Chapter 298: Request (Monthly ticket requested at the start of the month)

Gardner Martin had long been accustomed to Lu Mian's frankness and directness. He nodded slightly and said:

"If you want to get it quickly, I have three items here of equivalent value to the 'Werewolf' tooth.

"The first is the 'Shadow Bracelet'. It is a magical artifact that can help you hide within shadows larger than yourself, allow you to summon 'Shadow Servants' possessing a small amount of special abilities, and animate shadows to bind targets to a certain extent.

"It is an ominous object. Over a third of those who have used it have gone insane, another third have mysteriously disappeared without wearing it and never appeared again, and many of the remaining ones seem fine but often claim to suffer from tinnitus, to the point of developing auditory hallucinations.

"In recent years, unless it's a special situation, no one dares to use this magical artifact anymore."

Then why are you asking me if I want it? Do I look like a lunatic or an idiot to you? Lu Mian used his eyes to express his confusion.

Gardner Martin smiled and explained simply:

"I am one of the few who have used the 'Shadow Bracelet' without any issues. I have mastered a way to weaken its negative side effects, but you must choose it before I can tell you."

When did you develop the delusion that you haven't had any issues? Lu Mian held his breath, not daring to speak his mind.

In his view, Gardner Martin, who had been polluted by the "anomaly" at 13 Market Avenue, might not necessarily be any better off than those who had gone insane or disappeared mysteriously.

According to Madam Magician's description of pollution, the Gardner Martin standing here might not necessarily be the same person as the Gardner Martin from before.

Gardner Martin glanced at him and said with a smile:

"Actually, you don't need to be so reserved in front of me. It makes you look less like a 'Hunter' who hasn't yet advanced to Sequence 6. If you really said something that could 'provoke' me, I would at most retort with sarcasm. Look, isn't Albus still living just fine?"

"Yes, 'Chief'." Of course, Lu Mian couldn't tell him that most of the words he was forcibly suppressing were secrets that the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" must not know.

Gardner Martin left the armchair and continued:

"The second is a Beyonder characteristic left behind by a 'Spirit Medium'. You know what a Beyonder characteristic is, right?"

Lu Mian replied calmly:

"Killing a supernatural creature can yield one of the main ingredients for a potion, and killing a Beyonder must surely yield corresponding items, just like the golden-red transparent orb from 'Hammer' Aite and this 'Werewolf' tooth.

"I think this must be a Beyonder characteristic. They all correspond to a potion and don't require additional main ingredients to be collected, right?"

Gardner Martin nodded in appreciation:

"Correct, your judgment is accurate."

He didn't go into detail about the "Law of Beyonder Characteristic Indestructibility," seemingly believing that it involved too many secrets and wasn't something Lu Mian could know yet.

Gardner Martin paced back and forth in front of the unlit fireplace with his hands behind his back:

"'Spirit Medium'—you can guess what kind of abilities a magical artifact made from it would have just from the name. Of course, the specific abilities obtained depend on the skill of the 'Artisan'.

"If there are no accidents, it should be a combination of two or three from the following: 'Death Eyes' that allow one to disguise themselves as a living corpse, endure the erosion of decay, cold, and deathly auras, and find the weaknesses of undead creatures; and the ability to communicate directly with natural spirits and various undead creatures in the real world to realize various magical effects. If you are lucky enough, you might even get all of them.

"Try not to carry this Beyonder characteristic on your person; otherwise, it will make you a target of hatred for surrounding natural spirits and various undead creatures, and you might encounter strange attacks at any time."

It sounds very powerful, but it's a bit like a "Contractee," both relying on other creatures to obtain power... Lu Mian pondered for a few seconds and asked:

"What about the third?"

Gardner Martin walked back to the armchair:

"That is also a Beyonder characteristic. If you carry it, you will find yourself becoming quite lucky. This manifests in the details of various matters.

"Its corresponding Sequence name is 'Lucky One,' but you must remember: the carnival of luck is often a precursor to disaster. Also, it might let you see things that shouldn't be seen."

A Sequence 7 of the "Monster" pathway? Lu Mian recalled the contents of Aurore's grimoire.

The "Monster" pathway is also called the "Fate" pathway, a pathway known for high spirituality and close connection to fate.

Lu Mian chuckled:

"'Lucky One' ended up unfortunately becoming a Beyonder characteristic?

"That's a joke with quite an ironic meaning."

Gardner Martin expressed agreement:

"Don't underestimate bad luck, and don't rely on luck, otherwise you too will become a Beyonder characteristic."

"That's very philosophical." Lu Mian remembered this piece of advice, which was full of experience and lessons.

He carefully savored Gardner Martin's introduction just now and found that he hadn't been stingy with information about the corresponding Sequence.

Just the descriptions of the abilities of a "Spirit Medium" and a "Lucky One" were enough to sell for a good price at many arcane gatherings.

Gardner Martin pointed to the black-green fang on the ground again:

"It is a 'Werewolf' Beyonder characteristic. Once turned into a magical artifact, it should provide one or more effects such as strong self-healing, transforming into a werewolf, or sacrificing sanity in exchange for a short burst of power.

"But as you have seen, 'Werewolves' are always influenced by the desire for slaughter and bloodlust, and during a full moon or blood moon, there is the hidden danger of losing sanity and being unable to control oneself.

"Have you decided which item to choose now? If you pick the Beyonder characteristic, I can help you contact an 'Artisan' and pay the production fee on your behalf. This is a reward you deserve for your contribution tonight."

Is the "Artisan" you find a Saint? What would be your reaction if you found out I was hiding the "Shadow Branch"? Lu Mian muttered to himself while seriously considering which one to choose.

He first ruled out the "Shadow Bracelet." It was a magical artifact suspected to be from the same pathway as Mr. K. He might get something similar but better in the rewards Mr. K provided in a few days. Moreover, the negative side effects of the "Shadow Bracelet" were simply too dangerous. Even though Gardner Martin claimed to have a way to weaken them, Lu Mian didn't dare to take the risk.

Most importantly, such a risk didn't have much meaning.

"'Spirit Medium' could make up for my shortcomings, but it doesn't quite match the 'Shadow Branch.' I can't very well create a magical artifact whose effect is 'Ghost'... Hmm, some of its characteristics overlap with the 'Contractee' as well...

"'Lucky One' could make the 'Shadow Branch' always trigger appropriate desires? The 'Werewolf's' sacrifice of sanity and influence by the desire for slaughter and bloodlust also match the 'Shadow Branch' quite well. I don't know what kind of magical artifact it would create..."

Lu Mian thought back and forth for several minutes before making a decision:

"I want the 'Lucky One'."

The most critical reason he gave up on the "Werewolf" Beyonder characteristic was that it might bring the negative effect of losing sanity to the final magical artifact.

If it were someone else, they could try to find ways to reduce the final impact, for example, using it only in situations where there were only enemies, or avoiding full moons or blood moons, but Lu Mian couldn't. If he lost his sanity once, it was possible that Termiboros would take advantage of it, making it impossible for the seal to maintain balance again.

In addition, he himself was a Beyonder of the Fate domain. When his Sequence became higher in the future, he might be able to indirectly enhance the effects of that magical artifact through the "Lucky One" trait.

As for seeing things that shouldn't be seen, Lu Mian, who already had the "Spectator's Glasses," didn't mind having one more item like that.

Gardner Martin was slightly surprised. He had originally thought Lu Mian would choose between the "Spirit Medium" Beyonder characteristic and the "Shadow Bracelet."

He quickly returned to normal and said with a smile without asking further:

"Humans are always obsessed with good luck."

This leader of the Savard Party and "Chief" of the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" briefly left the living room and went up the stairs.

A few minutes later, he walked back with a transparent glass jar that had originally been used to hold candy.

Inside the jar lay a mercury-colored eyeball, which was slowly turning left, right, up, and down as if it were still alive.

"The method for carrying it and storing it normally is to place it in a small, dark space," Gardner Martin said while wrapping the glass jar layer by layer with black cloth strips.

When he handed this item to Lu Mian, he gave a final instruction:

"Change the jar every seven days."

"Thank you, 'Chief'." Lu Mian stuffed the glass jar containing the "Lucky One" Beyonder characteristic into his pants pocket.

Gardner Martin didn't find it strange that he didn't ask to contact an "Artisan," because what effects a final magical artifact would have was a secret that the holder would try to keep from others as much as possible. Finding an "Artisan" he didn't know was more conducive to keeping it secret.

He had just had these thoughts when Lu Mian proactively brought up the matter:

"'Chief,' I want to exchange the free 'Artisan' for another reward."

Gardner Martin asked with great curiosity:

"What reward do you want?"

Lu Mian smiled:

"Help me find someone."

"Who?" Gardner Martin had a vague guess.

Lu Mian's expression gradually became solemn:

"Guillaume Bénet.

"You know I came from Cordu Village, so you must have seen the wanted poster for that parish priest.

"I have been tracking him, wanting to catch this cultist who brought disaster upon me. I just received information that he might appear in the Red Princess District next week. I want to ask you, 'Chief,' to help me find him."

Gardner Martin laughed out loud:

"I originally thought you wanted to do it yourself, endure the pain, track him alone, and take secret revenge.

"Not bad, you know how to use the power of the organization. Earlier than I expected, this is also something a 'Hunter' needs to understand.

"I grant your request."

PS: Monthly ticket requested at the start of the month~

(End of chapter)