"1,000 pounds? I remember that in the original story, Fors only quoted 350 pounds. Looks like because of my influence, she doesn't have the same fear of the 'World' that she did originally…
"Also, after coming out of the Nation of Evernight, Klein has gotten rich? Tsk tsk, I wonder if he can finally shake off his title as the 'God of Poverty' this time."
Ebner, who had watched the entire transaction from start to finish, mocked inwardly a few times.
On the other side, after issuing the commission, Klein stopped talking about the Spirit World Plunderer and instead had the "World," Gehrman Sparrow, turn his gaze toward Little "Sun" and say:
"Do you have any Trickster Fiends there?
"Or perhaps you call them by another name. In any case, it is skilled at disguise, its abilities are strange, it is close to demi-god level, and it possesses a main eye formed from the aggregation of characteristics…"
He deliberately emphasized "close to demi-god level," not to show off, but to remind Little "Sun" that this was an extremely dangerous monster.
However, "Hermit" Cattleya and "Hanged Man" Alger did not pay much attention to this point. In their eyes, the "World" represented the blessed of Mr. Fool, so purchasing demi-god–level materials for companions was perfectly normal. Even if he were preparing them for himself, it would not be surprising—Gehrman Sparrow was already Sequence 5, and collecting materials in advance was standard practice.
Vaguely, in their hearts, it even seemed like a good thing if Mr. "World" could leave the Sequence 5 level as soon as possible.
"Sun" Derrick thought for a moment and said:
"Among common monsters, there aren't any like that, but perhaps someone has encountered one. I'll look through the records or help you ask around."
The dummy "World" gave a low "Mm" and added:
"If there really is one, I hope you can persuade your Chief to help hunt it.
"Or at the very least, obtain its blood.
"As long as you can get it, I will exchange it for a 'Light Priest' Beyonder characteristic."
As long as I have its blood, I can borrow Grosselle's Travels from Mr. 'Tower,' forcibly draw the Trickster Fiend into it, then call Sharron over and enter the book together to kill it, Klein calculated inwardly.
As for the "Light Priest" Beyonder characteristic, he currently had two of them—one from Creeping Hunger, and another separated from the "stomach" mixed with multiple characteristics that he had obtained in Foggy Town.
After hearing the "World's" words, "Hanged Man," "Hermit," and the others looked over again. After all, the appearance of a Beyonder characteristic meant the misfortune of a Beyonder… The 'World' really is killing one Sequence 5 every week! Who did he kill this time? A bishop of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun?
A 'Light Priest' Beyonder characteristic? Mr. 'World' already has one? Or rather, he has locked onto a target and can obtain it soon? If it's only to get blood, with the Chief's strength, the chances are quite good… I just hope there really is that kind of monster near the City of Silver! Derrick, comparatively simple-minded, felt only joy. He emphasized again, "I'll start checking the records as soon as I get back!"
"World" Gehrman merely nodded and then fell silent.
Klein is acting really well. He truly has that 'crazy adventurer' vibe, not revealing his real personality at all. He's really cautious, Leonard sighed inwardly.
At this moment, seeing that the others were all thinking—perhaps organizing their words—Leonard took the initiative and said:
"I need a mystical item."
After last night's "battle," Leonard had already realized that his strength was still too weak. In the short term, the only way to increase his combat power was to wield a powerful item.
Although generally speaking, ordinary items would not be very useful in a situation like last night's…
As for money, Leonard was not lacking. He had sold quite a bit of knowledge that the old man had told him to the Fate Hermit Order.
"What type?" "Justice" Audrey responded at just the right time, to avoid an awkward silence.
Leonard let out an "uh" and replied instinctively:
"I don't know…"
He had only formed the idea and hadn't thought through the specifics yet. Should he say something that could let him survive under Amon's hands, or something that could enable a desperate counterattack?
Don't know… this sounds like an idiot… Fool Klein, who knew Leonard's casual and sloppy nature very well, held back his laughter and muttered a criticism inwardly.
Ebner, meanwhile, watched this scene with a smile, thinking with pleasure: It's here—the sun, moon, and stars have finally all returned to their places today!
Seeing everyone's gaze turn toward him with unclear meanings, "Star" Leonard felt a bit embarrassed and hurriedly added:
"What I mean is, the type doesn't matter. As long as it leans toward offense, can be used relatively discreetly, and has fewer negative effects, it's fine."
He was planning to make use of the Nightmare's powerful control abilities—at that point, he himself could restrain the target, while Pallez Zoroast manipulated the mystical item to deliver a fatal blow to the stunned opponent. Once he became a Spirit Warlock, with the help of the natural spirit or resentful soul shadow sealed in his teeth, he could also complete such multitasking himself, even coordinating two or three actions at once.
After Mr. "Star" finished explaining, "Hanged Man" Alger did not dwell on the details and instead asked:
"Roughly what level?"
"A stronger Type-2 Sealed Artifact… uh, corresponding to Sequence 6 or Sequence 5," Leonard first described it out of habit using official Beyonder terminology, then immediately switched to a more common expression.
At that moment, "Justice" Audrey, "Hermit" Cattleya, "Hanged Man" Alger, and "Judgement" Xio all had the same thought flash sharply through their minds:
Mr. 'Star' is an official Beyonder—at least he used to be!
"Judgement" Xio naturally recalled the old Mr. "Eye of Wisdom" explaining Sealed Artifact grades back then. At that time, she had understood nothing, but now she could almost instantly judge the identity of the man before her.
Time really can change a person.
Yes—at this point, Xio had already confirmed that Mr. "Star" was the very same "Red Gloves" Leonard Mitchell who had been secretly investigating her and Ebner.
Although his investigative methods were well hidden, they could not fool an MI9 intelligence officer with many informants, nor a Punishment Knight whose jurisdiction had expanded to encompass all of Backlund.
While Leonard had been investigating her, aside from not knowing that an angel was also residing within him, she had already thoroughly uncovered Leonard's background.
Seeing how "honest" Mr. "Star" was being, "Hanged Man" Alger was just about to "take advantage" of him when "Tower" suddenly spoke with a smile:
"I happen to have an attack-oriented item, and its defensive and auxiliary functions are also quite good. The side effects are within an acceptable range…
"Mm, in short, you don't mind using Beyonder abilities from the Demoness pathway, do you?"
As soon as his words fell, "World" Gehrman looked over.
Knowing "Tower's" nature very well and having read related Roselle diaries, Klein immediately guessed what Ebner was planning to do. He then gave Leonard another look with a strange expression.
This made "Justice" and "Temperance," who were secretly observing him, feel somewhat puzzled.
Leonard, however, did not notice anything unusual about "World." Recalling the Demonesses he had fought before, he considered for a moment and asked, "Does it have abilities related to 'black flames,' 'invisibility,' and 'substitution'?"
"All of them… and more than that. That item can also condense steel armor outside the body, or something like combat attire…" Ebner said with a straight face.
Although he did not yet have such an item in hand, with his current abilities—and the several hundred years of experience of the Mechanical Emperor—it would be entirely possible to go back and forge one on the spot.
After hearing Ebner's nonsense, "Fool" Klein almost covered his face, then complained inwardly: Steel battle suit? So is that item called the 'Steel Demoness' or something?
Thinking of this, he cast a subtle yet sympathetic glance at Mr. "Star," offering no warning at all—on the contrary, he even felt a faint sense of anticipation… This is guaranteed black history material!
No, I'm not gloating. According to Mr. 'Tower,' this is beneficial for maintaining 'humanity' in the future.
(End of Chapter)