Chapter 384: Seizing the Opportunity

If I hadn't performed counter-surveillance, would I have already run into "Loki"? Lu Mian was startled by Termiboros's answer.

He had simply wanted to know if "Prophecy" could be effective against Beyonders of the "Seer" pathway. It wouldn't have mattered if Termiboros hadn't answered; as a "Contractee," he could have fully responded to himself and concocted a "Prophecy Potion" to test the effects. Who would have thought that this Angel of Fate would give such an answer directly.

Thoughts raced through Lu Mian's mind as he analyzed the information contained in that single sentence:

After leaving Jiujie, "Loki" had followed him for a period of time!

The origin of the data copy was a trap!

At noon today, "Loki" was right inside the "Alone" bar!

He had deliberately used the mechanical typewriter at the "Alone" bar to produce the data copy, all to lure potential pursuers to that location, thereby locking onto them, counter-tracking them, and delivering a fatal blow.

And if the pursuer were extremely formidable, he could still ensure his basic safety while inside the Bureau of Discipline's stronghold, not being found easily. He could even utilize the power of the Bureau of Discipline, an official organization, to strike at his opponent.

Thinking of this, Lu Mian felt both regret and relief.

He regretted that during the time between leaving Jiujie and completing the counter-surveillance process, he hadn't discovered "Loki's" tail, causing him to "miss" the founder of the "April Fool's" group. He had originally had the chance to chat with him about matters related to "Muggles."

Lu Mian was relieved, however, that he hadn't been prepared at all at the time. If he had truly discovered "Loki" and forced him to act prematurely, he likely would have died a miserable death. After all, according to Franca's description, once a "Seer" reached Sequence 7 "Magician," they possessed many bizarre abilities, and after becoming a "Marionettist," they could kill people silently.

If he had truly been ambushed by "Loki," Lu Mian wasn't even sure if he would have had the chance to activate Mr. K's finger, nor did he know if he could have discovered the real "Loki's" location in time to use the "Hum-Ha Technique" to escape his predicament.

But at this moment, the fire within his heart made his regret outweigh his relief.

Lu Mian's pace toward the Breeze Dance Hall slowed unconsciously as he filtered through his entire experience at the "Alone" bar at noon:

The bar's lighting was dim, and it was past lunchtime. Apart from two or three drunks chatting tipsily by the window, the entire first floor seemed to have only Lia, who was dressed as a bartender;

From the cellar, which served as a puppet theater, came occasional lines of dialogue from different people;

In the room with the mechanical typewriter, there was a man reading a newspaper. He hadn't spoken a word, his gaze fixed on the paper, and even when collecting the typing fee, he had only nodded...

Which of them was "Loki"? Lu Mian stopped diagonally across from the Breeze Dance Hall, his gaze losing focus.

Clearly, Lia couldn't be "Loki." This wasn't because of the wrong gender, but because the Sequence wasn't high enough. According to Franca, "Loki" had liked to keep his appearance half-hidden since early last year or even earlier, suspected of having advanced to "Faceless," while Lia had still been a Sequence 7 "Magician" a few months ago.

—In the True Dream, she shouldn't have been able to hide her specific Sequence.

Lu Mian gradually shifted his target of suspicion to the man reading the newspaper who was guarding the typewriter:

He could use that mechanical typewriter to produce data copies at any time, and he could easily discover if any strangers came to borrow the mechanical typewriter...

Lu Mian carefully recalled the man's physical features, finding him ordinary, with no memorable points—about thirty years old, black hair, blue eyes, neither good-looking nor ugly, wearing a black formal suit, just like the kind of small clerk often seen on the street.

"Moreover, a 'Marionettist' can also create puppets. That might just be a marionette, not 'Loki,' which is why he remained silent, pretending to read the newspaper...

"Since a 'Marionettist' can turn people into puppets, can't they also turn rats, cockroaches, bedbugs, and the like into puppets?

"If that's the case, the possibilities are too many. Every living creature inside the 'Alone' bar could be 'Loki'...

"How am I supposed to find him? What an annoying guy. Although the form of expression is different from the Amons, he's just as annoying!

"It's only because I have an Angel trapped in me, along with Mr. Fool's seal and the 'Blood Emperor's' aura, otherwise, a 'Marionettist' who is a 'Seer' could easily find me... Relying purely on counter-surveillance and 'Lie' shouldn't be enough to shake off 'Loki'...

"So annoying. That's a Bureau of Discipline stronghold; I can't force the real 'Loki' out with area-of-effect attacks..." Lu Mian grew more and more irritable the more he thought about it.

Having successfully escaped one pursuit, it was basically impossible for him to use a similar probe to fish "Loki" out again. As long as the opponent had normal intelligence, they would suspect that a trap was hidden in this recurring event.

Moreover, frequently going to the "Alone" bar would also attract the attention of the Bureau of Discipline, which would be even more troublesome.

Lu Mian took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down and maintain emotional stability.

He shifted the focus of his thinking to an analysis of "Loki" as a person:

"According to Anthony's theory, 'Loki' and the vast majority of 'April Fool's' members are the type of people who think they are clever. Otherwise, after despairing of the future, it's unlikely they would seek pleasure through pranks; they should be indulging their desires and drowning in the various enjoyments of life...

"Is it possible for such people to be lured into a trap they think they've seen through?"

Lu Mian constantly dismantled various pieces of information in his mind and constantly reorganized them, trying to find a feasible plan.

This made him gradually irritable, wishing he could rush directly into the "Alone" bar and kill everyone and everything except Lia.

Finally, Lu Mian thought of one thing.

Although it couldn't become a plan targeting "Loki," it could probe the situation at the "Alone" bar to see if he could find details that could be utilized and investigated. Moreover, this would allow him to vent his emotions, let out some anger, and earn a sum of money.

After deliberating repeatedly, Lu Mian turned his body and walked toward Chaos Street.

Golden Rooster Hotel, Room 401.

Lu Mian pushed open the ajar door and saw the bankrupt merchant Fitz sitting at a wooden table, soaking a baguette-like rye bread into a gooey soup.

Fitz looked back, put down the food in his hand, and stood up, both bewildered and panicked:

"Mr. Charles, is there something the matter?"

This bankrupt merchant's brownish hair was greasy, but he stubbornly kept it neat enough. His dark brown eyes and the smile lines around his mouth naturally gave him a fawning appearance.

Compared to last time, Fitz's clothes were dirtier, as if he no longer had spare time for cleaning.

Lu Mian asked straightforwardly:

"Do you have any documents that can prove Timmons owes you 100,000 Vergold? The boss of that 'Different' cabaret."

Fitz's eyes lit up:

"Yes! I have the contract for our joint business, which stipulates the time for him to buy back the shares and provide the 100,000 Vergold and corresponding profits.

"Mr. Charles, you don't need to use the 'Different' cabaret to remind me who Timmons is. I curse that bastard a hundred times every day!

"Mr. Charles, is there hope of getting my money back?"

Lu Mian curled his lips:

"There is such an opportunity. This might be the only chance in your life. Once missed, you really won't be able to get that money back."

Now is the time when the "Different" cabaret's power is at its weakest!

Without the Amons, only some humans alienated to varying degrees remain!

Fitz listened, both excited and worried, and immediately dug out the treasured contract and handed it to Lu Mian.

Although he didn't quite trust this gang leader either, having no other options, he could only pray that the other party could bring back good news.

Observatory District, Jiujie.

Lu Mian changed his appearance and clothes, and in the guise of a shirt, vest, top hat, and thin formal suit, walked toward the "Different" cabaret.

A guard wearing a monocle on his right eye and a black short suit stopped him:

"Sir, you need to wear a monocle to enter our cabaret."

Lu Mian smiled and replied:

"Monet sent me, saying I don't need to wear a monocle on my right eye like you guys."

The two guards looked at each other and simultaneously revealed meaningful smiles:

"That's no problem."

It seems you all know what kind of fate awaits those invited by Monet... You've also been infected with that nasty personality, even secretly believing in Amon? It's a pity you don't know that the current "Different" cabaret is no longer the way you remember it... Lu Mian sneered, deciding to find the one who looked most like Amon later and smash his monocle with one punch.

This was both to vent his anger and fear from being used and frightened by Amon before, and to attract the attention of the "Alone" bar. Otherwise, how would they know that someone could demand the swindled money back from Timmons?

It was already evening, and gas wall lamps and chandeliers using colored glass lit up inside the "Different" cabaret.

Quite a few people wearing monocles and short suits were either twisting in the dance floor, holding a glass of wine, leaning on the railing, smiling as they watched others dance, or playing the violin or blowing the clarinet in the corner, bringing a lively atmosphere to the scene.

Everything here looked as if nothing had happened.

Lu Mian watched for a while, then turned toward the stairs leading to the second floor.

The monocled guard standing there extended his right hand, blocking Lu Mian.

He asked with an unclear smile:

"Looking for whom?"

Lu Mian replied in a relaxed state:

"Looking for Timmons to pay back the money."

"Then you can't go up." The monocled guard didn't stop him too strongly, as if watching a comedy.

Lu Mian curled his lips, revealing a brilliant smile.

Bang!

He swung his left fist, hitting the guard in the face, sending the monocle flying, cracking as it fell to the ground, splitting into cracks.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 385 =====