Secrets: Priestess

Chapter 202 Cooperation
Claire couldn't help but sigh in emotion when she didn't expect that her teammates from Tingen, who were once on the death list together, could still have this opportunity to discuss business face to face.

In particular, no one expected Klein Moretti to have acquired so many Beyonder Characteristics.

However, given Klein Moretti's personality, he wouldn't proactively hunt others unless something drastic happened.

In other words, the original owners of these Beyonder Characteristics all offended this seemingly lower-Sequence but in fact extremely mysterious "Fool"?
Claire mourned for these extraordinary people for less than a second, then turned her attention to these extraordinary characteristics.

She is now a "mechanical expert". If she wants to digest the potion, she needs to make a large number of creations, but the digestion progress of mechanical creations made of ordinary materials is slow.

For ordinary people, Extraordinary Characteristics can only be used to make potions, but for "Mechanical Expert" Claire, Extraordinary Characteristics can be made into magical items and used to speed up the digestion of potions in the body!
Looking at the two Beyonder attributes spread out on the table, and thinking that the other person might have even more Beyonder attributes, Claire pondered for a moment and said, "Guest, have you ever considered turning these Beyonder attributes into magical items that can be easily utilized?"

Upon hearing this, Klein Moretti revealed an expression of interest beneath his mask. He had recently unexpectedly run into some minor conflicts with the Rose School of Thought. Coupled with the Beyonder Characteristics he had been forced to accumulate during the various previous troubles, if it weren't for the Gray Mist Space, he would have been worried about how to store all these spoils.

Therefore, Klein had always wanted to train or recruit a "craftsman" who could handle Beyonder characteristics. He had previously suspected that there was a "craftsman" at the Beyonder gathering convened by the old man "Eye of Wisdom", but the other party was very cautious and did not give him the opportunity to contact him at all.

But unexpectedly, in the party that he found while chasing the new member "Judge" Hugh Dill, there was actually a "craftsman" hidden!
This is an unexpected surprise!

Klein Moretti asked tentatively, "You... you have the ability to create magical items with Beyonder characteristics?"

He originally wanted to ask the woman in the black robe in front of him if she was a "craftsman", but considering that this question was a bit presumptuous and could easily leave a negative impression on people, he changed his mind and asked if the party here had the ability to make magical items.

"Of course." Claire said.

After hearing the other party's affirmative statement, Klein was delighted, but suddenly realized a fact—

He didn't have enough financial resources to ask this "craftsman" to make the magical item into one with fewer negative effects!
Although the mask concealed Klein's difficulty, the attentive Claire still noticed the slight change in his attitude. So, Claire asked, "Sir, are you having any difficulties?"

Klein Moretti said frankly, "I don't have the money to pay for the manufacturing costs."

Klein Moretti paused and asked, "Can we adopt a cooperative model? I'll bring you Beyonder attributes, you'll make them into magical items, and then we'll sell them for a share of the profit."

Claire was silent for a moment, sensing the aura of poverty emanating from this "Fool," and asked, "Have you ever considered using the magical items you create for yourself?"

The Fool on the other side was silent for a long moment before he said, "I'll consider this matter again after I've accumulated a certain amount of wealth."

Claire smiled and said, "Don't bother. Every time you give me an Beyonder, I can mortgage you 80% of the market price in cash. That way, if you come across a magical item you like, you can buy it directly."

Seeing that the other party did not object, Claire continued:

"As for the profit sharing..."

"The price of magical items is unstable. It depends on the type of method, actual effect, and negative impact. Some finished products may be worth several times more, while others may not even make back the cost of the materials."

"I'll guarantee you 80 percent of the market price of the materials. We'll split the profits 60:40, and you won't have to bear the losses... How's that for you?"

After listening to the "craftsman's" plan, Klein was quite satisfied. Although he could earn more money by selling directly from the market, there were more benefits to cooperating with this "craftsman"—

This way, he could not only save the energy of finding sales channels and quickly realize the extraordinary characteristics, but also cooperate with the "craftsmen" to directly customize the artifacts suitable for his own use in the future.

This "craftsman" is very sincere... Klein sighed in his heart. Such kind people who share the profits with others and bear the losses alone are rare in any world.

Putting aside whether he had the ability and energy, even if he could really train a Sequence 7 "craftsman" in the future, it would not be better than this plan.

Klein also considered whether the other party was trying to defraud him of the two Beyonder Attributes he had placed on the table, but the other party was a regular appraiser at a large-scale trading gathering, and the possibility of him running away just to covet the two Beyonder Attributes was low.

What's more, the other party clearly stated that they would pay him 80% of the cash in advance.

At this moment, Klein heard the woman across from him say, "Guest, don't worry too much. Even if the finished product loses money, I'll actually make a profit."

Based on these words, Klein was in a daze. The "craftsman" in front of him definitely knew the "acting method". The other party was looking for a quick way to digest the acting method!

Klein nodded and said, "Miss Viper, I agree with your plan."

He simply pushed the two Beyonder Characteristics on the table to the opposite side.

Hearing the expected words, Claire smiled and accepted the two characteristics. She then said, "By the way, I must remind you that I am not a 'craftsman', but a 'mechanical expert'."

Klein was stunned when he heard this. He knew that "craftsman" was an ancient term, while "mechanical expert" was a more modern potion name and also represented a sequence that was easier to digest.

"Mechanical expert"... What is the relationship between the woman in front of me and the Church of Steam and Mechanics?

Just as Klein was guessing, he heard the "mechanical expert" on the other side continue:
"Although there's no absolute distinction between the two, in order to maximize the effects of Beyonder characteristics, the products I produce are basically mechanical products. If more of these products enter the market, there's a certain chance they'll attract the attention of the Church of Steam. This is a hidden risk."

He's actually a wild "mechanical expert"? !

Klein was surprised and reserved about his partner's statement, but he said, "I will pay attention to this aspect. This will not affect our cooperation. Um... for convenience, Miss Viper, you can call me Hunter."

What a confusing name...

After the matter was finalized, Claire felt relieved. She informed Xio to withdraw 2000 pounds from the account and give it to Klein as an advance payment for materials.

Claire explained the newly finalized cooperation plan to Xio and entrusted Xio with the management of the transaction between the two parties. "From now on, I'll trouble you to coordinate the goods provided by Mr. Hunter. I'll also trouble you to find a way to sell the finished products and deal with the corresponding risks." Meanwhile, during this transaction, Klein Moretti realized that Xio, the "Judgement" he had recently recruited into the Tarot Club, was not the prominent figure he had previously suspected.

Observing the exchange between the "mechanical expert" and Hugh, it turns out that Hugh Dilcha is the decision-maker of this transaction meeting?!

Klein couldn't help but look at Xio with new eyes.

Because he was still busy with the transaction outside, Xio hurried away. However, Claire noticed that the "Hunter" in front of her had not left, so she asked, "Mr. Hunter, is there anything else?"

This time, Klein Moretti took out two magical items from his pocket. One was a simple brass key, and the other was a crystal-like monocle.

Klein first took out the brass key and handed it over. "This magical item is very convenient, but its negative effects are giving me a headache. Miss Viper, do you have any way to reduce its negative effects?"

"Oh?" Claire took it and examined it. She discovered that this key could open a passage that did not belong to reality. This reminded her of the last time she encountered Klein Moretti at the Harvest Church, and he suddenly disappeared.

It was obvious that this magical item was working. Although it was not as convenient as traveling through the spiritual world, this "door-opening" ability was very effective if used properly.

"The negative effect is actually 'getting lost'?" Claire confirmed with the other party.

Klein Moretti nodded and said, "Ms. Viper is truly a professional. She was able to identify the actual effects so quickly. Is there any way to improve it?"

Claire, holding the brass key in her hand, pondered for a moment before saying, "It's quite difficult. Although this key was formed simply by incorporating the Beyonder characteristics of a Sequence 9 'Apprentice', I still sense the contamination of some higher-level being on it... If you're at ease, leave this key tonight and let me study it."

Considering that he wouldn't need this magical item for the next couple of days, Klein said, "Then I'll leave it to you."

Although the gray fog shielded him from negative influences, Klein usually had no trouble keeping these magical items safe. However, when using the "Master Key," he found himself in danger several times due to this "getting lost" property...

For something as heart-pounding as this, Klein, who tends to play it safe, intends to leave it to professionals if there's hope of solving it.

After handing over the master key, Klein Moretti pointed at the monocle and said, "This is a trophy I obtained after a battle. I haven't figured out its specific effects or side effects yet, so I need you to identify it."

When Claire touched the monocle, she was stunned.

The identification was relatively simple and smooth because this was a sequence that she had become particularly familiar with recently!
This was actually made with the Beyonder characteristic of "Serial Killer"! And it also had obvious traces of "craftsmanship"!
After careful identification, Claire was able to confirm that this monocle was a magical item from the same series as the "Round Belly Fountain Pen", "Malice Cuff Pin", and "Life Oil Painting"!
The Beyonder characteristic in the monocle is the Sequence 7 "Serial Killer" characteristic that Alicia extracted!
"This magical item actually interferes with other people's divination and spiritual communication with the bearer. It's quite effective."

"The negative effects...are the chance of being haunted by spirits like wronged souls. This kind of negative effect isn't difficult to deal with. Especially those involving spirits, which can even be considered positive effects."

"A very complete 'craftsman' product, worth at least 4000 pounds."

When Klein Moretti heard about the function of this item, he felt a little regretful. This was because he had no shortage of ways to interfere with other people's divination and spiritual communication. He pointed to his own rituals and the newly acquired "Black Emperor" card as better alternatives.

But when he heard Claire's offer, his heart skipped a beat.

Indeed, how could an ordinary Beyonder find such a means to interfere with spiritual communication and divination? If this monocle were put on the market, it would definitely attract the attention of Beyonders!
Klein, who was planning to sell the monocle for a profit, heard his partner say, "I'll give you 4000 pounds for this magical item."

Miss Viper is quite arrogant... Klein sighed inwardly, but on the surface, he tried to remain calm and agreed to the deal.

But Claire, who had quoted the price, felt a pang of pain in her heart. 4000 pounds was a huge sum of money for her. However, Claire planned to report the expense to Archbishop Saint Anthony and have the church reimburse her...

After all, she didn’t buy the monocle for her own use, but to help her solve Alicia’s case.

"Would you mind telling me the origin of this magical item?" Claire hesitated for a moment before asking.

But Klein shook his head and refused, making it clear that he had no intention of revealing such information involving his whereabouts.

In response to this, Claire could only nod helplessly and understandingly.

After completing the transaction, Klein Moretti, led by the waiter, went to the outer hall to join the party.

Claire, who had overdrawn her money, began to handle the subsequent appraisal work. No higher-end items appeared in the subsequent appraisal.

After sending off these appraisers, Claire began to think about how to deal with the two Beyonder Characteristics and the "Master Key" she had obtained.

"The Master Key's ability to get lost is mainly due to the pollution from this high-level existence..." Claire felt a headache when she thought of this.

She could rely on the "Heart of the Goddess" to weaken or even resolve this pollution, but the consequence of doing so would be to attract the attention of a higher being.

Claire didn't want to try this kind of suicidal thing again.

"Without addressing this contamination, the only option is to adjust the key's structure to reduce the chance of getting lost, but the effect... is only so-so."

With an idea in mind, Claire began searching for the items she needed from Tessa's collection and materials. "I have almost everything I need, but the tools are a bit lacking. I guess I need to build a more professional studio here."

The "Master Key" was formed during a strange incident. Modifying the structure of this item took more time than Claire had anticipated. Even after the party hosted by Xiodu ended, Claire still hadn't finished it.

But when she finished making the "master key" with a more modern appearance, the satisfaction that came from the bottom of her heart invigorated her tired spirit.

(End of this chapter)