At Akechi's clarification Maruki's eyes widen in surprise before he tilts his head, closing his eyes as he focused on the words God of Control and welp- that-

"Huh."

A wave of understanding passes his face. "That makes so much sense," he considers. "The people weren't responding at all, in fact everything seemed so awfully normal to them. Almost like their entire cognition was changed and they didn't find anything strange about all those metaphysical changes...hmmm..."

Changing that element of normalcy by tapping into the subconscious and for that to affect everyone that would mean-

For a moment he spaces out as he crosses one arm to his chest, the other scratching at the slight stubble poking from his chin. "...!" Akechi's sigh picks up his attention again as he releases his chin and coughs out awkwardly.

"A hostile dystopia for...a Nirvana?" He squints at him for what he just said, not attempting to push at his boundaries yet considering just how guarded he looked. "The highest form that one can achieve, free from pain and suffering as they reach a new state of enlightenment. I studied about it since religion plays an immense role in human pyschology but-"

For a man who had been bumbling and clumsily following through with everything that Akechi said, he seemed almost fascinated. They were talking about paradise after all.
He looks about, staring at the sigils on the floor then hearing the distant tremours and thrashing of what was lightning following closely with thunder. He jumped a little, shoulders hunching as he quivered a little and loosened up again. "...!"