Disclaimer: I own nothing, this is purely a fanfic for enjoyment.
Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.
The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.
"Speech"
Time*
Chapter 67: How Am I NOT DEAD?!
Hours later*
I stare at the Cards of Blasphemy hovering around me in frustration. Then, the Card of Fool slows and stops directly in front of me, hovering still while the others continue their orbit.
[Fool Pathway - Sequence 9: Seer]
[Randomized Acting Method: 3x Boost]
[Input Acting Method (1 Word): Normal Boost]
[Equip Items: Empty]
[Potion's Ingredient Collection: 100% (Ready to be Made)]
[Acting Progress: 0%]
[Adventuring (1): Not Used]
[List of Items: (Expand)]
I can't believe it was that easy… All I had to do was use mundane materials and run them through multiple rituals to imbue them with Spirituality, which let me gather every ingredient needed for the potions.
And honestly, it seems like the Beyonder Characteristic can only be obtained through actual adventuring. The ones that haven't even reached 1% in Potion's Ingredient Collection are stuck at 99%, even when I throw in replacement main ingredients. That makes it clear: that last 1% is the Beyonder Characteristic for the Pathway.
Either way, I've used roughly $200,000 worth of mundane materials per Sequence 8 potion just to reach 99%. That's $1,600,000 for the six Pathways I've already pushed to 1% (Paragon, Fool, Hermit, Abyss, Sun, and Mother), and two Pathways (Wheel of Fortune and Error) that I tested without that final step.
And if I compare this to the prices in Lord of the Mysteries:
A Sequence 8's formula costs 400 pounds.
The Beyonder Characteristic is 600 pounds.
Each main ingredient is 300 pounds.
Ignoring the Beyonder Characteristic, since the Cards of Blasphemy are the only reliable way for me to obtain it, I focused on converting Loen Kingdom currency from Lord of the Mysteries into modern U.S. dollars.
In Loen Kingdom:
1 pound = 20 soli = 12 pence
12 pence = 36 or 48 yuan (meaning 1 penny = 3-4 yuan)
4 yuan = $0.56
12 pence = $6.72
1 pound = $6.72 x 20 = $134.40
Sequence 8's formula (400 pounds) = $53,760
Therefore, I spent WAY too much! And I didn't even need to buy the formula itself. I didn't have to spend anything on the main ingredients either, thanks to the Beyonder Characteristic. The supplementary ingredients alone were the only things I needed to feed into the Cards of Blasphemy—and they were absurdly expensive. It almost makes me wish I lived in Lord of the Mysteries instead, purely for the price difference.
And the worst part? This was only possible because of rich people—first Ciel's family, then Momoyo's. I never paid a single cent myself. But if I had to rely on only my own resources, gathering that massive amount of mundane materials for ritual conversion would've bankrupted me ten times over. Not to mention finding a supplier that sells these specific, mundane materials.
I let out a frustrated sigh and give a mental command to the Card of Fool to prepare the potion for Sequence 8: Clown. At least I don't have to brew it myself; as long as all the ingredients are inside the Card of Fool, it handles the rest. Or at least, I'm guessing this is how it works.
"Wait a second…" I stop mid-thought, though the Card of Fool doesn't. "Technically, I'm a Boon Recipient through the blessings of the Cards of Blasphemy, not potions…"
I rub my chin, thinking hard enough to nearly give myself a headache. Overthinking things beyond my current intelligence is becoming a bad habit.
The Card of Fool vanishes, and in its place appears a floating potion. The liquid inside shifts between gold, yellow, and red, each color sharply separated. Bubbles churn and fizz inside the mixture.
"Down it goes." I grab the potion and drink it in one go. The container dissolves instantly, reverting back into the Card of Blasphemy. "SHIT! That's bitter!" I gag, almost throwing up right there.
A moment later, I feel myself being stretched thin, like I'm being drawn through a needle, fusing with the potion drop by drop as it pierces into every cell of my body. I see the potion forcing its way through me, replacing parts of me with something else.
After a while, I hear myself singing, even though my mouth isn't moving. Then I realize I can precisely control every tiny motion in my face and body. My ears start buzzing, and suddenly I hear someone crying in grief… then shouting in rage… then bursting into mad laughter.
I shake my head, realizing I'm back to normal—ish.
I reach out and grab the Card of Fool, now displaying new information.
Unlocking Beyonder's Abilities of the Fool Pathway's Sequence 8: Clown.
New Abilities
1. Physical Enhancement: After advancing into a Clown, they will possess a strong control over their body, making them akin to a master acrobat and circus performer. They gain powerful coordination and a near-inhuman sense of balance. A Clown will never lose their balance, barring certain extreme circumstances.
2. Paper Daggers: A Clown becomes capable of temporarily turning sheets of paper as hard and sharp as steel, allowing them to throw them as flying daggers or use them as knives.
Strengthening Abilities
1. Spirituality: Their Spirituality gets marginally enhanced. The Danger Intuition of a Clown is greatly enhanced, even granting them a short-term form of premonition, though often ambiguous and unclear.
Well, looks like I should carry a notebook as a weapon… or some playing cards.
I shake my head and start preparing the remaining 5 potions for the other Pathways.
I pause, waiting for my enhanced Spirituality as a Sequence 8: Clown to trigger any visions.
Nothing.
"That can't be right." I rub my chin, then a realization hits me.
I quickly switch out the Fool Pathway for the Abyss Pathway, and to my disbelief, I don't lose any of the abilities from Sequence 8: Clown. They're still there. Which means taking the potion permanently made me a Sequence 8 Beyonder of the Fool Pathway.
"Ah, shit. This is not good." I mutter.
I look at the Cards of Blasphemy hovering around me with a lot more concern than before.
"Fuck it. Time to risk it." I create the other 5 potions and drink them all, spacing them out just enough not to immediately kill myself. Suicidal or not, I at least have some basic caution, waiting to stabilize after each one before taking the next.
And just like that, I can no longer unequip the Pathways: Paragon, Fool, Hermit, Abyss, Sun, and Mother. I've become a Beyonder of Sequence 8 across all six: Archaeologist, Clown, Melee Scholar, Coldblooded, Light Suppliant, and Doctor.
Even now, my Spirituality hasn't screamed bloody murder at the fact that I drank multiple potions in one sitting.
On the bright side, I didn't lose control. In fact, I feel better than ever… which is extremely concerning, the more I think about it.
I let out a sigh.
I should stop while I still can and avoid equipping any other Pathways, even though I still have the Error Pathway and Door Pathway active—making it a total of 8 Pathways active right now.
I tear down the wall of Spirituality with the silver ritual knife and glance at the Cards of Blasphemy. Six of them hover much closer to me now, glowing a little brighter than the rest.
Well, it's late. Morning me can deal with whatever nightmare consequences come from this. For now, I'm going to bed with Momoyo.
As I slip into bed, Momoyo immediately latches onto me in her sleep. I wrap my arms around her, then remember I haven't done my nightly adventuring yet. I activate it before closing my eyes and decide I'll check the results tomorrow.
The next day*
I stare at the Card of Fool, the one I used for last night's adventuring, and somehow it gained 1% Potion Ingredient Collection for Sequence 7: Magician.
Clearly, the Fool Pathway might be the first one I reach Sequence 0 with. Even though I originally chose the Wheel of Fortune Pathway from the very beginning, I guess the Fool Pathway isn't that bad. Besides, I get the feeling that the Fates, and anything that represents them, became my enemy the moment I unlocked the Wheel of Fortune Pathway first.
After all, Sequence 0: Wheel of Fortune is basically the embodiment of Fate, able to roam freely through the River of Fate.
Makes me wonder if the Fates are trying their absolute best to eliminate me, simply because there's a high chance I might reach or surpass them.
"Chikao, I'm bored." Momoyo cuts through my thoughts the moment I let the Card of Fool vanish. "I don't feel like going to school today."
"Would your grandfather even let you skip school in the first place?" I raise an eyebrow at Momoyo as she lies on top of me—we still haven't bothered getting out of bed.
"It's not like he can stop me." Momoyo's eyes light up, and she suddenly sits up, causing my little brother to wake up instantly. "How about we go somewhere and have fun?! He can't stop you with your supernatural powers. I mean, he could stop me, but not you, Chikao!"
"I don't know. I do technically have two jobs—being the school nurse, and… being the school nurse." I say dryly, as my little brother pokes Momoyo, making her blush slightly.
"Come on, Chikao! Please?!" Momoyo leans in, giving me a kiss on the lips as she stares deeply into my eyes.
Honestly, it's a good thing Momoyo isn't trying to act cute—if she forced it, it would look awkward on her. Still, the way she's acting now makes me want to take her right then and there. We're already in bed, even if we're still clothed.
"How about not attending class at all and just hanging out with me in the school infirmary? I'll even bring stuff to entertain us until school is over."
I still need to keep this job and maintain my identity as a member of the Order, too.
"Sounds boring. I want to fight people and go eat." Momoyo keeps kissing me. "Come on, Chikao…"
"Momoyo." I call her name, meeting her eyes as she pauses mid-kiss. "Today, something interesting is going to happen. I saw it in my visions. That's why I'm trying my best to get you to go to school."
Momoyo tilts her head, staring at me carefully to see if I'm lying.
"It's related to that first-year male student from the riverside near the airport yesterday," I add, reminding her of Tatsumi.
"The one with the punchable face?" Momoyo blinks in confusion.
"Yup. And more exchange students are arriving today, too. You might run into some interesting classmates who could give you a decent warm-up." I point out. "And if you really want someone around your level, go find a male student named Tachibana Rintaro."
"The one who'll die if he gets too horny?" Momoyo looks at me like I just told her a bad joke.
"Trust me, he's stronger than he looks." I said to Momoyo.
Momoyo hums, then suddenly leaps off the bed, landing on her feet beside it. Her breasts jiggle from the motion, and my eyes lock onto them like heat-seeking missiles.
"To school it is!" Momoyo shouts with full fighting spirit.
To fuck or not to fuck, that is the question.