"It's crafted from the Scribe's Characteristic, capable of recording and storing the extraordinary abilities it witnesses. But remember, once recorded, it can only be used once."
"Also, recording has a success rate. Sequence 9 to Sequence 8 can be easily recorded, basically just seeing it once is enough."
"Sequence 7 and Sequence 6 are relatively more difficult, but not too much of a problem; it will definitely be recorded in two to three attempts."
"Sequence 5 is considerably harder, requiring about four to five attempts to succeed."
Abbott yawned and took another swig of strong liquor before continuing, "demi-god level abilities cannot be recorded. It can only record up to Sequence 5."
"It's important to note that it can only record five abilities. When this number is exceeded, it will automatically replace the first one."
Lex imperceptibly nodded and said, "It sounds very powerful. What are its negative effects?"
"Let me think." Mr. Artisan's memory didn't seem very good. He clutched his hair, closed his eyes, as if trying hard to recall some information.
After a few seconds, he finally said, "I remember now. After each use, it will reduce your eyesight. You need to immerse the glasses in hot water as soon as possible to eliminate this effect."
"If not eliminated in time, your vision will continue to decline until you go blind."
After listening, Lex put the glasses directly on his face: "I understand, Mr. Abbott. You plan to use it as collateral for the 'Devil' Characteristic. As both are Sequence 6, these glasses indeed have equivalent value."
"Its value is slightly higher than your Characteristic. After all, this is a 'finished product.' Normally, you'd have to pay me at least 1000 pounds as a deposit, but since Harry introduced you, we'll waive the deposit."
Abbott picked up the glass bottle containing the 'Devil' Characteristic, looked at it, and then said, "However, I would like to ask you to inquire about and collect the Astronomer's potion formula. I will pay you for it, or provide items of equivalent value."
"No problem, I'll keep an eye out for you," Lex readily agreed. After all, things like potion formulas aren't easily acquired, especially since Abbott was asking for a Sequence 5 formula.
Abbott was also aware of this, so he didn't set a deadline. Lex could complete it whenever he wanted, or not at all.
The Artisan didn't just entrust Lex; he was likely casting a wide net, hoping to catch whatever he could.
"So, when can I come to pick up the finished product?" Lex looked at the 'devil' Characteristic.
Abbott took another drink before saying, "Hard to say. You can check with Harry every two to three days. If I finish, I'll tell him."
Lex agreed to his decision: "Then it's settled. I have other matters, so I'll be leaving now."
"Then I also…" The Clockmaker seemed to want to leave as well.
Abbott called out to him, "Harry, you stay. I need your assistance with some work."
"Me? Alright…" Harry Parker could only shrug and stay.
Lex returned alone to the 'Amber House' hotel, rested briefly, and pondered how to contact the missing Siril.
Siril is a member of the Antiquities Protection Society, and Osweld must have his contact information. So, should he write to that old fox?
Just as Lex had this thought, a knock sounded on the door. The sound was somewhat unreal, as if coming from a great distance.
The Messenger is here?
Perhaps it's because of Siril!
Lex cleared his throat with a fist and said, "Come in."
He quickly blinked twice, activating his Spiritual Vision, and saw the neatly dressed but headless Messenger emerge from the wooden door.
The headless Messenger entered the room, placed a hand on his chest, bowed slightly to Lex, then took out a letter and placed it on the table. He lightly patted it twice to ensure there were no patterns, then retreated to the side.
Lex cut open the envelope and poured out a folded letter. Spreading it open, it was indeed Osweld's familiar handwriting.
'My dear Duke, I have heard about what happened in Grand Town. I didn't expect those people to be so rampant, killing several of Siril's servants for a treasure map.
The signal you released has been received by Siril, but he has no way to contact you directly, so he could only pass the message to me through some of our internal channels.
He asked me to tell you that he will be waiting for you at the Wild Horse Bar tonight. When you arrive at the bar, order a sunia blood wine, and he will come to meet you.'
At the bottom was Osweld's signature.
Lex shook the letter, and a crimson flame rose, burning the letter into pieces of ash.
"You may return now," he said to the Messenger.
The headless Messenger placed a hand on his chest, backed into the wooden door, and vanished.
It was still early in the evening, so Lex walked to the center of the room, extended his hands flat, and chanted the incantation.
"Eye that sees everything."
After the ritual, Lex saw the mystical book appear in his hands. On the book's cover, the number for knowledge authority had changed; it was now 6.
Then, the pages turned by themselves, arriving at the Artisan of Mysteries page.
Lex was delighted to find that the dimensional crystal had increased, from 489 previously to 685 now.
Scribe.
'The Unfindable Book tells you to come find me, and rewarded you with another 15,000 dimensional coin.'
'Borkin counted his gold coins and casually rewarded you with 4,500 dimensional coin.'
There were also rewards from Watchers like 'Dried Idle Fish,' 'Youyi Lixy,' and 'Ghost D.'
Lex silently thanked them, then turned to the 'Message Board' page, seeing that the previous inquiry about the Theft pathway had already received replies.
'No Night Tomorrow: The Amon Family is Amon, and everyone else is Amon's Clone. Amon has almost gathered all the Characteristics of the Theft pathway, with only a few struggling survivors still hiding, such as Pallez Zoroast, the angel parasitic on Poet Leonard, who was injured by Amon, and Hazel's teacher, a severely wounded demigod. The Theft pathway is indeed strong, but not that strong; of course you'd be crushed as a Sequence 7 without equipment fighting a Sequence 4. Hurry and upgrade.'
'Want to See Cherry Blossoms: Pathways like Hunter-Red Priest and Sailor-Tyrant, which rely on special effects for combat, seem to just shut down when facing Amon. If you play with fire, he steals the fire; if you play with lightning, he steals the lightning. It's better to stay away from monocles. I already have Theft PTSD ┐( ' ～` ; )┌'
'Klein and Amon fought for it at the end, in that hall above the gray fog. Amon was defeated, Klein was backstabbed and fell into a deep sleep. If he wakes up, he's the Lord of the Mysteries; if not, it's game over.'
This… that's a lot of information.
The Amon Family, from beginning to end, was actually just Amon himself?
One person is a Family. Amon can use Clones and has already gathered all the Characteristics of the Thief pathway. Is this preparation for ascending to True God?
Leonard has an injured angel parasitic on him? Leonard is a Night Watcher from Tingen, Klein's colleague, and he actually has an angel parasitic on him!
Looking at the information on the page, Lex's mouth slightly opened in surprise.