Chapter 108: Tris

Leonard first cocked his ear to listen, then his expression changed as he reached out to stop the eager "Seer."

"Look, the corner of this mirror."

He pointed to the bottom of the full-length mirror, where there was a coin-sized bloodstain in the corner, as if carelessly dripped there, already turned dark red. Even under lamplight, even with dark vision, it appeared inconspicuous and easily overlooked.

"That should be a method left by the 'Pleasure Witch.' If someone uses this mirror for divination or spirit channeling, trying to find clues about her, the curse will activate."

"Maybe the curse trap isn't fatal, but it's definitely enough to make you suffer in your current condition."

Stopped from his reckless behavior by Leonard, Klein's face, already pale from blood loss, became even whiter.

He had considered losing in divination confrontation, considered being misled by unclear divination results, but never thought that the object used for divination itself could be a trap.

If his spirituality hadn't worked at the crucial moment, if Leonard hadn't reminded him in time, his rash behavior might have led him into danger again. His fatal chest wound had just been "transferred" in time—what if he encountered another curse?

Recalling how the hair wound around the ritual knife had been burned to black smoke by the curse, he felt a wave of fear.

It seems "divination" isn't omnipotent, and sometimes it's even harmful...

This thought suddenly appeared in Klein's mind. Then he felt his body, mind, and spirituality enter a wonderful state as if fused into one, followed by the illusory sound of breaking in his ears, like some container being shattered.

He understood—the "Seer" potion in his body had been completely digested.

Before he could savor this joy, the annoyance welling up in his heart diluted it.

Whether completely destroyed mirror surfaces or cursed traps, the altar downstairs had also been cleared of traces—how could he find these two Beyonders?

Should he try their personal clothing?

Klein remembered the previous method of locking onto the curse altar through the deceased's clothing, his gaze involuntarily looking toward the various distinctive women's garments in the wardrobe.

Dunn and Leonard, who were discussing quietly nearby, seemed to think of this point too, their gazes converging on the wardrobe.

"No need for divination..."

A slightly trembling voice came from outside the bedroom door.

The three in the room were all startled. Klein reacted first, directly reaching out to turn off the kerosene lamp Leonard was carrying.

Moonlight streaming through the window replaced the warm lamplight, bathing the bedroom in a crimson glow.

Only then did Angel by the door carefully poke her head out, look into the bedroom interior, confirm there was no firelight she feared, and slowly walk in.

Her windbreaker hood was pulled up, back hunched, her whole person like a startled cat.

"That 'Witch' who attacked Klein is Tris, the 'Instigator' Tris."

"I wasn't quite certain during the battle just now, but afterward, recalling her features, she bears seven or eight parts resemblance to Tris."

A voice lower than usual came from under the hood.

"What?"

Klein exclaimed.

"You mean that 'Instigator' Tris is female? Was she previously disguised as male?"

Dunn also frowned and asked.

"No, he was originally male, at least when I saw him at the 'Evil Dragon Bar' underground market. But now this 'Witch' is also him—his appearance after advancing."

"Haven't you ever been curious why the Sequence 7 of the 'Assassin' pathway is called 'Witch'?"

I did suspect, but there are countless strange potion names. For example, the "Clown" potion formula obtained from spirit channeling Sirius's remains earlier also had a very strange name...

Klein shook his head, driving the strange thoughts from his mind, but saw Dunn and Leonard both nodding to indicate they had indeed been curious, so he quickly nodded along.

"Because advancing from 'Instigator' to 'Witch,' if originally male, will transform into female during the advancement process..."

From male to female!

Klein heard himself... no, all the males in the room collectively gasp.

"That's right. No wonder all high-ranking members of the 'Witch Cult' are female, no wonder the potion is called 'Witch'..."

Leonard muttered nearby, but his eyes looked toward Klein, toward the captain.

Why are you looking at me... I'm not a "Witch"... and couldn't possibly have any contact with these strange fellows...

Klein glared back unhappily, but saw Leonard had already looked away.

Hmph...

He also withdrew his gaze, suddenly discovering Angel had already stood in front of him.

The pressure from her straightened form, slightly taller than him, made Klein involuntarily step back half a pace.

"Here, Klein. Quickly find them, don't let them harm people anymore."

He instinctively took what she handed him, looked down to find it was a Tingen City map torn in half, then realized and flipped to the back of the map.

Each half of the map had a sketch drawn in delicate strokes.

By the moonlight from the window, he saw in the drawings a female face with long hair and round features, indeed bearing several parts resemblance to the "Instigator" Tris on the wanted poster. The other was a somewhat more mature but more charming and attractive female face.

During that brief battle just now, she had already memorized both their appearances?

Now there's information for divination!

Klein took a deep breath, regaining the confidence of a "Seer." He first placed Tris's portrait on the dressing table, preparing to start with this lower-sequence Beyonder, Tris.

No, now she should be called Triss.

Taking out the topaz pendant from his pocket—stained with his own blood and compressed during his earlier near-death struggle, already showing several cracks—Klein collected his thoughts and entered meditation.

——————

On the east bank of the Tussock River, two women, one after the other, quietly came ashore from a simple dock.

As if being chased by something, the two couldn't care about their heavy, clinging wet clothes and continued running frantically until they approached a deserted farmhouse, then slowed their pace.

Leading was a tall woman with gray-white long hair. She rolled up her dripping long hair casually behind her head, skillfully slipped into the farmhouse, and soon came out carrying a box.

Waiting for her outside the farmhouse was a black-haired, round-faced woman who looked barely of age. She anxiously looked around until the gray-white haired woman returned to her side, then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Metis, my magic mirror just issued another warning. Someone is trying to locate me through divination."

"It should be those Nighthawks. My trap wasn't triggered—they probably saw through my methods and used other means for divination. They also used substitutes to block your curse. They seem very familiar with black magic operating mechanisms."

"But you carry the Primordial's statue and have basic anti-divination measures. Their divination won't succeed."

The woman called Metis put the wooden box on the ground and opened the lid. Inside were several sets of neatly folded women's dresses, including face-concealing ladies' veiled hats and flat shoes convenient for movement.

"Hurry, change clothes right here. Perform anti-divination again. You go rest somewhere near the steam train station and take the earliest train tomorrow morning to leave Tingen City for Backlund."

"What about you? Still planning to stay in Tingen? In less than 24 hours, our wanted posters will be plastered all over the city."

The round-faced woman—formerly the "Instigator," now the "Witch" Triss—asked in surprise.

She wasn't surprised that Metis had hidden clothes here. This "Pleasure Witch," though sharp-tongued and preachy, was always careful and left backup plans for everything.

Unfortunately, after Randy died in the last mission, something had been wrong with her, and she'd been acting erratically.

This time she's sending me to Backlund, but where is she planning to go?

While rummaging through the box for suitable clothing, Triss pondered.

"That's none of your concern. I still have important tasks and need to continue staying in Tingen City."

Metis pulled off her soaked dress, a strange smile appearing on her face.