Chapter 286 – A Taunting Smile
Klein, disguised as a worker and donning a clown mask, observes the scene from the clock tower of East Balam Dock as an airship hovers above. Suddenly, the gas lamps in the area extinguish, and a feeling of being looked down upon, reminiscent of an evil god’s presence, washes over him. The sensation is so intense that it leaves him trembling and soft-legged.
As the feeling subsides, Klein senses that the True Creator’s plot has failed, and Lanevus is no longer a significant threat. He uses his spirit pendulum to confirm this, and the divination reveals that Lanevus has been separated from the godhood bestowed upon him. This newfound knowledge gives Klein a glimmer of hope, and he decides to take action.
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Klein performs a divination to uncover Lanevus’s escape route and discovers that it leads to the slush-filled sewers beneath the city. Without hesitation, he descends into the gray fog and infiltrates the sewers, determined to intercept Lanevus and uncover the truth behind the recent events. Meanwhile, inside the red-brick building, the Nighthawks are reeling from the aftermath of the confrontation, and Lanevus stands wounded, with a mysterious void where his heart should be.
Chapter 287 – Death Battle
Klein, donning a clown mask, engages in a high-stakes battle with Lanevus in the sewer beneath East Balam Dock. With his tarot cards, Klein unleashes a hail of sharp projectiles, forcing Lanevus to dodge and weave with abnormal agility. Despite his efforts, Lanevus suffers a series of injuries, including a painful wound to his ankle and chest.
As Lanevus’s body begins to slow, he ceases dodging and allows a card to strike him, triggering a strange transformation. His wounds sprout meat tendrils, and his skin takes on a metallic sheen, as if armored. Lanevus then launches himself at Klein, who uses his acrobatic skills to evade the flurry of punches and kicks.
The two exchange blows, with Klein relying on his intuition as a Clown to outmaneuver Lanevus. As the battle rages on, Klein’s mind races to outsmart his opponent, anticipating Lanevus’s next move and plotting his counterattack. Will Klein finally uncover the truth behind Lanevus’s godhood and the recent events, or will Lanevus manage to escape once more?
Chapter 288 – A Scene Filled with Symbolism
Klein, still donning his clown mask, finds himself in a precarious situation after defeating Lanevus in the sewer beneath East Balam Dock. Realizing he can’t see in complete darkness, he’s forced to rely on his Spirit Vision to navigate the area. With the Nighthawks and military closing in, Klein knows he must act quickly to cover his tracks and escape. He searches Lanevus’s body, finding an eye-sized badge with a faint spirituality radiance, which he pockets for later examination.
As Klein hastily removes the remaining tarot cards from Lanevus’s body and scatters them around, he creates the illusion of a bizarre ritual scene. With the authorities mere minutes away, he flees the area, leaving behind a trail of confusion and mystery. Meanwhile, Crestet Cesimir and his team arrive at the scene, stunned by the eerie and cryptic display.
Back in the safety of his rented apartment, Klein breathes a sigh of relief and begins to destroy any evidence that could link him to the crime scene. He stores the badge and other items in the space above the gray fog, intending to study them later. As exhaustion sets in, Klein decides to delay his research, opting to rest and focus on the impending Tarot Club gathering.
Chapter 289 – Conjecture and Investigation
Audrey’s imagination runs wild as she envisions the eerie tarot card-covered corpse of Lanevus, courtesy of Viscount Glaint’s vivid description. She wonders about the implications of the Aurora Order’s ploy and the involvement of the True Creator’s godhood. Meanwhile, Viscount Glaint is thrilled by the mysterious ritual scene, hoping to find the mastermind behind it, unaware that it’s Audrey’s Tarot Club.
In a separate scene, Daly, a Nighthawk and high-ranking deacon, is furious upon learning about Lanevus’s death and the fact that she wasn’t informed about the operation. Crestet Cesimir, the Nighthawk leader, explains that he didn’t want to risk her emotional involvement compromising the mission. Daly’s anger and frustration are palpable as she vents her feelings, revealing a complex and driven character.
As tensions rise, the threads of the story begin to weave together, hinting at larger conflicts and mysterious forces at play. The Tarot Club’s involvement is still shrouded in mystery, but their actions are having far-reaching consequences, drawing in powerful organizations and individuals with their own agendas.
Chapter 290 – Effecting Change Indirectly
As Alger Wilson ponders the true purpose behind Mr. Fool’s simple mission, he becomes increasingly intrigued by the mysterious forces at play. Meanwhile, Audrey’s eyes widen in awe as she grasps the significance of Lanevus’s possession of godhood and the sinister implications for Backlund. She learns that the dire living conditions in East Borough, the dock area, and the factory district are unwittingly nurturing the True Creator’s descent into the mortal realm.
Mr. World’s vivid description of the hardships faced by the working class sends Audrey reeling, her naivety shattered by the harsh realities. She’s compelled to use her abilities as a Spectator and Telepathist to influence her father’s policies and bring about change. Klein, ever the puppeteer, quietly observes her reaction, having deliberately lamented to spark this response.
As the meeting unfolds, the Tarot Club members delve deeper into the mysteries of Backlund, with Alger conjuring the final page of Roselle’s diary, revealing the unsealed High-Sequence Beyonder objects’ unsettling ability to lure nearby Low-Sequence Beyonders. The threads of the story continue to intertwine, beckoning readers closer to the heart of the conspiracy.
Chapter 291 – Seller and Notary In One
As Klein toys with The World, manipulating him to offer an incomplete formula for a Sequence 4 potion, Unshadowed, in exchange for a hefty sum, Audrey’s eyes widen with curiosity. She can’t help but ask which pathway the formula pertains to, and Klein, anticipating this, reveals it to be the Sun pathway, Unshadowed. This sparks Derrick’s sudden interest, but he remains silent, aware of his limitations.
Alger, however, takes Klein aback by expressing no interest in the formula, leaving him stunned and wondering if Alger has an alternative means of acquiring it. Klein attempts to salvage the situation by offering to trade other potion formulas or secrets, but Alger remains cautious, demanding guarantees of equal value and no overlap.
The two parties agree to let Mr. Fool mediate, and the room is filled with anticipation as they prepare to exchange secrets of peak-level Sequences. Audrey watches enviously, acutely aware of her own limited resources for the first time in her life.
Chapter 292 – Exchanging News
Audrey’s curiosity is piqued as Alger reveals the identity of the pirate admiral: Ailment Girl Tracy, a Sequence 5 Beyonder with unknown pathway affiliations. Audrey requests more information about the four pirate kings and six pirate admirals, and Alger obliges, introducing figures like the King of the Five Seas, Nast, and Admiral of Stars Cattleya, who is rumored to be part of the Moses Ascetic Order. Klein’s interest is sparked by the mention of the Order, connecting it to the Mystery Pryer pathway and the Hidden Sage.
As Alger continues to share his knowledge, Audrey listens with relish, her desire to travel to the sea growing. However, Alger cautions her, painting a grim picture of the pirate world. The conversation shifts to a string of serial murders in Backlund, with Alger suspecting devil worship. Derrick suddenly blurts out that he knows about the rituals, having studied them in the City of Silver’s Devil Studies.
As Derrick reveals that the ritual is used by devils to assist in advancing from Sequence 6 to Sequence 5, Audrey’s eyes widen in surprise. The air is thick with anticipation, and Klein’s gaze is fixed on Derrick, waiting for him to share more. With secrets and mysteries unfolding, the mediation of Mr. Fool’s secrets hangs precariously in the balance.
Chapter 293 – Derricks Worry
Derrick’s eyes widen in horror as Alger reveals the Fallen Creator, a deity linked to the True Creator and the Forsaken Land of the Gods. The mention of the Shepherd pathway sends Derrick’s mind racing, as he connects it to Elder Lovia’s sudden strangeness and the City of Silver’s expeditions to ruined cities with Dragonese, Jotun, and Elvish inscriptions describing an “evil god.” His concern for the city’s safety grows, leaving Audrey disappointed as he falls silent.
As the gathering closes, Klein conceals his fatigue and suggests ending the meeting. The others bid farewell, and Klein studies the small badge obtained from Lanevus, discovering its use as a communication device in the field of mysticism. The badge reveals a mysterious message, “January 4, 1350, 8 p.m. in Babur Valley,” which Klein hopes to decipher and replicate.
With Derrick’s unease and Klein’s newfound curiosity, the air is thick with tension and mystery. The Fallen Creator looms in the shadows, casting doubts on the City of Silver’s safety and the intentions of its leaders. As the fog of secrecy deepens, the stage is set for further revelations and perilous journeys.
Chapter 294 – Admiral of Stars
Klein test-rides Leppard’s new bicycle, offering suggestions to improve its design and functionality. As they discuss the prototype, Klein emphasizes the need to reduce production costs to make it accessible to their target audience, working-class individuals earning between 70 to 300 pounds a year. Leppard shares his plan to industrialize the product, and Klein agrees to provide further investment to help cut costs and find new investors. The conversation takes an exciting turn when Leppard mentions an upcoming Emperor Roselle Memorial Exhibition, featuring the original blueprints of Roselle’s inventions, which sparks Klein’s interest.
Meanwhile, on the Sonia Sea, Alger Wilson, the Hanged Man, observes a gathering of pirates on an island with an extinct volcano. The pirates are unaware of the true purpose of the gathering, and Alger knows that the rest won’t arrive in time to escape the notice of the navies and powerful Beyonders. As Alger watches, the pirates suddenly panic and scatter, revealing a black ship with a skull flag and ghostly blue flames in its eye sockets, striking fear into their hearts.
As the chapter unfolds, Klein’s priorities are clear: he wants to keep a low profile, accumulate resources, and focus on advancing to Faceless. The introduction of the Emperor Roselle Memorial Exhibition and the ominous black ship raise questions about the deeper mysteries of this world and the dangers lurking in the shadows, leaving readers eager to uncover more.
Chapter 295 – All Ingredients Gathered
Audrey is stunned to find a massive three-meter-long Rainbow Salamander in front of her, contradicting her understanding of the Beyonder ingredient as a small, palm-sized pituitary gland. She composes herself, ordering the butler to move the specimen to the warehouse for further study. Meanwhile, she’s concerned about Susie, her golden retriever, who has digested the Spectator potion, and warns her about the risks of consuming the Telepathist potion. Audrey is surprised to learn that Susie digested the potion earlier, without her guidance, and wonders about her own abilities compared to her dog’s.
Klein, after a leisurely nap, is awakened by Alger Wilson, the Hanged Man, who has gathered two critical Beyonder ingredients for his potion: the Dark Patterned Black Panther Spinal Fluid and the Spring of the Elves Marrow Crystals. Alger requests Klein’s permission to hold a sacrificial ritual, and Klein agrees, impressed by the speed of the Hanged Man’s progress. As Klein admires the ingredients, he eagerly awaits the completion of his Magician potion, with only the true root and juice of the Mist Treant remaining.
Later, Derrick, the Sun, delivers the missing ingredients, including the heart-shaped, brown true root and the sparkling juice of the Mist Treant. With these new developments, Klein’s potion seems closer to completion, while Audrey’s interactions with Susie raise questions about the boundaries between humans and Beyonders. The stage is set for further intrigue and action in this mystical world.
Chapter 296 – Magician
Klein awakens to a new reality, his body transformed after consuming the Magician potion. He marvels at his enhanced agility and nimbleness, realizing that hard work can compensate for the lack of Beyonder powers. As he grasps the specifics of his new abilities, Klein discovers three remarkable spells: Damage Transfer, Flaming Jump, and Air Bullets, each with its unique benefits and limitations.
With his Sequence 7 powers, Klein explores the diverse magical abilities at his disposal, including Paper Figurine Substitutes, Flame Controlling, Illusion Creation, Underwater Breathing, Bone Softening, and Drawing Paper As Weapons. These abilities have already increased his strength, escape routes, and life-preservation capabilities.
Just as Klein is about to venture out, the atmosphere suddenly shifts. The gas lamps outside darken, and the crimson moon, now a full circle, illuminates the night sky. Klein’s lips whisper a single phrase: “This is the Blood Moon?” The sudden and unnatural lunar transformation foretells an ominous event, leaving Klein – and readers – wondering what’s to come.
Chapter 297 – The Full Moons Ravings
Klein, now a Magician, receives an illusory prayer from a mysterious woman, Fors, who is struggling to maintain control amidst a sinister white light enveloping her body. As he responds to her plea, he establishes a spiritual connection, calming her and extracting her from her precarious state. Fors finds herself transported to a mystical realm, surrounded by a grayish-white fog, ancient stone pillars, and a majestic palace, where Klein sits shrouded in gray fog, watching over her.
Klein’s interaction with Fors sparks a series of revelations, as he detects a faint, illusory raving in her prayers, reminiscent of his own experiences before rising above the gray fog. He begins to suspect a connection between Fors, the ravings, and Mr. Door, a figure mentioned in Roselle’s diary. The Blood Moon, an ominous event, casts an eerie atmosphere, heightening the sense of foreboding.
As Fors regains her composure, she addresses Klein as “Mr. Fool,” and the room transforms, with layers of illusory doors materializing around her. Klein’s intuition is piqued, and he starts to conjecture about the links between Fors, Mr. Door, and the Blood Moon, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the mysteries lurking in the shadows.
Chapter 298 – Together Again
Fors regains consciousness in her living room, relieved to have escaped the sinister white light and grateful to the mysterious Mr. Fool who saved her. As she reflects on her ordeal, she notices her hair has grown longer and denser, a testament to the profound change she’s undergone. Meanwhile, Klein ponders the cryptic ravings Fors shared, suspecting a connection to Mr. Door, a figure from Roselle’s diary, and the impending Blood Moon.
Klein’s thoughts are occupied by the enigmatic Fors, whom he believes may hold the key to unraveling the mysteries surrounding Mr. Door. He considers using his unique abilities to remotely control her, allowing him to uncover the truth. As he delves deeper into his plans, Fors returns to her ordinary life, hiding her true state from her roommate Xio. The atmosphere is tense, with the Blood Moon casting an eerie glow over the city.
In the midst of Fors’s recovery and Klein’s scheming, a darker threat looms in the shadows. The Killer Demon strikes again, claiming new victims and sending the police into a frenzy. Klein, now a powerful Beyonder, feels the urge to intervene, but he resists, choosing to maintain his secret identity. As the city teeters on the brink of chaos, Klein focuses on his own plans, preparing to sell his valuable Spring of the Elves marrow crystals at a gathering the following night.
Chapter 299 – Snapping Fingers
Klein, sporting a stubble and gold-rimmed glasses, enters a luxurious living room in West Borough, accompanied by Rogo Colloman. The atmosphere is warm, with lit fireplaces and golden decorations. They’re greeted by Adol, a 15-year-old boy, who sits shivering and hugging himself, wrapped in a thick fur coat. Adol’s dark blue hair has lost its luster, and his aura is tainted with a deep blackish-green sheen, indicating possession by wraiths. Klein discreetly examines him, detecting the telltale signs of haunting.
As Klein surveys the room, he meets the other guests, including Detective Kaslana and her assistant Lydia, both armed with revolvers, and Stuart, who sits opposite them. Klein exchanges pleasantries, removing his coat and hat, and later impresses them with his imitation of a gunshot sound using his cane, catching them off guard. The tension is momentarily broken, but the air remains thick with anticipation.
With Adol’s condition and the presence of various detectives, the chapter sets the stage for a thrilling mystery to unfold. Klein’s cunning and unique abilities have already made an impact, and as the story progresses, the stakes will likely escalate, putting his skills to the test.
Chapter 300 – Spirit Dance
Klein attempts to calm Adol, who’s struggling to recall his recent actions, and gently prods him to reveal more about his mysterious past. As Adol’s memories trickle back, he confesses to joining a secret society that believes death is not the end and can be reversed through mysticism. They’ve been attempting to revive the dead, even going so far as to dig up graves and buy corpses from hospitals. Klein connects the dots, recognizing the teachings of the Numinous Episcopate, a group notorious for their attempts to defy death.
Adol’s account is laced with fear and excitement, revealing a Spirit Dance ritual gone wrong, which led to his current state. Klein pieces together the events, suspecting Adol became a test subject for his companions. As Adol remembers his missing memories, Klein tries to reassure him, hiding his own concerns about dealing with wraiths and shadow-related creatures as a Magician.
As the conversation concludes, Adol realizes he’s missed the latest gathering, a resurrection ritual outside Grimm Cemetery, and is torn between his desire to flee and his curiosity about the mystical world. Klein offers support, but his own thoughts are consumed by the limitations of his Magician abilities and the need for items or charms to counter undead creatures, leaving the reader wondering what dangers lie ahead for both Adol and Klein.
