Chapter 043

Alvin was recruited by Gordon for the action by the Nighthawks, just like he thought he would.

He was lent a mystical item, a mask that could change his appearance with negligible side effects, and was waiting in a prefixed bar. When the two men came in, the Nighthawks would subdue them, and he and another member from the Nighthawks would replace them for the benefit of anyone watching, and go about to other locations. The orb would be examined by some expert invited by the Nighthawks, and then they would decide the next course of action.

Alvin thought the only reason he was invited was because the Nighthawks wanted to increase the possibility of the two Hunters coming to where there were due to the convergence of Beyonder characteristics.

Suddenly, Alvin felt as if he was being watched. He had a sharp instinct towards gazes on him after he consumed the Hunter Potion.

He looked around subtly, and noticed someone walking into the bar, and sweeping glances at everyone before he sat down to the side. Alvin recognised him as one of the men he saw chasing after the escaping tails in the South Borough two days ago.

"Did they increase security this time? Or was there a person checking out the places the orb was coming beforehand the previous time also?" wondered Alvin.

The man turned his head towards Alvin, who immediately broke his gaze and stared forward. Alvin guessed he was also a Hunter who was sensitive to gazes.

He subtly caught the attention of a person drinking beside him, and gestured towards the man who just entered. The man took a quick look and nodded.

As they continued drinking, the door opened, and this time the two Highlanders from the Zmanger Gang walked in. They waltzed in, asked for a drink and sat down. One of the men took out a small box from his pocket, and opened it to reveal a glass bead. He held it up and started at it. There was no reaction to the bead. He shook his head at his partner, and the man nodded, before turning his attention back to the beer in his hands.

As they were drinking beer, they suddenly stopped, and slumped onto the table as of they had drifted into sleep. Alvin turned back to see all the patrons in the bar, including the guy he suspects to be a Hunter also having fallen asleep.

The man whom Alvin had signalled to earlier, got up and straightened his hat, revealing himself to be Gordon.

"Alright. Let's start" he said.

Alvin nodded, and went up to Welsing, and used the mystical item to morph his face into that of Welsing. While the mystical item could even change his body features to some extent, this being the perfect camouflage. It couldn't change his height though, hence Alvin had brought along some really tall boots to make him seem taller, which would be enough to fool list people.

Shortly after a few other people walked in. One of them looked completely different from the rest, as he looked ragged and dirty looking compared to the Nighthawks who were all dressed prim and proper.

"Captain Gordon. I was instructed by Captain Bernard to heed your instructions" he said as he acknowledged Soest.

"Ah, you must be Eugene. Please do examine the glass bead and tell us about it" said Soest.

He then looked at Alvin who looked confused and said, "A friend from the Machinery Hivemind. He is a qualified Appraiser"

Alvin then recalled that Sequence 7 of the Savant payday was Appraiser, and they could appraise items and find their abilities.

Eugene picked up the glass orb and took a close look at it. He then used a monocle to peer at it closely, and then held it between his fingers and rubbed it all over. He then put down the orb.

"Well?" asked Gordon.

"It's just an ordinary glass bead" said Eugene. "It does not have any kinds of Extraordinary characteristics, nor spiritual pollution"

"What?" asked Gordon confused. "According to these people, the bead is genuine. Is it possible that the item is at such a higher level than you?"

"No. My appraisal did not fail. It's just that this really is an ordinary glass bead" said Eugene.

Gordon was deep in thought upon hearing this.

"Captain, lots of people noticed that these two were roaming around with a glass bead. It is possible that whoever is in charge of the mission could have put them put as decoys, and had the actual bead taken by someone else" Alvin interjected.

"Indeed. Then that means that this could be a trap. We need to let these two move out within the time that they need to finish the beer, that is now" he said.

He then turned to the guy disguising as Radopest and said, "You keep your disguise, and accompany the other guy. Let's see if the trap is sprung. Hannah and Raleigh will accompany you. You are free to use the Sealed Artifact if things get dangerous" said Gordon.

He then turned to Alvin and said, "There might be another guy with the actual bead running around. He must be a Hunter, as they are using the convergence of extraordinary characteristics in the hope of running into their target. There is a good chance of you running into them if you randomly search for him or them"

Alvin nodded. Gordon patted his shoulder, and said, "Similar to last time, I installed a spirit attack in you as insurance. And I also installed a tracking mark in you, which manifests as a mark on your arm. If you find the person with the orb, drip some materials with spirituality, like your blood on the mark. I will immediately come there with Eugene and we can secure the orb and see if it is the real deal"

Alvin nodded. He then removed the disguise and walked out of the bar.

"Maybe I should first visit the Half Inch Bar" thought Alvin.