Chapter 25: Had Enough?

TL/N: So I know we didn't reach 50 power stones last week but you all did better than I Expected so thank you guys here an Extra Chapter.. :)

"I think..."

Ashes glanced thoughtfully at Fors, who was elegantly enjoying her dessert, and suddenly said, "You probably don't need her help, right?"

"Eh?"

Audrey blinked. "Not really."

Fors seemed to be just a Sequence 9 Apprentice. For Audrey, who had already become a Beyonder, Fors was not entirely useless but hardly essential. But why did Mr. "Lover" suddenly ask this?

"Then."

Ashes suddenly said, "You wouldn't mind if I capture her, right?"

"Capture her?"

Audrey instinctively covered her mouth to avoid crying out and then couldn't help but ask softly, "Why capture her? Fors hasn't done anything bad, has she?"

"Is there a problem?"

Ashes looked at the girl's surprised expression, puzzled, "For NightHawks, capturing wild Beyonders is our duty."

"NightHawks?"

Audrey opened her mouth. "Mr. Ashes, are you a NightHawk of the Church of EverNight Goddess ?"

"What else?"

Ashes grew more puzzled, feeling Audrey seemed to lack common sense. But he still humbly played the role of an Apprentice, modestly saying, "But it's embarrassing to say. I only joined the NightHawks a week ago and have only been on one mission so far."

"So you want to take Fors for the mission?"

Audrey suddenly had this thought but still tried to persuade, "Can you not capture her? Fors isn't a bad person..."

Although they had only just met, they had just reached a cooperation. If Ashes turned around and captured Fors, Audrey would feel guilty. It would be like she betrayed Fors.

"Audrey."

Ashes didn't answer Audrey's question but asked, "Do you know what my only mission was?"

Audrey didn't expect this question and hesitated, shaking her head.

"It was to capture an out-of-control Beyonder."

Ashes looked into the girl's eyes, speaking word by word, "There were seven NightHawks, including me, participating in the capture, with even two Sequence 7 members, but in the end, we almost got wiped out."

"And this Fors might not be a bad person, but in her current state."

Ashes paused and slowly said, "She might lose control in less than three months."

Just like old Neil, he also smelled the scent of "human pus" on Fors. And it felt even stronger than on old Neil. It's just that Neil's "human pus" grew every moment, but Fors's "human pus" seemed dormant, maybe only growing suddenly at specific times. But once it did, it might lead to immediate loss of control.

"Wiped out!"

Audrey suddenly fell silent, the four words hitting her heart like a heavy hammer. Although she had become a Beyonder and had been warned about the dangers of losing control by Mr. Hanged Man, she had never truly witnessed "loss of control" and didn't know how dangerous it really was. But hearing Mr. Lover say this, she suddenly realized the Beyonder world might be more brutal than she imagined. "Wiped out."

Ashes' seemingly casual Two words carried immense weight for Audrey. Seven Beyonders in total, even if they got lucky and didn't get wiped out, they must have made great sacrifices, right? How many of the seven died? Three or four? Or more? Did only Ashes survive?

Thinking this, Audrey felt even more burdened. Beyonders, who are unreachable to ordinary people, are supernatural beings. But just a usual mission resulted in such heavy casualties. Such painful sacrifices were caused by a single out-of-control Beyonder.

"I understand."

Audrey said softly.

Although Fors was innocent, if she suddenly lost control, more ordinary people might suffer. If she lost control at this salon, besides Mr. Lover, no, besides Mr. Lover, no one else would likely survive. After all, the Spectator had neither combat nor self-defense abilities. Although she felt sorry for Fors, Audrey thought this might be the best outcome.

"As compensation."

Audrey added silently, "I'll help you save Miss Xio."

Yes, and also Glaint. He might still be excitedly relying on Fors to find a potion formula. But now it would definitely be ruined. If it doesn't work, she could give him her formula or ask Mr. Lover for help.

Meanwhile, Fors, unaware of her impending betrayal, was happily enjoying her dessert.

"By the way, there's one more thing."

Ashes paused and continued, "I planned to tell you next time we met, but since we met early, I'll say it now. I can get the 'Telepathist' formula, but it costs 400 pounds."

After the last Tarot meeting, he asked the Church of EverNight about the formula issue. They could provide it but not for free. It had to be paid for. However, Ashes had no money. He only had 200 pounds, half of which was given by the Archbishop.

"400 pounds?"

Audrey mused. She had learned from Mr. Hanged Man that Sequence 8 potion formulas usually cost around £450.

"I don't have cash with me."

Audrey blinked, "But Viscount Glaint is hosting another party the day after tomorrow. I'll bring enough money then, including your reward, Mr. Ashes. How about 600 pounds in total?"

The rich lady said so.

"Okay."

Ashes pondered for two seconds and nodded slightly.

…

As evening approached, the salon ended smoothly. Guests left the villa one by one. After saying goodbye, Audrey also got on her carriage with her maid and returned to the mansion. Fors also started her journey home, in a good mood. She believed with two nobles intervening, Xio's small trouble would be easily resolved. Xio might be "released" tomorrow or the day after.

Thinking this, Fors felt even happier and quickened her pace. Until she returned to her address at 117 Birmingham Road in Hillsdon. Until she entered the living room and noticed the man behind her through the mirror.

Fors instantly felt her hair stand on end, her limbs cold, as if countless fine needles were pricking her. When did he get here? When did he start following her?

"Bam!"

Without hesitation, Fors smashed the mirror she planned to use for dressing up at the man behind her and ran towards the wall beside her without looking back. Just as she was about to hit the wall, she suddenly turned into a phantom and passed through it. This was her escape confidence! As an Apprentice, she was confident that if she wanted to escape, other Beyonders would find it hard to catch her. Well, except for high Sequences.

Without hesitation, Fors, who had passed through the wall, quickly ran towards the neighbor's wall. Although her physical condition wasn't great, making her escape speed slow, her ability to pass through walls allowed her to cross the entire street in a short time. The straight-line distance from her original address was at least 500 meters away! With multiple buildings blocking, no one could still track her.

So, she had plenty of time to blend into the crowd and escape! Yes. That should be the case. If she hadn't seen a man "growing" out of the wall she just passed through.

"Had enough?"

Ashes asked politely, "Although I can spend all day with you, you can try again if you like."

Fors' expression fell, and she gave up, sitting down on a nearby bench like a defeated fish.

(End of chapter)

50 Power stones = Extra Chapter