I'm a proper student; I only take nine kinds of potions every day.

What happened to this hand?

Leto remained unfazed.

"This hand is a prosthesis."

He explained it casually.

"There was a slight misunderstanding just now. This gentleman accidentally knocked me away."

After listening, Karp hummed in agreement.

He turned and glanced at Evan.

There was a hint of genuine satisfaction in that glance.

That kid.

As long as you pay me, I'll really go for it!

Garp nodded.

"I understand the situation. Please come in with me."

He gestured for Leto to enter, and led the funeral home owner into the carriage.

Ivan was left at the junction of the carriages.

That's how class works.

Some levels have absolutely nothing to do with your abilities or the merits you've made.

Those who are truly equals should always be invited in.

What should always be left at the door are the tools.

Evan didn't expect to get in.

That move to ask for shares just now was purely a preemptive strike, a way to test the waters even if there's no real opportunity.

Anyway, I didn't spend any of my own resources, and I even ate a dried boneless ghost claw, which increased the progress of the copper plague by 5.3% and my constitution by 0.3. I've already made a huge profit.

As for his own identity.

He glanced down at the three-piece suit he had just put on that day.

It is clear.

As a monster, Leto understands the rules of the supernatural world better than he, a novice witcher.

Ivan turned his head and focused his attention back on his attribute panel.

The progress of the copper epidemic has surged to 15.371%.

"When I left home this morning, the number wasn't even in single digits."

"We still need to get out and do more work!"

He clicked his tongue in amazement.

"We've now completed half of the first phase of the project."

"I hope I can take another look at those bronze incense burners before I get off the train."

"If the copper epidemic can also activate the first stage."

A subtle twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Then I'll be safer for the rest of the operation."

Localized copper plating.

By then, even a bullet to the head will just make a thud.

Time passed slowly as the long negotiation took place inside the train carriage.

Leto spoke for a full forty minutes.

There were still twenty minutes left before the train arrived in New Haven.

The door at the junction of the carriages was pushed open.

Leto walked out, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy.

His empty right sleeve was blown up and down by the wind, but his entire aura was completely different from two hours ago.

His wife immediately went to greet him.

"It's done?"

Her voice was almost trembling.

Leto nodded emphatically.

"Ah."

“Miss Hearst is willing to help us.”

The ghoul couple were embracing each other tightly at the junction of the carriages.

The little boy, still wearing damp wool pants, hugged his father's leg.

The little girl in the red plaid skirt took her mother's hand.

A family of four.

Neat and tidy.

No, one of its paws is missing.

Chapter 65: Before Arrival, a Frenzied Theft of Curses!

After a brief celebration, Leto had his wife straighten his bow tie before turning and walking toward Ivan, who was leaning against the railing.

"gentlemen."

His tone was sincere and solemn.

"I thank you for your kindness."

"I will abide by the five percent share."

He paused for a moment, a glint of survival wisdom unique to ghouls flashing in his eyes.

In the ghoul community, there's an ironclad rule for surviving in the cracks of human society.

Never mess with a Witcher.

Especially those hot-headed, impetuous young people who have just started out.

"This is my address."

Leto pulled out an even more elegant business card from his inner pocket and handed it over.

"You are welcome to visit our company anytime you have time."

"Anything related to corpses."

His voice dropped by half an octave.

"We have the door open for you."

Nothing unexpected happened afterward.

The train traveled south and eventually slowly pulled into the Second Associated Station in New Haven.

The steam locomotive spewed out one last huge cloud of white mist, and the pistons hissed heavily.

The entire carriage shook slightly before coming to a stop.

The carriage immediately became restless.

Passengers got up to straighten their coats and take their suitcases off the overhead racks.

The corridor was crowded with people waiting to get off the bus. The smoke from men's cigars and the scent of women's perfume mingled and filled the narrow passageway.

Inside Hearst's carriage, however, was a completely different scene.

The ladies were each in their own private rooms, with their personal maids and tutors helping them tidy up their appearance.

Rouge was carefully applied above the cheekbones.

The hair ornaments were re-secured. The female teacher scrutinized even the angle of each pearl button.

The entire process was as rigorous as some kind of religious ritual.

The family's servants began carrying out piles of luggage, box by box, from the luggage room.

Suitcases, jewelry boxes, hat boxes, makeup cases, and evening gown covers—one after another, like precisely stacked building blocks.

Karp's side also got busy.

He needed to re-inspect and seal each private room before the girls got off the bus.

The seal is a wax seal bearing the Hearst family crest, and the next occupant must have it resealed by someone trusted by the family.

Ivan's eyes lit up, and he immediately moved closer.

“Mr. Karp. Let me help you.”

His voice carried a suitable degree of attentiveness.

"I have good eyesight and I'm quick with my hands. I've never made a mistake when doing chemistry experiments at school."

Garp hesitated for a second, then nodded.

"Yes. You're in the chemistry department."

He handed over half of the seal he was holding.

"I'll take care of this one. You go to the next one. Time is tight."

Ivan took the stack of off-white seals and quickly walked towards the next private room.

The moment he stepped across the threshold, he confirmed that there was no one else in the corridor and immediately activated his demon hunter form.

In that instant, the golden vertical pupils locked onto the brass incense burner high on the wall.