Each to Their Own

To alter the 'Guardian Ritual' to my advantage without the original presider noticing too soon… ideally, the presider shouldn't be present when I make the modifications…

"By tomorrow morning, I should have the dossier Xio's prepared on the embassy's Beyonders. Once I know who's been maintaining the ritual, I'll figure out a way to lure them out of the embassy for a while… then I can make my move.

"But before that, I still have other preparations to take care of."

With these thoughts, Ebner quickly finished his coffee and the chocolate cake he'd ordered. After settling the bill, he caught a carriage back to the garden villa on Ginst Street—he needed to retrieve some necessary supplies.

...

On Iron Gate Street, behind the "Bravehearts" Bar, Klein handed Kaspars 2 pounds to guide him to a house where a Beyonder gathering was taking place.

After giving the coded knocks of appropriate strength and interval at the door, Klein was led through a darkened parlor into a sitting room on the first floor.

A lone candle flickered on the coffee table, casting dim shadows across the room.

Ten or so people sat around the coffee table on sofas and chairs, each dressed in hooded robes with iron masks.

On a single armchair in the center sat an elderly man with deep-set wrinkles and slightly shriveled skin, appearing to be the gathering's host.

Seeing this scene, Klein's eyes narrowed slightly behind his iron mask… He recognized the house and remembered the event that had unfolded here from his earlier "dream divination," when he'd sought a way to obtain the "Clown" potion.

In one of the visions, he'd seen this elderly man purchasing a "Clown" characteristic from a lady… though, at the time, he hadn't known it was a characteristic.

The "Sword of the Goddess" acquired my advancement characteristic from this old man? Hmm… can't be certain. It may have changed hands multiple times since then…

Even so, Klein mentally labeled this gathering's organizer as "possibly connected to the authorities."

Still, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it suggested that the gathering might be safer than he'd expected.

As Klein mused over this ironic twist, a woman's voice suddenly spoke from a short distance away:

"I have an extraordinary weapon for sale."

A weapon? Klein adjusted his posture and immediately perked up.

Since he was currently unable to advance, improving his strength through external items was his only option.

"This is a shortbow made of fire crow bones and tendons. When the bowstring is drawn, it condenses a flame arrow. Once fired, the arrow transforms into a 'Fire Crow' that will dive at your intended target… It will remain functional for three more years, though even after that, it will still be a finely crafted bow with excellent accuracy and durability." The woman's voice rose and fell, clearly trying to disguise her identity. "It's priced at 400 pounds or a stalk of berserk grass."

That's pricey… and there's no real need for me to get it… A bow is too inconvenient to carry around, and a flame arrow isn't necessarily more powerful than a bullet… although a 'Fire Crow' would likely have homing abilities and could dodge obstacles… Klein shook his head and averted his gaze.

After some spirited bidding, the extraordinary weapon was sold to a woman wearing long gloves for 500 pounds.

Why keep her gloves on? Does she have an identifying feature on her hands?

As the woman accepted the "Fire Crow Shortbow," Klein observed her a bit longer, speculating to himself.

The woman seemed to sense his gaze and looked over.

Klein quickly snapped out of his thoughts and gave an awkward smile, then pulled an iron cigarette case from his pocket. He pushed forward a lump of deep red Beyonder characteristic, murmuring, "I'd like to sell an item."

...

Bridge District, in a small park near White Lamb Street.

Ian Wright was desperately running out of the park, trying to attract the attention of policemen tasked with clearing vagrants under the Poor Laws.

Behind him, eight men dressed in black suits and wearing sunglasses were in pursuit. They appeared relentless but were actually holding back as though prepared for something.

Just then, two flashes of lightning-like streaks pierced the night. The tall, thin man leading the group let out an agonized scream, feeling as if hundreds of steel needles had been driven into his brain!

With his last bit of coherent thought, he identified the sensation as a mental attack. His combat experience told him a relentless barrage was sure to follow!

Instinctively, he twisted his body into an improbable arc, rolling away to the side.

Xio's lips curled slightly at the familiar evasion technique. Without hesitation, she activated the "Ring of Prediction," raised her revolver, and fired at the location that appeared in her mind.

It was "Clown" item versus genuine "Clown," "prediction" versus "prediction."

At the same time, the MI9 agents Xio had brought along clashed with the remaining seven men in black suits.

While rolling, the tall, thin man continued to "predict" his path, only to realize that, no matter where he landed, he would be hit…

He quickly understood that his opponent also had a similar ability, and he abruptly halted his roll, lunging sideways and shifting direction with the help of his left elbow.

I can keep changing directions… I refuse to believe her gun has unlimited bullets! Once I regain the advantage, then…

He had just glimpsed a vision of successfully dodging the bullet when a searing whip struck his soul. A sensation like electric currents surged through his spirit, causing him to let out an anguished scream. He could no longer maintain his "Clown" balance, his roll losing all form as he slammed face-first into the park's stone path.

Remaining on guard, Xio approached him, intending to restrain him with special handcuffs, only to find upon closer inspection that he'd already committed suicide by poison.

The other battles had concluded as well, with three of the black-suited men escaping and four captured alive, none of whom chose suicide.

"The Intis intelligence department under the Soren family even mimics Roselle's 'Men in Black' style down to the dress code… how ironic!"

At that moment, a mocking female voice drew near. Xio turned to see a young woman with short hair as sharp as a sword and an aura of confidence holding a golden mask.

This was Princess Vera, the youngest daughter of the former king and the person responsible for promoting Xio to an official MI9 member.

"Your Highness, Ian took advantage of the chaos to escape… and this apparent leader has taken his own life…" Xio reported with slight embarrassment, feeling as though she'd bungled the mission.

"It's fine. This is the result I was aiming for… Ha! That lecher Becklund must think he's outsmarted us." Vera shook her head with a smile. Then, casting a meaningful glance at the tall, thin man's corpse, she added, "He was here to die from the start."

Xio gave a silent nod, failing to fully grasp the situation but deciding to ask Ebner about it tomorrow.

...

Outside the back door of the Bravehearts Bar, Klein, having just sold his Beyonder characteristic and used the money to buy an eerie "ear," removed his hooded robe. Passing through the kitchen amidst the din of barking dogs and shouting patrons, he saw Kaspars standing outside the card room.

After confirming the approximate time of the next gathering with Kaspars, Klein clutched the copper whistle, took care to avoid the card room where Maric was, and then left the Bravehearts Bar, returning to Minsk Street.

A few minutes after he stepped out of the bar, Maric staggered out of the card room, nearly collapsing at the door while his usual gang of followers lay sprawled unconscious inside.

"Keep everyone out until dawn," Maric rasped, eyeing a bewildered Kaspars as he gave his instructions.

Once Kaspars confirmed the order, Maric found a chair to sit on, ordered a bucket of Southwell Ale, and drank it in silence, staring blankly into space for a long time.

...

In the West Borough, a massive bear's head suddenly emerged from beneath the ground in the abandoned basement of the Intis Embassy.

(End of Chapter)