As the anti-cult lecture inside the cathedral of Lichtenstein Castle gradually neared its end…
The voice of the man seated at the speaker’s desk grew deeper, like the distant sigh of the wind.
“When we suspect that ourselves or our loved ones may have encountered a cult, we should seek professional help in time.”
The people around listened quietly, eyes filled with focus and reflection.
Sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows fell upon Lan Qi, illuminating his figure as if draped in sacred hymns, guiding souls toward the shore of truth.
“…”
While listening to Lan Qi’s lecture, Huperion couldn’t help but wonder why she was in the Shadow World listening to a classmate giving a lecture. At the same time, fear began to creep into her heart.
She had already moved a little closer to Lan Qi, ready to protect him if necessary.
She worried that if Lan Qi kept this up, even without activating Poet of Great Love, those two betrayers might not be able to endure it anymore and would jump out to fight him head-on.
Putting herself in their shoes, Huperion thought—if she were those two resurrected cultists, she might not be able to hold her own composure either.Surely, this time, the ones they encountered were super-elites carefully cultivated by the Resurrection Church, planted flawlessly into the world at great cost.
And precisely because of this, their danger extended far beyond the Shadow World—they were equally terrifying in the real world.
No one could know when those two might silently slip into some high and mighty position in reality, eroding society like venomous insects, waiting to deliver a fatal strike at the critical moment.
Meanwhile, under Huperion’s vigilant guard—
“Let us work together. By staying alert, studying proactively, and seeking help when needed, we can resist the harm of cults and protect ourselves, our families, and our society!”
“Alright, today’s lecture ends here.”
Lan Qi’s voice ceased as he announced the conclusion of the lecture.
He rose from behind the long desk and asked the gathered challengers:
“How’s everyone feeling now?”
“Other than being a little tired, I feel pretty happy—it’s finally over.”
The young master of the Chamber of Commerce had regained the feeling of being back in school, except this time it felt like the principal himself had come to give the class. No one dared to slack off.
The lecture’s atmosphere hadn’t been oppressive.
Because the challengers all knew—this whole lecture was a giant scheme to break the betrayers’ mentality. Sometimes, they couldn’t help but laugh while listening.
Now that it was finally over, they felt as if the last bit of pressure had been swept away—clear-headed and refreshed.
“Much appreciated, Mr. Lawyer.”
“For you not to have joined our Church—it’s truly a great loss for us.”
The three clergy from the Northern Continent seemed to have gained brand-new insights, thanking Lan Qi sincerely.
They had even begun extrapolating, already discussing how to apply this lecture-style method to spotting cultists in the real world.
“It’s fine. I have a good relationship with High Priest Loren. I’ll do my best to help you.”
Lan Qi nodded, his sense of responsibility growing stronger.
He was now more certain than ever that his Northern Continent cleric friends needed to master as many practical ways of dealing with cultists as possible.
This was tied to the safety of the entire Northern Continent.
Undoubtedly—it was an act of great virtue and merit.
“So, what’s next?”
The young master of the Chamber of Commerce looked at Lan Qi curiously, wondering what else he might have up his sleeve.
Though he had seen much of the world, he now found himself looking forward to it. Never had he thought a Shadow World could be this entertaining.
Thanks to this lawyer’s meddling, what was supposed to be a fifth-tier Shadow World filled with fear, oppression, and suspicion, had completely deviated from its “slaughter game” theme. If this went on, even if those two resurrected cultists didn’t kill the lawyer, regardless of win or loss, they would be left with lifelong psychological trauma.
Following the detective’s antics, the nature of the game had once again been altered—this time, by the lawyer.
“Of course, the next part is actually the most critical.”
Lan Qi nodded calmly, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Please listen carefully—I have a method. In a moment, I’ll use a spell that will make everyone’s emotions show plainly on their faces. If anyone displays obvious anger, then we can basically confirm they’re one of the betrayers.”
Hearing this, everyone’s expressions turned to shock.
Such a trump card existed?
So this was why the lawyer had been relentlessly targeting the cultists all along—to make the emotional contrast painfully obvious.
Not in their wildest dreams had they expected this.
A five-day, five-night deduction game—yet before the very first night had even fallen, the answer was about to be laid bare!
“Everyone, steady your hearts. Focus. Understood?”
Lan Qi’s deep gaze swept over each person present. His voice was low and forceful, like stones tumbling through the wind.
Under his stare, no matter what anyone was truly thinking, they all nervously nodded.
The tension in the cathedral tightened once more, like a bowstring stretched to its limit, ready to snap.
“Three…”
Lan Qi’s voice echoed through the silent hall, like the ancient tolling of a bell striking each person’s heart. Suspense thickened in the air.
“Two…”
“One…”
Under his hawk-like gaze, as the countdown neared its end, everyone’s hearts leapt to their throats—as if in the very next moment, the world would be overturned.
“Hey, I’ll wait a second before using it. Let’s see who panics first.”
Lan Qi suddenly curved his lips into a mischievous smile, spreading his hands open casually.
Nothing happened.
Everyone froze, eyes full of bewilderment. Their heartbeat’s rhythm shattered by his sudden playful grin.
“※！”
“Mr. Lawyer, you’d better actually catch the betrayers before nightfall, or I can’t imagine what they’ll do to you then.”
And yet, every challenger knew—the hearts of two people had nearly exploded from that stunt just now.
That abrupt pause was the most devastating blow to their mentality.
“This time for real. Three, two—”
Lan Qi’s expression instantly grew serious again, as though playtime had ended, forcing everyone to immediately hush.
Because his countdown quickened noticeably, their own hearts also accelerated involuntarily.
And then—he suddenly laughed again.
“Anyone panic yet?”
It was all just a joke.
Lan Qi admitted it with a grin—there had never been such a spell.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”
After the prayer ritual and the lecture, now came a stand-up comedy act.
He had conjured up a completely fabricated, yet seemingly terrifying spell, purely to bait the betrayers into deciding whether to strike before their identities were exposed. A psychological battle in its purest form.
If he had successfully scared them into revealing themselves earlier, it would’ve been a perfect win at no cost. Even if not, it only made them more furious and humiliated.
And since they couldn’t tell what was true or false, every decision they made had to be done under extreme tension—leaving their heartbeat entirely at Lan Qi’s mercy.
This constant tug-of-war between relaxation and tension gnawed away at their sanity.
If Lan Qi kept this game going a few more rounds, the betrayers really might not be able to withstand it.
The only pity was—
Outside the tall windows, the clouds had thickened, reflecting a burnished orange glow.
The time they had left to gather safely was dwindling.
Most likely, they’d have to wait until tomorrow—an entire day free—before the lawyer could host another tormenting session against the betrayers.
And yet, strangely enough, all the challengers now felt as if a weight had been lifted.
After the reversal this morning, the afternoon’s antics, and now this, even the looming dangers of nightfall didn’t feel like their concern anymore.
Because all the hatred had been drawn toward one man—
Tonight, the two betrayers could ignore the task’s two-day time limit.
They could let the werewolf and witch go free.
But they could never let the lawyer live.
With his sheer presence alone, Lan Qi had forced the two betrayers into an indescribably powerful aggro state.
“…”
And just as everyone thought Lan Qi’s third round of antics had ended in failure—
Lan Qi smiled faintly, raising his right hand as if scattering petals into the wind, releasing a brilliant orange Epic Card into freedom.