The golden liquid was cool and refreshing, making Audrey feel as though she were savoring a delicious ice cream. Then she took a sip of champagne, tiny bubbles rising and silently bursting, delivering a subtle tingling sensation. Suddenly, her hearing expanded, allowing her to catch the conversation between two maids at the far end of the corridor—conversations they had both regretted not having the chance to make at the Hall family's chateau and estate in East Chester. In that moment, Audrey felt as though she were dissolving into a shimmering gas, rapidly expanding outward, filling the entire house and interweaving with the ocean of minds and consciousness of every person around her. Her vision also transformed; everything appeared exceptionally smooth, like an unusual mirror, reflecting her current form. Beneath the beauty described by words such as pure, refined, elegant, and dynamic, the golden scales began to emerge slowly over her exposed skin, her emerald eyes contracting and taking on a soft golden hue, as if lifted upward.
Seeing herself like this, Audrey suddenly felt a deep, genuine fear—she didn’t want, didn’t wish to become a monstrous, unnatural being! A hum filled her mind, and her body seemed to feel something slowly and painfully drilling out from within. At that moment, she heard the soft voice of her golden-haired dog, Susie:
"Stay calm. Don’t be afraid.
Stay calm. Don’t be afraid."
Audrey regained her thoughts and made every effort to enter the "observer" state. Her rapidly fluctuating emotions settled swiftly, and her spirit seemed to withdraw from her body, now viewing herself as a spectator. She saw the golden scales on her skin visibly fading, and her emerald eyes returning to their normal state. Soon, she regained control of her body and understood the extraordinary abilities of psychologists—and how to use them. Just now, just now—it had really been dangerous… Audrey felt a lingering sense of apprehension, and when she lifted her hand, she saw her skin was now soft and delicate, as if nothing unusual had happened at all.
Now, she truly understands how terrifying the danger of losing control—the one the Fool often hints at and the Hanged Man constantly emphasizes—can be, and how arduous the path of the extraordinary truly is. Even with the art of performance, the risks cannot be entirely eliminated! Once, at a gathering, the World said that the extraordinary ones are merely pitiful creatures, always battling against danger and madness. I used to understand this only literally, but now I feel the full weight of those words. Audrey, don’t lose heart, don’t be afraid. Dad, Mom, and Brother—they’re all still counting on you. With this experience, you’ll no longer be easily overwhelmed or thrown off balance. Keep going! Audrey clenched her fists, giving herself strength.
She remained calm for two seconds, then walked to Susan and knelt down, hugging the golden retriever. While gently brushing the dog's fur, she rested her head against its side and murmured softly, "Thank you... thank you..." Susan rubbed against her a few times and said seriously, "Audrey, is this what a psychologist feels? I really like it."
Audrey suddenly found herself both touched and amused, then she pressed her lips together and promised, "Susan, we'll treat each other—yes, for psychological issues!"
"Great,汪!" Susan responded with delight.
Only now, Audrey truly began to recover and had the calm to reflect on her growth:
"My body seems healthier—though not particularly muscular—my strength and speed have both improved noticeably compared to before.
"My vision has sharpened again; I can now clearly see objects hidden in darkness.
"My sense of smell can now detect finer nuances, allowing me to grasp the true emotions and intentions of my targets.
"I finally possess genuine extraordinary abilities. First, there's 'Awe'—it can be directed at a single target or a group within a range—causing them to feel as though they're facing a dragon, instantly startled and thrown into disarray.
"Then there's 'Frenzy'—it triggers emotional or psychological upheaval in the target, plunging them into a state of mental chaos, often inflicting severe psychological damage, sometimes even causing them to lose control entirely.
"There's also 'Suggestion'—through specific gestures, language, or mediums, I can subtly influence a target, making them unconsciously follow my plans, or, in stronger cases, deeply committed to honoring a promise without resistance.
"There's 'Reassurance,' also known as 'Psychological Analysis'—it enables a person on the brink
Audrey's mood quickly improved, and she finally felt the sense of growth and maturity that came with being a truly accomplished extraordinary being. "I'm now an intermediate-tier extraordinary! Indeed, a qualitative transformation has occurred!" She stood up, lifted her skirt, and briskly circled the room. Soon, she noticed a problem: the "psychologist" still lacked direct offensive capabilities. Fortunately, I have it... Audrey stopped in front of the experimental table and opened a plain brown box. Inside lay a silver mask, covering only the upper half of the face—the very magical item sold to her by the "Hanged Man." Audrey picked it up, held it in her hands, and observed it for several seconds. Then, she extended her spiritual presence, gently conveying certain thoughts to it, as if flowing over a gray mist. She watched as the silver mask began to curl inward, transforming into an elaborate, slightly large earring with a central open space. "Perhaps it would be better as a necklace," Audrey murmured.
Next, she enthusiastically explored the various capabilities of this magical object, particularly delighted with its ability to refine her appearance. "Unfortunately, besides controlling fire, it doesn't possess any other more direct offensive powers—perhaps I'll need to stock up on a special, highly effective handgun..." Odile thought with a slight sense of regret. She quickly gathered her thoughts and, with a rising tone, addressed the magical item: "From today on, your name shall be 'Lies,' the most beautiful of lies~"
"According to Daniz, it was precisely because of a certain treasure that the 'Lord of Blood,' Senior, wanted to oppose the 'Lord of Ice,' Edwena Edward." The sound of rushing wind and rain filtered through the window, and Daniz took a sip of the "Lerangzi" on the table, then smiled with a mixture of anger and bitterness. "Those people—whose brains must have been devoured by the undead! During our last expedition, we discovered a sunken ship. Though we didn't find anything particularly valuable, we uncovered a massive black iron key—something unlike anything used by humans. Can you imagine? After lying submerged at the bottom of the sea for so many years, it hadn't even rusted?" "Yes," Caine replied succinctly. In a world where the extraordinary and the mysterious intertwined, what was impossible? Even resurrection was possible—let alone anything else!
Danzel was suddenly choked, and it took him seven or eight seconds to find his words: "Perhaps there's a traitor within our ranks. This news has spread far, and countless pirates now believe it to be the 'Key of Death'—the very key that can unlock the treasure left behind by the Death God. I originally thought this matter would be settled quickly, and I would be able to take a well-deserved vacation. Instead, things have grown more complicated. Even the 'General of Blood' has joined the ranks of these mad pirates. I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps this very 'Key of Death' is the one that can transform mortals into true gods."
He believed that "the key" was a revelation, a symbol—most likely, what would open the vault of Death God would not be something shaped like a key, but rather a certain quality, a lineage, or even specific individuals and their descendants. Daniz paused for two seconds, then naturally remarked, "Your words are exactly aligned with the captain's earlier assessment, down to the expression. She suspects that the key belongs to an even more ancient era, not to humanity. Before the Great Cataclysm, the world was still home to beings such as giants, dragons, elves, and magical wolves—the form of the key subtly points toward one of them."
The magical wolf... Suddenly, Klein recalled the murmurs that had often echoed in his ears during his promotions, where "Fregla" specifically referred to the ancient deity, the Destroying Wolf of old.
Regarding the treasures of the Second Age? He suppressed his curiosity and calmly added, "Document every action taken by the 'Champion of Blood,' including that of Steel Mavithi and his subordinates."
"He remembered the 'General of the Blood' and his pirate crew as the most notorious group on the open seas—famous for their bloodstained hands and deep-seated sins. 'How could I possibly remember them? They're not even as beautiful as the captain!' Daniz gestured helplessly. 'I can only recall their most significant feats and a few vivid details. Oh, what do you want?' Kline slowly smiled, a smile that sent Daniz's heart racing. In a low, steady tone, he said: 'If it suits you, I'd like to hunt them down.'"