Chapter 1169


    Chapter 1169 Walking The Wire


    Crystals POV:


    Rufus’ words made me realize that we had dawdled for a considerable amount of time. I hurried to


    catch up with his long strides.


    I told myself that we would find Arron soon, and made sure that I had enough energy for the inevitable


    battle waiting for us.


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    Rufus pulled the map out of his pocket. I peered over his shoulder, dumbstruck at what I was seeing. It


    looked just like an abstract artwork done by some kindergartener! I frowned at the mess of lines and


    colors. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought that this… thing had been designed to purposely


    confuse and mislead people.


    “How are we supposed to read this?” I muttered under my breath.


    “We’re heading south,” Rufus said without missing a beat, though he did take a few additional nces


    at the map before folding it again. He then led me down a side road.


    I trailed behind him readily. He always had better navigation skills than me. I had every confidence that


    he would take us to our destination without a hitch. Sure enough, after passing through a sparse forest,


    we arrived at a mushroom-shaped building about six floors high.


    It was fenced off by a white railing, and two men stood guard at the entrance, both of them wearing


    blue masks. After a moment’s observation, we learned that only those with invitations were allowed


    entry. I supposed we were in the right ce, then. We moved forward, Rufus presented his invitation,


    and then we were admitted inside.


    Once there, I felt as if I had stepped into another world entirely. Thick tapestries hung on the walls,


    completely blocking out all the light. Nomps were in sight. Instead, candles lit up the ce from their


    ces high up on numerous chandeliers. Up front was a giant stage, and it was lit up more than any


    other part of the hall.


    I soon noticed that everyone around us was wielding a short, wand-like cylinder. But we hadn’t been


    given anything at all. I gged down a nearby staff and asked, “Did you guys forget to give us


    something?”


    The man simply shook his head and said, “No. Those are monocrs. We provide them to the


    members of the audience who might not be able to see clearly due to their distance from the stage.


    You, however, have VIP seats, so you won’t be needing them “


    I nodded in understanding and said nothing more. Rufus pulled me over to our designated seats. We


    eventually sat down at a tform that afforded us the perfect view of the stage, and there was ample


    space between the seats, ensuring the patrons of some modicum of privacy.


    It was just as well, as our conversations were better kept secret.


    Before long, the curtains slowly rose before us, and a clown riding a unicycle appeared onstage. He


    proceeded to perform one dangerous stunt after another.


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    As Rufus and I were seated close to the stage, I found myself flinching every time the clown


    approached Despite knowing that it was all a show, I couldn’t help but fear that he would topple over


    me at any second.


    I leaned back against my chair and grew increasingly vignt as the seconds ticked by. As it was, I


    noticed that the clown was wearing a unique mask, one that I had never seen around the amusement


    park since we arrived.


    The clown finally ended his performance, and he picked up a microphone. I realized btedly that he


    was also the host of the damn freak show.


    He made some introductions before leaving the stage, and another actmenced. I perked up as the


    spotlight shone on a steel wire suspended above us. I initially thought nothing of it, but I soon


    discovered that it was a prop for the next act.


    As soon as it dawned on me, a slender ankle emerged from the dark, followed by the rest of its body-a


    ragged, armless boy who looked no older than sixteen.


    He ambled slowly down the wire, which was bouncing ever so slightly from his weight.


    His shabby appearance was a stark contrast to the glittering stage and the ostentatious decor of the


    entire hall.


    I nced around the audience in rm, and was quite horrified to see their nk expressions. They


    were staring intently at the young man, as though nothing was out of ce.


    Perhaps they thought that it was all just special effects?


    With my heart weighing heavily in my chest, I looked up again. In the next second, however, I felt my


    heart practically jump to my throat.


    The young man did a somersault without warning. I almost screamed, but he managed tond back on


    the wire with his feet, his body bent at a sharp angle as he struggled to regain his bnce.