When the plot-skips players into the game world

Aiwass first knocked on the door of the dancer's room.

Usually, the ascendant's gender is consistent with that of the role in the ritual, their personalities are similar, and their paths as similar as possible.

But this is not absolutely certain because the allocation of roles in the full moon ritual is not random; it is manually assigned by the ritual host.

The ritual host wouldn't deliberately assign a role that the ascendant can't portray to them, because that wouldn't be fair—although the hosts, due to their own paths, characters, and positions, may have their personal biases. But, at least outwardly, they try to maintain fairness and not target any specific path.

After all, the ritual is an offering to the Nine Pillar Gods.

—In other words, you are only assigned to a role or given the responsibility for a task essential to that role when the host believes you can act it out or are capable enough to handle it.

Just like in the ritual where Aiwass met Isabel—Aiwass might play Little Aiwass's mother, but Isabel definitely cannot play Little Aiwass's father.

A significant blunder by a participant would only result in the ritual becoming a farce, rendering everyone's analysis, deduction, investigation, and ventures meaningless, and that is what the host must try their best to avoid.

—If a suitable role cannot be assigned to them, then assign them a risky role in the early stages, letting them die quickly to avoid affecting others.

From this perspective, bringing Isabel along to the ascension ritual isn't solely about increasing the difficulty.

Because Isabel is of a simple nature, lacking life experience, and a bit socially anxious, she will not be assigned a particularly complex role to play. In other words, the role played by Isabel would be the easiest for Aiwass to identify.

The most adept actor, Aiwass, with his outstanding personal abilities, is to patch up any shortcomings—because he can act any difficult roles well, he might be assigned to any role by the host.

Because Merlin dared to kill the receptionist, this attitude has already proved that the receptionist wasn't an ascendant. There were only seven people left.

Merlin would not tell meaningless lies that are easily exposed. Therefore, the woman in the couple is Jacaranda, and the old Inspector is either Living Silver or Pure White, let's assume for now he is Pure White. The reporter is most likely the Detective... it's just that the Detective is still on another floor.

According to Sherlock's thorough investigation habits for ascension, he might even have been purposely assigned to the highest floor. In that way, Merlin wouldn't have to do anything to delay Sherlock for a long time, preventing him from coming down in time to meet with Aiwass.

And Isabel could only appear as one of two characters.

—She is either the dancer or his own daughter.

Isabel is a prodigy, equally proficient in dance skills, so she wouldn't cause too much trouble playing the dancer; his daughter, on the other hand, was running a high fever, almost unable to move, and for Isabel, playing a naive little girl wouldn't be too hard.

After speaking with the dancer for a few moments, Aiwass quickly updated his own intelligence—

The role played by Isabel could only be his daughter.

Because what Merlin called "the dancer" was a rather euphemistic term.

In fact, the guest in room 205 was a promiscuous stripper. Or to put it more bluntly, she was a self-employed sex worker.

"I haven't heard anything anyway, the rain is so heavy outside."

Perhaps because they included an Inspector among them, the dancer fearlessly allowed the three of them into the room.

She sat cross-legged on the bed, the short skirt that covered only a third of her thighs almost revealing everything in this posture.
Your journey continues with empire

The dancer, who looked to be in her twenties or thirties, said with a smile, her gaze towards the reporter was suggestive: "However... I can make some noise."

"It might even be louder than the sound of the rain."

Compared with the frightening "teacher" and the aged "Inspector," the young and handsome reporter clearly suited her taste more.

"I'm just here to ask about something, pretty miss..."

The reporter took out a silver pen from his bosom, twirled it adeptly, while even more skillfully flattering the other party: "Let me introduce myself, I am the chief reporter for 'The Cattle and Bay,' Jacob Alexander. You can call me J.A."

To be fair, although the dancer had a good figure and skin, her face couldn't exactly be called beautiful. It was at best mediocre.

And that was indeed the case. People in her line of work, especially since she was a "self-employed" individual not bound by many restrictions, would naturally move to the big cities if they had better assets.

Shepherd Bay County mainly focused on agriculture and fisheries; it was all farmers and fishermen here. There simply wasn't much money.

The dancer had seen many people, and she naturally knew this was flattery. But who doesn't like to hear compliments?

Especially when the person paying compliments is also a handsome young man.

"Oh, you're J.A.! Just as handsome as I imagined... no, even more so!"

The dancer's eyes lit up, "I often see you in the newspapers, my mother really likes your writing—I mean, I do too!"

"That's fantastic, young and sexy miss. I'm sure you also know the purpose of my visit..."

Upon hearing this, the journalist flashed a pleased smile and flattered her.

"Ah, let me guess."

The dancer laughed, "Are you here to investigate the haunted house, this ghostly hotel?"

"Exactly!"

The journalist snapped his fingers, pointing at the dancer, "You're really smart!"

"It's just a pity about the storm," the dancer said.

"Yes, it's really a pity about the storm," the journalist echoed.

Then the two exchanged smiles.

While the journalist engaged in small talk, Aiwass paced around the room.

And thanks to the small mirror placed on the table by the dancer, Aiwass finally got a clear view of his own face.

He also finally understood why others' first impression of him was one of wariness—

The "teacher" Aiwass was portraying stood at least 1.95 meters tall, with black hair, brown eyes, and chiseled features, his hair damp and messy from the rain.

He had a commanding square face, thick lips that were slightly cracked, a muscular build with visibly defined pectoral muscles, standing there like a double-door fridge.

If that were all, he might just come off as imposing and overwhelming.

But his right face bore obvious signs of burns, the flesh twisted like worms. Over that, a dark scar ran from above his eyebrow to his cheekbone, covering the burn marks. Even so, his right eye was not blind.

Though one should not judge a book by its cover... just glimpsing such a terrifying face, being stared at by such a tall and powerful man would certainly startle anyone instinctively, wouldn't it?

…A teacher?

Heh.

What sort of teacher carries a pistol for hunting demons, has so many scars, and is so robust? An exorcist, more likely.

It'd be good enough if he doesn't scare the kids.

Daiya looked at the girl who seemed to be about nine to twelve years old. She might be a bit taller or younger, but that was the general age range. She wasn't a four- or five-year old child, but a young girl who had just finished elementary school and started middle school. She wasn't that light either.

And "Agni" carrying her with one arm, slinging a bag, holding an umbrella, and rushing so far in the storm...

What kind of teacher is that?

A P.E. teacher? A shooting coach, maybe?

—I feel like I had a nightmare... I dreamed of dad swimming naked in the river.

"Daughter" Daiya's voice suddenly echoed in Aiwass's mind. Aiwass's pacing halted, he looked into the mirror at himself and slightly furrowed his brows.

If it turns out he's not a teacher.

Perhaps he is also not Daiya's father? Maybe both his and Daiya's memories have been modified by some power.

Merlin wouldn't deceive him in such a meaningless situation.

So it's highly likely that this is about "The True Self," the requirement of the task to "recall one's true identity."

—So, who am I?