The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 398: Witch’s Club

She smiled bitterly. “I tried. If we just knock, she won’t open up. It’s easier to do things her way.”

Click.

A few seconds later, the door opened, followed by the sound of someone turning and running away.

Then from the other end of the room came Nainai’s voice, affecting a mysterious and haughty tone. “Hmph, this Empress has been waiting. Come in.”

Can and Gao Yang entered the room, closing the door behind them.

It was indeed a storage, the space a little cramped and dim. The window on the other end of the room was covered by heavy curtains, almost blocking all the sunlight.

The only source of illumination was the burning candle on the brass candle stand at the center of the wooden table serving as an altar, beside which were ‘magical items’, including a forecasting crystal ball, tarot cards, and magic books.

Behind the table was a translucent black laced curtain. A figure could be made out on the other side.

A few seconds later, the person emerged.

The petite girl was wearing a black cape and an eyepatch with red fake vampire fangs. She was holding a grim reaper’s scythe in her right hand, her right arm wrapped in bloodied bandages. Hanging on her neck was a light silver cross. And in her left hand was an open book for dark magic, on which perched an evil-looking prop skull.

Gao Yang gaped. How many chuuni elements did she have on her?!

On his side, Can had already taken off her baseball cap and stepped forward, dropping to one knee and playing along. “Your Majesty the Empress Nainai, this is my companion and your loyal servant, here for an audience with Your Majesty. Please inject his crystal with magic. We swear to defend the sacred land against the invasion of the dark forces...”

Gao Yang blinked in confusion. Wait, aren’t you way too into it, Can? Why do I feel like you’re enjoying the act?

“Ha.” Nainai swung her scythe. “The Ragnarok is coming, mortals. Don’t be afraid or struggle to find your path. This Empress, the descendent of the Creator Witch and the First Fallen Angel, the forger of order, truth, and fate, will surely lead you to...whoa!”

Nainai had finally recognized Gao Yang, and she staggered in startlement, dropping her magic book and scythe. The plastic skull tumbled to Gao Yang’s feet too.

Gao Yang picked it up and cleared his throat. “Empress Nainai, I’m in a rush. Would you be quick with it?”

He threw the skull back to her. She caught it hurriedly.

“Ha, haha, hahaha!” Nainai laughed to dispel the awkwardness. “So you’re the boy chosen by fate. Come forward. This Empress will grant you the power to fight the evil god and protect your homeland, thus forging your future!”

Can shot him a pointed look. “Captain, quick. Give her the crystal necklace.”

Gao Yang took off the red crystal necklace and threw it to Nainai.

Catching it with one hand, Nainai closed her eyes and seemed to be drawing her energy while holding the crystal. Then she blew at the crystal and threw the necklace back to Gao Yang.

Gao Yang caught it and took a glance, asking with a smile, “How long will the impression of a wanderer last?”

“Whoa, how did you know, Captain?” Can was surprised.

Do you think everyone is as dense as you are, Can?

Gao Yang had guessed what this was about when he saw the Witch’s Club.

Nainai had acquired Shapeshifter, granting her the power to disguise awakeners as wanderers, and there were a little too many awakeners in the Li City University at the moment.

Outside of Gao Yang, Can, Heavenly Dog, and Nainai were also attending this school. The four of them would inevitably meet up from now on, which would arouse the suspicion of elite monsters.

The pride monsters had almost all been dealt with, and the life monsters and death monsters remained a mystery yet to make an appearance. Moreover, Gao Yang believed he would be able to easily deal with greed monsters and wrath monsters even if he drew the attention of one.

However, there could be summoners on campus, and should his identity get exposed, he might be forced to wipe out the school, which was something Gao Yang would do everything in his power to avoid.

Can, Heavenly Dog, and Nainai had become students of the university as humans, and they started out as strangers who never crossed paths, thus they never got into trouble.

It would only be more suspicious if they were suddenly disguised as wanderers.

Thus, the one who should be putting on a pretense was Gao Yang, the new student.

From now on, Gao Yang would wear the necklace at school to play a wanderer. When he returned home, he would take off the necklace. Then both sides would be none the wiser.

The problem was that the energy of a wanderer couldn’t be stored in the necklace for long, and he had to come to Nainai regularly for resupply.

“Three days,” Can told Gao Yang. “After Nainai comprehended...”

“Call me Empress!” Nainai corrected vehemently.

“Um, after Empress Nainai comprehended Shapeshifter, she went to the Twelve Zodiac Signs for training and reached level 5.”

Gao Yang nodded. Although the three organizations had now stopped the trade of Rune Circuits, there were still ways for awakeners to level up their Talents, only there were more redtapes. They had to go to the base of the organization that owned the Rune Circuit they needed and hold the Rune Circuit under the organization’s close watch, leaving after leveling up—without the Rune Circuit, of course.

Gao Yang looked at Nainai, the strange chuuni girl. She had reached level 5 within a month after comprehending her new Talent. She was more than what met the eyes.

“Ha, mortal, now that you’ve acquired this Empress’ magic, you’ve taken on the sacred mantle of saving the world. There is no turning back once you walk on the treacherous path of thorns and blood!”

Here she goes again. Nainai covered her face with one hand and howled with a strange laughter, her head tipped up.

Rat-a-tat.

Someone knocked.

The three of them went silent and looked over at the door. A few seconds later, the visitor still hadn’t made a chuuni declaration. They must not be from the Guild.

Nainai’s expression turned instantly fearful. Not only had she dropped her act, she also took cover behind Gao Yang. “Don’t, don’t open the door! Don’t ever think about opening it...”

Gao Yang looked at Can. Can looked equally confused. She didn’t know who else would visit the Witch’s Club at this time.

Gao Yang accessed the system. There was no danger at the moment. But he still readied himself for a fight with energy concentrated to his hands, his eyes locked on the door.

Bam!

Two seconds later, the door was kicked open violently.