Chapter 41: "The Deal"
Alice's eyes widened in astonishment.
She understood the concept of a sealed artifact. Even if the entity before her was likely not a true god but an angel, if it couldn't handle the sealed artifact, there was no way she could.
This was far from a simple transaction—was it a gesture of goodwill? Or a trap? And why her?
It was only now that Alice realized she had placed herself in a very passive position—she had stepped into an area familiar to a stranger, an extraordinary being.
This served as a wake-up call for Alice. Ultimately, she lacked experience and vigilance in this area. Fortunately, she discovered this before it led to a major mistake, and there was still time to correct it... hopefully.
These thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. Charlie King only saw Alice briefly speechless, filled with confusion and shock, before she asked, "A sealed artifact? I don't have that kind of ability! At least an angel would need my help?"
"No, you do," Charlie King replied with a smile. "You must."
Alice felt a sudden chill at his smile. "Do I still have the right to refuse this deal?"
Charlie King smiled without answering. Alice tried to maintain her composure as she stared at him, but after a while, she was the first to give in. "A Sequence 6 potion formula is not worth what you're asking me to do."
"That's just the down payment," Charlie King's smile became more genuine. "Seeing the sealed artifact itself is part of the reward."
Alice's breath caught. She instantly understood the hidden meaning of his words—she had a special connection with the sealed artifact.
Given her previous strange experiences, Alice suddenly had a dangerously speculative thought that caused her spiritual senses to tremble. She hurriedly suppressed that dangerous idea and continued to ask, "Can I know more about the sealed artifact?"
"No," Charlie King refused without hesitation.
The refusal was expected. Alice, who hadn't hoped for an answer, looked at Charlie King, who was still waiting for her to speak, and continued to probe for more information with a mindset of having nothing to lose. "You... or rather, the person behind you, how did they know I could do this?"
"I really don't know," Charlie King shrugged. "I'm just a messenger."
"Then, if I negotiate, do you have the authority to make decisions?" Alice paused, realizing she might not get more information, and began to negotiate.
"You can state your demands first," Charlie King did not give a clear answer.
"I need an extraordinary item that can change my appearance—something I can carry long-term, and an identity proof," Alice stated her demands.
"Is there a problem with your identity?" Charlie King was slightly taken aback, frowning as he scrutinized Alice. "Are you a fugitive?"
"No, it's more serious than that," Alice suddenly smiled. If someone familiar with her were present, they would recognize this smile. "I accidentally died before and just crawled out of the grave."
"?" Charlie King's expression showed a crack.
"Didn't the person who sent you tell you this?" Alice feigned surprise, pretending to be concerned.
"What kind of identity proof do you need?" Charlie King ignored Alice's words.
"Breyer Rose," Alice gave the name. "The rest is up to you... how long will it take?"
"About three days... once I have what you need, how should I contact you?" Charlie King was not surprised that the name Alice gave was a pseudonym and continued to ask.
"..." Alice's expression stiffened slightly. She suddenly realized she didn't have a suitable address to give him.
"How about this," seeing Alice's expression and recalling her previous words, Charlie King felt he understood everything. "Once I have what you need, I'll place an ad in the eighth edition of the 'Beckland Daily'..."
So there was such a way to contact... Charlie King detailed the code to Alice, who memorized it while marveling at the method.
After leaving Pritz Harbor, Alice used her remaining change to book a room for two nights at a hotel that provided three meals (for an extra charge). Now, besides the remaining 190 pounds, she only had a penny left.
"So, the next step should be to rent a place... uh, maybe find a job?" After lunch, alone in her room, Alice suddenly realized she needed to start supporting herself.
How to find a job? How to rent a place? What should she be aware of? Lacking life experience, Alice, after a moment of confusion, began to pray to Mr. Fool.
This was clearly an unexpected task for Klein. When he saw Alice, he couldn't help but ask, "What did you do before you crossed over?"
"…I might have been studying," Alice hesitated to answer.
"Huh?" Klein was slightly taken aback. "Even if you were studying, you shouldn't... wait, you weren't underage, were you?"
"I don't know," Alice blinked and explained, "I only remember the last school uniform I saw was a loose tracksuit with a school emblem, something like a middle school..."
"..." Alice's words made Klein fall silent. He suddenly understood Alice's previous behavior and mindset... what else could he say? Good luck with your exams?
"What's wrong?" Alice looked at Klein in confusion.
"I just didn't expect..." Klein looked at Alice with a strange expression. "Are you really underage? How old are you? You shouldn't still be in middle school, right?"
"I should be in high school," Alice frowned, trying to recall her memory. "My name is Shen Yinghuan, and I should be in high school."
"…What can you do?" Klein asked seriously.
"I... I can draw?" Alice looked at Klein hesitantly.
"Can draw? An art student? How come your drawings... no, what if you become famous drawing comics?" Klein began to consider Alice's possible career paths.
"That's not a concern for now. I've found a way to solve my identity proof... how my drawings are... uh." Alice suddenly choked. She didn't know how to describe her drawing skills—she couldn't show Klein the things she remembered, could she?
The chapter ends here.