Chapter 113

Chapter 113

Lately, Arkham seemed to have seen an influx of peculiar individuals.

Lane mused as he closed his eyes, instantly connecting with the countless spiritual plants within the city that acted as his eyes and limbs.

In the past, many people had also entered Arkham, but it wasn't particularly unusual. Although Arkham wasn't a tourist destination, it was still a city, and the crowd had swelled due to the funeral of the God Amongst Men.

But after some time, the number of regular travelers dwindled, making the presence of these odd characters more noticeable.

There were men with suspicious tattoos and a priestly air, gender-ambiguous wizards shrouded in black robes, or cultists who, for some reason, could see spiritual plants and the bizarre.

Lane didn't intend to chase them all out, but as their numbers grew, he noticed while monitoring their activities that they seemed to be waiting for something or searching for something.

At first, Lane thought they might be looking for the Gatekeeper or information on the previously spotted Pan. However, upon closer observation, he realized that wasn't the case.

But before Lane could dwell too much on the matter, the answer presented itself naturally. Carmen approached him with a report, informing him that the Khamite tribe's gathering was approaching, and he was asking if this meeting could take place in Arkham.

Only then did Lane come to understand.

No wonder there had been so many odd individuals arriving lately. They must have received some sort of information or an invitation from the Kamui people.

The Kamui Gathering followed a fixed schedule, typically held on the first starless night of summer. The exact date of such a night needed to be calculated, serving as one of the invisible hurdles for attendance.

In the game from his previous life, the Kamui Gathering was a bustling and mysterious bazaar. Initially, it was an internal event for the Kamui people, a place for exchanging resources. Later, its scale expanded significantly.

The Kamui would extend invitations to those they acknowledged. However, it's worth noting that the Kamui people were not solely under Cam's leadership. While Cam was indeed their chief, over time, some Kamui had chosen to depart from their tribal lifestyle, integrating into different cities, wandering alone, or accepting employment by other factions.

Yet, Cam still considered these scattered Kamui as part of the clan, and they were also allowed to participate in the gathering. They could even craft invitations using their unique traditional crafts for their friends or those they approved of.

Consequently, over time, the number of invitations issued by the Kamui became quite substantial. Despite being called an internal gathering, it had evolved into a significant underground market or secret assembly in the realm of the mysterious.

No wonder so many peculiar individuals had flooded into Arkham recently – they had come for this trading fair.

Lan initially intended to accept immediately, as it would be beneficial for him. But for some reason, he suddenly recalled Amos's words:

Very soon, many ill-intentioned people will flood this city...

Given the nature of a gathering, the participants would indeed be a mixed bag. Though Lan had become the God-Host of Arkham, it was impossible for him to keep an eye on every attendee all the time.

"Lord Lane…" Carmen, who had entered the Divine Realm specifically to seek permission from Lane, felt rather uneasy. Primarily, Lane's silence seemed to stretch on for too long, and he was already contemplating how to announce that the Kamyu Gathering would not take place.

"Never mind, the gathering shall proceed as planned," Lane replied, his tone indifferent as he came back to his senses.

Despite knowing there were risks involved, there was no reason to decline such an intriguing event.

Lane wouldn't refrain from doing something just because it carried some risk. Moreover, Arkham was now his territory, so he would be even less likely to do so. Besides, wasn't a mystical flea market like this a natural playground for games?

He knew that players would be fascinated by such a trading market, just as he had been in his previous life.

Lane asked about the time and location of the gathering. With a hint of embarrassment, Carmen admitted they hadn't decided on a venue yet. Typically, such gatherings took place in sparsely populated outskirts to prevent accidental intrusion by ordinary people.

After a moment of thought, Lane had an idea. "I see. For this gathering, I'll arrange a venue for you. Go ahead and send out your invitations."

"Should we invite all your followers?"

"No need. If there are too many people, unexpected incidents might occur. Just invite whomever you wish to, according to your own preferences."

"I understand."

Lately, the forums have been bustling with activity, as the third closed beta welcomed a flood of new players – a whopping fifty thousand in number. New maps, such as the University of Mirai and the Church of Celestial Wisdom, were introduced, along with a barrage of fresh gameplay features that left everyone overwhelmed.

As expected, once the veteran players received their invitations, news of the Kamui Clan's mysterious gathering quickly spread across the entire forum.

Salted Fish Admiring Leisure: "A mysterious side flea market! Sounds so interesting!"

Supernatural Salted Fish: "I have a feeling there'll be plenty of rare items or equipment popping up."

Glowing Kitty: "My shopping instincts are tingling! I want to join! Where do I sign up for this event?!"

What kind of earthly suffering is this: Latest news... It seems this event has a limited attendance. Only those who receive an invitation from the Kamuy tribe can participate, and it's taking place in the city of Arkham.

The sweet tofu is super delicious: As soon as I saw a new word appeared in the forum, I immediately clicked in. When I looked carefully, it was Arkham again, and I exited without any interest.

Dare you kiss me: Sobs, new map players have no rights.

Metatron Jr.: "New players don't have any rights, you know? It's the same for newcomers in Arkham too, QAQ"

In the realm of art, there's no escape from balding: A protest! How can newcomers be excluded?

Snowcone Dumplings: Exactly! Protest! Big protest!

Druid: Well, it's not like they're completely excluded. There are indeed some new players who received invitations, but it's just less common.

Black Cat: That's right. From my observations, players who received invitations have a certain level of familiarity with the Kamui tribe, at least 20 points of affinity or more (considered friends).

Black Cat: Also, those who fought alongside the Kamui during the previous Arkham incident mostly got invites too.

God Among Us: As expected, it seems the game's affinity system is responsible for this judgment. I asked around, and it's confirmed that the Kamui only send invitations to their friends or benefactors.

Ultra Adorable Cat Head: So intricate! This game is so detailed, it feels like the NPCs have their own set of principles, friends, lovers, and family, as if they live in their own separate worlds.

Insane: Yes, the more immersed you get in the game, the more you realize this.

Sensual Mama: Sigh, there's little hope for new players unless they can quickly befriend a Kamui member.

Yee Yee: Originally, this event wouldn't have been much use for beginners anyway. I asked my Kamui friend, and they mentioned that the gatherings usually involve bartering, not other forms of transactions. Do any of you have something to trade? Beginners probably don't, right?

Never Been Wealthy: No, I haven't even laid a finger on any mysterious items yet. (expression indicating disappointment)

Do You Dare Answer When I Call: I've heard of it, or rather, touched upon the idea. Doesn't Mandrake University have a small museum for enigmatic artifacts? I have a bold proposal...

Foxy Ling Twin: With enough courage, you'll get expelled the very next day.

Upon reading this on the forum, Lahn silently planted a ring of protective spiritual plants around the museum.

Innocent Little Teddy: You can try it if you want to die, but I don't recommend it. Don't forget, dying so easily will disqualify you from entering the Church of Celestial Wisdom, and you might lose your spot at Mandrake University too.

The Church of Celestial Wisdom was currently the hottest topic on the forum. It couldn't be helped; the divine figure had raised the prestige of this feature to its peak. Coupled with the official release of title functions, players who successfully entered the Church would receive the title 'Light of Humanity.' This one-two punch had increased the players' tendency to court danger by at least threefold compared to usual.

Do You Dare Answer When I Call: Sigh, I was just talking.

Gorgeous Mature Sister: Speaking of which, I'm curious. Will the prominent figure 'Divine Among Mortals' attend this gathering?

Out of Network IQ: Haha, I know what you're implying. That's quite cutting. Has the big shot received an invitation yet?

Divine Among Mortals: No.

Yee Yee: Pfft.

Druid: "Why are you laughing? That's harsh. We, professionals, wouldn't laugh like that... Pffft."

Uncle Hao: "You guys are going too far, hahaha. The big shot would be devastated if they were here. Carmen might even be so moved that she'd marry them on the spot."

Black Cat: "Would the big shot like to attend? If so, I could try to get an extra invitation."

God Among Men: "No need, thank you. I'm currently not in Arkham but at the New Port, and I don't have any resources to exchange for an invite right now."

God Among Men: "Also, I'm not dying from sadness, just a bit disappointed. This experience has made me realize how ruthless card-tearing can be. Players who decide to do it should really think it through. Once you tear a card, the NPCs will never see you the same way again. Of course, if you have related cards or similar-looking ones, their affection can carry over, but each time they see your new card, it's like tearing at their hearts."

Crazy No More: "Stop, it's too heartbreaking QAQ."

Ultimate Man: "There's nothing we can do about it. I really want to enter the cathedral and earn that title. Those who manage to get in early will have a place of honor in the game's history!"

Crazy No More: "Damn, you're right. When the game becomes popular, the Church of Celestial Wisdom will grow, but there'll only be limited spots in the innermost circle!"

What do players yearn for the most? Isn't it valuable accounts? And how does one acquire such valuable accounts? Apart from rare equipment, there's no more prestigious way to etch one's name into the game's history.

The forum thread instantly veered off course, shifting from a discussion to tips on how to swiftly enter the Church of Celestial Wisdom. Lane could only laugh and cry as he closed the forum.

...

Soon, the Starless Night arrived.

Veteran players followed the location indicated on their invitations to the city park in the center of Arkham. At this late hour, few people ventured there. Those who did were usually vagrants, who could be easily dissuaded with a simple spell. More importantly, the park was already abundant with plants, which would come in handy for Lane's preparations.

The Black Cat held his invitation and carried a lantern filled with a special herb, as per the rules. He walked into the forest alongside the Druid. They saw many other players entering at the same time, mostly familiar faces, with a few curious newbies trying their luck, hoping to sneak in unnoticed.

The moon slowly climbed to the center of the night sky. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the chirping of insects, the sound of footsteps, and the hushed whispers of the players.

Suddenly, the Black Cat received a notification of a successful inspiration in his mind. He turned abruptly, noticing a faint glow emanating from a hollow in a tree somewhere in the woods.

"What's wrong?" the Druid noticed the Black Cat's reaction.

Other players looked over as well. The Black Cat didn't hide anything, pointing at the tree hollow. "It should be there."

The Druid stepped forward first, discovering that the hollow was incredibly deep, with faint light and murmurs emanating from within. He clenched the badge-sized invitation in his hand and closed his eyes before venturing in.

Upon entering, the noise intensified. The Druid opened his eyes to find himself in what resembled a festive fair, sprawling along the curves of the trees with no end in sight. Swinging lanterns, hung from the branches, cast a warm, amber glow.

Every individual – or NPC – present was dressed in costumes typically seen only on Halloween. There were those resembling wizards and others who appeared to be tribal priests adorned with totemic symbols. Well, considering the nature of this gathering, perhaps they truly were who they claimed to be?

"Whoa, wow, this is impressive!"

As the Druid stood in awe, the black cat entered the tree hollow, standing with its hands on its hips, marveling at the scene before it. "This must be the mystic gathering, right...?"

"Woohoo, fantastic!" Matcha Latte and Crazy followed, cheerfully bouncing in, the eerie medieval-themed convention atmosphere energizing all the players. They eagerly dashed towards the stalls that caught their fancy.

"Wait, don't forget, this isn't a convention. Be cautious," the Druid called out, concern etched on his face.

"Don't worry, Druid Mom. Look around, the Kamui are watching over us," the black cat chuckled, pointing at the patrolling Kamui. "And there's also Lahn, surely watching over this place."

"True enough," the Druid rubbed his head, gradually relaxing as he began to savor the ambiance.

Every available space was occupied by vendors or makeshift tents, with transactions already in progress. Haggling voices could be heard nearby. The Druid and the black cat scrutinized every stall they passed, finding everything novel and unfamiliar.

One distinctive aspect of Destiny's Spin apart from other online games was that players couldn't simply cast an appraisal on unknown items. Well, they could attempt an investigation, but ignorance remained ignorance. Fortunately, during their time studying at MU, both the black cat and the Druid had delved deeply into mysticism, enabling them to make sense of what they were seeing rather than just being spectators.

"Damn, is this a mummy's finger? Real or fake? Professor Alders mentioned that it can be used for a ritual to communicate with the spirit world!"

"You've got a keen eye, young man," the vendor's eyes lit up. "Finally, someone who appreciates its value. So, how about it? If you want it, you can exchange it for something of equal level."

Druid: "Level? How do you determine the level?"

"It's quite simple. Generally, it depends on the item's use. For instance, if it's a rare ingredient for a magic potion, you'd need to exchange it for another ingredient of similar level. As for the spirit communication ritual you mentioned, usually, knowledge or components related to death of a similar level would be acceptable."

The Druid didn't possess such items. He put down the mummy's finger and suddenly remembered something, retrieving his weapon. "What could I trade this for?"

He presented the enchanted dagger he had first obtained from Lane – the vampire draining dagger. By now, the Druid and his companions had upgraded their weapons significantly, rendering the dagger rarely used but still valuable as a keepsake.

The moment the dagger was revealed, the vendor's eyes widened, reaching out reverently to take it. "This, this, this... I seldom come across enchanted weapons of such quality. Although the material it carries is ordinary, the magic patterns covering it are flawless... If you're interested, you can have the mummy's finger, and I'll throw in a few more items, how about it?"

With a greedy glint in his eyes, the vendor clutched the dagger tightly. Swiftly, the Druid snatched it back. "No, thanks. I was just asking."

"Hey, wait, I can throw in a few more items for you!"

The druid chuckled and started walking away with the black cat. The vendor, unwilling to let his prey slip away, reached out with his hand, dark vapor swirling in the palm as he attempted to grab the druid's arm.

Slap!

Carmen intercepted the vendor's hand and said coldly, "What do you think you're doing?"

Behind him stood a few sturdy Kamui youths, their fists clenched as they glared menacingly at the vendor.

"Everyone who comes here is a friend of our Kamui tribe. I don't wish for any accidents to happen among our friends here."

The vendor shrank back, casting an unwilling glance at the druid before hurriedly packing up his belongings and leaving. The druid slowly relaxed his grip on the dagger and joked to Carmen, "You've cost me a chance to enter the Church of the Stars."

Carmen: "?"

Druid: "Haha, just joking. Don't mind it."

Lately, players had gone crazy over the desire to enter the Church of the Stars, not wanting to miss any opportunities for combat or rescue. In short, they were all obsessed with finding ways to "gloriously sacrifice" themselves. It had driven them a bit mad.

Although Carmen didn't fully comprehend, he was long accustomed to the novelty that players often brought up. He advised calmly, "Be cautious while at the gathering and avoid going to secluded places with strangers. If anything happens, feel free to notify our patrolling personnel."

With that, he hurried off to another spot where it seemed a dispute had broken out. It was a busy night for the Kamui people.

As he passed by a thin man holding a book, he was suddenly addressed.

"Carmen?"

Carmen spun around, recognizing an unfamiliar face. "You are...?"

"Long time no see. It must have been about ten years." The slender man waved at him with a smile, clutching a black-bound book with no title on its cover in one hand, while a black tattoo of an open book page adorned the back of the other. "Would you mind joining me for a drink?"

Carmen's gaze lingered on the tattoo, connecting it with the man's jet-black eyes. Recognition dawned upon him. "...It's you."

Carmen instructed the two young Kamui men behind him to continue their patrol of the gathering area. He then followed the thin youth, observing his back with mixed emotions.

He remembered this tattoo. In the Kamui tribe, knowledge was passed down from generation to generation. To become a leader, one had to be well-versed in its contents. Among them was a passage about this particular tattoo.

In the myth of the Three Wise Sages—Healer, Fate, and Prophet—each had distinct symbols. The Healer, synonymous with the Kamui, was represented by a herb, symbolizing medicine-making. The Prophet was depicted by a book, indicating his vast knowledge. Fate's mark was a single eye pierced by a vertical line.

When Carmen was very young, he once dismissed the notion of mysticism and mythology, for it was such legends that had landed them in their dire situation. However, an encounter with a man altered his perspective.

This man's abilities shattered Carmen's worldview, revealing that there were indeed powers far beyond his comprehension in this world.

The man claimed to be a Seer. His irises were an impenetrable black, and he bore the mark that symbolized his status as one.

But this man's appearance didn't match that of the person Carmen had encountered in his childhood...

"Surprised to see me?" the Seer's voice pulled Carmen back to reality. He noticed that the Seer had led him to a secluded corner of the gathering, where few vendors were present, and only a vagrant slept soundly beneath a tree stump.

"I thought you said we'd have a drink?" Carmen asked, puzzled.

The Seer chuckled and reached for a flat, metallic flask at his waist. "There's no tavern around here. This will have to do as a substitute."

He unscrewed the cap, took a sip, then offered it to Carmen. Carmen gave him a suspicious glance, took the flask, and sniffed its contents. Indeed, the scent of alcohol wafted out, but he had no intention of drinking it. He handed it back cautiously.

"What brings you here?"

"Don't be on edge, it's just a meeting with an old friend," the Prophet dismissed Carmen's wariness with another sip from his flask. "I didn't expect to run into you here, though."

"This is the Kamui tribe's gathering," Carmen noted with curiosity. As the leader of the Kamui, it was only natural for him to be present.

"Mmm, that's not quite what I meant," the Prophet stroked his chin, looking at Carmen with keen interest. "It's because...you should have been dead long ago. So, why are you still alive? That's my question."