Mystery Craftsman

Baron's Mansion, Study.

"That's the detailed report," Seth concluded his report.

After sending the inspectors to the police station, he returned home, had lunch, and went to the study with his parents to share his morning's findings.

With a serious expression, Byson habitually brushed his thinning hair back.

"I didn't expect such a connection between the murders and the missing persons in the town."

"No wonder my earlier divination was disturbed. I couldn't pinpoint the exact location," Anilu sighed.

"It turns out there's a link with a god. The creature called 'Gorey' might attract the attention of an evil god."

"It's protected, so my divination couldn't yield the desired result."

Seth looked at his mother.

"What kind of god is it?"

Anilu shook her head.

"Aside from the Seven Gods, many evil gods wish to enter this world. It's hard to confirm their identities based on those descriptions alone."

Byson suggested, "Could you use the monster's blood to divine the god's identity?"

Anilu smiled. "Doing so would expose me to the evil gods' gaze. I might lose control or go mad on the spot."

"That serious? I'm sorry, I didn't realize." Byson was taken aback.

Anilu turned to Seth.

"Remember this, child. As you delve deeper into the mystical world, be especially cautious when dealing with matters involving gods. Don't expose yourself to their gaze; never look directly at them."

"Never look directly at a god?" Seth nodded.

"I'll remember."

Byson spread his hands. "In any case, our family should avoid getting involved. Let the inspectors handle it."

"You've been busy all morning, Seth. You must be tired. Go back to your room and rest."

"Okay." Seth agreed, left the study, and returned to his temporary bedroom.

After dismissing his servant, Seth drew the curtains slightly, diming his room. Then, he raised his hands and recited an incantation.

"The Eye that sees everything."

"The Gods who overlook everything."

"You are the controller of knowledge; you mock fate and play with time."

"You are the true witness, the uncrowned kings above the starry sky!"

When he finished the last chant, Seth noticed that the room's colors deepened like bright patches on an oil painting. The curtains, blown by the wind, were still, and the dust in front of him stopped floating.

He instinctively lowered his gaze, noticing a faint outline above his field of vision. Then, an ethereal, weighty tome, surrounded by shimmering, multicolored light, materialized before him.

Feeling the tome's heaviness, Seth realized that one of the seven symbols on the cover, located below the eye, had become clear at some point.

The symbol was a cube. At its center, patterns of swords, shields, boots, gloves, guns, and canes appeared and disappeared in sequence, repeating the cycle.

"The Book of Mysteries has unlocked new features?"

Seth quickly opened the cover, watching the pages turn on their own. When they stopped, he found a page yellowed like a parchment, faint gray and white lines resembling creases scattered across it.

On the first line of the page, new information appeared:

[Dimensional Crystals: 32 pieces.]

[Record: A Dimension Watcher has rewarded Your adventure biography, earning you more than 1 Dimensional Crystal. You have met the conditions, and the use restriction of Mystery Craftsman has been lifted.]

"Mystery Craftsman? What's that?"

Seth continued reading.

[Mr. Fantasy sees great potential in you and has tipped 1,000-dimensional coins, which have been automatically converted into 10-dimensional crystals.']

[The Faceless Man encourages you to keep going and has rewarded 600-dimensional coins, automatically converted into 6-dimensional crystals.]

[Number 20170818032705561 cheers you on and has tipped 100-dimensional coins, automatically converted into 1-dimensional crystal.]

"It can work like this? The watchers' reward for my adventure biography unlocked a new function of the Book of Mysteries and earned me dimensional crystals. Their attention really can influence the world. They're like gods!"

Seth continued reading.

[JokerClown thought Klein Moretti was outstanding and rewarded 100-dimensional coins, but that has nothing to do with you.]

"Uh… Well, I suppose the watcher's reward benefits my fellow traveler."

But then, another message appeared.

[JokerClown holds you in special regard and has rewarded you with 1,500-dimensional coins, automatically converted into 15-dimensional crystals.]

"Ah! What a pleasant surprise! This watcher also tipped me—how generous!"

Restraining his excitement, Seth turned the page. A description of the "Mystery Craftsman" appeared on the second page.

[Mystery Craftsman: Can exert influence on magical items by consuming dimensional crystals, primarily in four areas: Appraisal, Dissociation, Strengthening, and Sealing. (Affected by the authority of knowledge, you can currently only influence magical items corresponding to Sequence 8 or below and can temporarily not affect sealed items.)]

[Additionally, after upgrading the authority of knowledge, the restrictions on "creation" can be lifted.]

Influence magical items! After upgrading the knowledge authority, a new function can be used!

Seth eagerly continued reading, discovering brief descriptions of the four effects:

Appraisal: The ability to identify magical items' origin, abilities, and negative effects. The higher the knowledge authority, the more comprehensive the information obtained.

Dissociation: Extracts the Extraordinary characteristics of magical items. The higher the knowledge authority, the more complete the extraction.

Strengthening: Enhances the abilities and effects of magical items. The higher the knowledge authority, the greater the enhancement.

Sealing: Reduces the negative impact of magical items. The higher the knowledge authority, the weaker the negative effects.

After reading these instructions, Seth was eager to try it out. He immediately retrieved the "Shadow Gauntlet." With previous experience using the mysterious book, he knew that to communicate with the ethereal tome; he only needed to transmit his thoughts.

He focused his mind:

"I want to identify this magical item!"

However, nothing happened.

"Why isn't it working? Am I using it wrong?"

Looking at the glove in his hand, Seth slapped it against the book, but it passed through the tome and fell to the floor.

"That's not it either…"

Suddenly inspired, Seth put on the Shadow Gauntlet, communicated with the mysterious book, and commanded,

"Identify!"

This time, a line of information appeared on the page:

["3-dimensional crystals to identify this item. Do you want to continue?"]

"Yes!"

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he saw the number of dimensional crystals on the page change, finally stopping at "29."

Then, Seth felt slightly dizzy as the light and shadows became hazy, distorted, and fragmented before his eyes. Within those fragments, he saw a man standing among corpses, his eyes cold and unfeeling. The man showed no panic or fear, even amidst the carnage.

In another fragment, the same man appeared, this time brutally murdering a woman, as if he had lost all sense of conscience.

In the final fragment, Seth witnessed the man being hunted down and killed. His body released a shadowy, ethereal substance, and finally, Seth saw a gauntlet.

"So this is the origin of the "Shadow Gauntlet."

When his vision cleared, corresponding information appeared on the page:

["Shadow Gauntlet: Corresponding to Sequence 8 of the Abyss Pathway, an item made from the characteristics of an 'Unwinged Angel.'"]