Chapter 136 – The Stumped Klein
Klein’s investigation takes a surprising turn as he encounters a mysterious oil painting in a motel, depicting a man who looks uncannily like Mr. Azik, a figure from fourteen or fifteen hundred years ago. The proprietor of the motel, a nervous blond man, claims that the painting is a copy made by his grandfather, who found the original in an ancient castle over forty years ago. Klein’s interrogation yields few concrete answers, but he senses that the truth behind the painting and its connection to Mr. Azik is far more sinister.
As Klein reflects on the encounter, he begins to formulate theories about Mr. Azik’s true nature, including the possibility of immortality or reincarnation. He recalls memories of his interactions with Mr. Azik, searching for clues that might explain the man’s enigmatic past. Klein’s deductions lead him to suspect that Mr. Azik may have lived for over a thousand years, potentially losing his memories in a cyclical pattern, and that his dreams may be fragments of past lives.
With his mind racing with possibilities, Klein ponders whether to share his findings with Captain Dunn, aware that unraveling the truth about Mr. Azik’s identity could have far-reaching consequences. As the mystery deepens, Klein’s determination to uncover the truth only grows stronger, driven by a sense of unease and fascination with the secrets that lie hidden in the shadows.
Chapter 137 – City of Silver
Derrick stands in the Mortuary, surrounded by the eerie atmosphere of the City of Silver, as he’s faced with an unspeakable horror – ending the lives of his own parents. The elder, dressed in a long black robe, urges him to draw the silver sword and fulfill the cursed fate of the People of the Dark, who are forsaken by God. Derrick’s memories of his loving family flash before his eyes as he reluctantly takes the sword, his vision blurring with tears and blood as he completes the gruesome task.
As Derrick flees the Mortuary, he’s consumed by grief and despair, his mind reeling with the weight of his destiny. He stumbles back to his empty, cold house, searching for solace in the crystal ball his father once used to worship a long-forgotten deity. With desperation, he pleads to the Magnificent Deity to free the People of the Dark from their cursed fate, offering his own life in exchange.
In the midst of Derrick’s anguish, a dark red glow erupts from the crystal ball, casting an ominous light on the young boy’s future. The fate of the City of Silver, and Derrick’s own destiny, hangs precariously in the balance as the darkness closes in around him.
Chapter 138 – Giant Pathway
Klein listens intently as Derrick recounts the tragic history of the City of Silver, a world ravaged by monsters and darkness. The young man’s tale speaks of a catastrophic event that triggered humanity’s Dark Ages, forcing the people of the City of Silver to fend for themselves amidst the chaos. Derrick’s descriptions evoke a sense of despair, and Klein senses the pain and sorrow emanating from him.
As Derrick continues, Klein’s interest is piqued by the mention of Black-Faced Grass, a mysterious plant that allowed the City of Silver’s inhabitants to survive. He learns about the unique system of timekeeping in the City, where “day” and “night” are defined by the frequency of lightning storms. Derrick’s story weaves a mesmerizing narrative, hinting at the existence of secret organizations and mysterious Sequence pathways.
Klein’s eyes light up as Derrick reveals the names of the Giant Sequence pathway, including the Beyonder Warrior, Gladiator, and Weapons Master. He senses a connection between this ancient sequence and the one controlled by the Church of the God of Combat. As Derrick finishes speaking, Klein’s mind races with questions, his analytical mind working overtime to unravel the mysteries of the City of Silver and its connections to the world beyond.
Chapter 139 – Studying 3-0782
As the crimson light dissipates, Derrick Berg finds himself back in his room, the crystal ball shattered, and a mysterious symbol etched on the back of his palm. He’s no longer lost, but still filled with grief and pain. Meanwhile, Klein Moretti, the leader of the Tarot Club, reflects on his recent recruitment of Derrick, thinking he’s tricked him into joining. Klein’s focus shifts to the City of Silver, where at least three High-Sequence Beyonders exist, and he begins to plan his next move.
Klein returns to the inn, where he meets up with Dunn and Frye, discussing their investigations into the mysterious wraith. They share their findings, and Klein reveals he didn’t fall for a scam involving a fake antique oil painting. The conversation turns to their next mission: removing Sealed Artifact 3-0782 from the town to prevent its influence from affecting the inn’s inhabitants. Klein volunteers to take on the task, and Frye agrees to accompany him to hand over the artifact.
As the group prepares for their mission, tensions simmer beneath the surface. Klein’s cunning and analytical mind are on full display as he navigates the complex web of secrets and mysteries in the City of Silver. With the stakes rising, the stage is set for a thrilling adventure that will test the limits of Klein and his companions.
Chapter 140 – Expert At Courting Death
Klein, still reeling from his recent encounter with the mysterious golden liquid, decides to attempt a divination to uncover its origins. As he recites the divination statement, he’s thrust into a vivid dreamworld where he witnesses a golden, blazing sun and a wave of pure, clean light. But the experience takes a dark turn when the vision abruptly cuts off, leaving Klein’s body Charred and his mind reeling.
As he struggles to comprehend what just happened, Klein realizes that his divination has caused unprecedented damage to the mysterious space above the gray fog, shattering the ancient bronze table and crumbling the lofty palace. He’s left shaken, fearing that he may have narrowly escaped death and vowing to be more cautious in his future experiments.
In the aftermath, Klein reflects on the experience, distilling valuable knowledge from his brief encounter with the Eternal Blazing Sun. He records his findings, including crucial warnings and insights into the realm of the Sun, and begins to formulate new rules for his Seer principle. As he processes the revelations, Klein’s determination to navigate the complex web of secrets and mysteries in the City of Silver only grows stronger.
Chapter 141 – Nightmare
Klein, still reeling from his recent divination experiment, takes a moment to collect himself, reflecting on the unprecedented damage he may have caused to the mysterious space above the gray fog. As he struggles to comprehend the aftermath, he realizes the importance of caution and begins to formulate new rules for his Seer principle. With the Mutated Sun Sacred Emblem safely stored away, Klein awaits Corpse Collector Frye’s arrival, using Quelaag’s Oil to refresh his mind and fight off fatigue.
Frye’s timely arrival brings a sense of relief, and Klein hands over the emblem, downplaying his exhaustion. As their meeting concludes, Klein returns to the inn, his weariness finally getting the better of him. His dreams, however, are soon invaded by Captain Dunn, who silently observes him from outside the window of 2 Daffodil Street.
Klein’s dream shifts, and he finds himself seated at the dinner table, where Dunn unexpectedly enters, devouring the meal with haste. The gray-eyed Captain’s unorthodox behavior leaves Klein bewildered, unsure what to make of this strange encounter.
Chapter 142 – Association
Klein meets with Daxter Guderian, a Spectator, to discuss Hood Eugen, a patient in the asylum who’s a member of the Psychology Alchemists. Daxter reveals that Hood Eugen seems to be training his Beyonder powers, possibly using an “acting method” to resist the negative influence of his potion. Klein, intrigued, begins to think deeply about the implications, realizing that even a Sequence 7 member like Daxter doesn’t know the “acting method”, which could be hiding in plain sight within ancient organizations like the Church of the Evernight Goddess.
As Klein delves deeper into his thoughts, he suspects that the Church might be aware of the “acting method” but chose to keep it hidden for some reason. He plans to investigate further by searching for records of Beyonders in the Church who digested their potions quickly. Meanwhile, Klein reassures Daxter, who’s struggling with his own mental health, that as a subsidiary member of the Nighthawks, he’ll receive help to maintain control.
Daxter, however, sees through Klein’s partial dishonesty, asking what he truly wants from him. Klein smiles, leaving the answer open-ended, as their conversation comes to a close.
Chapter 143 – The Fools Real-time Translator
Klein paces around the small shooting range, pondering the intent of the Church of the Evernight Goddess regarding the Seer pathway. He suspects that they might be hiding the “acting method” and wonders if Nighthawks who choose this pathway could become “vengeful spirits” for the Antigonus family. This sparks intense wariness towards the Church’s higher-ups, making him reconsider openly handing over the special application to become a Clown.
As Klein collects himself, he continues with his daily shooting practice and maintenance. Upon returning home, he encounters Elizabeth, Melissa’s classmate, who has come to thank him for his divination that helped her overcome her nightmares. Klein humors her and is relieved that his explanation wasn’t necessary. He then consolidates his thoughts, resolving to take things one step at a time.
In the world above the gray fog, Klein performs a divination, asking if he should obtain the Clown potion through the Nighthawks. The answer is positive, and he feels it’s appropriate. However, he knows that future sequences will be challenging and decides to seriously develop his Tarot Club. Klein then uses his abilities to contact the youth from the City of Silver, seeking to know if he revealed the events in this world to the six-member council.
Chapter 144 – Three-Way Deal
Klein’s Tarot Club gathering commences with Audrey seeking the Telepathist potion formula in exchange for new pages of Roselle’s diary. She awkwardly offers monetary compensation, which Klein humors, suggesting she receive the formula once she fully digests the Spectator potion. The Sun, Derrick Berg, unexpectedly intervenes, revealing his knowledge of the Telepathist pathway and its connection to the Dragon race, much to Klein’s dismay.
Derrick’s hasty words expose his origins, linking the City of Silver to the Giant King’s imperial household and its history with the Dragon race. Klein wisely refrains from intervening, allowing Derrick to continue and solidify his enigmatic image in the eyes of the other members. Audrey and Alger are left intrigued, sensing that Klein is already aware of the City of Silver’s secrets.
As the conversation unfolds, Derrick’s questions about the group’s city-state affiliations are met with an air of mystery, leaving him to wonder about the true nature of the Tarot Club members. Amidst the exchange, Klein’s calm and enigmatic demeanor only adds to the intrigue, as he seems to be pulling the strings from behind the scenes, orchestrating a grander scheme.
Chapter 145 – Request for Cooperation
Klein’s eyes narrow as he reads the diary pages, surprised by the revelation that some Sequence pathways are interchangeable after Sequence 5. He commits the information to memory, aware that Emperor Roselle’s words might be true or FALSE. Klein ponders the implications, wondering which pathways are connected to the Seer pathway. His thoughts are interrupted as he shifts his focus to the Tarot Club members, smiling at their interactions.
Audrey shares the update on the open selection of government officials through examinations, which has garnered the King and Prime Minister’s support. Alger mocks the King’s decision, while Klein worries about his brother Benson’s chances in the upcoming examinations. Audrey requests the extra payment promised by Alger for delivering news about the King’s decision on the Feysac Empire.
The conversation continues, with Derrick’s enigmatic presence still lingering in the air. Klein remains calm, orchestrating the grand scheme from behind the scenes. As the meeting unfolds, the Tarot Club members continue to intrigue each other, unaware of the secrets Klein has uncovered from Roselle’s diary.
Chapter 146 – Creeping Hunger
Audrey inquires about the magical item, Creeping Hunger, possessed by Qilangos, learning that it requires a living person’s soul and flesh to satiate its hunger every other day. Alger reveals that Qilangos’s abilities, including driving targets crazy and summoning light, are likely effects of the magical item. Derrick suddenly interjects, linking Qilangos’s powers to the Shepherd Sequence job, which can swallow and control other Beyonder souls, making them extremely formidable.
Klein’s expression changes, but he maintains his calm demeanor, intrigued by the revelation. Derrick explains that Shepherds can utilize the abilities of the souls they consume, making them unpredictable and powerful. The group realizes that Creeping Hunger may be similar to a Sealed Artifact, sparking Klein’s curiosity about other Sequence pathways and Sealed Artifacts.
As the conversation unfolds, Audrey’s determination to take down Qilangos grows, and she considers offering a price to persuade Mr. Fool to intervene. However, she acknowledges that such a powerful figure cannot be easily swayed. With newfound understanding, Audrey accepts the mission to find Qilangos, but expresses uncertainty about her ability to succeed.
Chapter 147 – Night Visitor
Klein receives the investigation report from Detective Henry, paying the remaining four pounds in cash. He leaves the office, removes his mask, and searches for a suitable cafe to organize the report. After finding a decent cafe, he reviews the report, noting 1179 buildings with dark red chimneys and 546 buildings with the specific chimney described by the requester. He identifies 25 buildings with changed tenants and plans to investigate 15 of them that day, using his spiritual sense to recognize the signs from his dream.
As Klein investigates the buildings, he remains cautious, aware that the mastermind behind the coincidences may have left no traces. He visits 15 buildings before dinner but finds none that match the one from his dream. Undeterred, he analyzes the possibilities, considering that the person might be confident, unaware of exposure, or being protected by another power. With no leads, Klein returns home, preparing dinner for Benson and Melissa.
The evening unfolds quietly, with the siblings bidding each other goodnight and retreating to their rooms. Klein’s investigation continues, driven by his determination to uncover the truth behind the mysterious Qilangos and Creeping Hunger.
Chapter 148 – Messenger
Klein meets with Daly, a translucent Spirit Medium, who praises his exceptional wisdom and open mind for grasping the “acting method” of controlling the potion. Daly reveals that the Church of the Evernight Goddess knows about the method, but doesn’t share it with Nighthawks, requiring them to swear not to reveal it to anyone. Those who master the method can become high-ranking deacons or even Grounded Angels, but the Church’s motives for secrecy remain unclear.
Daly explains that she hopes Klein will inform Dunn about the “acting method” and shares her own experiences, including her failure to understand it initially. She requests Klein’s help in uncovering the Church’s reasons for hiding the method, offering to provide guidance and assistance in return. Klein agrees, and Daly teaches him a ritualistic magic to summon a special spirit that can deliver messages between them.
As Klein learns the magic, he realizes its uniqueness lies in praying to oneself, avoiding the constraints of a god’s domain. However, the strength of the magic depends on the individual’s power. Daly warns Klein to be precise in the ritual to avoid attracting a terrifying monster. With this new knowledge, Klein is determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious Qilangos and Creeping Hunger, and he looks forward to receiving Daly’s guidance in the future.
Chapter 149 – Direct Hint
Klein shares his realization about the “acting method” with Captain Dunn, carefully avoiding mentioning the term directly. He explains that the names of Sequence potions encompass a set of principles that help Nighthawks gain control over them, and that these principles are hidden, requiring them to make conclusions from their corresponding job. Dunn listens intently, his expression unreadable, but Klein senses that he might not fully understand the implications.
As Klein prepares to leave for his mysticism lessons with Old Neil, he encounters two new clerks in the office and makes a mental note to submit his special application to Dunn soon. Upon arriving at the armory, he finds Old Neil dispirited and struggling with constipation, which he had tried to alleviate through ritualistic magic. Klein uses his Spirit Vision to assess Old Neil’s health and finds some darkness and impurities in his digestive system, but nothing too serious.
With Old Neil’s health concerns addressed, Klein offers to help guard the armory and study, allowing Old Neil to rest. As he observes the situation, Klein remains determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious Qilangos and Creeping Hunger, and he looks forward to receiving guidance from Daly in the future. Meanwhile, he continues to navigate the complex web of relationships and secrets within the Nighthawks, careful not to reveal too much about his own understanding of the “acting method.”
Chapter 150 – Aziks Discovery
Klein returns home, where Melissa greets him with excitement, having bought groceries for dinner. However, Klein informs her he’ll be leaving for Lamud Town to help Mr. Azik, a Khoy University teacher, and won’t return until dawn. He departs, meeting Azik, who has hired a rented carriage for their journey. As they approach the ancient abandoned castle, Azik’s solemn expression and quickened pace put Klein on high alert, sensing something is amiss.
Upon arriving at the castle, Azik’s demeanor changes, his eyes taking on a dreamy tone as he recounts memories of the castle from his dreams. Klein’s Spirit Vision reveals the truth: Azik is connected to the castle, and his words send shivers down Klein’s spine. The mysteries surrounding Azik’s past deepen, and Klein begins to wonder if the man is indeed the first-generation Baron Lamud, a transcendental creature.
As they enter the castle’s basement, Azik opens the secret door with ease, leading Klein to the coffin where Frye had been. The coffin is now closed, and the warm feeling is gone, replaced by an air of sorrow. Azik’s emotional outburst, wailing in pain and sorrow, forces Klein to retreat, sensing the darkness emanating from Azik. As Azik regains composure, Klein waits cautiously, unsure of what to expect next.