The story and the killing

Well... with my strength, even if it was a sneak attack, even if Strongman Ozil had some powerful items hidden, I could probably kill him... So, the key is how to deal with the aftermath after killing him?

As his thoughts raced, Ebner had a rough plan in mind... it was to "kill with a borrowed knife." Although the plan was simple, he couldn't think of a better way at the moment.

As for how to "borrow," it is naturally to frame someone... No, to be more precise, it is to find someone to take the blame.

...

In a villa at No. 36 Haifang Street, Strongman Ozil walked into the study next door and sat down at the desk.

"I always feel like something is wrong… but maybe it's my illusion…" Ozil frowned, then stood up, walked to the bookshelf, rearranged a few books, and opened a secret compartment hidden behind them.

Inside the compartment was an ancient notebook made of animal skin and an ordinary crystal ball sealed by many runes.

Ozil carefully avoided touching the compartment containing the crystal ball and took out only the notebook.

Stroking its surface, he couldn't help but fall into memories.

More than ten years ago, when he was a pirate captain, he once intercepted and killed a team of Nighthawks.

This notebook and the crystal ball in the secret compartment were spoils obtained during that battle... well, so were the recipes for the Sleepless and the Midnight Poet.

Of course, with his strength, the reason he succeeded was that the team had the bad luck to encounter an attack by the King of Immortality fleet beforehand. The elites in the team had been left behind to cover the retreat...

Afterward, through the spiritual communication of his subordinates, Ozil learned that the team of Nighthawks had discovered a tomb during their mission. The notebook and crystal ball had been retrieved from there.

They originally wanted to bring the two items back to the Church of the Evernight, but unfortunately, after exiting the mausoleum, they seemed cursed and encountered increasingly severe accidents until they all perished.

After that ambush, Ozil was afraid that the Church of the Evernight would find out about him, so he changed his name, went ashore, and became the owner of the Amyris Leaf Bar.

Later, he hired an appraiser to examine the crystal ball and learned that it could bring disasters severe enough to kill designated people. However, the side effects were significant—the user would also encounter calamities. Yet, with preparation, it was possible to reduce or even negate the damage.

Even if unused, merely carrying the crystal ball would plunge the owner into crises that would grow increasingly severe. That's how the Nighthawks team perished.

However, sealing it was simple—just don't come into contact with it.

As for the notebook, it was written in Elvish, which the illiterate Ozil couldn't understand. He eventually found a scholar who could decipher the language... and killed him after learning the contents.

The notebook had been left by an indigenous island chief born in an unknown era. The man had been ordinary until one day he was struck by a stone that fell from the sky. Afterward, he suddenly learned Elvish, gained extensive knowledge, and acquired extraordinary abilities.

Using his newfound powers and knowledge, he quickly conquered neighboring tribes and became a "king."

At first, he ruled wisely, relying on his inexplicable knowledge. But over time, he grew cruel and began forcing blood sacrifices to an unknown entity.

At the same time, he started dreaming of a cave, feeling as though it was calling him.

Unfortunately, he lacked the ability to fly or dive, and his people couldn't build seaworthy ships.

Unable to fulfill his desire, he descended into madness until he lost control and died.

Before his death, he recorded his experiences in a notebook and sketched the cave's location and the surrounding landmarks.

After deciphering the contents, Ozil deduced that the cave was either a relic or a treasure trove. He spent years searching for it and finally discovered that the location matched the current site of the Fragrant Manor on the outskirts of Bayam.

But by then, the cave had been buried deep underground. Despite repeated efforts, Ozil couldn't excavate it without alerting the authorities... unless he became the owner of the manor.

However, the manor's owner was powerful, and even Ozil's backers dared not provoke him.

He had been at an impasse until he learned that the manor had a new owner.

That's when he summoned the native subordinate he despised and ordered him to manipulate the "hero detective" into addiction. The plan was to have the detective squander his wealth, eventually forcing him to sell the manor.

If the original owner objected, Ozil planned to offer up the native as a scapegoat. If things escalated, he was confident that Mr. Panin would intervene on his behalf.

"I see... I didn't expect there were other secrets hidden under the manor that Cullen gave me... Thank you for telling me so much."

Just as Ozil was deep in thought, a smooth voice echoed in his ears.

Startled, Ozil reached under the table for a hidden button that would alert his men.

But to his horror, his body moved sluggishly, as though his brain's commands were delayed.

Within moments, even his thoughts began to slow.

He tried to turn his head to see the intruder but failed. All he saw was a wind blade slicing across his neck.

Then, everything went dark.

The person who killed him was, of course, Ebner, who had arrived long ago and "guided" him.

He glanced emotionlessly at the severed head on the floor, pulled out a white handkerchief, and covered the face of a puppet tucked into his coat pocket.

(End of chapter)