Chapter 1392: Chapter 1390: Calamity Strikes (5)
It is said that insects, when encountering extreme situations, have various stress responses to combat external disturbances.
For example, feigning death.
At this moment, as Fu Qian strived to find common ground with his colleague, the Interlocutorâs emotions were clearly provoked at a rapid pace.
The specific manifestation was that, following Fu Qianâs last sentence, this individual grasped his own head and forcibly twisted it one hundred and eighty degrees, leaving only a back of the head covered in messy black hair facing this side, without a sound to be heard.
"Brother Interlocutor, why go to such lengths!"
This reaction naturally moved the instigator, and Fu Qian immediately let out a sorrowful cry, ready to step forward.
Yet the Interlocutor truly adhered to his racial expertise, as even such a threatening action elicited no response, continuing the feigned death to the end.
Of course, Fu Qian did not actually step forward.
A gentlemanâs friendship is as insipid as water, and how could the prestigious Grand Fate Ming Emperor do anything to force others?
"Moreover, thereâs no need to be so pessimistic. Once I get out, I will surely invite you into the Dream."
Although these words were filled with heroic passion, his friend ultimately did not respond.
Fu Qian reflected a bit and realized that perhaps his past actions made others concerned about the risks within the Dream. By then, even with goodwill, they might not dare to venture forth, so he nodded slightly.
"Or if you have any other acquaintances, you can tell me, and Iâll try to find them for help."
...
Still no response, the Interlocutor seemed to have resolutely decided to play the dead insect.
"So you have no acquaintances? Interesting..."
Fu Qian, however, didnât mind, and pondered aloud.
"Could it be that we come from different places?"
"... Youâre really an unfathomable bore."
As the saying goes, when sincerity reaches the point, even metal and stone will yield.
Originally in a meditative pose akin to an ancient monk, Brother Interlocutor was finally moved by this persistence and abandonment, letting out a hoarse and eerie response.
"Does the answer to this question hold any significance for you?"
But neither he nor the visiting old friend seemed to care about such details as voice.
"Of course, itâs significant."
Itâs said that benevolence resides in a healerâs heart. Having successfully treated autism, Fu Qianâs tone was full of comfort.
"This way, I wonât have to kill you."
...
"Heh... Do you think I would fear such a threat? Do you think death in here would mean real death? Have you perhaps overestimated the situation?"
No doubt with a promising prognosis, Brother Interlocutorâs emotional manipulation was quite successful.
However, maybe it was a bit too successful, as faced with this series of rhetorical questions, Fu Qian almost felt disoriented for a moment, thinking it was Miss Harrietâs will invading.
"So being killed in here doesnât lead to death?"
"Of course not."
The Interlocutor laughed eerily.
"Itâs just that each death will cause you to sink deeper."
"And precisely because of this, thereâs actually no need for you to fear, as itâs insignificant to us."
I see.
Fu Qian let out an understanding "oh."
"So why are you standing so close to the door?"
...
"I remembered, you mentioned last time that doing something here might provoke the stored nightmares behind the door, leading to unimaginable consequences."
"So youâre the Gatekeeper now, right? Willing to be beaten to death by me, just to guard the peace of the Corridor? And not, in fact, to jump through in the face of trouble?"
With an admiring expression, Fu Qian adeptly used a series of rhetorical questions.
"I seem to understand everything now... It stands to reason, that if it were truly a stress response, amputating a limb to survive would be more reasonable than feigning death given the current situation."
"...It seems you should set out; itâs clear many people miss you."
The Interlocutor was clearly starting to get overwhelmed, stiffly changing the subject once more.
But the content wasnât nonsense, as Fu Qian also felt it.
At that moment, some special agitation was rising in the Corridor.
And the understanding in his heart told Fu Qian that as long as he chose to respond, he would directly descend into this newly emerged, related Dream.
"Alright, Brother Interlocutor, please wait a moment, I shall be back soon."
Fu Qian didnât waste words on this, responding directly with a nod.
And until the Corridor before his eyes faded, the Interlocutor remained silent.
...
Brother Interlocutor might not be a native of the bookstore world.
Though exhibiting an autistic demeanor under repeated stimuli, Fu Qian still vaguely confirmed a certain idea based on the Interlocutorâs reaction.
Although that styling was indeed a bit casual, in the initial contacts, Fu Qian hadnât really thought in that direction.
After all, the bookstore world had too many demons and monsters, and the Interlocutor seemed very familiar with it, even having a concept of the warehouse, without any sense of incongruity.
However, the escort this time, and the small shop finally seen in Leytin, leaving Fu Qian intrigued, naturally led him to reverse thinking.
The Bee Monkey City incident nearly proved that Bernard and Rosetta found themselves in such strange circumstances precisely because of their connection with the Nightmare Corridor.
Considering that he undoubtedly completed the crossing with the powers of the Corridor, Rosettaâs ability to leave tea in Leytin through the same channel is almost certain.
So with the Nightmare Corridor clearly having such cross-dimensional authority, is it possible someone could come from its destination, reverse, and arrive in the bookstore world?
Or perhaps even wish to come but not yet succeed, like being trapped in the Corridor â just as he is now.
And if so, the reason for the Interlocutorâs familiarity with certain information could not be hard to fathom; it stems from the many souls annihilated here.
According to his introduction during their first meeting, the realms behind these five doors represent Dream dominated by higher will, and the numerous elements within the Dream were contributions by each character who fell in it.
This individual, who had been affixed to that door since appearing, suggested the greatest possibility prepared to leap through if the situation escalated.
That look of giving up on treatment, of disheartened demeanor, seemed rather poorly acted to Fu Qian.
Of course, concerning the claim that he couldnât see the Dreamâs details, Fu Qian was inclined to believe it.
Itâs not about personal reputation, but about human nature.
After suffering such a significant loss last time, even the most carefree of fish wouldnât recklessly bite again.
But it doesnât matter, wasnât he here to invite him?
...
Fu Qian wouldnât make the mistake of being blindly optimistic.
The current place heâs in is one where even the Witch swiftly sent people back, not desiring to harbor an additional second of negativity.
Without attempting to extensively gather information and stand atop the shoulders of predecessors, relying solely on intuition could very well lead to pitfalls fatal to more than just himself â did someone really die?
As he pondered, the light rapidly brightened before him.
Fu Qianâs gaze was naturally drawn to a vivid crimson hue within it.
Thick and glaring, a large swath of gruesome blood was smeared across the snow-white sheets.
And at the center of the sheets was a bare body, just slightly less pale.
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