Chapter 337: The Meeting

Chapter 337: The Meeting

The sudden words struck like a bolt from the blue.

Klaine halted in his tracks, his eyes filled with confusion and a hint of disarray. He stared at his brand-new formal tailcoat and tuxedo, his fingers tightening around his cane until they turned white.

"You... you know my name, and you just said I was dreaming?"

Luke patted his shoulder casually and spoke in a measured tone, his voice becoming hazy and carrying a persuasive charm.

"Due to immense work pressure, you've developed severe mental issues and have deluded yourself into believing you've crossed over to a world that blends steampunk and Victorian aesthetics, but all of this is merely your hallucination."

Luke proceeded to introduce himself, "I am your attending physician, Luke. You can call me Doctor Luke."

"This... this can't be right."

Klaine hesitated before speaking, "I can taste the gritty rye bread, smell the aroma of food on the streets, touch everything within reach and receive feedback. I can even feel hot and cold... everything here feels so real."

"Real."

Luke shook his head with a smile, "What is reality?"

"Is reality truly real? What we hear with our ears might be false, and what we see with our eyes might be deceptive. Then, can touch and perception be trusted as the ultimate truth?"

"When we observe quantum phenomena, our very act of observation influences the outcome. Can we then call that reality? Just as the crimson moon doesn't cease to exist when you look away, you've crafted a dream with your own perception, and now it's time to wake up."

He used philosophical arguments to challenge the authenticity of the real world, leaving Klaine dazed and overwhelmed by the barrage of statements. Sighing, he patted Klaine's head.

"You're a keyboard warrior who knows a bit of everything. Your haphazard knowledge and wild imagination have pieced together an incredibly detailed world, but that doesn't change the fact that you're living in a fabricated reality."

With an encouraging gaze, Luke seemed to cheer Klaine on, "Wake up. Your family and friends are waiting for you to get up from your hospital bed!"

Klaine's eyes gradually turned red as he rubbed them, feeling a sense of relief.

"It was just a dream... Do I really hate my job that much? Honestly, it's not that bad. It's not as if I can't enjoy delicious food or use my phone, and the work isn't that exhausting..."

"Is that so? How much do you make a month?"

"16,000."

Luke: "..."

Damn, not even double that in my previous life!

Luke suddenly felt disinterested, forcing a smile and clicking his tongue in disdain.

"I was just joking with you. You really did cross over."

"Yeah, I know."

Luke was slightly surprised, "You know?"

Klaine rubbed his reddened eyes and smiled brightly, "No matter how much of a keyboard warrior I am, I couldn't possibly design multiple languages, various unheard-of nations and cities, and so many people with different behaviors. A person's mind can't contain an entire world, and the intricacy of this world couldn't be the product of mere imagination."

"Moreover, if I truly had mental issues, the rules of this world should be more chaotic and disorderly. Yet, everyone, including myself, acts logically. Most importantly, there was a flaw in your initial statement."

"Tell me."

Klaine pointed at Parrot beside him and smiled, "When I mistook him for you upon our first meeting, your first words were 'That's something I taught him.' If this world were truly fake, how could you possibly teach a fictional person to cook?"

Luke clicked his tongue lightly. This was just an impromptu scam, and he didn't expect to have so many loopholes exposed, even with sufficient information at hand.

He had indeed underestimated the meticulous thinking of the characters in the Esoteric World.

"If you realized it earlier, why did you pretend to be fooled by me?"

Klaine held back a smile and removed his top hat, bowing slightly, "I thought you enjoyed tricking people, so I played along with your hobby. After all, you might be the only living person from my hometown in this world."

At this point, his soft voice carried a hint of melancholy, "And I also hope what you said is true, that this is just a dream, and my family and friends are waiting for me to wake up by my bedside."

Klaine was actually quite pleased with Luke's behavior. Although the act of tricking people for amusement was a bit dog-like, he could sense that Luke was merely having fun and didn't intend any harm. If the only person from his hometown turned out to be the type to stab him in the back, it would have been quite disheartening.

Luke stared at Klaine for a few seconds, rubbing his cheeks, "Alright, let's not stand at the door. Come in, have a seat, and let's chat while we eat."

"He entered the room first, with Klaine following closely behind, his eyes widening in surprise.

The environment in the terraced apartments on Narcissus Street was even better than he had imagined. His fellow countryman had apparently replaced all the furniture, creating a bright and spacious room that instantly lifted one's spirits.

In contrast, he, his brother, and his sister were currently squeezed into a smaller and more dilapidated room. They shared a communal washroom, and the landlord would scold them for using too much water.

He was fine with the situation, but his sister, Melissa, was already sixteen years old and deserved a better environment. At the very least, they should have their own private washroom.

The two sat down at the dining table, with Luke casually crossing his legs. Klaine, on his first visit, felt a bit restrained, but soon relaxed. Not seeing Luke's family around, he felt more at ease, as elders were not present.

The servant, Parrot, brought in the prepared dishes one by one. The food, prepared from Earth's recipes, was a feast for the eyes, nose, and taste buds. Klaine, who had been eating rye bread for days, couldn't help but drool.

When two bowls of steaming hot, crystal-clear white rice were served, Klaine swallowed his saliva, his gaze on Luke becoming somewhat intense.

In the Rune Kingdom, rice was a rare and precious commodity, typically only found on the menus of mid to high-end restaurants at a hefty price.

Most residents relied on rye bread as their staple, which was dry and hard but filling. A step above that was white bread, affordable only to those with decent jobs. It was soft and sweet, considered a luxury. Even the elites in various industries couldn't afford to eat rice at every meal, not just due to personal preferences but also because of its expensive cost.

Is my fellow countryman a rich tycoon?

Parrot finished setting the table and left. Luke had rented a separate room for him nearby, and he only needed to come over to clean and prepare meals.

'By the way, how did you know my original name?' Klaine asked.

Klaine tried his best to ignore the mouth-watering dishes in front of him, reminding himself to be polite and not act like a starving ghost.

'Not just your original name, I know a lot about you,' Luke replied. 'For example, you're now known as Klaine Moretti. You joined the Night Shift Team of the Goddess of Night Church to protect yourself from the investigation of the Antigonous Notes. You're 172 centimeters tall, you chase after Golden Pounds, you're a virgin, and your kidneys aren't in the best shape...'"

"Hold on! The last part is a complete slander!" Klaine couldn't take it anymore. How could someone know even his virginity status?

"Where did you get all this information?"

"Well, I can tell you, but some knowledge is not suitable for you at the moment. It might taint you."

Luke leaned back in his chair. The information from the Elder Dominators naturally carried a toxic effect. In this universe, only beings of the 2nd Sequence, like angels, could receive this knowledge without being tainted.

Theoretically, anyone born in this universe would be tainted by such knowledge. Even without knowing that this was the world of the Esoteric Lord, merely being aware of the names, symbols, and authorities of the Outer Gods, as well as other esoteric knowledge, would lead to a game over.

It was likely due to his unique ability, a mysterious shared space connected to his soul, that he had been protected. Even without awakening and entering the space, Luke and his companions seemed to possess a certain level of special power.

"Taint...?" Klaine was shocked. Knowledge that could taint someone just by hearing it? What kind of information was this?

Even though Klaine had only recently joined the Night Shift Team as a clerical staff member and lacked a deep understanding of the Extraordinary World, he could sense the danger in these words. Various speculations raced through his mind, but he eventually nodded without asking further questions.

Everyone had their secrets, and he was no exception.

The mysterious space, the newly established Tarot Society, and the individuals like Miss "Justice," Mr. "Hanged Man," and Mr. "Emperor."

"So, you're actually a powerful wild Extraordinary Being?" Klaine was delighted. A formidable fellow countryman might be willing to help him. Once he became an official member, he could report back and turn his countryman into an official informant, saving wild Extraordinary Beings from being hunted by the authorities. What a wonderful idea!

"I wouldn't say I'm powerful, but I can help with most things," Luke said. "Whether it's information about Extraordinary Paths, magic potion recipes, esoteric knowledge, or if you need me to deal with enemies or protect you..."

With each word from Luke, Klaine's eyes lit up a little more, until they shone as brightly as a cat's before mealtime, filled with happiness and anticipation.

Without a single mistake, the first shot, the first release, the first content, in 69 Book Bar!

At this moment, Luke added with a smile, "On the condition that it doesn't conflict with my schedule, and you pay me."

Klaine's eyes dimmed instantly at the mention of payment. Asking for money was indeed a bad sign of civilization!

He looked at the lavish meal and the well-decorated apartment, wondering if his wealthy countryman was like him, a poor soul. Could it be that he had taken out a loan to enjoy a better life, living beyond his means?

"Luke, are you short on cash?"

"Nope."

Luke replied in a condescending tone, "I just don't want you to develop bad habits and expect handouts without working for it."

"I never intended to freeload," Kline pouted, then suddenly looked at Luke suspiciously. "You're not just trying to see me struggle with giving up my golden pounds, are you?"

Luke slapped the table, and his cheerful laughter echoed in the room. "You're not at all like a fool!"

Kline: "..."

This guy was a bit obnoxious!

Just as Kline was about to get genuinely angry, Luke waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, let's eat first. After all, food is the foundation of life."

Kline's anger dissipated at these words, and he couldn't help but swallow his saliva as he looked at the steaming rice and dishes, silently reminding himself to stay composed.

Control, control.

He must not act like a starving ghost later!

...

A moment later, facing the empty plates that Kline had devoured, Kline couldn't help but cover his face.

He had promised himself to maintain his image, but after taking the first bite, he lost all sense of reason. Was there something strange in this food?

It was the first time Kline had tasted such exquisite cuisine, making him want to swallow his tongue. It wasn't just the recent torment; he had never tasted such delicious food in his entire life!

Kline blushed and rolled up his sleeves, taking the initiative to clear the plates and wash them.

Luke watched Kline, his face filled with contentment as he rolled up his sleeves to wash the dishes. He stroked his chin, realizing that another person had fallen under the spell of the culinary delights from 'Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma'.

Another masterpiece was added to the world's collection of famous paintings.

'The Mystery Master as a Dishwasher'.

"Do you have space at your place? Can I stay over for a couple of days?"

"Sorry, my room doesn't allow for the presence of the same gender. The prerequisite for living with me is a pretty girl who catches my eye."

Luke shrugged, refusing to adopt a cat.

Kline felt a twinge of regret, but he quickly cheered up. He had just started a clerical job with a decent salary and was planning to move out of his old apartment. Now, he could move closer to Narcissus Street.

From then on, he could drop by for meals every day!

He made the decision with delight, finished washing the dishes, and bid farewell after putting on his formal attire again.

"Then I'll be off. I still have some work to finish today."

Kline's current job was to walk the route from his home to the late Welch's house, a classmate who had passed away, either in the morning or afternoon.

Welch had been the holder of the Antigonous Notes, and Kline was the sole survivor of that incident. In the absence of the notes, he was both the clue and the bait.

Anyone who wanted those notes would secretly observe and follow him. Once they made a mistake, the Nocturne Squad could trace them back to their source and capture the hidden enemy.

"Yeah, remember to close the door when you leave."

Luke closed his eyes, lounging lazily in a recliner as if intending to take a nap.

As the door closed and Kline's footsteps gradually faded away, Luke opened his bright eyes and stood up to follow.

His footsteps were silent, and his movements were agile and swift. Soon, he spotted Kline walking along the predetermined route on the street.

On the street, hurried workers passed by, and some vendors with mobile stalls ran about in a panic. A clown with painted face and strange colorful patterns sold balloons, surrounded by a group of children.

A large crowd of protesters marched by, holding signs opposing the textile factory, high chimney industrial emissions, and the reckless behavior of the wastewater treatment plant. Their voices were intense yet laced with despair, clearly feeling hopeless about achieving their goals.

Among the crowd, an ordinary-looking, slender middle-aged man had a focused gaze. He had no presence, but his steps were remarkably steady, weaving through the crowd without slowing down. It was as if he could control every muscle in his body.

The middle-aged man's eyes wandered, seemingly taking in the surrounding scenery, but upon closer inspection, his gaze was always fixed on Kline ahead.

Luke strode through the crowd, approaching the middle-aged man. He extended a strong hand, and just before it made contact, the man suddenly stopped and turned to face Luke, breaking into a smile.

Bang!

In an instant, Luke's accelerated palm captured the man's arm, but in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a tiny paper figure.

Luke's gaze shifted to the nearby alley, where a figure in a tailcoat and face painted with red, yellow, and white appeared, seemingly out of thin air.

The clown's face wore a mocking smile, and he made a taunting gesture towards Luke.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end