The Silver City.
Compared to the past, Dack Regins's personality and behavior hadn't changed much, but there was indeed a troubling shift. Derrick was afraid that the Silver City had caught the attention of the evil god, the "Fallen Creator". He was afraid that before he could become "The Sun", save the Silver City from its two-thousand-year curse, and bring hope and sunlight to its people, it would be utterly destroyed.
At this moment, he bitterly hated that he wasn't strong enough, that he was only Sequence 8.
No! I can't just watch! Derrick shot to his feet, ready to rush to the Round Tower and tell the other elders of the "Six-Man Council" and the "Chief",
But Derrick knew very well that such anomalies were barely even suspicious. Every expedition into the depths of the darkness was inevitably accompanied by days, tens of days, or even over a month of extreme tension, where members could encounter powerful or bizarre monsters at any moment.
Furthermore, the desolate wasteland devoid of people and the journey without hope brought extreme depression. Added to that, for safety, expedition team members were not allowed any form of sexual release while outside, which meant every expedition could cause some degree of psychological reshaping. If, on top of that, they encountered the great danger of losing over half the team, it was not uncommon for the survivors to undergo a major personality change.
The only treatment for such people was isolation and therapy according to standard protocol, with almost no exceptions.
— The Silver City possessed the first three Sequences of the "
Derrick rushed to the door, then suddenly slowed his steps.
He knew that reporting like this to the "Six-Man Council" would likely be ineffective, and there was a decent chance it would only bring suspicion upon him, with even the risk of catching the attention of Elder Lovia, "The Shepherd".
After hesitating for ten seconds, Derrick ground his teeth and pulled the door open to go out.
He believed he had to warn the elders of the "Six-Man Council", even if it meant facing considerable risk!
For the vast majority of the Silver City's inhabitants, sacrificing oneself to maintain the existence of the city and the continuation of its civilization was a belief etched into their very bones through what they had seen and heard.
Selfish people usually didn't live long in such an internal and external environment.
Of course, Derrick wasn't completely reckless. Under the guidance of the
"I'm just telling him about the anomaly I observed. It shouldn't be dangerous..." Derrick consoled himself as he ran faster.
Finally, he saw the Round Tower, the symbol of the Silver City's highest authority.
He found the Beyonder on duty here and made a request to see the "Chief".
To Derrick's surprise, that Beyonder didn't ask why as usual. After a simple notification, they led him up the spiraling stairs to the room that belonged to the "Chief".
Very strange... different from before... Derrick felt the change in this detail made him even more uneasy.
Entering the room, he saw the "Chief", Colin Iliad, standing in front of a wall.
This tall old man with deep nasolabial folds, weary blue eyes, and disheveled white hair stood with his back to two straight swords hung crossed on the wall. He wore his usual linen shirt and brown coat. It was hard to believe he was a mighty hunter who had slain many demons and monsters.
"Derrick Berg, what matter do you have that you must tell me face to face?" Colin asked in a mellow voice.
"Lord Chief." Derrick bowed. "I encountered the team that explored that temple at the training grounds today. I, I discovered that Dack Regins, whom I know, has undergone a strange change. He's no longer as cheerful as before. His smile is as polite as a stranger's. Also, Elder Lovia no longer frequently changes her speaking state."
Colin gave Derrick a deep look and asked in a low voice: "Just these two things?"
"Yes, yes." Derrick lowered his head. "I believe there might be an anomaly."
Colin waved his hand and said: "I understand. I'll have Airo conduct an examination. You can go back now. Next time, just report such matters directly to the Round Tower guards."
Airo was the most senior "Spiritual Analyst" in the Silver City, closest to Sequence 6. Unfortunately, there were no potion formulas beyond Sequence 7 here.
Having received such a reply, Derrick left, feeling somber.
Colin watched his disappearing back at the door and suddenly let out a rather disappointed sigh.
............
After discussing
Since it was still early, he first used divination to confirm that the previous tenant hadn't lied, then diligently continued studying the *Book of Secrets*.
Ever since he got this occult book that could be called a guide from beginner to master, Klein's use of the mysterious space above the gray fog had become more and more ingenious, allowing him to complete many excellent operations.
"What restricts me now is my own Sequence, my own strength and spirituality." Late at night, Klein hid the *Book of Secrets* properly, sighed with feeling, and went to the bathroom to clean up, getting ready for bed.
He slept very soundly that night. Even the sound of the church bells at dawn only made him turn over.
"Winter is perfect for staying in bed..." Klein muttered as he got up.