Mystery: The Traveler Who Holds the Star Key

Above the gray fog.

Klein took the six pages of the diary that the "Hanged Man" had manifested, his gaze falling downwards.

The Tarot reading session has officially entered the silent reading time for the "Fool".

The contents of this diary entry are truly explosive.

The Twenty-Two Paths of God, the concept of Sequence 0 "True God," and the "Blasphemy Card"...

Klein's pupils contracted slightly, his heart churning with turmoil.

But with the gray fog concealing him, and with the Joker's abilities, he appeared as calm as a rock.

I really want a "Blasphemy" card made by Roselle...

Let's see what secrets are hidden besides the potion recipe.

"The Blasphemy Card"...

This word was like a key, instantly awakening Klein's memories.

The "Tower's" pledge when joining the gathering was about the whereabouts of this card—

It's located at the Backlund Museum.

Even if it's lying quietly in a display case right now, within easy reach.

But Klein quickly suppressed the burning desire in his heart.

No.

Right now, I'm just a Sequence 8 "Joker," lacking strong means of survival.

It's not too late to scout out the museum after you've reached Sequence 7 "Magician".

The primary task now is to collect potion ingredients.

Klein calmly reviewed the plan in his mind, then made the diary disappear from his palm.

He tapped the edge of the bronze table lightly.

My gaze fell upon the noble lady sitting gracefully to the side, even amidst the gray fog:

"Miss Justice".

"You did a great job."

"The Beckerang problem was solved in less than a week."

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

"Beckron...is he dead?"

Alger, the "Hanged Man" who had been living at sea and kept out of touch with the world, suddenly turned his head, his eyes filled with shock.

Ambassador Intis? That big shot involved in the power struggle at the national level?

It's only been a few days? And this seemingly delicate noble lady has already taken care of it?

Looking at the "Hanged Man's" shocked expression, as if he had never seen anything like it before.

Audrey slightly raised her chin, a surge of immense satisfaction welling up inside her.

Is this the world of the extraordinary? I can do something this amazing too!

But it's out of the instinct of an "audience".

She subconsciously glanced at the figure who had been leaning back in his chair the entire time, in a languid posture—

Mr. "Tower".

Then, Audrey froze.

There was no shock.

No accidents.

That mysterious "Tower" gentleman.

He gave her a meaningful smile.

It's as if they're saying, "Well done!"

He wasn't surprised!

He already knew!

Audrey's emerald green eyes darted around instantly, and her brain began to work at lightning speed.

A perfect "logical closed loop" automatically formed in her mind:

How did he know?

Beckeron died a couple of days ago, and the newspapers only published the news today, but he seemed so calm that he obviously hadn't just found out yet.

That's right! I remember now!

The reason Hugh was able to hire Mr. A at such a low price is because

It is because that mysterious "middleman" possesses a high-sequence formula fragment of the "audience" pathway.

Mr. "Tower" had demonstrated his extensive knowledge of various formulas at previous gatherings...

Could it be... that mysterious middleman who got Hugh to contact him...?

Is he an elder in Mr. "Tower"'s family?

Or perhaps an old friend of his?

Good heavens! So that's what happened during the assassination attempt.

Mr. "The Tower" has been secretly watching me all along!

Even the actions of that mysterious expert might have been orchestrated by him behind the scenes!

Thinking of this, Audrey's gaze towards Orion changed.

They felt less wary of the unfamiliar powerful figure and more affectionate and admiring towards the "behind-the-scenes ally."

At the other end of the long table.

Orion met Audrey's eager gaze, nodded slightly, and maintained an inscrutable smile.

Although he had no idea what kind of dramatic scenario this beautiful and kind-hearted rich woman was imagining.

But one thing is for sure:

The real killer is sitting right across from you.

But you believe it was done by someone you hired.

They even have to pay me for it.

That was truly a brilliant "trick".

It deceived the eyes and deceived the mind.

It allows the "audience" to become self-absorbed in a false truth.

Gurgle.

The [Master of Tricks] potion, which had been somewhat restless within him, suddenly quieted down at this moment.

It was like a fishbone that had been stuck in my throat for a long time finally sliding smoothly into my stomach.

The feeling of something foreign disappeared.

Instead, there is a chilling pleasure that blends perfectly with this "lie".

……

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, "Justice" Audrey reported to "The Fool" on the distribution of the bounty.

Because the assassination cost a huge sum of money, she applied for a deferral of the £5000 payment belonging to the "Fool's" followers.

Klein outwardly agreed nonchalantly, but inwardly he was bleeding.

My £5000... I'll have to wait a little longer...

Oh well, I don't have anywhere to spend the money right now, so I'll just save it for now.

Immediately afterwards, the new member, "World," spoke in a hoarse voice.

This is Klein's solo performance time.

He not only sought to purchase materials such as the sap of the Mist Treants, but also posted a strange request:

"I need detailed information on all the impoverished nobles of Rune."

"Especially those families that were once prominent but are now just empty shells."

This was to investigate the owner of the underground ruins—Viscount Pound.

In exchange, "the world" offered Audrey knowledge about the "witch" pathway:

"Sequence 7 of the 'Assassin' pathway is called 'Witch'."

Yes, you heard right, even men will become women at this stage.

"And sequence 6 is called 'pleasure'."

"Pleasure..."

Audrey savored the word, her cheeks slightly flushed.

But her professional instincts as a "spectator" made her quickly memorize this important information.

That's a disgusting approach... thank goodness I didn't choose it.

……

After the "world" performance ended, the trading session entered free time.

Orion, who had been watching the show the whole time, finally sat up straight.

The potion was being digested much faster than expected.

In addition to what I earned from Audrey before.

Excluding the expenses of hiring Sharon and Maritch.

He now holds over £2000 in cash.

For a Sequence 8, this is an absolute windfall.

It's time to prepare for a promotion.

"I'll also post a commission."

Orion tapped his fingers lightly on the table, the sound relaxed and casual.

"I need the main material for the 'Apprentice' pathway Sequence 7: either 'Meteorite Crystal' or 'Lava Octopus Blood Crystal'."

"Any clue or physical object will do."

As soon as he finished speaking, the people at the long table reacted in different ways.

"Is Mr. Tower about to be promoted? No, it's more like..."

Audrey's eyes lit up.

In her heart, this towering man was unfathomable.

The current collection of Sequence 7 materials is definitely for use by students or future generations.

"I'll keep an eye on it."

"I'm keeping an eye out for you at sea too."

Alger lowered his head slightly, his tone respectful yet probing:

"But if we find it... what do you plan to use to pay?"

"Gold pounds?"

For people at their level, gold pounds are useful, but not a panacea.

Exceptional knowledge and formulas are the real currency.

"Gold pounds?"

Orion shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a nonchalant air that Alger couldn't quite decipher:

"Mr. Hanged Man, you can't buy real power with these pieces of paper with your picture printed on them."

He leaned back, his gaze sweeping across the long table.

His mind raced, rapidly calculating his vast memory bank.

To be honest, overly advanced knowledge can't be sold now, and overly basic knowledge is simply not presentable...

Even a "clearance sale" would be a "miracle" for these people.

"What I want is an equivalent exchange."

Orion spoke calmly, and began to precisely cast the bait:

"First up is Mr. Hanged Man."

"Because I'm not sure if you're currently at Sequence 8, or if you've already been promoted..."

He paused for a moment, then offered a plan that allowed for both offense and defense:

"So I've prepared two 'menus' for you."

"The recipe in stock is for Sequence 7 [Navigator]. If you no longer need it..."

His voice lowered slightly, carrying a seductive undertone:

"Then, the clue to Sequence 6 [Wind's Chosen] is the 'ambition' I've prepared for you."

Alger's pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints, and his breathing became heavier.

The favored one... that was the qualitative change he had been dreaming of!

Without giving Alger a chance to catch his breath, Orion turned to look at Audrey:

"As for Miss Justice."

"The formula for Sequence 7 [Psychotherapist]".

"And... secrets about 'dreams' that even some clandestine organizations have never grasped."

Audrey gasped slightly in surprise, almost losing control of her ladylike composure.

He even has this?!

"Finally, it's Mr. Sun."

Orion looked at the bewildered boy, his tone slightly gentler, yet still filled with the condescension of someone in a high position:

"What you need is Sequence 7 [Sun Priest], right?"

"As long as you can offer me a reward that satisfies me..."

"Even the brilliance of Sequence 6 [Notary], I can make you touch it ahead of time."

boom!

The atmosphere at the long table was completely ignited.

Only Klein, the "Fool," who sat deep within the gray fog, remained as silent as a statue.

Only the thick layer of gray fog concealed the momentary twitch in the corner of his eye.

He glanced at his wallet.

He glanced again at his own assistant, who was there wholesaling "Sequence 6 Recipes" like they were scrap paper.

The world's diversity becomes so tangible at this moment.

I am God.

But I am a god who can't even afford a Sequence 7 recipe.

"Damn Abraham."

Klein sighed inwardly, a sigh befitting the "god of poverty":

"Is this what they call a profound cultural foundation?"

"Some people are born in Rome, some are born... in a grocer's shop in Tingen."

The gazes of the other three had completely changed at this moment.

This is not a "tower".

This is practically a walking, ruthless potion recipe vending machine!

"certainly."

Seeing the bewildered looks on everyone's faces, Orion added with a mischievous grin:

"Equivalent exchange".

"If it's a Sequence 6 recipe, one dose of Sequence 7 main ingredient is not enough."

"You need to pay the difference."

"make a deal!"

Alger practically shouted it out, afraid the old man would change his mind.

"I'm willing to pay extra gold pounds and extraordinary items if the materials are found!"

"Me too!" Audrey raised her hand, her eyes sparkling with the light of a shopaholic.

"Me too..." Derrick hesitated for a moment, but nodded eagerly.

Upon seeing the deal finalized, everyone's emotions reached a fever pitch.

Klein decided to quit while he was ahead.

He tapped the table lightly, and a cloud of gray mist surged, cutting off everyone's view.

"That concludes today's gathering."

The deep red light then dissipated.