A cold, quiet anger settled in his chest, but it was mixed with frustration.

Even though he could see the evidence, he could do almost nothing about it.

He couldn't tell what exactly had been changed—only that it had been changed.

Was it a decision he'd made? A person he'd met? The path that led him to the Black Lantern?

The threads were too fine, the interference too subtle, for him to decipher the specifics...

He tried to push his will against the braided section, to pull the foreign thread away.

But his power, [Fate Consumption], resisted.

It was not designed to repair or cleanse fate—only to take from it.

He could consume a piece of someone's past fate, but he couldn't un-knot the strings that an outside force had woven into his own.

He let out a slow breath, deactivating the skill.

The vision faded, leaving him sitting on the cold bench in the dim light.

The realization was clear and humbling: despite having a power that allowed him to look at the lines of fate, his influence over them was still limited.

[Fate Consumption] was a tool for stealing residual fortune, not for shaping destiny.

It was like being given a microscope to see a locked door—you could examine the lock in detail, but you still didn't have the key.

He was still vulnerable to manipulation by forces he couldn't see or fight directly.

The same higher existence—or a different one—that had orchestrated his first death might still be pulling strings, guiding him back toward Phoebe and her uncle's affairs.

Seth stood up, his expression grim.

He couldn't fix his tampered fate, but he wasn't helpless.

Knowing he was being manipulated was the first step.

How he would proceed from here would be up to him...

He sighed to himself, thinking through the problem.

Since the manipulator knew Seth was still alive and was continuing to tamper with his life, Seth had very few options to defend himself.

He deduced that this manipulator was definitely closely tied to Phoebe's situation.

From what Seth knew, it seemed to constantly tamper with his fate for its own goals...

Seth didn't know how much knowledge this manipulator had about him.

In fact, he wondered how it would react knowing that Seth was somehow still alive, despite its previous schemes supposedly leading him to his death.

However, Seth was not in a mood to find out by waiting to be ambushed again...

After standing up, Seth did not walk away.

Instead, he made a decision...

He went back to the Black Lantern.

His reasoning was simple: if he was being manipulated into a narrative, he needed to change the story.

And to do that, he needed an ally with real power—someone outside the expected flow of events.

Lady Light, with her authority over the word "Secrets" and her role as the guardian of the gathering, was the most powerful independent actor he knew...

And one that seemed the friendliest.

He walked back to Midnight Avenue with [Null Presence] constantly active, making himself a ghost in the night.

He reached the familiar door and knocked in the same pattern as before.

Knock three times.

Wait for two breaths.

Knock two more times.

This time, there was no bull-masked man to greet him.

Instead, a cool, familiar female voice came from within.

"Come in."

Seth pushed the door open and stepped inside, still under [Null Presence].

The main lounge was empty, save for one person.

Lady Light sat alone at the head of the long table, a single candle burning beside her.

She was not wearing her crescent moon mask.

Her face was calm, her eyes sharp and aware, looking directly at where Seth stood.

He had not expected her to be alone.

In fact, he'd expected her to be gone by now.

The fact that she was still here felt intentional...

"Do you need something, Mister Black?"

She asked, her gaze not wavering.

Hearing this, Seth knew he couldn't hide from her just by using [Null Presence].

Her power seemed to see through such tricks when she focused.

He deactivated the skill immediately and gave a respectful bow.

"I deeply apologize for coming back, Miss Lady Light," he said, straightening up.

"There is no need for apology," she replied, her tone neutral.

"The Black Lantern is a place of purpose. Your return suggests you have found yours. Please, sit."

Seth took a seat a few places down from her, choosing to keep a respectful distance.

"Thank you for seeing me."

"You are troubled," she observed.

"Your expression says you are under a great deal of pressure."

Seth nodded, not surprised she could sense it.

"I would like to seek your help."

"I am listening."

Seth chose his words carefully.

"My fate is being controlled by an unknown entity. One of its earlier arrangements almost led me to my death. Even now, it is still attempting to guide my path. I cannot see its full design, but I know I am being moved like a piece on a board."

Lady Light was silent for a long moment, her fingers steepled.

"Do you know why the Black Lantern was made?"

"Enlighten me, Miss Lady Light."

Seth said, to which Lady Light entertained.

"It was made because in a world of covens and control, stray witches needed a place of their own. A neutral ground, free from the agendas of larger powers. A place where secrets could be shared without fear, and services could be traded without debt to any master. The Black Lantern is a place of equal exchange, a market for secrets, and a sanctuary from the puppeteers. That is its purpose."

Seth understood what she was implying.

She was asking what he could offer in exchange for her help.

This was not a charity...

"So tell me, Mister Black," she said, her eyes holding his.

"How can I help you, and how can you help me?"

Seth took a steadying breath. This was a gamble.

"Madam, I do not know if this will be an equivalent exchange to you, but I possess a very close relationship with the Progenitor of the Sin of the Meaningless."

It was technically not a lie.

"I hold many secrets..." he continued.

"And I'm sure that with your authority over the word 'secrets,' you can tell that much is true."

He leaned forward slightly, keeping his tone earnest and direct.

"In exchange for helping me break free from this manipulation, I would like to establish a connection between you and my Master. Should you ever need witches with abilities like mine—witches who specialize in silence and being unseen..."

"I can recommend them to my Master. I can facilitate them signing his book. You would gain access to a new, rare lineage of witches, loyal to no coven but open to fair trade. I offer you a future alliance with a Progenitor..."

He left the offer hanging in the quiet air.

He was bargaining with his own identity, using the mystery of the "Progenitor" as a chip.

He hoped the value of a potential alliance with a hidden, unknown Sin would be worth the risk to her.

Lady Light's expression did not change, but her eyes seemed to deepen, as if weighing the truth and the potential in his words.

Lady Light considered his words, then found a flaw in his story.

"If you truly possess a close relationship with the Progenitor of the Meaningless, why do you not seek his help instead?"

Seth had expected this question.

He replied smoothly.

"My master's personality is quite peculiar, as I'm sure you understand how these ancient beings can be..."

"He would not bother with a personal matter like this. However, he is always seeking to expand his influence. He would definitely agree to accept some of your people as his witches. An alliance benefits him, while helping me does not."

It was a convincing lie, blending truth with omission.

His "master" was interested in more witches, because he was.

Lady Light was silent for a long moment, her gaze piercing.

Then, she slightly raised her hand.

"Secrets."

At first, Seth was alarmed, thinking it was an attack.

But he soon felt the power of the word descend upon him like a gentle, heavy cloak.

It wrapped around his being, not to harm, but to shield.

He felt a subtle barrier form around his presence, muffling the distant, whispering sense of being watched.

Lady Light spoke calmly.

"Your existence should be safe from external fate-manipulation for about two weeks. The seal of 'Secrets' will hide your threads from casual observation and blunt direct interference. Return periodically, and I will restore the effect."

Hearing this, Seth allowed himself a small, genuine smile.

She had not explicitly agreed to his proposal, but her actions were the agreement.

She was investing in him and the potential alliance he represented.

She had accepted his bargain...

"Thank you, Miss Lady Light," he said, bowing his head respectfully.

She gave a slight nod.

"Remember our deal, Mister Black. I will hold you to your word regarding your… master."

Seth understood.

The protection was a loan, and the currency for repayment was future witches of Meaninglessness.

He had bought himself time and a powerful guardian.

Now, he could move without the constant fear of an invisible hand yanking his strings.

He left the Black Lantern feeling lighter, the oppressive weight of being a puppet temporarily lifted.

He had two weeks...

Two weeks to track Darius Velon, investigate Fredero Tangen, and perhaps, find a more permanent way to cut the strings for good.

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