A brave man may not live, but he cannot die

Chapter 27 Mutation
Night fell on the streets of Eastville.

In a dead end alley filled with debris, ripples suddenly appeared on the wall.

The next second, Quinn rushed out from the wall and stumbled for a while before he could stand firm.

"Suck it, is this what the Flash's Speed ​​Force resonance feels like?"

He turned and knocked on the brick wall behind him.

The wall has returned to its usual hard appearance. No one would have thought that this was one of the exits connecting Grindelwald College to the city.

It took a lot of effort to get there, but it was very easy to get back. I just ran into a wall and left the college.

He walked out of the alley and saw the brightly lit city center before him.

This is the most prosperous Cloud Avenue in Eastville, bustling with people coming and going.

There are only two urban areas in Ashwell, Eastwell located at the top of the mountain and Westwell located at the foot of the mountain. They belong to the same city, but they seem like two different worlds.

At the end of Cloud Street, a towering white-gray tower stands on the top of the city. It is Ashwell's airship transmission tower - "The Eye of Grindelwald".

A massive launcher, resembling a spherical ball, inscribed with an arcane matrix, floated atop the tower. It rotated continuously, following the airship's trajectory. Occasionally, a fully loaded airship would rise, accelerated by the tower and transformed into a meteor streaking across the sky.

The light of arcane energy shone, like fireworks blooming beneath the starry sky. The launched airship would instantly cross thousands of miles, its ever-decreasing kinetic energy propelling it forward, reaching the vast Western Continent within seventy-two hours.

Using teleportation towers to launch airships, a powerful mode of transportation, has shortened intercity travel time to less than half a day. Trade and cultural exchanges have become increasingly convenient, and human civilization in Taimulan has also developed rapidly in the past twenty years. On Cloud Street, you can see buildings and sculptures from the Northern Continent, buy art and luxury goods from various countries in the Southern Continent, and bookstores are filled with the latest newspapers and periodicals from the Eastern Kingdom and war reports from the Western Continent.
There are only three teleportation towers like this in the world.

The Eye of Grindelwald, as the first teleportation tower built, not only brought trade and convenience, but also made Ashwell the pearl of the southern continent today.

At the entrance of the alley, there was a carriage parked.

Jacob told Quinn that he could just tell the coachman where he wanted to go and the college would pay for the carriage fare.

Privacy is a very important thing in the arcane world. It's no exaggeration to describe every arcanist as a walking gold pound, so they often won't reveal their address even to close friends.

Each interviewee leaves through a different exit, so there is no need to worry about being followed.

Just as Quinn was about to get in the car, he saw a familiar figure sitting in the coffee shop across the street.

So Quinn asked the coachman to leave first, then went into the store, ordered a hot latte, and sat opposite Ankua, who was holding a newspaper to cover his face.

Quinn said with a sad face:

"Aqua, the interview is probably over. But I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"

Aqua is the Chinese name that Quinn gave to Ankua.

If you read his name a little faster, it sounds like "Akwa".

The relationship between the two is now more familiar than when they were testing each other.

After all, they are colleagues who work together. Apart from being a little arrogant, Ankuya is actually very reliable.

"Let me tell you the good news first." Ankua didn't seem surprised that the interview failed.

"The good news is that even though I failed the interview, I still have a chance to work."

"Where's the bad news?"

"The bad news is: the monthly salary of the apartment security guard is only 1500 pence, which is not enough to pay my gas bill." Quinn said with a sad face.

Ankuya frowned and didn't bother to say anything.

"That woman probably knows I'm helping you cheat."

"Huh?!" Quinn's hand shook as he held the coffee. "Wouldn't your job be over then? Damn it, if they find out we're two companies' lackeys, we'll have to run away overnight—"

"That's not the case."

Ankuya put the newspaper down.

The newspaper was the Clock Tower, published by the Arcane Society. Every black-and-white photograph in it moved, just like Grindelwald's paintings. However, these photos were not as dynamic as the paintings; they looked like lifeless, low-resolution animated images.

"That woman has a strange personality. Even if she knew I was helping you cheat, she wouldn't care too much. After all, she still owes me a favor. But the strange thing is why she can perceive the changes in the world in the painting."

"A world in a painting?"

Quinn was also curious about how Ankua got into oil painting.

Ankua said something very hurtful in a calm tone: "Even if I explain it to you, a Muggle, you won't understand."

"But you can think of the painting as part of Grindelwald's security system. The teacher shouldn't have had the authority to interfere, but she blocked me."

He seemed to have thought of something and made an unhappy sound.

"Anyway, if you failed the interview, then so be it. After all, it's not your fault. I have a backup plan. I'll find an opportunity for you to join the school affairs department. Although it will be difficult to contact Lin and Celia, you should get the hero's ashes first, and we can think of other things later."

Ankuya gave him a rare word of encouragement: "Don't be discouraged, you're doing well."

Quinn was flattered. How could you praise someone?
"Amamiya Ningning asked you to do divination, and then what happened?"

"The crystal ball she pulled out was actually a fish tank. I was using it for divination. When I pointed it out, she seemed angry and, for no apparent reason, she announced the end of the interview and told me to get out."

"That's quite consistent with that crazy woman's style. I'm glad you're okay. I still have work to do. You can go back alone. I'll come find you tomorrow morning."

After saying that, he put away the newspaper, lowered the brim of his hat and walked away.

Quinn didn't leave in a hurry, but recalled the details of the interview while drinking coffee.

Most of it went well, but there were two things that weren't quite right.

One was the owl that suddenly flew away when we were on the Star Ladder.

Another one is the divination that Amamiya Nene gave him.

Although Quinn didn't believe that she could predict anything, he had an indescribable feeling of unease lingering in his heart ever since then.

Quinn decided to mention these two things to Ankuya tomorrow and hear his opinion.

If possible, it would be best to ask the devil what kind of insurance he has left on him and what kind of detection he can avoid, so that he will not be afraid when encountering similar things in the future.

After sitting in the cafe for ten minutes, Quinn left in the opposite direction of Ankua.

If they work together at Grindelwald, they must pretend to be strangers in the outside world to avoid suspicion.

After all, the incident of the Holy See of Light arresting people happened not long ago. Even if Ankuya cleared the records on the Archon's side, it was difficult to guarantee that no one would find any clues.

It's better to be careful.

He walked along the wide sidewalk, the magnificent Gothic buildings on the roadside were hidden in the lights, and there were pedestrians, couples, carriages, and accordion-playing minstrels.
As his mind gradually cleared, he began to feel a sense of dislocation. This city bore a striking resemblance to the ancient concessions of Shanghai, its classical elegance and prosperity masking a decadent extravagance. Airships streaked overhead, elegant piano music emanated from shop windows, and law enforcement officers puffed out their chests. Everything about it made him feel as if he were living in a glorious, progressive era.

But this feeling of pride was foreign to most of the citizens of Eswell. The smog obscured their view of the mountaintop, as if the mountain itself were a siege. There were no beggars on the streets of Eastwell, nor were there any orcs other than the Flintlings. This feeling was familiar to Quinn. His company's CBD was like this, with the same extravagance and prosperity.

It's a ridiculous feeling. I have clearly traveled to another world, but it seems as if I have never left the earth. Some things are still the same, without even the slightest changes.

Quinn didn't have any thoughts about this. He didn't want to be angry or laugh. He grew up in this sense of dislocation, and the emotions he wanted to express had long been replaced by something colder and harder.

He must first survive, become a transcendent, and have the right to choose.

Return to Earth with the gold, or climb to the top of this world.

Only when people are in a high position and have enough power to support their voice can they talk about what they want to change.

"Hey, sir, I see you've been looking at me—"

Quinn was interrupted from his thoughts.

"No, I was just distracted."

His eyes narrowed slightly. The guy who stopped him was from the Western Continent—that was obvious at a glance.

With red hair, light brown skin, and a big nose, his attire was out of place in Eastville. He wore greasy overalls, a faded black and white striped shirt, and an indescribable fake leather windbreaker. He looked exactly like the workers you could see everywhere down the mountain.

If you want to go up to the top of the mountain from the city of Westville, you have to choose one of the three: cable car, train or toll station. Each one requires a considerable toll, so it is rare to see Westville people in Eastville. This guy is particularly conspicuous in the crowd, like a rat on the dining table.

"Sir, judging by your attire, you must be quite the gentleman!" He clung to Quinn like a piece of sticky candy. "You're so young, so you must have someone you love, right?"

".You misunderstood, I wasn't looking at you just now."

Quinn cautiously kept half a body distance away from him.

"Oh! That's okay, meeting is fate—" He approached me persistently, lowering his voice and saying mysteriously, "Actually, I just happen to have a batch of cheap jewelry. Since we're so destined, I might as well let you take a look. If you like it, the price is negotiable."

Quinn was stunned, then burst out laughing.

The other world in the groove is exactly the same as the Earth. They sell mobile phones at the train station, right?
He looked around and sure enough.

There were not many people on the street, and he looked the youngest among them. Coupled with the outfit that Ankua had matched for him, Quinn looked like a rich scholar who was easy to be deceived.

"The price is absolutely right, and the style is absolutely right! Whether you use it to please your lover or to seduce a young lady, you can easily succeed!——"

"Stop, stop." Quinn interrupted his sales pitch. "What's your name, bro?"

"Me?" The Western Continental man's eyes turned, "You can call me Jack."

Quinn smiled.

If you shout "Jack" on the streets of Sewell, at least three people with the same name will turn around.

Are you too lazy to make up a name?

"Okay, Jack, what you need to do next is to get out of the way. If you waste my time again, the law enforcement officer over there will come over and take you and your jewelry back to the police station." He said with a smile.

"No, sir! Please believe me—"

Jack rubbed his hands obsequiously and said in a low voice, "Only 10 pounds, all for 10 pounds! Take your pick, whether it's a ring or a necklace, it only costs 10 pounds."

"How many?!"

Quinn laughed in anger, "10 gold pounds?!"

It's like an old man at the train station comes to you to sell you a cell phone. Not only does he sell you a fake, but he also charges more for it than the real thing.

This is not to deceive you, this is to treat you as an idiot.

One gold pound contains 2.5 grams of gold. Ordinary gold rings and gold jewelry, including processing fees, will not be much more expensive than gold pounds of the same weight. You can buy gold jewelry blessed by the cult for 10 gold pounds.

"Yes, ten gold pounds." Jack's expression was serious. "It's an absolute bargain. No cheating for anyone."

"Come, show me what jewels you sell for ten pounds."

Quinn didn't leave yet and was ready to open his eyes.

"Here, just across the street—"

Jack pointed to a building with a strong Romanesque extravagance.

This is a jewelry store, the whole building is full of it.

The three-story building stands at the intersection of Yunduan Avenue, occupying the most prime location on the entire street. Outside the bronze gate are stone sculptures of griffins, one on the left and one on the right, guarding the door, and even the sign is made of platinum.

The first and second floors have display windows facing the street, filled with all kinds of jewelry made of diamonds or agates. Even the display lights are fluorescent pyroxene powered by arcane power, and the dazzling light is simply impossible to look away.

This store stands out even among the luxury goods-filled streets. Any piece of jewelry starts at a double-digit gold pound, and there are many rare and precious styles that cost three digits. It is a den of gold that even ordinary wealthy people would be afraid to buy.

".What do you mean?"

Quinn wondered if this guy was a drug dealer?
"No no no."

Jack shook his head and gave a mysterious smile: "What I mean is - you go in and choose, tell me which one you like, and I will help you make it."

".ha?"

"Even if it's not in the window, it's fine. If you like what the customer is wearing, I can help you get it."

Quinn was shocked. How should this be done?
"All for ten pounds?"

"Only ten pounds," Jack said confidently.

For some unknown reason, Quinn suddenly had the urge to make a deal with him.

It’s not a loss anyway.

So, Quinn casually pointed to the most conspicuous counter at the entrance of the store.

On display at the counter was a diamond pendant, set with a 10-carat sapphire in addition to the diamonds. The workmanship was exquisite. The pendant cost 199 gold pounds, equivalent to about pence, equivalent to a farmer's years of hard work.

"I want that one, how long will it take for delivery?"

"Okay~ Happy cooperation!"

Jack smiled evilly: "Wait here, I'll give you the goods in five minutes~"

After saying that, he crossed the road and walked towards the building at a leisurely pace.

The evening breeze blew through the peaceful and harmonious streets. It was still late spring and there was still a hint of coolness in the night.

Quinn was startled by the sudden gust of wind, and his eyes regained clarity. Then he frowned.
Strange, why would I agree to trade with him?

Quinn was not a person who was greedy for small profits, and he would subconsciously be wary of things of unknown origin, not to mention that he did not even have 10 gold pounds on him.

Being so poor that you can't help but show your teeth is a sign of poverty.

He hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to wait there to see what the guy was going to do.

About thirty seconds after Jack walked into the building.

A crazy idea suddenly popped up in Quinn's mind, but he immediately laughed and quickly denied his idea.

"How could there be such a madman?"

However, the next moment, the earth suddenly moved!
There was a loud bang.

Quinn looked up in shock and saw dazzling flames bursting out from the jewelry store. The explosion made his eardrums hurt. The windows exploded one after another, turning into crystal clear glass fragments all over the sky.

Everyone on the street was stunned by the sudden explosion. No one knew what had happened. All they could hear were sharp cries for help coming from the jewelry store filled with thick smoke.

"Help--"

"Killing people!!"

Finally, a hysterical voice tore through the quiet night.

"Fuck—you—East City—people's—mothers!!!"

"robbery--"

Quinn opened his mouth slightly, and he felt like a thousand "fuck"s exploding in his head. A few days ago, he thought the security in the other world was good, but now it seems that the United States has to call itself Little Ashwell.

You place an order right away and receive the goods right away, right? Are you people from the Western Continent so unconventional?
Quinn immediately prepared to run away, but the law enforcement officers on the corner had already grabbed their flintlock rifles and were rushing over here. He didn't want to go to jail again.

But at this moment, he saw a familiar figure running across the second floor of the jewelry store.

Is that Xia Daier?
(End of this chapter)