Noticing the man's wariness, Angel immediately looked away.
This guy is very likely also a Beyonder. Perhaps his spiritual intuition isn't low—he can sense my observation...
But if that were true, his claim of not knowing what this Beyonder characteristic extracted from a corpse does was likely a lie.
Is he pretending to be an ordinary person, acting ignorant to fish for information? Or is he afraid of being targeted by ill-intentioned people at this unfamiliar Beyonder gathering?
Out of courtesy, she closed her spirit vision and stopped trying to observe carefully through dark vision, but her mind raced, analyzing his identity.
Other gathering members also turned their attention to the Beyonder characteristic in the man's hand. Several people clearly recognized it as belonging to a certain Beyonder, though most eyes showed curiosity.
At that moment, the elderly "Eye of Wisdom" near the central coffee table spoke up.
"If no one else needs it, I can buy it for 400 pounds. Trust me, that's a fair price."
"If you need to know what it is and what it can be used for, I can tell you, but knowledge requires payment in exchange—100 pounds."
He knows the Law of Beyonder Characteristics Conservation and that Beyonder characteristics approximate potions of the same sequence?
Hearing the old man's words, Angel gained new understanding of this gathering host called "Eye of Wisdom." Regardless of other participants' levels, he at least deserved the title of veteran Beyonder.
His willingness to pay 400 pounds for this Beyonder characteristic suggested it likely came from a Sequence 9 Beyonder's death, equivalent to the market price of two main ingredients for a potion. If it were a Sequence 8 characteristic, apart from Dominic whom she'd coaxed and deceived, probably no one would complete the transaction for 400 pounds.
Sure enough, the black-haired man quickly agreed to the transaction but declined to pay an additional 100 pounds for knowledge of the characteristic's purpose. It seemed he wasn't as ignorant of the mystical world as he pretended.
"Sir, you needn't rush to pay. I actually have another commission."
After verbally reaching an agreement, the man didn't immediately hand over the Beyonder characteristic but continued with his request.
"I've offended someone of rather high status. He's very likely—well, in your terms—Sequence 6, possibly even Sequence 5. I want to use this money, plus some of my own, to hire a powerful bodyguard to ensure I don't die in retaliation."
After hearing his request, the entire gathering fell momentarily silent. Even the composed "Eye of Wisdom" showed surprise in his eyes.
Sequence 6, even Sequence 5?
Thinking of Sequence 5, the image of the "Aurora Order" divine envoy Lady D immediately surfaced in Angel's mind—someone who could switch Beyonder abilities at will and fight multiple opponents.
Back then, three members of the Red Glove squad plus her and Captain Dunn—five against one, or six counting the unnamed Beyonder who self-destructed—all let that "Shepherd" escape unscathed, even injuring several Nighthawks. If anything had gone wrong midway, they might have been the ones who failed and died.
As for Megose and the evil god's progeny in her belly, whom she'd only managed to resolve using two Blazing Sun charms plus a Radiance Shot, they probably possessed Sequence 4 strength.
I wonder what major thing he did to provoke a Beyonder at Lady D's level.
"Pardon my bluntness, but this seems rather beyond the level of members present. Why don't you find a scenic place and die quietly?"
The chubby apothecary spoke with a hint of mockery.
Though others didn't chime in, they clearly agreed with his response.
After brief surprise, "Eye of Wisdom" also explained, "I'll assume you don't quite understand our circle. Sequence 5, even the weakest varieties, are extremely powerful and terrifying figures."
"Though some Sequence 8 or 9 have killed strong individuals at that level, it required both luck and strength—experiences that can't be replicated. I'm afraid no one present would risk their life to help you, money or not."
If it were Sequence 6, with my current strength plus two mystical items and full preparation, I could probably handle it. But Sequence 5...
Angel assessed her combat capability and reluctantly gave up on those 400 pounds, or even more in compensation.
If I could add a zero, maybe I could persuade Mr. A to act. He should be a Sequence 5 "Shepherd" of the "Secrets Supplicant" pathway, and lately he seems somewhat strapped for cash...
Unable to get help, the black-haired man looked disappointed. He then proposed using the 400 pounds to buy a mystical item that could help him survive.
"Trust me, mystical items 400 pounds can buy definitely won't work against Sequence 5—they might even harm you. You'd be better off finding that powerful person and sincerely apologizing. Perhaps 400 pounds could gain their forgiveness."
"Eye of Wisdom" advised with genuine sincerity, which improved Angel's impression of him. A gathering organizer who wouldn't exploit knowledge and status advantages to deceive new members was key to long-term success.
"Actually, I have an item that might help you," the man who'd almost competed with Angel for the apothecary's commission spoke up. "It lets you hear the voice of a certain great existence. If you're lucky, you'll become extremely powerful—capable of even confronting Sequence 5 adversaries. If you're unlucky, well, the result won't differ much from having Sequence 5 come after you..."
"Black Snake, you still haven't sold that thing? Don't harm this poor person."
The chubby apothecary interjected again, seemingly unconcerned about others' opinions, calmly enduring "Black Snake's" somewhat gloomy stare.
The black-haired man was quite interested in Black Snake's proposal. After brief discussion, he used the just-acquired 400 pounds to purchase the item that supposedly "allowed one to hear a great existence's voice."
"Great existence"—that sounds like Aurora Order rhetoric. They believe listening to the Creator's whispers can make one powerful, but in reality it's more likely to cause madness or even death...
Spending 400 pounds on such a thing—I don't know if he's lucky or unlucky.
Watching the black-haired man carefully place the wooden box containing the mystical item into his pocket, Angel couldn't help speculating.
After this transaction, someone successfully sold a rune steel sword supposedly leaked from the Eternal Blazing Sun Church for 500 pounds, becoming the evening's second-largest transaction.
Angel wanted to inquire about the "Pleasure Witch" potion formula that followed "Witch," but this was only her first time attending this gathering—she knew nothing about other people's identities.
Moreover, given the current transaction mode, openly seeking a potion formula would essentially tell everyone her potion sequence. After careful consideration, she didn't make any trade requests.
When no one else spoke up, the elderly "Eye of Wisdom" announced the gathering's end.
Following his instructions, members left the venue one by one under the attendant's guidance, with three-minute intervals between each person.
Mm, this protects participants' safety well, preventing others from tracking them. Unfortunately, unlike at Mr. A's place, private one-on-one transactions aren't possible, which ultimately makes identity exposure easier...
The number of members present rapidly decreased. Angel looked toward the chubby apothecary who'd made a deal with her. He also remained in place without leaving.
"You two—do you want to leave separately at different times, or together?"
When only a handful remained, "Eye of Wisdom" asked.
"Together. I want to resolve this problem quickly. My herbs can't wait much longer."
The apothecary answered, casting an inquiring look at Angel.
She also wanted to collect the final payment quickly and nodded in agreement.
Returning the hooded robes to the attendant, the two pushed open the door and left the unremarkable-looking building. Angel discovered the exit wasn't the same one she'd entered through, meaning the building had multiple different entry and exit passages. Combined with the staggered departure rule, they'd almost never encounter others while leaving—quite safe.
On the moonlit street, the chubby apothecary pulled off his iron mask and wiped the sweat from his face, exhaling deeply.
Angel also put away her dog mask, though beneath it she still possessed the psychological suggestion effect of the "Ring of Madness," displaying her disguised features.
"Let's go. We'll head to the place you mentioned and resolve your troubles quickly."
Brushing back her somewhat disheveled black hair, Angel said to the apothecary.
"Good... okay, but aren't you afraid of danger this late? I thought you'd arrange another time and go during the day."
The apothecary, whose face looked even plumper without the mask, paused before nodding in response.
"Dark night and high winds... are perfect for getting things done."
Angel drew out her tone and suddenly turned back toward the man's face, scaring the chubby apothecary into widening his eyes and dodging backward.
"Getting... things done?"
Feeling the "Witch" potion within her body showing slight signs of digestion, Angel was shocked and alarmed by her own sudden boldness.
Though she'd only meant to startle him, how had her actions... She wished she could tear off the Ring of Madness she'd worn all day and throw it aside, but mindful of the chubby apothecary's presence, she could only quickly explain:
"Ahem, I mean, for Beyonders, nighttime is actually safer. No need to worry about street patrol officers or official Beyonders. Um, certain night owls excepted..."
Speaking haltingly, Angel quickly pulled up the cloak hood behind her to cover her embarrassed expression and left the narrow alley with the chubby apothecary.