บท 113: Chapter 114: Klein's Heart is Bleeding

"Are you really a follower of the Fool? I don't sense any faith in the Fool from you…" Klein wanted to retort, but seeing Lynn's expectant gaze, he nodded.

"Okay!"

Klein agreed partly because the Tarot Club was currently just an empty shell, and with the Evernight Church already associated with an angel, a bit more fame wouldn't be an issue. The Church, considering their connection with the angel, wouldn't act too aggressively.

Another reason was that seeing Lynn's hand subtly pulling out the cards, Klein had no doubt that if he refused, Lynn would "accidentally" spill the Tarot cards out.

After all, in some ways, Lynn's personality was as mischievous as a Husky's.

"Yay!" With Klein's approval, Lynn, without hesitation, fully drew out the Tarot cards he had half-pulled out, and began seriously arranging the scene.

After quickly setting up the scene, Lynn and Klein left as fast as they could.

A few minutes after they left, the Nighthawks responsible for the area finally arrived and were stunned by the sight. The once dark and narrow alley was now filled with sacred and purifying light. Any ordinary Sun believer unaware of Beyonders might have thought a miracle had occurred.

In the center of the alley, a giant demonic hound lay quietly, clearly dead, with two Tarot cards stuck in its head: one "The World" and one "The Pope".

Not far from the demonic hound was a woman in a bright dress, asleep, sitting against the alley wall, with an upright "The Fool" card on her knee.

Additionally, the ground and walls of the alley were littered with Tarot cards, some stuck into the walls, others lying quietly. There were major cards like "Justice" and "The Star", and number cards as well.

It all made for a shocking scene.

Redemption and judgment, ending and rebirth.

All the Nighthawks held their breath. After about ten seconds, someone finally spoke:

"Is this the same person as the Lanevus case?"

The silence broke. The Nighthawks looked at each other, and the team leader said, "First aid for the victim, investigate the scene… I'll report this to Mr. Cesimir."

...

While the Nighthawks were busy, Lynn and Klein smoothly returned to 15 Minsk Street.

Slumping onto the sofa, Lynn took the coffee Klein had brewed, smiling, "Let's split the loot from this battle as usual!"

Klein, also holding a cup of coffee, agreed but said, "But this time, the loot is only the characteristics of the demonic hound. How do we split it?"

As a hound, the demonic hound naturally had no other loot.

"Besides…" Klein hesitated, "Honestly, I don't recommend selling this characteristic. It's from the Criminal pathway..."

If it were other pathways' characteristics, selling them wouldn't be an issue. But Criminal pathway characteristics were different; selling them would almost certainly create another demon.

"I never said to sell it. Actually, I have a better idea." Lynn sipped his coffee slowly, revealing his "sinister" intention, "Aren't you missing a powerful offensive mystical item? How about forging this demonic hound's characteristic into a weapon?"

Can that work? Yes, selling demonic characteristics would indeed be harmful to society, but forging it into a mystical item would be different. Given the danger of the Criminal pathway, a mystical item crafted from its characteristic would certainly be powerful.

Klein's eyes lit up, looking at Lynn, "So you're willing to introduce me to the craftsman you know?"

"Who asked you to be my assistant for two days?" Lynn smiled, "This characteristic is yours. A Sequence 6 characteristic typically sells for 3500 to 4500 pounds. I'll count it as 3500, so please pay me the 1750 pounds difference."

So expensive!

That was Klein's first reaction.

But then he recalled the Beyonder gatherings he'd attended recently and had to admit Lynn's price was indeed the market rate. A Sequence 6 main material typically cost 1500-2000 pounds, not considering usual price inflation, and a Sequence 6 characteristic was equivalent to two main materials. The price was fair.

If Mr. Azik hadn't generously given me the reward for Lanevus, I'd have almost no money left after paying this... Klein thought, heart bleeding, but said, "Alright, I'll get you the money as soon as possible."

"Actually, I recommend you withdraw an extra thousand or two pounds." Seeing Klein's pained expression, Lynn couldn't help but add, "The craftsman I know is quite skilled, so his prices aren't low. He does offer cheaper services, but I don't recommend those."

"What do you mean?" Klein's heart trembled, but he asked.

"There are two levels of service: standard and perfect forging. The standard service is priced similarly to other craftsmen, and the resulting mystical item will have the usual negative effects. Especially for characteristics from evil pathways, like your glove that used to require feeding on a person daily before you resolved its issue.

"This time, the demonic hound's characteristic is similar. Even if forged into a mystical item, the negative effects might be hard for you to bear, like needing to kill or affecting your personality, amplifying your negative emotions, and twisting your character."

Lynn wasn't exaggerating. Characteristics from the Abyss pathway typically had significant negative effects, which were hard to avoid.

Realizing the severity, Klein asked, "Does the perfect forging reduce these negative effects?"

"Yes, the perfect forging can minimize them. My friend can reduce the negative effects of a Sequence 6 mystical item to almost nothing, given enough money." Lynn finally revealed his "hidden agenda".

This wasn't a lie. As a Sequence 2 craftsman, crafting a Sequence 6 mystical item was indeed within his capability.

(End of Chapter)