As an Ancient Dominator, the deeper Duanmu Huai delves into his divine position's capabilities, the more he realizes that his perspective is becoming increasingly unique.

In essence, it's the perspective of the victim and the perpetrator.

The setting of a typical Cthulhu story is such that a group of people, in their bewildered ignorance, are trapped in an enclosed space. Meanwhile, lurking in the corners of this enclosed space, terrifying and horrifying beings are attempting to kill them. In their bid to escape these dreadful creatures, investigators make desperate efforts, sacrificing themselves, paying in blood; some are killed protecting their comrades. Some are willing to sacrifice their own lives to activate mechanisms, while others choose to perish along with the monsters.

In the end, the sole survivor opens the sealed exit, bearing the expectations of everyone, preparing to leave this grim, terrifying, and evil place to return to the real world. He secretly vows never to forget the sacrifices of his companions.

However, as the survivor pushes open the door, what greets him is a city laid to waste and monsters rampaging around. Not until then does he comprehend the truth—the entire world had already been destroyed, and this place was the last refuge for humans.

But now, all that remains is despair.

Ultimately, the core of the Cthulhu Mythos is the inescapable despair, the insignificant fear humans experience when faced with the universe and those indescribable great beings, appearing as nothing more than specks of dust.

Well, if one likens it to the Human Empire—when a group of the Star Realm Army encounters cultists and demons at the lower levels of a Hive City, after fighting tooth and nail to repel the attack and attempting to open the gates to escape, what they discover facing them are the Grey Knights and the Judge.

Well...my condolences.

This is also the essence of the Cthulhu Mythos—the perspective of the victim.

Ultimately, investigators are powerless; before beings that humans cannot resist, all they can do is resist in vain, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

But conversely, it might not be so dramatic.

For instance, when Duanmu Huai, as a Judge, learns that there are cultists summoning demons at the lower levels of a Hive City, he leads the Grey Knights to investigate and destroy them. However, when they take the elevator to the Hive City's lower levels, they encounter the Star Realm Army, bloodied and half-crippled. Considering they might have been tainted, Duanmu Huai gives them the choice of either sacrificing themselves for the Imperial or being purified on the spot by the Grey Knights.

There is nothing dramatic about it, nor is he trying to frighten these Star Realm Army members; it is simply Duanmu Huai's duty as a Judge.

Likewise, if Duanmu Huai leads a group of Night Guards to massacre the Namekians, then in the eyes of the slaughtered Namekians, Duanmu Huai and the Night Guards might be as terrifying as those indescribable demons. But for Duanmu Huai, they are simply aliens that need to be exterminated, that's all.

So...…

"...…People feel terror because they are subjectively aware of that irresistible strength, rather than because the other party is intimidating them, you understand?"

Duanmu Huai looked at Medea sitting in front of him and spoke.

The reason for this was that not long ago, Duanmu Huai was teaching Alice Phil and Medea, imparting to them some common knowledge about Ancient Dominators and Outer Gods, and in order to better explain, Duanmu Huai gave them a few stories as examples.

The outcome was that after listening, Medea nodded thoughtfully, then spoke.

"I understand, so the Ancient Dominator is the kind of existence that tries to make itself more frightening, scaring others into mental breakdowns? Then MASTER, do you also want to become scarier? But I think you are already quite scary...…"

Consequently, Duanmu Huai had no choice but to spend five hours carefully explaining the difference to the two—I'm not terrifying just because of my looks to hold the divine position of Ancient Dominator!

...…I shouldn't be, right?

It mustn't be!

"I-I understand...…"

Looking at Duanmu Huai, Medea nodded with some unease—she had never seen Duanmu Huai speak so much!

"Good, as long as you understand."

Duanmu Huai nodded satisfactorily, and at that moment, Shajuye, also dissatisfied, poked her head out from the stairs.

"If you understand, then come have dinner, really, brother is always entangled in some strange things."

What do you mean I'm always entangled in strange things, if this matter isn't clear, it won't end, alright!

Dinner was made by Shajuye, it was quite good, and the family had a joyful meal. Only Yuko Shionji seemed somewhat reluctant. Actually, when she first came here, she stayed in her room, refusing to come out, even for meals, which Shajuye had to bring to her room, and after she finished, collect the dishes and utensils.

But Duanmu Huai wouldn't indulge her, this place is not a hotel, and Shajuye is not providing room service; if you want to eat, you come downstairs and eat! Otherwise, starve!

Finally, Yuko Shionji had no choice but to obediently comply, coming down to eat on time each day. The dining area was originally converted from a café, so there was plenty of space for eating. Previously, with just the three of them, it felt somewhat empty, but now with Alice Phil and Medea, making it five in total, it seemed much livelier.

"By the way, brother."

During dinner, Shajuye thought of something, looking at Duanmu Huai.

"Do you have time next week?"

"What's the matter? Is there anything?"

Duanmu Huai thought for a moment; recently, aside from tracking down the Light of the Universe, he had nothing else to do. He had assigned the task of tracking down the Cosmic Light Sect to Alice Phil, Medea, and Yuko Shionji. The former two could scout in reality through their familiars, while the latter tracked in the information domain through the internet, perfectly filling in each other's weaknesses. But so far, the Cosmic Light Sect had remained inactive, and besides that, Duanmu Huai currently...…really seems to have nothing to do.

"Meijia invited us to a dinner party..."

"? Again?"

"Uh..."

Faced with Duanmu Huai's retort, Shajuye's expression was somewhat awkward as well, considering the last time Meijia invited them to a birthday party, something went wrong.

And now it's happening again.

Moreover...

"Actually, Meijia hopes you, brother, can help her investigate a case."

As expected, I knew it wouldn't be that simple.

"Tell me what's going on."

So Shajuye quickly explained the situation.

Strictly speaking, this is not Meijia's issue, but rather the Bai Fan family's issue.

And the theme of the event is "Divine Concealment."

It was mentioned before that the Bai Fan family owns many businesses, including a spa hotel located in the mountains. Due to its advantageous geographical position and nice environment, the Bai Fan family has been expanding a series of businesses around that spa hotel, and of course, they've hired quite a few locals to work there, intending to develop it into a high-end wellness community.

All along, the Bai Fan family has collaborated well with that village, after all, by employing locals to work there, they've provided quite a few jobs for the area. The village has been very supportive of Bai Fan's work, it could be said to be a harmonious cooperation.

But there's no such thing as an endless banquet, even the most pleasant partners have a day when they part ways.

Not long ago, the son of the village chief approached the manager of the White Sail Hotel for some private talks. To put it bluntly, he wanted money. In the village chief's son's view, all the land belongs to the village. As a large capitalist company, Bai Fan had previously offered too low a price. Therefore, he believed Bai Fan Company was maliciously underpricing and demanded they compensate the difference, or else it would be taken to court!

Naturally, the Bai Fan family was dismissive about this; as capitalists, their lawyers are calculated en masse, and any land acquisition contracts and the like are sorted out clearly. Bai Fan family wants to turn the place into a high-end wellness community naturally wouldn't leave any hidden issues. Everything is done clearly; there's simply no such thing as compensating a price difference.

Thus, they refused the demand—though Bai Fan family is large and wealthy, money doesn't just fall from the sky, and such greedy people would likely return for more if given this time. This precedent, of course, cannot be set!

The village chief's son didn't get the money, left with a dark face, and at the time nobody took it seriously, after all, his reputation wasn't great, plus he left the village after middle school claiming he was going to make it big in the city. Yet after all these years, returning empty-handed, he seemed poorer than before, while those he looked down on from the countryside became quite prosperous thanks to Bai Fan's backing, so naturally he sought ways to get money.

However, a few days later, something bad happened.

First, the village chief mysteriously disappeared, then his son vanished too, sparking heated discussions amongst the villagers. Not only that, several more people disappeared soon after, and the police investigation yielded no progress despite being reported.

This was naturally not good news for the Bai Fan family, after all, the residents there were now in a panic, some even suggesting the village was cursed, wanting to flee. Considering they've made quite a bit while working at the White Sail Hotel, leaving during such times seemed feasible.

Originally, this was not the White Sail Hotel's concern, but the issue is that the hotel employed all local people! If all the locals left, where would they find workers?

And if some curse rumor emerged next, would people still come after hearing it? Wouldn't their high-end wellness community be ruined?

"I've got it."

After listening to Shajuye's explanation, Duanmu Huai nodded.

"So Meijia wants me to investigate the disappearance case there? By the way, what's it got to do with her?"

Even if the hotel belongs to the Bai Fan family, does it mean Meijia has to step in? What about the hotel owner and such?

"Brother, don't you know? It was given by Bai Fan family to Meijia as a birthday gift, she's actually the owner... it's just managed by someone else for now."

"..."

Alright, rich people sure are awesome, I'm done.

Duanmu Huai sighed silently; you see, this is capitalism for you. Their little girl is merely 16 years old, not even old enough to drink, yet she owns a spa hotel.

And regular people work their entire lives, probably without such fortune.

By the way, does your family give hotels as birthday gifts too? Could you give me an airplane sometime?

Duanmu Huai internally lamented then pondered for a moment.

"Alright, I accept."

After all, idle time is idle time...

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