Mystery: The Witch of Desire

Finally, as the clock on the wall struck eight, a tall woman wearing a black hooded robe and a mask similar to Levi's walked in and sat at the head of the round table.

"The party begins."

The woman spoke softly, her gentle voice carrying a captivating charm that subtly stirred the hearts of everyone present.

"Ms. B, one of the committee members of the mutual aid association."

Based on Jason's notes, Reeves deduced her identity.

The mutual aid association has three committee members. Ms. A is in charge of all affairs but does not participate in hosting gatherings. Ms. C is short, only about 1.6 meters tall, while the tall woman who is over 1.7 meters tall is obviously Ms. B.

After Ms. B announced the start, people quickly began posting their requests:

"30 pounds for a single root of the Shadow Poison Flower".

"Selling an apprentice sequence 9 potion recipe, 200 pounds."

"Looking to purchase items that can purify undead or undead creatures, preferably talismans or similar items."

"20 pounds for a bottle of magical potion. Just one drop will make a woman weak and unable to resist..."

Upon hearing the last request, Levi paused, subtly glancing around to make sure no one reacted strangely. He couldn't help but ponder to himself:

"Are most of these beautiful 'ladies' attending the party men? Or women who don't care about such sinful things?"

As the gathering progressed, Levi sadly discovered that a Sequence 9 potion recipe cost around 200 pounds, and with all the materials, it was a huge expense. Even with the payment he received from the mutual aid society, he could only afford to buy one potion recipe.

"Extraordinary people spend way too much money. No wonder Jason can earn so much money completing a mission, while we are still struggling to make ends meet..."

After the party, Ms. B arranged for the members to leave in batches, while Reeves waited quietly for everyone to leave the room. Ms. B seemed to have some kind of unspoken agreement, leaving Reeves behind as the last one.

When only the two of them remained in the room, Ms. B placed her slender, fair hands on the table, supporting her pointed chin. Her eyes, hidden behind the mask, shimmered like water as she looked at Levi with a smile, without uttering a word.

Levi, who had intended to wait for Ms. B to speak first, was a little nervous. After waiting a short while, not wanting to appear intimidated, he had no choice but to speak first:

"I've already got that item."

Ms. B nodded, a charming smile radiating from beneath her mask:

"Well done, leave it to me."

Reeve took out the small female statue, but only held it in his hand and did not hand it to Ms. B.

Ms. B didn't say much, but reached into her bodice, took out a small stack of bright green banknotes, and handed them to Reeves.

"This is your payment."

Rivero counted the twenty 10-pound notes; the ink and sweet aroma mingled pleasantly with the scent, making him feel quite intoxicated.

"Money, 200 pounds, so much money!"

Forcibly suppressing his urge to cheer, Levi handed the female statue to Ms. B as well.

Ms. B took the statue and carefully placed it in a beautifully crafted box that had been prepared beforehand.

Having received the money, Levi didn't linger and got up to leave.

"Leaving in such a hurry? Won't you stay for a drink?"

Ms. B called out to Reeves with a smile.

Reeves's slightly relaxed nerves tensed up again, and he said perfunctorily:

"No, I have some things to take care of."

Ms. B, her eyes still smiling, said meaningfully:

"What is it that absolutely must be dealt with now? We're meeting for the first time, shouldn't we get to know each other better?"

Levi was stunned, and a surge of terror welled up inside him.

"She knows I'm not Jason!"

Reeves reached into his sleeve to grasp the revolver, but Ms. B let out a silvery laugh and said:

"Don't be nervous, I won't hurt you, because my divination tells me you mean no harm, right, Jason's brother?"

Damn it, I've been completely seen through...

A strong sense of frustration welled up inside Levi, but it quickly subsided. Now that he had been seen through, he was no longer nervous and began to seriously consider the current situation:

Ms. B didn't seem to have any malicious intent, and she seemed to know Jason quite well. Perhaps we could talk to her and see what she has to say before making a decision...

With that in mind, Levi simply sat down in a masculine posture, staring straight at Ms. B to see what she would say.

This time, Ms. B didn't keep them in suspense and slowly said:

“I have learned of Jason’s death through divination. It is a great pity. He was an important member of our organization.”

"I think, as his brother, you must really want to avenge him, right?"

Despite the intense desire for revenge surging within him, Reeves remained silent to avoid revealing his true thoughts and losing leverage in negotiations.

Ms. B continued speaking to herself:

“I can give you a chance for revenge: join the Hyena Gang as a spy for the Mutual Aid Society and investigate the truth of the matter.”

She smiled, and continued to ask with a hint of mockery:

"Do you accept this arrangement?"

Chapter 7 Mission

I accept!

Levi's heart screamed, wishing he could agree immediately. He desperately wanted to get close to the Hyena Gang and find an opportunity for revenge.

But he didn't show any joy on his face, and calmly asked:

What benefits will I get?

Ms. B, having anticipated this, replied:

"Before infiltrating the Hyena Gang, the organization will help you become an extraordinary individual."

Reeves was satisfied with this answer and was about to nod in agreement when Ms. B spoke up again:

"Of course, your contribution is not enough to earn this favor. A Sequence 9 potion recipe is worth about 200 pounds, and the corresponding materials also require about 200 pounds. This mission to infiltrate the Hyena Gang is very dangerous, so I can give you 200 pounds in advance as payment. Therefore, you need to give me another 200 pounds or something of equivalent value."

Levi was taken aback. Looking at the smile in Ms. B's eyes and holding the 200 pounds that he hadn't even warmed in his hand, he seriously suspected that she was doing it on purpose.

This is outrageous! They're treating me like I'm not even human!

Reeves asked seriously:

"I've taken such a huge risk for the organization, and I still have to pay such a huge price to become an Extraordinary? The organization wouldn't want an ordinary person to infiltrate the Hyena Gang, would it? That would significantly reduce the probability of mission success."

Ms. B clapped her hands in admiration:

“You’re right, but every resource in the organization is hard-earned. As a committee member, I must ensure they are used properly. Infiltrating the Hyena Gang is risky, but it’s not as risky as a potion. If I were to issue a commission, many people would be willing to take the job for 200 pounds. I’m only giving you this task out of consideration for Jason’s hard work for the organization.”

This woman is a very good negotiator...

Although Levi was unwilling, he was new to the Extraordinary World and had no right to define the value of items and tasks, so he could only let Ms. B arrange things.

He thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice:

"You just said that things of equal value are also acceptable, right?"

"Yes."

Ms. B nodded slightly.

Reeve immediately produced two extraordinary properties:

"How much are these two extraordinary properties worth?"

Ms. B raised a brow and said without hesitation:

“Normally, a Sequence 9 extraordinary item would be worth £150, but your two have been stored improperly for three days, so their value has only dropped to £100. However…”

She paused, then continued:

“Considering that you have an important mission to carry out next, I can give you 125 pounds. You hand over these two extraordinary properties to me, and I will arrange for you to take the potion. I will also give you 50 pounds as your mission expenses.”

"make a deal."

Without hesitation, Levi handed over the two extraordinary properties, which exceeded his expectations.

Ms. B nodded, accepting the two extraordinary properties with a smile in her eyes. For a moment, Levi had the feeling that the other party had expected this all along.

Did she already know I possessed extraordinary abilities, and was she just trying to lure me into handing them over? What a terrifying woman…

Feeling that everything was under the other party's control, Levi couldn't help but shudder, and his gaze toward Ms. B became increasingly wary.

Ms. B, however, paid no attention and took out a mirror inlaid with antique patterns, saying:

"Let me do a divination for you to see if it's suitable for you to take the potion tonight. Hmm, don't worry, it's free this time."

Upon seeing the mirror, Levi felt a chill run down his spine. He felt that it was somewhat similar to the mirror that had appeared in his dream, only much smaller.

In his daze of fear and unease, he didn't even notice how Ms. B completed the divination; he only saw her stroke the mirror surface and say in a slightly exaggerated manner:

"Ah, the divination results show that you are perfectly suited to taking a magic potion tonight, and also to having a romantic encounter..."

Levi blushed, but thankfully the human skin mask concealed his embarrassment. He pretended not to hear and asked another question:

"I think I should have the right to choose which route of potion I take?"

Ms. B glanced at Reeves and said meaningfully:

“Normally, you don’t have this right, but you’re lucky. Right now, the organization has some abundant resources, enough to support you in choosing between the two paths.”

Which two routes?

"I can't wait to ask," Levi asked.

Ms. B smiled:

"Assassin, corpse collector."

Levi fell into deep thought:

These two pathways correspond exactly to the two extraordinary traits I gave to Ms. B. Is there any coincidence involved? Hmm, let's put that aside for now. The diary of Emperor Roselle mentions avoiding pathways already occupied by Sequence 0. Jason didn't mention Sequence 0, but we can guess that it refers to true gods like the Seven Gods. The "Dispose of People" pathway is one of the official pathways of the Church of the Night. Does this mean that Sequence 0 of this pathway has been occupied by the Goddess of the Night? Emperor Roselle also said to be careful of the moon, and the goddess's name contains the Crimson Moon…

Reeves felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively wanted to abandon the Corpse Collector. In addition, Jason had chosen the assassin route, and the fact that the Corpse Collector was his killer exuded a sinister aura, which made Reeves even more determined in his choice.

Ms. B, seeing Reeves deep in thought, said half-jokingly:

"Would you like me to do a fortune telling for you? It'll only cost 10 pounds."

"No need, I choose the assassin."

Levi calmly gave his answer.

Ms. B raised her long, narrow eyebrows, a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes:

"Very good, I believe you have made the best choice."

"Come with me."

As she spoke, she got up, went to the side of the wall, and pushed open a hidden door.

Levi followed behind her, walking through the winding corridor.

The corridor was not well lit, but Ms. B's elegant figure was still clearly visible. The curves that were slightly accentuated under her black robe swayed with her swaying steps, exuding the charm of a mature woman.

Reeves believed that Ms. B was a real woman because her elegant and beautiful demeanor was more fitting than that of any woman he had ever met. If she were a man in disguise, he would really have to doubt his own senses.

Is it pretty?

Ms. B suddenly stopped and turned her head to ask with a smile.

Levi's cheeks flushed red again, and he wanted nothing more than to smash through the wall and run away. But then he remembered that he was wearing a mask and Ms. B couldn't see his true expression, so he straightened his back confidently and said in a deep voice:

"Let's go, I can't wait to take the potion."

Ms. B blinked and said with a smile:

"A boring man."

As she spoke, she pushed the wall beside her, and another hidden door opened.

Chapter 8 Assassin

Levi followed Ms. B through the hidden door. It was a small room with simple furnishings. There was only a stone table in the center of the room and a wooden cabinet with many small compartments next to it.

The room was completely dark, with only three dim candles burning on the stone table. On the table sat a small pot, beside which lay a clear, colorless liquid, various powders, bones, leaves, and other strange objects.