Chapter 2150: Chapter 2145: Confinement (19)

The selves of these people between the Inner World and the surface world seem to operate independently, unlike me who traverses back and forth.

The path ahead is dark, yet with the help of some light behind, observation is still possible.

At the same time, Fu Qian doesn’t forget to analyze Brother Tantou’s behavior.

If the previous hypothesis holds, that the gray town glimpsed from the breakfast shop window is an independently existing other layer of the world, then the operational relations between the two worlds have always been an unavoidable issue.

And combined with the unconscious entry into the "Inner" Art Prison this time, and Brother Tantou’s actions, it can be said to reaffirm one point: Zhen is not an exception, and the people emerging in the Inner World indeed feel as if they have accidentally entered another dimension, just like myself.

But that raises a question; why them and not others?

The situation on the Art Prison side is still unclear, but it’s clear there are others like Huck in the breakfast shop.

Because the Inner World is essentially an uninhabited Dead Realm, their spirit is more fragile, their Inspiration higher? Hence easier to fall in?

That explains something, but it brings another question, what if they leave?

Just like in the breakfast shop before, Zhen recovered after making a choice and returned to "reality."

In such a case, would she simply disappear from the Inner World as well, and the breakfast shop revert to an empty state?

Or would a version of her in the Inner World remain to continue her work there?

For Zhen, these two possibilities may not have a significant impact, but Brother Tantou is different; he possesses a bunch of keys.

This raises a question: how did the keys inside Brother Tantou’s body come to be?

Surely it cannot be that in the Inner World, he possesses an Extraordinary Form called "Locksmith" that automatically matches doors?

Fu Qian considers it more probable that these keys belong to his collection in the Inner World.

Brother Tantou had been here before, wandering around, collecting.

So if he were to return to the real world, would this hard-earned collection vanish into thin air?

Or would it become a saved archive, awaiting the next time he falls into the Inner World to load this form?

The first possibility seems unlikely, or his current state can only be explained as being stuck in the Inner World for a long time, with no reason for amnesia, rather than falling into the Inner World again in a dazed state.

But to be honest, the latter scenario is somewhat abstract.

Thus, considering the earlier speculation that Huck, who arrived first, is actually the Old Hunter, merely assuming Huck’s appearance to avoid startling Zhen, Fu Qian is more inclined towards a more natural explanation—

Both Zhen and Brother Tantou can enter the Inner World not because of high Inspiration, but because there is an Inner World self as an anchoring point.

Indeed, there is always a part of them, wandering in this gray world.

Its consciousness may not be very clear, but it performs special actions like collecting keys.

And due to this relationship, their surface world selves occasionally have their consciousness fall into it, hence transforming into this ignorant form.

Of course, at this moment, Brother Tantou has clearly awakened a part of himself.

The footsteps behind are excessively chaotic, sounding as though more than two legs are involved.

And this chilling pace remains no more than two meters behind, its heavy breathing almost spraying onto him.

"Carry the lamp."

Fu Qian never turns back, even reminding him when the light is blocked.

...

At a certain moment, the breathing seems to come from above.

It’s easy to imagine a scene where the peculiar creature with more than two legs behind is climbing up like a gecko, gazing down from high, likely to pounce at any moment.

Fu Qian’s pace doesn’t stop; he still doesn’t react, with no intention of wasting a bullet.

"I’ve... been to this place."

And when yet another fork appears ahead, Brother Tantou’s voice finally rings out again, recalling more.

"So, which way to go?"

The suspicion about the key collector quietly confirmed, Fu Qian finally stops, turns around, and looks at those faces, questioning directly without any doubts.

Indeed, there are several faces.

The Brother Tantou behind has long ceased to be what he was before, abstract aura intensifying.

Apart from the tiny hand protruding from the shoulder now gripping the lamp, his swiftly healing body seems to have encountered some hiccup during reformation; the shape doesn’t hold well.

For instance, an extra leg emerges from his waist, and his hands are sharp and wide like bear claws.

And beneath his torn tight clothing, multiple faces distinctly different from his original, added.

Though stiff like masks, they are still discernibly male and female.

"I... don’t remember."

At this moment, under the illumination, Brother Tantou’s own face appears dazed, like a problem causing a direct crash.

"It’s okay, take your time to think."

Fu Qian, remaining magnanimous, continues staring at him, though the look isn’t exactly friendly, reminiscent of the previous coin-tossing moment, where a wrong answer could directly send a person away.

...

What? This fool is clearly impervious to bullets, yet could easily send oneself away instead?

No, it’s precisely holding such a mentality that makes it easier to be sent away.

Brother Tantou in front may have a unclear mind, but he clearly retains animal-like dangerous instincts.

This momentum contest, even a slight weakness could be detected.

What’s that saying?

Only by first believing, treating everything as a real force capable of easily crushing the opponent, can the opponent possibly believe it.

Subtly maneuvering with a deceptive intent only makes you lose faster.

"Seems like... left, I’ve been to the left."

In a subtle confrontation, at a certain moment Brother Tantou’s gaze becomes slightly bright, seemingly finally understanding his own fate—

For many things, the other side always knows; the sole purpose of bringing him here is just to lead the way.

And if even this value is lacking, only destruction awaits him.

"But... what is this all about, what is this..."

Though concerning his own situation, he remains clearly confused.

...

"Good."

Survival instincts are always so reliable, even Extraordinary Forms are not exempt.

Regarding Brother Tantou’s reaction, Fu Qian doesn’t hesitate to commend him.

"So what did you do inside here?"

Unfortunately, the other party’s question is clearly unqualified to be answered, Fu Qian steps into the left passage without hesitation while continuing to inquire.

"Did nothing special... I smelled a peculiar scent, and kept searching, kept—eating."

Yet his words are not ignored, and amidst Brother Tantou’s soliloquy, at a certain point, he seems abruptly awakened from a dream.

"I ate a lot of things."

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