9
---
**The 'Primordial' has arrived.**
Klein suddenly felt his hair stand on end!
But he didn't panic. He maintained his calm demeanor.
This was all part of the plan.
He simply needed to follow through with what was in front of him.
The "Original Witch" had its own matters to attend to.
…
…
Chick was furious now.
It had been a win-win situation for all parties involved, but somehow, it had turned into a loss for him.
Painful and hopeless?
Not in the slightest!
Clearly, he had been played.
Influenced by an invisible force, a frustrated Chick descended from the gods, personally triggering the plague.
The nameless Witch became the vessel for this divine descent. Her black hair morphed into eyeball-like tentacles, twisting and writhing relentlessly.
Everything within her reach turned into lifeless gray stone.
The "Original Witch" reveled in her new form, a sneer curling her lips.
Though the schemes of the Evernight Goddess and the "True Creator" were unclear, it mattered little—she would act regardless.
But just as she prepared to make her move, something stopped her.
Turning around, her gaze locked with a man in simple clothes and a blonde beard.
"He's involved too!" Chick thought, his mind racing.
He looked at the calm bearded priest, a charming smile appearing on his face. "Adam, is this what you expected?"
Adam had awoken sometime before, holding a pure white quill. He began writing in the air:
"The divine body of the Original Witch inherited part of her authority. Yet, she did not realize that there was already a pair of hands controlling everything, even the gods. She is but a pawn in the hands of 'that one'. What she wants will always come true. It's always been this way."
Chick was confused.
He couldn't grasp the meaning, but he felt something was terribly wrong.
It suddenly dawned on him—despite the awareness of a trap, he had foolishly descended using the ring.
All his anger was directed at the "Visionarys."
Adam, once the King of Angels in the 'Spectator' Sequence, had quietly ascended to godhood!
"Chick will leave behind his Sequence 1 Beyonder characteristic and his ring," Adam murmured, his hands moving with precision. "This is the price of carelessness."
"Don't even think about it!" Chick's thoughts screamed. Though he knew he was no match for Adam, he refused to surrender.
Instantly, the eyes embedded in the black tentacles above his head snapped open, and everything—including the smallest microorganisms—was petrified.
Yet Adam continued to write, undeterred: "The enraged Chick has decided to resist, but he has underestimated his opponent's power. His defiance will be in vain, and he will pay a greater price."
The pen fell, and at once, many transparent threads shot from the space around Adam.
The threads were like venomous snakes, striking at Chick with lightning speed.
Before Chick could react, the threads followed an eerie connection, reaching the "Original Witch's" body in the Kingdom of Disaster.
"No!" Chick screamed.
He had never encountered such a strange existence.
Those threads…
A thief?
No.
A thousand times worse than a thief—he was a robber, pure and simple!
With no time to think, the "Original Witch" severed the link between herself and her clone.
But, as Adam had foretold, she paid a greater price.
The uniqueness of the 'Witch' path was stolen.
"Ah!!!" The incomplete Chick's scream echoed as his power rapidly diminished.
Simultaneously, all Witches in the real world felt the Original Witch's wrath and unspeakable fear.
…
…
The strong winds blew away the thick fog.
It turned out the Lord of Storms had many untapped abilities besides land-shaking power.
Before the arrival of the official Beyonders, Klein quietly led the members of the Aurora Order out of the West District.
The Aurora Order had profited handsomely from this sacrificial ceremony.
The seeds had been planted, and when they sprouted, the "True Creator" would gain many devoted and rational followers to help stabilize his reign.
Julius also walked away with considerable gains.
In addition to the Beyonder characteristics of Sequence 1 from the 'Chained God' pathway, he had acquired the unique and Beyonder traits of Sequence 1 from the 'Witch' pathway, as well as the high-level Beyonder item, "Chick's Ring," belonging to the 'Witch' pathway.
To be honest, he was a little surprised at having torn away the uniqueness of Chick.
But in the end, he had to credit Adam.
What a 'visionary' wants, he gets—and the same goes for a half-step 'visionary.'
It could be said that Adam had entirely replaced Mr. Door, becoming an entity on the cusp of godhood.
Julius and Adam sat across from each other in 'Jostar Manor.'
The bearded priest still looked indifferent. "I've read a lot."
There was a hint of regret in his voice as he added, "But it's not enough."
"There isn't much time left," Julius replied. His hands played with a rag doll wrapped in thorns and a stone sculpture of a human head covered with black tentacles. "No harm in waking up early."
Adam said nothing.
Julius studied him for a moment, then asked cautiously, "You haven't become a god yet, so why not take the Witch path? The position of the red priest is vacant. When the time comes, you could ascend to the throne of the old god. Sounds like a profitable deal, doesn't it?"
Adam:…
For the first time, the centuries-old poker face seemed to waver.
He opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, he remained silent.
Silence, after all, is golden.
"To be honest," Julius continued, "I don't like you. You're not human."
"If I had a choice, I'd pick the madman who keeps yelling 'Sukabule' over you."
Adam remained silent.
Julius, unperturbed, carried on, "You should know you'll never reclaim the 'Storm,' 'Sun,' 'Wisdom,' 'Degeneration,' or 'Utopia.' Those will never return to the past."
The 'God' is an ancient, pillar-level being who must gather the authority of five pathways. Given the current states of Adam and the "True Creator," how could they compete with the Lord of Storms?
Not to mention, Adam was truly tempted.
As the divine incarnation of the 'Primary Creator,' his way of thinking differed from the norm.
As Julius said, the end was nearing, and adding another Old One to the fray could shift the odds in their favor.
However, after careful thought, Adam deKleind the offer.
"I suggest returning the uniqueness to Chick. Of course, you could use this to compel him to obey your commands," Adam suggested calmly.
Unexpectedly, Julius shook his head. "No."
Yet Adam's suggestion sparked an idea. Perhaps it would be intriguing to cultivate a Witch aligned with the 'Mysterious' camp.
"Well, broaden your horizons," Julius mused. "Besides assassins, you could try being Hunters. Three-in-one Medici? Da Nizi, still drifting on the sea? Or maybe Roselle could abandon the Black Emperor and start fresh? Ah, so many confusing possibilities." Julius stroked his smooth chin, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Adam froze, a bad feeling washing over him.
Had he said something wrong?
Suppressing his thoughts, Julius added, "Anyway, thanks for your help this time. Per our deal, I'll assist with accommodating your uniqueness. Hand over that pen."
Adam didn't hesitate and handed over 'Sealed Artifact 008.'
Had it not been for the intrusion of a certain starry sky evil god, the times would have unfolded as Adam had envisioned, and accommodating uniqueness would have been a breeze.
But now, he had no choice but to rely on others to accommodate the uniqueness of the visionary path.
Theoretically, 'Sealed Artifact 008' was no different from causal objects like reality gems or time history books. After a few adjustments, Julius easily brought Adam one step closer to becoming a true 'visionary.'
Adam nodded. "Thank you."
"This is part of the deal. You help me deal with the Original Witch, and I help you accommodate your uniqueness." Julius waved his hand dismissively. "As for what happens next..."
Before Julius could finish, Adam suddenly spoke. "I'll handle the rest myself."
Julius offered no comment.
In the original trajectory of destiny, Adam's true creation merged with him as the master.
But now, it was hard to say.
---
---
Adam came and went quietly.
Neither Bernadette nor Azik noticed the presence of this half-step true god.
"You've been of great help this time," Julius said with a smile. "Mr. Fool will definitely reward you generously."
Bernadette and Azik repeatedly insisted that they were merely following the natural course of things.
Indeed, the two of them teaming up to defeat a Sequence 4 was like an adult beating a child—there was no real challenge.
But Julius didn't see it that way.
What's wrong with joining forces?
Isn't it only natural for justice to be served two against one?
Clearly, neither Bernadette nor Azik understood the essence of Julius's fighting style, and their expressions couldn't help but turn awkward.
Julius, unwilling to linger on this topic, shifted gears and said, "The destruction of the sacrificial ceremony was just the beginning. The Loen royal family won't give up so easily. We still have much to do."
He turned to Bernadette and added thoughtfully, "Tell your father I've obtained the uniqueness of the Witch Path and the Beyonder Characteristics of Sequence 1. If he's willing to give up the 'Black Emperor' status and rid himself of it through a reboot or contamination, I can keep these for him."
Bernadette: ???
She wasn't a novice; she knew how Witches were promoted.
"This…" Bernadette hesitated, clearly embarrassed.
After taking a deep breath, she finally responded, "I'll be honest with him."
"Very good," Julius said with a slight smile.
Then, he turned to Azik. "As for you, Mr. Azik, the possibility of advancement is basically gone. From now on, you can simply remain a Sequence 2 with peace of mind."
The black silk station.
No, that's wrong.
The black death battle.
The Evernight Goddess had been planning these three powers for a long time; how could the honest and honorable Azik Eggers have hoped to compete with them?
Upon hearing this, Azik smiled and nodded.
Sequence 2 was fine.
No need to overthink it; he was strong enough to protect himself.
And now he had an umbrella over his head.
'A fool who doesn't belong to this era.'
Judging from Julius Astorio's attitude, the King of Angels seemed to have a pretty good temper.
Adam was an outsider, needing transactions to maintain their relationship.
Bernadette and Azik were from the same family, and it was enough to present two tempting offers in the name of "The Fool" without going into unnecessary details.
…
When Klein dragged his tired body into 'Jostar Manor,' he was nearly bursting with excitement. "It's chaos! Complete chaos! The official Church is done for, the nobles are uniting, and the royal family is finished!"
Wasn't it just the destruction of George III's god-making ceremony?
Now that public opinion had completely turned against the royal family, that inhumane man no longer had the nerve to deflect blame.
Julius poured Klein a cup of tea and said calmly, "Don't get too ahead of yourself. The people are the easiest to fool. As for the official Church, the Witch Sect will take the blame, so it won't have much impact either."
Klein blinked, a little startled.
Before he could speak, Julius added, "The biggest benefit from this sacrifice ceremony was that it weakened the enemy's power."
Klein assumed Julius was referring to the 'Original Witch' and asked, "What did you do? I saw that all the Witch Sect members were in despair. They didn't dare stay in the city and fled in panic."
Julius smiled. "It's nothing. I simply tricked the 'Original Witch,' tore off her uniqueness, and took a copy of Sequence 1's Beyonder Characteristics. Now, there's no true god in that path."
Klein: …
He had spent all this time thinking he was doing well, helping the "True Creator" recruit believers.
He didn't expect Julius to bring a true god to the brink of death with a single move.
Tsk, I can't afford to offend him.
He smirked.
Julius added, "You did well, but our mission isn't over yet. The reason we were able to win so easily this time, and even crush the enemy completely, wasn't just because of me. More importantly, we have enough help."
Klein nodded, still processing.
Julius continued, "But you can never have too many allies. What do you think?"
Adam accommodated the uniqueness of the visionary. The Evernight Goddess obtained the key to communicate with the 'River of Eternal Darkness.' The Lord of Storms and the Earth Mother Goddess formed a strong bond with the future 'Lord of Mysteries' and the mysterious starry sky evil god, the True Creator. With more anchor points, their mental states improved.
The world, where only the 'Mother Tree of Desire' and the 'Primary Witch' were harmed, was now complete.
Klein blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Reliable sources say that Backlund is hiding a 'Snake of Mercury.' Now that the Aurora Order's business is almost wrapped up, you can temporarily put down Sherlock Moriarty's guise and find him as Klein Moretti. Bring him to our side," Julius instructed seriously.
Klein was stunned.
The 'Snake of Mercury' was the angel king of the Wheel of Fortune Pathway.
As if reading Klein's mind, Julius patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You've been with me long enough. You still don't know who the Beyonder beings are in the Wheel of Fortune Pathway? There's a European Emperor, Zhenchang, the son of George III. The ritual for becoming a god is already out of the question. Trust me, it's absolutely true."
Klein frowned. "Aren't you also the European Emperor?"
Julius's tone remained unchanged. "The more, the merrier."
Meanwhile, in a certain nursery:
The little boy lying in the cradle suddenly widened his eyes.
He could clearly feel that some kind of unspeakable misfortune was coming!
---
---
People were marching everywhere.
Holding placards and shouting slogans like "Severely punish the source of pollution and demand the right to survive," they marched toward the city government with righteous indignation.
Klein glanced at them briefly before turning his attention elsewhere.
He had the same thought in his mind—the nobles had united and begun putting pressure on the Loen royal family.
"Well, it's better than nothing... at least we might get some funding for the victims in the West District," Klein sighed.
In an Beyonder world, only high-Sequence individuals could dominate everything.
As long as the 'Prince Killing Xu' remained alive, things would not settle.
He adjusted the brim of his hat and walked away silently.
It was said that Klein was tasked with finding the 'Snake of Mercury' hidden in Backlund, but Julius hadn't provided any specific details about its location. Julius had only said casually, "If you meet him, don't be afraid. In fact, he should be the one afraid. You can mention my honorable name at a critical moment. Fate will make sure you cross paths in the end."
Nine hours later...
"Meet the uncle!" Klein cursed inwardly after searching all day and finding nothing.
From past experience, he seriously suspected he had been tricked again.
With the sun beginning to set, he frowned and decided to set the matter aside for now, returning home exhausted.
Benson was the only one at home; Melissa had gone out to buy groceries.
Upon seeing Klein, Benson set down his civil service exam preparation book and smiled. "Are all investors like you? I thought this profession was the most respectable."
Hearing this, Klein smiled bitterly.
He wasn't physically tired, but mentally drained.
After removing his coat, Klein collapsed onto the sofa. Then, something crossed his mind, and he said, "Melissa should stay home more often. It's too chaotic outside."
Benson set the book aside and poured Klein a cup of tea. "I heard that the smog in the East District yesterday sickened a lot of people. Thankfully, with help from the major Churches, the casualties weren't worse."
Major Churches?
Aurora Club!
The True Creator of fortune, Mr. Sherlock Moriarty, smirked.
However, he said nothing and simply sipped his tea.
While drinking, he asked, "Has Melissa decided which school she wants to attend?"
"She's very interested in mechanical production, but the girls' night school founded by the Church of Evernight seems more suitable for our family's situation," Benson replied, touching his receding hairline. "You know, Melissa is a believer in the goddess, and recently, she seems to have met a kind-hearted nun."
Accident?
Klein realized almost immediately that this must be the work of the Evernight Goddess.
But that was fine.
With the goddess' protection, Melissa would at least be safe.
In fact, Klein held the Lady of the Night in high regard, second only to Julius Astorio and his fellow countryman Huang Tao. According to an unnamed Angel of Destiny, the Evernight Goddess was firmly aligned with 'The Fool' and had told Klein he could consider her as a mother figure...
"I think night school is a good idea," Klein said, pretending to be casual.
Benson listened and nodded. "I agree."
Just then, Melissa returned.
And she wasn't alone.
Behind her was a well-dressed middle-aged man holding a paper bag and wearing gold-rimmed glasses.
When they saw the visitor, both Benson and Klein's expressions immediately turned guarded.
"Doctor Allen, these are my two brothers, Benson and Klein," Melissa introduced the middle-aged man enthusiastically.
She then introduced Benson and Klein: "This is Dr. Allen. He just helped me in the department store; otherwise, I would have been seriously hurt."
The two men froze.
Then, in unison, they asked, "What happened?"
Dr. Allen placed the paper bag down and waved his hand. "It's not that serious. Just a sudden dislocation caused by improper force."
He smiled and added, "Don't let Miss Melissa do any housework for a while. She needs some rest."
"Alright, alright." After hearing the full story, the hostility between Benson and Klein disappeared, and their attitudes shifted completely.
Dr. Allen gave a few more instructions.
After that, it was time to part ways.
Of course, Benson and Klein insisted on inviting Dr. Allen to dinner.
Dr. Allen seemed a little uncomfortable and said, "My wife and youngest son are waiting for me at home."
Married?
Well, that made them feel better.
In a rare moment of generosity, Klein quickly said, "Fate has brought us together! Tonight, we—"
Halfway through his words, he suddenly froze.
His mouth felt dry.
Dr. Allen blinked. "Mr. Klein?"
Klein snapped back to reality, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, "Please let me express my gratitude. We'll see you at the Fanast Restaurant at eight o'clock tonight!"
…
…
Dr. Allen's family of three.
The Moretti family, consisting of three siblings.
The atmosphere in the private room at Fanast Restaurant was warm.
Mrs. Allen took an immediate liking to Melissa, and the two women quickly bonded, chatting about typical lady-like topics.
Dr. Allen and Benson found common ground as well—they were both eldest sons, having lost their parents at a young age.
Only Klein and the little boy—who was several months old and lying in a cradle—remained staring at each other.
After a moment of thought, Klein scratched his brow, then extended a finger, pretending to tease the child.
The little boy suddenly giggled.
A flicker of doubt appeared in Klein's mind.
Had he misjudged?
He glanced up at Dr. Allen and Mrs. Allen, making sure no one was paying attention. Once certain, he calmed his expression and used a 'magician's technique' to retrieve a necklace with an inverted cross from the hidden pocket of his vest.
At that moment, the boy couldn't pretend anymore. He showed an expression of pure fear.
"Aha!" A confused voice sounded in Klein's mind.
Putting away the 'black iron cross,' Klein smiled and whispered, "Fate made us meet."
The little boy rolled his eyes.
Are you really talking about fate in front of a 'Snake of Mercury'?
Without saying another word, Klein quietly slipped a 'Wheel of Fortune' card into the boy's cradle and said, "We'll contact you later."
The boy's eyes slowly turned vacant.
Life is tough, Snake sighed.
---
---
That night, the red moon hung high in the sky.
Klein was pulled into a dream by an unseen force.
In the dream, he saw a towering gray structure.
At the top of the tower, a terrifying silver-white snake slithered, its body devoid of scales. It was adorned with mysterious symbols, each forming interconnected wheels, with different signs etched around them. The tail and head wheels were incomplete, each having only half.
Despite being mentally prepared, Klein couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness at the sight of the 'Snake of Mercury.'
However, he trusted that Julius wouldn't lie to him. He cleared his throat and said, trying to appear calm, "On behalf of the 'Fools who do not belong to this era,' I sincerely invite you to join us."
The giant snake gazed down at Klein but remained silent.
Suddenly, it vanished.
In its place, a trolley appeared at the entrance of the tower.
"The trajectory of fate has been tampered with…" In the cradle, Will Asceptin spoke with visible anger. "The fate of many people has been altered."
His title, "Witness of Destiny," was not given lightly. Every time a butterfly flapped its wings, Will Asceptin felt it.
This was pure torture for him.
Once a Sequence 1 on the 'monster' path, he could effortlessly seek advantages, avoid danger, and predict threats with ease.
But now…
It was as if there were issues with his abilities, like a malfunctioning server.
The only possible explanation was that someone on the same path, a superior being, was tampering with the trajectory of 'destiny.'
But there was no true god on the 'monster' path—he knew this for certain.
Otherwise, Ourolius wouldn't have spent years chasing him, aiming to become a god.
Eccentric. Truly bizarre!
What troubled Will even more was the overwhelming sense of both 'luck' and 'bad luck' surrounding Klein. The two forces were so intertwined they were indistinguishable from one another, like two snakes, each mirroring the other.
"Danger and opportunity coexist…" Will Asceptin thought to himself, a dark premonition growing in his mind.
Perhaps this person could bring him the opportunity to ascend to godhood.
But at the same time, there was a high chance that he would fall completely.
Klein waited for a long time without a reply and finally asked, "What are your thoughts?"
Will Asceptin didn't answer directly but instead asked, "Who sent you to me? Who told you about my existence?"
Klein, losing his patience, replied loudly, "The Fool is the Angel of Destiny!"
"Angel of Destiny?" Will Asceptin was taken aback.
Aside from himself and Ourolius, how could there be another high-ranking Angel of Destiny?
Wait…
Could it be?
A sudden realization dawned on him.
He swallowed nervously and smiled, trying to maintain his composure. "Since Mr. Fool…"
He paused, keenly aware of Klein's overwhelming aura of high status, which almost felt tangible. Reluctantly, he decided to go along with Klein's words for now. "Since Mr. Fool is showing favor, I will naturally follow him."
After a pause, he asked, "Now that I've joined, when can I meet the Angel of Destiny… ahem, that esteemed individual?"
Who's luckier?
Who holds more status?
Who embodies destiny itself?
Will Asceptin resigned himself to the situation, yielding to the unseen power that seemed to influence him from afar.
"So simple?" Klein didn't expect the 'Snake of Mercury' to be so easy to deal with. He'd thought he would have to mobilize high-level combatants and allies from the Tarot Club to gain the snake's compliance.
Klein's expression remained calm as he said, "I can't answer your question, but I can tell you the honorable name of the Angel of Destiny."
He took a deep breath and enunciated each word with emphasis: "The reflection of the long river of time, the illusion of the mirror of space, the singularity of order and chaos, the witness of all destiny, the great Julius Astorio."
"Witness of all fate?" Will Asceptin was left speechless for a moment.
No one understood the weight of those words more than he did!
---
Under the Fool's command, the young, the old, the sick, the disabled, and the pregnant—all five angels had gathered.
Of course, Bernadette had not yet been corrupted by the evil god, nor had she been promoted to Sequence 2, so she was not yet known as the Pregnant Angel.
Azik Eggers had his soul defect repaired by Julius, and since then, his illness had vanished. The Sick Angel was no more.
Only Will Asceptin remained in his baby-like state, a true Baby Angel.
After hearing Klein's story, Julius's expression remained unchanged.
Sequence 1 of the 'monster' path, someone who didn't understand the pursuit of advantage or the avoidance of danger. Who was truly the pillar that supported the sky when the end came? Anyone with an eye for talent would know immediately.
"This is good work," said Qiao Mou, the chief political commissar of the Tarot Club and the general manager of the Church of Fools. He nodded calmly. "However, I will not reimburse you for the cost of treating guests at Farnast Restaurant."
Klein's smile instantly froze.
He raised his voice and protested, "This is a necessary expense; you can't do this!"
"You are the one favored by Mystery. Strengthening Mystery's power is what you should do. A little money is nothing," Julius said, pretending to be confused. "Don't worry, I understand."
He enjoyed seeing the distressed look on Klein's face.
Klein opened his mouth to speak but, in the end, said nothing.
I'm a god. I'm a favored one.
But at the end of the day, I'm just a poor soul.
*sigh*
"Okay, to make up for it, I'll give you something good," Julius suddenly grinned and placed a ring set with sapphire in front of Klein. "This is the original Witch's ring, an item of her own."
Klein jumped up from the sofa as if he'd been shocked. "You!"
"What's wrong?" Julius said, unfazed. "Don't worry. The original Witch no longer holds divine status. She's like a tiger with its teeth pulled out. She's no longer a threat." Julius added casually, "If you don't believe me, just curse 'Qi' in the sky. Ke, you hermaphrodite, and let's see if He will impose divine punishment on you."
Klein's lips tWitched.
I suspect you're trying to get me killed.
And I already have ample evidence.
Boss, even a tiger with its teeth pulled out is still a tiger. I'm just a Sequence 6. I'd rather let someone else do the cursing.
Klein laughed awkwardly. "Ah, I think I've got something else to take care of..."
"What? Don't you want to kill George III for that, gentleman?" Julius asked suddenly.
Klein, who had been about to slip away, froze and spoke hesitantly, "I thought Mr. Azik was the one in charge of that task."
The last time 'regicide' was mentioned, Julius had asked Klein to write a letter summoning Azik Eggers, who was traveling in Intis. Klein had assumed that Azik would handle the killing of George III.
To his surprise...
Julius said seriously, "Mr. Azik is only Sequence 2. It's still too difficult to deal with a Sequence 1."
Klein pointed at himself, "I'm Sequence 6."
Subtext—Are you serious?
"That's why I'll lend you this ring," Julius continued matter-of-factly. "Use it, and you'll gain part of the original Witch's power. That should be enough to help Mr. Azik in killing the target. If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't let you use such a powerful treasure."
Klein was a bit tempted but remained cautious, asking carefully, "So… what's the cost?"
"What's the cost? That's such a harsh way to put it… it's just some minor, unmentioned side effects," Julius said easily. "Actually, it's nothing—except it will temporarily change your gender."
Klein: ? ! !
---
---
**There are always unscrupulous people who want to harm me!**
Klein looked solemn, his expression unyielding.
Before he could voice his objection, Julius spoke first, "What do you think the 'faceless man' is?"
This question caught Klein off guard.
Julius sighed, adding, "How can someone like you, so fixated on gender, play the role of a 'faceless man' so well?"
"Calling me an insect or something is a bit much..." Klein scratched his eyebrows helplessly.
However, Julius's comment made him less resistant to the idea of changing his gender.
As it's known, mythical creatures are gender-neutral.
What harm is there in changing?
With a newfound certainty, Klein expressionlessly took the 'Chick's Ring.'
Seeing this, Julius nodded with satisfaction. "Good, you can teach me."
However, Klein couldn't hold back his worries and asked, "Are you sure it's just temporary? You're not lying to me, right?"
Julius didn't answer, just smiling mockingly.
At that moment, Klein caught the word 'insect' flashing in Julius's eyes.
For some reason, an unknown fire began to burn within him!
Klein's mind went blank for a moment.
Without thinking further, he swiftly slid the ring onto his left middle finger, almost as if to prove something.
*Buzz—*
A strange black light flashed.
After all, it was a holy relic left by the "Original Witch." The 'Chick's Ring' held immense power. In an instant, feminine energy enveloped Klein, transforming his body drastically.
Seeing this, Julius coolly began 'taking pictures.'
The dark history of 'Lord of Mysteries' added to the amusement.
The transformation lasted nearly two or three minutes. The gentle young man who had been Klein vanished.
In his place stood a dark-haired beauty of medium height, with curves in all the right places, exuding a quiet and captivating temperament.
It must be said, the cosmetic effects of the Witch's Holy Artifact were powerful. Among all the women Julius had encountered, Klein's new beauty would easily rank in the top three, surpassing even Trissy, Mrs. Sherman, and the fallen Baker Panadia of Rand East.
"I..." Klein stared blankly at his hands and suddenly cursed, "F**k me!"
Julius suppressed a smile, giving a thumbs up. "Klein, I really knew you had potential."
Hearing this, Klein raised his head and snapped, "You're cheating me!"
"Huh?" Julius feigned innocence. "What do you mean?"
Klein refused to let it go. "You've digested the 'Desire Apostle' trait I gave you! You..."
Before he could finish, Julius ruthlessly interrupted, "He took the potion beyond his level, so it's understandable he can't control his abilities."
After a pause, Julius lowered his head and added, "I'm sorry~"
Who would believe that the King of Angels, at Sequence 1, couldn't control his power because he digested the Sequence 5 traits?
Klein was about to explode.
Seeing he couldn't deceive Klein, Julius simply dropped the charade. "Alright, don't think I'm tricking you. I'm actually helping you."
"There's something wrong with your acting style, and your understanding of your 'self' is too shallow. If you continue like this, you might lose control."
Klein: ? ? ?
Julius, with no shame, continued, "You've got to take a deep breath and stabilize yourself."
Klein took a few calming breaths.
And then, his expression froze.
*Soft…*
Julius finally couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter.
The reason bad taste is so enjoyable is because it's truly bad.
The joy in this is inaccessible to others.
Klein, deeply pained and angry, was plotted against by the world.
But what could he do?
He could only accept the reality with a bitter sigh.
Once the pattern opened...
Instantly, his shoulders felt lighter, and his back no longer hurt.
Klein calmly sat on the sofa, thinking of Audrey's various gestures. He crossed his legs and said calmly, "You got your wish; are you satisfied?"
"Good! Very good!" Julius smiled wider. "Now we have the appearance of the 'faceless man,' and I am all sentient beings."
Klein simply smiled, his smile cold.
Julius didn't mind. The old god remarked, "Although you put the ring on early due to... force majeure factors, it's no problem. The power of the original Witch is gradually waning, and I don't know when it'll be depleted."
"If you don't gather the wool now, you won't be able to later."
Klein didn't reply, his expression reading, 'Make it up as you go, I don't care.'
Julius sneered.
Just then, Azik knocked on the door.
Before Klein could react, Julius, unconcerned about the excitement, opened the door with a wave of his hand.
Inside and outside, their gazes met.
Klein and Azik paused, silent.
After a beat, the honest son of Death tentatively spoke. "Klein?"
Klein thought for a moment and then calmly replied, "You've mistaken me for someone else."
"That's right!" Julius stood up and enthusiastically introduced Azik, "This is my distant cousin Kleini."
Klein, now in a female form, was happy to wear a new vest.
Whether he was still out of character or had fully integrated into his new role, Klein's lips curled into a gentle smile. "The little lady just arrived from Eastchester County today. This is our first meeting. Please, give me some guidance."
Azik:...
Young people are playing these games, huh?
However, knowing the rules of the 'faceless man,' he didn't expose Klein. Instead, he nodded slightly, "Nice to meet you, Miss Astorio."
"No, no, no, her last name isn't Astorio," Julius corrected seriously.
He looked at Klein and asked, "By the way, what's your last name?"
Klein maintained his expression and answered without hesitation, "Cape."
"Krené Cape? Sounds about right," Julius mused. "Mr. Azik, my cousin just arrived in Backlund and isn't familiar with things. Could you please help guide her? I'll take care of her."
"And also, pay attention to the dockside recently. Things are developing unexpectedly and need help. For details, consult someone at the Brave Bar."
Azik was confused but didn't press further.
He was always a kind, understanding gentleman.
Klein stood and said, "Well then, Cousin Julius, Mr. Azik, let's go for a walk."
Julius smiled warmly, "Go ahead, my dear cousin."
Klein almost lifted her skirt but realized she was still in a suit and vest. She sighed, frustrated.
She looked at Azik. "Mr. Azik, shall we go pick out some suitable clothes first?"
Azik, ever the gentleman, complied, "Of course, Miss Kleine, it's my honor."
Hearing this, Klein silently gritted her teeth.
The humiliation she suffered today would be repaid tenfold in the future.
She had to quickly digest the 'Faceless Man' potion.
Then, she would become stronger!
---
---
Or don't do it.
But if you do, immerse yourself wholeheartedly.
Klein fully embraced the role of a woman, exuding feminine charm in every movement.
When Azik saw Klein in a long white dress with ruffles, holding a tasseled parasol, he nodded in approval, genuinely praising, "You look very beautiful."
After a brief pause, as if trying to express his feelings more clearly, the Son of Death added, "Backlund has become more colorful because of you."
Klein smiled modestly.
If Huang Tao, the fellow villager, had been around, she might have asked, "Who's more beautiful, me or Audrey, the daughter of the Huo family from the west of the city?"
Lao Huang would've struggled to respond. "My little sister is so beautiful, how could any daughter from the Huo family compare?"
But with Lao Huang's taste for "Witches," he might be in trouble…
Perhaps it was the influence of the 'Chick's Ring,' but ever since transforming into 'Clyne,' Klein had felt like her thinking was becoming more unconventional.
Seeing that Klein had grown lost in thought, Azik, ever the gentleman, chose not to interrupt.
When Klein came back to her senses, she offered an apologetic smile. "Thank you, Mr. Azik, for letting me spend money."
Despite her transformation, Klein's inherent thriftiness remained unchanged.
Of course, Azik wouldn't care about the minor cost.
Though Backlund's prices were higher than expected, it didn't matter; the Son of Death never lacked money.
Gazing at the sky, he remembered Julius's instructions and suggested, "Miss Keleni, should we head to the Brave Bar?"
Klein nodded, her face lighting up with excitement. "Sure, I've never been to a place like that."
What more could Azik do but smile?
A smile was enough.
Forty minutes later, they arrived at 'The Brave Bar.'
As Klein stepped inside, she immediately drew the attention of all the sailors and gangsters.
But she didn't show any discomfort, maintaining the perfect image of being innocent and sweet.
Clutching Azik's arm, Klein asked curiously, "Mr. Azik, what's that amber-colored drink they're having? Is it strange?"
Azik stifled a smile and responded in his agreed-upon role as the butler. "Miss Capet, that's rye wine."
"Rye wine? My father's never had it..." Klein stuck out her tongue.
The reaction was immediate—several rough men looked as if they'd been struck by lightning.
Azik saw a few of them stand up hastily.
Well, they stood up, in every sense of the word...
The power of the Witch was formidable.
Azik calmly stepped in front of Klein, placing himself between her and the crowd. His gaze was a clear warning.
The seven or eight lecherous men froze, their limbs stiffened by an invisible force. None dared to move.
Azik glanced back.
Without further comment, he guided Klein to the dock and whispered to the local contact, Caspars, "Julius Astorio sent me to gather information about the dock."
Caspars, a bit surprised, gave Azik a solemn look.
He nodded and replied, "Follow me."
He left his task behind and led Azik and Klein to the box where Sharron and Maric were hiding.
The room was unchanged, with Sharron nowhere in sight. Maric, however, was playing cards with one of the Zombies he controlled.
But as soon as Azik entered the box, all of Maric's Zombies lost control, scrambling toward the door in a frenzied rush.
Caspars was startled.
Klein's 'Clane' also looked alarmed.
Azik sighed and raised a hand. "Alright, everyone, go to sleep."
High-Sequence Beyonders on the path of death were as drawn to ominous objects, like Zombies, as cats were to catnip.
Click, click, click…
The Zombies collapsed, falling into eternal slumber.
Maric was taken aback.
"Who is this guy?!" he thought.
"It has nothing to do with you." Azik addressed Caspars.
The local contact, accustomed to reading people, respectfully excused himself.
With no one else around, Azik turned to Maric and kindly said, "Julius Astorio sent me. He said I could help with the dock's affairs."
"Julius Astorio?" Maric's demeanor softened at the mention of the name.
Just then, a ghostly figure appeared.
Miss Wraith Soul, still lifeless, bowed to Azik with a blank expression. "It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
She knew the soft-spoken gentleman before her was a living angel!
Maric, momentarily stunned, quickly followed suit.
Azik waved his hand. "I'm here to work; let's get down to business."
Sharron, still cold as ever, nodded. "As His Majesty Julius expected, the aura of the 'Bound God' appeared in the east of Backlund. The Rose School of Thought couldn't sit still, so they sent three groups of people to investigate. They're trying to find traces of the 'Bound God.'"
'The Bound God'?
Klein's mind raced, recalling the tattered rag doll Julius had been keeping these past few days.
"Alright, so the plan is to catch them all at once?" Azik asked, still unclear on Julius's intentions.
Sharron confirmed, "Yes. My mission is to eliminate those members of the Rose School, collect the Beyonder traits they've left behind, and return to master this secret power."
After the last Tarot session, Julius had explained his idea to Sharron and Maric—to replace the leader of the Rose School.
Initially, they were concerned, thinking that convincing a 'revenge spirit' and a 'Zombie' would be difficult, even with the true God behind them.
After all, the Rose School still had a Sequence 1 deity!
But Julius had reassured Sharron, saying her teacher hadn't fully fallen, and she wasn't the only angel in the Tarot Club.
True enough, the new angel had appeared just as Julius had said.
"Mr. Fool really has many wings," Miss Wraith Soul remarked with awe, feeling her allegiance to the Tarot Club strengthen by 30%.
Azik thought for a moment before asking cautiously, "Tell me what you know about the situation."
Sharron, cold and collected, began to recount the information she'd gathered: "There are three 'Silent Disciples' hidden in the east of the city, the factory district, and the bridge area. I'm not sure if there are angels involved."
The ability to detect the three Sequence 3 'Silent Disciples' was thanks to a strange purple disc Julius had lent her. When inserted into her body, it allowed her to read and write at a distance.
However, it had no effect on beings with too much spiritual power. The limit was Sequence 3.
Azik nodded, understanding the situation. "When do we take action?"
Sharron answered matter-of-factly, "The sooner, the better."
Azik asked, "How about tonight?"
Sharron, after a brief moment of consideration, agreed. "No problem."
---
---
Speaking of which, Klein is also quite proficient in using other Beyonder abilities.
She attributes this to her 'creeping hunger.'
After becoming 'Clyne Cape,' Klein appeared relaxed, shopping like a naive girl unaware of the world's complexities. However, beneath the surface, she had been quietly exploring the potential of her new body.
With the guidance of Mr. Azik, the Son of Death, and after numerous experiments, she had mastered the Witch's power to some extent.
In short, wearing 'Chick's Ring' elevated her status to Sequence 2 in an exceptional way.
However, there was a price to pay. The more she used the Witch's power, the shorter her female form would last.
Klein felt a bit disheartened.
She felt as though she had been drawn into a plot.
Azik, with his honest and kind-hearted nature, comforted her: "To gain something that doesn't belong to you, you must pay a price, right?"
Klein thought for a moment and nodded seriously, "Yes."
The wool of the "primordial Witch" will not turn white unless it is sheared!
Klein snorted.
As long as she could become stronger, it didn't matter if she became a woman. After all, she was no longer human...
Her eyes narrowed.
Under someone's influence, her situation had completely shifted.
…
Night fell, and the red moon hung in the sky.
Backlund Factory Area.
Klein, Azik, Sharron, and Maric—four people in total—huddled against the wall, their eyes fixed on the distant iron workshop.
Among them, Maric had the lowest strength and the weakest mentality.
He couldn't hold it in anymore and whispered, "Your Majesty Azik, why is there no movement?"
Hearing this, Azik smiled and was about to speak.
But Klein raised a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.
She was no longer the naïve, sweet lady but had embraced another persona.
Cold. Sharp. Unyielding.
A real senior assassin.
Maric didn't dare speak again.
He could sense the same high-Sequence aura emanating from the unearthly beautiful Miss Klein as he did from Azik.
Just as Klein finished speaking, a violent explosion rang out from the iron workshop in the distance.
A flash of red light illuminated the night, and several Beyonders, who appeared markedly different from the Lu En group, fled in all directions.
Klein's lips curled into a knowing smile.
The official Church was so helpful!
Before the operation began, she had secretly sent letters to the major official Churches—including but not limited to the Church of Night, the Church of the Lord of Storms, and the Church of Steam—reporting that the 'Rose School' had secretly infiltrated Backlund, planning to take advantage of the Chaos God's downfall.
Seven parts of it were lies, and three parts were truth. That was enough to make the official Beyonders take it seriously.
In her view, the 'Mechanical Hearts' of the Church of Steam were a sight to behold, each wielding heavy firepower weapons and bombarding the 'Rose School' heretics.
Klein even spotted the Archbishop of the Church of Steam, a kind old man with white hair and beard, controlling a five-meter-tall magic mecha, wielding a large shield in one hand and a charged giant sword in the other, swiftly cutting down enemies.
Maric and Sharron stood frozen in awe.
The knowledgeable Mr. Azik also rubbed his forehead, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
Klein... or rather, Miss Klein, was truly wicked.
Because of the sudden attack, the Beyonders of the 'Rose School' suffered heavy casualties, and only a few high-Sequencers managed to escape.
Klein was overjoyed and whispered, "The Machinery Hearts have acted. The other dens of the 'Rose School' won't escape. If Backlund becomes too dangerous, they'll flee the city, and we can intercept and eliminate them on the way. It's twice the result with half the effort!"
Insidious.
No, I should say... witty!
Naturally, Azik and the others had no objections to Klein's ruthless plan.
Fighting with one's life was a risky proposition.
If a safer, more efficient option existed, who wouldn't take it?
Sharron nodded seriously, "Leave this to me. I won't let them escape."
As she spoke, the chill around her seemed to intensify. At the same time, translucent purple thorns materialized around Miss Wraith's body, giving her an eerie appearance.
…
Three hours later, an abandoned mine 35 kilometers from Backlund.
"Huh~"
The survivors of the 'Rose School' gasped for breath, relieved to have escaped the disaster.
The reason the 'Rose School' was considered a 'secret organization' was because their power paled in comparison to the official organizations. Otherwise, they would have openly proclaimed the 'Bound God' as a righteous deity and commanded people to serve it, rather than remaining in hiding.
"Damn it! Sooner or later, I will sacrifice my blood to those heathens!" Jacks snarled hoarsely, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
He was a 'Silent Disciple' of Sequence 3, his dark brown skin marked by deep, ravine-like wrinkles.
The 'Machine Heart's' sudden attack had nearly wiped out 80% of his subordinates.
Beside him, Zatwin and Maihams wore equally grim expressions.
The eldest brother doesn't laugh at the second brother.
Facing the 'Nighthawks' and 'Punishers,' they had suffered a devastating blow.
The atmosphere was tense.
No one had expected the 'Rose School' to be so thoroughly decimated as soon as they arrived in Backlund.
At that moment, a middle-aged man with a gentle appearance spoke up, "Enough. There's no point in resenting what's happened."
Instead of wallowing in defeat, he continued, "We should focus on how to sneak back into Backlund and find the true sacred object."
This man's appearance was unremarkable, yet neither Jacks nor Zatwin and Maihams dared show any disrespect.
He was Barranca, the 'Rose School's' top combatant, a Sequence 2 'ancient evil,' and a living angel.
"Your Majesty," Jacks asked cautiously, "Under these circumstances, is there any way for us to return to Backlund?"
The indulgent faction only indulged in desires, not brains.
How could the 'Rose School' possibly contend with the pagans when the official Church was clearly on high alert?
Jacks feared that if the holy object wasn't recovered soon, the entire school's remaining forces would be redirected here.
Barranca didn't answer but merely said, "Although it's only a vague feeling, can't you sense that something is calling us in Backlund?"
Jacks fell silent.
Even now, he could feel something drawing him toward Backlund, a magnetic pull that urged him closer.
---