Chapter 194: A Three-Way Transaction

Chapter 194: A Three-Way Transaction

Bizarro Sorcerer… Klein abruptly woke from the dream and opened his eyes to see deep night.

It still isn’t noon. It’s still dangerous… he muttered, about to fall asleep again.

At that moment, he finally remembered that he had already left that dangerous sea. Even if he did not sleep after night fell, he would not vanish forever and disappear without a trace.

“Phew. A stable environment really is best! I have to say, the whole ‘if you don’t sleep after dark, you’ll mysteriously disappear’ thing is perfect for scaring children so they won’t stay up late. Heh. I was often frightened that way when I was young.” Klein flipped himself up and sat, walked to the desk, and poured himself a glass of water.

After settling down for a while, he gulped down a mouthful of water and gradually recovered his ability to think.

“Zaratul really is mad… What exactly did he encounter, or what went wrong with him…

“Bizarro Sorcerer. Sequence 4 is called Bizarro Sorcerer. The focus of the Seer pathway lies in words like ‘trickery,’ ‘cunning,’ ‘mischief,’ and ‘strangeness’? Or perhaps it can be summarized directly as ‘bizarre’?

“Mm. Clown, Magician, Faceless, and Marionettist do all give me that feeling. Seer seems like an exception, but in other people’s eyes, a charlatan-like style can sometimes be rather bizarre and terrifying as well… So that’s why Zaratul said fate isn’t the main domain of this pathway?

“Also, it is clear that Beyonders of this pathway lean increasingly toward spellcasters.

“According to Will Auceptin, there are only three ways to obtain the Bizarro Sorcerer potion formula. First, find the Secret Order and the mad Zaratul. Second, go to the main peak of the Hornacis mountain range and search for the treasure left behind by the Antigonus family. Third, obtain it from within the Church, such as from the Antigonus family’s notebook, which might record the corresponding formula.

“But every one of these three paths is more dangerous than the last. According to Emperor Roselle’s description, Zaratul was already a Sequence 2 Miracle Invoker long ago—a true angel. Later, he may even have advanced to Sequence 1, putting him on par with or only slightly below the Kings of Angels. The mad him—no, Him—has lost reason, but He is very likely even harder to deal with. At least there’s no possibility of persuasion or deception. Relying purely on strength, even if I invited Mr. Azik and the others to help, I would still be no match for Zaratul.

“Heh heh. Unless I wait for Will Auceptin to be born. But if He gets involved in this sort of matter, there’s a significant chance it will attract the attention of the Angel of Fate Ouroboros.

“As for the treasure on the main peak of the Hornacis mountain range, the echoing ravings, the Antigonus family’s arrangements, and the rumors of the Nation of Evernight buried deep in history all make me feel the matter isn’t that simple. I suspect it might be a trap.

“The Church of the Goddess is even less worth considering. Forget the Cathedral guarded by angels and hiding a pile of Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts. Even the Backlund diocese, where the Antigonus family’s notebook is located, has one terrifying demigod…”

Klein could not help remembering Mr. A, who had been erased like a pencil drawing. The one who had caused all that was very likely a high-ranking member of the Church of Evernight!

A beautiful woman whose eyes lacked spirituality… She even smiled at me. I still don’t know what that meant… Klein helplessly shook his head. He felt that there was only one truly feasible method at the moment.

That was to find a relatively normal demigod of the Secret Order!

Compared to the mad Zaratul, at least such a person could be communicated with, and perhaps even dealt with. Klein certainly could not do it on his own, but he could ask Mr. Azik for help. He could also pay a certain price to invite the Queen of Mysteries, Bernadette, to act.

That is the only way to consider it for now… Klein quickly shifted his thoughts to how he could help Anderson Hood remove the bad-luck curse.

“It’s been more than two months. I don’t know whether that Councilor of Fate, Ricciardo, has left Olavi Island… Sigh. He still hasn’t summoned my messenger to tell me any clues about suitable mystical items. But that isn’t a big problem. Bellringer Kanoken certainly hasn’t left his post. Through him, I can contact Councilor Ricciardo.

“This works out well. The Life School still hasn’t completed my request, which means they haven’t paid the balance. I can have them help Anderson change his luck as a deduction, then collect payment from that fellow.

“Heh heh. Speaking of mystical items or Sealed Artifacts with powerful offensive power, isn’t Anderson’s short sword exactly that? Based on the traits displayed by a Reaper, the item formed after his own death would count too… Heh. I’m not some greedy devil. I would definitely pay an extra settlement fee.”

Klein reined in his teasing thoughts, took the paper crane out of his wallet, unfolded it, and carefully erased the pencil writing on it.

“It really is about to break. At most, I can use it two more times…” he murmured gloomily. Then he folded the paper crane, returned to bed, and continued sleeping. As for using the radio transceiver to contact Magic Mirror Arrodes, he planned to do so only after leaving this pirate paradise in the east.

…

After daybreak, Klein lazily got up and slowly washed, feeling that this was what life should truly be like.

Knock, knock, knock!

His reflection was interrupted by knocking.

Without needing a danger premonition, his spiritual intuition told him that the visitor was Anderson Hood.

As expected of the Strongest Hunter. He really did survive smoothly until now… Klein clicked his tongue, controlled his expression, and opened the door.

Anderson was wearing a deerstalker cap he had acquired from who knew where. Smiling brightly, he handed over a Loen gold coin.

“Yesterday’s debt.”

Klein accepted the gold coin, weighed it casually, and said, “There is an answer to your problem.”

Anderson’s eyes lit up.

“What method can resolve it?

“You’re not going to tell me the answer is that there is no way to resolve it, right…”

Am I that sort of person? At most, I’d say there’s no saving you; wait for death, goodbye! Klein lampooned silently, then swept a detached glance over the other man.

“There is a demigod skilled at changing luck who lives on Olavi Island. He owes me a request.”

“Excellent!” Anderson made no attempt to hide his joy. “So, what kind of price should I pay?”

Very sensible… Klein deliberately fell silent for two seconds before saying, “I need a mystical item with powerful offensive capabilities. Do you have any clues?

“If its value exceeds the luck-changing ritual, I will pay the difference.”

Anderson’s brows furrowed little by little, then slowly relaxed as he smiled.

“There is indeed one mystical item that fits your requirements. It possesses fatal-attack Beyonder abilities, and its negative effects are not strong either. It merely eats a lot, sleeps a lot, has poor luck, easily attracts monsters and enemies, occasionally likes to talk too much, and is a bit annoying. Haha, joking.

“Speaking honestly, my Death Knell Short Fang is exactly the mystical item you need, but it’s also my only remaining weapon. Mm… I do have a clue about something suitable. It’s a fairly special revolver. The bullets it fires have the effects of attacking weaknesses, fatal attacks, and ‘slaughter.’ It can also be paired with bullets of different characteristics. The negative effect is that after every use, you gain a weakness that did not originally exist. For instance, fear of light, fear of ships, fear of dogs, and so on. These weaknesses last six hours.

“If it’s merely kept on your person, it barely has any negative effect. It only makes you thirsty more easily, which is tolerable. If that revolver’s traits hadn’t overlapped with my abilities and the mystical item I already possessed, I definitely would have bought it at the time. The seller asked only 9,000 pounds!

“How about this: the total payment will be 1,500 pounds plus the clue to that revolver?”

That sounds very suitable, and it matches my combat habits… Klein did not agree directly. Instead, he asked, “1,500 pounds?”

“Haha. Last night, I visited a dozen or so pirates. They were all very kind. They either contributed their wallets to me, or lent me their Beyonder characteristics and heads. In only one night, I earned 1,600 pounds. Truly, I truly love this pirate paradise!” Anderson said with a beaming smile. “I need to keep one hundred pounds to buy a ship ticket back to the Misty Sea, so I can only pay 1,500 pounds.”

He earned 1,600 pounds in one night? Toscarter’s pirates are not only numerous, but also valuable—or rich? Klein suddenly wanted to stay in this port city for a few more nights.

But when he thought that the easily cashed-in or easily found targets had most likely already been handled by Anderson, and that doing something similar from now on would certainly not be so easy, he immediately felt dejected. He asked coldly, “Doing that in a pirate paradise, aren’t you afraid of retaliation?”

“What is there to worry about? Even if they are subordinates of a pirate admiral, I’m not afraid. Heh heh. I believe you’re the same. If they’re people of the Four Kings, it’s not a huge problem either. We’ll soon be leaving, and news takes time to travel. By then, who knows how many ships and identities I’ll have changed?” Anderson said carelessly.

Why are you cursing yourself again… Klein looked him over with hidden pity.

“Deal.”

“Haha. Here’s three hundred pounds. The remaining twelve hundred will have to wait until the bounties and characteristic money arrive. Don’t worry. It’ll definitely come in today. The amounts aren’t large.” Anderson took out a thick stack of notes mixed with many soli bills and handed it to Klein.

Considering his persona, Klein only counted them roughly before stuffing the notes into his wallet, pockets, and other places. Without emotion, he said, “Go buy two tickets to Olavi for tomorrow.”

He did not specifically remind Anderson to change his appearance before buying them, because he believed the other man was a mature Hunter with rich experience.

If he didn’t have experience and strength, with that way of doing things, he would long since have been sunk into some sea or another… Klein could not help lampooning inwardly.

“Okay.” Anderson pointed at the floor. “Want to go downstairs for breakfast together? My treat.”

Klein nodded and did not refuse.

They went down to the first floor and walked toward a table by the window. On the way, they passed a waiter carrying white-glazed porcelain cups and teaspoons.

Just as the two sides crossed paths, the waiter’s gaze suddenly turned dazed. He picked up a teaspoon and, without the slightest warning, stabbed it toward Anderson’s throat.

Although Anderson was surprised, his reaction was not slow at all. He immediately leaned backward, avoiding the lightning-like strike.

Bang!

Not far away, the innkeeper suddenly fired a gun, shooting at Anderson’s dodging body.

“I… What am I doing…” After the gunshot, the innkeeper muttered in fear and confusion.