Chapter 2: My colleague is Zhou Mingrui
That name… Zhou Mingrui? The real name of the protagonist of "Lord of Mysteries"?
This familiar name aroused my curiosity, and I looked up sharply.
"The Lord of Mysteries." The title rang in my mind, not just as a beloved novel but also as the very last thing I was reading before I found myself thrust into this parallel world.
My mind raced with a flurry of thoughts, some filled with incredulity.
The next second, my eyes froze.
Standing before us was a young man with black hair and brown eyes, exuding the fresh, unpolished vigor of someone who had just stepped out of university. But that wasn't what caught my attention. What stunned me was the strange familiarity of his face. Very familiar.
If his face were thinner, his features more profound, his expression more stern...
A different figure gradually materialized in my mind's eye.
A lonely man with black hair and brown eyes, a thin face, and a cold temperament. He wore a black windbreaker over dark trousers, a half-high silk hat on his head, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and black gloves covering his hands. An iron-black revolver rested in his gun bag.
Behind him loomed a crimson moon, casting an eerie light. His face was slightly blurred by the moon's glow, but his deep brown eyes were strikingly clear, piercing through the night.
Klein Moretti, who had used the Faceless Man's ability to create a new alias, Gehrman Sparrow, based on Zhou Mingrui's appearance before the time travel.
Gehrman Sparrow, the mad adventurer renowned for assassinating Vice Admiral Disease Tracy, who saw pirates as walking gold pounds, killing them and selling their extraordinary items to the Tarot Club as if it were the most normal thing in the world. His notoriety echoed across the five seas, his feats legendary, his ruthlessness unparalleled.
The "World" of the Tarot Club, who had personally driven an ancient wooden stake through the heart of the "Fool."
Gehrman Sparrow.
No way, right?
I was stunned by the vivid scene my mind had conjured. Could it really be? Was this young man standing before me somehow connected to the character from the novel I had been so engrossed in?
Just as I was lost in my scattered thoughts, I heard Zhou Mingrui's second self-
introduction:
"... The position I'm applying for in the spring recruitment is hardware design engineer..."
Indeed, since the old are assigned to lead the new, it would make sense to have hardware engineers mentor software programmers
The room seemed to buzz with the murmurs of my colleagues, their excitement palpable as they speculated about the new recruits.
But I could hardly focus on their idle chatter. My mind was reeling..
I tried to steady my breath, taking a moment to sip my coffee, hoping the familiar bitterness would ground me. But the question remained—how was this possible? Was it mere coincidence, or was there something more profound at play?
No way, that…
My thoughts raced as I tried to process the situation. Could it really be true? Was I somehow living in the world of the novel "Lord of Mysteries"?
As a writer, I often drew motivation and inspiration from other books, and "Lord of Mysteries" had always been a favorite of mine. Its rigorous settings, strict logic, and intricate mysteries had captivated me, making me a loyal fan.
I had watched interviews with Cuttlefish, the author, and learned about many character settings that didn't appear in the original book. I even delved into the wiki for more information on the history of "Lord of Mysteries."
Before waking up in this parallel world, I had been re-reading that very book. Among the many characters, Klein Moretti, also known as Zhou Mingrui, stood out. His journey, his transformations, and his struggles were etched into my memory.
But now, seeing someone who looked exactly like Klein in my new reality, I couldn't help but feel an unsettling sense of déjà vu.
Among the details I remember was Klein's occupation as Zhou Mingrui. Before traveling through time, he worked in IT and was a hardware engineer.
It was difficult for me to describe my mood at this moment. I could only let out an imperceptible sigh, my mind grappling with the implications. Klein's appearance meant one thing: the place I had traveled to was not the parallel universe I had expected.
This was not some alternate version of my world. Instead, I had somehow ended up in the old capital from "Lord of Mysteries," a place that only existed in the novel I cherished.
As time passed, whether it was three years, five years, or ten years, the Prime Creator would awaken from his slumber. When that happened, all the prosperity of Earth's civilization would face silent annihilation.
The future I had envisioned—enjoying my life to the fullest until old age—was suddenly gone. My plans were overturned, leaving me in a state of shock and sadness.
I felt a profound sense of loss, as if the ground beneath my feet had shifted. All my dreams and aspirations seemed futile in the face of such an inevitable and catastrophic future. I was silent, allowing the weight of this revelation to sink in.
It was disheartening, knowing that my carefully laid plans were now meaningless.
When unexpected misfortune strikes, it is natural to feel the urge to complain. To vent one's frustrations and rage against the unfairness of it all.
But complaining wouldn't change anything. I couldn't alter the course of fate that had been set in motion.
The reality was harsh and unyielding, and I had to face it.
After the future was completely denied, my desire to survive grew stronger. It drove me to think about remedial measures, to find a way to navigate this new reality. If I was truly in the world of "Lord of Mysteries," then I needed to prepare. I needed to adapt and find a way to thrive despite the looming threat.
I looked around the conference room, my colleagues chatting casually, oblivious to the inner turmoil I was experiencing.
Zhou Mingrui continued his introduction, unaware of the significance his presence held for me. I clenched my cup tighter, feeling the warmth seep into my fingers, grounding me.
As the introductions wrapped up, I resolved to gather more information. I needed to understand the dynamics of this world and figure out how I could leverage my knowledge of the novel to my advantage.
Perhaps there were clues within the story that could help me navigate this reality
First, I need to determine the exact time when Zhou Mingrui—known in the novel as Klein Moretti—traveled through time.
This detail is crucial yet curiously elusive in the original "Lord of Mysteries" novel.
Cuttlefish, the author, never provided a definitive answer, and discussions among fans are filled with speculation.
As a devoted follower of the story, I had always taken pleasure in delving into the minutiae of the plot, seeking out hidden details and unspoken hints. Now, that passion became a lifeline.
Reflecting on the clues provided in the original work, I recalled a significant scene during one of the weekly Tarot Club meetings. Klein, in his role as the Fool, read from Roselle's diary.
The diary entry was particularly telling, mentioning several modern elements that tied back to real-world timelines. Among these were references to popular culture and technological advancements:
"I haven't finished reading Lin Gao's Five Hundred Good-for-Nothings, and there are so many beauties that are awaiting me on Tik Tok. The games, Kings of Glory and PUBG, are still waiting for me. Thinking about them makes me feel a little depressed."
Klein's reaction to this entry was initially to place Roselle's time travel around three to five years before his own. However, he later corrected this estimation, realizing that the actual gap between their respective time travels could be no more than a year.
For me, this reference is more than just a hint; it's a puzzle piece that needs to be placed correctly. TikTok, a short video platform developed by ByteDance, was officially launched in September 2016.
"Honor of Kings," a popular mobile MOBA game developed by Tencent's Tianmei Studio, officially launched in November 2015. "PUBG," a tactical competitive shooting game developed by South Korea's Krafton Studio, was released overseas in March 2017 and saw its domestic Chinese launch in December 2017, with Tencent as its agent.
By correlating these dates, we can infer that Klein's time travel occurred between December 2017 and December 2018.
This period aligns with significant cultural milestones that Klein references.
Adding another layer of complexity, the serialization of "Lord of Mysteries" began on April 1, 2018. Given the author's penchant for dramatic and ritualistic touches, it's plausible that he set the start date of the book to coincide with a pivotal moment, such as the protagonist's time travel or his ascent to Sefirah Castle.
While this is speculative, it provides a direction for my investigation. Today is July 1, 2015, placing me 29 months away from December 2017 and 33 months from April 2018. This gives me a clear timeframe to work with—at least two years and five months—during which I can develop a plan.
Returning to the present, I focused on Zhou Mingrui, now standing in front of me.
Introducing himself to the room. My heart raced as I thought about the implications of his presence. This was a world filled with danger and mystery, where supernatural forces and ancient gods played their games, and I was now a part of it.
Just as I emerged from my musings, the introduction ended. Sir Wei asked the newcomers to sit next to us old employees, one-on-one. He then began assigning work.
"I didn't get an answer right away. Soon, Sir Wei's words interrupted my thoughts,
'Meng Xian, the newcomer assigned to you is Zhou Mingrui.'"
Huh? Me?
I looked up, facing Sir Wei's half-smiling expression, feeling like I was walking into a trap.
Oh no.
It's him.
It really him.
As Zhou Mingrui sat down beside me, I sensed his calm and courteous demeanor.
The shock and disbelief I felt were overwhelming. My heart raced as I tried to process the situation. How could this be happening?
I had just traveled into a novel, and now the protagonist was my colleague.
His handshake was firm but gentle, a reflection of his character. "Thank you, Miss Meng Xian. I'm looking forward to working with you.
I realized I had to adopt a strategic approach.
I needed to build a bond with Zhou Mingrui, ensuring I could survive the upcoming cataclysms. I couldn't afford to be reckless; every move had to be calculated.
"Nice to meet you, Zhou Mingrui," I said, extending my hand with a warm smile. "I'm Meng Xian. Welcome to the team."