Mystery: The Witch of Desire

He felt his spiritual intuition changing—it could be said to be becoming stronger, or it could be said to be becoming more "sharp." It was as if a thin veil had been lifted from his eyes, and the world suddenly became too clear, too real. He could sense the faint spiritual energy fluctuations in the environment and smell every lingering scent in the air: the withered potted plants in the corner, the dust accumulated in the cracks of the floor tiles, and even the pungent industrial smog outside the window.

These ordinary smells were amplified at this moment, as if they were imbued with emotion.

The sadness of potted plants, the helplessness of dust, the clamor of smog...

Then, he heard a “sound”.

It wasn't a rustling in my ear, but a whisper rising from my abdomen, from my chest, from the depths of my bones. Those voices seemed to be saying:

"The way she's looking at you is wrong; she's hostile towards you."

She's lying to you.

"Why don't you just take what you want?"

"Kill her, and all the money is yours..."

"Just push her down and enjoy her body."

Levi suddenly opened his eyes—he had no idea when he found himself in that illusory world of a dream. The person in the mirror was still his own face, but the overall image was more feminine, even androgynous.

He instinctively tried to raise his left hand to touch the person in the mirror, and the person in the mirror slowly raised his right hand as well.

A gust of air swept through the air, leaving a faint, almost invisible black trail, like threads formed from malice itself, landing on Rivi's hair. The hair began to writhe, transforming into countless venomous snakes with blood-red fangs.

Levi stared at the person in the mirror and suddenly felt a strong urge.

He wanted to know what the person on the other end was thinking.

I want to know her deepest secret.

I want to become one with her and experience the true meaning of life.

He wanted to be able to break her down, make her cry, and make her willingly do anything for him with just one sentence—

He clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging into his palm.

"wrong."

He gasped for breath, forcefully suppressing the urge. Cold sweat trickled down his back, soaking his shirt.

“I am myself first, and then an instigator.”

The reflection in the mirror remained silent for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on its lips.

Then everything disappeared.

The mist in his eyes dissipated, the whispers in his ear fell silent, and the emotional scent in the air gradually returned to normal. Levi slumped into his chair, panting heavily, his hands still trembling slightly.

He succeeded.

Sequence 8, Instigator.

Reeves sensed the changes within himself:

1. Physical fitness has been significantly enhanced. All bodily functions have increased by approximately 30% compared to an assassin.

2. Possessing the ability to perceive others' emotions, desires, and malicious thoughts enhances thinking and analytical abilities.

3. Acquired the ability to instigate: Without speaking, actively using the ability to instigate can make one appear more reliable and approachable, and more likely to gain favor with those around them. If accompanied by appropriate words, it can induce certain thoughts or desires in the target's mind, causing them to make choices and take actions as desired.

"My combat abilities haven't improved much; the main improvement is in my physique, and I haven't gained any additional extraordinary abilities. The main change is in my [Instigation] ability. Does this mean that I'll be sitting behind the scenes like a strategist from now on, instead of charging into battle like before?"

Levi couldn't help but ponder the scenarios in which his abilities could be used: "Sir/Madam, violence is wrong. Let's lay down our weapons. The world's purpose is love and peace... It feels strange. An instigator shouldn't be like this..."

Ms. B, who was standing nearby, keenly sensed the change in Rivi’s spirituality. The smile on her lips remained unchanged, but her tightly furrowed brows relaxed.

"Congratulations, you are now an instigator. As per the previous plan, if you successfully advance, I will tell you some extremely valuable knowledge."

Ms. B walked up to Reeves and said with a smile.

"What knowledge, and at what cost do I need to acquire it?"

Reeves was initially delighted, but then cautiously inquired, knowing that everything he obtained from Ms. B came at a price.

"This knowledge is free, or at least you won't have to pay any extra price for now. Even I only just learned it myself."

"I just learned that Ms. B found out from somewhere."

Levi had some doubts in his heart, but he didn't show them on his face, quietly waiting for Ms. B to continue.

Ms. B revealed a meaningful expression and said earnestly, word by word:

Its name is "role-playing".

"The role-playing method is the core method for extraordinary individuals to digest sequence potions, steadily advance, and avoid losing control. The core is to use the name of the potion as a script, deeply play the spiritual core and behavioral code of the corresponding role, and reconcile the conflict between body, mind and spirit and extraordinary characteristics."

Chapter 63 Role Playing Method

Ms. B continued:

"When an extraordinary person consumes a sequence potion, they will gain extraordinary characteristics through the corresponding pathway, but these characteristics will retain the mental imprint and mad will of the corresponding sequence. If they are only passively absorbed, their spirit will be eroded by these characteristics, eventually leading to loss of control and mutation."

The essence of role-playing is to use behaviors that conform to the concept of sequence to resonate with one's own spirit and characteristics, dismantle and digest residual imprints, and at the same time maintain one's personal boundaries. At lower sequences, strict role-playing can complete the digestion of the potion in a relatively short time.

The key rule of role-playing is to anchor the core of the character: not to imitate superficial behavior, but to understand the essence of the character and summarize the corresponding role-playing rules.

Furthermore, it is crucial to distinguish between role-playing and self, and to avoid becoming completely immersed in a role and losing oneself—this is the core trigger for loss of control.

You must always remember: you are just playing a role.

Levi fell into a long silence, his mind racing as he quickly processed the knowledge Ms. B had shared.

Many things that seemed puzzling before now suddenly became clear:

"No wonder I, as a Sequence 9 assassin, can speed up potion digestion by assassinating others. It turns out it's because of the role-playing method... However, the [role-playing method] also mentions that it's not about imitating superficial behavior, but about understanding the essence of the role and summarizing the corresponding role-playing rules in order to digest the potion best. Of course, in lower sequences, it seems that as long as you strictly play the role, you can digest it relatively quickly."

Reeve nodded to Ms. B in thanks:

"I understand, thank you, this is indeed very valuable knowledge."

Ms. B smiled and nodded:

"No need to thank me, it's all a gift from fate."

She then added:

"The Hyena Gang is out of the question for now. What are your plans for the future?"

Levi pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"I want to stay at the Flamingo Bar for a while and see if I can find an opportunity to achieve my goal."

He then looked apologetic:

“Because they tracked me, they already know the mutual aid society's address, so…”

“It’s alright.” Ms. B said amiably. “The Mutual Aid Association is just our public office and doesn’t involve anything extraordinary. If they dare to attack the Mutual Aid Association, they will only put themselves in the sights of the official extraordinary beings.”

Reeves felt a little better, but he really wanted to say to Ms. B: 'Could you please report the Hyena Gang to the official church?'

However, influenced by the notarized document, he couldn't say anything like that, and Ms. B herself is a member of a secret organization, so she probably wouldn't want to have anything to do with official extraordinary individuals.

Reeves sighed helplessly and asked:

Is there anything you need me to do now?

A smile flickered across Ms. B's brow:

"of course."

She then added:

“I need you to monitor the cargo ships in the dock area. A shipment of goods from the Southern Continent will be arriving in Tingen soon. According to information, there may be important supplies for the Hyena Gang hidden inside.”

"The Southern Continent?"

Levi was somewhat shocked. The major nations of the Kingdom of Rune, the Indis Empire, Fussac, Feneport, and Lunburg were all located on the Northern Continent, while the Southern Continent had been divided into colonies by the Northern nations, much like Africa and the Americas in his previous life. His only impression of the Southern Continent was probably the mummy powder there, supposedly a boon for men.

Ms. B nodded:

"Yes, I can tell you this information now—behind the Hyena Gang is a clandestine organization called the Rose School, which is widely active in the Southern Continent. They may be transporting items involving extraordinary abilities from the Southern Continent to Tingen to help the Hyena Gang with certain schemes."

"The Rose School..."

Reeves fell into deep thought, for he clearly remembered that the prayer Sharani had given him to the evil god contained the phrase "the ruler of the Rose School." It seemed the Hyena Gang's scheme was not merely the blind fanaticism of a few cultists, but a planned and organized operation.

When dealing with such an enemy, one must be extremely cautious.

Reeves couldn't help but recall the other party's terrifying tracking ability. If this threat wasn't completely eliminated, danger would lurk at every turn, whether he went to investigate the docks or returned to his residence on University Road. Although Ms. Cynthia had said that her ritual magic could largely block tracking, he still felt uneasy and couldn't completely relax.

He looked at Ms. B and asked:

"Miss Cynthia, is there any way to confirm that the other side can no longer track my location?"

Ms. B smiled gently:

"Do you think I would be so careless? I have already confirmed through divination using the magic mirror that you have shaken off their pursuit."

Upon hearing this, Levi finally felt relieved and let out a long sigh of relief. Now he no longer had to live in fear and could focus on doing what needed to be done.

Ms. B was about to say something more when her expression suddenly changed, her previously composed demeanor instantly turning tense.

"Alright, you can leave now. I have other things to take care of."

Her tone remained steady, but between the lines, a hint of barely concealed urgency crept in.

Levi nodded, without asking any further questions or trying to uncover the other party's secrets, and turned to leave.

Guided by his memory, he left the room, jumped down from the shadows by the window, and went out onto the street, preparing to return to his residence on University Road.

Meanwhile, inside the house.

After carefully closing all the doors and windows and confirming that no one was watching, Ms. B knelt down on the ground, her face showing an expression of utmost piety.

"The great source of calamity, the symbol of destruction and doom, the witch who rules chaos, your servants heed your will."

……

No. 46 University Street.

Having changed back into men's clothing, Levi nimbly leaped onto the second-floor public window under the cover of shadows and entered the stairwell.

"I'm no longer used to taking the stairs; I use the window instead."

With a self-deprecating smile, Levi walked to the door of the room at the end of the second-floor corridor and excitedly knocked on the door.

Thump, thump, thump, thump—

“Emily, it’s me, Revere.”

The door opened a crack, revealing Emily's somewhat haggard face.

"Riveh, where have you been these past two days? I was so worried about you!"

Emily hurriedly welcomed Reeves in, her reproachful eyes tinged with a hint of relief.

Reeves had to make up some excuses:

"We have a batch of machines that need repair these past two days, so we have to work overtime..."

Emily didn't delve into it further, and while helping Reeves hang up his clothes, she scrutinized his gaunt face:

"You've lost weight... You must be exhausted these past few days. Have you had dinner yet?"

Levi's stomach growled at just the right moment, and he scratched his head somewhat sheepishly.

"I haven't had a chance to eat yet. Is there anything to eat at home?"

"I left some for you."

Emily turned and went into the kitchen to get busy. A little while later, she came out carrying a steaming bowl of stewed vegetables and meat and oat bread.

Rivera immediately felt his nostrils filled with an enticing sweet aroma. He couldn't wait to tear the bread into small pieces, soak them in the thick meat gravy, and stuff them into his mouth one after another, using the sweetness of the oats and the aroma of the meat to soothe his weary soul and empty stomach.

Emily sat to the side, resting her chin on her hands, quietly watching Reeves eat, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Chapter 64 Levi Has Grown Up

"Eat slowly, don't choke."

Emily picked up a handkerchief and wiped the soup that had splashed on Levi's face, her tone a mix of amusement and helpless tenderness.

Reeve just gave a vague "hmm" and continued stuffing food into his stomach.

"By the way, I have some good news for you. I have passed Mr. Teyvat's interview and will become his daughter Elizabeth's governess. Mr. Teyvat is very generous and has prepaid me a week's salary. He truly lives up to his reputation as a famous importer and exporter in Tingen."

Emily shared it with Reeves with great enthusiasm, her eyes shining like stars.