Chapter 481 – Statistics and People
Klein, still recovering from his illness, carefully tends to his wet bills and modifies his appearance to blend in with the Northern Continent. He then proceeds to bring out the Creeping Hunger above the gray fog, studying it safely and discovering its five souls and their corresponding powers. As he delves deeper, he makes a solemn promise to the suffering souls, vowing to free them by replacing them with those from heinous criminals.
Klein experiments with the Creeping Hunger, learning to harness its powers, but realizes that some abilities overlap with his own. He contemplates releasing the souls, using their characteristics to his advantage, and plans to channel the spirit of Faceless to gather information on high Sequences of the Seer pathway. Meanwhile, he also thinks about feeding the Creeping Hunger human souls and flesh to use it effectively.
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As Klein reflects on his recent experiences, he recalls the Master Key’s destruction and its Beyonder characteristic’s transformation into dots of light. He realizes that this method could potentially rid Beyonder characteristics of mental corruption, but the challenge lies in destroying a solidified item. His thoughts are interrupted by a divination revelation, which sends his expression sinking, leaving him lost in thought amidst the eternal gray fog.
Chapter 482 – Ring out the Old, Ring in the New
As the 31st of December unfolds, Emlyn White tends to the victims of the plague at the Harvest Church, brewing medicine and distributing it with Father Utravsky. However, his disdainful attitude towards the patients and his resentment towards Father Utravsky’s faith become apparent. Emlyn reveals his plan to leave the church soon, but Father Utravsky’s words calm him, explaining that the psychological cue will be removed, freeing Emlyn from his obligations.
Meanwhile, Benson returns home to Melissa, excited to share his news about booking second-class tickets to Backlund on January 3rd. Despite Melissa’s concerns about the city’s poor air quality and recent tragedies, Benson reassures her that the government will pass legislation to regulate pollution. He also shares his encounter with factory owners recruiting people with promises of better working conditions, hinting at the possibility of change.
As the evening progresses, the atmosphere shifts towards anticipation, with three sets of utensils and cups laid out on the table, awaiting the arrival of the new year. The contrast between Emlyn’s tumultuous inner world and Benson’s hopeful outlook sets the stage for the unfolding events, raising questions about the characters’ futures and the world they inhabit.
Chapter 483 – New Identity
Klein stands at the window of his Pritz Harbor lodgings, gazing out at the sea waves and reflecting on his recent experiences in Backlund. He sits down to pen a letter to Mr. Azik, detailing his encounters with the Numinous Episcopate and the copper whistle he obtained from an elder who crawled out of his coffin. Klein suspects the original owner of the whistle is a high-ranking member of the Numinous Episcopate trying to revive Death.
As he finishes the letter, Klein summons a messenger using the copper whistle given to him by Mr. Azik, adding the Dark Emperor card and the whistle to the envelope. The messenger is a towering figure made of white bones with burning black fire in its eye sockets, which disappears into the ground after receiving the letter. Klein then assumes his new identity as Gehrman Sparrow, a bounty hunter, and prepares for his voyage.
Above the fog, Klein retrieves Creeping Hunger and attempts to release the Faceless, sensing the twisted and illusory souls. The Faceless appears as a middle-aged man with a blurry face, whose painful feelings dissipate as he bows to Klein. Klein stabilizes the man’s spirit and asks about the location of live mermaids, learning that they can be found by sailing from the Gargas Archipelago towards the Sonia Sea.
Chapter 484 – Asymmetrical
As the Tarot Club members gather, they discuss the recent great smog and plague outbreak in Backlund, with Emlyn speculating about the involvement of a Demoness of Despair and the Church of the Lord of Storms. Alger, meanwhile, is confident that the incident was a struggle between deities, and he’s eager to uncover the truth behind it. Audrey, grateful for the warning from Mr. World, thanks him for his help in saving tens of thousands of lives, revealing that the Demoness of Despair was wiped out and the Primordial Demoness’s awakening was prevented.
As the conversation unfolds, Emlyn and Alger react with shock and awe, trying to process the enormity of the events. Emlyn wonders if Mr. Fool is an incarnation of a true god or if there’s an alliance of deities behind him, while Alger ponders what benefits Mr. Fool could have gained from sabotaging the evil gods’ plans. Meanwhile, Fors is frightened by the revelation, realizing that the life she thought was peaceful was actually fragile and susceptible to destruction.
Klein, as Mr. Fool, smiles and accepts the gratitude, but remains enigmatic, leaving Audrey and the others to continue speculating about the mysteries surrounding him. As the meeting concludes, Audrey apologizes for not being able to obtain the follow-up pages to Roselle’s diary, but Klein assures her that he can wait another week. The chapter ends with more questions than answers, leaving readers eager to uncover the secrets of this complex and intricate world.
Chapter 485 – Rich Information
Klein, still in awe from the previous gathering, delves deeper into Roselle’s diary, his attention captured by the mention of Hermes, an ancient powerhouse. He learns that Hermes, a living fossil of human mysticism, created a Beyonder language that belongs to humans, using Jotun and Dragonese as blueprints. Klein’s emotional response is a mix of reverence and terror, acknowledging Hermes’ significance and the Twilight Hermit Order’s grandeur.
As Klein continues reading the diary, he becomes increasingly invested in the writer’s excitement and awe, discovering that Hermes is part of the Twilight Hermit Order. The writer’s thoughts reveal a determination to succeed, recognizing that not all members share the same ideals, with some being ambitious or merely lurking. Klein’s curiosity grows as the writer questions how the organization vetted them, suspecting a High-Sequence Beyonder of the Spectator pathway might be involved.
Klein’s fascination boils over as he reaches the diary’s end, only to be left with unanswered questions. The sudden cutoff sparks his frustration, leaving him yearning to transmigrate and extract more information from Roselle about Hermes’ enigmatic answer.
Chapter 486 – Klein’s Conjectures
As Derrick recounts his sixth exploration, he shares the mysterious tale of the Rose Redemption murals and the enigmatic little boy, Jack, who hails from Enmat Harbor in the Loen Kingdom. The mention of Enmat Harbor sparks a crucial realization in Klein’s mind, connecting it to the Forsaken Land of the Gods and the City of Silver, potentially bridging the Northern and Southern continents. The room is abuzz with excitement, curiosity, and worry as the mysterious Angel of Fate, Tail Devourer Ouroboros, and the eight Kings of Angels are mentioned, with Audrey’s eagerness to know more palpable.
Klein, ever the astute observer, pieces together clues from the past, suspecting that two of the Kings of Angels are connected to the Medici family and Amon, the Angel of Time. He wonders if the Twilight Hermit Order’s true origin stems from these angelic leaders, potentially setting them against Rose Redemption, which worships the evil god. Klein’seyes glint with intrigue as he contemplates the possibilities, hinting that he might uncover more secrets in the future.
As the conversation delves deeper into the mysteries of the Kings of Angels, Alger’s mind wanders to the pre-Cataclysmic era, pondering theorthodox gods and the potential involvement of the eight Kings of Angels in the Creator’s downfall. Meanwhile, Emlyn watches the exchange with a mixture of confusion and fascination, unsure what to make of the ancient, godly machinations being discussed.
Chapter 487 – The Growing Tarot Club
As Emlyn proudly declares his Sanguine heritage, he’s met with a mixture of curiosity and surprise from the Tarot Club members. Fors asks about the aristocratic titles within the Sanguine, and Emlyn explains that they’ve had such titles since before the Cataclysm, long before humans even had the concept. Derrick interjects, correcting Emlyn that the categorization of the Sanguine was determined by the Blasphemy Slate, sparking a debate between the two.
Alger interrupts the discussion, revealing that he knows how to raise a Sanguine’s strength, and Emlyn’s attention is immediately piqued. Alger explains that consuming potions corresponding to the correct type can help a Sanguine advance, but the exact details remain unclear. Emlyn is hesitant, especially since the main ingredient for those potions comes from his kinsmen, but Alger proposes an intriguing solution: using a potion to inherit the characteristics of a Sanguine baron who died without a successor.
As Emlyn considers the proposal, Audrey changes the subject, asking about news regarding the fruit of the Tree of Elders and the blood of a Mirror Dragon. Emlyn readily shares the information, revealing the price range for each item, and the conversation continues, hinting at more secrets and mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
Chapter 488 – Living Expenses
As Alger cleverly exploits the limits of his Beyonders’ characteristic, he negotiates with Miss Justice to fabricate a mystical item, potentially netting him a significant profit. Klein, impressed by Miss Justice’s financial carefreeness, keeps his thoughts to himself, knowing that he’ll soon receive payment for the Faceless Beyonder characteristic. Meanwhile, Alger inquires about a means to put an entire ship’s crew to sleep, sparking a discussion among the Tarot Club members.
Klein considers the Biological Poison Bottle and the Nightmare soul’s abilities but deems them unsuitable. Emlyn offers to ask his Sanguine kin if they possess a mystical item with the desired effect, prompting Alger to take note of Emlyn’s affinity for his heritage. With the transactions concluded, Klein requests the group’s assistance in finding remnant spirituality and gargoyle eyes, while Derrick promises to advance to Sequence 7 soon and provide information on local monsters.
As the meeting winds down, Klein reveals his plan to spend months traveling the Sonia Sea as an adventurer, gathering Faceless principles and inquiring about mermaids. He’s aware of potential traps and wants to avoid them, all while keeping an eye on The Sun’s potential ascension to Sequence 7 Solar High Priest. The Tarot Club members now enter a period of free communication, leaving room for more secrets and mysteries to be uncovered.
Chapter 489 – Held Up Suggestion
As the Tarot Club members converse, Derrick asks about a hand gesture to thank Mr. Fool, sparking a discussion on creating a secret gesture to identify each other. Audrey suggests designing a unique signal, but The Hanged Man opposes the idea, citing the risk of traitors exploiting it. Alger and Audrey propose a temporary gesture system, with prayer to Mr. Fool as a fail-safe. Meanwhile, Klein remembers a secret hand gesture from his past life and chuckles, bringing the gathering to a close.
As the members depart, Emlyn reflects on his first Tarot Gathering, feeling relieved that the others don’t seem too powerful. He wonders about their backgrounds, particularly The Sun, who mentioned the City of Silver, and Miss Justice, who appears to be extremely wealthy. Emlyn also thinks about Mr. Fool’s involvement, feeling proud to be a member and noting that the mysterious figure seems interested in Roselle’s diary.
Emlyn’s thoughts then turn to his own problem: a relic worth 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, which could grant him a barony. As he weighs his options, the room seems to darken, as if he’s shouldering a heavy debt.
Chapter 490 – Warning of a Former Sailor
Klein visits the Pritz Harbor Ticket Company, observing the busy atmosphere and noticing a staff member marking a second-class cabin as sold out. He strikes up a conversation with a middle-aged guard, who introduces himself as a former sailor and shares stories about his experiences, including a humorous anecdote about a barbarian who opened a can of wolf-fish, causing chaos in the lobby. The guard’s tales and expressions reveal his character, making Klein chuckle.
As Klein searches for ship schedules, he’s drawn to the White Agate, a steam-powered ship with a sail, and asks the guard for more information. The guard enthusiastically shares details about the ship’s maximum speed and its experienced captain, who was once a boatswain in the Imperial Navy. Klein takes his time, weighing his options, considering the ship’s background and the captain’s reputation.
With the guard’s help, Klein gains insight into the White Agate, but he’s not yet ready to make a decision, still deliberating which ship to choose for his journey.
Chapter 491 – The Sherlock Moriarty in the Investigation Report
Klein’s eyes snap open as he reviews the badge from Lanevus, wondering if the figure he saw was indeed Leonard Mitchell, his former teammate from the Tingen Nighthawks. His spirituality confirms it, but Klein is still suspicious of Leonard’s intentions. Is he investigating on behalf of the Church of the Goddess or seeking revenge while keeping the Nighthawks in the dark? Klein decides to focus on understanding the gathering before deciding how to proceed.
Meanwhile, in the secret room of the Steam Cathedral, Ikanser Bernard reports to the Machinery Hivemind deacons and captains about their investigation into Sherlock Moriarty. Despite finding some questionable claims, they conclude that Moriarty is an innocent party, albeit one with impressive informant skills. Ikanser shares that Moriarty was lucky to be rescued by the descendant of Death during the meteorite incident.
The meeting continues with Archbishop Horamick Haydn, who seems amused by Moriarty’s fraudulent claims and praises him as a hero of Backlund for stopping the ritual. The Machinery Hivemind decides to turn a blind eye to Moriarty’s minor flaws, focusing on his faith and friendliness towards them. As the chapter unfolds, the mysterious threads of the story continue to entwine, leaving readers wondering about the fate of these characters and the secrets they keep.
Chapter 492 – Adventurer
Klein sets foot on the deck, where he’s approached by Cleves, a former adventurer turned bodyguard, who introduces himself and his employer’s family. Klein senses Cleves’ wariness, realizing that the man is implying they should stay out of each other’s business. This encounter sparks Klein’s curiosity about the tacit understanding between experienced adventurers and veteran bounty hunters.
As Klein settles into his cabin, he begins to ponder the intricacies of being a Faceless, reflecting on his past experiences and the principle “you can disguise yourself into anyone, but you are ultimately yourself.” He contemplates the concept of one’s true identity, recalling his own social personas and facades from his past life. This introspection leads him to wonder if being a Faceless requires embracing the spirit of one’s identity, rather than just external appearances.
With the ship setting sail, Klein’s thoughts drift out to sea, his mind still entwined with the mysterious threads of his story, leaving readers eager to uncover the secrets he continues to keep.
Chapter 493 – Hunting
Ikanser Bernard presses on with his questions for Honorable Arrodes, eager to uncover the secrets of Sherlock Moriarty’s escape from the ruins. The silver mirror reveals the private detective’s daring escape, leaving the Machinery Hivemind deacons and captains concerned. Arrodes’ enigmatic response sparks Ikanser’s unease, and he’s forced to confront a dark memory from his past, prompting a bolt of green-tinted lightning to strike him.
As Ikanser recovers, he asks another question about the key used to destroy the descent ritual, but the Machinery Hivemind deacons and captains remain silent. The air is heavy with tension, and the sound of water splashing against the ship’s hold is the only sound left.
Meanwhile, Klein, sensing an unnatural disturbance outside his cabin, performs a divination and prepares himself for the unknown. He follows the sounds to the upper deck, bypassing patrolling crew members, and arrives at the source of the commotion, where he detects the faint scent of blood. The crimson moon hangs low in the sky, casting an air of mystery and foreboding over the scene.
Chapter 494 – A Bite of Murloc
Klein investigates the disturbance on the upper deck, where he finds Donna, Denton, and Cleves preparing for a battle. The air is heavy with tension as Cleves baits a trap with pig organs, and the group waits in silence for their prey to take the bait. The crimson moon hangs low in the sky, casting an ominous atmosphere over the scene.
Suddenly, a murloc, a monstrous creature with dark green scales and webbed limbs, emerges from the water and takes the bait. The group watches in awe as the murloc devours the organs, and then Cleves and Cecile open fire, striking the creature with bullets. Despite its sluggishness due to the pepper granules, the murloc proves to be a formidable foe, dodging and pouncing on its attackers.
As the battle rages on, Cleves and Cecile expertly reload and continue to exchange blows with the murloc. Klein observes the fight, analyzing the creature’s behavior and weaknesses. As the murloc attempts to escape, Klein readies his revolver, poised to strike the final blow.
Chapter 495 – Legend of Treasure
As the battle with the murloc comes to a close, Klein and the others take a break to enjoy a meal on the upper deck. The cook has prepared a mouth-watering dish using the murloc’s belly, and the aroma wafts through the air, enticing everyone. Captain Elland Kag introduces a unique bottle of Sonia blood wine, which he claims is sweet and smooth but also potent. However, Klein maintains a cold attitude, reminding Elland that adventurers don’t indulge in alcohol during their travels.
Donna and Denton are fascinated by the blood wine, and their conversation turns to the murloc and other sea monsters. Elland regales them with tales of terrifying creatures like Nagas, giant octopuses, and mermaids, which spark Donna’s imagination. When Denton asks Klein if he’s encountered such monsters before, Klein reveals that he had once fought a murloc in Tingen City, a memory that brings a nostalgic smile to his face.
As the group continues to chat and enjoy their meal, the atmosphere is lighthearted, but the underlying tension and sense of adventure linger. The mention of mysterious sea creatures and the murloc’s Beyonder ingredient, its bladder, hint at the dangers and wonders that lie ahead in the unforgiving ocean.