Chapter 29: The Clash of Psychologies

Chapter 29: The Clash of Psychologies

If you were to ask a player of the Cthulhu RPG Game what they least desire to achieve a critical success in, the answer would certainly be - inspiration.

In most cases, a successful inspiration check means one is bracing for a drop in SAN points, especially when the success is critical - that's when the real 'fun' begins.

For instance, a critically successful inspiration roll might lead a player to see a mere ordinary model of an eyeball as Yog-Sothoth - due to its appearance as a large eyeball combined with bubble-like features, which has affectionately earned it the nickname "Yog-Bubble" among Chinese Cthulhu enthusiasts. Yog-Sothoth is one of the mighty Pillar Gods, a being that transcends Cthulhu itself, symbolizing the essence of space and time, and the mere sight of it can drive one to madness.

Thus, Bai Hecheng, having critically succeeded on an inspiration check, was undoubtedly in for some serious trouble. Or rather, Liu Xing and the others were about to share in Bai Hecheng's impending doom...

However, in this critical moment, Liu Xing, quick-witted as ever, suddenly posed a question to KP004, "KP, isn't Bai Hecheng currently in a state of simulated disability? Shouldn't that mean he is unable to see the lord of the Castle?"

After a brief silence, KP004 replied somewhat awkwardly, "Ah, that seems to be the case. Bai Hecheng indeed cannot see the lord of the Castle's eyes, and thus, he doesn't need to make this particular check. He automatically fails..."

Upon hearing this, everyone silently breathed a sigh of relief. Bai Hecheng was already an unstable element; had his inspiration been critical, he might well have turned into a ticking time bomb.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.

It was a good thing, then, that Bai Hecheng was blind.

Liu Xing glanced at Bai Hecheng, who continued to sit there with a grin, his expression mocking, almost begging to be punched.

"Our esteemed guests from afar, you must have heard from Butler Wayne, due to various reasons, I must remain within EinsCastle and seldom have the chance to travel far. Thus, I always enjoy inviting travelers passing by to visit and rest at the Castle. Moreover, I delight in hearing their stories of adventure. So, if you don't mind, after dinner, please follow Butler Wayne one by one to my study room on the second floor and share your tales with me, alright?"

As the appointed spokesperson, Liu Hao Nan—oops, Liu Xing—with a smile replied, "Lord, it is our pleasure. You have graciously invited us to tour your Castle and provided a sumptuous meal. Naturally, we are very willing to share our journey's stories with you, Lord."

Gary chuckled, nodded, and said, "That's good to hear. However, I'd prefer if you wouldn't address me as 'Lord.' Although I am still the owner of EinsCastle, a century ago, my ancestors were stripped of their nobility due to a certain mishap, so I am no longer truly a lord. Please, just call me Gary."

Liu Xing was well aware of the 'mishap' Gary referred to that happened a hundred years ago, giving him insight into the aftermath of the mass disappearance of soldiers—a case that eventually went unresolved. Still, the Queen of England stripped the Castle's lord of his title. After all, so many soldiers vanished overnight within EinsCastle, and yet its lord remained unscathed—a clear sign of trouble, warranting some form of punishment.

Just as Liu Xing was about to respond, Gary's gaze suddenly rested on Bai Hecheng, and Liu Xing knew that Gary had noticed something off about Bai Hecheng.

"Er, what's with your friend's eyes? They seem fine, don't they?" Gary asked, looking puzzled at Bai Hecheng.

Liu Xing quickly nodded with a smile, saying, "My friend has a peculiar hereditary family illness that occasionally causes temporary blindness, but it usually restores itself in a few hours."

"Oh, is that so?" Gary turned his attention back to Liu Xing.

"Gary is using psychology on you. Do you wish to counter his psychology? This check will be made in secret," KP004 said to Liu Xing.