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n99 Guest

nInstantly, Lumian tensed up.

nHe spun around and returned to the bed, scooping up Fallen Mercury with his bandaged left hand.

nGrabbing his shotgun, he strode to the bedroom window while the doorbell continued to ring. He scrutinized the entrance.

nThere was no one there!

nIn that moment, Lumian’s heart felt like it was about to seize.

nHe intended to activate his Spirit Vision for a better look.

nSince he would hear the maddening and terrifying sound and show signs of losing control after entering Cogitation for a few seconds in the dream ruins, he couldn’t use this ability smoothly. It took him a while to complete the corresponding operation.

nHowever, even with his Spirit Vision activated, he still didn’t notice anyone at the door.

nYet, the doorbell rang incessantly.

nAs his thoughts raced, Lumian seriously considered returning to bed, forcing himself to sleep and escape the dream.

nBut he felt that even if he returned to reality, he might not be able to evade the subsequent attack, considering the unknown danger that could invade his semi-subterranean two-story building at any moment.

nTwo scenarios:

nIf the person ringing the doorbell can enter, going to bed is as good as surrendering.

nIf they can’t enter, I’ll be safe as long as I don’t open the door myself.

nRegardless, I must go downstairs and take a look…

nLumian made up his mind quickly.

nHe sheathed Fallen Mercury at his waist, clipped his axe, and hoisted his shotgun. He stepped out of the room and cautiously descended the stairs.

nUpon reaching the first floor, a figure came into view.

nAt the six-person dining table sat the enigmatic woman Lumian had been searching for.

nShe wore a white blouse with a large bow at the collar and loose pearl-gray pants. Her casual attire was deceptively elegant.

nShe sipped a pale-golden drink, a short black hat beside her.

nLumian relaxed and approached the mysterious woman with brown hair and blue eyes.

nHe set the shotgun and axe aside, pulled out a chair opposite the dining table, and sat down. He asked, “You can enter here?”

nThe woman set her glass down and smiled.

n“How else do you think those materials were delivered to your room?”

nAs she spoke, the jingling sound ceased.

nLumian glanced at the door, puzzled.

n“Since you’re already inside, why were you still ringing the doorbell?”

nShe smiled and replied, “That’s basic courtesy.”

nCourtesy that can scare people to death? Lumian dared only to mutter inwardly.

nHe got straight to the point.

n“I’ve obtained the Pyromaniac Beyonder ingredient. Uh, it should be Pyromaniac.”

nThe woman nodded gently.

n“I know. That’s why I came to see you.”

n“Are you willing to help me separate the Provoker Beyonder characteristics and give me the corresponding potion formula?” Lumian suppressed his sudden joy and asked, “I was planning on finding you at Ol’ Tavern.”

nAs for the price he would have to pay, he no longer cared.

nThe lady smiled and said, “With Cordu’s current situation, it’s very dangerous for you to go out, so I came here directly. I can indeed provide the help you want, but it won’t be free this time.”

nLumian noticed that indecipherable emotion in the woman’s eyes again, but the notion that it was no longer free reassured him.

nThe unknown was even more terrifying.

n“What is the price I need to pay?” he asked without hesitation.

nShe replied calmly, “The separated Pyromaniac and Hunter Beyonder characteristics belong to me.”

nThat simple? Lumian was surprised.

nHe didn’t even think of it as a price. After all, he wouldn’t be able to use the Pyromaniac Beyonder characteristics for a long time.

nShe continued, “In addition to the help I originally provided, if there’s any more in the future—if there’s a future for you—you have to do something for me.”

nLumian sensed the inscrutable emotion in her eyes intensify.

nHe probed, “What if I don’t?”

nShe laughed.

n“Isn’t it common for investments to fail? Didn’t your sister lose some money buying stocks with divination?”

n“What do you need me to do?” Lumian asked without hesitation.

nShe sighed softly.

n“Let’s talk about it if you can survive.

n“Alright, give me the Beyonder characteristic you obtained.”

nLumian rose and headed for the stairs leading to the second floor.

nHe barely restrained himself from sprinting up the staircase. When she could no longer see him, he dashed.

nSoon, Lumian returned to the first floor with the cloth bag containing the Pyromaniac Beyonder characteristic and approached the dining table.

nThe woman raised her glass again and sipped the pale-gold liquid.

n“What’s this?” Lumian asked casually.

nShe explained simply, “It’s an aperitif from Trier called Black Poca. It’s brewed from ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves soaked in sweet wine for a long time. It tastes pretty good.”

nHaving raised the topic merely to build rapport, Lumian didn’t pry further. He opened the cloth bag and extracted the burning heart from the soil.

nA scorching sensation seared his palm. Enduring the mild pain, he leaned forward and handed the Beyonder characteristic to the woman across the dining table.

nShe extended her left palm and let the “heart” hover in midair.

nShe glanced at Lumian and chuckled.

n“When storing Beyonder characteristics in the future, remember to change their environment every once in a while. If such a thing comes into contact with something for too long, it’s very likely to fuse with it and become a mystical item that needs to be sealed.”

nIs that so… Lumian asked, “How often do I need to make a change?”

n“Normally, it takes two to three days,” the woman said nonchalantly, “but accidents do happen. I recommend switching environments every 24 hours. With proper sealing and preservation, it could last months or even years. Also, if you’ve already mixed Beyonder ingredients into a potion, drink it as soon as possible. Otherwise, the liquid might merge with the bottle.”

nAs she spoke, a sudden flash enveloped her body, and the burning “heart” transformed into countless red fireflies.

nThe fireflies danced and swirled, coalescing into three distinct objects.

nOne was a dark red, springy, textured object. Another was a shrunken version of the burning heart, now missing numerous holes. The last was a black stone with a liquid-like surface and a potent odor.

nThe woman’s right palm caressed the three objects, causing two to vanish into thin air.

nAll that remained on the dining table was the dark “rock,” about half the size of a fist.

n“Is this the Provoker Beyonder characteristic?” Lumian asked eagerly.

nThe woman produced a post-it note and a silver fountain pen, scribbling down the potion formula, then reminded him, “You still lack mystical knowledge. After killing the monster, you only took the Beyonder characteristic.

n“Such Beyonder creatures are rich in spirituality. Many of their parts can be used to make charms, lotions, and ingredients for certain spells and rituals. For example, its blood is a supplementary ingredient for the Pyromaniac potion.

n“Although the Pyromaniac potion requires Fire Salamander blood, the monster’s blood will do. It’s essentially the same, and the effects might even be better.”

nThe more Lumian listened, the more regretful he became.

nAlthough Aurore’s adventure novels included scenes of hunting monsters and harvesting parts, he hadn’t connected this to reality. He believed the flaming monster’s only value was its Beyonder characteristic.

nAnd now, retrieving it was impossible—the blood would have dried by now!

nThe woman ignored his reaction, tearing off the top note and letting it float toward Lumian.

nLumian grabbed it and read the words eagerly.

n“Provoker potion formula:

n“Main ingredient: One Provoker Beyonder characteristic;

n“Supplementary ingredients: 50 milliliters of distilled liquor, 10 drops of honeysuckle extract, 5 grams of grapevine powder, 10 grams of fern powder;

n“Usage: Drink it directly.”

nAfter finishing, Lumian asked, puzzled, “There aren’t any materials rich in spirituality…”

nLike the Fire Salamander’s blood.

nShe smiled and replied, “Different potions have different requirements. Yours mainly relies on symbolic mysticism.

n“For example, ferns symbolize being ‘easily influenced by others.’ This aligns with the essence of a Provoker.”

nSo, a Provoker needs to sway others with their words? Lumian tucked the note away, pondering where he might find the supplementary ingredients.

nDistilled liquor was available at home; Aurore used it in certain dishes. Grapevines and ferns were abundant in Dariège, though venturing out might be risky. The only item left was honeysuckle—he’d have to ask Aurore if she had any among her spell-casting supplies…

nWhen Lumian looked up again, the woman across from him, along with the black short hat and the Black Poca aperitif, had disappeared.

nHe hadn’t even noticed when she’d left.

nThis despite the fact that his Spirit Vision hadn’t been deactivated the entire time.

nPhew. Lumian exhaled and headed back to the bedroom, clutching the Provoker Beyonder characteristic and the potion formula, anticipation swelling within him.

nHe quickly lay down on the bed, intending to return to reality and consult Aurore, hoping to gather the additional ingredients by nightfall.

nHe didn’t care that his Spirit Vision was still active; it would deactivate on its own once he fell asleep.

n…

nIn the dead of night, Lumian opened his eyes and glanced over at Aurore.

nHe couldn’t wait to share the news of acquiring the Provoker potion formula with his sister.

nYet, almost simultaneously, he spotted Aurore’s mouth open slightly, a hazy, translucent figure emerging.

nIt was a bizarre, lizard-like creature!

nLumian’s gaze locked in place. As the ethereal lizard surveyed its surroundings, he instinctively shut his eyes.

nThe “lizard” darted its gaze around before quickly scurrying away from Aurore’s mouth and exiting the room.

nLumian reopened his eyes, staring at his sister in bewilderment.

nAurore’s face was shrouded in darkness.

nHer mouth hung slightly open as she slumbered peacefully.

nLumian observed her, motionless, as if he’d become a statue.

nIn the thick of night, his heart sank further into despair.

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