After drinking the Spectator pathway potion, Ayako once again experienced that sensation of her consciousness floating, just like before.
However, compared to the previous ti, it didn’t last as long.
Her consciousness quickly fell back and returned to her body.
She opened her eyes.
Took a deep breath, gradually adjusting to the new state. Ayako felt that her ntal clarity had significantly improved.
One thing, however, remained unchanged.
The Spectator’s ability had no effect on Ren. She couldn’t read any of his inner thoughts, as if he was subrged in an endless sea.
There was no visible darkness, but it felt darker than anywhere else.
The more she looked, the more it felt like her consciousness was about to sink into those depths.
Pah!
Just as her mind began to sink, a pair of hands suddenly clapped in front of her, pah!
The sensation of drowning consciousness was imdiately broken.
"Huff... huff..."
Ayako ca to her senses, gasping for air as if she’d just resurfaced from deep underwater.
"Guarding against corruption and losing control, yet forgetting about sinking."
While catching her breath, Ayako heard Ren mutter that line.
"Wait... did I do sothing wrong just now?"
"No, it’s not your fault, Miss Ayako. I should’ve reminded you. Especially since you just took the potion, you’re in a sensitive state. It’s easy to be drawn in by the source. Your consciousness nearly sank into the depths."
Hearing Ren’s slightly apologetic tone, Ayako let out a sigh of relief.
So that feeling of sinking hadn’t been an illusion.
She raised her head to look at Ren again, but this ti, she didn’t see the boundless sea, and the sensation of sinking had disappeared.
It all felt like a dream.
But Ayako was certain that what she had just experienced was very real.
Still, the answer wasn’t sothing she could easily find now.
She shook her head and temporarily set those thoughts aside.
"Amamiya-san..."
"Just call Ren."
Ren interrupted her, stressing the point.
"Sonoko and I are dating. It feels weird if my girlfriend’s sister calls ’san.’"
Ayako was stunned for a second by his straightforwardness, then burst into laughter.
The divine, distant aura she had felt a mont ago vanished entirely.
That overwhelming sensation of being subrged in the sea also faded, leaving behind only a shy young man.
"I’ve heard from Sonoko about the Sequence pathway. Next, I just need to approach things from the Spectator’s point of view, then I can begin to operate. But I want to ask... will Sonoko suddenly requesting a potion like this affect her in any serious way?"
There was deep concern in her voice. If her younger sister had rushed into this path for her sake, it weighed on her heart.
Ren could clearly see how much Ayako cared for Sonoko, and he understood her worry.
Even in the world of mysticism, potions weren’t easily obtained. Different Churches possessed different Sequence potions, and the formulas and ingredients were strictly reviewed.
That was already the case in the original world, let alone in this world where mysticism was nearly nonexistent.
However, this was also a matter of love.
"Don’t worry too much, Miss Ayako."
Ren gave a reassuring smile.
"Though mystical potions are rare and precious, we have our own extraordinary ways of acquiring them. These ways are also tied to the stories happening around us."
"As I ntioned before, Mr. Fool enjoys observing the fates of others. When he sees interesting fates, he tends to beco generous out of delight."
"As for the specific thods, I can only explain more after you’ve truly gained sothing."
Ayako watched his expressions closely. The Spectator potion enhanced her observational skills, and although she still couldn’t read Ren’s thoughts, she could see that he was speaking truthfully...
She didn’t pry into how Sonoko had acquired the potion. As long as she knew Sonoko hadn’t fallen out of alignnt with them, she could relax.
Beep, beep!
At that mont, sirens blared in the distance, getting closer with each second.
Ren walked to the window and looked out. In the darkness of the forest, red and blue flashing lights flickered. It looked like the police would reach the suspension bridge in just a few minutes.
"They’re much faster than I expected. I thought the police wouldn’t show up so quickly this ti."
Ayako smiled at the cliché comnt.
Indeed, the Tokyo police’s inefficiency had long been the butt of countless jokes.
"I think it’s the aftermath of the Tsukikage Island incident."
Reminded by Ayako, Ren recalled just how much trouble that incident had stirred up.
"I figured they’d talk a big ga but do little, like always. Didn’t expect them to show so real force this ti."
Ayako lightly shook her head and explained.
"I think it’s because the Tsukikage Island situation caused too much commotion. In Tokyo, the ho of the tropolitan Police Departnt, there was a major drug cartel operating freely, and that entire island chain beca the epicenter of drug distribution across nearby regions. That’s not just embarrassing—it’s dangerous."
"Our family’s also been receiving frequent police notices lately. Of course, they’re safety-related. To ensure our business operates normally, the MPD has even arranged several patrol cars to monitor areas around our company branches."
Ren was a little surprised after hearing this, though not entirely.
After all, the Tsukikage Island case had blown up. If they didn’t suppress the atmosphere created by the event, drug networks on other islands could pop up like mushrooms after rain.
Now that they had a chance to eliminate it in one strike, the tropolitan Police could demonstrate a strong stance, and in doing so, reshape their public image.
Especially after being seen as incompetent and tax-wasting civil servants for so long.
(To be continued.)
***
For every 200 PS = 1 extra Chapter. Support on P/treon to read 30 advanced Chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)
Reviews
All reviews (0)