"No way, Adrian?" Since they were in public, Klein avoided the "Chinese transmigrator" habit of addressing him as Old Gao. "You've got this idea too? With Backlund University around, who'd notice our school's professors?"
"Not necessarily," Adrian replied casually, heading into the café. "I'm pushing to rename Backlund Technical University to sound less like Backlund University's sidekick. A good name attracts students, you know."
"That's a tall order," Klein said with a grin, teasing. "What name are you thinking for Backlund Technical University?"
"I'm partial to Miskatonic University. If that's too much, Hogwarts works," Adrian said deadpan. "Though, that's probably a joke only transmigrators would get."
"…True," Klein said, his mouth twitching as he followed into the café.
At the table, Adrian faced his other avatar, sitting with practiced ease. Klein followed suit, sizing up Mr. Wright across from them. The two avatars discussed the commission and payment, leaving Klein bewildered.
Notably, Adrian's "avatar replacement" differed from Amon's "parasitism" or a Marionettist "puppetization." Adrian assumed the original owner's identity, blending with their will while retaining some of their behavioral habits—a cost of perfect "performance."
For example, this Abraham family body still carried a faint spirit urging Adrian to look after a few familiar Abraham descendants. Though negligible for an Old One, Adrian, bolstered by his Overseer will, chose to play the part of this unnamed Abraham for now.
Once the spirit's conditions were met, this self-imposed limit would lift.
After the discussion, Klein pondered the mission's implications. He hadn't expected it to involve espionage tied to Backlund's gangs. The Hunter they'd killed was a mere scout, with Intis's ambassador and unknown Beyonders lurking behind him.
This seemed unrelated to Klein, but it wasn't.
Though Adrian, who killed the Hunter, was safe in the Aurora Order's Backlund manor, protected by Beyonders, the Intis ambassador needed a big event to clear his name. His powerful Beyonders could easily trace the manor if they investigated.
They might not peg it as an Aurora Order base, but they'd link it to the Order. Given the Church of Storms' current paranoia, they'd likely raid it. Klein's professor identity, arranged by the Aurora Order, made him vulnerable.
Melissa and Benson lived nearby, and the Church of Storms' heavy-handedness risked harming them in a Beyonder clash!
This realization weighed on Klein. He suddenly grasped the plight of evil cults under constant pursuit, briefly missing his days as an "official Beyonder." But Klein rallied, his desire to advance his sequence intensifying.
He began to anticipate the upcoming Beyonder gathering.
After passing scrutiny, they entered the gathering, donning hooded robes and entering a sitting room. Before they sat, a plump man addressed the group: "Recently, beasts in the sewers ate my herbs. They're smart, avoiding the toxic ones. I need someone to clear them out. This isn't my forte—I'm only good at brewing potions and healing."
Another man whispered a deal, striking an agreement. Before others spoke, the Eye of Wisdom, seated at the head, tensed. Using a Beyonder item, he detected Hanged Man pathway traces on Adrian but, weighing the power gap, chose not to act on this potential threat.
After the Apothecary's deal, the gathering livened. A woman, her face shadowed by her hood, spoke: "I'm selling two weapons."
"One's a runic steel sword, crafted by the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun. It purifies and exorcises, perfect against water ghosts, wraiths, and living corpses, with three years' use left. It's sharp enough to kill too," she said, masking her voice. "500 pounds or the Sequence 8 Barbarian formula gets it."
"The other is a cleaver with a clever mechanical design, transformable and portable. A rare combat tool by a master craftsman, for 25 pounds."
"I'll take the cleaver," Adrian said casually, puzzling Klein. As Adrian toyed with it post-transaction, Klein whispered, "Doesn't the Aurora Order have plenty of Beyonder items? Why buy this cleaver?"
"Because it's cool."
"No, I mean…" Klein lowered his voice further. "Does it boost your combat or have some special use?"
"Because it's cool," Adrian said matter-of-factly. "Come on, it's awesome. It's practically identical to the Moon Hunter's weapon. Klein, don't tell me you never played that game."
"…I did," Klein said after a two-second pause, recalling Adrian's wealth. He muttered, "Fair enough."
Silence fell. The man who took the Apothecary's job scratched his head, addressing the newcomers: "I have a Beyonder item. It lets you hear a great being's voice. If you're lucky and decode useful info, you'll grow strong. But if you're unlucky, decoding a curse or failing to decode, you'll be harmed or die."
Before he finished, the Eye of Wisdom growled, "Black Snake, don't pitch that cursed item!"
The Eye of Wisdom's heart raced. Watching Black Snake and Adrian's slight smirk, he grew unprecedentedly tense.
He knew Black Snake's item carried a deranged Listener's voice. Normally, its dangers deterred buyers…
But the new guest was a Hanged Man pathway Beyonder—likely a devout True Creator follower!
Sure enough, Adrian said in an odd tone, "Oh? How much to sell it to me?"
(End of Chapter)