Staring at the crimson moon outside, it took Luo Lin three minutes to process the flood of information and confirm a few truths.
First, he'd transmigrated into the world of Lord of the Mysteries. Now named Luo Lin Zoroast, he seemed to be a descendant of that legendary old man, Pallez.
Second, a fragment of Nyarlathotep's power, the Crawling Chaos, had been sliced and reshaped by Yog-Sothoth, whom he'd summoned. Using the unique rules of this world, it was transformed into something akin to Extraordinary Characteristics, forging a new divine pathway: the Chaos Pathway. Though unclear why Yog-Sothoth aided him, Luo Lin could now consume these characteristics as potions, starting from Sequence 9, acting and digesting them to ascend and claim Nyarlathotep's power as his own.
Third, his innate "Shadow of Time" skill remained usable—a time-related ability similar to the Scholar of Yore's historical projections. It had two uses: with high favorability, he could summon a target's Shadow of Time, merging to borrow their strength—the higher the favor, the greater the power. Alternatively, using a related object or the person themselves as a medium, he could summon their Shadow to seek aid.
The catch? The second method projected the target's past consciousness into the Shadow. With favor, it might help; without, it wouldn't harm him but might refuse to serve—a powerful yet tricky ability. In his old world, Luo Lin had tirelessly built favor to summon powerful Shadows. Now, in this new world, all that effort was wasted.
"Whatever. The skill still works; no need to complain," he consoled himself, puzzled. "But why did I transmigrate? Did Yog-Sothoth send me here…?"
He barely knew Yog-Sothoth, only gleaning from ancient texts that this Outer God held no malice toward humans, perhaps even kindness, and had a tense relationship with Nyarlathotep. When Nyarlathotep's avatar threatened his world, all resistance failed. In desperation, Luo Lin, treating a dead horse as alive, used their connection to summon Yog-Sothoth's Shadow of Time.
Billions of radiant lights erupted. Luo Lin nearly lost consciousness, witnessing Nyarlathotep's avatar perish as time rewound, restoring his world. Then, Yog-Sothoth's indescribable form—lacking clear eyes—seemed to gaze at him, curious, surprised, sighing. It spoke, but the words were lost.
When he awoke, he was in this world, Nyarlathotep's defeated power sealed within him.
"What did that big shot mean? Does it know me?" Luo Lin felt lost. No memory linked him to such a being. Perhaps it just found him likable? If it meant harm, he'd be dead. Shoving doubts aside, he sighed.
"No idea how my home's doing, but it should be fine now…"
"I did my best. If it still falls, nothing more I can do." A wry smile crossed his face. No conventional hero, he still cared for his world.
"Whatever. I need to look out for myself. This world's no picnic either." Shaking his head, he thought of Lord of the Mysteries' looming doomsday. Solving one world's crisis only to land in another? Like resetting a game.
"At least I'm not the savior here. Who'd have thought a trickster like me would save a world? Ridiculous." He grinned. "Good. Now I can just be a pure trickster."
After a moment of glee, he planned his path.
First, ascend to Sequence 9, starting the Extraordinary journey to harness Nyarlathotep's power before it became a ticking bomb. Second, befriend big shots, boosting favor for free combat power. Finally, find fun along the way.
"Let's see… Chaos Pathway's Sequence 9 is… Trickster?" He blinked, then nodded, recalling Nyarlathotep's chaotic nature, and checked Yog-Sothoth's notes on the pathway.
"Main material for the Trickster potion: the cut characteristics. Auxiliary materials: common spiritual items and something tied to the Seer, Apprentice, or Spectator pathways' high sequences…" He rubbed his chin. "Spirit Worm, Time Worm, or Star Worm… Tricky."
Searching his new identity's memories, he confirmed the timeline: Lord of the Mysteries' plot was just beginning. The Fool was likely staring, shocked, at his mirrored self.
(End of Chapter)