Mystery: From the Shadow World

Chapter 37 Subsequent Progress
"Go on, what are you going to discuss?"

Klein asked quickly.

Philip looked at the office door and always felt like an ignorant kid on a summer night, staying up late in his room playing with his phone, worried that his parents would break in and find him.

He pulled Klein along and then sat down on two adjacent office chairs in the room.

"Klein, using the acting method, how long will it take you to completely digest the potion?"

Hearing Philip's question, Klein froze. He stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "The progress is indeed fast, but I'm afraid it won't be until next month at the earliest. And that's based on extremely good luck."

After saying this, his expression suddenly became somewhat intriguing, and he asked uncertainly:

"Philip, what do you want to change?"

"What are you thinking about?" Philip rolled his eyes, sat cross-legged, clenched his fist with one hand, supported his chin and said helplessly:
"Even if we change it, it's useless. We can only replace the main ingredients. Without the formula, we don't know what the auxiliary materials are needed. Unless you are willing to take some risks."

"Besides, do you have money to buy it from me?"

"No, no." The short question left Klein speechless, as he was about to say something. But after digesting Philip's words, he blurted out, "What do you mean by taking a risk?"

"Simple. Do you still remember the blue blood ball that the clown exploded?"

"Yeah." Klein nodded.

Philip turned his head and looked at him, his sapphire eyes showing a hint of smile, "Just swallow that thing, and you will be able to advance."

"The reason auxiliary materials can only be auxiliary is because their function is only to reduce the risk of taking potions. If you directly take Beyonder properties, it will only be slightly more dangerous than the potion. It all depends on whether you are willing to try it."

Klein frowned and asked seriously, "Um, how big is the risk?"

Seeing that Klein really had this inclination, Philip raised his brows slightly. "If you believe you're the protagonist in those stories, then you can take it without worry. If not, it's only 20% to 30% more difficult than taking a potion."

After saying that, he continued, "But, haven't you forgotten the key point? The Secret Order can't just send that tuxedo clown to find the notes. We can use this as a starting point."

"You mean..." Klein's eyelids twitched, and he had guessed the other person's thoughts from his words and actions.

"Wait until you learn the spiritual ritual."

Philip waved his hand, turned to the typewriter, and expertly began the work that had delayed him for nearly the entire morning, ending the subject.

At noon, Philip, who had been called out of the office by Rosanne, came to the reception hall and sat on the sofa with Klein and another middle-aged man named Brett to enjoy today's lunch.

Of course, there is no chef, no kitchen, only a stove for boiling water.

Fortunately, the nearby Old Ville restaurant has reached a long-term cooperation with this place. Every day at 10:30, a waiter will come to ask how many lunches need to be prepared today, and then they will be delivered at 12:30.

They called it "office food." Although the portions were a bit tight, it contained meat, vegetables, and bread, and tasted good, not monotonous. Moreover, the price was only 7p to 10p, which was well within their affordability on their 3-pound weekly salary.

Philip never ordered anything too expensive each time. Instead, he and Klein chose the 7 pence price. After all, this was enough to fill them up.

He spread butter on the half-pound of oatmeal bread in his hand, then opened his mouth and gently bit it with his teeth, but his eyes were still almost lifeless, as if he was using this short time to think about something.

Klein noticed Philip's expression and couldn't help but wonder, "What's wrong with Philip? Is he thinking about the afternoon case or the Antigonus notes?"

He silently took a small bite of bread and chewed it slowly, but he was thinking about the notes in his heart.

There is no doubt that this notebook is amazing. The coincidences surrounding it are enough to generate a third-rate script that is almost produced on an assembly line on Earth.

Whether it was a member of the secret society reselling it to an ordinary person like Welch, or Philip taking on a commission, when he was stuck in obtaining the notes, it happened that he used divination to bring Leonard to the rescue.
He didn't believe that it was all luck.

Who sold the notes to Welch?
Why did the predecessor "Klein Moretti" unconsciously give the notes to Riel Bieber, and what is the other party's identity?
What secrets does the Hotchkins Mountains have?
Klein, who had originally relaxed after finding the notes, reviewed these events again. The questions he had drawn made him frown involuntarily, feeling that things were not truly over yet.

After lunch, Leonard temporarily replaced Dunn's duty as guard at "Chanis Gate," while Dunn took Klein to the Dragon Bar in the dock area to search for more clues.

The morning's rainstorm had stopped, and the bright sunshine shone on the still wet land. The two men got off the rented carriage, looked towards the Dragon Bar, and simultaneously reached out to lower the brims of their hats.

"Remember to stay calm later." Dunn turned his head and reminded Klein.

Klein nodded and followed the other party forward, but he was wondering what he would encounter next.

However, after pushing the door open, he truly understood what the captain meant. The deafening roar of shouting, the air almost as hot as a sauna, and the thick smell of alcohol locked in the bar.
Klein was nearly forced out of the house by this invisible force. Fortunately, Dunn walked in front of him, slightly blocking the view, allowing him to take a deep breath.

"Follow me."

Dunn didn't react and said calmly.

He led Klein around the heated boxing ring and into the billiard room. Under the complicated gazes of the two people inside, he walked directly through the secret door and continued forward.

On the way, Dunn also took the initiative to explain:
"This is Tingen City's underground trading market for Extraordinary items. Many occult enthusiasts come here through certain channels, and there are many Extraordinary people involved. If it weren't for the special circumstances, Old Neil would have brought you here later."

"I'll explain this to Old Neil when we get back. It's time for you to get some information about Beyonders and secret organizations. Don't always be told to read historical documents by Old Neil."

Klein nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Captain, if the members of the Secret Order knew we had the notes, would they try to send someone to retrieve them?"

He wanted to ask whether the plan proposed by Philip was feasible. If not, then there would be no hope for his progress after the "Fortune Teller" path.

Dream divination probably won't work either, as the information I get isn't enough, but it's still worth a try.

(End of this chapter)