CHAPTER 357: CHAPTER 4: LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT! PEERING INTO THE FUTURE

Nightfall.

After marking the various locations, Duncan returned to his residence.

Just as he was about to push the door open, a middle-aged man with a high nose bridge came from the corner of the hallway next door. Upon seeing Duncan, he nodded proactively and greeted, "Good evening, friend."

—Esoteric Practitioner (two-star silver-gray).

Duncan stopped and sized up the man from head to toe, nodding, "Good evening."

The middle-aged man introduced himself, "Bert Koner, from District E33."

Duncan paused and slowly said, "Duncan."

The man who claimed to be Bert looked at Duncan closely and suddenly asked, "You seem injured?"

Duncan appeared slightly surprised; the No. 3 Human Form was indeed injured, but not externally. It was internal bruising and the loss of vitality during the ritual. Even after resting for an entire day, a small portion of the life bar hadn’t replenished, likely due to hidden injuries, decreasing the life limit slightly.

An ordinary person undergoing a cult ritual would likely suffer significant damage and need a long recovery, but Duncan had engraved regeneration ability. As long as the nutrition kept up, it shouldn’t take long to recover.

The foundation of the No. 3 Human Form was too poor. Other human forms would have recovered by now.

"Please wait a moment."

The middle-aged man pushed open the door and said to Duncan, "Perhaps I have a way to heal your injury."

Hmm?

What’s going on?

Duncan immediately became alert, switching to a God’s-eye view. He saw that after entering the room, the middle-aged man headed straight to the shelf in the corner. To Duncan’s surprise, inside the room was a plant resembling a cherry tomato, about the size of a thumb.

Due to the lack of sunlight underground, plant growth was extremely difficult. It was unclear how he managed to cultivate it.

The man named Bert observed the plant; there were seven or eight fruits on it. He selected a ripe red fruit, carefully picked it, and held it in both hands, reciting something.

A faint wind of magic was stirring.

Although the world’s life limit of the No. 3 Human Form was very high, magic power was extremely scarce. This was the first time Duncan clearly felt the presence of the wind of magic.

After a moment.

A faint light emerged from the berry in the middle-aged man’s hand. He closed his eyes for a moment to confirm completion, then walked out of the room again, handing the glowing fruit to Duncan with a smile, "Friend."

"This is cultivated medicine from District E; it might have some effect on your injury."

Medicine?

Does he think I’ve never had a cherry tomato before?

Just giving it to me like this?

Duncan looked slightly surprised, reached out to take it, looked at the man, and said, "This is too precious."

—Divine Berry (Healing Curiosities): A food transformed through an esoteric ritual, can slightly recover life force.

The middle-aged man smiled gently, "Just a little help."

"We are neighbors, after all; we should help each other."

"It’s also my lord’s teaching."

When he mentioned ’my lord,’ his voice paused, as if the syllable changed slightly, but it was not very noticeable.

Duncan didn’t hesitate; after confirming there was no issue, he ate it. It tasted just like a tart and sweet cherry tomato. Upon eating it, he immediately felt a cool sensation, then his life bar slowly began to restore, even the lowered limit recovered slightly.

This feeling was a bit like a Druid’s ability.

But without a doubt, the capability owned by this Esoteric Practitioner was completely different from this world’s style. Duncan hadn’t yet figured out the difference between Esoteric Practitioners and Cultists, the proactive approach of the man was a good opportunity to probe for more information.

The middle-aged man hesitated a moment, looking with anticipation, "Feeling better?"

Duncan nodded slightly.

The man then showed a trace of joy, hesitantly said, "Would you mind if I came in to sit for a while?"

Duncan pondered for a moment and made an inviting gesture by opening the door.

After entering the room, the other man glanced around, looking at the "Mechanical Scripture" on the table which hadn’t been moved. His eyes momentarily lit up; he turned to Duncan cautiously, saying, "Friend."

"You don’t seem to be a follower of the Mechanical God?"

Duncan paused, letting his hand drop next to his gun, and softly replied, "Similarly, neither are you."

Bert chuckled in response.

Neither of them carried the rigid aura of mechanical devotees, nor the faint scent of machine oil. True members of the Mechanical Divine Sect were incredibly serious, and some high-tier divine position individuals appeared emotionless like robots.

The Holy Oil of the Mechanical Divine Sect was various kinds of machine oil. Their bodies would be impregnated with the scent, and one could smell the odor of machine oil people upon getting close.

The man gazed at Duncan and continued, "As you can see, I’m an Esoteric Practitioner."

"If you don’t mind."

"Friend."

"I wish to spread the teachings of the Great Mother whom I serve."

"Mother Earth—Tia."

"She is the Great Goddess who presides over earth and life, an ancient deity who existed before the Nest City was built."

The middle-aged man in front of him spoke in a torrent of prayers, then gazed expectantly at Duncan, watching for any change in his expression.

It looked like he was attempting to proselytize, but acting quite rashly.

Don’t Esoteric Practitioners fear the Mechanical Divine Sect’s retribution?

Duncan’s expression grew more surprised as he listened.

Wait!

Mother Earth?!

Is the difference between Esoteric Practitioners and Cultists so vast? The Earth Mother Goddess mentioned by the other party seemed like a legitimate True God?