Chapter 2740: Chapter 2741: Mental Block
"I donât know if thereâs any âgood stuff,â but anyway, I didnât feel anything." Angel shrugged and spread his hands.
Angelâs words made the eyes of the group of people led by the Traveling Merchant dim slightly.
On the other hand, Dox looked utterly incredulous: "Really, nothing at all? Not even touched the shadow on the mirror?"
Doxâs questioning rekindled a glimmer of hope in the Traveling Merchantâs eyes.
Unfortunately, every time Dox chimed in, the flicker of hope they had was mercilessly extinguished by Angel.
"Since I said I didnât feel anything, it certainly includes not touching even the shadow of the Traveling Merchant." Angel narrowed his eyes as he saw Dox still looked doubtful and coaxed, "How about I send you in, and you see for yourself if thereâs anything good inside?"
"Send me in? You can really get me in there?"
Angel: "Iâve never tried, but we can give it a shot."
Dox was taken aback and seriously considered the feasibility. But the more he thought, the more his brows furrowed. Eventually, his face turned pale, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
At this point, the Black Earl suddenly gave a cold snort toward Dox.
It didnât seem like much to others, but to Dox, it was like a spring thunder erupted on a clear day, booming directly to the sky, yanking him back from his thoughts.
Coming back to his senses, Doxâs face was still pale, gasping as if he couldnât catch his breath.
Doxâs strange behavior left everyone baffled, especially Angel, whose face was full of confusion. He hadnât done anything except make a suggestion, so why was Dox so agitated?
Angel turned to look at the Black Earl, trying to get an explanation from him.
"Mental block." The Black Earl simply gave an answer.
Mental block? Angel mused over the term, finding it utterly unfamiliar.
He had heard of "magic block," a sudden psychological disorder, which could be understood as an abrupt obsession. In illusion techniques, there are also many ways to forcibly drag a normal personâs mind into a magic block state.
But he had never heard of the term âmental block.â
Not only Angel, but most of the others present were also at a loss.
The Black Earl, after a brief silence, decided to offer a simple explanation: "In simpler terms, itâs... overthinking."
Overthinking? While Angel was pondering this termâs underlying meaning, Dox finally came to. The first thing he did when he regained his composure was to take a deep breath, showing gratitude to the Black Earl, and then, filled with righteous indignation, he said to Angel, "You almost screwed me over!"
Angel: "???"
Dox continued his complaint: "I was puzzled about why you suggested going into the mirror, and now I realize you were up to no good, deliberately egging me on."
Dox went on to complain bitterly, his words somewhat convoluted and obscure. The Traveling Merchantâs group on the opposite side half-understood what they were hearing, while Angel and the others, with Vayâs translation via Mind Ribbon, generally understood what Dox was saying.
Inevitably, the Black Earlâs conclusion was spot on: Dox just thinks too much.
Doxâs inspiration talent originally took some time to restore, but thanks to the help from the Sunlight Sanctuary, it not only recovered but reached its peak. Because the restoration was too quick without a gradual adaptation process, Dox continued to use his inspiration talent in the old ways and habits.
Earlier, when Angel goaded him, he subconsciously began thinking about whether it was dangerous. If thereâs danger, how to avoid it? If avoiding is possible, how to maximize the benefits? If danger is unavoidable but not fatal, how should one benefit? How much benefit would be worth the risk? ... A torrent of such questions flooded Doxâs mind almost simultaneously.
Some of these questions might sound unbelievable, even absurd, but this is just Doxâs habitual way of thinking. Previously, with his inspiration talent, and since it was a passive ability, it vaguely guided him in a general direction. Thus, he could quickly resolve most of these questions in a flash.
But now, while the inspiration talent remains passive, after its sublimation, it no longer loosely provides a rough direction. Instead, it becomes more detailed and comprehensive, integrating more information to offer Dox more accurate and detailed intelligence.
However, this comes at a huge cost.
It consumes mental power, holistic insight, and enormous computing power.
Even a single question is enough to make Dox a little dizzy; with so many questions coming all at once, it directly leads to a cognitive overload.
The sublimation of his inspiration talent, coupled with embarking on a "new ship" using old methods without adaptation, led to Doxâs incident.
Fortunately, the Black Earl detected Doxâs condition in time and woke him up. Otherwise, Dox might have ended up seeing stars, smoke coming out of his ears, eyes spinning, lying directly on the ground.
He wouldnât die, but without half a year to a yearâs rest, he wouldnât hope to use his inspiration talent again.
After understanding Doxâs plight, Angel, although wishing to express sympathy, couldnât help the corner of his mouth from curving upward, revealing his inner thoughts.
Angel now understood why Doxâs thinking was so erratic; itâs because he relied on his talent, which made his thoughts spin wildly, often leaving others clueless about what Dox was doing.
Now, the sublimated inspiration talent temporarily restrained Doxâs erratic thinking. But the constraint wonât last long; given Doxâs imagination speed, he should adapt to the new inspiration talent in ten days or half a month.
Though the restraint is brief, itâs beneficial during their time in the Underground Aqueduct. It will make Dox less likely to overthink bizarre things.
"Although I fell into that, what do you call it... mental block just now, I still sensed some situations. If your coaxing had succeeded and I entered the mirror, thereâs a high probability I wouldnât be able to come back!"
Dox described the fear he sensed.
"Everything was blank, whether in front of me or in my mind, all blank. It felt like nothing was there, or maybe nothing should have been there in the first place."
"In that scenario, one might not even know whether theyâre dead or vanished. But itâs certainâconsciousness will fade, the soul will be torn... In the end, even if I survived, Iâd no longer be myself."
Doxâs indignation towards Angel stemmed mainly from this. Such a horrific and terrifying world inside the mirror, and Angel actually coaxed him to go in!
Angel rubbed his chin and pondered aloud, "So, the world inside the mirror is dangerous?"
Dox replied in exasperation: "Of course, itâs dangerous! Donât tell me you didnât know!"
Angel spread his hands, looking innocent: "I truly didnât know, Iâve never been inside."
"Youâve never been in, and you could still reach your hand in? Who are you trying to fool?" Dox remained indignant.
Angel: "Although I consider this a small matter, if you insist I was inside trying to trick you, I can allow you to use truth magic to confront me. Iâve indeed never been inside."
Angel spoke quite candidly, even opened his mind, ready to let Dox probe.
Seeing this, although Dox kept muttering, he was convinced internally.
Angel: "As to how I can reach inside... I once asked advice from a senior and researched similar spell techniques."
As for the "predecessor" mentioned by Angel, he didnât say, but a name immediately popped into Doxâs mind.
The most famous predecessor in the Barbarian Cave isnât a Wizard, but that encyclopedia-like Book Elder. Alongside Book Elder, in the Barbarian Cave, there are two others of equal fame: Tree Spirit and Mirror Lady.
The predecessor that Angel mentioned, especially someone who would use such an extremely esoteric spell technique, is likely "Mirror Lady".
Thinking of it this way, the logic aligns.
Angel: "Besides, I didnât secretly incite you. I openly suggested you scout ahead. If thereâs confirmed danger, Iâd naturally give up."
Dox had rolled his eyes countless times internally: "The way you say it doesnât make it any more pleasant."
After speaking, Dox crossed his arms, sulking quietly at the side, and in the mind ribbon, he preached to Vay, recounting Angelâs dark history to persuade him to change his idol.
Angel also heard the slander in the mind ribbon, but seeing Doxâs pale face, he decided to let it pass.
After all, Dox still owes him a big favor. Eventually, âgood karmaâ will find its way to him.
...
As soon as they finished speaking, the Gray Merchant approached from the other side.
"Mr. Earl Mi can send people into the mirror? If so, could he send me in?"
It was obvious what the Gray Merchant wantedâto enter the mirror world and retrieve his sealed memories.
Angel: "You also heard the Red Sword Wizard earlier; entering might mean never coming out."
The Gray Merchant was eager to express fearlessness, but Angel interrupted, "I know what youâre going to say: even if itâs dangerous, youâre willing to try... Itâs a testament to your confidence in your abilities, and I wonât deny that."
"But if I tell you that once you go in, youâre certain to die, would you still choose to enter?"
Would you still go in if you were certain to die? Faced with this question, the Gray Merchant fell silent.
Even though he didnât speak, the answer was clear. Compared to a death warrant, what significance do sealed memories hold?
After a long pause, the Gray Merchant spoke again, "Mr. Earl Mi, would you be willing to trade with me?"
The Gray Merchant didnât want to die, yet he didnât want to give up either.
Angel: "Regarding the trade... Are you certain that once you retrieve this shard, youâll have a way to recover your memories?"
Faced with Angelâs repeated inquiry, the Gray Merchantâs response was the sameâsilence.
Not only the Gray Merchant but also the Wicked Woman and several apprentices from the Merchant Organization looked uneasy.
They had considered this issue.
The Mirror Bearer had only assigned a task, claiming that as long as it was completed, the Gray Merchantâs memory would be restored. However, there was no contract or constraint ensuring the Bearerâs words would hold true.
Itâs not that they didnât want to sign a contract, but the Mirror Bearerâs immense power and mysterious yet intangible ability left them no time to sign a contract or room to resist. They had no choice but to accept the terms.
Throughout their journey, they tacitly avoided discussing this topic, unwilling to consider the worst outcome.
They could only pray for the Mirror Bearerâs good faith.
After all, given the Bearerâs formidable strength, as a powerful predecessor, he wouldnât deceive newcomers like them, right?
Besides, the sealed memories were only useful to the Gray Merchant. Even if others obtained it, theyâd likely find it distressing rather than beneficial.
So, surely, it would be returned? Surely...right?
Holding onto this unfounded hope, they had reached this point.
Angelâs revelation was like tearing away this veil of false hope, forcing the Gray Merchant and his group to face this all-too-possible scenario.
Seeing the evident unease among the Gray Merchant and his group, Angel understood that they truly hadnât prepared any escape, fully betting their fate on Adanisâs credibility.
But would Adanis keep her promise? Angel personally thought... it unlikely.
Clearly, Adanis had been observing Angel up close in the mirror earlier, and the Gray Merchantâs memories must have been nearby then. Yet, until Adanis departed, she never released the Gray Merchantâs memories.
Moreover, the male voice Angel later heard explicitly instructed Angel to take the mirror shard but not to enter the mirror.
In essence, it was clearly stated that Adanis wouldnât return for this shard.
Since she wouldnât return, how would the Gray Merchantâs memory seal be lifted? Was he supposed to find her in her hideaway?
Therefore, dreaming of Adanis coming to unseal the memory was very likely a fragmented dream.
"I cannot guarantee that obtaining the shard will definitely unseal my memories. But without it, I certainly canât unseal them." The Gray Merchantâs voice, initially resolute, grew more somber, almost muttering at the end, "Even if she doesnât fulfill her promise, I can seek others..."
Angel: "Seeking others is one way. But who would you find?"
The Gray Merchant stayed silent.
From the birdcage, the Wicked Woman spoke: "No matter who you find, thereâs a chance. But staying with you leaves no chance at all."
The silenced Pink Moth also nodded vigorously, showing an "I agree too" expression.
Angel didnât respond, but Dox, ever the professional at chiming in, voiced a contrary opinion from the side: "Who knows, if you take it outside to find someone, maybe thereâs even less of a chance."
In other words, remaining with Angel might mean a slightly better chance.
Doxâs words didnât stir much of a reaction; neither side took it seriously. But the Wise Sovereign in the high sky, with a cloak that hinted at amusement, found it intriguing.
Angel: "I can tell you clearly, our desires for the mirror shard differ. Youâre only after the memories, while I want the shard itself. So, to some extent, we could have our own needs met."
The Gray Merchant replied bitterly, "However, without the shard, thereâs no way to retrieve the memories."
Angel pondered for a moment: "I understand that, but upon further thought, itâs not entirely impossible to retrieve your memories."
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