Illusions, Lies, Truth

Volume 3, Epilogue: Character Introductions

Translated by lucathia (proofread by Taffygirl13, Minthe & Trespasserby)

Afterword

From this volume onward, Illusions, Lies, Truth is finally taking on its original setup: the supernatural genre (are you sure this is really a supernatural story?). Well… at least there’s a supernatural studies society!

I really want to ask, are there any cases of authors out there writing horror stories who get scared to death by themselves?

When I was writing the chapter about the school wonders, it was mostly in the middle of the night. As a result, whenever I went to use the bathroom, I couldn’t help but turn my head to glance at the dark corridors and the living room, or I would lift my head to look at the small window high up in the bathroom. Each and every time, I would nervously realize that there wasn’t anything there at all!

Late at night, when I told a friend online that I was writing a ghost story and getting super scared, the friend hit me while I was down, immediately describing supernatural things he had experienced before—you’ll always have some friends like that in your life. Never tell them that you’re super scared of a ghostie, or that you’re currently on a diet because you’ll immediately receive a mountain of scary photos, plus links to food blogs and a bunch of invitations to go out to eat!

After I finished writing, I didn’t feel it was very scary at all, but I was still scared to death. This author’s courage is even more miniscule than the size of a tapioca pearl.

Those are spirits. They’re all spirits. All the ghosties in the world are spirits. We’re not afraid, not afraid!

Sob sob, why do I still feel so scared?!

I can’t understand why anyone would want to do a night venture at school (then what are you writing about in this book?). I just feel that schools are super creepy at night!

It’s probably because a school is more spacious. There are windows everywhere that something can appear in, as well as long and dark hallways, plus bathrooms with tons of stalls. This isn’t even taking into account those mirrors, mirrors, mirrors! If I wanted to go to a bathroom at school in the middle of the night, I would probably force a friend to stand outside the stall, or else I’d break down the door.

I’d better never go adventuring at a school in the middle of the night. Fortunately, I have already graduated, so no night ventures will scare me! Since I’ll never go!

Was anyone scared out of their wits by the school wonders chapter like me? (The author weakly raises her hand to ask.)

Fine, we won’t continue to ask this question that will hurt people’s feelings. Let’s continue with the afterword.

Human Doll Contract was a story that introduced characters. From In the Name of God onward, we will be entering the case stories. They should be two volumes long if nothing unexpected happens. I hope a middle volume doesn’t come out of nowhere. But going by the progress of this volume, I should be able to successfully wrap it up in two volumes.

Although I say that In the Name of God is a case story, I seem to be introducing characters again and again. I can only blame Jiang Ziya and Lu Yang for knowing too many people and will introduce them as the case plays out.

I feel like it’s turning into a double-protagonist story.

What? You don’t think so? Isn’t the protagonist Lu Yang?

I also feel the same way—I mean, no! No matter how impressive, how cool, or how useful Lu Yang is, the protagonist is still that unimpressive, not cool enough, and only slightly useful Jiang Ziya. Don’t ever mix it up, everyone!

In this age, a protagonist can’t even compare to a side character, and a side character can’t even compare to the side character of all side characters.

Just look at the boss of Jiu Ge, one Mr. Fu Taiyi who has a lot of free time but seems very powerful at the same time. He is the model side character. All he has to do is appear occasionally, yet no one can overlook his presence. He doesn’t have to put his life on the line to attend a school night venture. What a great side character who reaps the benefits without putting in a lot of work.

In this volume, Jiu Ge came up a lot but didn’t have many actual scenes, more like “see you again.” Only Si Ming appeared for a bit. Although Si Ming never appears for long, he does seem to quietly appear in every volume to establish a presence. In the end, with all the tidbits added together, maybe Si Ming will be the one from Jiu Ge with the most screen time.

I can only say that a horror novel always needs someone to collect the bodies… I mean, always needs a death god—also, don’t you dare shake your head so hard, denying that this is a horror novel.

Finally, in the very end, I want to clarify that I really didn’t purposely stop at such a dire ending. I just happened to write until this point. Really! Please forgive me. I will do my best to quickly produce the next book.

Classmate Ziya, do your best to hang in there. You have to wait for classmate Lu Yang to return and save you!

Character Introductions

Fu Taiyi

[Biography]

He appears to be a normal owner of a bookstore but possesses an unfathomable power. He is the leader of Jiu Ge and is known as Dong Huang Taiyi, the God of the Eastern Sky. He seems to be one of the leading powers of Zhongxiang City, with many mysteries surrounding him.

Most loved: Fu Jun

Most hated: ???

Love and hate: ???

Specialized weapon: Light

[Overview of Stats]

Battle Stat: ???

Physique Stat: 80

Support Stat: 50

Angel

[Biography]

Follows Jian Zhi for some reason. Seems to be his guardian spirit, but usually appears more like an invisible parent. Seems to be a harmless illusory familiar but unexpectedly possesses a lot of power.

Most loved: Jian Zhi

Most hated: The murderer

Love and hate: Jiang Ziya

Specialized weapon: Resentment

[Overview of Stats]

Battle Stat: 80

Physique Stat: 60

Support Stat: 20

Jiang Qibing

[Biography]

He used to be the Jiang siblings’ teacher. He lost his job because of his relationship with Jiang Yu. He married Jiang Yu soon after. He is currently the head of the family. In order to take care of his family, he opened a Feng Shui business, but in reality, deals with demons and familiars.

Most loved: His wife, child, and younger brother

Most hated: Anyone who wishes to harm his family

Love and hate: Jiang Xue

Specialized weapon: Notebook computer

[Overview of Stats]

Battle Stat: 70

Physique Stat: 60

Support Stat: 50