Q

Chapter Text

"The origins of this drop of golden liquid." After reciting the divination statement seven times, Klein held onto the goatskin and the illusory golden liquid before leaning back in his seat.

He didn't know if he could divine with the item that was instantiated based purely on a feeling. All he could do was make bold assumptions and carefully seek confirmation. In seconds, Klein's eyes darkened, turning from brown to black as he entered a state of Cogitation. 

His eyelids drooped down and he "saw" the illusory yet blurry dream. In the blurry world that looked in shambles, a golden, glaring sun suddenly appeared! A low grunt resounded across the void. The pure and clean light suddenly lit everything up as the gold and burning flames swept outwards. Boom!

Klein was instantly expelled from his dream world and flipped onto his side as he shivered. His body seemed to become a huge bonfire that burned with a raging flame. At that moment, his thoughts were all over the place. No proper idea could form from the chaos in his mind. 

The mysterious space above the gray fog shook violently, the lofty palace collapsed inch by inch the ancient and mottled bronze table broke into a few pieces and a room hidden atop the stairs had not been spared.

…..

Ah shit, it burns!

The murmurs filling his head shortly subsided. 

Before he could gather his thoughts it felt as if he was grabbed and thrown being hurtled away from wherever he came. 

For a second he couldn't tell if he was falling or was still being thrown.

Upon opening his eyes he was met with a hazy myriad of colors, lands, and what looked like beings he couldn't completely make out.

Looking up he saw a great castle. Before any thoughts could be formed he was thrown once more, heading in what he thought was down. In an attempt to control his fall, he rolled over facing the direction he pointed. 

When he flipped himself to face his descent. It seemed that instead of falling he was being pulled toward something. With a sharp turn, it felt as if he had collided with something, but he couldn't see anything. Simultaneously as he crashed, his body began violently assimilating with whatever he had been pulled towards. Despite his struggles, he had been helpless against it.

After what felt like a few moments. It was over, he had become one with whatever he had been pulled to.

Wh… what…

Flashes sped through his mind memories the process had been straining, almost maddening

Huh!

What did I just say? What language was that! I turned uncomfortably hurriedly looking around

Where am I!

Despite my yells it seemed that my voice had faded into nothing but also could be heard miles away.

Before I could think of anything else my mind was assaulted by what I think were memories.

Grasping my head with my hand I noticed it wasn't a hand but a paw similar to that of a dog's.

As more memories shot into my mind, I gained an understanding I was an evil spirit. A hound that resides hidden in the spirit world possessing a ruined house.

Wait, spirit world…. I'm in the spirit world? How am I not in my w….. Am I dea….!

Before I could finish the thought, more information flooded my mind, memories. Memories of who I was… no, these are someone else's memories! 

I'm not the spirit, I'm me! Despite my protests, the memories kept flooding in. I could feel it. I could tell that the line between me and the hound was growing shorter as we were assimilating. 

In what felt like mere moments, years of memories flooded my mind. The line between us was gone, we were one. I had sat there floating in an endless abyss, Processing what was going on. I was a hound now my body was similar to that of a dog's but it certainly wasn't a normal one. In the back of my mind, it felt as if a strong sense of regret and fear were hidden. 

With translucent fur shining with a green tint he was not a normal dog… a dog.

No….no…No! This can't…. No! I am human! Not a dog and most certainly not a hound, wait a hound I… No! This body was a spirit. Why am I now a hound?

I tried my hardest thinking, trying to remember something mine or the hound's memories. Nothing came to mind. the few memories I had, felt like glimpses of someone's life and the life this hound had lived. 

 thought the hound's life was more abundant while the...human ones were scarce and hard to recount as if they were fading.

Wait a hound. A hound is a Beyonder. What the hell is a Beyonder? I'm a Beyonder of the ninth sequence.

If I'm at the ninth sequence then are there more? Hold on! If I'm in the spirit world how do I get out! I… I need to get home.  

An overwhelming sense of despair started overflowing his mind as he came to the realization, how… how could I show up before them… in this body... Wait, body? Where is my body! When I flew into the hound, had my body merged? No, that can't be that I don't have a physical body. I mean the hound! If so, where is my body? Consumed in thought, the idea of him dying crossed his mind once more, and with a flinch, he recalled a memory of his own. The first thing he could remember since being here was the pain he had felt that woke him up. The pain had felt as if he was lit aflame. 

No! It can't be I… I fucking died! Did I burn to death in my sleep! Amidst the chaos surging in his mind and the decline of his mental instability, I started losing control. 

Ah shit! Violent murmurs began roaring inside his head, out of reflex he went to hold his head but he lacked hands he could only push his newly gained paws to his head.

Despite knowing nothing of what was happening, he knew he needed to calm down. He knew this was dangerous and to calm down with calming thoughts or breathing but nothing worked. It was pointless, nothing worked. suddenly a memory invaded my mind something called cogitation. I imagined a mirror, something that existed. then slowly I began thinking of something that didn't exist. (AN: should've put a father lol) I imagined something. something I doubt existed since this was a different world. An electric guitar. the one I always wanted. It worked it really didn't exist. This isn't my world. 

Slowly as he continued in a state the ravings began to vanish. His mind had calmed and the roaring subsided and he could tell he would be fine. A memory shot through his head I can make a shortcut for cogitation. normally tapping your fingers on your head would work but I don't think I can do that so I'll just skip that. 

I tried cogitating manually again and learned some things. I learned as a hound I get a pair of powerful legs doglike senses an intuition called inclination of opportunity and in doglike fashion, a distracting trick. 

So pathways give me superpowers? Wait Pathways? There are more than just hounds? Hold on, let me focus on the task at hand. How am I getting home? 

Pushing away my scattered thoughts and the anger at the back of my mind, "First off this body is not only not mine but it isn't physical. Wait, the hound characteristic made my body dexterous. Could it make it physical? Since I'm sequence nine do I have to be sequence ten or is it descending sequence eight? Whatever it is I'll need to get higher or maybe another pathway would give me a physical body."

Wait what happened to my body? If I am dead, would I be coming back to life? If the pathways give powers maybe I'm not dead, someone else just did it to me. Why though why would they wan… hold on what did I do before everything? 

Trying to recall what he did before he "died" racking his brain he remembered and spoke in a voice similar to that of a dog's whine.

Blessings stem from the celestial worthy of heaven and earth…

Blessings stem from the skylord of heaven and earth…

Blessings stem from the exalted Thearch of heaven and earth….

How do I get home…?

Upon finishing the prayer he stood in a forever-stretched abyss and awaited a response but nothing had changed.

Oh shit…

...…..

On his way back to the inn, he took out a pocket watch again and checked the time.

Hmm ten Minutes earlier Than we arranged…. What a nice person… Klein laughed and walked faster. He returned to the inn and opened a half-closed door. The boss watched him as he made his way up to the second floor before he entered his room.

He removed his coat and shoes after locking the door. He didn't wash up, but instead fell directly on top of the bed.

As he laid down the sound of what he thought was a whining dog was ignored as he drifted off to sleep.

In his dream he returned to earth, he began playing a game he had never beaten on his left was an opened can of soda on his right an opened bag of chips. 

Suddenly he became aware he was dreaming. His dream immediately shifted to a normal scene of the inn. Klein was seated on a chair facing a game Roselle had made. The game was a stack of wooden blocks, one person would take out one block at a time in turns until the tower fell.

After the scene had settled he turned his gaze seeing the captain in the window silently watching.

Shocked Klein thought captain, can you not scare someone in their dreams? Is this you acting as a nightmare? Finding humor in the situation, Klein continued playing the game. 

As Klein continued the game captain entered through the window approaching the table. Captain then took his hat and placed it on the table then nodded before taking a seat on the opposite side.

Klein then made a gesture inviting Dunn to the game. Dunn met Klein's gesture with a nod Dunn then swiftly knocked the tower over. After knocking the tower over he puled out his pipe took a puff then In an indifferent face took his hat, nodded, and left from the window from whence he came.

Flabbergasted Klein just sat in silence ignoring the knocked-over tower….

You came in knocked over my tower then left. With a chuckle, Klein left the dream and went back to sleep.

At half past five, Klein woke up then in a hurry ate his bacon and toast and met with the captain after.  Dunn, before the clerks had arrived, wrote the list of expenditures along with the less necessary expenditures after returning the charm.

Klein didn't immediately go home as he had a meeting scheduled with Daxter at the shooting range… And the tarot meeting at three… Why am I so busy…

After wasting some time in the Nighthawks break room I met with Daxter. Entering the designated meeting spot i hinted at the acting method and gained the sequence eight telepathist formula. After my meeting with Daxter, I decided to practice my shooting.

I took a public transport to 2 Daffodil Street. Before exiting I took a look at my pocket watch, earlier than planned…. 

As I approached my home I met Melissa's classmate Elizabeth on the way home. 

"Good afternoon Mr Moretti. You just got back from Lamud town correct?

"Nope, I came from Zouteland street." 

Oh, well anyway, I haven't dreamt of that knight in black armor just like you divined!   

Well yeah…. Of course, it would be completely purified I only used a god's blood….Klein laughed and replied gently, I'm happy you're freed from your troubles and satisfied of my divination.

Well, I have to go, Mr Moretti, Thank you again for everything! Elizabeth then left joyfully to a carriage on the side of the road. 

With a laugh klein thought, your brother holds the power of the sun in his hands… if only you knew how cool your older brother is. With a chuckle, he continued home.

Checking his pocket watch… quarter past two…I have time. Klein decided to head to Smyrin Bakery he had a thought is it possible to replicate food above the gray fog. 

With his four counterclockwise steps, he entered the castle. In the quiet and ancient palace, Before he could try out his theory klein noticed another prayer light. Summoning the crimson crystal and took a look at the prayer.

The prayer showed a scene of an illusory hound in what seemed to be an empty space filled with color and strange sights most likely the spirit world. It seemed the one praying was the hound. Listening to what sounded like a whine the words spoken made his stomach drop.

Chapter Text

Are you serious….

You bring me into this world!

Then fucking ghost me!

Hey, take me back you lousy little shit!

You couldn't even!… I don't know, introduce yourself!

What am I supposed to do, surround myself with kids and kill the demon king?!

You could at least tell me why you summoned me! 

And… why… Why am I a dog!

You think I won't just keep praying til you answer?

Come on Celestial Worthy! 

Fucking answer!

...…..

No way… There's no doubt about it.

That's a transmigrator.

In his time as Klein Moretti the only transmigrator he could find was Roselle and now right in front of him is the prayer of another transmigrator. Someone else from the modern world. 

With a quick gasp, Klein remembered  "The tarot meeting!"

It should be starting any second now!

Klein was so stunned by the transmigrator he had completely forgotten about The Sun and the tarot meeting.

I'll handle that later. Right now I have to maintain myself.

Using cogitation, Klein calmed himself before reaching for the crimson stars representing Justice, The Hanged Man, and lastly for the newest member, The Sun. Three hazy lights then burst forth summoning three people.

Audrey Hall observed her surroundings, suddenly freezing as she noticed a new member. Audrey then heard the ever-calm voice of The Fool.

"This is the newest member, his code name, The Sun."

Looking at the startled teen, Klein spoke "This is Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man." 

New member? Audrey was shocked at first but then the shock turned to excitement. 

Alger had creased his eyebrows, a little frustrated he hadn't been warned of the new member.

Internally Alger thought: I wish Mr. Fool could have at least told us we were going to get a new member… His thoughts became flustered and panicked.

But why would such a great being like the fool care for our feelings of convenience... He thought in exasperation.

With a quick nod, The Hanged Man gave a simple greeting to both Justice and The Sun. 

Using her Spectator abilities, Audrey noticed The Sun had been tense, maybe surprised. He is pretty young. He also maintains an air of silence, hmm…lone wolf? Yes, definitely a lone wolf type. Audrey thought as she turned her gaze to The Fool.

In an excited tone, she spoke, "Mr. Fool I've collected two more pages of The Emperor's diary."

Two more pages of the diary? The thoughts in Klein's mind stirred. With a smile, Klein asked a question to which he already knew the answer.

"What would you like in exchange?"

"As you probably know Mr. Fool, I'll soon digest the spectator potion and hope to get the telepathist formula so I can prepare ahead of time. I know that only two pages of the diary might be insufficient so I'll also give another page and a sum of money on the side..."

Before she completely voiced her rambling, she'd stopped herself. It all came out wrong, how could she pay a god with money? 

She couldn't help but berate herself in her head before she tried to collect her composure and reword her thoughts slowly.

Audrey slowly averted her gaze, slightly stammering, "That's not what I meant Mr. Fool! Ah, what I meant is that you can determine what you want! Yes, That is what I meant, Mr. Fool!"

Klein inwardly lampooned.

I liked your earlier suggestion, But I can't just say I'm poor...

Before Klein could answer Miss Audrey, The Sun had finally spoken. With a few exchanges between him and Audrey, he had as good as outed himself along with the weird nature of his existence. 

As the two continued with their conversation, Klein's mind wandered back to the doglike spirit, that transmigrator. 

A thought had suddenly crossed Klein's mind.

Could it be a trap?

Getting deeper in thought he remembered Roselle. Roselle was assassinated. I'd always wondered why but could it be because of his transmigration?

He had completely changed the course of the era so it wouldn't be too hard to think someone snuffed him out to stop him from growing too powerful.

As of now, I have no way to truly protect myself aside from my newly made charms. With a thought of disappointment, Klein concluded it would be best to just monitor the new transmigrator at a distance from above the gray fog.

Snapping out of his daze, Klein continued the meeting.

He'd read the pages, observed a few agreements and trades, and learned that pathways could be interchanged at high sequences. In the end, Klein and Alger had also agreed in dealing with Qilangos, a pirate admiral.

As Klein's spirituality grew empty, the time had come for the meeting to end. 

The Hanged man and Justice swiftly got up from their seats and bowed whilst The Sun had mimicked them just a little slower as Klein announced the end of this week's meeting.

After the meeting, Klein had looked at the prayer light for the strange dog once more before leaving.

***

Worthy of Heaven and Earth my ass…

Now what?

Looking back and forth, he closed his eyes and sat while aimlessly floating through the mysterious place. Scanning through the memories of the body, he'd learned that he didn't have anywhere to truly go aside from his "territory" which he felt a small pull towards.

It was possible to leave the spirit realm but as of now, I don't have a way to leave. As a spirit world creature, I could be summoned to the real world but that would only be temporary…

How about the hound's abilities? "Inclination of opportunity"? Seriously, what does that even mean… Why is it so vague... Alright, let's try it and find out.

Almost instinctively the power had activated with only a thought. In an instant small sparks of light had appeared. Resembling lightning, I noticed the lights would fade away but come back minutes later all pointing in the same direction. 

Well, not much else to do, might as well.  With a kick of his back legs, he started his advance through the empty abyss of the spirit realm leaving a cloud of smoke as he flew.

I really hope the opportunity is to escape the spirit realm…

"With no way to tell the time, the only thing I can really do is just keep going forward…"

***

He started flying through this abyss of color and weird sights. He didn't know how long he'd been flying through this abyss…The spirit felt that the other spirits and ruins of ancient cities were cool at first but… They get really boring after you've seen them a hundred times. The hound had also learned that despite its status as a dog he can very much see color, too much color in his opinion. If It had a physical head it would probably ache…. 

"Can there please be anything else!"

After yelling, a shiver ran down my spine and a single word repeatedly took over my thoughts, Danger! 

Without a second thought, I kicked hard, moving my hardest lacking the bravery to turn back. I had no clue what to do, the only option…"Opportunity". The hound had no clue what it did but it was his only hope. 

Dodging other spirits whilst navigating through the rubble was futile, He knew it was getting closer, the ringing in his ears growing louder and louder. 

"This can't be… I... I have to make it back. I can't just let this be the end! No, I refuse for this to be the end!"

Internally, a different voice echoed in its mind. "No way in hell will I let something kill me!"

Finally, I looked back and a bird-like creature made of bones and rotted flesh was in pursuit. More like a mass of death than anything. Looking forward once again I scanned the surroundings. To my left, colorful abyss, and to my right, the rubble of what looks like a house.

With a strong kick of my legs, I turned to the rubble, scanning the building. I could see wood sticking out, a few old pieces of furniture, and jagged holes throughout the building. As I approached the entrance of the house the monster let out a screech.

The hound froze, then quickly regained its composure but the hound wasn't the only one affected. Looking through a crack, the hound watched as almost immediately the weak wandering spirits rapidly started approaching the dilapidated house.

"The screech definitely did something, wait could it be, It also has a characteristic!  It can control spirits, that's why I froze! Shit if he can control spirits I might be screwed!" Or so he thought. Upon further inspection, the hound noticed at a certain distance they froze, unable to move closer.

Ignoring the bizarre behavior I continued into the hole of the building despite not fitting in the hole I slipped right through…

That's right, no physical body!

Shortly after this realization, a plan began to blossom. Moments after he had slipped through the hole the mass of death had burst through the very same hole. Looking around, it spotted a hound standing in a corner. Sensing victory, the creature launched toward the hound. Sight locked on the hound's throat it flew forward at an extreme speed but at the last moment all attention had moved from the throat of the hound to the tip of its fluffy tail. Not noticing the hound's sudden dash eyes still locked on the tail the monster crashed into the wall, shattering an old chair hidden behind the hound.

Shattering the chair to splinters, pieces of wood had lodged in the body of the monster. For a few moments, the flesh and bones writhed and wriggled as it had sensed something foreign in its body. 

After getting up once more the monster gazed around the room, looking for the hound. Said hound was again hidden in a corner. Despite its earlier charge the monster did it again. Charging at the hound and again, just before contact, the monster's attention focused completely on the tip of the hound's fluffy tail; this time it tried to change its trajectory, but it had failed just as badly.

Cheap Trick had been used on the tip of the hound's tail!

The only difference from the last was that it had hit the wall full speed on its back instead of its head. With the force of that hit the entire house shook, seemingly mere moments from falling. After the monster had gained its bearings once more it once again scanned for the hound. 

There it was at the ceiling stuck with no way of escape.

This time the monster was assured that it would catch the hound so with a strong dash it flew at the hound. Though at the last moment in a quiet whine the hound said…

"Dumbass…"  

As the monster nearly reached the hound it phased through the roof. Unable to alter its trajectory the monster continued to crash into the roof. The monster had pierced through the roof with only its head showing. The monster now made of bruised and bloody flesh covered in cracked bones, was trapped in the roof and as it tried to escape, the house promptly collapsed, pulling the monster under... burying it in rubble. 

With a yip that sounded almost like a laugh, the hound said:

"I really can't believe you fell for that! I mean you chased me into a collapsing house, tackled the last of its supports then crashed through the already sinking roof. You really thought you could get me. Honestly, I'm kinda embarrassed I was actually scared of you… But seriously that was the most cartoonish thing ever!" 

The suffering and harm caused to the spirit filled the hound's mind with pleasure.

Approaching the building again, it stood atop the rubble, circling around like a dog waiting to be fed.

"Huh, what's wrong? Don't like being buried? It suits you. Cause y'know... the whole corpse thing you had goin' on?"

As It was prancing around ridiculing the monster, the rubble started to move. It then proceeded to finally leave.

It got bored, there was no other reason for the hound's sudden departure.  

Even though I had escaped unscathed I still felt drained. I believe it to be when I used Cheap Trick to get his attention to my tail. Hell, now that I look at myself I'm not glowing as bright so there's a limit to using my abilities. Sensing opportunity must use some as well. I'll use it sparingly from now on. I gotta use it like an eye of ender now... I guess. 

After the fight, a feeling of rejuvenation quickly replaced the hound's fatigue.

It started half-rambling, half-mumbling to itself, "Time to start floating through the colorful abyss again… kinda wish I was color-blind at the moment like an actual dog. Continuously flying with no way of telling time… the constant ravings. "I sure do love staying sane". Like, what do you mean by "Hidden City" like, I heard you the first time. Well, at last, it seems the sparks are getting brighter and growing in number, actually, they kind of look like strings, torn, but still pointing in a direction."

It had been flying again with no way of knowing how long it'd been until It had stopped. The sparks and lights had grown the most in this area. It looked like just a space but the sparks seemed as if they were getting sucked into a gentle vortex. At a closer glance, It was being pulled toward it nearly not making any distance. It most likely wouldn't have even noticed if the hound hadn't seen its lights entering the vortex. Taking a quick look around, it made a decision.

"Made a decision huh…fuck else was I supposed to do!?"

As It stepped into the vortex, the scenery made an immediate change. Instead of the colorful abyss filled with rubble and spirits, It was met with a wonderful city surrounded by fog… a hidden city. 

Chapter Text

Above the gray fog, a keyboard warrior shouted, startled.

"Wha… Where did he just go! I hadn't looked away even for a second, where did he just go? Wait, it looked like he was following something… maybe this was where he was going."

Mumbling to himself, "That may be a portal or maybe a rift in space. I can't see him anymore so… he couldn't have just deleted himself from reality."

Summoning a piece of parchment and pen, Klein wrote seven times: the whereabouts of that hound. Klein then laid back and swiftly dozed off but Klein soon woke right back up.

It… It failed.

I've already learned the gray fog amplifies my divination abilities yet, still it… failed. If you are also a transmigrator… I wish you luck.

***

Startled, I hurriedly looked around, still frozen in place. With some cautious steps, I moved closer to the city. I noticed the city was filled with people. Upon further inspection they had tails and ears… they also appeared of Asian descent.

Could they, I took a pause, gears seemingly turning in my head, also be victims? I'll have to check, maybe they know how to leave! Though I should still be cautious, I mean I am in a dog's body right now. After making the decision I dove underground swiftly moving towards the city.

Not long after I had dived under I heard muffled sounds of talking and footsteps. Moving away from them I found a quiet spot and extended only my head above the earth. Looking around, I saw I was hidden in some bushes. Whilst hidden in the bush I approached the sound of people. I stayed just at the end of the bush and listened. As I listened more I noticed the language they were speaking… was Chinese. But, it sounded wrong, I may not've been a native speaker but I had to learn some.

But, why does it sound so off? It seems like they never learned how to speak it correctly; it sounded broken. I mean it sounds like when I'm talking… Wait, maybe they're not victims, they don't seem like it...

The hound needed more evidence before It made any conclusions. Looking around It noticed a building. The building had a sign that said "Great Tianmen Primary School".

Maybe, "men" looked a little off… so did "xue"... Holy shit it's in traditional Chinese…

"What the hell, the writing... that's so much worse than mine! Be normal!"

With a course of action in mind it dove back under and moved to the school. It emerged in an alley beside it behind some trash bins. With a quick look, it flew to the top of the building.

The roof was empty but there was a way to access it at the top. After it had made sure the coast was clear it peeked its head through the roof. Looking around it seemed to be an office but… primitive. There were no electronics and several shelves of paper records. It took its head out of the roof and looked around the city. As it was more elevated, the hound's sight covered the entire city.

As I looked around I noticed the entirety of the great city was more primitive upon inspection.

Instead of cars, there were carriages. In fact, it hadn't seen any kind of advanced technology. Looking further, it saw several plantations in the surrounding border against the grey fog. It was startling as it seemed every piece of produce existed. It didn't know exactly what produce they contained but every American knows what a cornfield looks like. Mainly it knew that not everything around was a cornfield…

After seeing the city it dived back into the building. Dodging the gaze of an old man, it entered several rooms. Stealthily moving through the building, avoiding the gaze of the people it found a room full of children and an adult; a classroom. It snuck in, hiding under tables, avoiding the gazes of the children. It hid in a corner under a table, listening in on the class. 

I had learned there was the physical realm, spiritual realm, and astral realm. The teacher didn't mention where we were but I could pretty much guess. I also learned that the classes were not too different from normal ones except for how unadvanced they were and the change in history.

Still listening I learned that the city was called Tianmen. Wow, how creative… just had to take the peace out of it. Close enough.

Listening further, I learned the "holders" of characteristics were blessed with them by their lord and that they had been passed down in families. They were like nobles. They ruled over Tianmen while their lord was resting. The higher the sequence of the hound it seemed the more power they held in politics. I also learned of a "Primordial Hound", one who directly served the lord when he was awake. Apparently, he rested above the city, watching down on them. I'm guessing he's of the highest sequence. He's seen as a lesser god or angel.

Could the pathway make you a god after you get high enough in it? That sounds blasphemous so I probably won't figure it out here… oh, this looks like history now.

The history of their city started with their lord saving them from prosecution and putting them in their utopia, Tianmen, a city surrounded by fog. It seemed normal until the last subject changed near the end, they started talking about their lord… The Celestial Worthy.

Now actually paying attention, I noticed a terrifying scene. The once lively kids who had barely been paying attention had all quieted down, all upright, stiff, at attention.

They… their!… faces! Why are they staring like that! Every child in the classroom all had the same expression, same position, same unnerving reverence. It's!… it's!... unnatural! Why! Where's my danger warning?

Every child seemed to be bewitched as the name of their god was softly taught.

As the hound's mind raced, growing more and more concerned, the ravings gradually rang out, yet this time I heard what it was saying.

Submit… Submit… Submit… Each time growing louder. It soon started cogitating, calming itself down.

Under its breath, it mumbled, "What the actual fuck is wrong with this place."

I'd seen everything I needed to. This city was made by the Celestial Worthy and filled with religious propaganda, seriously, it's so obvious even a child would be suspicious.

Yet, why… Could it be the ravings? The hound thought.

Seriously, you couldn't even… I don't know… perform miracles, like a normal god. The hound internally ridiculed. 

You just used your powers to force them to believe in you. 

"How lame…"

Besides the fact that this place is filled with forced believers, why the tails? Why are they doglike? They als-

As I was about to finish my thought, I noticed, well more like my attention was forcibly taken. I turned to the street where there was a person with powers similar to me. I learned in the classroom that those who hold characteristics are descendants of their great ancestor. Once they become the head of their family, like royalty, they take the name of the ancestor they came from. The one before used a power...

It was cheap trick…

He held a characteristic!

Another thought struck it, The Hounds. They were like nobles or royalty as they had descended from the original servants of the great lord. They have powers just like the hound, maybe that's why they…

Momentarily, the illusory dog froze, still hidden in an alley the feeling it felt before fighting the monster had returned…

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice that…"

"It may work on your trapped citizens! But it will not work on me!"

"You took me from the one thing I cared for…"

"You must be a fucking idiot if you think I will ever see you as a great lord!"

"You try and get me to be one of your creepy followers and I'll burn this place to the ground… you hear me?!"

Something had begun to manifest in my mind. Seemingly an infestation taking over my thoughts. An anger that felt different, older, from my own had begun to stir.

"Actually… You know, I've just thought of something, the abilities given by this characteristic sound like tricks."

"I wonder how funny of a prank it would be to burn this shithole to the ground. Slaughter every one of your believers."

The hound spoke, looking upwards toward the sky, "Is this what you want me to be? A little trickster… huh!"

If trickery is what I have to do I'll do it. Because no matter what you will never control me, I will never kneel before you!

I will get home whether you like it or not.

I.. I'll do whatever… I want to.

With his mind clear and his future decided, he thought:

I'll trick, steal, and kill whatever I want to and I will never kneel before you.

As this thought enveloped his mind, visions of an illusory mass constantly morphing into several forms enveloped my vision. 

His potion had been digested.

The illusory hound turned back towards the street where the characteristic holder stood, wearing an honorary mark on his face, one with a sequence 8 characteristic, he was a tanuki… 

The hound noticed the carriage heading this way and a plan formed. 

Diving back under the ground, the hound quickly traveled to the driver. He peeked his head and awaited the perfect moment. Then it happened: the hound shot out of the ground and with the target being the driver, he used cheap trick. 

The cheap trick had more of an effect on the driver than the monster he used it on, as his entire attention was focused for over 4 seconds, just enough time…

After that, I used cheap trick on the horses next. I then turned to the tanuki, focused all I could, and used cheap trick on him. 

The tanuki tensed up at first, calmed after a moment, and looked up at me with a carefree expression. Before he could react the horses trampled him and the carriage snapped his neck with its wheel. The carriage, now out of control, crashed into a building, shattering to splinters and crushing the tanuki, driver, and horse corpses. 

After I stayed in the air, frozen, I noticed the commotion had attracted the attention of the people in the building. I quickly moved into the rubble searching for the tanuki's corpse.

Inside the rubble, I found a deformed and grotesque corpse impaled by several pieces of wood. Slowly, something had been leaking out of its corpse and taking form. Soon a crystal ball containing a dark sludge had taken form in the noble's mouth.

Activating my inclination of opportunity I noticed several bright sparks pointing towards the characteristic. I then moved close and ate the characteristic. In all honesty, I could have gone for a Coke or something to wash it down. Immediately the glass shattered and the illusory sludge spread throughout his body. Immediately his body was assaulted by deep pain. The ravings exploded once more but it seemed that a greater anger silenced them. The hound soon activated cogitation to calm himself. As he writhed in pain and anger he noticed his paws changing, as if he was melting. The changes soon changed back and he went reverted to his doglike form whilst the ravings had deafened.

Amongst the violent changes in my body and the anger that overflowed in my mind, I had advanced to sequence 8, Tanuki.

During the ascension the hound was unaware of the will inside of it awakening. 

While the anger and rashness of my murder began to set in I began thinking.

Thinking back on this plan. How did he not notice the carriage? I sensed that monster while it was hundreds of yards away but he ain't even try to dodge. Was it because the driver had no hostility? This ability seems flawed.

As I was thinking this it seemed as if the infestation of anger had been deflating. going back to the corners of my mind.

As soon as my mind stabilized, I dashed underground and fled the scene. After a mad dash underground, I finally surfaced above ground in one of the plantations outside the city.

As I flew through the ground what I had just done had begun to really set in.

Standing in an apple orchard, the illusory hound whispered… I just killed someone. 

No… the driver… I…

…I killed them!

No… no I didn't!

It wasn't me it was the spirit… It's because of the spirit!

That anger!

it wasn't mine!

I… I would never…

Getting up, the hound started lethargically moving forward. Passing by a man-made creek. A glimpse of a person caught my eye. I quickly moved, turning to the creek. In the creek was a reflection…

A reflection… of me.

.)

Chapter Text

How…

Wha…why i-

You killed them.

What…I turned to the mirror.

Don't shift the blame.

You…killed them

They were innocent…yet you still killed them.

Why! Why are you saying this!

Because you refuse to accept it!

I have no need to accept it! The hound rose up and threw his paw at the water the illusory paw slid through it not even breaking the surface. 

I backed away from the puddle. 

Still running?

I turned to the puddle again in its reflection was a teenager with pale skin and black hair.

Really, you know you're throwing a tantrum right now S-

Don't you fucking dare call me by that name! 

Doesn't matter what I call you, you're still a murderer.

He was innocent, you know, the tanuki. you saw what he was doing. he was playing with some kids, you know how nice it was to show the wondrous abilities he had, yet you used those same powers to kill him. 

Even though you didn't kill those kids you killed something in them. Their innocence, their sense of wonder…Dead! 

The hound reeled, laying on the ground with its paws on its head like a dog in a thunderstorm.

Oh, what's wrong…

Has the weight of your actions caught up to you?

What happened to doing whatever you had to!

Come on, where's that fire when you killed them!

Yet you're lying here like the pathetic dog you are!

The reflection watched as the dog lay quivering pathetically.

Get. Up.

The dog looked up at the reflection.

What…

I said get up.

Why…

The reflection spoke in a strict tone…

Finish what you started.

You always did what you had to… 

So why stop now…

The reflection had a displeased face as if looking at pile of trash.

Pathetic…

As the reflection finished it slowly faded back to the illusory hound it was originally 

...

 Bam!

His neck, which was already badly mutilated, could no longer bear the pressure and was sent flying like a rubber ball. It slammed heavily into the wall, creating a red and white patch!

Upon seeing this scene, Klein suddenly crouched down.

"Hahaha, Hahaha!

"Hahahahahaha."

He laughed crazily with a suppressed voice. The "clown" mask looked so very happy.

Klein laughed so much that he ran out of breath; his laughter was more jarring than crying.

After a few seconds he finally calmed down l, he slowly straightened his body and winked with his left eye at the darkest part of the sewer. Then he smirked and muttered to himself "Captain…

"Look, we saved Loen once again…"

Droplets of liquid quietly slid down and landed on his collar

At that moment, he felt his clown potion had digested completely.

….

Klein left the corpse leaving everything only tossing Azik's whistle a few times to prevent divination 

Quickly exiting the sewers he went to his rented apartment.

Klein then sacrificed all items on his person above the gray fog. With a tired sigh, he fell back on an old chair exhausted. 

I won't even bother checking on the dog, there's been no sight of him since…

I'm starting to not even believe he's a transmigrator…

Heh…did I imagine a dog yelling curses towards celestial worthy 

I'm too tired for this…

Klein got up from the old chair and washed up before heading to sleep.

As Klein went to sleep he felt as if he had been ascending just like when he goes above the gray fog!

Klein, fearing the worst, struggled his hardest, yet it was futile. He ascended nonetheless.

Klein awoke in a moonlit field enclosed in a silent inescapable darkness and filled with night vanillas and moonflowers

Seated in the center of the field was a woman clothed in a dress seemingly made of darkness with dots of light resembling stars donning a veil that concealed her face. The woman had several arms extending out of her ribcage. The mysterious woman exuded an aurora of tranquility yet also fear like a gentle nightmare.

The time spent as nighthawk had not left his mind as he knew just by a quick glance, that sitting before him was the evernight goddess.

If he had not already been on the ground he would have fallen to the ground on his knees before "her"

Klein had been stunned he knew the power of gods even just gazing upon them brought disastrous consequences.

So he stayed on the ground with his head down.

Then amongst the silence the Goddess before him let out a small chuckle and asked…

What is your name…

The tranquil words entered Klein's ears, soothing Klein's shaken heart despite being Sherlock Moriarty he told "her"....

K…Klein..Klein Moretti

It took all his willpower to say…

The goddess paused for a moment then told Klein…

"No, your original name"

At the end of that very sentence Klein's heart dropped. Flashes of his theories of why Roselle was assassinated the very reason of caution towards the spirit flooded his mind chasing panic to take over once more.

What am I supposed to do? Even if I can resurrect, there's no way I could escape. There's nothing I can do.

My…my original name..is Zhou Mingrui.

Silence once more filled the area. The goddess then spoke again…

Are you also Chinese? 

Despite my earlier fears, I lifted my head almost instantaneously 

Are you a transmigrator!

I didn't know if it was desperation or hope that had eliminated all resistance to my outburst but I had yelled it. I yelled a question towards an ancient being of incomprehensible power.

As I had completely forgotten the repercussions of gazing upon a god I had set my eyes on a blurry figure, a figure whose details could not be determined. 

The fear of the sun god's blood remained in my heart as I realized my blunder. I immediately averted my eyes, but no pain was felt.

The God that sat before him let out a surprised "ah" to his sudden outburst

Oh…that's right. 

You need not avert your gaze…

Zhou…

With an unsteady rise, I lifted my head once more. As the god said, I had not been harmed anyway. It appeared a veil had covered her form as her direct details yet the oppressive power of divinity still radiated strongly, suffocating. 

Oh…yes

Your earlier question…

Yes, I am a transmigrator.

.....

The reflection had faded to normal in its reflection was an illusory dog with a green shine.

Hah!

Hahahahahaha!

Pathetic!

You are pathetic!

Isn't that right!

Why! 

Why did I become this!

This isn't me…

The hound had quieted down still staring into the water gazing upon its reflection.

It's right…

Whether I'm me or not, I still killed them…

I had to…

To get home, be it the spirit or me, I'd still do whatever I had to. I would kill them, with reason of course. I don't know if it's me or the spirit but…i'll get home…no matter what. 

If I have to be a murderer I'll be it. If I have to become a monster I'll do it. I'll become whatever I have to. 

As the thought finished he felt a feeling course through his body. Instinctively he knew his characteristic had partially digested 

Huh…

Why did it digest...

Digest...I have to digest the characteristics? is this a memory of the spirit? whatever. 

For my hound characteristic, it also did that. The name of the characteristic…Tanuki. In folklore, they could become and transform into anything. I said I would become anything I needed to, tanukis have amazing disguise abilities. Sequence nine was hound, well dogs are playful and often mischievous. Are…are the names crucial to digestion? For these thoughts, they also seem crucial. Perhaps I should choose my actions abiding by that thought, "I'll become whatever I have to."

Ok, let's see what abilities I have.

First off my dexterity and agility got upgraded…Hold on he could have definitely evaded the carriage he also wasn't that affected. The higher the sequence the less it works I guess but still. The tanuki before he died looked at me with a smile… 

Wait, I think he was used to it… 

There are several if not all of the characteristic holders; maybe he didn't think any harm would come from it. Maybe I was right, the characteristics digestion lies in the name so maybe it's normalized. That's right, why would he think anyone would kill him, especially another characteristic holder?

If it's been normalized then my earlier statement is reinforced to digest one has to act according to the…I guess the principle is learned from the characteristic name.

Ah right my abilities, my cheap trick got upgraded. I believe it works on higher sequences better. I also gained another ability, Mimicry. I can cast illusions on myself transforming into anything, to an extent, It has to be a copy not anything in mind also it doesn't change me physically. I can also cast illusions on other things or people but the effect is heavily weakened. The last abilities are that I've gained a simple understanding of all weapons and artifice. The final is an elevated sense of reading people be it mannerisms. Body language, and tone. 

The hound had stood still for a few moments before looking at the puddle. He stood in front of the puddle gazing upon his reflection and suddenly a puff of grey smoke burst forth from its body. Where an illusory dog with a green glimmer stood was now a young man of average height and build with black hair and blue eyes. 

Gazing into the puddle a reflection stood…In the reflection was me.

Chapter Text

"Why did they crash?"

The one asking had been a man of short stature only in his early twenties, on his attractive face he bore an illusory mark showing his position as a sequence eight tanuki.

"No idea", said the older woman she had only looked to be in her early 30s. On her face, she wore a similar mark to the young man yet hers was the symbol for a sequence six the highest sequence one could realistically achieve. The higher sequences had been the same for decades, the elders since the beginning of Tianmen.

"What I do know is that this was a murder."

"The divination showed me an obscured and blurry illusory hound. Since it passed through the carriage it was someone's spirit form."

The young man caressed his chin, "Well yeah, an escape artist could do that but why….?"

The young man interjected, "Why does an escape artist need a tanuki characteristic?"

"Especially directly, unless they want their kid to have it."

Silently mumbling to herself, "The dog consumed the characteristic at the very place where he killed him. He didn't concoct a potion…why?"

"It…it doesn't make sense rationally."

The woman became enveloped in thought.

with a sigh, she turned to the younger man, arms crossed, "I want information on the victim's family, political and business enemies, and any private partners."

The young man gave her a nod and started walking towards the officer in the distance. 

yelling behind her back, "The driver is innocent!"

mumbling to herself, "This murder was one made in the heat of the moment. I feel that the one who killed him may be losing control."

The young man came back after discussing their findings with the officers.  

sensing his return the woman flicked the mark on her face making it quickly turn to smoke. The young man did the same. 

Bai began to walk forward, the young man following closely behind her.

he too taped the mark turning it into smoke. 

Under her breath, "I hate this trend".

with a chuckle, the young man held a hand to his face. 

as smoke emitted from his hand, he started speaking. 

"Me neither, I mean..." 

He paused his sentence as the smoke swirled around his head and took shape eventually becoming a woman's head. The head had beautiful features. The head's hair became wild and reached below his shoulders. His head had changed into the woman he was with.  The only difference being instead of Bai's bright blue eyes they were Lin's brown ones. (If Bai's eye color is said to be anything else it's blue I just changed it)

He sped up his walk and stood in front of Bai.

slightly chuckling, "How could we cover a face like this." 

***

In an apple orchard, a young man stood alone.

After using the illusion I found it strangely material, it's as if I'm encased by paper mache. The illusion would shatter if I'm hit but should hold for normal physical interaction.

It's also quite draining. Luckily it isn't constant, I only have to cast it once I guess it will stay until it's broken.

"Ah right..."

The young man looked at the puddle and remembered the doglike appearance of the citizens, he then Used mimicry. Grey smoke exited his body once more and materialized into black ears and a tail like the citizens he'd seen.

The young man then began gently caressing himself.

Can't feel anything, guess it makes sense but still I can tell there is a limit to how much I can do this I guess it's like mana my pool doesn't seem very large or maybe mimicry is just expensive.

Well, whatever I guess it's time I infiltrate this city and digest the characteristic.

Recalling the previous sentence he mumbled, "I'll become whatever I need to…"

"I guess I have to ingrain this in my mind to digest it…"

This body isn't entirely physical but I guess it works. I'll head back to the city where I need to learn more about the characteristic holders.

While I do miss my body…I have to walk back to the city…I can't afford another mimicry and I really don't wanna know what happens when I run out…

Wow, I've been walking for half an hour already and I'm still at least a thousand washing machines away. Still, though I know I need more information on this city, where do I go though.

I don't want to go back to that school…

recalling a fellow with a weird named cat, "Wait…"

"Oh fuck…:

I really hope it's anime gods, not ancient eldritch gods.

Please please please please not eldritch…

Ah, screw it…knowing my luck they would be evil eldritch gods.

Well going back to the information part, I don't think the schools would hold information about the hounds considering not everyone is a hound it's probable they keep their secrets tight. Knowing people in power, I just need to find nicer houses. While I gather information I guess I'll act on the principle I learned…

Am I gonna have to mimic a lamp and eavesdrop?

groaning to myself, "Why couldn't it be a leveling system…"

Kicking a rock and nearly breaking the illusion, "Fucking unique ass power system…"

As I continued Walking along a crude path I eventually reached the outskirts. It would be wise to stay away from where I killed the tanuki. I don't know if they know culprits often check the scene after the crime. Wait if they're like nobles, did I just kill a politician…shit, they're definitely looking for me…

***

Knock! knock!

The woman had taken a step back from the door after knocking.

After a few moments, the door opened. Behind the door, a middle-aged man had opened the door with a startled expression. He then said in a respectful tone.

"Ah, Madam Bai..."

"To what do I owe the pleasure"

With an oppressive gaze, "I have some questions to ask you, Sir Huan." 

"May I come in?"

The man at the door had moved and invited her and the young man behind her in, guiding her to a seat in his common room.

"If you don't mind me asking, where were you yesterday?"

The man had started to sweat and started acting nervous.

"Wh..why… madam Bai I mean I haven't done anything. I've been at home for the past few days."

trying to change the subject, "Would you mind explaining what's going on Madam Bai?"

"Wait Madam Bai I assure you I haven-"

The middle-aged man had started trembling before the woman. Sir Huan knew of her exploits and was aware of the rumors surrounding her. He was fearful of the famous Bai.

He didn't move as Bai quickly snatched a strand of hair from his head. Bai extended a hand, burning the hair and chanting a question repeatedly. Gray smoke had started forming from her hand spreading, changing color, and taking shape painting a scene. In the scene was a blurry figure in the embrace of another man. With just a little bit of thinking the question of who was quickly answered. 

As the scene played Bai turned her head along with her younger assistant who coughed in his hand and too looked away.

The man's face flushed red with embarrassment, "you know the rules. Every Named must marry a person of unnamed blood and be of the opposite gender." 

"it isn't my fault I care not for women!"

"Please! I know not what you want but please I beg you! Please do not inform my wife!"

Hiding a small blush Bai with her hand, she weakly responded, "I don't care about what you do in your spare time. Anyway, this has shown me you're uninvolved so I'll be taking my leave now Sir Huan."

Bai quickly sped out of the building as her assistant followed behind chuckling on the way out. 

As the duo had left the luxurious building…

"You're not helping your reputation, Madam Bai."

The woman didn't respond to the young man's quip still a little embarrassed by the scene before.

Mumbling to herself, "That's the fifth person to have had nothing to do with it..."

"If it's none of the escape artists it has to be a bootlegger."

"Well yes Madam Bai but still what reason would they need the characteristic"

"they most likely trying to advance another name or use it to extort the family."

"You know how they are. That or they're losing control and felt like killing something"

"Even if they're losing control it would be known, that most of the six are constantly surrounded by people. They're also not open to you investigating them closely at all."

"Also someone of that status could never find the opportunity especially since he did it himself."

As the two walked the conversation had died down and both were developed in thought. As they went to cross a street the Young man flinched before quickly turning around.

The young man turned around facing another marked individual. The individual bore a marking on his face symbolizing his status as a sequence nine Hound though this one was made of ink. While the young men had begun a simple conversation Bai's eyes grew wide.

She then grabbed Lin by his shoulders. "It wasn't a higher sequence, it was lower. The one who killed him was only a hound!"

Lin's eyes widened in disbelief, "What!"

"No, how is that possible, he was in his spirit form!"

Still holding his shoulders she yelled, "Lin! With the monitoring of the graveyards, an evil spirit can't be born so It's from the outside!"

"It infiltrated the lord's kingdom! Over the years Named have ventured beyond the lord's barrier and now…The characteristic returned."

Shocked, Lin answered back, "Madam Bai no one has ever made it back so how could a mere beast find its way in?"

Her face had paled once more…

"The inclination of opportunity…it tracked us…it's intelligent!"

"Madam Bai, We have to tell the elders"

Madam Bai let go of the young man and suddenly her body started turning translucent. Her body began transforming into smoke. eventually, her figure changed into that of a woman made of smoke with long hair reaching her knees and turning to smoke at the ends. constantly emitting a cloud of smoke, She kicked off the ground and flew off in the direction of the council building.

***

"The hell was that?"

I Had been walking on the side of the road when a translucent woman had flown past me. Have some respect for pedestrians! She flew in the direction I had been headed. should I stop? I'll be fine, I continued my way towards the even better-looking buildings. As I walked by I noticed several restaurants, clothing stores, and other things. Looking further at the restaurants I noticed the food seemed Chinese…well american Chinese. If I could smell, I think I'd be wondering if I'm surrounded by panda expresses.

I need to stop acting all high and mighty. I only stayed in China for six months. Just had to steal the charm didn't you, Fucking delinquent…

My face grew somber, "I hope she's not worried…"

As I approached what could only be the higher class area I noticed there were not many people. The only ones there had been hounds and the people that looked like servants to said hounds.

Well, no way in hell can go in like this I can tell I'm gonna be kicked out. It was nice being bipedal. With a clap of my hands, the illusion had shattered becoming a giant cloud of smoke.

As the illusion had faded the Illusory hound dived underground. I moved underground this time the underground had been filled with pipes, unlike the commoner areas.

Listening to the sounds of the people above me I found a quiet place to ascend. Searching the buildings I chose the less populated one. Diving back under, I snuck into the building.

I emerged in the building's kitchen. Examining the room I noticed no advanced cooking equipment. It's not for aesthetics. I think I'm gonna put the afterlife theory in the back of my head. which leaves only one other explanation.

I got fucking transmigrated…

Moving through the kitchen I glided and passed through the wall. I was met with a luxurious common room. In the room was a man dressed in an elegant suit reading on one of the chairs. I stealthily ascended onto the ceiling, trying to catch a glimpse of what he was reading. Again the writing is fine but damn their pronunciation is terrible.

I didn't see anything of use so I phased through another wall. This time I entered a small library. Looking at the bookshelves it seemed to be filled with records of his family line, Guo. Again nothing of importance was found. This time I ascended through the ceiling.

The room above had been a child's room occupied by a single child studying at his desk. I moved closer slowly and cautiously. Peeking over his shoulder the book he had been reading was about politics and running a city. This was not what caught my eye but the book to his side.

Guo pathway records.