Secretly gathering information?
Hastur's first reaction was naturally Mr. A's Aurora Order, and those Yellow-robed Monks lurking in the dark.
Ever since his birth, these two organizations had been paying special attention to him. It would be quite reasonable if they secretly collected his information.
"You don't find this strange at all?"
Maric couldn't understand why Hastur could remain so calm. Normally, wouldn't someone be curious and shocked?
"It is strange. Who exactly is collecting information on me?"
"...Your reaction is way too fake."
"That obvious?" Hastur smiled and swirled the wine glass on the table. The dark red liquid ran along the inner wall in a spiral.
"We suspect those people belong to the Witch Sect," Sharon spoke, her gaze toward Hastur carrying curiosity and scrutiny.
"The Witch Sect?"
Hastur froze. Why would the Witch Sect be collecting information on him?
He hadn't even gone to them to ask for the Assassin potion formula yet.
Maric said mockingly, "Tsk. Hastur, with your face, attracting the Witch Sect is normal. I heard they like young and handsome men."
"Maric, are you jealous of me?"
"..." Maric snorted and shut his mouth. He wasn't stupid enough to continue this topic. Better let Sharon explain.
Sharon's voice was calm as ever. "The Witch Sect has always been synonymous with disaster and despair. If they approach you, it will never be a good thing."
"Maybe they simply think I look good?"
"That's possible. After all, you're only left with that body."
"..." Hastur decided it was better not to joke in front of Sharon. Every time he did, she would stab him mercilessly.
He collected his thoughts and became serious. "I haven't had any contact with the Witch Sect. The only possibility is Mrs. Germani. Someone told me she has ties with them."
Maric couldn't hold back. "So Hastur, you're being pursued by a noble lady."
"This is anguish, Maric. You're not me. You don't know the painful experience of being wanted like this."
"..." Maric wanted to slap himself. Why did he bring this up?
"You nobles are always open about such things, aren't you?" Sharon's tone was still flat.
"That's other nobles. I am always clean and disciplined. I never mess around with men or women. I have... cleanliness principles."
Hastur felt the need to defend his reputation to avoid misunderstanding.
"That's not what we need to worry about. Handle it yourself."
"If I'm really in danger, I'll ask you for help."
"I may not have time."
"Sharon, you're truly heartless."
Sharon's face remained calm. Her blue eyes swept over Hastur, and she said no more.
....
In a luxurious villa.
In a lavishly decorated room, the lively atmosphere had returned to quiet.
"You seemed unusually passionate tonight?"
"Just leave."
"Tsk. Aren't you being too cold? They say men forget everything once they pull up their pants, but it seems putting on a skirt has the same effect."
"I didn't ask you to come. You came on your own."
"Fine, I won't argue. Recently, I had someone look into that Baron Campbell. Not bad. His face is… attractive."
Silence filled the room, followed by an angry shout: "I don't need you interfering with my private life!"
"I'm just curious. No deeper meaning. But you, can't even handle a little man. Has your charm faded so much that only old fat nobles fall for you?"
"Oh, I forgot. You swore not to walk the path of a Witch. Tell me, do you regret your childish decision now?"
"Get out!"
"Hahaha, you're angry! You're actually shaken by a man! Have you forgotten the family motto: Witches die from love!"
"I don't need you to remind me!"
"I just don't want you to walk a path of no return. After all, I'm your elder sister."
A melodious laugh sounded. The window opened. A silhouette slipped out and vanished. The window closed again.
"Hastur Campbell…"
....
Hall of Stars.
Hastur sat at the head of the long table, eyes sweeping across each glowing star before his gaze fell upon the star representing the Higher Dimensional Overseer.
That powerful being, who had always remained beside Adam, had now returned to His own journey. His direction was casual, without clear purpose.
He was currently building a campfire outdoors, leisurely collecting thick, tough vines and tying them between two big trees to form a flat vine-bed.
He tested its strength, confirmed it could support His weight, then lay down, staring at the starry sky.
Relaxed and carefree.
Watching Him, Hastur couldn't help sighing: "Just like an ordinary human. Not a trace of an Outer God's terrifying side."
After watching for a while, Hastur suppressed the urge to whip Him and shifted his gaze toward the stars of the True Creator and Adam.
The Aurora Order searching desperately for the Followers of the Stars definitely came from the True Creator's instructions.
Since the other side wanted to find him, then whenever he was free, he would take a look at Him for a while.
Ouroboros was no longer beside the True Creator, likely sent out for tasks.
Could he have come to Backlund again?
Even Will couldn't sense him now. Ouroboros probably couldn't sense his anomaly either.
After observing a while, Hastur looked toward Adam.
Adam was still inside that church. Not praying, but looking out the window, gazing not at the stars, but into the distance.
When would Adam hold a Twilight Hermit Gathering? Hastur looked forward to that day. He wanted to see how formidable that organization truly was.
After watching for a while longer, he withdrew his gaze.
He rested briefly, then began divining, regarding the Assassin potion formula.
The image that appeared was Mrs. Germani. Fate's guidance.
Will had recommended this method as well, fast and effective.
But Hastur really didn't want to get involved with someone like Mrs. Germani.
"Let's wait a little longer." Hastur wasn't in a hurry.
He severed the connection with the Hall of Stars and logged off to sleep.
Deep night. Outside the window, the wind suddenly became strong. The wind chime hanging near the window rang crisply.
Hastur, already asleep, awoke.
Instinctively, he rolled over, grabbed the cane beside his pillow, his dull gaze turning sharp and alert.
His spirituality warned him: someone was approaching.
Ever since Mr. A visited in the middle of the night, he had taken precautions.
To avoid someone sneaking in through the window while he slept, Hastur left a small warning measure. If a Beyonder approached, it would alert him.
He learned this small trick from the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery after stealing the Black Emperor card.
For someone who could establish rules, this wasn't difficult.
Gripping the cane, he shifted from lying to half-squatting on the bed, not moving to open the window.
Whoosh, Bang! Bang!
A gust slammed both window panels open.
Wind rushed into the bedroom, making objects rattle loudly.
Fortunately, nothing valuable was in the room. Even if things fell and broke, Hastur wouldn't care.
"You're very alert." A seductive yet cold voice accompanied the gushing wind.
Hastur didn't answer. He stood, drew the sword hidden within the cane, but didn't strike. He still didn't know who had come.
Judging by the voice, it probably wasn't a disguised Mr. A. Most likely someone from the Witch Sect.
They were bold, visiting a nobleman's bedroom in the Queen District at midnight.
"Hehe, little man, do you want to see me?" This time, the voice was inside the room, from the shadows above the window.
Hastur glanced up, but saw only darkness.
Assassin pathway invisibility?
Hastur smirked. He was also a master of stealth. Using invisibility in front of him was like embarrassing oneself.
He opened his spiritual vision.
There, clinging to the ceiling like a spider, was a woman with an alluring figure, wearing a black dress with red lace trim. She resembled Mrs. Germani somewhat, yet their eyes and expressions were completely different.
Mrs. Germani had restrained seduction; this one radiated blatant temptation, her eyes hooked directly into one's soul.
"I don't want to see someone who only sneaks around." Hastur walked to the side and lit a beautifully crafted lamp.
The light wasn't too bright, but enough to drive away the room's darkness.
The figure on the ceiling, confident in her invisibility, silently shifted to hover directly above Hastur, like a spider preparing to pounce.