First Meeting in Reality

After roughly "deciphering" the meaning of the prophecy's revelation, Ebner pondered for a moment and decided that at the next Tarot Meeting, he would commission Little Sun to look into whether any of the destroyed city-states in the Land Abandoned by God had records of individuals who had once created "miraculous civilizations."

"It seems you've found a direction?" Lilith asked with a smile as she saw Ebner return from his thoughts.

"I do have some leads…" Ebner nodded. "But whether I can actually obtain it remains uncertain for now."

"There are some things you don't need to rush into exploring, and taking risks for them is an unworthy trade… Once you reach demigodhood, even if neither I nor Knowledge tells you, you will naturally come to understand certain matters." Lilith paused for a moment before advising him again.

"I understand… Thank you for your continued favor and protection," Ebner replied solemnly with a slight bow.

Hearing this, Lilith did not say more. Instead, she stepped forward with a smile, extending her right index finger to lightly touch Ebner's forehead.

What is she doing? Ebner was puzzled but did not evade. Nor did he feel any unease—after all, she was a deity. If she had any ill intent toward him, he would have no ability to resist.

After about a minute, Lilith withdrew her finger and said with a smile, "Consider this my 'blessing' to you. It will allow you to transform into moonlight once, negating a potentially fatal injury."

"You rarely visit, so I couldn't just let you leave empty-handed… That would make me seem too stingy."

Since you're being so generous, I should visit more often…

Though Ebner thought this in jest, he wouldn't actually dare to come disturb her frequently. Instead, he took out his "Magic Mirror" and checked his reflection, discovering a thin silver streak appearing vertically at the center of his forehead.

The mark was subtle, the color faint, and with his hair covering it, it was nearly imperceptible unless one examined closely.

My 'Heart of Fire' pendant was shattered in Daniel's labyrinth, so I was in need of a 'life-saving' item. This makes up for that shortcoming perfectly.

And since it's a protection granted by a true deity, the level of damage it can withstand must be far greater.

After a few moments of thought, Ebner cautiously asked, "May I know the limit of the damage it can endure…? If I were to crush the pendant you previously rewarded me with and release its 'Desolation' power, would it also 'block' that?"

The pendant he referred to was Lilith's Tear, which contained a force of "Desolation" strong enough to kill an ordinary demigod—but also likely to be fatal for the user as well.

"If you shout a certain 'Tyrant's' true name, even with my 'blessing' negating part of the backlash, you would still be dead without question," Lilith said, giving Ebner a surprised look, as if she hadn't expected him to pose such a question. After joking with him, she weighed the matter for a moment before responding,

"The approximate upper limit is around the level of a single 'Desolation'… However, if you cannot immediately escape its range, you will still succumb to the 'withering' of life."

So as long as I escape right after using the blessing to block a fatal attack, I'll be fine?

With this thought in mind, Ebner once again expressed his gratitude to Lilith before bidding her farewell and returning to the prayer hall of Harvest Church.

In the basement, watching Ebner's departing figure disappear beyond the doorway, Lilith's silver eyes flickered with a hint of puzzlement.

Where did he learn such a reckless approach to using supernatural items?

Just as Lilith was deep in thought, she suddenly lifted her head and gazed diagonally upward, her eyes piercing through the floor as she scrutinized a bearded young man who had just stepped into the church. After a brief moment, she nodded thoughtfully.

…

After enjoying a new dish at his devotee's café, Klein made his way to Harvest Church in the Southern Bridge District.

—It was worth mentioning that he had also run into Xio and Fors at the café. Xio immediately recognized him but made no move to speak. After all, in her understanding, he was nothing more than a pitiful detective she had once interrogated.

As soon as he stepped into the quiet prayer hall, Klein spotted the vampire Emlyn White, who had just finished distributing the sacrament. Seated in the front row, Emlyn had his fingers interlocked, his palms slightly cupped before his nose and mouth, seemingly deep in prayer.

At this moment, Emlyn White looked serene and composed, showing no signs of his usual arrogance or frustration.

Klein's lips twitched slightly as he silently traced a triangular sacred emblem over his chest.

Just as he was about to sit beside Emlyn, he noticed a gentleman he didn't recognize emerging from the church's basement, ascending the stairs.

Frowning slightly, Klein activated his Spirit Vision. His intuition told him there was something peculiar about this man, though he couldn't quite put it into words.

Healthy body, good mood, fully energized… but his spirituality is in an unusual state… Is he a newly ascended Beyonder?

Doesn't seem like it… His spiritual presence feels somewhat similar to Emlyn's, but at a higher level…

Is this the lingering aftereffect of using a high-sequence ability from the Apothecary pathway? A high-sequence existence?

At that moment, Emlyn emerged from his prayer, sniffed the air, and murmured in confusion, "He didn't smell like that before he went down…"

So, he really did use a high-level ability in the basement?

Klein deactivated his Spirit Vision, choosing not to pry into the matters of someone who might be a Saint. Instead, he simply patted Emlyn on the shoulder and said with a smile, "You looked especially devout just now."

"What?" Emlyn's face instantly turned pale. It was as if he had suddenly woken from a dream. "What did I do? What… did I do…?"

His voice grew weaker as if he was beginning to recall what had just transpired.

"Maybe it's not such a bad thing," Klein said, though even he didn't sound convinced. Then, without further comment, he sat beside the vampire.

"I don't want to hear that… Even though I feel less and less resistance to it…" Emlyn's face darkened, his tone carrying a tinge of despair. "But I don't want to betray the Ancestor!"

Klein decided not to press on a topic that seemed to sadden the vampire. Instead, he got to the real reason for his visit, lowering his voice to ask, "You mentioned in your letter that you found the materials I need? What is it?"

Emlyn composed himself, then glanced at Bishop Utravsky, who was speaking with the unfamiliar young man, before lowering his voice and saying, "Come with me…"

With that, he led Klein toward the rooms at the back of the church.

As they passed the bishop and the young man, Emlyn remained silent, but Klein made sure to greet them politely.

Meanwhile, watching the bearded young man follow Emlyn and push open the door to the back room, Ebner's lips curled into a subtle smile.

In his heart, he responded to the unspoken greeting.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Fool.

Our first meeting in reality.