Lord of the Mysteries

Klein asked after listening carefully, “So you suspect that the Zreal whom the detectives saw was someone in disguise?”

Holding his brown round hat, Ian replied as if he had already thought about it, “It’s a possibility, but I think it’s too difficult due to the huge risks involved. The party was at night, and it’s true that the lights weren’t very bright — but most of the people attending are detectives, detectives with keen observational skills. Just a wig, beard, or cosmetics can hardly hide from their eyes.”

Perhaps some Beyonder powers can do it… Just like how Creeping Hunger enables such an ability… There was a little trap in Klein’s question. He wished to determine from the teenage boy’s answer, the expression on his face, and his body language to determine if he had ever come into contact with Beyonders, or if he knew things about mysticism.

The initial answer was no.

When Ian saw Detective Moriarty nodding slightly in agreement with his reasoning, he continued, “I believe that the detectives saw Mr. Zreal, but he wasn’t free. He was in a controlled state in which he couldn’t send out distress signals. The reason why he wasn’t responding to my attempts to liaison with him is to probably signal to me that he needs help.”

“A reasonable explanation.” Klein released his clasped hands and sat back a little, making himself look more relaxed and confident.

Ian fell silent for about ten seconds before he said seriously, “I’d like to entrust you with the task of investigating Mr. Zreal and determine his current condition. All I need is confirmation.”

Considering that Ian was a semi-professional who had gathered intelligence and information for a detective, Klein had the intention to make his acquaintance. He smiled and said, “Then how much are you going to pay? You should be well aware that this may be very dangerous.”

Ian looked down at the pocket of his old coat and said after some deliberation, “There are two ways. The first, I can directly give you a payment that’s enough to satisfy you. Afterward, regardless of whether the mission is simple or difficult, that will be all unless you suffer a relatively serious injury.

“Secondly, I could pay you five pounds in advance, and when you finish the job, you can add on to the bill depending on the difficulty of the matter. But it’s easy to cause a dispute, even if there’s a contract.”

Klein pretended to be in thought and after almost thirty seconds, he said in a low voice, “Why don’t we do it this way? You can pay me five pounds in advance and help me with three things after the mission is completed. Don’t worry, they won’t be anything difficult. They will be within your capabilities, and it won’t make you feel too uncomfortable. This can be agreed upon in the contract.”

Ian knitted his brows before standing up. He leaned forward and stretched out his right hand.

“Alright!”

Klein shook hands with him, pulled out a standard contract that he had prepared, picked up a round fountain pen, added all the details he had discussed, and stamped it with his fingerprint.

After signing the contract, he gave the teenage boy, Ian, a stack of white paper and watched him write Detective Zreal’s relevant information.

After a while, he browsed through the information and casually asked, “How can I contact you if there’s an emergency, or if I’ve confirmed Zreal’s condition?”

Ian pursed his lips and remained silent for quite a while. Only when Klein looked over did he reply in a somewhat stiff manner, “You don’t need to contact me. I will appear at the right time.”

Without another word, he took out a thick stack of cash from the pocket of his old coat. They seemed to be stacked up in a very neat order, from high face value to low face value.

Ian pulled out three one-pound notes from the bottom, counted six five-soli notes, and finally ten one-soli notes.

When Klein saw that Ian had neatly arranged the notes, with even the portraits of the former kings facing up without a single mistake, Klein suddenly felt a bit frustrated.

This is some late-stage obsessive-compulsive disorder… He silently exhaled and received the payment from Ian.

to his visual estimate, Ian had less than three pounds

had all his savings with him… If I had asked for more, would he bail on me without paying? He doesn’t look like the kind of person to do so, but one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover… Klein folded the bills at random and stuffed them into his pocket, ignoring the untidiness.

as soon as possible.” Klein stood up and held

help.” Ian thanked him sincerely because the counteroffer was obviously

than his age leave, Klein stroked his chin and silently said to

didn’t mention anything about Zreal’s recent investigations or what information he

much as the money is worth. All I need to do

the living room. While doing so, he fished a quarter pence out of his

Ping!

turned dark as he muttered if there were any Beyonder elements in the case he was

right hand and tried

coin slipped from his fingertips and

result meant that the divination had

that I can’t even obtain

…

in the wee hours of the morning, at 138 Rose Street, Backlund

workman’s outfit. His mouth, chin, and cheeks were covered with a black beard that, at first glance, made him look rough

pressed it so low that it nearly covered

deer-hunting caps the Loen Kingdom hunters wore. However, such caps

of the road, Klein

It was Zreal’s home.

and he had

came by

terrace house he rented was

his sleeve and let the topaz pendant hang

“There’s danger inside.

“There’s danger inside.”

…

and saw the spirit pendulum spinning clockwise,

serious,” Klein muttered, and once again confirmed that he had his tarot cards, self-made charms,

and taking advantage of the stillness of the

directly faced the edge of the street. Klein went around to the side and

out a tarot card and slid it through the crack, opening the door

of the house’s layout, Klein walked

lightly tapped his left molar and activated his Spirit Vision.

through obstacles without spirituality. However, it was highly dependent on one’s abilities. Currently, Klein was able to observe through wooden

he saw three humanoid auras in the bedroom behind the door. The colors were

in ambush… Is it to capture Ian, or someone else? The bedroom isn’t that big…