you don't gain weight no matter how much you eat?"

"What about the sensitivity? How's the flavor recreation function? What does it taste like?"

The players who were live-streaming had transformed into food bloggers, savoring each bite meticulously.

After a moment of serious tasting, the Druid said, "I can't quite put my finger on it. It's different from anything I've had in reality, but it's still quite tasty."

"Delicacies! Unfamiliar delicacies! Unfamiliar ingredients!"

"A veteran player of food-themed games here, and I'm drooling. Why is it that in this Cthulhu game, the culinary aspect is so well-developed?!"

"Not bad idea. Do you think we can recreate Cthulhu-inspired recipes in this game?"

"Like, you mean, Cthulhu Soup? Hahaha."

Observing the players eagerly devouring their food, Lane knew that his plan had succeeded. With the newly introduced secondary occupation system, he anticipated that vocational roles would soon take center stage, and the Secret Church, with its ability to produce buff-giving ingredients, would maintain its advantage.

The mischievous idol buried his head joyfully in the feast. Suddenly, he noticed someone sitting down beside him. "I knew you'd come here too."

The mischievous idol reluctantly lifted his head and glanced at the newcomer, nearly choking on his food in the process!

"You... You..." Sitting next to him was none other than the nameless NPC who had saved him earlier. With all the new experiences at Miskatonic University, the idol had almost forgotten about their encounter.

"Don't be nervous, I bear no ill will here," the NPC said casually, glancing in Lane's direction. "Otherwise, that one over there would have already shown me the door."

In response, the mischievous idol instinctively looked towards Lane, only to find him seemingly facing their direction, albeit subtly.

"Exactly who are you?" The unethical idol started to inquire, only to discover that the NPC had vanished into thin air.

Vanishing alongside him was Lance, who had been seated at the head of the room.

...

"I didn't expect to see you here."

"I came through official channels."

As Mage University now fell within the domain of Lance's divine kingdom, at his mere thought, both he and the NPC were teleported from the auditorium to a small office within the university grounds.

This NPC had, in a way, crossed paths with Lance before.

Cary Chapman.

Lance: "Of course I do. Otherwise, do you think you'd be standing here safely?"

Indeed, Cary, like the players, had followed the established path after joining the Secret Church. Carmen had consulted Lance about him. Though Lance wasn't sure what the man was up to, considering Cary's past as a teaching assistant at Mage University, he allowed him entry.

"Are you here to reminisce about the past?"

"No, I never dwell on the past. I only seek the unknown."

Lane's tone held a hint of amusement. "So much so that you'd enter the domain of an unknown god? As a member of the Inquisition, you should be aware of what that entails, right?"

"Not an unknown god," said Cree with a calm demeanor.

Lane: ?

Cree scratched his head, brushing back the disheveled strands of hair that fell across his face. He used his glasses as a makeshift headband, revealing his eyes. Lane then noticed that he also had green eyes, though they were darker than Lane's—more like the deep green of a swamp.

Those dark green eyes now fixed intently on Lane, filled with an obsession that Lane recognized all too well.

"I have joined the Church of Secrecy, so you are not an unknown deity to me," he said, "but the lord I now serve."

Confused, Lane raised an eyebrow beneath his veil. "If I'm not mistaken, aren't you on the opposing side of the malevolent gods?"

What was going on? He didn't recall ever trying to win this guy over.

"Oh, this? I only did it to be closer to the divine," Kley waved it off nonchalantly. "Besides, before I joined the Inspectorate, I was part of another organization. Surely that doesn't matter, does it?"

Lane: ...No, it matters a lot!

Seemingly sensing Lane's subtle reservation, Kley became indignant. "I've witnessed your brilliance in Arkham... So many people here follow and serve you now. Why can't you accept me?"

"If it's about my previous occupation, I can offer you an olive branch. Ah, but I wasn't on the front lines in the Inspectorate, so I don't have much information on investigators. However, I can share with you my research findings."

Kley spoke earnestly, "I'm very useful, different from those mortals. I can do more for you. My research capabilities are top-notch even within the Inspectorate. Furthermore, I used to be a member of Miskatonic University. If you reject me solely based on my past job, you'll regret it."

Modest yet arrogant.

This was the impression Kley left on Lane. Despite using polite language and positioning himself as one awaiting selection, his eyes would involuntarily betray a confident glow when discussing his strengths.

Lane didn't dislike him. He admired anyone who progressed in their field, and Kley had indirectly helped both him and Archie previously. From their conversation, Kley didn't seem overly loyal to the Inspectorate, and his knowledge of it was precisely what Lane needed now.

The main reason Lane hesitated was that he didn't believe he could easily gain Kley's loyalty. If he could betray the Inspectorate, he could also betray the Secret Church. The most crucial factor, however, was that Lane sensed Kley wasn't a true believer at this moment.

He seemed drawn by something that led him to Lane's side, pursuing some hidden purpose.

"Ah, right, if you still don't trust me, I can share a piece of information," Clay said abruptly. "I received an invitation from Amos previously. He asked me to attend a performance – you're likely aware, it was the incident that occurred in Arkham earlier."

"Do you know Amos?" Lane squinted his eyes.

Alarm bells rang in Clay's mind, and he responded resolutely, "Yes, I know him, but not intimately. We're mere acquaintances. However, before coming here, this person entrusted me with delivering a message to you."

"He wants to have a talk with you."