At the door of the house on 33 Iron Gate Street, Shawke, who had just mailed a letter, was about to unlock the door when his spiritual intuition flared. He immediately sensed something amiss inside the building.
Having extensive experience in "escaping," Shawke didn't hesitate. He activated his ability to enter a "stealth" state. However, a serene and tranquil sensation suddenly overwhelmed him, and his eyelids grew unbearably heavy. After struggling for a mere few seconds, he collapsed to the ground, falling into a deep sleep.
---
Inside the house, Klein, holding the Nightmare Emblem, breathed a sigh of relief. Not daring to delay, he initiated a pre-prepared ritual to summon his spirit body.
After reinforcing the spirit body with the Azik's Copper Whistle, Klein phased through the wall and attached himself to the body of the "lady."
Outside the door, "Shawke" shakily stood up, retrieved the keys, and unlocked the door. He walked straight into the house and entered a room filled with the ethereal scent of Amanda Pure Dew and Spirit Eye Potion.
Sitting motionlessly on a chair, "Shawke" appeared lifeless as Klein's translucent spirit body separated from him and floated in the air.
The spirit summoning ended as the spirit body dissipated, and Klein emerged from the adjacent room moments later.
Looking at the "lady" still trapped in a dream, Klein swiftly set up a Spirit Communication ritual and used the Nightmare Emblem to enter her dream.
---
In an empty, desolate cemetery, Klein spotted a young man standing before a gravestone. His eyes brimming with sorrow, the man stared at the inscription with tears silently rolling down his face.
This young man was undoubtedly "Kay Shaw," who was disguised as a woman.
Klein glanced at the gravestone and managed to make out the name of a police inspector with the surname Vayne.
He approached the young man and asked directly, "What's your name, and why are you disguising yourself as a woman?"
"My name is Shawke... I plan to change it to Kay Shaw when I become a 'Witch'… Dressing as a woman makes it easier to approach the wives of Storm believers. It's also for their reputations—if people find out they've been meeting with a man, their lives will become even harder," Shawke answered dully.
Hearing this, Klein's stern expression softened. While Shawke's "Instigation" to escalate conflicts was problematic, it was evident that he wasn't a bad person. In fact, compared to most wild Beyonders Klein had encountered, Shawke's intentions were relatively noble. He genuinely considered the wellbeing of ordinary people.
However, Klein quickly picked up on something in Shawke's response—he wasn't just aware of the "acting method" but also knew that a "Instigator" would eventually progress into a "Witch." He had even prepared a new name for his future self after the transformation.
"You're aware that becoming a 'Witch' will turn you into a woman?" Klein asked cautiously. There was a chance Shawke might only be using a feminine name to facilitate his act.
"Yes… Lady Lina explained the peculiarities of this Beyonder pathway in detail before giving me the Assassin potion formula. Later, Detective Bryan also subtly reminded me… But I need power…" Shawke's emotions grew agitated as he spoke.
Klein quickly used a Sleep Charm to calm him down. Meanwhile, he mused, Lina? The "Witch" Lina? The one who saved Cohen Lee in Tingen? So Shawke was introduced to the Beyonder world by her. No wonder he knows the acting method and subsequent potion names despite being a wild Beyonder.
But Detective Bryan... Is that "Tower"? So Shawke knows him as well? What a fascinating connection… Could Lina also be one of "Tower"'s many female acquaintances? No wonder he's so familiar with witches…
Klein considered delving into Shawke's relationship with Lina and Bryan, but time was running out. It was already past 1:30, and Mrs. Cosen and the others would arrive soon. Klein still hadn't uncovered the main details he sought.
Things aren't going as planned. I originally intended to learn Shawke's background and motives, then decide whether to let him go or eliminate him—all before 2 PM.
But now…
An idea struck Klein as he asked, "If something urgent came up, how would you inform your 'students' to cancel the meeting?"
"All I need to do is lower the curtains on the second-floor window facing the street. It's our prearranged signal," Shawke replied honestly.
Klein performed a divination to confirm Shawke wasn't lying. He then left the dream and quickly drew the curtains.
Now free of external concerns, Klein returned to the dream and resumed questioning. "Why are you instigating the wives of Storm believers to seek divorce?"
"There are many reasons… First, for the acting method. After advancing to Sequence 8, I was lost for a time, unable to find a way to act without harming others. Then a kind gentleman guided me, helping me realize that the teachings of the Storm Church are very unfair to women. Encouraging them to resist is a righteous cause…
"Second, my friend Bruce was captured during a Storm Church raid. He's done nothing wrong but has been ruthlessly imprisoned for becoming a Beyonder. His fate remains unknown…
"I failed him, and I failed Inspector Vayne! Bruce was Inspector Vayne's most beloved son… I couldn't save his fiancée from being devoured by a monster, so I tried to make amends by giving him the Corpse Collector formula I found… But in hindsight, that only brought him harm.
"That's why I decided to instigate the wives of Storm believers to seek divorce—as an act of revenge…
"Lastly, I haven't given up on rescuing Bruce. If my actions force the Justiciars to divert their attention, I might create an opportunity to free him… Though the chances are slim."
---
Klein sighed inwardly, He's definitely the "Wild Dog" from the Beyonder gathering…
After further questioning and divination, Klein confirmed Shawke's backstory and his connection to Lina and Detective Bryan.
Before leaving, Klein had Shawke recite the name of "The Fool," binding him as a future asset and establishing indirect surveillance over any schemes targeting him.
Exiting 33 Iron Gate Street, Klein erased his traces and left quietly.
Shortly after, Shawke regained consciousness. Dazed at first, his expression turned pale as realization dawned. However, his eyes soon glazed over as if responding to a subconscious trigger.
"My students need me. I can't give up…" he muttered, determination flickering in his gaze.
---
That evening, in the ancient palace above the gray fog, Klein observed the clockwise rotation of his yellow crystal pendant and sighed.
"As expected, the Secret Order is behind this… Once again, I've been drawn into their schemes.
"This must be what Roselle described as the 'convergence effect of the same pathway.'
"This isn't something I can solve on my own… I'll discreetly inform The Hanged Man during the next Tarot meeting. He can find a way to alert Stuart. As a Mysticism Magister, he should be capable of handling this."
After reviewing some case files sent by Detective Isengard, Klein returned to the real world, too drained to remain in the gray fog.
As he prepared for bed, a lingering doubt crossed his mind.
"Am I forgetting something?"
---
Meanwhile, in Damir Port, after observing Gaston crafting a Beyonder artifact, Ebner checked his watch and wondered aloud, "Is Klein really this busy? Or… did he just forget about the online class?"
(End of Chapter)