Chapter 1832: Chapter 1829: Apocalypse and Curtain Call
The dark side of human nature
To put it plainly, it is the deepest essence that exists within us, and people tend to hide it in order to live within social circles, unwilling to admit they possess such an essence.
But Han Dong is different,
early on in the Chaos Abyss, he already completed his understanding of the ’true self’. The liquid exposing the dark side of human nature barely affected him.
Because he never deliberately disguised himself, he could express his true self at any time.
The injection at the back of his neck merely felt like a chill spreading throughout his body, leading him into a performance state craving "expression of the true nature."
Watching the surrounding audience reveal their dark sides, exposing their true selves, along with Bajins’ emotional outpour.
Han Dong formally treated this place as his stage.
From deep within himself, down from the Abyss, erupted the most genuine and maddening laughter.
Ha ha ha ha ha!
The laughter emitted by Han Dong instantly overshadowed any static noise in the scene,
even the laughter of those assimilated by Bajins and Bajins’ own laughter was drowned out...or rather completely assimilated.
"What kind of laughter is this!? So dangerous."
Bajins sensed a potential danger from it, weakening even the effect of the drug injected into his body, clearing his mind a little.
At the same time.
He recognized one thing, this young man’s [laughter] surpassed him both in quality and level...thus, Bajins made a temporary decision.
His hands dug into the skin of his right cheek.
He tore off the entire right cheek representing ’joy’ and temporarily tucked it into his suit pocket.
Then let the ’sadness’ from his left cheek spread across his entire face, an extremely gloomy aura unfolded...even his clown costume turned purely stark white.
Using this method to resist Han Dong’s laughter.
Despite that,
Bajins still felt strained, but he had to persevere on the stage, as this was his closing performance.
At the same moment, the audience members engaged in mutual killings and cathartic desires froze,
even if blood spouted from their necks,
even if their brains were exposed,
even if intestines scattered everywhere,
they all stopped their actions, their mouths curving upwards in extremely tensed forms.
In the next second.
Crack! A sound of bones twisting echoed from their necks.
Regardless of whether directly facing, sideways, or backs turned, the participating audience rotated their heads, looking towards Clown Bajins.
Moreover, they all smeared scarlet smiles on their faces using the blood flowing out.
The frequency of laughter they emitted was almost identical to Han Dong’s.
"This is!"
Bajins certainly wouldn’t be frightened by these fellows.
However, there was a consciousness-level influence that made him feel fear.
At this moment, he seemed to glimpse a horrifying doomsday scene - "Red would become the world’s dominant hue, all creatures would self-decapitate amidst laughter, more exaggerated yet, the severed heads floated like balloons in the air, continuing their manic laughter."
Bajins even found his own head amidst this doomsday scene.
The suppressive feel brought by such an artistic conception instinctively made him retreat.
Once he realized it, the body had already backed off the stage, he was no longer the protagonist.
"Did I lose...really exaggerated.
This person could develop [laughter] to such an extent, far beyond my understanding, indeed I lost.
Ah, anyhow, I’ve been with the circus for several years, it’s time for a new Fate adventure."
Bajins maintained an optimistic and cheerful mindset, even though tears relentlessly flowed from his left cheek.
He reattached his right cheek, both faces lost any extreme emotional expression, becoming an off-stage spectator, quietly appreciating Han Dong’s performance.
At this moment.
Individuals influenced by mad laughter held hands, forming a perfect hexagon on the stage, with Han Dong surrounded at the center.
As they continued to laugh, the previously injected liquid started flowing out from their corners of their mouths, returning slowly to human shape.
And these fluids all flowed toward the center, absorbed by Han Dong.
Letting Han Dong plunge deeper into an immersive mad laugh state.
Until a prompt from the brain sounded:
『Mad Laugh Puzzle compatibility detected at 100%, [Deadly Joke] has upgraded to [Doomsday Joke], relevant features introduction as follows:
≮Doomsday Joke≯
Mad Laugh Factor dissemination rate, invasion and influence efficiency, scope of action reaches maximum.
Once invasion reaches a certain degree, it directly affects "Consciousness Space", invoking the descent of doomsday. Once doomsday forms, individuals undergo comprehensive disintegration by the root of Truth, with no possibility of resurrection.』
At this time.
Sitting in the audience seats, the ringmaster showed a surprised and uncomfortable expression.
The "Truth Limitation" was imposed personally by him,
But a strong consciousness impact attempted to shatter this shackle, the source being Han Dong on stage.
This consciousness impact conveyed through laughter was the first time the ringmaster witnessed.
Suddenly,
a trickle of nosebleed began to flow.
The butler quickly handed him a towel, the candle flame atop his head also appeared astonishing.
"Ringmaster, are you alright?"
"Nothing...just a bit unwell."
At this moment.
Han Dong ceased his insane laughter, standing at the center of the stage, gracefully bowing...he didn’t kill the cooperating audience, actively withdrew all doomsday effects.
Thus,
The circus performance concluded entirely.
The twenty participants in the final segment were severely injured but survived.
Han Dong showed a satisfied expression, feeling the changes within, the surface of the stone tablet deep within the Abyss was now glowing with a red smiley face.
『The compatibility of the first puzzle piece finally saturated...two more pieces to go.
Who’d have thought this circus trip would satisfy and unleash the residual "clown attribute," prematurely filling the puzzle’s compatibility completely.
Initially planned to follow the circus across worlds to enhance understanding of the mad laugh, now it’s no longer necessary.
I’ve enough strength to officially embark on the collection journey of the "Book of Dead Spirit."』
Having completed the performance, Han Dong did not descend from the stage front.
Instead, he turned towards the other side of the stage where Clown Bajins was.
"Mr. Bajins, my apologies! Took your place at the last moment."
"This stage was meant for more suitable individuals, I am merely a ’defeated one’...the clown title will be yours, wishing you better performances onwards."
Seizing the moment.
The ringmaster rose now, gesturing an invitation:
"Mr. Han, I formally invite you to take on the role of [Clown] in the Dark Circus."
This direct invitation from the ringmaster represents the highest honor within the circus, even allowing one to append some unimaginable benefit clauses during contract signing.
However...
"Ah? Did everyone misunderstand, I just came to observe the performance.
Mr. Bajins’ portrayal of the [Clown] is impeccable, I have no intention of vying... greatly appreciate the ringmaster’s invitation, but I’m quite occupied.
The current state of B.B.C is not optimistic, as a candidate for M and the middleman for both sides, I have many matters to attend to."
"Candidate for Prime Letters!"
The circus team members were utterly shocked, though the director, clown, and butler who had interacted with Han Dong weren’t excessively surprised.
The ringmaster showed an enlightened expression, no wonder Han Dong’s information was untraceable.
"I see...we in the circus cannot beckon someone of your caliber.
However, can you stay tonight for a post-performance banquet?"
"Of course."
"The banquet is being arranged right now, we can go over at our earliest convenience."
Upon exiting.
Han Dong suddenly placed a hand on Bajins’ shoulder, lips close to his ear, speaking softly:
"Mr. Bajins, your [laughter] carries a distinct nature, your emotional management is also the finest I’ve seen...if interested in the future, you’re welcome to work with me.
Believe we share similar identities, it will be pleasurable working together."