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Chapter 23:

It was still the familiar Golden Ray Restaurant, and the seats remained unchanged.

Klein adjusted his tie uncomfortably, eyeing the seat across from him. *I don't know why, but ever since I glanced at the curly-haired Miss Fors, this little sister, barely 1.5 meters tall, has been glued to me.*

Fors, who had been happily chatting with Julius, noticed her friend's strange behavior and quickly patted the back of her hand. "Okay, Xio, this is rude."

Xio looked away in response.

Julius smiled and said, "Please forgive Klein. He didn't mean any harm. You must understand, he's an official Church employee and naturally curious about any Beyonder individuals."

Fors and Xio exchanged a glance, and their expressions shifted slightly.

Julius continued as if nothing was amiss, "Everyone's aura is influenced by various external factors, and Beyonder people are no exception."

*Determine whether you're an Beyonder through your aura...*

Fors and Xio looked at each other, a hint of realization dawning.

Klein clenched his teeth and subtly activated his "spiritual vision."

Through his vision, Miss Fors's aura appeared stable, though mixed and chaotic. She was unmistakably an Beyonder on the Apprentice Pathway. Meanwhile, Sister Xio's aura was upright and orderly, carrying a strong sense of authority—typical of someone on the Arbiter path.

"I didn't expect that..." Klein muttered.

Fors smiled bitterly. "Mr. Julius, you're an Beyonder as well."

Fors's thoughts shifted. *After just getting off the train, meeting an Beyonder like Julius... Could it be that Yue Ye's ravings have something to do with him?*

Julius, unaware of Fors's thoughts, casually added, "It was pure luck that I chose an Beyonder path. Haha, I've always been lucky."

Just then, the waiter arrived with a smile. "Gentlemen and ladies, congratulations! You're the 10,000th guest to dine with us tonight. All dishes are free of charge."

The three Sequence 9s all had different thoughts but, in the end, couldn't help but envy Julius's good fortune.

Julius nodded. "Let's pick some of the special dishes. As for the wine..."

The waiter hesitated. "Sorry, drinks are not included in the free order."

Julius didn't mind. "Then just open a bottle of wine that pairs well with the meal. Make sure it's not too strong."

This remark made an impression on everyone.

Not only Fors but even Xio's eyes softened a bit.

Julius and Fors chatted about recent events in Backlund. Though Fors stayed at home most days, she had a habit of reading newspapers, and her eloquent speech captured Julius's interest. She could describe vivid experiences in just a few sentences.

Xio occasionally chimed in. She was more action-oriented as a bounty Hunter wandering through gray areas—and knew far more than Fors.

Julius nodded. "I'll be heading back to Backlund soon. Why don't we all go together?"

Julius, as if reading Klein's thoughts, turned to him with a grin. "What? You can't bear to see me go?"

Klein chuckled and stayed silent.

Fors, however, couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Julius, what exactly is your purpose here?"

Julius, with no intention of hiding, replied, "I'm accustomed to reporting to the local official Church whenever I visit a place. Klein was sent by the Tingen Nighthawks branch to keep an eye on me."

Fors raised an eyebrow, and Xio gave him a questioning look.

Julius added nonchalantly, "But now we've become good friends."

Klein wanted to retort but stopped himself, considering everything that had happened in the past few days, as well as his looming debt. He took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "Yes, we are friends."

Fors commented with a hint of sarcasm, "What a friendship to envy."

Julius chuckled, "Your bond with Miss Xio is just as enviable. If you weren't close friends, how could you travel together?"

Fors and Xio exchanged a look, words unnecessary.

*Klein suddenly thought of a joke: "Lilies are infinitely beautiful when they bloom."*

At that moment, a beautiful figure approached.

Julius, without missing a beat, turned to Klein and said with a knowing smile, "It seems the threads of fate are converging..."

Almost immediately, a surprised voice sounded in Klein's ear. "Mr. Klein, Mr. Julius, what a coincidence, you're here too?"

Klein froze, his hair standing on end. He looked up to see a sweet, amiable round face—Trissy, that haunting Witch!

Trissy wasn't alone.

A mature woman in her thirties, gentle and virtuous, stood beside her. Her clear eyes sparkled like ripe apples, exuding maternal charm.

Klein's instincts kicked in—this woman was definitely another Witch.

"Trissy, are these the Julius and Klein you mentioned?" The woman giggled, covering her mouth. "They're both handsome young men."

Even Fors and Xio were stunned by her charm.

Klein, however, held firm, his willpower stronger than most. He maintained a steady expression and subtly nudged Julius's shoe, as if asking, *What now?*

Julius grinned. "It's indeed a coincidence, madam. Are you Trissy's mother?"

The woman's eyes flashed with surprise. *As Trissy had reported, Julius Astorio is far beyond just Sequence 6.*

But even so, status isn't always determined by Sequence alone.

The woman smirked inwardly. *No man can resist the temptation of the parent-child rice bowl...*

She knew exactly what she wanted—to capture Julius's attention for her "monster path" recipe.

Not wanting to appear too serious, the two Witches exchanged pleasantries before choosing a table far from Klein and the others.

Xio, snapping back to reality, asked, "Those two ladies are stunning. Who are they?"

Fors's eyes lit up. "Honestly, even Backlund's 'most precious gem,' Miss Audrey Hall, can't compare to them in beauty."

Julius raised his wine glass, a wry smile forming. "Don't be fooled by appearances. They're Witches, and they're here to cause trouble for me."

Fors and Xio blinked, confused. *Witches?*

Julius glanced at Klein. Klein nodded subtly and leaned in, lowering his voice. "The woman you saw is an Beyonder from the Assassin path, likely Sequence 7 or higher."

Fors's jaw dropped. *"Those two? Sequence 7?"*

Xio, equally stunned, struggled to wrap her mind around the idea. *Tingen's a small town. How could we meet two high-level individuals here just by eating out?*

Julius shook his head. "They must have designs on me."

He changed the subject, turning to Fors and Xio. "By the way, ladies, how would you feel about joining my Witch-hunting game? Don't worry—it's completely safe."

*Witch hunting?* Both Fors and Xio hesitated, exchanging looks.

Julius, sensing their reluctance, quickly added, "The rewards are considerable."

At this, Fors was indifferent, but Xio's heart quickened.

She understood the stakes of high-risk, high-reward situations all too well. Yet, despite her interest, joining a battle between high-level Beyonder beings so soon seemed reckless.

Julius sensed their hesitance but wasn't bothered. He knew it would happen in time.

He took out a small round stone from his pocket. "To apologize for dragging you into this, I'll lend you this. It's a 'Freedom Stone'— an Beyonder item from the Spectator Path, Sequence 7. It stabilizes the mind and grants psychological invisibility."

Fors and Xio stared at him, wide-eyed. *A Sequence 7 item worth 2,000 pounds!*

They were dumbfounded by Julius's generosity.

---

Fors and Xio stood at the hotel door.

When Fors turned to look back, she noticed the mother and daughter who had been dining earlier were now gone. Fors shuddered, a chill creeping over her. She immediately regretted coming to Tingen City.

Xio, on the other hand, had a burning intensity in her eyes. Unlike Fors, she was neither lazy nor carefree. Xio had her own ambitions, one of which was to uncover the truth behind her father's death and expose the murderer responsible for the Derecha family's fall from nobility.

"Fors," Xio said, her voice low and serious, "You should head back to the hotel and rest. I'll go check things out."

Fors's eyes widened in panic. "Are you crazy? You're talking about a battle between Beyonder beings!"

Xio gave a steady nod. "People will die, I know. But believe me, I've seen more corpses in the Backlund ghetto than you can imagine."

Fors murmured, "Well, that's a good rest for you..."

Xio turned to her friend, intending to pat Fors on the shoulder in reassurance. However, despite standing on tiptoe, she could only manage to awkwardly pat Fors's waist twice.

"Fors," she said softly, "If I'm not back soon, report it to the local official Church. Trust me, it's the best option."

Fors's face was filled with concern. Her hand instinctively brushed the bluestone bracelet on her wrist. But seeing the determination in Xio's expression, she sighed deeply.

"Fine," Fors relented, "How could I let you face this alone? I'll go with you." After a pause, she added, "And don't forget—I have that teleportation item. If things go south, I'll pull you out."

Xio's eyes shimmered with gratitude. "Thanks, Fors."

---

Meanwhile, Julius had taken Klein with him, having followed Xio's suggestion to report to the Church.

Julius wandered down the quiet street, meandering until he reached a secluded riverside. He chose a clean bench, sat down, and began to count the minutes.

As expected, after the hands of the clock shifted, Trissy and her companion appeared before him.

"Mr. Julius," Trissy exclaimed, her surprise genuine, "What a coincidence! You're here too?"

Julius looked up at them, his expression deepening. "The banquet has ended, and now I'm alone, gazing at the stars to ease my melancholy."

A golden opportunity, indeed.

Trissy and the woman exchanged a look of near-ecstatic joy. The opportunity was right in front of them.

Trissy discreetly reached into her pocket, retrieving a small sachet. She carefully crushed it, as the woman placed her hand over her chest, her heartbeat quickening. Her eyes began to glow a soft pink.

It was the mother-daughter duo's tactic—an attempt to charm Julius.

The two Witches sat down next to him, one on the left, the other on the right, their soft forms brushing against him.

Julius smiled brightly, his composure unwavering. *It's a shame I can't act just yet...*

Chapter 24:

Julius looked first to his left, then to his right, before turning to face them. "You know. I'd actually prefer if you called me by another name."

*What does it mean?* Two Witches stood a bit confused.

But Julius had no intention of delving further into this topic. Instead, he turned and began discussing matters that were entirely unrelated.

On the other side, Xio and Fors, who had achieved psychological invisibility by using the *Freedom Stone*, watched Julius and the two Witches from a distance.

Xianyu couldn't help but murmur, "Why is this so-called 'hunting' so different from what I imagined...?"

"Shh." Xio signaled Fors to be silent by pressing a finger to her lips.

Using an Beyonder item together always resulted in a reduced effect. This meant that the two Witches were entirely focused on their target, and even their safety as bystanders was uncertain.

But then, they saw Julius Astorio's face, adorned with a "stupid smile," as he began to touch the two Witches. Xio and Fors's minds momentarily shut down.

What was going on?

Klein wasn't here. If he had been, he would've likely spit on the ground.

Seeing Julius's fascinated expression, the woman assumed her charm was working. She smiled dangerously, raising the corner of her mouth.

She was a Sequence 6 Demoness of Pleasure, well-versed in the human body, skilled in providing unforgettable experiences to both men and women in love.

Once Julius was above the bed curtains, there would be no escape from her grasp.

Trissy glanced at her superior, Mrs. Sharron—also her enemy—and a spark of confusion ignited in her heart.

She hadn't chosen to take the potion herself; it had been forced upon her.

From Mrs. Sharron's words, Trissy had learned that male-to-female transformation wasn't permanent. If one jumped to an adjacent path at a higher Sequence, they could regain their original gender.

This explained why Trissy had suppressed her disgust and hatred, continuing to pretend to be a woman while completing the tasks given by Mrs. Sharron.

She needed to earn points to exchange for high-Sequence potion formulas from the Hunter path.

"Actually, I'm not happy either." Mrs. Sharron, a professional seductress, quickly portrayed herself as a lonely wife with just a few words.

She wasn't concerned about Julius learning her background.

By choosing to take action herself, Mrs. Sharron had made it clear: this was a one-time opportunity. She, the widow of an old baron from the Hoy family, had no business with the wife of the East Street watchmaker.

Trissy gently pinched the sachet in her hand.

At the "Witch" stage, her main abilities were spells and black magic—difficult to defend against—but her charm was still in development.

In this seduction game, she was only playing a supporting role.

Julius was playing along, his eyes becoming increasingly glazed.

Mrs. Sharron seized the moment and suggested, "How about we find a quiet place and talk for a while?"

Her expression was alluring, but her eyes were as innocent as a girl's.

The contrast was enough to make Trissy's heart flutter, and it was certainly overwhelming for men who couldn't control their impulses.

Sure enough, Julius eagerly agreed.

However...

Looking at Mrs. Sharron's stunning face, he chuckled, "Don't you think it's quiet enough here?"

Mrs. Sharron froze, a strange look forming in her eyes.

It seemed to imply they needed to go outdoors.

Unrestrained!

But Mrs. Sharron didn't mind.

In her long life, such experiences were rare, but not unheard of.

It didn't matter.

As long as she got what she wanted, she was willing to endure the tough conditions.

She pretended to be shy, lightly tapping Julius. "Mr. Julius, you're so bad."

"You haven't seen anything worse." Julius smiled brightly and reached out, hooking Mrs. Sharron's chin.

Here it comes!

Mrs. Sharron's heart skipped a beat.

She knew the next step would involve endless entanglement.

Chuckling to herself, she thought, *Isn't this going to be fun?*

But unexpectedly, Julius just brushed against her lips.

Then, he rubbed himself against her body, leaving behind a generous amount of "oil."

Mrs. Sharron was left speechless.

Julius smiled softly and said, "You know, my combat ability in this Sequence might not be Beyonder, but my spiritual premonition is unparalleled. Witch, you've betrayed me."

Hearing this, Mrs. Sharron, who had been half-collapsing into Julius's arms one moment, suddenly reacted and waved her hand, releasing five invisible threads.

This was one of the Demoness of Pleasure's Beyonder abilities: to control targets like spider silk.

What surprised Mrs. Sharron was how easily the thread pierced Julius's body.

It was as though he had no intention of resisting at all.

"Trissy, do it!" Although Mrs. Sharron was puzzled, she didn't have time to contemplate. She shouted urgently.

Trissy quickly tore open the sachet in her hand.

For a moment, white dust filled the air.

The spell "Ashes of the Dead" weakened targets other than the caster.

Though Mrs. Sharron outranked Trissy, Julius would still be affected to some degree.

A brief moment would be enough!

Julius didn't resist.

He remained as passive as a block of wood.

Mrs. Sharron thought the spider thread had fully connected with the target, and a feeling of triumph surged within her.

Staring at Julius's handsome face, she licked her lips, smirking. "Such a pity, Mr. Julius. I wanted you to experience true 'pleasure' before I did anything. But I suppose it's not too late now. Sister, I will love you very much."

She wanted both the potion formula *and* the man!

Julius tWitched his lips. "Just you?"

In truth, Julius had considered using the same tactics the Emperor used to deal with the two Witches.

But considering Fors and Xio, the two young ladies who were still watching from the sidelines, he decided not to go too far.

With that thought, the invisible threads piercing his body trembled slightly.

Mrs. Sharron, who had been confident of her victory, suddenly changed expression.

Trissy noticed something was off and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Mrs. Sharron didn't answer.

Julius spoke up, "It's nothing. She just lost control due to her bad luck and her Beyonder nature."

*Losing control.*

That word struck fear into all Beyonder beings!

Trissy was horrified, stammering, "You... what did you do?"

Julius blinked. "Guess."

With that, he casually tossed Mrs. Sharron, who had slipped into a coma, aside like discarded trash.

Fine black hair began sprouting from her body, and four large bumps bulged under her armpits, as if something were about to emerge.

Trissy, in a cold sweat, stood frozen in fear.

But she forced herself to calm down, pleading, "Mr. Julius, please... spare my life. I was forced into this."

For the first time, Trissy was grateful for her womanhood, something she had despised.

She looked at Julius with admiration. "As long as you don't kill me, I'll do anything."

Saying this, she knelt at Julius's feet and began kissing the custom-made leather shoes worth 165 pounds.

Julius looked at her without any mercy in his eyes.

If you plan to plot against others, be prepared for a counterattack.

The world is so real, so cold.

However, he didn't want to kill her outright. Instead, he said softly, "Don't be stupid. I won't kill you. Get up."

*Does this mean I'm spared?*

Trissy raised her trembling head, meeting Julius's calm black eyes. She swallowed, forcing a smile. "Sir, from now on, Trissy is yours. You can tell me to do anything."

"Really?" Julius asked with a smile.

"Certainly!" Trissy was eager to avoid becoming a monster like Mrs. Sharron. She quickly agreed.

"Good." Julius's smile grew even brighter.

He pulled out an expensive pen from the inner pocket of his suit jacket and gestured for Trissy to extend her hand. He then wrote a few words on her palm.

"Don't peek just yet. My first task for you is to walk three hundred steps and shout my 'real name' in ancient Hermetic language. The louder, the better."

Julius stared at Trissy's sweet, round face. "This shouldn't be a problem for you."

Was that it? Honestly, Trissy had prepared herself to be treated like a tool or slave.

Survival was everything.

---

Julius reached out and wiped his lips on hers.

Trissy was stunned, then quickly reacted.

Before Mrs. Sharron lost control, she had been touched on the lips by the person in front of her... and then nothing happened.

"Trissy, you have to be obedient." The corners of Julius's mouth lifted slightly.

Then he blinked, rubbing Trissy twice as if performing some spellcasting ritual.

Trissy nodded repeatedly, wishing she could rely on her body to survive.

Julius smiled and calmly walked off toward somewhere.

Trissy watched his tall figure, her heart beating wildly.

She wanted to run, to turn away.

But out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mrs. Sharron transformed into a 'humanoid spider' and decisively gave up on the idea.

Time had never felt as painful as it did now.

"297...298...299..."

The round-faced Witch silently counted Julius Astorio's steps.

When she reached the three-hundredth step, Trissy lowered her head and looked at the name written in her palm.

Taking a deep breath, she gritted her teeth, summoned all her strength, and shouted, "Leodero!"

*Boom!*

In an instant, thunder pierced the night sky.

It struck the location where Trissy stood, including Mrs. Sharron, who was unconscious in time and space.

The two Witches were consumed by the lightning, their bodies and souls destroyed.

Those who blaspheme die!

Julius turned back, put away the remaining Beyonder traits of the two Witches, took off his hat, and paid tribute to the sky.

"Undecided, Leodero."

The ancients never lied to me!

As for whether the "Lord of Storms" would target him for this...

He'd keep an eye on it.

He put on his hat and turned his attention to Fors and Xio, who were paralyzed with fear. Julius smiled and said, "How's it going? Exciting?"

Hearing his voice, Fors and Xio stared at Julius, as if they'd just come back to their senses.

The two of them opened their mouths but couldn't say a word.

What just happened was beyond their comprehension.

Julius took out his pocket watch, glanced at the time, and said softly, "This isn't the place to talk. It's almost time for those from the official Church to come and clean the floor."

The official Church... washing the ground?

Fors and Xio didn't fully understand this phrase.

Julius didn't explain. He snapped his fingers, and opened a portal. "Follow me."

Xio and Fors exchanged uneasy glances, reluctantly stepping into the portal.

Now, they seemed to have no other choice.

Not long after the three of them teleported away, the Nighthawks team, led by Dunn Smith, arrived.

Looking at the traces of lightning strikes around him, Dunn couldn't help but tap his chest four times, "Goddess above, what happened here?"

Klein was also dumbfounded.

*What's going on?*

After a while, Beyonder people from other official Churches also arrived.

By the way, the grumpy old pigeons from the Church of the Lord of Storms were the last to arrive...

"This is divine punishment!" the archbishop, the punisher, exclaimed angrily.

As a loyal believer of the Lord of Storms, he could almost certainly conclude that someone must have desecrated the Him, causing such an outcome.

*But who was it?*

*Who was the blasphemer?*

Klein quietly watched the punishers of the Church of the Lord of Storms and couldn't help but tWitch his lips.

Though he didn't understand what had happened, the Lord of Storms's divine punishment was definitely linked to Julius Astorio...

"Did that guy get struck by lightning?" Klein frowned.

When the idea hit him, he felt unexpectedly relieved.

Finally, no more debts...

"I still need to confirm. If Julius Astorio is really dead, I'll tell the captain the truth. If he's still alive..."

Klein took a deep breath. "Then I'll just pretend nothing happened."

At that moment, Dunn knocked on his temple and lowered his voice, "Klein, please tell me the cause and effect. I forgot a bit."

Chapter 25:

Opening the *Tingen Honest Newspaper*, a thick ink headline caught Julius's attention: *"Mysterious Lightning Strike on the Riverside in the Eastern Suburbs."*

Julius picked up his coffee and enjoyed his breakfast while reading. He couldn't help but smile. Across from him, Xio and Fors, acting like well-behaved children, didn't dare make a sound.

Last night, after returning to the hotel through the portal, they expected to encounter a series of tragic events too complicated to put into words.

But unexpectedly, Julius Astorio seemed indifferent to any such matters.

After thinking it over, Xio finally couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Julius, what exactly do you want us to do?"

Hearing this, Julius lowered his cup and asked, puzzled, "You guys?"

After a moment's thought, he smiled and said, "You're a Sequence 9 apprentice and a half-baked arbiter. What reason would I have to plot against you?"

After witnessing Julius's mysterious methods, they had subconsciously placed themselves on Julius's 'opposite side,' which had made them panic.

Fors sighed with relief and deliberately complimented, "See? Mr. Julius isn't the type to have ulterior motives."

Xio blinked but remained silent.

As Julius watched the two ladies teasing each other, he changed the subject. "Although I have no intention of harming you... Miss Fors, if your problem isn't solved soon, it might... get out of control."

Fors, who had been relaxed a moment ago, stiffened at his words.

Facing those deep black eyes, she tWitched her lips. "Mr. Julius, what do you mean by that?"

Julius didn't answer right away. Instead, he pointed to the bracelet with three bluestones tied around Fors's wrist. "That bracelet is an Beyonder item, Sequence 5 level. Its spiritual power is frightening, and its side effects should be obvious."

*Side effects…*

*Talking about it on a moonlit night?*

Fors instinctively covered the bracelet with her hand.

Xio, puzzled, asked, "Fors, what's going on? I've never heard of this."

"There's a reason for it," Fors muttered defensively.

Xio's expression grew serious.

Apart from her brother and mother back home, Fors was the closest person to her. She couldn't just stand by and let something happen to her.

"Mr. Julius," Xio said solemnly, "Since you've revealed Fors's problem, surely there's a way to fix it?"

Julius nodded.

Seeing this, Fors thought back to the figure she had faintly seen calling out "Tingen" in her mind. She hurriedly asked, "I… what price do I need to pay?"

Under the gaze of the two young ladies, Julius whispered, "Since you've been wearing the bracelet for so long and have used it twice, Mr. Door's influence on you can't be eliminated by ordinary means.

However, you only need to find a being higher than Mr. Door in status and pray to him on a full moon night to effectively block those side effects."

Fors: ...

*First of all, who is Mr. Door?*

As though reading their thoughts, Julius continued, "Mr. Door is the ancestor of the Abraham family, Sequence 1 in the Apprentice Pathway… You can think of him as an incomplete god."

Sequence 1, incomplete god!

In that case, a being higher than Mr. Door in status… must be a true god.

For a moment, Fors thought of the Evernight Goddess, the Lord of Storms, and the Eternal Blazing Sun.

But…

She had never been a devout member of the Church.

Pray, and God will answer?

Don't be ridiculous—how could God be so easy to talk to?

"Mr. Julius, is there any other way?" Fors smiled bitterly.

Julius shook his head. "Let's not even discuss whether you can approach other channels. Even if you could, Mr. Door's influence on you will only deepen, and you won't escape."

Fors slumped into her chair.

Xio glanced at Fors and then at Julius, gritting her teeth. "Is there no other way?"

Julius didn't answer immediately. He picked up the milk can and poured some into his coffee, muttering to himself, "The world is in chaos, and becoming Beyonder means giving up ordinary rights."

Xio wanted to say more.

Julius set down the milk can, took out a pen, and scribbled his real name on the napkin.

After a moment of thought, he took out a second piece of paper and wrote again.

"These two true gods are quite friendly." Julius lowered his voice. "If you really can't hold on, you can pray to either of them."

Xio swallowed and stealthily pocketed the two napkins.

Julius smiled and finished his coffee in one gulp. "It's been a pleasure spending this beautiful morning with you. I have something else to attend to, so I'll be going now."

After saying that, he grabbed his coat, hat, and gold-encrusted cane and left his seat.

Once Julius's figure had completely disappeared from the restaurant, Fors and Xio exchanged a glance, then carefully turned their attention to the two napkins.

On them were the names of two true gods.

Those two honorary names belonged to "The Fool" and "The Master of Destiny," respectively.

Chapter 26:

Julius found Klein at his usual spot.

"Let me guess," Julius said as he sat down opposite Klein. "You were happy to see me because it confirmed that I didn't die in the divine punishment last night. And your subsequent disappointment was because you still have a foreign debt of £5,920 that needs to be repaid, right?"

Klein tWitched his lips. "You're more like an Spectator than a participant."

"Magic potions are independent of each other to an extent, but also complete each other," Julius said. "How did you manage to fool your honest captain last night?"

"Honest man..." Klein couldn't help but complain inwardly. "When I went to report, I only said I met a suspected Witch while eating with you, but I didn't say who the Witch was. You also know that the Nighthawks are stretched thin, and even Leonard has been recalled."

At that moment, Julius interrupted, "It's not because I'm too harmless."

Klein's expression became complicated. "Yes, it's because you're too harmless, so the captain doesn't want to waste limited manpower on you."

He continued, "In a few days, my surveillance mission will end. By then, you'll be completely free."

"In a few days, I'll be going back to Backlund."

Julius tapped his fingertips on the table. "So, if you have anything to ask, you'd better say it quickly."

Klein thought for a moment before replying, "Help me solve Old Neil's problem."

"Fee: £300," Julius raised three fingers.

Klein agreed immediately.

Now that they'd made up their minds, the two of them didn't waste any more time.

Under Klein's lead, they went directly to Old Neil's home.

It looked like the most ordinary house, but it was full of life.

Klein sighed and said to Julius, "Old Neil lost control because he wanted to resurrect his dead wife. He accepted too much knowledge that he shouldn't have, at his level."

In this world, knowledge is toxic.

Julius nodded in understanding and said softly, "Go in. I'll handle it quickly."

Upon hearing this, Klein pressed the doorbell twice.

A moment later, an old man with pale hair and a thin face, wearing pajamas and slippers, opened the door. It was Old Neil, the same man Julius had met at the Dragon Bar.

"Klein?" Old Neil looked surprised. "Why are you here? You shouldn't be here."

He knew his situation well. After pulling himself back from the brink of insanity and forcibly exiting the out-of-control state, Old Neil realized that his time was running out, and he had been avoiding contact with his former colleagues.

He'd done something wrong.

He deserved to die alone…

Klein didn't hide anything. "Mr. Neil, you've been my guide and have given me a lot of help, both at work and in life. So, I can't just sit by and do nothing."

Old Neil was confused by Klein's words and asked, "Klein, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Klein took a deep breath and introduced Julius to Old Neil: "Mr. Neil, this is Julius Astorio, a..."

He showed five fingers. "A Sequence 5 Beyonder."

Sequence 5!

Hearing this shocking fact, Old Neil's throat tightened, and he was suddenly at a loss.

The last time they met, he had only seen Julius as an ordinary friend of Klein's, but now… My God, how did Klein get to know such a big shot?

"Klein, come here. Let me say a few words to you." Old Neil apologized to Julius first and then winked repeatedly at Klein.

Klein hesitated for a second, then followed.

When they were in a quiet spot, Old Neil asked seriously, "Does Captain Dunn know about this?"

Klein thought for a moment and shook his head. "The captain only knows that Julius Astorio is a high-Sequence powerhouse."

He changed the subject. "Mr. Neil, listen to me. If you're willing to trust me..."

"Of course, I trust you," Old Neil smiled bitterly. "I trust everyone in the Blackthorn Security Company. But don't underestimate people's hearts."

"Mr. Neil, though the goddess is kind, there are always things she cannot take into account." Klein looked at Old Neil earnestly.

As he spoke, he tapped his chest four times, drawing a crimson moon. "Under the witness of the goddess, no one dares harm her followers."

Old Neil smiled wryly, nodded four times on his chest, and said in a deep voice, "Praise the goddess."

The two exchanged further details before Old Neil finally agreed.

Back in the front hall, Julius was unfazed. He simply smiled and asked, "Have you decided?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, Sir Julius," Old Neil bowed deeply.

Just as he was thinking this, several transparent silk threads penetrated Old Neil's body.

Klein's expression shifted slightly.

Julius, as if nothing was out of the ordinary, asked, "Do you want to remove the contamination, or separate the potion?"

After a moment of thought, Old Neil smiled and replied, "I've had enough trouble caused by knowledge for so many years. I want to become an ordinary person again."

"Ordinary? I understand." Julius nodded and used thin threads to outline Old Neil's few Beyonder characteristics.

The Beyonder traits of the Lord of Mysteries were like many transparent symbols coming together.

Of course, Julius had no intention of coveting a Sequence 9's Beyonder traits. He turned to Klein, "You can keep it for now and sell it when you get a chance. At least you'll get some blood back."

Klein didn't hesitate and took the Beyonder traits.

Chapter 27:

**Three days later, Tingen station.**

"Just send it here. I'll leave in ten minutes." Julius glanced at his pocket watch and nodded toward Klein.

Klein fell silent for a moment before asking, "Will you come back?"

"What, can't you bear to part with me?" Julius asked.

He wasn't sure, but since Julius Astorio arrived in Tingen, all sorts of chaos seemed to follow him. Thankfully, it was all coming to an end now.

"You don't need to look so dramatic. Even in Backlund, I can always return to Tingen whenever I want." Julius met Klein's gaze. "But you, who've been settled in this cozy town, aren't exactly progressing as fast as you could. It might be too soon for you."

Klein had been reflecting on that very thing.

He'd almost fully absorbed the Sequence 9 potion and had successfully redeemed the Sequence 8 'Clown' potion formula from the Church of Evernight with the contribution points he'd accumulated.

However... after seeing Julius kill two Witches on his own, Klein felt that Sequence 9 was merely an introduction to the Beyonder, and Sequence 8 was just the beginning.

"If you think it over, you can come find me in Backlund. I'll be there for a while," Julius extended his hand. "I've really enjoyed my time here."

Klein shook Julius's hand. "Me too."

Julius raised an eyebrow. "It would be more convincing if you could remove the reluctance from your voice."

Klein managed a weak smile before Julius turned and began pulling his suitcase onto the train.

At the car door, Julius suddenly paused, turning back to add, "By the way, about that diamond you're holding: if you plan to use it, don't hesitate. The more decisive you are, the better the recovery effect will be."

Klein nodded.

The 'traceable diamond' worth 3,920 pounds was his greatest reliance, aside from the 'spiritual remnants of the True Creator' and 'thunder.' Used properly, it could save his life when the time came.

"Anyway, remember to write to me. We'll see each other again soon." Julius waved goodbye before stepping into the special carriage.

The train's whistle blew.

Klein took a long breath, as though releasing a heavy burden, and walked out of the station with a sense of relief.

---

**Meanwhile.**

Julius looked at the two well-behaved young ladies seated across from him and smiled gently. "It's been so many days, and you still haven't gotten used to it?"

Xio and Fors blinked.

It wasn't that they were timid—it was just that they couldn't afford to offend the boss.

Just then, Julius suddenly spoke, "Miss Xio."

"Yes!"

Taking a deep breath, Xio asked, "Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing. I just wanted to chat," Julius said with a gentle smile, his gaze fixed on her.

It was uncomfortable being stared at from such a high position, but Xio didn't dare express any impatience.

Julius continued casually, "You're a Beyonder on the Arbiter path. advancement is much harder for you than for Miss Fors. If you don't want to change your order, your best option is to join the Loen Army."

Hearing this, Xio's expression stiffened. "Because of my father, I was born half an arbiter, so I shouldn't be able to change the order."

Julius continued, "Since you don't want to change your Sequence, maybe I can help you with your future potion formulas."

Xio looked at him, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Julius gave her an almost nonchalant look. "I have the recipes for all potions from Sequence 8 to Sequence 5 in my possession, and I assure you they're genuine."

Xio's heart skipped a beat.

Before she could respond, Julius raised a hand to stop her. "I'm just offering a chance for you to grow stronger. You won't owe me anything. When you're ready for a potion recipe, just make sure you have the money, and you'll know where to find me."

Xio's eyes flickered with uncertainty. After a long pause, she lowered her head and saluted. "Thank you, Mr. Julius."

Julius smiled. "Also, I'll return the 'Freedom Stone' I once lent you. It's not valuable to me, anyway."

Xio froze.

She couldn't help but wonder if Julius Astorio had taken a special interest in her...

*No such thing as a free lunch in this world!*

Her face alternated between red and white.

Just then, Julius's expression shifted. He quickly pinched Fors's ear.

Fors froze. "Mr. Julius?"

"It's nothing. Just an annoying little bug," Julius's smile remained unchanged.

"Bug?" Fors's face reddened with embarrassment.

Julius didn't explain. Instead, he looked down at the half-dead Time Worm with a sly grin.

*Three days without putting up the roof tiles...*

It had been a while since he'd caused trouble for Amon.

Chapter 28:

'Land of Hope,' 'City of All Capitals.' Backlund has many names. This is the capital of the Loen Kingdom and one of the most prosperous cities in the world.

Just like when he left, Backlund was now misty and drizzling. Pedestrians on the road hurried along, and black or brown umbrellas collided together, creating a unique scene in the city.

Julius looked to his side. "Did you bring an umbrella? How about I find a carriage to take you home?"

Hearing this, Xio shook her head repeatedly. "Why are you so embarrassed? It's already a lot for you to buy us tickets."

Fors even took out a tassel-edged women's umbrella from her handbag and said, "Don't worry, we have an umbrella."

"That's it, then... we'll meet again later." Julius took off his hat and walked toward the carriage rental area.

Although renting a carriage on rainy days is much more expensive than on ordinary days, he didn't care.

Julius found a carriage at random, got in, and told the coachman his address.

"Sir, please sit down. We will set off immediately." The coachman's tone was subconsciously respectful. He knew that as long as he served this person well, he would definitely get a large tip when they arrived at the destination.

And the coachman's assumption was correct; in addition to the fare, Julius generously gave him 5 pounds.

When they arrived, it was no longer raining.

Julius stepped through the stagnant water and approached the villa's door.

Without waiting for anyone to open it, the door opened by itself.

A man wearing a pointed hat, a black robe, a broad forehead, and black curly hair stood inside with a smile, pinching his monocle.

"Mr. Julius," he said, "I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"It's not a good habit to break into empty doors," Julius said, expression unchanged, casually handing his suitcase to Amon as if the other man were his servant.

Amon, obedient, took the suitcase. "For me, habits aren't good or bad. It just depends on whether I like them."

Julius didn't buy it and mocked, "Forget it. If you've got the guts, go break into St. Mussel's Church. See if the Evernight Goddess wipes you out."

Julius sat on the living room sofa without comment. "Where's my coffee? If that's too much trouble, a cup of sweet iced tea will do. I don't have high standards."

Amon was slightly startled. This time, he didn't obediently serve coffee. Instead, he sat across from Julius with an equal attitude. "I have some questions to ask you."

Julius replied calmly, "Before you ask me anything, my male and female servants, as well as the housekeeper, gardener, coachman, and cook, are all to be returned to me."

Amon asked, "Do you care? I thought we were the same kind of people."

"First of all, I do care. Second of all, you're not human."

Julius crossed his legs. "You'd better do it while I still have patience. Otherwise, I'll go to the Forsaken Land of the Gods to find you. Haha, with a Sequence 5 clone, you should be cautious."

Amon pinched his monocle in silence. After two seconds, he spoke, "Okay, they've recovered, but they've lost the memory of this period of time."

Julius asked, "So, where's my compensation?"

Amon raised an eyebrow.

"I will compensate you," Amon smiled brightly. "I just don't know if you dare to ask for it."

Julius touched his smooth chin. "The Beyonder characteristics of Error Pathway Sequence 5 are still worth a lot of money."

Amon was stunned.

He hadn't meant it that way...

Shaking his head.

Back to business.

"I want to know what's in the stars."

"There's danger," Julius answered truthfully. "You might be able to swim through it like a fish in water, but you may also find yourself like a floating reed."

He stared at Amon and smirked. "If you're really curious, I can introduce you to a lady with a good personality. She'll be more than willing to be your excellent partner."

Is the Mother Tree of Desire there? Someone is looking for it~

Amon wasn't stupid. He knew that Julius's smile had malicious intent. He tapped his temples and deliberately changed the subject. "But you come from the starry sky, and you don't look very dangerous."

"You also look very polite," Julius said softly, "Like the kind of college student who's addicted to books."

Although Julius had killed one of his Sequence 4 clones before, he wasn't too worried.

As for now...

Facing an 'Amon plus,' even Amon himself couldn't help but get a headache.

Never mind. If he couldn't think clearly, he'd stop thinking about it.

As for the starry sky... Before he had absolute strength, Amon wouldn't think about it again.

He pinched his monocle and asked another question, "His condition has improved recently. Was it you?"

He was, of course, referring to the True Creator in the Forsaken Land of the Gods.

Julius admitted openly, "It was just for a moment. If he doesn't gather, he won't be freed."

"Darkness," "filth," "shadow," "mutation," "fall," and "sacrifice"—these powers aren't so easy to bear.

"Aggregation." Amon repeated the word silently.

As the second son of the Ancient Sun God, he obviously knew many secrets.

Amon finally withdrew from his contemplation and smiled. "Okay, I have no more doubts."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he took out a black cross from his robe, exuding an ominous aura. "This is what He asked me to bring to you."

The cross's Beyonder level wasn't high, only Sequence 9.

Julius was stunned but reached out to take it. "Okay, I'll take it."

Amon continued, "Honestly, I don't know why He's so stingy."

"Stingy?" Julius touched the uneven surface of the cross. "I don't think so."

"Sure enough, this thing is weird." Amon asked curiously, "Can you tell me about it?"

Julius smiled. "Okay."

But the next second, Amon suddenly exploded, dropping several half-dead Time Worms.

"Sorry, I suddenly don't want to talk anymore," Julius's smile didn't change.

Then he returned his attention to the cross, turning it upside down with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Sacrifice... Forget it, let's send it to Klein first. Although Ince Zangwill already sent it, Lavenus hasn't been arrested yet. Maybe he will need it."

Chapter 28:

As expected, Julius's new work immediately set off a fantasy trend in Backlund as soon as it was serialized.

Even "west of the river, east of the river" became a buzzword of the season.

Most like to follow trends.

This is especially true among nobles.

It would definitely be an honor to invite this well-known writer to a literary salon or weekend dinner.

Derek Syndras, the youngest son of Baron Syndras, also thought so.

At ten o'clock in the morning, he arrived at Julius's manor on time.

"Julius, my friend, it's so nice to see you again!"

Derek Syndras, of the same age as Julius, had no airs. When he saw Julius, he immediately opened his arms and gave him a big hug in a very un-Lion-like manner.

Julius smiled. "Derek, I'm happy too."

Derek was considered one of Julius's best friends in Backlund. Many of his profitable businesses were entrusted to this young master.

Although the Syndras family only held the title of Baron, Derek's father, Baron Syndras, was the most famous banker and businessman in the Loen Kingdom, hailed by the political circles as the 'Conservative Money Bag.'

"Julius, you must come to the banquet I'm hosting tonight." Derek said, taking out an invitation from his pocket.

The invitations were embroidered with gold and silver and were extremely luxurious.

"You?" Julius raised an eyebrow, setting down his teacup. "When did you get the right to hold a banquet at home?"

Usually, small gatherings are held in annexes or manors outside the city, not at home, unless something significant needs to be announced.

Derek chuckled. "Tonight is my engagement party."

Hearing this, Julius couldn't help but say, "I didn't hear you mention this last time. How long have I been gone, and you're already about to get engaged?"

"A nobleman, you know." Derek spread his hands. "It's just an exchange of interests. Marriage doesn't matter. From now on, everyone will have their own thing."

Julius nodded, recognizing that Derek's circle was too chaotic for him to comment on.

"I'll come on time and bring a big gift for you," Julius said.

"That would be great!" Derek looked very happy.

Then, as if remembering something, he winked at Julius and added, "There will be many beautiful ladies attending the banquet tonight. And 'Backlund's most dazzling gem' will also be there. You saw Miss Audrey at the Literary Salon last time, right?"

Audrey Hall, the most beautiful noble lady, the dream lover of countless young men and wealthy suitors.

But it's a pity that Earl Hall isn't easy to mess with.

So far, Miss Audrey's marriage has not been decided, and she doesn't even have a scandal attached to her name.

Derek looked at the talented Julius and smiled. "Julius, I think you have a good chance. Miss Audrey is said to like talented people the most. Be smart and try to win her over."

"I'm not a noble," Julius shrugged. "I'm not worthy of anyone else."

"Nothing's impossible for a noble. With your wealth, you can definitely buy a noble title. As for your wealth... Even if you work hard for ten lifetimes, you still won't match the Hall family's accumulated fortune. It's better to relax and accept it calmly." Derek thought more and more about it, the idea becoming more interesting to him.

He genuinely thought Audrey Hall and Julius Josted were a perfect match.

"I say, you should put your mind elsewhere," Julius said, clearly not wanting to continue on this topic.

Derek didn't push it. He stood up to leave. "In short, your charm is enough to win the heart of any lady. I've always thought so... Anyway, I'm leaving. The banquet will be at eight tonight, but feel free to arrive early; after all, we're not strangers."

With that, he hurried out.

Julius shook his head. Derek Syndras was one of the rare 'good people' among the noble sons of the Loen Kingdom. However, he still wasn't completely honest.

Audrey Hall? Julius thought for a moment and then asked the butler to bring him a new deck of tarot cards.

When netizens meet offline, there must always be preparations.

Chapter 28:

Time flies. Night falls.

Audrey, dressed in gorgeous clothes, stepped out of the carriage and paused for a moment.

Derek Syndras immediately came forward. "Miss Hall, your beauty eclipses the stars tonight."

Audrey smiled reservedly. "Mr. Syndras, congratulations. Difenna is a good girl. Don't let her down."

Derek's expression remained unchanged. "This is natural."

Audrey keenly noticed Derek Syndras's micro-expression but said nothing. Carrying her handbag, she walked into the Syndras family's manor amid many envious eyes.

Tonight was the engagement party of the youngest son of the Syndras family, and naturally, Baron Syndras was present.

He was a thin, clean-shaven gentleman with no beard, a square nose, a round face, and distinct wrinkles.

Audrey glanced at him briefly before cautiously averting her gaze.

As an unmarried lady, she didn't need to speak to the man of the house; only a polite greeting to the mistress was required.

However, just as Audrey was about to chat with Mrs. Syndras, she happened to spot a small gathering in the corner.

At a glance, she saw more than a dozen young men and women of the appropriate age, who seemed to be a group of their own.

"That's it?" Audrey felt curious.

At that moment, an old acquaintance, Viscount Glaint, approached with a wine glass and lowered his voice. "Audrey, it's not a good idea to go over there."

"Huh?" Audrey's green eyes glinted. "Why?"

Glaint explained, "The person speaking over there is Derek Syndras's good friend, the best-selling writer Julius Astorio, and his reputation… Haha, you understand me."

"Julius Astorio?" Audrey recalled.

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" and the recently popular *The Fire of Courage Will Burn the Sky* were both written by him.

With this thought, Audrey began using her observational skills to quietly analyze him.

—Black hair, black eyes, exquisite facial features, a rugged face, and a heroic aura radiating from his brows and eyes. He was very tall, nearly 1.95 meters, standing out from the crowd. He was also quite strong, able to almost stand shoulder to shoulder with professional athletes.

As for his attire…

Audrey's intuition trembled inexplicably.

She couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen him somewhere before.

Wait!

This wasn't the first time she had felt this way.

The last time she had this thought was in that mysterious space, during the Tarot meeting held by Mr. Fool!

Viscount Glaint assumed his warning had caught Audrey's attention and said, "That young writer is admired by many ladies and young women. He's rich and talented but has a questionable background. Relying on the Syndras family, his behavior is dissolute… ahem, it's nothing."

Only then did he realize that such gossip was hardly appropriate for a pure young lady.

Audrey smiled softly as she adjusted her thoughts. Then, as if making up her mind, she walked toward the small circle with elegant and brisk steps.

Viscount Glaint was slightly startled, his thoughts turning dark. He suddenly realized that a handsome playboy like Julius was most likely to attract a pure girl like Audrey.

Viscount Glaint thought of Count Hall's face and trembled, so he quickly followed her.

Julius immediately noticed Audrey, and his smile grew brighter.

As Audrey approached Julius, the people around him automatically made space.

"Mr. Astorio?" Audrey greeted with a smile.

Meeting her green eyes, Julius nodded. "Miss Hall."

Others were a bit confused.

They felt the atmosphere shift in a strange way.

Audrey thought for a moment before taking the initiative. "Mr. Astorio's imagination is astounding. I always keep your works by my bedside and read them frequently."

This was a lie.

Since becoming an Beyonder, Audrey had mostly read occult books. After reading ordinary novels once, she didn't know where to put them.

However, this was a way to bring the relationship closer.

"Miss Audrey's reputation is well-known to me," Julius said, staring at Audrey's cute face. He couldn't help but compare it to Trissy and Mrs. Sharron's faces in his mind.

In the end, he still felt that Audrey was slightly better.

"Mr. Astorio is ridiculous." Audrey chuckled.

Then, shifting the conversation, she asked, "I wonder how much Mr. Astorio knows about mystical sciences, such as astrology and divination?"

Julius thought for a while. "I know a little."

"Can we talk?" Audrey's tone rose slightly, revealing her interest.

Julius smiled slightly, snapped his fingers, and a Tarot card appeared from his fingertips like magic.

"I don't understand anything too complicated. I only know… fateful encounters are always so fascinating."

The noble ladies watching thought Julius looked cool, and they all exclaimed in unison.

But Audrey stared at the Fate card in Julius's hand, her mood lifting as though she were about to fly.

Julius handed the card to Audrey. "What do you think, Miss Audrey?"

Audrey took it and was about to respond with something suitably graceful when, unexpectedly, the Fate card changed into the Justice card.

"This time, it must be right!"

She knew that *Mr. Destiny* recognized her!

They stared into each other's eyes.

It was more than words.

Viscount Glaint felt his knees weaken.

It was over; they had really connected.

If Earl Hall knew the truth, he might just take Julius's life!

His thoughts were spinning rapidly. Viscount Glaint cleared his throat. "Audrey, Mrs. Syndras just mentioned that she hasn't seen you for a while."

Audrey came back to her senses, quietly holding the Justice card in her hand. She said to everyone, "I'm really sorry; I'll excuse myself for the moment."

The noble ladies and young men naturally had no objections and waved her off.

Julius continued chatting with them as if nothing had happened.

Viscount Glaint found an opportunity and pulled Julius aside rather rudely.

Once they were in a quiet spot, he said seriously, "Mr. Astorio, there's something I need to address. Even though you're friends with Derek Syndras, you need to know that you can't touch people!"

It wasn't that Viscount Glaint had a strong sense of justice, but he simply couldn't bear the wrath of Earl Hall.

Julius calmly straightened the sleeves that had been wrinkled by Viscount Glaint and asked knowingly, "I don't understand. What are you talking about?"

Blinking, he looked at Viscount Glaint's darkened eyes. "However, Your Excellency, you'd better exercise some restraint. Otherwise, there are some things that even medicine can't fix."

"Ahem, in short, Miss Audrey is Backlund's most dazzling gem, and her fiancé must be an incredible young talent."

Viscount Glaint quickly changed the subject with a guilty conscience. "Mr. Astorio, I hope you'll take care of yourself."

After saying that, he quickly left with his hands behind his back.

Julius smiled and didn't care.

From Viscount Glaint's point of view, Julius would likely do the same thing.

Julius could promise not to provoke Audrey, but if Audrey knew his true identity, would she truly pretend nothing had happened?

At that moment, he suddenly noticed something.

"Beyonder aggregation. Have you sensed the Beyonder characteristics of the Thief's Path..." Julius pinched his pocket.

Inside, there were several Worms of Time that had been forcibly stripped from Amon's body.

"Jiji."

In his sight, a mouse with a sly expression was hiding in the dark, watching its surroundings with human-like eyes.

After pondering for a moment, Julius decided to ignore it for now.

It was just a Sequence 4 parasite, a half-baked one that had parasitized a mouse. What kind of trouble could it cause?

And if he was right, this mouse demigod, Flora Jacob, should be eager to find a new body…

Julius followed its line of sight and looked into the venue, locking his gaze on a person.

That person turned out to be his 'net friend'—Audrey Hall.

Chapter 28:

Audrey was conversing with some familiar friends when, suddenly, a voice echoed inexplicably in her mind: "Be careful, you're being watched."

*What!?* Audrey froze in panic.

But thanks to her ability as an Spectator, she managed to keep her expression calm.

She paused to think.

The voice just now belonged to 'Mr. Destiny.'

So, she casually swept her gaze across the room, her eyes settling somewhere, a smile on her face.

Their eyes met. Julius nodded slightly and sent a mental message: "A rat's gotten into the banquet; it's probably at the level of Sequence 4."

*Sequence 4…*

Audrey, who had only recently become an Beyonder and hadn't even consumed all the Sequence 9 potions, almost faltered.

According to the knowledge shared by 'Mr. Destiny,' Beyonder individuals of this level were considered demigods.

I've been targeted by a demigod!

She stiffened instinctively.

Julius's voice came again, reassuring, "Don't worry; as long as I'm here, you'll be fine."

His calm tone felt almost magical. Audrey exhaled, feeling her nervousness melt away.

Her female companion noticed Audrey's odd behavior and asked, "Miss Hall, are you okay?"

Audrey smiled softly. "Just a little bored."

After exchanging pleasantries, she seized the opportunity to excuse herself.

Carrying her handbag, she headed toward the yard.

—This was part of the plan from 'Mr. Destiny.'

Meanwhile, the mouse demigod, wary of missing a chance to approach the beautiful lady, scurried through the grass and shrubs, its glowing red eyes scanning the area.

Audrey pretended to gaze at the stars, all the while staying alert to her surroundings.

Suddenly, a rustling sound caught her attention, making her feel a little tense.

In the next moment, she felt a brief fogginess in her mind.

But it passed quickly, and a reassuring voice resonated in her heart: "It's handled."

Julius didn't elaborate. He simply said, "Come to me after tonight. Bring your pet, too."

An address was etched into Audrey's mind.

The rest of the evening passed uneventfully.

Derek Hindelas and Dieffenna Vantel were officially engaged.

As a close friend, Julius drank plenty of wine with the young baron's son.

Naturally, no fewer than five young women and gentlemen cast secret glances at him.

But because Audrey was still present, Julius didn't engage with them as he usually would. Instead, he politely handed out his gold-gilded business cards.

After the banquet, Derek watched Audrey leave, regret flashing across his face. He patted Julius on the shoulder, saying, "Seems like 'Backlund's most dazzling gem' will remain on display for a while."

Julius didn't respond directly, changing the subject instead. "I'll host a literary salon at my place in two days. Bring your fiancée along; it'll be a good time."

"No problem," Derek replied.

Julius waved, climbed into his carriage, and returned to 'Jostar Manor.'

But soon after, he stepped into another location through a portal.

When he materialized, Audrey and the golden retriever, Susie, who had been waiting, looked visibly startled.

"Audrey, be careful!" Susie barked, positioning herself protectively in front of Audrey.

If only its furry body wasn't trembling, it might have been more intimidating…

Audrey, a little embarrassed, quickly reassured the dog. "Susie, don't worry, Mr. Julius is not a bad person. He... he's my friend."

"Friend? Audrey, why haven't I heard about this friend before?" Susie sniffed, lowering her voice. "He smells like a lot of perfume and doesn't seem like a good person."

"Susie!" Audrey pinched the dog's mouth in exasperation.

Julius shrugged indifferently, kneeling down to get on Susie's level. "Miss Audrey, is this the Beyonder pet you mentioned?"

He examined the golden retriever's sleek coat and continued, "Its physical condition is excellent, but—"

He shifted the conversation. "As an Spectator, Susie, you must have sharp instincts and judgment. The reason I smell like perfume is because I just came from the party and haven't changed clothes."

Susie blinked, slightly stunned.

Then Julius smiled. "I have to admit, your intuition is spot on and your judgment's razor-sharp. I am, indeed, not a good person."

Audrey: ...

Susie: ...

After teasing the dog, Julius stood and looked at Audrey.

With a thought, he conjured a transparent light orb in his palm. Inside, a gray mouse was curled up, peacefully sleeping.

Audrey blinked in surprise. "Mr. Julius, is this the Sequence 4 demigod?"

Who would have guessed this 'mouse' was actually a real mouse?

Julius nodded. "She is the demigod. When I stepped out for some fresh air, I sensed a strange aura nearby. After searching, I found her. She was eyeing you from the shadows. It was clear she had ill intentions."

He paused and added, "Forgot to mention, she's a demigod of the Error Pathway, a master of stealing parasites. If she succeeded, she'd replace you entirely, becoming Audrey Hall herself."

Audrey's face went pale with fear.

Susie also turned into a bad dog, her protective instincts kicking in.

Neither she nor Audrey had any experience with such horrors—after all, their knowledge of the Beyonder world was limited to books and Tarot meetings.

Julius stored the light ball away, rubbing his face in slight embarrassment. "Ahem, I should apologize. This whole mess is kind of my fault."

He continued, "There's something about me that attracts thieves. She came to the banquet because she sensed the aura of those things I carry. Unfortunately, you became her target. I'm sorry."

Audrey swallowed her emotions, unsure of what to feel.

Looking at the conflicted girl, Julius smiled. "To make it up to you, I'll give you a choice."

Audrey blinked.

"You have three options:

First, an opportunity to join me on an exploration.

Second, access to the potion formula for Sequence 8, along with two corresponding Beyonder materials.

Third, an Beyonder item at the seventh level of the Sequence.

And if you choose the first, I'll share some of the proceeds from the adventure with you. You won't walk away empty-handed."

Audrey thought deeply. She knew 'Mr. Destiny' could have hidden everything, but he had shared the entire story.

As they say at the Tarot Club, "It's not family that's better than family."

Her eyes hardened with determination. "I'll choose the first."

Indeed, she was 'Backlund's hardest diamond,' and she was sticking to it.

Julius clapped his hands. "In that case, Miss Audrey, are you ready for your first adventure?"

"Our destination: the hidden treasure of the Jacob family—the thieves who passed through the angel family."

Audrey's heart raced, her mind flashing to the adventure novels she'd read, all of them now coming to life.

And she, Audrey Hall, would be the protagonist!

"Audrey..." Susie, seeing her master so easily enchanted by Julius's words, couldn't help but feel worried.

But Audrey's eyes were sparkling as she asked, "Mr. Julius, when do we leave?"

Julius glanced at his pocket watch. "Right now."