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Chapter 210: Performance

210 Performance

Upon glimpsing the two figures lurking in the shadows, the impostor Ive was taken aback. He raised his right hand and pointed accusingly at Lumian, his voice filled with inquiry.

“Who are you? Why are you pretending to be me?”

As he berated, he hastened his pace, pulling himself out of the tunnel and leaping onto level ground.

In the past, Lumian would have charged forward, ready for close combat or drawing his revolver to unleash a barrage of bullets at his foe. He would have granted no opportunity for words. But this time, for some inexplicable reason, he yearned to put on a show. He desired to witness the other party’s abilities before seizing the perfect moment to display his own.

Without an adversary, there would be no performance!

Franca shared the same sentiment. She eagerly longed to stand in for Lumian, refraining from an immediate attack.

Behind the impostor Ive stood Charlie, disguised as a waiter. As he crawled through the debris, he caught sight of a figure beneath the dual glow of a carbide lamp and a lantern.

He froze in shock at the confrontation between the two Ciels. For a moment, it felt as though he was trapped in a dream. He couldn’t discern who was genuine and who was counterfeit, who aimed to harm him, and who sought to aid him.

The only certainty he held was that danger loomed over him once more!

The impostor Ive assessed Lumian and turned to Franca, his voice laced with anxiety and anger.

“Wake up! You’ve been deceived by this impostor! When have I ever worn such attire?”

After Lumian warned Charlie, he wiped away his makeup but made no change to his clothing. He still sported an unusual combination of a simple formal top and cargo pants. In comparison, the impostor Ive’s white shirt, black vest, brown pants, and laceless leather boots seemed more in line with his usual style.

Franca couldn’t resist putting on a performance.

“Is that so? Then enlighten me, what is my code name?”

The impostor Ive asked in exasperation and amusement, “Madame Red Boots, have you forgotten your moniker?”

Franca couldn’t help but chuckle.

She took a couple of steps backward, blending into the shadows at the periphery of the carbide lamp’s illumination.

The underground, where darkness held sway, was an ideal setting for Demoness combat!

As the fake Ive beheld the scene, a sense of unease swelled within his heart. He knew all too well that his attempt to masquerade as the genuine article had likely been exposed, leaving him unable to maintain his charade. Instantly, he altered his approach.

Discarding the lantern, he lifted his gaze to meet Lumian’s, his countenance growing frigidly cold.

The corners of his mouth curled into a chilling smirk.

“I can’t decide whether to pity or congratulate you for seeing through my guise, but this definitely isn’t advantageous for you.”

With lantern in hand, the fake Ive’s aura surged, transforming into a fearsome volcano teetering on the brink of eruption.

Quivering, he lowered his head, unable to meet the other’s gaze directly. However, his longing to perform and his unwavering resolve compelled him to raise his head, struggling to fix his gaze upon the fake Ive’s face.

Simultaneously, the darkness beyond the light seemed cloaked in an eerie green glow. Vines and branches sprouted from the abyss, entwining the ceiling and rocky walls.

Franca, concealed within the shadows, succumbed to intimidation in the face of the fake Ive’s aura, rendering her unable to maintain her abilities. Her form materialized less than two meters away from the impostor.

Meanwhile, Charlie, still sprawled within the passageway, trembled even more violently. He buried his face in the gravel and earth, his mind blank.

With a disdainful glance toward Lumian and Franca, the fake Ive spoke. “You dare to pursue me, utterly ignorant? The only fortunate aspect is your considerable attractiveness. I find it hard to dispose of you outright.”

His words entered Lumian and Franca’s ears, instilling them with fear, compelling them to turn and flee.

This sensation prompted Lumian to realize something profound.

A demigod!

The fake Ive was a demigod, possessing godhood!

Gritting his teeth and summoning his courage, Lumian delved into his pocket, hopeful that Mr. K’s finger could serve as a temporary deterrent, buying him and Franca an opportunity to escape the Underground Trier.

So what if you’re a demigod? I’ve encountered demigods before. Fear won’t break my spirit or halt my resistance!

Just as Lumian’s right palm was poised to make contact with Mr. K’s finger, and Franca was on the verge of fleeing, unable to contain herself, a cracking noise resounded from above.

A rock the size of a fist descended, mirroring the former descent of its brethren, hurtling toward the fake Ive, who had been arrogantly observing Lumian and Franca’s reactions.

Caught off guard, the impostor Ive managed only to lower his head, barely evading the projectile. The gravel struck his left shoulder, fracturing bone and causing the flesh to sink inward.

He emitted a brief cry, nearly toppling to the ground.

This unexpected turn of events dispersed the menacing aura and godlike presence, leaving behind a scant few turquoise vines and brownish-green branches as testament to the recent occurrence.

Snapping out of his shock, Lumian, driven by his desire to perform and seizing the opportunity to provoke,

discarded the carbide lamp, clutched his stomach, and erupted in laughter.

“A fake? Is everything about you nothing but fake? Don’t tell me that thing of yours is a mere piece of wood?”

The fake Ive, who had just recovered from the pain, was overcome with emotion. His gaze fixated upon Lumian, his eyes tinged with an otherworldly green hue.

Unbeknownst to him, Franca had already sprinkled herself with fluorescent powder, vanishing into thin air with a hushed whisper.

In the blink of an eye, Lumian found himself consumed by an intense yearning for the pleasures of the opposite sex.

If Franca hadn’t rendered herself invisible, he would have been utterly powerless against the impulse. However, he wasn’t entirely bereft of reason. It was just that his actions had become burdensome, both physically and mentally.

Struggling, Lumian extracted the revolver from its holster, endeavoring to take aim at the fake Ive.

In his current state, he inexplicably found the other’s visage profoundly alluring.

Bang!

Lumian squeezed the trigger, but his shot missed the impostor Ive.

Fury ignited within the fake Ive’s eyes. With agile grace, he closed in on his target, his hand rising to deliver a resounding slap across Lumian’s face.

Instantly, his appearance underwent a subtle alteration, as if he possessed limited control over his image. He softened Lumian’s masculine features, lending them a touch of femininity.

Lumian gasped for breath, his finger squeezing the trigger once more.

A tumultuous surge of desire threatened to consume him. He yearned to embrace the female rendition of the fake Ive and indulge in unspeakable acts.

Amidst the maelstrom of his intense emotions, he instinctively recalled the words of the psychiatrist, Madam Susie, and promptly began taking deep, steadying breaths.

Bang!

Lumian found a measure of tranquility, successfully discharging another shot from the revolver.

The fake Ive hadn’t anticipated the unwavering fortitude of his adversary, who managed to retain his sanity. Narrowly evading the bullet that grazed his arm, rending his garments and scorching his flesh, he couldn’t suppress a pained grunt. In that moment, Lumian, warily mindful of the opponent’s abilities, ceased his pretense, seizing the opportunity to grip the ritual silver dagger and plunge it into his own ribs, refraining from extracting it.

The pain jolted his senses, quelling much of his desire.

Likewise, the fake Ive shook off the lingering effects of Provocation, regaining a measure of clarity.

He understood that the current circumstances were ill-suited for an extended confrontation. Swiftly producing a golden coin, he hurled it toward the crevice obstructed by debris.

Lumian, overcome by an uncontrollable avarice, lunged toward the gleaming coin with the ritual silver dagger, eager to claim it as his own.

Seizing the opportunity, the fake Ive sprinted deeper into the underground, displaying swiftness surpassing that of ordinary mortals.

Suddenly, his feet skidded, and a slick swoosh echoed through the air.

Unbeknownst to him, the path had been encased in a layer of frost!

Struggling to regain his footing, the fake Ive endeavored to restore his balance.

However, in that very moment, a towering figure clad in a black robe and hood materialized behind him.

With a swift motion, Franca extended her right hand, revealing a hidden blade enveloped in black flames. She aimed to plunge it into the fake Ive’s back, employing the full force of an Assassin’s strike.

With a pfft, despite the fake Ive’s best efforts to evade and rely on some kind of performance to toughen his skin and muscles like stone, the blade managed to pierce his body.

His eyes widened, and he twisted his body forcefully, capturing a glimpse of Franca through his ghostly green gaze.

Having successfully executed her attack, Franca intended to take a step back and utilize the shadows to create distance before triggering the detonation of the black flames coursing within the target’s body. However, her limbs suddenly grew weak, and she bent over.

She clenched her legs together, a watery light flickering in her eyes resembling a serene lake.

Having anticipated the deep connection between the fake Ive she was tailing and the deviant Hedsey, Franca was prepared for the current circumstances. Without hesitation, she reached into her concealed pocket, aiming to retrieve the smelling salts she had acquired earlier.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Lumian, having secured the golden coin, discharged three shots at the severely wounded fake Ive.

Desperately attempting to evade, the fake Ive’s precarious footing on the icy surface undermined his ability to maintain even basic balance. Eventually, he plummeted to the ground with a resounding thud, one of the bullets piercing his abdomen.

With a chance to catch her breath, Franca inhaled the scent of the salts, the invigorating aroma jolting her senses awake. Suppressing her desires, she clenched her left hand.

Black flames erupted from the fake Ive’s body, devouring his soul and eliciting a mournful cry.

Lumian aimed once more and pulled the trigger.

The final bullet erupted forth, instantaneously puncturing the fake Ive’s forehead.

With a deafening bang, the fake Ive’s head split open, spilling forth crimson and white.

Observing Franca bend over once again, Lumian hurriedly made his way to her side, circling around the frost-covered area.

Franca raised her gaze, her eyes moist as she softly gasped for air.

Suddenly, she embraced Lumian, but her nostrils detected the presence of a metal canister with an open lid pressed against her nose.

The indescribably potent scent compelled her to sneeze repeatedly, diminishing much of her desire.

“Dammit, this stuff is far more potent than smelling salts!” Franca blurted out as soon as she regained consciousness.

Lumian quickly took a sniff himself and let out a sneeze.

Comments 17

  1. Online Offline
    Jack_Nat_Mikhail
    + 00 -
    Thanks
    Read more
  2. Offline
    Dagger
    + 50 -
    This makes me think that cuttlefish might make lumian switch pathways cause I don't trust this author anymore everything is foreshadowing
    Read more
  3. Offline
    Junniebug
    + 50 -
    this was a crazy chapter
    Read more
  4. Offline
    Sonic
    + 300 -
    It’s nice to see Lumian make friends, although we had the tarot club in Book 1, Klein never really made much ‘friends’. The best we got was our dear Mr. Star and even he felt that his friendship was neglected and one sided. So, seeing how Lumian’s path of a hunter basically says make 40 friends in order to become a demigod is very satisfying and wholesome to me…
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    1. Offline
      tteokbokki
      + 160 -
      He did have friends just… they all died in a giant mess of a fog
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    2. Offline
      sdjfghs
      + 130 -
      Cant forget best bro Azik, tho he is more of a mentor figure
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  5. Offline
    Bunnybounty
    + 370 -
    Dude really acted like he could deceive ppl that he was a demigod while he can't even stop the unlucky charm💀 get this fakert out of here, we got our second ed sheeran lmao
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  6. Offline
    Dao Of Su Yang
    + 71 -
    What we know so far

    Mother Goddess of Depravity
    [STANDARD AUTHORITY: Moon(Apothecary), Mother(planter)(both stripped from her)]
    {Nightstalkers Organization:
    -Madame Night
    -Madame Moon}
    [NON STANDARD:
    9: Villain
    8: Gardener
    7: Heretic Spellmaster
    6: Sower
    5: Banshee
    4: Evil Overlord]


    Circle of Inevitability
    NON STANDARD:
    9: Dancer
    8: Alms Monk
    7: Contractee
    6: ---
    5: Fate Appropriator


    Mother Tree of Desire
    [STANDARD AUTHORITY: Chained(prisoner), Abyss(criminal)(both stripped from her)]
    {Théatre de l’Ancienne Cage à Pigeons}
    [NON STANDARD:
    9: too greedy
    8: hella pervert!!!
    7: who can easily copy others...
    6: ---
    5: Some sort of spirit]



    _________________________________

    Aurore Lee: Warlock (Hermit)
    Lumian Lee: Provoker (Red Priest), Alms Monk
    Susie (Tarot Club): Dreamwalker or Manipulator (Visionary)
    Audery Hall (Tarot Club): Dream Weaver (Visionary)
    Franca: Witch (Demoness)
    Jenna: Assassin (Demoness)
    Mr. k: Shepherd (Hanged Man)
    Osta Trul: Secrets Supplicant (Hanged Man)
    Termiboros: Angel of Dancer Pathway
    Louise Lund: Gardener (Villain Path way)
    Travis Everett (Superintendent):
    Pualis de Roquefort (Madame Night): Banshee or Evil Overlord (Villain Pathway)

    _________________________________

    Standard 22 Pathways

    Lord of Mysteries
    [AUTHORITY: Fool, Door, Error]

    0:Fool
    1: Attendant of Mysteries
    2:Miracle Invoker
    3:Scholar of Yore
    4:Bizarro Sorcerer
    5:Marionettist
    6:Faceless
    7:Magician
    8:Clown
    9:Seer

    0:Door
    1:Keys of Stars
    2:Planeswalker
    3:Wanderer
    4:Secrets Sorcerer
    5:Traveler
    6:Scribe
    7: Astrologer
    8:Trickmaster
    9:Apprentice

    0:Error
    1:Worm of time
    2:Trojan Horse of Destiny
    3:Mentor of Deceit
    4:Parasite
    5:Dream stealer
    6: Prometheus
    7:Cryptologist
    8:Swindler
    9:Marauder



    God Almighty
    [AUTHORITY: Visionary , Hanged Man, Sun, Tyrant, White Tower]

    0:Visionary
    1:Author
    2:Discerner
    3:Dream Weaver
    4:Manipulator
    5:Dreamwalker
    6:Hypnotist
    7: Psychiatrist
    8: Telepathist
    9:Spectator

    0:Hanged Man
    1:Dark Angel
    2:Profane Presbyter
    3:Trinity Templar
    4:Black Knight
    5: Shepherd
    6:Rose Bishop
    7:Shadow Ascetic
    8: Listener
    9:Secrets Supplicant

    0:Sun
    1:White Angel
    2:Lightseeker
    3:Justice Mentor
    4:Unshadowed
    5:Priest of Light
    6:Notary
    7:Solar High Priest
    8:Light Supplicant
    9:Bard

    0:Tyrant
    1:Thunder God
    2:Calamity
    3:Sea King
    4:Cataclysmic Interrer
    5:Ocean Songster
    6:Wind Blessed
    7:Seafarer
    8:Folk of Rage
    9:Sailor

    0:White Tower
    1: Omniscient Eye
    2:Wisdom Angel
    3:Cognizer
    4:Prophet
    5:Mysticism Magister
    6:Polymath
    7:Detective
    8:Student of Ratonication
    9:Reader



    Eternal Darkness
    [AUTHORITY: Darkness, Death, Twilight Giant]

    0:Darkness
    1:Knight of Misfortune
    2:Servant of Concealment
    3:Horror Bishop
    4:Nightwatcher
    5:Spirit warlock
    6:Soul Assurer
    7:Nightmare
    8:Midnight Poet
    9:Sleepless

    0:Death
    1:Pale Emperor
    2:Death Consul
    3:Ferryman
    4: Undying
    5: Gatekeeper
    6:Spirit Guide
    7:Spirit Medium
    8:Gravedigger
    9:Corpse Collector

    0:Twilight Giant
    1:Hand of God
    2:Glory
    3:Silver Knight
    4:Demon Hunter
    5:Guardian
    6:Dawn Paladin
    7:Weapon Master
    8:Pugilist
    9:Warrior



    Calamity Of Destruction
    [AUTHORITY: Red Priest, Demoness]

    0:Red Priest
    1:Conqueror
    2:Weather Warlock
    3:War Bishop
    4:Iron Blooded Knight
    5:Reaper
    6:Conspirer
    7:Pyromaniac
    8:Provoker
    9:Hunter

    0:Demoness
    1: Apocalypse
    2: Catastrophe
    3:Unaging
    4:Despair
    5:Afflictions
    6:Pleasure
    7:Witch
    8:Instigator
    9:Assassin



    Demon Of Knowledge
    [AUTHORITY: Paragon, Hermit]

    0:Paragon
    1:Illuminator
    2:Knowledge Magister
    3:Arcane Scholar
    4:Alchemist
    5:Astronomer
    6: Machinery Specialist
    7:Appraiser
    8: Archaeologists
    9:Savant

    0:Hermit
    1: Knowledge Emperor
    2:Sage
    3:Clairvoyant
    4:Mysticologist
    5: Constellations Master
    6:Scrolls Professor
    7:Warlock
    8:Melee Scholar
    9:Mystery Pryer



    Key of Light
    [AUTHORITY: Wheel of Fortune]

    0:Wheel of Fortune
    1:Snake of Mercury
    2:Soothsayer
    3:Chaoswalker
    4:Misfortune Mage
    5:Winner
    6:Calamity Priest
    7:Lucky One
    8:Robot
    9:Monster



    Goddess of Origin
    [AUTHORITY: Moon, Mother]

    0:Moon
    1:Beauty Goddess
    2:Life Giver
    3:High Summoner
    4:Shaman King
    5:Scarlet Scholar
    6:Potions Professor
    7:Vampire
    8:Beast Tamer
    9:Apothecary

    0:Mother
    1:Naturewalker
    2:Desolate Matriarch
    3:Pall Bearer
    4:Ancient Metallurgist
    5:Druid
    6:Biologist
    7:Harvest Priest
    8: Doctor
    9:Planter



    The Anarchy
    [AUTHORITY: Black Emperor, Justiciar]

    0:Black Emperor
    1:Prince of Abolition
    2:Duke of Entropy
    3:Frenzied Mage
    4:Earl of the Fallen
    5:Mentor of Disorder
    6:Baron of Corruption
    7:Briber
    8:Barbarian
    9:Lawyer

    0:Justiciar
    1:Hand of Order
    2:Balancer
    3:Chaos Hunter
    4:Imperative Mage
    5:Disciplinary Paladin
    6:Judge
    7:Interrogator
    8:Sheriff
    9:Arbiter



    Father of Devils
    [AUTHORITY: Chained, Abyss]

    0:Chained
    1: Abomination
    2: Ancient Bane
    3:Disciple of Silence
    4:Puppet
    5:Wraith
    6:Zombie
    7:Werewolf
    8:Lunatic
    9:Prisoner

    0:Abyss
    1:Filthy Monarch
    2:Bloody Archduke
    3:Blatherer
    4:Demon
    5:Desire Apostle
    6:Devil
    7:Seriel Killer
    8:Unwinged Angel
    9:Criminal


    _________________________________

    Tudor- Trunsoest United empire:
    Entire northern continent ( present day Feysac, Feynapotter, Leon, Intis)
    Capital- Backlund

    Tudor:
    Entire Intis republic + some parts of feynapotter kingdom's northwestern highlands + extending some in South east
    Capital - Trier

    Trunsoest:
    Almost equivalent to the entirety of today's Loen Kingdom plus the entirety of today's Feynapotter Kingdom (minus the highland in the northwest).
    Capital- Backlund
    Read more
  7. Offline
    crispi
    + 30 -
    no creo que fuera del camino del vidente,hubiera usado los poderes de la seq 7 para salvarse. y menos un seminidios podria haber utilizado la criatura mitica incompleta para poderse salvarse a ultimo momento. probablemente sea de un camino nuevo que perece bastante inutil o solo era una seq 9
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  8. Offline
    Supreme_Ancestor
    + 210 -
    He was putting on a show, it seems his power somehow compel the enemy to see his performance. Along with the ability to change face, and invoke desire. This reminds me that Monsieur I've also works in theatre and they also put on a show. Kind of similar to Seq 8 Clown where one performs, but in this case he's good at mind power but not good at fighting close combat. Should we call them 'Artist', 'Performer' ?
    But this time, for some inexplicable reason, he yearned to put on a show. He desired to witness the other party’s abilities before seizing the perfect moment to display his own.

    Without an adversary, there would be no performance!
    Read more
    1. Offline
      Supreme_Ancestor
      + 140 -
      [Roselle has developed hatred against you, current level= max]
      Suddenly, she embraced Lumian, but her nostrils detected the presence of a metal canister with an open lid pressed against her nose.
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      1. Offline
        Ahmed Hassan
        + 100 -
        I would be so down for a sequel of Top Tier Providence.
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  9. Offline
    imblacklottus
    + 70 -
    That was incredible joy thrill
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  10. Offline
    Abhi
    + 152 -
    Isn't this new pathway too... useless? I don't believe that person was a demigod. That aura-show earlier must be fake or borrowed.
    Read more
    1. Offline
      Error404
      + 280 -
      Why would a Demi God need to go all the way to catch Charlie, why would he go for sach a low task, of course it's fake bruh.
      Read more
    2. Offline
      Supreme_Ancestor
      + 150 -
      He was bluffing
      But this time, for some inexplicable reason, he yearned to put on a show. He desired to witness the other party’s abilities before seizing the perfect moment to display his own.

      Without an adversary, there would be no performance!
      Read more