Mystery: The Undead Don't Die from Linking the Fire

Chapter 178 You're so high and mighty, you think you're so great, you're justified in committing insurance fraud.

"Klein..."

Melissa covered her mouth, a hint of disbelief in her brown eyes.

Benson's body trembled slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm and questioned in a deep voice:

"Who are you? Klein is dead!"

Klein awkwardly touched his nose; he didn't often do that, but unsure how to express it, he could only manage a wry smile:

"I did die, but you might not believe it, I came back to life..."

Klein paused for a moment. Resurrection was indeed difficult for ordinary people to accept. Even Klein himself found his resurrection somewhat unbelievable. Even though he knew the resurrection was related to the gray fog, he hadn't yet figured out the underlying principles.

Although he had prepared a logically sound and comprehensive explanation, Benson and the others might not be able to accept it. After all, while the explanation was reasonable, well-founded, and convincing to Klein, it was beyond the comprehension of Benson and Melissa, who were just ordinary people.

But since he had already decided to be honest, Klein had long been mentally prepared for this.

Klein took a deep breath and said:

"Actually, I..."

"I believe you!"

"Huh? What?"

Klein was stunned when he heard his sister's voice and didn't react for a moment.

I believe you.

Melissa stood up and came to Klein's side at some point, repeating the words in a soft but unusually firm voice.

"Klein, welcome home."

Melissa stepped forward and hugged Klein with a smile.

Klein's body stiffened for a moment, his hands instinctively rising but then hovering in the air. He saw the tears welling up in the girl's eyes.

Those were tears of joy, yet beneath the shimmering light, her eyes held a hint of trepidation and unease, as if afraid that it was all just an illusion.

"Yes, I'm back."

Klein gently hugged the girl, feeling her body tremble slightly, and said softly, "Also, I'm sorry I'm late."

Klein gently patted his sister's back, then looked at Benson with some hesitation.

Benson was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"I think we need to have a serious talk. You need to explain yourself properly."

Klein breathed a sigh of relief and said without hesitation:

"Of course, I will explain all of this."

-

In a meeting room on the second floor of 7 Pinster Street.

Daly Simone sat on the sofa in the living room, her bright, emerald-like eyes fixed on Dunn Smith, who was standing by the window.

Old Neil removed the lid from the silver-plated tin can, used a small, metallic spoon to scoop a spoonful of fragrant coffee powder into each of the four cups, then poured in hot water and stirred it expertly.

"team leader."

Leonard picked up two cups of coffee, walked over to Dunn who was standing by the window, and handed him one of them.

Dunn took the coffee, but his gaze remained fixed on the view outside the window.

Old Neil brought two cups of coffee to the sofa, handed one to Daly, and then shook his head, saying:

"Actually, I still don't quite agree with your approach. It might not be a good thing for Benson and the others to have too much contact with us. Perhaps letting them live ordinary lives is the best option."

Leonard took a sip of his coffee and said calmly:

"Are ordinary people necessarily safe? Ordinary people are only in greater danger. The Backlund smog event a week ago would have killed hundreds of thousands of people if it weren't for an angel who happened to pass by and offered assistance!"

"This was only because the Archbishop of the Church of Storms intervened and dispersed the smog; otherwise, the smog might have spread throughout Backlund, with unimaginable consequences! Even extraordinary beings have the ability to protect themselves, but ordinary people would simply fall like wheat being harvested..."

Old Neil fell silent, and after a long while, he sighed softly.

Leonard wasn't entirely wrong, and putting aside whether getting too close to them was good or bad, living in the North Side was definitely safer than living elsewhere. Of course, Queens was an exception, but given the Benson siblings' situation, they couldn't live in Queens.

Dunn stood by the window, took a sip of coffee, and offered no comment on the argument between the two.

His gaze remained fixed on the street below, on the entrance of No. 6 Pinster Street.

Dunn's gaze sharpened as a somewhat familiar figure appeared before him.

Dunn recognized him; it was Ash Black.

-

"That's all there is to it."

Klein's mouth was dry from talking, so he took a cup of black tea from his sister and drank it all in one gulp.

He became involved with Beyonders by chance because of the "Antigonus Family Notes," and then gained Dunn's appreciation during his investigation, thus becoming a Beyonder by a twist of fate.

He then met Ash Black during a subsequent operation, and the two hit it off immediately.

He also unexpectedly discovered that his university mentor, Mr. Azik, was also an extraordinary being who had lived for at least a thousand years. During this process, he used his position as a Night Watchman to help Mr. Azik resolve some troubles, thereby successfully gaining Mr. Azik's friendship. His resurrection was entirely thanks to Mr. Azik.

Of course, while telling these stories, Klein also omitted some key information.

For example, the "Antigonus Family Notebook" was only mentioned briefly, without its specific name being given; it was simply described as an item. As for how it was resurrected, it was only said to be Mr. Azik's extraordinary ability.

After listening to Klein's account, Benson lowered his head with a deep look in his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Klein smiled wryly:

"I know this sounds a bit far-fetched, and it's normal that you don't believe it..."

I believe you.

"what?"

I believe you.

Benson repeated himself to Klein, who looked somewhat surprised, then suddenly asked, "You just walked right through the door; that's your extraordinary ability?"

Klein shook his head and explained:

"No, the ability to 'open doors' is a magical item. I am an extraordinary being of the Diviner's Path, so as for my abilities..."

Klein paused for a moment, then suddenly snapped his fingers.

Snapped!

A bright flame suddenly shot out from the burning fireplace and hovered in front of them.

Klein pulled a note from his clothes, lit it with the flame that hovered in the air, placed it on the table, and threw it up to burn to ashes.

The flames that had been hovering in front of them gradually dissipated.

That's it.

Melissa looked at the note that had burned to black ash and suddenly asked in a low voice:

Why?

Klein paused for a moment:

"Why? Why?"

Melissa looked directly into Klein's eyes and pressed him for an answer:

"Why did you only tell us now?"

"I……"

Klein opened his mouth, then smiled wryly, "I've actually already met with you."

Benson frowned. "When?"

"It was probably the day after my burial."

Klein's expression was slightly strange, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "When you went to the circus..."

Benson and Melissa exchanged a glance, a moment of confusion in their eyes, but they quickly remembered something and said in unison:

"That clown!"

"Um."

Klein nodded silently and explained, "Sequence 8 of the Diviner's Path is the Joker, which was also the sequence I was in before I died."

Benson frowned and asked:

"Now that you've come to see us, why won't you acknowledge us? Are you worried we'll tell others?"

Klein shook his head and said:

"I'm afraid I'll frighten you; bringing the dead back to life isn't something everyone easily accepts. Besides..."

Klein remained silent for a long time before saying in a low voice, "I don't want to involve you."

He originally didn't intend to acknowledge Benson and the others, as that would only put them in danger. Only by staying away from them, the farther the better, could he ensure their safety.

But it turns out that this idea was wrong.

Even if he completely cuts off contact with Benson and his group, the danger won't simply disappear.

Just like the Backlund Smog Incident, it would be far too easy for a demigod of the Witch Church to commit mass killings indiscriminately on a large scale!

Although an angel averted the crisis this time, it's impossible for an angel to always appear just in time to save everyone like in a fairy tale.

Ultimately, he was just running away.

Avoiding the trouble that might arise from recognizing each other, and the danger that might bring to Benson and his friends.

It was as if as long as he did nothing, Benson and his friends would never be in danger. While this idea was flawed, recognition inevitably brought danger to Benson and his group, as seen with figures like Ince Zangwill and '0-08'.

Both Klein Moretti and Sherlock Moriarty were undoubtedly on Ince Zangwill's blacklist. Zangwill wanted nothing more than to tear out the heart of the former, and for the latter, he summoned a meteor shower to kill him. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he hated them to the core.

In other words, his mere presence would inevitably draw Ince Zangwill's "close attention." Furthermore, his meeting with Benson and his group could very well lead to Ince Zangwill ruthlessly killing them.

The reason Klein was determined to meet Benson and the others was largely because Ince Zangwill had already left Backlund—he was being hunted down by Mr. Azik, the demigods of the three major churches, and an unknown angel. Even though he possessed '0-08', he dared not stay in Backlund any longer.

As for other dangers related to Extraordinary Beings, since Klein dared to meet them, he naturally had a solution in mind: to give Benson and the others the strength of Extraordinary Beings, while keeping them away from the Extraordinary World.

In short, it means living the life of an ordinary person with the strength of an extraordinary individual.

The extraordinary abilities of Benson and his companions allow them to protect themselves, while living a normal life minimizes their chances of being drawn into the dangers of the extraordinary world. Moreover, there's the law of extraordinary trait aggregation; even if they do nothing, becoming an extraordinary inherently carries inherent danger.

Even the law of aggregation of extraordinary properties follows the principle that "the greater the mass, the greater the gravitational force."

In other words, the higher the sequence, the greater the likelihood that the law of aggregation of extraordinary properties will encounter danger.

Conversely, the lower the sequence, the lower the probability of encountering danger due to the law of aggregation of extraordinary properties, and the lower the level of danger.

Even with such a small danger, Klein hoped to avoid it. He wanted to ensure that Benson and his companions could protect themselves while minimizing all potential dangers.

Furthermore, he had already devised a strategy to deal with this—

He turned to look at Yu Jin, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, and nodded slightly.

Ember understood, and suddenly asked:

"Would you mind having a few dogs?"

Melissa blinked:

"dog?"

Benson asked in confusion:

"I don't object, but why are you asking this?"

Ember took out the bell and the urn, and quickly explained to Benson why.

"Ring ring!"

Amidst the clear sound of bells, three wisps of white mist rose up. Soon, these three wisps of mist coalesced into three giant wolves, almost as tall as a person!

Benson and Melissa were startled by the sudden appearance of the giant wolf, and even Klein's eye twitched.

"You call this a dog?"

Ember hesitated for two seconds, then nodded slightly:

"That's right, that's what a husky looks like."

Benson said in disbelief:

"Isn't that clearly a wolf?"

They look almost the same.

Klein was somewhat speechless:

"What's the size? Have you ever seen a husky this big?"

These three giant wolves are as tall as a person!

Even a regular wolf wouldn't grow that big, let alone a dog!

"Simple."

Yu Jin raised an eyebrow slightly, and the lone wolves immediately understood.

Under the power of the Hundred Forms of the Furnace, they quickly transformed from their original soul state into physical forms, even shrinking in size. At first glance, they really did look like three black and white huskies.

Benson couldn't help but ask:

"Klein, what exactly is going on?"

Klein sighed and looked at Benson, saying:

"In short, these three... huskies are the ones I hired to protect you."

Becoming extraordinary inevitably involves danger, so let's not allow them to become extraordinary.

As for how to possess the strength of an Extraordinary without becoming one, the ashes in Ember's possession are the best choice. This is an ability different from the Extraordinary system, it does not need to follow the law of Extraordinary trait aggregation, and there are no additional dangers.

If we must talk about danger, the only danger is Klein himself—

This was his personal request, for which he paid a high price, making his already meager wallet even more strained.

"Klein."

Benson was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Is there a way if we want to become extraordinary?"

"..."

Klein also fell silent, then said softly, "You can do it anytime you want."

From a personal perspective, he didn't want Benson and the others to become extraordinary.

Those three huskies were far more powerful than mid-sequence Beyonders. In comparison, the power Benson and his companions gained from becoming Beyonders was negligible. Instead, the Beyonder aggregation law would bring them danger.

But if that's their wish, Klein won't stop them.

Melissa asked in a low voice:

"What are the downsides of becoming an extraordinary person?"

"harm……"

Klein's expression turned somewhat strange. "If you become an official Beyonder, you'll inevitably be drawn into danger. But if you're a private Beyonder, the greatest danger is probably..."

Klein's expression turned extremely serious, and Benson and Melissa instinctively held their breath.

Klein said in a deep voice:

"The biggest danger is your wallet!"

"Even becoming a Sequence 9 Extraordinary requires 200 gold pounds."

"As for this, I can't help you with that for now."

As Klein spoke, his expression darkened.

Not only could he not help Benson and his friends, he also ended up with a mountain of debt—the debt of the embers, the debt of justice…

Melissa said softly, with a hint of heartache:

"200 pounds? Your compensation is only 6000 pounds."

As soon as the words were spoken, the expressions of the three siblings suddenly became somewhat subtle.

(End of this chapter)