Lord of Mysteries: Taiyi

As he was about to leave the mediation center, Kurt realized that he didn't seem to have anything he needed to do today, so he turned around and looked at the receptionist who was curiously peeking at him.

Gwen was startled when she saw Kurt suddenly turn around. She quickly looked away before slowly raising her head to watch Kurt walk over.

Kurt pretended not to have seen what had just happened, and said with a slight smile:

"Kut Bader, Church of Mother Earth Goddess".

Gwen nodded, her face slightly flushed, and her dark green eyes flickered as she said:

"I know, I've seen your picture. My name is Gwen Condon, I'm an office worker. Hans is my uncle. I accidentally found out about the Night Watchers, and that's why my dad and the others made me an office worker."

Looking at Gwen who had said so much in one breath, Kurt was slightly surprised and said:

"My photo?"

Gwen responded softly:

"Uncle Hans showed me your photo before I started working here and said you were 'chosen by God' and that I should keep an eye on you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone straight to Uncle Hans just now."

Hearing the girl with dark green eyes staring at him say that, Kurt nodded in realization—he really was famous…

He smiled and didn't pursue the matter further, instead asking:

"Do you know Leah? Leah Kingston, she used to be at the front desk. Oh, she's a friend of mine."

Gwen relaxed her slightly tense back and said with a hint of envy:

"Sister Lia has become an Extraordinary, so this position is now vacant. She went out on a mission with Tiss and the others today."

Curt nodded, and was about to thank her and say goodbye when Gwen asked with a curious look:

"Mr. Kurt, you're an extraordinary being, right? What extraordinary abilities do you have? Is it like Uncle Hans, who doesn't need to sleep and can scare me in my dreams?"

Kurt paused for a moment, then smiled and reminded him:

"Miss Gwen, please maintain a sense of awe towards the extraordinary world. Do not be curious, and do not casually reveal your uncle's extraordinary abilities. Of course, I am aware of these abilities, so you don't need to feel guilty."

"Alright, goodbye, Miss Gwen, have a wonderful evening."

Seeing Kurt, who had given a slight bow, turn around without intending to linger, Gwen wasn't annoyed, but rather somewhat annoyed, she said:

"I know about the confidentiality clause; you're one of the few people I can talk to about these things. Goodbye, sir."

Lydia's mental health issues have improved rather quickly. Kurt, standing on the street, pondered silently and finally guessed that the Night Watchers might have invoked some kind of sealed artifact... probably as a reward for Lydia providing the 'Lawyer' formula.

Kurt felt relieved that his friend had finally achieved her goal of becoming an Extraordinary and was safe and sound. He also mourned for her future and hoped that after seeing the cruelty of the Extraordinary world, she would only stop at Sequence Nine, or not exceed Sequence Seven.

I should tell her the role-playing method directly. After all, it seems the Church of the Earth Mother doesn't require me to keep the role-playing method a secret. Of course, I wouldn't be foolish enough to spread it on a large scale... This would effectively reduce the probability of Leah losing control.

Because there was a tarot session the next day, Kurt did not go to the East End.

After spending 1 sous and 8 pence on a smoked fish, Kurt headed home. While looking for a carriage, Kurt suddenly spotted an ice cream shop called "Iris." Savoring the lingering aroma in his mouth, Kurt licked his lips slightly.

"Sir, how much does an ice cream cost?"

Kurt asked the slightly short male shop assistant who had dark skin and seemed to have Southern Continent blood.

The shop assistant glanced up at Kurt's attire and said in standard Rune dialect:

"It depends on what kind of ice cream you want. The cheapest is a 1/2 penny lick, the regular ones are a 6p cone, and there's also a 1 sole sundae."

Kurt thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Six pence, thank you."

After taking a bite of ice cream, Kurt strolled down the street, watching horse-drawn carriages come and go, office workers rushing home after work, and police officers occasionally chasing away homeless people who had just lain down on benches. Gas streetlights were slowly illuminating the smoggy streets.

Kurt couldn't help but miss his peaceful life in the past. Just as he was slightly lost in thought, a child's voice pulled him back to reality. Kurt looked down and saw a little boy wearing a worn-out brown soft hat and ill-fitting overalls. The boy was holding shoe-shining tools and looked up at Kurt with a puzzled expression.

"Sir, your shoes look a bit dirty. Would you like me to clean them for you? It will only cost 1/2 penny."

Kurt glanced subconsciously at his cheap leather shoes, which he had deliberately changed into; they were indeed a bit dirty. Looking at the little boy still working at night, against the backdrop of Backlund's nighttime landscape, Kurt felt a pang of emotion. He wished he had brought his art supplies; he really wanted to capture this scene, and maybe one day he could become a "wandering painter."

To truly integrate into the East District, shedding all pretense, and to "paint" the most authentic aspects of the East District up close... or to become a private painter for the nobility, "painting" the extravagance of the upper class... or to wander among the common people, recording the countless so-called "middle class" people struggling for dignity or for a living.

Perhaps he would have to go through all of them... Many thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Kurt shook his head slightly at the child. He really wasn't used to being served by others.

He crouched down, smiled, and took out a penny, saying:

"Let's play a game, child. Stretch out your hands, put them together, and open your palms. Once you catch this penny, it's yours."

The child's amber eyes flickered, as if he was very interested. He put down his tools and stretched out his somewhat rough hands.

Kurt silently recited the divination phrase, "I will have a good ending..." After seven repetitions, Kurt flicked the coin gently, and the child's eyes began to move up and down as he stared at it.

Finally, the coin landed steadily in the center of his right hand, standing upright. The boy looked up and saw that the kind gentleman in ordinary clothes had already turned and left. Somewhat puzzled, he put away the copper penny, and when he picked up his tools, he found an extra 100-pound banknote in the box. When he looked up again, Kurt's figure had already disappeared.

……

Backlund, Queens.

Audrey returned to her bedroom with light steps. After closing the door, she suddenly saw Susie in the shadows in the corner. Susie was squatting quietly on the ground, watching Audrey.

Audrey sighed, drew a crimson moon on her chest, and then walked to Susie's side. Because her dress was slightly elaborate, Audrey didn't kneel down to look down at her pet dog and say:

"Susie, this is wrong. This is spying. You should act openly and honestly."

Susie wagged her tail and, somewhat shyly, began to speak:

"I'm sorry, but I'm just a dog."

Audrey's mouth gaped slightly, a strong emotional reaction flashing across her face. She glanced at the locked door, making sure no one was watching, before lowering her voice in surprise and saying:

"Susie, you just spoke?"