Inside the underground shooting range of the Crag Club. After practicing shooting, Klein carefully maintained the revolver that had been included with his membership and adjusted the ratio of purified, monster-hunting, and protective bullets to 3:1:1. Taking a deep breath, he tucked the revolver away, straightened his jacket, and strolled slowly back toward the main hall on the first floor. He had already heard from the waiter that today's limited offering was seared sparerib fillet. As soon as he entered the buffet, Klein spotted a familiar face—Talim Dumont, the equestrian coach with a tousled brown haircut, from a once-wealthy but now modest noble family, who was eating his lunch without much focus or appetite. Klein approached, carried his tray, and sat down, greeting him. Talim turned to look at him, his lips moving several times before he fell silent for three or four seconds. Finally, he stammered, "Sherlock, do you know people who have unusual abilities—remarkable ones, rare indeed?" "Recognition," Klein微微动了动眉毛，没有直接作答："What would you like to do?" Talim opened his mouth, but said nothing. He pondered seriously for a moment, then managed a smile: "Nothing really. I was just curious to ask." Last time he had asked about what to do when you fall in love with someone you shouldn't—this time he was asking whether he knew someone with unusual abilities... Was he trying to eliminate me completely, to cut off all of my friend's hopes? What person would be worth such a risk? After all, in his eyes, a killer was equivalent to a murderer! Klein murmured a few silent thoughts, then cut a piece of fish with few spines and chewed it slowly. Talim took a deep breath, quickly finished the food on his plate, and wiped his mouth with a napkin. He seemed to have regained his composure, smiling gently: "Mike wants to hire you for a few days as his bodyguard." Mike Joseph? The journalist from *The Daily Observer*? I remember his performance at the "Golden Rose" was quite outstanding... Klein chuckled, "What does Mike have in mind now?" Taliem spread his hands, "I'm not sure. He just mentioned it casually, as if it's tied to an interview assignment. He said he'll be visiting you tomorrow, and hopes you'll have time to take on the commission." "I'm not certain," Klein replied, not offering a definite answer. At that moment, a layered, ethereal plea echoed in his ears, coming from a lady. "The Magician?" Is she ready to sacrifice money for the recipe? Klein hurried, finishing off the remaining food, then drained his tea in one go, and asked the attendant at the reception desk to reserve a private room for him. After sealing the room with the "Wall of Spirit," he stepped into the mist and found his judgment accurate—the Miss Magician had indeed initiated an application for a sacrificial ceremony. Volsky has been delayed because she only has 370 gold pounds and must go to the bank to withdraw part of her savings. After a series of procedures, she watches as the 450 pounds of cash vanishes through the "Gate of Illusion," while a new recipe appears in her mind: "Sequence 8, Master of Tricks." "Main ingredients: the stomach of a Spirit-Eater, 20 milliliters of deep-sea gunfish blood." "Auxiliary ingredients: 5 milliliters of essential oil made from beechwood, 10 grams of powdered threadgrass, one blooming red chestnut, and 80 milliliters of pure water." Finally! After so many years! Volsky is overjoyed, pacing back and forth with a sense of accomplishment. Immediately, however, she pulls out a notebook to write down the recipe, just in case she forgets and needs to trouble the "Majority" gentleman. If she doesn't encounter someone unfamiliar with the market, the main ingredients will cost at least 300 pounds each—and I only have 430 pounds left... I must work harder to earn more. I'm going to write a new book! Forsyth felt an immediate surge of energy, no longer the late-stage procrastinator he had been. ………… At 7:55 p.m. on a Wednesday, carrying all his savings, Klein entered the house where the elderly gentleman known as "The Eye of Wisdom" was hosting his gathering, feeling a complex mix of emotions. Dressed in a black robe, his face concealed beneath the shadow of the hood, and wearing an iron mask, he moved into the living room, his thoughts swirling as he took in the room with the flickering candlelight. Oh, the pharmacist hadn't arrived—something must have gone wrong? Klein furrowed his brows, settling into the same seat as before. A few minutes later, "The Eye of Wisdom" gently tapped his hands and said: "Let's begin." "Before he had finished speaking, someone eagerly interjected—precisely the lady who was fully draped, seemingly supported by a craftsman behind her. She spoke in a hushed tone: 'Has the friend who sold the 'Bribe-Seeker' formula been here before?' 'I'm here,' said Caine simply. The lady visibly relaxed, pushing her iron mask slightly with her hand. 'This time, you'll find the extraordinary weapon you need—though, of course, you may also choose cash instead.' 'What kind of extraordinary weapon?' Caine asked, holding back his restlessness. The lady organized her words: 'It's a whip woven from the feathers of the Sacred Sunbird.' 'Normally, you can conceal it as a belt.' 'When used, it will emit a pure, sacred light—any undead creature struck by it will suffer severe damage; weaker ones may even be completely extinguished.' "It can also be used to soak liquids and create a 'Solar Holy Water,' though this reduces its spiritual potency—by one month per use." "Currently, it remains effective for thirteen months." "If you'd like, I can trade it for the 'Bribe-Seeker' formula, no additional cost on your part." A Sacred Solar Bird? Not a Solar Deity Bird! If it were the latter's feathers, I'd take them right away! Of course, only the tail feathers count—those can be used to prepare the Sequence 4 'Those Without Shadow' potion... Klein is fairly satisfied with the weapon itself, but the issue is that its functions overlap significantly with purification and exorcism bullets, and it's only effective for thirteen months. Each time a 'Solar Holy Water' is prepared, one month of its potency is further reduced—then he'll have to replenish similar items again. Thinking of this, he turned to the chair at the head of the table: "Mr. Eye of Wisdom, could you please elaborate on the brooch you mentioned last time?" "Alright, write it down on a note and specify the price that will satisfy you." He didn't want the other guests, after hearing the description, to also become interested in the brooch and drive up the price, so he had decided on the spot to have the buyer write it out. "Certainly," smiled "The Eye of Wisdom," and the waiter brought over paper and pen. While The Eye of Wisdom was writing, the guests continued their conversations and transactions—some even expressed interest in the whip, receiving the answer, "We'll get back to you on that." After a while, The Eye of Wisdom finished writing the description and handed it to Caine through the waiter. Caine unfolded the note and noticed that all the words were printed in standard type, appearing unremarkable at first. Quite careful indeed... He read it more closely: "The 'Sun Brooch' may also be referred to as 'Summer.' It is comparable to a weaker type among the Level 2 sealings." "With it as a center, a pure and warm force will fill the ten-meter radius. Ordinary people will not notice it, but undead creatures will continuously suffer damage, evaporating rapidly—like a pool of water beneath a blazing fire ball—even spirits and shadows will be affected, though they will endure a bit longer. 'In this environment, the strength of powerful undead creatures will be noticeably weakened.' 'The wearer will be difficult to possess or contaminate by evil spirits and can effectively use spells such as 'Summoning Holy Light,' 'Creating Holy Water,' 'Light of the Divine Flame,' 'Purifying Slash,' 'Immunity to Fear,' 'Sacred Oath,' and 'Sun Halo.' 'The drawback is that as long as you wear it, you will never feel cool—you will always remain in a relentless heat. Young man, don't underestimate this condition; your growing restlessness and agitation will gradually lead you toward a state of complete loss of control.' 'I will only sell it if someone offers 2,000 pounds.'" "Don't try to haggle—you should know quite well that I'm not exactly short on funds, and I'm a collector." Stronger than I expected—last time, the old man from "The Eye of Wisdom" was rather vague...克莱恩的心怦然一动，沉思了几秒后，转向那位身后有“工匠”的女士："900 pounds in cash." The standard price for the Sequence 7 potion formula is around 800 pounds. "Deal!" the woman replied without hesitation! ...I should have opened with 1,000 pounds.克莱恩勉强挤出一丝笑容。 He's a man of his word—he didn't back out—and in exchange for the prepared formula, he secured 900 pounds in cash, instantly increasing his total to 2,574 pounds, a sum sufficient to ensure a comfortable life for a single man. After the old man from "The Eye of Wisdom" had examined the formula, the woman then satisfiedly reviewed it once more: "Sequence 7, the Briber." "Main ingredients: one 'Crying Infant' bloom and a strange-faced hash crystal. Auxiliary ingredients: five drops of golden mandrake juice, five drops of black mandrake juice, four drops of psychedelic grass essential oil, and 80 milliliters of red wine." At this moment, the attention of the distinguished guests in the sitting room was firmly fixed upon him. A transaction of 2,000 pounds was a rare occurrence at this rather ordinary gathering—perhaps not once in a couple of years. From those glances, Cain clearly sensed a certain greed and desire. After a brief silence, the transaction proceeded, continuing until the "Eye of Wisdom" returned, when he gently placed in his open palm a dark golden brooch shaped like a sunbird. It was evident that a few beads of sweat had formed on the "Eye of Wisdom's" forehead.