Chapter 24: The Great Magician

After being helped to his feet, Lei Kedun staggered, his steps weak, stumbling several times before steadying himself. Only then did he have the energy to look at the Earth Church augment who had finally dealt with the clown.

The other appeared to be in his thirties, with a square face, jet‑black, stiff hair that looked more like pine needles than hair, thick, wide eyebrows, brown eyes that gave a gentle impression, a few crow's‑feet at the corners, a slightly flat bridge, very thick lips, and wheat‑colored skin.

He wore a plain gray linen robe, its left chest bearing the Earth Church's holy seal, a clerical attire that conveyed both gentleness and gravitas.

"Hello, I am a Harvest Priest of the Earth Church; you may call me Wu Saier. I'm very grateful for your rescue, otherwise I would have returned to Mother God's embrace tonight." Wu Saier bowed to Lei Kedun and thanked him sincerely.

"Greetings, I am Lei Kedun, an executor of the Knowledge Church. Helping you is also helping myself; with only me and a cat we couldn't have escaped, and Wu Saier, you saved my life, didn't you? However, I still need to ask you to rescue my companion, who was seriously wounded in the earlier battle." Lei Kedun said, turning his gaze to the motionless black cat Pa Si lying on the ground.

"No problem." Wu Saier nodded. He had originally intended to rescue the extraordinary cat as well, but seeing Lei Kedun's wounds were worse, he treated Lei Kedun first.

Supported by Wu Saier, Lei Kedun avoided falling midway. While Wu Saier tended to Pa Si, Lei Kedun leaned against a gas streetlamp, recalling the battle's details and repeatedly pondering his own mistakes.

After a moment of contemplation, Lei Kedun realized he could have killed the clown from the start, even though the opponent possessed both the Apprentice Path Sequence Eight Trickster Master and the Divination Path Sequence Eight Clown abilities.

But I have dispelling talismans that can nullify the clown's trick effects, binding talismans, and Pa Si's intimidation ability, plus my own gun and dagger, allowing me to strike the clown face‑to‑face the instant it approached, using continuous control.

Even if the clown miraculously survived, it would be gravely wounded; with bronze phosphorus, Lei Kedun could, aided by Pa Si, duel the clown with his dagger.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't calm enough and was misled by the clown; after its attack I realized it never had Sequence Five strength, only an over‑powered Sequence Eight, and Pa Si and I had no coordination." Lei Kedun recalled Pa Si's first intimidation, which had essentially struck his teammate.

"Meow~ I'm alive again, meow!" Pa Si quickly stood up under Wu Saier's treatment.

Following the sound, Lei Kedun saw that Pa Si's wound from the clown's electric shock had healed, though the fur in that area would take time to regrow; Pa Si's amber eyes were clouded with gray, indicating the flash damage was severe and would require a period of recuperation.

"My treatment only temporarily brings your injuries into a safe range; you'll need further care and rest over the next few days," Wu Saier explained.

"That's already impressive." Lei Kedun nodded in acknowledgment.

"It's fine, meow. I'll go back and have Yi Lisha brew two vials for me. Lei Kedun, do you need any? Meow!" Pa Si sounded optimistic, likely because the clown it feared was dead.

Lei Kedun shook his head at Pa Si's excitement and decided to give it a light reprimand.

"The clown that was killed may not be the one we saw last night; this clown is merely a non‑ordinary being stitched together from two Sequence Eight path traits, whereas the one we encountered was likely a Sequence Five, and it wasn't of the Apprentice or Divination paths." Lei Kedun voiced his analysis.

"How could that be, meow! Their scent is exactly the same, meow~" Pa Si refused to believe Lei Kedun's hypothesis.

"Both of you, I might be able to answer your doubts," Wu Saier said at that moment.

"Why, meow?" Pa Si asked directly.

"That clown split off from the Sequence Five clown you mentioned. We were investigating that clown when we unexpectedly encountered him outside the hospital. According to our prior knowledge, he couldn't leave that hospital, so perhaps you, Lei Kedun, know something," Wu Saier narrated.

"I don't know," Lei Kedun shook his head.

"Because it's a secret, I thought from your earlier conversation you already knew the details, but it's no longer secret now. Our investigation also includes your executor's squad leader and another member," Wu Saier explained.

He then continued without concealment: "After confronting that clown, we were subjected to his deceit and traps, sustaining heavy damage. Later, when a companion delivered the final blow, the clown split into three identical clowns. Their strengths varied slightly and none were as strong as the original, but our condition was poor, the battlefield stretched, and we were eventually taken down by the clowns one by one."

"Is the squad leader in danger now?" Lei Kedun asked immediately.

"I'm not sure either; I'll follow the direction they went before," Wu Saier said, shaking his head.

"I'll go too," Lei Kedun said.

As soon as he left the supporting streetlamp, he staggered.

"No need, you're too weak; if a fight breaks out you'll struggle to protect yourselves, and my spirit hasn't recovered, so I can't continue treating you," Wu Saier shook his head.

"Right, right, you can't even stand steady, meow~" Pa Si agreed.

"Alright, Pa Si and I will rest here; if you need anything or information, come back to find us," Lei Kedun, aware his condition would only cause trouble, nodded.

"No problem." Wu Saier nodded, then turned toward the hospital.

"I have to admit, the Sower Path's recovery is incredible; after I gave Wu Saier half a dose, he regained stamina, healed wounds, and restored spirit so quickly—perhaps because he's an augment," Lei Kedun mused.

"Why are we staying here? Isn't this dangerous, meow? Maybe another clown will appear!" Pa Si grew restless after hearing the clown had split into three.

"Of course it's to loot gear; after clearing a raid, the most important thing is picking up equipment!" Lei Kedun earnestly spoke to the cat, who couldn't understand.

"Meow~" Pa Si politely meowed. The cat's expression seemed to silently scoff; the clown clearly carried no gear or items.

Ignoring Pa Si's teasing look, he braced the streetlamp with one hand, steadied himself, and slowly approached the clown's corpse.

After a delay, faint glimmers began to emanate from the clown's body, gathering around the corpse.

"What's this? Meow~" Pa Si hobbled closer, curious about the extraordinary traits seeping from the clown.

"The gear we obtained from the monster could be a Sequence Eight extraordinary trait, or it might be a sealed item; the latter is more likely. The clown's traits show stitching marks, so extracting a pure extraordinary trait will be difficult," Lei Kedun explained while pondering.

"Extraordinary trait? The kind that can replace the main ingredient of a corresponding elixir, meow?" Pa Si asked, eyes wide amber.

Lei Kedun nodded, replying: "Yes, it's merely an extraordinary trait re‑extracted after being ingested as a potion; it's different from directly eating a person."

"But I'm a cat!" Pa Si said.

"Then why are you so shocked?" Lei Kedun was at a loss for words.

"Isn't this something that would naturally shock a cat, meow?" Pa Si said matter‑of‑factly.

During Lei Kedun and Pa Si's conversation, the clown's extraordinary traits fully exuded, slowly flowing and coalescing, then, as if drawn, merged into the tall red top hat atop the clown's head.

The original red hat began to warp; ultimately the traits formed, as Lei Kedun guessed, a sealed object—a tall black top hat wrapped with a red silk scarf, its brim slightly curled on both front and back.

Lei Kedun picked up the black hat from the ground and, using divination, learned its general sealing effects:

Wearing the hat grants extreme bodily coordination, balance, precise control, and makes one's lies more readily believed.

It also allows a few simple tricks—creating fog, flashes, burning, freezing, and wind—though each can be used only three times per day and is weak, unlike the clown's over‑the‑top abilities, offering little combat value.

The hat itself can serve as a magical tool or weapon; when thrown, it flies like a shuriken toward the enemy, and pre‑prepared items can be retrieved from within it.

However, the hat's side effect is severe: it instills a strong urge to perform; once used, the wearer cannot stop doing magic shows, even in daily life, requiring daily performances with an audience.

The hat also possesses a living trait, constantly beguiling its wearer, amplifying desires and emotions; this seems to be the source of its persuasive‑lie effect. The beguilement varies per person; Lei Kedun felt he could not use it beyond a minute.

"The effect is strong, granting parts of the Trickster Master and clown abilities, and it can serve as a weapon, but the negative side‑effect is overly troublesome and bizarre," Lei Kedun mused about the seal.

He then considered its usage: "The beguiling side‑effect is hard to guard against; in combat it makes timing control imprecise and forces uncontrollable magic performances, which is especially hostile to non‑ordinary beings outside the Three Families, practically handing them a death sentence."

He then explained the hat's effects to Pa Si again; after hearing Lei Kedun's description, Pa Si kept retreating.

"Stay away from me, stay away, meow~! Too dangerous, meow!" Pa Si pulled two or three meters away from Lei Kedun.

Lei Kedun's mouth twitched slightly; the cat's clown aftereffects were rather severe.

Twirling the hat in his hand, Lei Kedun said: "Since that's the case, I'll convert your share into equivalent premium cat food or special dried fish, have it ready in a few days, and I'll keep the hat. Hmm… I still need to name it, so I'll call it the Great Magician's Top Hat."

"Premium cat food! Specially made fish bits! Meow~ So great meow!" Pa Si was also satisfied that Lei Ke Dun gave it the conversion into premium cat food and specially made fish bits.

(End of chapter)