stjorthotic Chapter 13, codenamed "Power"
Chapter 13, codenamed "Power"
Klein was Klein after all. With his kind heart, he simply couldn't abandon his family with whom he had already established an emotional bond, not to mention his guilt over taking over the original body. He wanted to try and see if he could turn the situation around.
After all, judging from what Evan revealed, he still has a cheat called Gray Fog that can interfere with the opponent's plans.
Then Klein continued, using the enigmatic tone of "The Fool," to guide Evan as he spoke:
"Besides this place, what else did you see in your dream?"
Evan seemed to have been triggered by the Fool's words, recalling a terrifying memory. In Klein's eyes, Evan's body seemed to tremble. After a long while, he finally spoke:
"I saw blood, I saw blood all over the city, dead bodies everywhere, wailing everywhere, the whole of Tingen was destroyed."
Upon reading Evan's description, Klein took a deep breath. At this moment, he no longer had the idea of running away, but only the courage to fight against the mastermind behind the scenes. He found it hard to imagine the scene of a city being destroyed overnight, and he could not stand idly by.
Klein then began to ask Evan for more details.
"You also saw the mastermind's arrangements regarding the notebook. Did you contact the person who ultimately obtained it?"
"We searched, but apart from a corpse, there was nothing of value left in their house. And that corpse was Riel Bieber's mother. Riel Bieber himself, a jeweler, has disappeared."
Knowing the plot well, Evan answered Klein's question without hesitation.
"You know Heinz Vancent, the man who sold your classmate the notes. He deliberately sold them to your classmate. Haven't you thought about revenge?"
Evan gritted his teeth and finally spoke 'honestly' to Klein:
"Haynason Vancent is a follower of the evil god True Creator. He wants to recruit me into their organization, the Aurora Society, and promises to provide me with a Sequence 9 'Hunter' potion."
He's already told me I can pick up the potion tomorrow. I plan to write a report to the Storm Church after I get it, and have him and his companions wiped out.
Klein silently shook his head. As far as he knew, joining a secret organization meant being controlled by it. Although it was clear that Evan had a deep understanding of the occult, he knew too little about secret organizations. Not all secret organizations were as hollow as the 'Tarot Society'.
"I'll find a way to report them to the captain in a bit. Once we know their names, finding them will be a piece of cake."
This also serves as revenge for Welch, Naya, and my predecessor. As for your "Hunter" potion, you'll have to find it through other means; it's for your own good.
"Do you know what's special about you? Can you see the phantom cities that are closely connected to your astral body, and even confuse your spiritual and ethereal bodies?"
Evan feigned surprise and said, "That illusory city, wasn't it a gift from you, Mr. Fool, to me in my dream?"
"It would be a miracle if I gave it to you. That illusory city can violently collide with the gray fog and disrupt the mastermind's plans just like the gray fog. It's obviously very powerful. How could I give it to you? I haven't even figured out the true nature of the gray fog yet!"
When Klein heard Evan blame him for his abnormality, he couldn't help but mentally complain, but still spoke up:
"This isn't a favor I've done for you; tell me the details!"
Evan appeared very suspicious and recounted what he had seen that resembled old Shanghai.
Although Evan's words were unclear, Klein still recognized that the city Evan mentioned was very similar to old Shanghai on Earth. However, the description of the people in the city made Klein frown.
Regardless, Klein was still extremely happy. This was the second time he had found traces of his hometown since he came to this world, apart from Roselle, a fellow transmigrator. This made Klein determined to invite Evan to join the Tarot Club.
So after listening to Evan's account, 'The Fool' didn't offer any commentary but instead spoke up:
"I am a fool who is accustomed to equal exchange. To gain something, you must give something in return. You have performed the ritual and recited my ancient and revered name, so you must have something to ask for. But what can you give in return?"
At this point, Klein was actually a little nervous. He was worried that Evan would make a request that he couldn't fulfill, but in order to maintain the image of the "Fool," he had no choice but to say it.
"At least he shouldn't ask me for money, right? After all, he's much richer than me. I might be able to write bad checks for other things, but I really can't get money from him!"
Klein couldn't help but internally criticize himself.
Upon hearing this, Evan was overjoyed and immediately said:
"Can you protect my friend Klein Moretti and my hometown, Tingen?"
"I would have done it even if you hadn't said anything," Klein thought to himself, but still maintained his 'high-class' demeanor by asking in return:
"And what can you offer in return?"
Evan glanced furtively at the pretentious Fool, then spoke:
"I can offer my body and soul, and I can offer the faith of my friend Klein. You must be a god who has just awakened from slumber in ancient times. I believe you must need believers to do some trivial things for you. Klein is humble, cautious, loyal, and brave. He is a trustworthy and good believer!"
Upon hearing this, Klein nearly spat out another mouthful of blood.
Why does this person always have to drag me into everything they do?
However, by putting himself in Evan's shoes, Klein quickly understood Evan's line of thinking.
If Klein truly becomes a follower of "The Fool," then protecting Klein becomes the duty of the gods, and he wouldn't have to pay too much extra price. Instead, it would be equivalent to Klein paying a certain price to protect himself; he would simply be a "faith promoter."
This made Klein realize for the first time that his wealthy friend was quite shrewd and calculating, unwilling to pay any extra costs, yet determined to achieve his goals.
However, Klein himself was not a true evil god and did not need Evan's body and soul, so he spoke up:
"I have no interest in the bodies and souls of mortals, but you can get what you want from me or from other people who are somewhat similar to you by giving me something or a price. The principle is equivalent exchange."
"The information about Tingen that I obtained from you is somewhat valuable. I can keep an eye on your friend Klein."
In addition, the gathering will start at 3 pm every Monday. You need to prepare a private environment for yourself in advance, and you should first choose a tarot card as your code name.
"Justice and the Hanged Man already have their own masters; they cannot choose..."
"I chose 'Strength' as my code name because I hope I can overcome my timidity, resist temptations, and never lose confidence in myself, so that I can continuously achieve breakthroughs on the path to the extraordinary."
Having been prepared, Evan made his choice without hesitation.
"Always remember your own choices and follow your heart."
Klein nodded in approval of Evan's choice, and then said with a serious expression.
After saying that, Klein realized that the time was up and reached out to tap the two flashing red stars.
Then, two figures appeared on either side of the Fool in the magnificent and towering temple that resembled the residence of a giant king.
They each stood beside a bronze chair, flanking the Fool.
To the right of "The Fool" is a man whose face is obscured, but who can be vaguely identified as having messy hair that resembles blue seaweed. He is the "Downside Commissar" that readers often refer to.
Standing to the left of Mr. Fool was a tall, beautiful young woman with flowing blonde hair.
Even though the gray fog prevented Evan from seeing her exact face, based on his own experience, the girl's appearance was in no way inferior to any "witch".
As soon as they appeared, the cheerful Miss Justice greeted everyone.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool!"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man!"
At the same time, Miss Justice also noticed Evan standing not far from the bronze table, but not sitting down, and didn't know how to address him.
The Fool, of course, wouldn't let the atmosphere become awkward, and immediately began his introduction.
"This is a new member of the Tarot Club, Mr. Strength! These two are Mr. Hanged Man and Ms. Justice!"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Power!"
Upon learning Evan's codename, Miss Justice immediately greeted him, making sure not to miss a single detail.
As the Fool introduced himself, Evan made an exaggerated gesture in the air as if holding a top hat, then bowed deeply and greeted them in a slightly exaggerated tone.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man and Ms. Justice."
Miss Justice then lifted her skirt and gave Evan a ladylike curtsy, while the Hanged Man, who was scrutinizing Evan, nodded in acknowledgment.
"Mr. Strength's performance was very exaggerated. I don't know if it's his true nature or if he's doing it on purpose."
The thought arose simultaneously in the minds of "The Hanged Man" and "Justice".
"Now that we've introduced ourselves, Mr. 'Power,' please take a seat?"
After the two men bowed to each other, the Fool casually pointed to the chair next to the Hanged Man and said...
Evan bowed to Mr. Fool again, then walked to the chair next to the Hanged Man and sat down.
As Evan took his seat, Miss Justice eagerly asked the Hanged Man:
"Mr. Hanged Man, did you receive the box of Ghost Shark blood I sent you?"
The Hanged Man received materials of excellent quality, so he was in a good mood and said to Miss Justice with a smile:
"It perfectly meets all my expectations. I didn't expect you to be able to send it over so quickly. After all, it's no ordinary extraordinary thing."
Alger the Hanged Man then began teaching Audrey Justice how to make potions. Evan knew that Audrey Justice was a novice who was new to the mysterious world and needed Alger as her mentor, so he just smiled and watched quietly.
When Alger read out the sequence potion for the audience, he subconsciously glanced at Evan. Clearly, he didn't want Evan to hear it, but since Mr. Fool didn't say anything, and his sudden suggestion seemed very unfriendly, Alger could only endure the heartache and Evan's blank stare.
Evan, who was standing next to him, naturally noticed Alger's dilemma and found it somewhat amusing.
During this time, while Miss Justice Audrey was trying to memorize the order of all the materials and knowledge, Klein couldn't wait to instruct her to use the mind imprinting ability that he had just developed with Evan, which once again shocked Miss Justice.
Finally, when Alger spoke about meditation, the "Fool," sitting at the head of the table, banged on the table again.