Mystery: Death Singer

Before Klein could accept the fact that he would have to miss out on the "Magician's" formula, "Justice" Audrey asked with great curiosity:

"Mr. Death, why is there a time limit for purchasing this formula?"

Klein perked up at the news and quietly pricked up his ears, wanting to find out more information about the "Magician's" formula.

For some reason, he suddenly remembered the cultist clown who had died in front of him, and wondered if it was because the Antigonus family's notes had been sent to Backlund that the cultists hiding in Tingen City had begun a large-scale withdrawal? That would explain why the "Magician's" formula had entered the market.

It should be noted that the Secret Order, like the Antigonus family, also possessed the "diviner's" path!

But things took an unexpected turn for the better. Edric shook his head, explaining with a helpless tone:

"Actually, I feel that the city I am in is no longer safe, and I am planning to leave here and go to Backlund."

"Although it is equally dangerous there, there are more extraordinary people, which means there are more opportunities. If you have to take risks, then you might as well go to a city with high risk and high reward, instead of staying in a city where extraordinary people are scarce and the risks far outweigh the rewards, as you are now."

Danger? Danger that makes Edric want to leave Tingen and head to Backlund?! Klein frowned, wishing he could conjure up a fake account and ask Tingen what kind of danger was lurking there.

Just then, "Justice" Audrey, amidst Klein's surprised gaze, spoke up and asked:

"Mr. Death, are there no official Extraordinary Beings in your city? If you can't handle it yourself, it would be a good idea to leak the information to the official Extraordinary Beings and let them deal with it."

"That's exactly why I've decided to leave." Edric sighed, then smiled bitterly. "In the city I'm currently in, a few days ago a 'Substitute Punisher' suddenly went out of control, and a few days ago I also saw an elderly 'Night Watcher' on the verge of losing control."

"Not only that, the city is also feeling increasingly dangerous to me, as if some extremely terrifying disaster is approaching. At that time, I'm afraid even the official Extraordinary Individuals won't be able to protect themselves, let alone me, a wild Extraordinary Individual?"

Klein's pupils contracted sharply, and for a moment he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

Alger, the "Hanged Man," nodded in agreement with Edric's decision.

"When the sea can no longer hold back and wants to fully unleash its rage, the best way to avoid shipwreck is not to go out to sea."

After severing the connection and watching the members dissipate into crimson light, Klein solemnly materialized a coin and quickly finalized the divination statement:

"The elderly night watchman Edric just mentioned is old Neil."

"..."

After repeating this seven times, Klein's eyes quickly went black. He tossed the coin high into the air, where it tumbled and spun continuously.

*Snap!* The coin fell, landing perfectly in Klein's outstretched palm.

Klein looked at the human head in his palm and his heart sank. This meant it was correct, it meant it was certain, it proved that the Night Watcher that Edric had just mentioned, who was "on the verge of losing control," was indeed Old Neil!

How could this be… Klein gasped, tossing the coin into the air again, silently reciting new divination phrases:

"Old Neil isn't in good shape."

"..."

Snap! The coin landed in his palm, and the portrait came into view again. Klein seemed to lose all his strength in an instant, and leaned back in his chair in a daze.

He remembered the day he first became a "fortune teller" and saw a pair of almost transparent, unusually indifferent, eyelash-less, eerie and illusory eyes behind Old Neil.

He recalled that Old Neil earned a weekly wage of twelve pounds, yet he was financially strapped without hiring any servants.

He recalled that Old Neil often went to the underground market at the Dragon Bar to buy materials needed for ritual magic, and would even run into debt because of it.

Klein received a positive answer through divination, the answer he least wanted to receive.

Just then, Klein suddenly heard Derrick's plea, "The Sun," and he snapped back to reality, seeing the crimson star corresponding to "The Sun" expanding and contracting.

Klein didn't try to make contact; instead, he quickly enveloped himself with his spirituality and plummeted downwards.

"Old Neil is just on the verge of losing control. Maybe the captain will have a way, maybe the Sanctuary will have a way. There's still time, there's definitely still time..."

Back in the real world, Klein dispelled the spiritual barrier, then rushed out of the room and took a nearby horse-drawn carriage straight to Blackthorn Security Company.

…………

Apartment rental in the West District.

Edric opened his eyes and began to pack his luggage methodically.

Just like the reasons given at the Tarot meeting, Edric did indeed intend to stay away from Tingen for the time being and return after the "story" was over, in order to avoid getting himself caught up in the vortex.

Given that Zilingus has already infiltrated Backlund, it is likely that Mr. Azik will also leave Tingen for Backlund soon, which means that he will temporarily lose his most powerful ally and his safety will be compromised.

If that's the case, then why not take the initiative to go to Backlund? As the saying goes, a wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall; self-preservation is the best policy.

When Klein arrived at Blackthorn Security, Edric, carrying a suitcase, rang the doorbell of Boss Azik's house.

Ding-dong, ding-dong.

Amidst the crisp sound of bells, Azik, dressed in a white shirt and black vest, opened the door.

He glanced at the suitcase behind Edric and frowned slightly, saying:

"Are you planning to leave Tingen?"

Edric looked around to make sure no one could hear him, and then calmly said:

"The circle of extraordinary beings in Tingen City is too small. I'm almost finished digesting the 'Gravedigger' I've been consuming, so I want to go to Backlund to seek advancement."

Azik seemed to snap out of his daze, then nodded as if remembering something, and said softly as he stepped aside:

"Perfect timing, I have a gift for you."

Edric placed the suitcase in the hallway behind the door, then cast a curious glance at Azik, who remained silent and led him through the foyer to the living room.

The living room was furnished with a fireplace, rocking chair, sofa, and coffee table. Edric sat down on the sofa with practiced ease, his eyes full of anticipation.

Azik went into the bedroom, took out a palm-sized black iron box, and then went to Edric, who had been eagerly waiting, handing it to him while smiling:

"Open it and take a look. I hope you'll be satisfied."