KP’s voice carried a bewitching power that made Yan Xiuyi’s heart skip. An indescribable feeling washed over him, as if what was being said was absolute truth – he was deeply in love with Orion. Every movement, every smile of the golden-haired boy haunted his thoughts.

Yet his consciousness seemed split in two – one half hopelessly infatuated with this game character named Orion, while the other remained perfectly aware this was just a game setting, that all this obsessive affection stemmed from game mechanics.

Or perhaps it was a form of punishment.

Yan Xiuyi opened his eyes in the darkness. The curtains were drawn, with only slivers of red moonlight seeping through.

They slept cramped in the small living room, Brian’s snores rumbling in their ears.

Shen Lin slept not far away, his posture neat and proper, completely wrapped in blankets. His golden hair stuck up in messy tufts, his breathing even and peaceful, his skin pale and flawless.

Yan Xiuyi’s eyes flickered. He quietly rose and approached Shen Lin, sitting beside him as his gaze greedily traced every feature of Shen Lin’s face. He leaned down slightly and pressed a light kiss to the corner of Shen Lin’s lips, his usually cold expression softening with reverence.

When he looked up, he met Freud’s shocked stare.

Yan Xiuyi frowned, his frosty glare making Freud awkwardly force a smile before yawning and lying back down.

Nothing happened, nothing happened… He was dreaming. Still dreaming.

Yan Xiuyi looked back at Shen Lin, satisfied as he lay down beside him, carefully encircling him in an embrace.

His remaining sane consciousness watched everything expressionlessly, feeling ashamed of this thieving behavior – in his madness-addled mind, he and this youth were lovers in the throes of passion, this intimacy was their due. But he knew it was all fabricated illusion, morning mist that couldn’t withstand sunlight. Yet even so, that moment of holding him brought his sane self an indescribable satisfaction.

As if through countless sunrises and sunsets, they’d shared this intimacy before, as if now was either time rewound or finally arriving at some long-yearned-for moment.

The next morning, Shen Lin woke blearily, kicking at the blankets in irritation. He thought Mrs. Fornier’s blankets might as well be 24K pure insulation, they were so stiflingly warm he could barely breathe.

When his foot hit something, Shen Lin froze, then opened his eyes to see Yan Xiuyi tightly embracing him. The man had just woken too, his eyes clear and cold as if he hadn’t slept all night, pale irises veiled in gray mist. Suddenly he gave Shen Lin a quiet smile, leaning in to press a kiss to his forehead.

“Morning,” Yan Xiuyi murmured hoarsely.

Shen Lin: “……???”

Shen Lin: “!!!”

He pushed Yan Xiuyi away, his forehead still burning. “What’s wrong with you?”

Yan Xiuyi frowned.

Shen Lin looked around bewildered. The others were still asleep – Brian splayed out like a starfish. Freud woke at the noise, putting on his glasses to look at them before expressionlessly taking them off again.

Shen Lin: “…”

Finding it strange, Shen Lin asked Yan Xiuyi, “What happened last night?”

“Had a dream,” Yan Xiuyi said quietly. “About my childhood.”

Shen Lin caught on immediately. “Sanity check?”

Yan Xiuyi nodded.

Shen Lin’s mouth twitched. “…Fail?”

“Failed. Lost 6 sanity points.”

Shen Lin: “…”

He studied Yan Xiuyi carefully. Besides the unusually heated gaze fixed on him, there were no other symptoms. Recalling KP’s list of temporary madness effects, his body stiffened as he tentatively asked, “What’s our relationship right now?”

Yan Xiuyi answered without hesitation: “Lovers.”

Shen Lin: “…” Lovers his ass!

Yan Xiuyi: “?”

Shen Lin decisively gave up reasoning with someone in temporary madness. “What did you dream about?”

Yan Xiuyi: “I dreamed of Princess Louise. Ten years ago, her fiancé brought her to Moonfall. She said she saw gods here. Dylan came with them.”

If that was all, it wouldn’t have cost sanity.

Shen Lin pressed, “Did you recall any particularly disturbing scenes?”

“Later, her fiancé died. She told me she wanted his child, so she performed a pilgrimage ritual, praying to the gods to grant her Wesley Harrison’s child. Not long after, she died among the irises. I watched her jump from the clocktower. After her death, I climbed that tower and saw a hexagram drawn on the floor, each point adorned with a woman’s breast, offerings she’d prepared for the gods. She learned this sacrificial rite from Wesley.”

Yan Xiuyi’s voice was steady, recounting these events with mechanical solemnity. He rarely spoke so much, his tone so flat it almost sounded dull, yet the horror lurking beneath made Shen Lin unconsciously hold his breath.

“And then?”

“Besides these offerings were scattered items. A red crystal stood out at the hexagram’s center. When I looked at it, I saw… bizarre visions.”

Don’t ask. Just don’t ask about the sanity loss.

“Remember when we extorted Cain about the ritual? He said they were missing one item that could only be obtained during the red moon. That crystal must be crucial.” Shen Lin asked, “Any idea where it’s from?”

Yan Xiuyi shook his head.

“The red crystal?” Freud cut in. “Wasn’t that in the clues KP gave last night? I passed a Listen check and overheard adults talking when I was young. They said it was Wesley’s engagement gift to Princess Louise. Then I passed an Inspiration check… oh, I see.”

Now he understood Yan Xiuyi’s excessive possessiveness. Giving Yan Xiuyi a sympathetic look, he said, “You fail normal checks but pass every sanity-draining one. Ridiculous.”

Shen Lin looked at Yan Xiuyi and laughed – just as Yan Xiuyi leaned in again. “Shit!” Shen Lin pushed his face away, only for Yan Xiuyi to kiss his palm instead.

Shen Lin: “…”

The character KP created for Yan Xiuyi – Felton – was tall and handsome, with silver-gray eyes usually cool and controlled. Now they darkened dangerously.

Freud wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. Clearing his throat, he said, “That crystal must originate from Moonfall. When Wesley proposed to Louise, he recited a verse: ‘When the emerald bay fills with crimson moonlight, the gods’ redeeming tears will rise from the lake.’ That ’emerald bay’ must refer to Moonfall Cove behind the cathedral.”

“Everyone awake?” Nana emerged from the kitchen, lightly kicking Brian. “Get up, you’re the last one. Breakfast is ready.”

At the table, they shared their discoveries. Yan Xiuyi sat close to Shen Lin, their proximity making Shen Lin slightly uncomfortable while Yan Xiuyi seemed perfectly at ease, as if this was only natural.

Yan Xiuyi’s sane self coldly observed everything, trying unsuccessfully to resist as his body automatically served Shen Lin the crispiest potato pancake.

After Nana’s hearty breakfast, they split up to gather information.

Yan Xiuyi walked beside Shen Lin, their fingers tightly interlaced, his palm warm and dry. He followed Shen Lin wordlessly through the streets, never letting go.

“Orion!” A familiar voice called from behind.

Shen Lin turned to see Luther hurrying over, arms full of groceries. “Orion! It really is you! Running into you again is wonderful!”

Shen Lin removed his hat with a slight bow. “Hello again, Luther.”

“I regretted not getting your address last time. The thought of never seeing you again was unbearable. Thank the gods we’ve met once more!” Luther gushed.

Yan Xiuyi’s brow furrowed.

Shen Lin: “…”

Luther’s eyes sparkled. “Where are you headed?”

“Just wandering,” Shen Lin said.

“This direction… to Wells Street? I live there, I could show you around! If you’d like, come to my place! I’ll make my famous lamb and potato bake!”

Yan Xiuyi’s pale gray eyes darkened.

Only then did Luther notice Yan Xiuyi’s hostile glare, so sharp it was impossible to ignore.

Why is he looking at me like that?

His confusion turned to shock when he spotted their clasped hands. His pupils dilated as his world seemed to crumble. Had he known Orion was taken, he wouldn’t have been so forward.

Flustered, he stammered, “Sorry, I didn’t realize you two were… If this is inappropriate, I… I apologize.”

Wanting information from Luther, Shen Lin tried pulling his hand free without success. Shooting Yan Xiuyi a glare, he told Luther, “This is my… friend. Felton. Thank you for the kind invitation.”

At that moment, Yan Xiuyi’s grip tightened painfully.

Friend?

His gaze burned with displeasure.

Shen Lin kept his face blank, whispering, “The clues matter.”

Still unhappy, Yan Xiuyi relented.

Luther studied them before seeming to reach some conclusion. When he looked at Yan Xiuyi again, his eyes held a challenging glint. He extended a hand. “Hello, Felton. I’m Luther. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Felton,” Yan Xiuyi replied flatly, his light eyes glinting with cold gold undertones, silently declaring war. Luther shivered involuntarily.

But Luther maintained his smile, stubbornly meeting Yan Xiuyi’s gaze. “Pleasure to meet you… Orion’s friend.”