6

A crown gifted by friends, forged from metal. Simple and as shiny as new, it is evidently well cared for. According to the interviewee, its "significance" as an ornament is to subject his forehead to a struggle between sharp edges and skin. To avoid this, it is generally used as a bookend.

A stylish trench coat with bold colors and avant-garde design. Its value is easily overlooked due to long-term neglect.

High-end clothing never favors raindrops, but fortunately, it was born to accept such a fate.

A Persian-style golden necklace, shaped like the pinions of eagle wings, gleams softly with a gentle light. When asked about its value, the interviewee simply said, "This isn't the most valuable item on this journey." When we pressed further to find out what the most valuable item was, the interviewee only handed us a manuscript, its text half restored.

The lamp's glow is faint, barely illuminating the ground beyond two or three meters—dimmer even than a cheap kerosene lamp.

The interviewee often peers into it. When the writer asked what he could see inside, he replied, "Other people's curious expressions."

Several old scrolls, constructed in an ancient style with coarse paper, presumably were made using early papermaking techniques. It is inconvenient for writing nowadays. Its neatness piques our curiosity about its contents. When we attempted to explore its hand-drawn illustrations for ourselves, however, the interviewee unexpectedly used some sort of Arcane Skill.

A pair of ordinary gloves with numbers representing the interviewee, which can clearly be interpreted from another perspective.

It's said that in some contexts, the reversal of balance represents a mystery.

A flame-shaped tattoo on the interviewee's right forearm—a way to preserve the wavering shape of the flame while leaving out the searing pain. When we asked if it was part of his practice in "being involved and suffer," the interviewee responded with a non-committal silence.

A walking stick named "Truth." It supports not the body, but the soul. Perhaps "Experience" would be a more fitting name.

On his long spiritual journey, all he can rely upon is experience—his own, his predecessors', and theirs before them.

Several interconnected hexagons with a unique structure and arrangement seemingly implying some self-evident order. "Theoretically, this symbolizes completeness," said the interviewee, "but it has been carried away by seagulls so many times that the joints are badly worn."

A white-painted iron mask used to conceal another mask underneath.

The truth about this outfit is unknown to outsiders. Everything is shrouded in mystery, disappearing into every rainy night.

A candle holder with a bit of wax remaining. The interviewee lit the candle, letting it flicker briefly before snuffing it out.

"What matters is not the flame itself. In essence, the flame we light today is no different from the one that was lit thousands of years ago. Likewise, the flame we ignite in remembrance of this place is no different from the one that brought this place to ruin."

A sacred cloak that separates its wearer from the secular world.

The interviewee reveals not a trace of skin below the neck. Perhaps this deprivation of touch and physical feeling is also a form of practice.

Worshippers focus on religious duties, theorists delve into contemplation, empiricists perceive nature, and politicians scrutinize society. Following the path of truth, Pythagoras's disciples each went their own way. In doing so, they also caught many looks of disdain or admiration.

Silence, secrecy. Just as there is a high wall of contradiction between arcanists and humans regarding reason and spiritual knowledge, another chasm called the "commandments" decisively separates Pythagoras's followers from others.

"Do not sit on a measuring vessel," "Do not leap over a yoke," "Do not stir the fire with knives and swords"... These primitive and ancient commands obviously deter most meddlers, and only true listeners who respect the truth comprehend their deeper meaning. "Respect the eternal gods, honor your oath," "Worship outstanding heroes," "Do your utmost to avoid coercion by others"...

As centuries have passed, the original school has long been destroyed, the ancient teachings are on the brink of being lost, and the followers are forced into the endless strife of the world, vainly following the wheel of life. Yet, a small group of preachers tirelessly recites the "Golden Verses". They pave the way, establish schools, and attract believers. They inherit wisdom and knowledge across generations, and their sole mission is to lead people to a brighter path of truth.

Now, another young preacher has taken up this responsibility.

"Every day we bathe in the morning light of Apollo's star, masticating the discussions and musings of others and ourselves, digesting them along with slices of honey-coated bread..." A troubled follower clutched his stomach, his expression rather disheartened.

"But my mind is still foggy, and my stomach growls from time to time..." He looked anxiously at the leader before him. "What does this mean? Have I not resonated with the words of others at all?"

"Finding wisdom is not a day's work, 29." The leader smiled gently. "Even the most outstanding followers can't gain insight from every reading session."

"If I continue like this, I won't be able to have deeper interactions with others..." His worry apparently hadn't completely dissipated. "Am I like the prophecy of numbers, a prime number without friends?"

"There are no such prophecies in the hall of truth. Let it guide you, not restrain you."

"But... what should I do?" His anxiety seemed to lessen a bit.

"Everything will naturally arrive in balance, 29. No matter when."

The follower finally let out a long sigh of relief and left with a joyful expression.

The young leader closed the scroll and opened a new sheet of paper, sighing thoughtfully.

——Effective immediately, the portions of bread slices for some followers should be increased.

6: You are...?

Pandora Wilson: Please excuse UTTU's uninvited arrival. I'm quite curious. Before our formal conversation begins, had you anticipated this meeting with us?

6: In all honesty, no.

Pandora Wilson: Regrettably, it seems this isn't an opportune time.

Pandora Wilson: Are you still willing to cooperate with our interview?

6: That is up to you.

6: Just like with every follower's query, when a flash of enlightenment occurs, they too knock on my door.

6: And I provide the answers that I am obliged to give.

Pandora Wilson: You are a dutiful leader.

6: It is my duty.

Pandora Wilson: Interviews and answering such questions are indeed quite similar in form.

Pandora Wilson: But our content will perhaps be more blunt, or rather, confrontational.

6: No harm done. Please exercise your right.

Pandora Wilson: ...Then, are you familiar with UTTU?

6: No.

Pandora Wilson: ...I have a feeling this will indeed be a rather straightforward interview.

Pandora Wilson: By the way, the pace at which you entered the room just now seemed much brisker than when entering the Hall of Apeiron.

6: ...

Pandora Wilson: My guess is that it was for some rather more interesting reason than out of sheer anticipation for the UTTU interview.