A novel-game, a novel-shifter, from the cycle of Boris Akunin "Genres". It consists of two interconnected, but completely autonomous parts, where readers are invited, together with the main character, not only to solve the most intricate riddles and solve ingenious tasks, but also to build their own thread of the story relatively independently, answering questions correctly or incorrectly at the end of each chapter. Like in a computer game-quest. In this double novel, the action begins in the thirties of the last century. The discovery of the elixir of genius immediately leads to attempts to steal it. It is no longer individuals who are involved, but entire state intelligence services. Plus, an American billionaire intervenes, dreaming of world domination. The situation is so confused that the fate of all mankind is at stake. And in order to save the human race, one has to move even further into the depths of historical eras ... Will there be an end to all this?
