Phainon's pupils suddenly constricted.
The Hunt?
The Aeon of The Hunt, The Hunt?!
Why would it be The Hunt?
I'm actually... a 'companion' to an Aeon?
The information from Elio's mouth was like a giant rock thrown into the deep sea, stirring up an unspeakable storm in Phainon's seemingly calm heart.
'The three of us', 'The Hunt is The Hunt'... these few words made the causality behind this simulated universe trip incredibly profound and complex.
However, at this very moment.
Deep in Phainon's consciousness, familiar panel data began to scroll.
The path representing The Hunt suddenly appeared.
path: The Hunt (Activated)
Phainon subconsciously raised his right hand.
Following his will, countless light particles gathered and condensed in the void.
A dazzling greatsword was firmly in his grasp.
Invasion Dawn!
The familiar weight, the familiar touch, the familiar resonance... He had once again grasped his power in a false world without the supernatural!
The moment Elio saw the greatsword appear, his eyes, far from showing any fear, instead burst with ecstasy!
"That's right! That's it! That's it!"
He rummaged through a pile of manuscripts and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, which, though scrawled, was vaguely recognizable.
When unfolded, it was Phainon holding Invasion Dawn.
"'Variable'! A true variable!"
"Only you can bring 'truth' into a false world!"
Elio's reaction completely confirmed Phainon's conjecture.
He was indeed a 'BUG' in the simulated universe.
An existence comparable to Aha.
"Now, we must break this world!" Elio's eyes were fanatic, "Only by breaking it can we leave here!"
"No."
Phainon, however, interrupted him.
He casually put away the Invasion Dawngreatsword, which dissipated into points of light.
His movements were unhurried, "Before leaving, I need to find a key."
Phainon's gaze fell back on Elio, without a ripple.
His goal, from beginning to end, was only one.
"A key?"
Elio frowned deeply, muttering to himself,
"The Hunt didn't tell me about it? A key... Why do you need to find a key?"
He looked up, his eyes fixed on Phainon with confusion,
"Why would you want a key... that would bring about your own destruction?"
"Once the shackles are opened, you will surely die."
Phainon's heart remained unshaken; he calmly observed everything.
The future of Amphoreus still rested on his shoulders.
What was mere destruction?
"I have no choice."
"..."
These five words struck Elio's chest like a heavy hammer.
The madness and confusion on his face completely receded, leaving only a sense of powerlessness.
"I'll think of something... think of something..."
Elio patted his forehead, pacing back and forth anxiously, repeating these words.
The next moment.
He suddenly stopped, his face full of helplessness,
"Sorry... I only 'heard' that the key is on someone."
"You can only find out the key's whereabouts by finding 'him'."
"I need... I need to communicate with 'them' again... to get more precise information, but now... now it's too late..."
Phainon understood that even if Elio had seen through the falsehood, the simulated ability was limited, and he couldn't directly pinpoint the 'key'.
He nodded; since there were no clues for now, staying here was meaningless.
Phainon turned, preparing to leave.
Elio, however, grabbed his arm.
"You must take me with you!"
"You need my help to get that key! And..."
Elio leaned close to Phainon, glancing fearfully at the ceiling,
"I saw it... the moment you summoned that sword, I saw it!"
"This world... has already begun to change!"
"When supernatural power invades a world..."
"Even more terrifying forces will be attracted and intervene!"
Elio's voice carried an ominous premonition.
More terrifying forces?
Phainon nodded slightly.
The so-called 'more terrifying forces' were, without a doubt, the 'firewall' of the simulated universe.
Once the next 'plot' was activated, it would probably no longer be a gentle, everyday film set.
But why?
Didn't Erudition need me to find the key?
Is it because of Elio, this 'BUG'?
"You'll only be in more danger if you follow me." Phainon calmly stated the fact.
"You need me!"
Elio's emotions became agitated again; he pulled out a script from his desk, "The script says you need my help to get the key."
Phainon was a bit puzzled, "You are Elio, who gave you the script? Self-sufficient?"
"Of course Elio gave me the script!" Elio's gaze became unusually firm,
"Because every Elio will make the same choice for the world to reach a perfect ending."
This sentence sounded familiar.
Isn't that my line?
No wonder he said we were very good friends.
Phainon no longer refused.
As Elio said, he needed a companion who could interpret the direction of the'script'.
"Mm."
Phainon nodded.
Receiving an affirmative answer, Elio felt as if he had been granted a great pardon, letting out a long sigh of relief and completely relaxing.
He seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to rummage through the messy pile of manuscripts.
A moment later, he picked up a crumpled white hoodie, haphazardly pulled it over himself, and then fished out a black backpack from the corner.
"Let's go."
He looked like a rebellious teenager preparing to run away from home.
Phainon took a deep look at the room, submerged in countless formulas and symbols, then turned and was the first to walk out of the broken door... Outside, in the corridor.
Mydei's hands were crossed over his chest, seemingly calm, but in reality, his heart was already anxious. Why wasn't Phainon coming out yet?
Only when he saw Phainon safe and sound did his taut nerves slightly relax.
But when he saw the dazed young man following Phainon, his brows immediately furrowed.
"Elio?"
Mydei's tone was full of alert.
"How did he get out?"
In the crew, Elio was a taboo.
A talented'screenwriter' who was driven mad by his talent.
Elio seemed not to hear Mydei's words, merely scanning everything around him with a wary gaze.
"He is our companion now."
Phainon explained succinctly, then stepped out.
Mydei paused; although he had doubts, he trusted Phainon's judgment.
He didn't ask any more questions, but simply followed silently, his tall figure maintaining a subtle distance from Phainon and Elio, close enough to assist but not to hinder.
The three walked out of the coffee shop.
The world outside was still a bustle of noise.
Kafka, Silver Wolf, and March 7th were still sitting in the booth in the corner.
Seeing Phainon emerge with Elio, their expressions varied.
March 7th was purely curious, her big eyes darting between the two.
Silver Wolf, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips, enjoying the spectacle.
Only Kafka.
Her gaze lingered on Elio for a brief moment, a flicker of understanding in her purple eyes.
Then, her eyes met Phainon's in the air.
No words.
As if exchanging some unspoken information: "Eliois in your hands."
Phainon did not linger, leading the two directly out of the coffee shop.
As they stepped back onto the artificial street, Elio's body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"It's starting..."
He clutched the straps of his backpack, his voice dry.
"The world... is 'rejecting' us..."
Phainon felt it too.
An invisible pressure squeezed in from all directions.
Just then.
Leading the way was Zandar, who had just been punched.
The bruise on his face had not only not subsided but had become even more pronounced.
Beside him stood a familiar figure.
The man was well-proportioned, dressed in a tasteful tuxedo.
In his hand, he held a thick script with the words 'Honkai: Stelle Rail' printed on it.
"The boss parachuted in an associate director named Rick to help Director Hua..."
The discussions Phainon had heard on set earlier flashed through his mind.
This man was Rick.
"Mr. Phainon."
Rick smiled broadly,
"Given your recent unstable condition, which has severely affected the filming progress."
He opened the script in his hand and pointed to a page.
"I've made a small adjustment to the script."
"The next scene begins immediately."
Rick's voice paused, his smile chilling, "I hope this time, you can 'perform' well. After all, this is tailor-made for you..."
"...a deadly trap."