Chapter 528: Grazing

It was early in the morning, and the sky had just brightened up

slightly. Most of the alleys were dark and quiet.

With the aid of Danitz's cloak, Klein blended into the shadows and

quickly moved about. He felt as if his surroundings were grayish-black

and transparent, with reality being blurred. All sounds seemed to come

from the depths of the starry sky, empty and distant.

After staying as far away from Amyris Avenue as possible, he acquired

his bearings and "grew" out from the shadows. He appeared in an empty

alley filled with broken stones.

Klein's hands shook, throwing Steel Maveti's peacock-blue Flying Carpet

out in front of him. He wanted to finish the Grazing before Maveti's

Spirit Body began dissipating.

Throwing away the Flying Carpet, he took a step forward, stretched out

his left hand, and extended his five fingers, aiming from above at the

corpse that was still warm.

Creeping Hunger revealed its original appearance---a thin material that

looked like it was made up of human skin.

Two eyes had split open in the middle of its palm. Its pupils were

bright red, as though they were dyed in blood.

Whoosh!

A bone-chilling breeze suddenly blew through the alley. It swirled

around Steel Maveti's corpse, twisting into an almost transparent human

figure. One could vaguely see thick lips and curled hair that resembled

steel beads.

Maveti's Spirit Body wore an abnormally pained expression as he tried

his best to resist the suction of the Creeping Hunger. As for the

grayish-white and blackish-green dots of light, they were like a surging

galaxy, quickly flying out from his body and merging into the

transparent figure.

No!

Maveti let out a soundless scream, already being too late to beg for

mercy. All he could do was desperately slip into the human-skinned

glove, becoming attached to an empty finger, and revealing his Beyonder

characteristic that connected with the environment to a certain extent.

This connection determined what powers would be usable when Grazing

Steel Maveti's soul. Perhaps it would be one, two, but no more than

three powers. Klein had no choice over the number and details before

they became fixed, as it was purely random.

Creeping Hunger quickly blanketed its paleness and finally returned to

its former disguised state: a plain black glove.

Klein closed his eyes and sensed the changes for a few seconds before

letting out a profound sigh.

This time, his luck wasn't bad, but it wasn't too good either.

He had succeeded in acquiring three Beyonder powers belonging to Steel

Maveti, but he didn't receive what he wanted most---a body as hard as

steel, which was impervious to gunfire, flames, or a certain degree of

explosives, and the tenacious vitality.

*The first is the power of a Zombie, which allows me to unleash a

critical attack, making up for my previous flaws of only having a nimble

combat style. The second is mastery over ice. Although it's impossible

to condense an ice spear or create a blizzard like that of the Demoness

pathway to inflict a direct attack, I can freeze the surrounding ground,

lower the temperature of the air, and effectively affect the movement of

my enemy. If there's any physical contact, then I can even freeze the

enemy's body or stiffen his flesh and blood. It's a perfect match for my

combat ability. The third is the manipulation of zombies. Heh heh, I no

longer need to be afraid of not being able to have partners for a round

of cards...* Klein thought for a moment, then he bent down to

inspect the items on Steel Maveti's person.

He quickly found 26 pounds, 11 soli, and 8 pence in cash, as well as a

collection of strange things that seemed normal, such as candles, clips,

a thorny whip, and so on.

Considering the fact that Steel Maveti was a member of the Rose School

of Thought and belonged to the type of people who indulged in their

desires, Klein vaguely understood what was going on. Spitting on the

ground, he only took the cash.

*Werewolf has supernatural healing powers. Zombie has a body like steel.

There's really no need for him to carry any healing related medicine or

items... It's as Danitz concluded, Maveti doesn't have any mystical

items... That's right, mystical items are few in number to begin with.

Many have clear flaws and negative effects. Not everyone can have one

even if they want one. Previously, in the group consisting of a Wraith,

Zombie, and Werewolf, there were only two mystical items---Scarlet Lunar

Corona and Biological Poison Bottle...* Klein nodded and took

out a folded piece of paper.

He unfolded the yellowed piece of paper and placed it on the body of

Steel Maveti, covering his face.

It was a bounty notice with a portrait of Maveti and the corresponding

bounty reward: "6,000 pounds!"

Klein straightened up, took a step back, stepped on the peacock-blue

carpet, and pulled out a paper figurine.

Pa!

With a swing of his arm, his wrist shook, and the paper figurine was

thrown out. It burst into flames before scattering into ashes.

Soon after, he phased into a shadow and disappeared into the alley along

with the items.

Two or three minutes later, Cordoba Roye rushed over with a portion of

the Mandated Punisher team, just in time to see a cool breeze blow up

the bounty notice, revealing Steel Maveti's dissolving flesh and blood

dissolving, his eyes wide open.

Whoosh. The bounty notice fell to the side and remained facing

up.

Having lost track of their target, Cordoba and the others silently

brought Steel's corpse back to the area where the battle had taken

place.

Glancing at the team members who were inspecting the site, the deacon,

Cordoba, restrained his emotions and asked in a deep voice, "A believer

of the Sun?"

This was the most important question for him and his diocese.

The Mandated Punisher team member responsible for finding clues via

supernatural means to recreate the truth wasn't a Beyonder of the Storm

pathway, but a Sequence 7 Knowledge Keeper corresponding to Reader, also

known as Detective. He didn't rush to answer, but instead came over and

squatted down to examine Maveti's corpse.

After a while, he looked up and said, "It's not a believer of the Sun,

probably a result of using the powers of a mystical item."

"Reason?" Cordoba asked with a frown.

The Mandated Punisher said, "There's an evil feeling within that stems

from flesh and blood. One of the corpses was devoured in such a manner,

leaving only a body's traits and items. If it's a Sun believer, they

wouldn't do something like that even if they relied on items. To them,

things in the domain of the True Creator are sacrilegious and require

immediate purification or sealing. They likely wouldn't borrow its

powers."

After thinking for a few seconds, Cordoba agreed with this conclusion

and asked, "Someone from the Aurora Order?"

"No, a real Rose Bishop or Shepherd wouldn't act so crudely. They'll

definitely wrap the corpse within their body and deal with the scene

after departing. There's no reason to dismember the body on the spot.

It's a waste of time that also leaves a bunch of items that can be

considered valuable. To devour him in such a rush, it resembles that of

the negative effects of a mystical item," the Knowledge Keeper said

calmly.

"A mystical item that possesses powers in both the Sun and Secrets

Suppliant domains? Perhaps it's something with powers like that of a

Shepherd? Berg, what's your take?" As a deacon, Cordoba had the

clearance to know of a Shepherd and their special abilities. As for the

Knowledge Keeper knowing, it was a result of his position in the team.

The other Mandated Punishers had no idea what they were talking about.

Knowledge Keeper Berg stood up.

"It's all possible."

"Any suspects?" Cordoba asked in a low voice.

Berg shook his head.

"There are no suspects for the time being.

"But one thing can be confirmed. Blood Brambles was killed by Blazing

Danitz. The other person is his helper, a rather terrifying powerhouse

that's not weaker than a Pirate Admiral."

"A terrifying powerhouse..." Cordoba's expression turned grave as he

muttered under his breath. Following that, his eyes lit up. "Could it be

Edwina? She can simulate some Beyonder powers which she has seen

before!"

Knowledge Keeper Berg pondered for a moment and then said, "We can't

rule out that possibility, but our intelligence shows that she was in

the vicinity of Sonia Island a few days ago. Unless---unless she can

simulate a corresponding ability and use the spirit world to travel

here."

Cordoba paced back and forth, looked around, and said, "Deal with the

scene, and don't bring this to the attention of the nearby residents.

"I'll submit the mission report, and let's hope that we'll receive more

effective information."

This involved a powerhouse whose combat prowess was equivalent to at

least a Sequence 5. He could only restrain his irascible mood and make

the most rational decision.

Inside Old Quinn's house, in the basement with the heavy stone door

sealed shut.

Alger was sitting on the low bed, quietly looking at the candles on the

table when his vision blurred. He saw the gray fog emanate, along with

The Fool sitting on a high chair, overlooking everything.

A blurry silhouette appeared below, hands clasped before his face as he

said in a pious tone, "Honorable Mr. Fool, the matter has come to a

successful conclusion."

*The matter has come to a successful conclusion? This involves Steel

Maveti and several other Beyonders... The World sure is efficient at

handling matters. His strength is stronger than I expected. As expected

of a Blessed of Mr. Fool... Heh heh, he might be able to sell another

Beyonder characteristic at the Tarot Club, maybe even more than one...

How did he get around the effects of Sealed Artifact 2-37? The

uniqueness of a god's Blessed?* A thought flashed through

Alger's mind, and he instinctively thanked Mr. Fool.

Then, he took out a small metal bottle and smeared mint extract on the

tip of his nose.

A strong, irritating odor seeped into his head, instantly making Alger

become abnormally clear-headed.

At some point in time, a white gauze mask appeared in his hands, and he

had poured the Full Moon Essence Oil onto it.

After methodically putting on his mask, Alger stood up and walked slowly

to the heavy stone door.

With a staid series of movements, he retrieved a sealed metal jar from

the inside of his clothes, twisted the mechanical switch, and pulled out

a tube.

Then, he stuffed the tube into the crevice of the stone door and

extended it out.

Without a sound, the gas inside the metal container started to emanate.

This was the Sanguine anesthetic gas provided by The Moon, Emlyn!

It can knock out strong commoners, Sequence 9 Beyonders with strong

bodies, and even higher Sequences who were lacking in their

constitution!

*Even if Old Quinn can resist the gas, he would still be significantly

affected. As for his helpers and friends, heh...* Alger leaned

against the stone door and waited patiently.

When nearly a third of the gas was dispersed from the jar, he pulled the

tube back and closed the switch.

He turned around and listened attentively before receiving a

satisfactory answer.

Alger revealed a faint smile. He rapidly converged his aura and

compressed it inside him.

Suddenly, the muscles on his body bulged, and he threw a punch forward.

Raging Blow!

Bang!

The iron lock of the heavy stone door directly shattered, and the door

itself opened up.

Alger withdrew his fist and walked out, leaving only the sleeping

figures outside.

Author's Note: Creeping Hunger has two modes, Grazing and

Devouring. The former targets the soul and Beyonder characteristic,

while the latter targets the flesh and blood.