Chapter 345: Sun Brooch
"You can confirm it before you pay." The hooded Eye of Wisdom walked
directly to Klein and handed the dark golden brooch to him.
Very generous... Klein reached out to take it, but before he
could examine it closely, he felt his surroundings become very hot, even
the wind felt as if it had been ignited. Once it entered his nose, it
would spread to his lungs.
At this moment, he seemed to have left the cold and humid Backlund,
finding himself in the desert and wilderness, right in the middle of the
Northern Continent. Hanging above him was the sun that radiated endless
light and heat, and in his surroundings was the extremely dry and
boundless yellow sand.
Phew, it makes me want to eat ice cream... Sweat slowly seeped
out of Klein's forehead, but under the iron mask, the liquid couldn't
fall freely. It could only stick on the spot.
Through direct contact, he could feel the pure and warm power radiating
out, but the Beyonders around him were not affected in the slightest.
After fixing the brooch in place, Klein released his spirituality and
infused it into the dark golden surface.
With a boom, he saw the sky filled with dancing dots of pure gold light
as he received a great deal of information.
This included how to use some of the spells in the Sun domain with the
help of the brooch.
Most important of all were the tricks to injecting spirituality and the
corresponding activation incantations!
One of them included providing the brooch with two seconds of
spirituality, allowing it to summon a holy beam of light that descended
from the sky to purify the undead and inflict certain damage on other
targets.
A continuous supply of spirituality for five seconds, together with the
use of the word "Sun" in ancient Hermes, would create a small amount of
Sun Holy Water, which would exorcise evil spirits, drive away the cold,
and purify wraiths.
In addition to the difference between strength and time intervals, the
other corresponding spells could be cast as well.
Fire of Light was a sacred, concentrated flame that suddenly appeared
out of thin air via a mere thought. Cleave of Purification was an
effective attack against wraiths, and it could also be used to augment
bullets. Horror Immunity allowed the wearer to no longer feel fear. Holy
Oath was used to temporarily strengthen one's strength, agility, fire
damage, and holy damage via chanting the corresponding ancient Hermes
term. Sun Halo targeted comrades who were within twenty meters of him.
It could effectively boost their courage and purify the evil energies
within their bodies.
*Not bad. Other than not being strange enough, it doesn't have too many
flaws. It complements my Magician abilities nicely... It's just a little
hot...* Klein's mind was filled with fantasies about himself in
short-sleeved clothes.
He rolled up his robe, took out a stack of bills from his inside pocket.
Together with the 900 pounds he had just received from the lady with the
Artisan backing her, he counted 2,000 pounds in cash before handing it
to Eye of Wisdom's attendant.
After counting thrice and finally confirming that there was no mistake,
Klein looked at his rapidly shrinking wallet, feeling both happy and sad
at the same time.
The money he had painstakingly saved had been reduced to 574 pounds and
five gold coins.
However, he also obtained his second mystical item. The number of side
effects was obviously fewer than the Master Key. It was a mystical item
which was more outstanding, the Sun Brooch!
The only drawback is it's just too hot... Klein reached out
and touched his iron mask, and he nearly took it off to start using it
to fan himself.
With the reduction of his funds, Klein stopped considering the notion of
purchasing anything else. He just sat there quietly, listening until the
end of the gathering.
Stimulated by the massive deal of 2,000 pounds, the gathering that night
was relatively lively. For example, the whip woven from the feathers of
the Holy Sunbird was sold for 850 pounds. Eye of Wisdom also made
several purchases, buying an ancient book and a Beyonder ingredient.
When the gathering ended, Eye of Wisdom surveyed the room and looked at
Klein. He said with a chuckle, "You shall be the first to leave."
Is he afraid that someone will rob me... Klein thanked him
sincerely and walked out of the living room under the guidance of the
attendant. He then impatiently took off his hooded robe and iron mask.
He had already tried to use his spirituality to wrap and seal the Sun
Brooch. It prevented it from constantly purifying the surroundings and
prevented its existence from being discovered by other Beyonders.
However, the negative effects couldn't be weakened, unless it was not on
his person.
*In order to ensure my mental health, I should only use it only when
necessary. I can usually rely on purifying bullets and exorcism
bullets...* Klein left the gathering venue and took a long
detour before arriving outside the Bravehearts Bar.
He entered, circled the area, and quickly came out again and hired a
carriage.
Unsurprisingly, he quickly saw a figure in a black regal dress outline
itself opposite him.
Sharron's appearance had not changed at all. She asked in an ethereal
voice, "Are you done with your preparations?"
"Yes, you can choose the ambush location and time. Notify me once you
have confirmed the details." Klein nodded calmly.
Sharron looked at him and said, "Okay."
Seeing that she was about to disappear, Klein added, "Have Kaspars
prepare a box of explosives and bury them all over the planned
battlefield."
Sharron was silent for two seconds before she said, "Steve is also a
demolition expert."
"No, my main purpose is not to blast anyone apart." Klein smiled. "I
just want to put on some fireworks."
Sharron stared at him for a few seconds, then she nodded.
Witnessing her figure fading rapidly, Klein leaned back against the wall
and opened the window, letting the bone-piercing wind in, but he still
felt hot.
*Back on Earth, I hated summer the most. Hmm, I like ice pops, ice
cream, cold drinks, watermelons...* as he mumbled, Klein reached
into his pocket and held the Sun Brooch.
This is a mystical item worth 2,000 pounds!
Returning to Minsk Street, Klein walked slowly along the road lined with
trees to Unit 15.
When he passed Lawyer Jurgen's house, he subconsciously looked inside
and saw the gas lamp with a slightly blue glow.
There's someone home... Klein laughed as he sighed, his
forehead constantly beaded with sweat.
Early the next day, on a Thursday morning.
Klein had just come out of the bathroom with a newspaper in hand when he
heard the doorbell ring.
*Who is it? Right, Talim mentioned that Reporter Mike Joseph will be
coming to me today...* Amid the tinkling bells, Klein came to
the door and reached for the handle.
The image of the visitor naturally appeared in his mind:
He was about thirty years old, with a black tweed coat and a matching
half top hat. He had sparse eyebrows, charming blue eyes, and a handsome
mustache. But his skin was rather rough. He was none other than the
reporter from the Daily Observer, Mike Joseph.
"Good morning, Mike. Talim told me about you," Klein opened the door and
greeted him.
He hadn't hesitated to throw the Sun Brooch above the gray fog.
Mike Joseph pulled his bow tie and said, "Sorry for disturbing you so
early, but I have matters to deal with later."
"I understand," Klein said politely, "Have you had breakfast? Would you
like to try my toast?"
Mike suddenly smiled.
"I'm so sorry, that would be so nice of you.
"If it's possible, could I also have a cup of hot coffee. Milk would do
too. I noticed that you ordered fresh milk."
"...Alright." Klein smiled in response.
He busied himself with the toast, poured the milk, took out a tin of
butter, and sat down, eating without a word.
Across from him, Mike was enjoying his breakfast without restraint,
oblivious to the silence.
Phew... Klein exhaled and put down his cup.
"Mike, you wanted to hire me to protect you?"
Mike set his knife and fork down slowly and took a mouthful of milk.
"Yes, about two days, Friday and Saturday, maybe even Sunday morning."
"Who wants to hurt you?" Klein asked in deliberation.
Mike chuckled and said, "No, this is just a form of proactive
self-protection.
"The editor of the newspaper arranged for me to do an investigation in
East Borough, the dock area, and the factory district. It's said that
it's sponsored by some Church or aristocrat.
"As you know, gangs run rampant in East Borough. There are thugs
everywhere, and there are people who are willing to betray their
conscience just to scrounge a meal. I need a bodyguard who is good at
fighting and shooting.
"And most private detectives have certain connections in East Borough,
don't they?"
I don't... I rely on mysticism to crack cases, no---deduction!
Klein thought for a moment and said, "But I might not have the time in
the next few days."
I have to see when Miss Sharron will be taking action.
Mike cleared his throat and said, "I've already applied for ten pounds.
This protection mission will amount to ten pounds, even if nothing
happens."
Klein let out a soft chuckle.
"Mike, I'm serious.
"Tomorrow at this time, oh---come after breakfast to look for me. If I
have availed myself, I will take this commission. If I'm really busy,
then I will introduce you to other detectives. They're also good at
fighting and shooting."
For example, Stuart or Kaslana... Two names flashed through
his mind.
Mike finished the remaining toast and said, "That wouldn't be an issue."
After breakfast, Klein watched the journalist leave his home and admired
the sights of the freezing rain outside through the oriel window---the
passing carriages and pedestrians, the dark sky, and the colorful
umbrellas.
*Finally, a normal mission... It neither involves Beyonders nor does it
have anything to do with finding cats and catching adulterers. It's a
pity that it isn't a commission regarding a murder case or something
like that. Otherwise, I would be able to experience what it feels like
to be a true detective... There is always only one truth!*[A catchphrase from Detective Conan.]
Klein's thoughts wandered aimlessly as he felt an inexplicable sense of
carefreeness.
If not for the fact that he was still worried about the situation
regarding Sharron and Maric, he planned to relax completely, visit all
kinds of museums, buy a ticket to a large theater, listen to a few
operas and musicals, and enjoy the delicacies of the various nations
that had gathered in Backlund city.
Well, I'm a casual tourist, a lonely gourmet... Klein gave a
self-deprecating laugh, turned around, and walked towards the sofa,
intending to look through the newspapers he hadn't finished reading.
Suddenly, he noticed that a slip of paper had appeared on the coffee
table. The handwriting was elegant and reserved: "Tonight at 10 o'clock.
We'll meet at the back door of Bravehearts Bar."
Klein was stunned for a moment. He turned his head to look outside the
window, sighed, and said, Is it finally starting...