344 Spending Lavishly (1/2)
Underground shooting range of the Quelaag Club.
When he was done shooting, Klein meticulously serviced his free revolver and adjusted the ratio of purifying bullets, demon hunting bullets, and exorcism bullets to 3:1:1.
Phew. He exhaled, put away the revolver, tidied his coat, and slowly walked back to the hall on the first floor.
He had already heard from the attendant that the dish that was in limited supply today was pan-fried Dragon-Bone Fish.
As soon as he entered the buffet cafeteria, Klein saw an acquaintance, Talim Dumont, the equestrian teacher from an abject noble family with short brown curls. He was eating his lunch with unfocused eyes.
Klein carried his plate over, sat down, and greeted him.
Talim turned his head and glanced at him. His lips quivered a few times, and after three or four seconds of silence, he finally opened his mouth and mumbled, ”Sherlock, do you know—do you know rare people who have strange abilities and are very powerful?”
Yes, the one in front of you is one… Klein's eyebrows twitched. He didn't give a direct answer.
”What do you want to do?”
Talim opened his mouth but said nothing.
With a solemn expression, he thought for a while before he squeezed out a smile and said, ”It's nothing. I was just asking out of curiosity.”
He had asked what should a person do if he fell in love with someone he shouldn't have the last time, and this time, he's asking if I know of anyone with strange abilities… Is he trying to get rid of the other party and completely sever his friend's fantasies? Who's worth the risk? Hiring a killer is equivalent to murder! Klein mumbled silently, cut a piece of the fish without any fine bones, and stuffed it into his mouth.
Talim drew a breath, finished the food from his plate quickly, and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
He seemed to return to normal as he said with a smile, ”Mike wants to hire you for a few days to be his bodyguard.”
Mike Joseph? The reporter from the Daily Observer? I remember his performance at the Golden Rose was rather brilliant… Klein chuckled.
”What does Mike want to do now?”
Talim spread out his hands and said, ”I'm not sure. He just casually mentioned this matter. It seems to have something to do with an interview. He said that he will visit you the day after tomorrow. I hope you have the time to accept this commission.”
”I can't be sure.” Klein, who didn't know the details, didn't give an affirmative answer.
At that moment, he heard a series of illusory pleas from a woman.
Miss Magician? Is she prepared to sacrifice the money in exchange for the formula? Klein picked up his speed and finished the rest of his food. Then, he downed the black tea and went to the reception desk to get the attendant to open a lounge for him.
After sealing the room with a wall of spirituality, he went above the gray fog and found that his judgment was correct. Miss Magician was requesting to hold the sacrificial ritual.
The reason for her delay was that she only had 370 pounds on her, and she had to go to the bank to withdraw some of her savings.
After a series of maneuvering, she saw the 450 pounds vanish into the illusionary door, and an additional formula appeared in her mind:
”Sequence 8. Trickmaster.
”Main ingredients: Stomach pouch of a Spirit Eater, 20 ml of a Deep Sea Marlin's blood.
”Supplementary ingredients: 5 ml of essential oils made from Hornbeam, 10 grams of String Grass Powder, a blossoming Red Chestnut Flower, 80 ml of pure water.”
Finally, I've finally obtained it! It's been years! Fors couldn't help pacing back and forth, feeling overjoyed and proud.
Then, not feeling at ease, she took out a pen and a piece of paper, recording down the formula so that she wouldn't forget it and end up having to trouble Mr. Fool.
If I don't meet someone who doesn't know the market well, then the main ingredient is at least 300 pounds, and I only have 430 pounds left… I still need to work hard to earn more money… I-I'm going to write a new book! Fors suddenly felt that she was brimming with motivation. She was no longer the procrastinator she had been before.
…
Five minutes to eight on a Wednesday evening, carrying all his savings, Klein entered the house where the gathering organized by Eye of Wisdom was held.
He was wearing a black robe, with the hood over his face, and an iron mask.
1,674 pounds in cash and 5 gold coins. This is the new peak of my wealth. I wonder how much will remain after this gathering… Klein entered the living room and scanned the room with the help of the candle's flickering light.
Eh, the Apothecary didn't come. Is he caught up with something? Klein frowned slightly and sat in the same position as he did the previous time.
After a few minutes, Eye of Wisdom clapped his hands and said, ”Let's begin.”
Before he could finish his sentence, someone impatiently spoke up. It was the heavily shrouded lady who seemed to have an Artisan backing her.
She suppressed her voice and asked, ”Is the friend who wanted to sell the Briber formula last time here?”
”I'm here,” Klein answered simply.
The lady heaved a sigh of relief, pushed her iron mask down and said, ”This time, there's a Beyonder weapon that you need. Of course, you can also choose cash.”
”What's the Beyonder weapon?” Klein suppressed the eagerness in his heart.
The lady organized her words and said, ”This is a whip woven from the feathers of the Holy Sunbird.