Chapter 32: Role-Playing Online (Edited)

'According to Mr. Cesimir, there shouldn't be anyone of Sequence Five or Six among those chasing you. The divination also confirms that their Sequence shouldn't be high...' Klein added in his heart but maintained a smiling nod, "Yes, I know about those Beyonder powers."

While he wouldn't reveal his official background, Klein had no reason to hide his identity as a Beyonder.

"That's good..." Lynn seemed relieved, then asked, "So, do you have any way to solve my problem? Or, can you guarantee my safety for a while? I should be fine after a few days."

Klein, understanding why Lynn was saying this and being well aware of the church's progress, adopted a thoughtful expression, as if considering whether to accept the commission.

The atmosphere grew tense for about half a minute before Klein looked at Lynn and said, "I don't have a way to solve your problem, but I can try to protect you."

"You have confidence against Sequence Five or Six Beyonders?" Lynn's face lit up with joy.

"In a sense, yes." Klein nodded. This wasn't a lie; although he was only Sequence Eight, with the "Creeping Hunger" on him, he was confident he could handle a typical Sequence Six.

'Moreover, I can divinate for danger in advance. If I really encounter something I can't handle, I can always seek help from the church...' Klein added in his heart, then seriously asked Lynn, "But what kind of payment can you offer?"

Even if Lynn Sotos couldn't provide a high reward, Klein would still take the commission. However, he had to show the proper attitude to avoid suspicion.

"I can pay up to 500 pounds in gold, along with some Beyonder knowledge or a few low- to mid-sequence potion formulas." Lynn appeared to ponder, though he had long decided on what to offer.

Hearing this, Klein's first instinct was to choose gold, as despite his expenses in Backlund mostly being covered by the church, and the rewards from the Evil god's offspring incident, his money was still tight.

However, Klein restrained himself and nonchalantly asked, "Which sequences potion formulas can you offer? How can I confirm their accuracy?"

"I can provide the Sun pathway's Sequence Nine, Sequence Eight, and Sequence Seven, the Hunter pathway's Sequence Nine and Sequence Eight, the Seer pathway's Sequence Seven, and the Apprentice pathway's Sequence Eight formulas."

Lynn, having prepared this in advance, listed them as if reading from a menu. "I guarantee their accuracy, but I understand you might not trust me. If you choose potion formulas as payment, I am willing to overpay to cover your verification costs."

'Wow, as expected of a Mystery Pryer, he has quite a few formulas...' Klein thought, but thanks to his Clown ability to control expressions, he maintained a calm smile while considering which reward would be best.

Among the formulas Lynn mentioned, Klein needed the Seer pathway's Sequence Seven and the Sun pathway's Sequence Seven the most.

While theoretically, Klein could get these two formulas through spirit channeling once he freed the Faceless and the Priest of Light souls from the Creeping Hunger, he didn't know when he might encounter a suitable replacement for the suffering souls inside it. If it took too long, his advancement would be stuck.

The Solar High Priest formula was in a similar situation.

But would two Sequence Seven formulas be overpaying?

However, Lynn Sotos had said he could overpay, and formulas, unlike other items, had no loss to him even if shared...

After an internal struggle, Klein said, "The Seer pathway's Sequence Seven and the Sun pathway's Sequence Seven potion formulas. As you said, this is indeed overpaying, but I can't guarantee their accuracy."

"That's reasonable." Lynn agreed almost instantly, then added, "I can pay you one now and the other after the task is done."

"No problem. I'd like to get the Seer pathway's Sequence Seven formula first." Klein had no objections, as paying a deposit and settling the balance after the task is completed was common practice.

"Do you have paper and pen?" Lynn asked, clearly ready to write down the formula immediately.

Klein quickly retrieved a blank sheet of paper from under the coffee table and handed it, along with a pen from his pocket, to Lynn.

Lynn took the paper and pen, swiftly writing down the formula. After a while, he handed back the paper and pen to Klein.

"Sequence Seven: Magician

Main Ingredients:

1 true root of a Mist Treant. All the spinal fluid of a Dark Patterned Black Panther.

Supplementary Ingredients:

60 milliliters of purified water. 30 milliliters of Mist Treant's juice. 3 grams of Droplet Gem powder. 4 drops of Fantasy Grass essential oil."

Seeing the potion formula written clearly on the paper, Klein couldn't help but Lampoon, though he inwardly mused, "Magician... This completes the circus trio with Seer and Clown."

While joking to himself, Klein carefully stored the paper and pen, then looked at Lynn Sotos and said, "I will have this formula verified. When do you want me to start protecting you?"

"Now." Lynn answered without hesitation. After saying this, he seemed to relax a lot.

Then, Lynn glanced around and asked, "Sherlock Moriarty, don't you have an assistant or something?"

'You don't have an assistant either...' Klein lampooned but replied, "Yes, I have an assistant. He's a bounty hunter. If I'm unavailable, he'll temporarily take over protecting you."

Klein wouldn't hide Lynn Sotos' situation from Leonard, as finding the angel was their shared mission. Though this lead might not directly help them find the angel, it was their only clue.

'However, I'll still need to mingle with wild Beyonder gatherings to gather information. Can't put all the eggs in one basket...' Klein mentally added.

Meanwhile, at St. Samuel's Cathedral, Leonard, who had just successfully advanced to Sequence Seven and was familiarizing himself with his abilities, suddenly sneezed without warning.

"Achoo—"

Leonard rubbed his nose, puzzled, "Did I catch a cold?"

(End of Chapter)