Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

As Ebner had guessed, the image displayed by the "Mirror Apostle"—of the demonic cat killing the "Orange Cat" and capturing Fors, Helene, and Fanny—was a deliberate illusion transmitted to him by "Lion" Leon, who had "intercepted" the connection between the "Mirror Apostle" and the wildcat.

In reality, the demonized wildcat was already at a disadvantage in its battle with the three ladies.

At the beginning, it had fallen into a state of extreme complacency, convinced it had torn the "Orange Cat" to shreds, as if Helene and the other two were already meat on its plate.

"When your enemy loses wisdom due to arrogance, you are wisdom itself." This was the core effect of the "Hand of Wisdom" glove Ebner had given Helene, stemming from one of the "Bribers'" abilities.

Therefore, the demon cat, over two meters long, was merely "provoked" a few times by Helene before it completely abandoned its defenses against Fors and Fanny, and focused all its attacks on Helene. In an instant, "sulfur fireballs" and various "blasphemous words" rained down as if they cost nothing.

As an "Arsonist," Helene possessed good physical qualities and abilities, and the "Bribe" effect weakened those attacks. Coupled with a series of buffs applied by the hidden "Lion" Leon, she miraculously managed to hold her own against the demon, engaging in a back-and-forth struggle with only minor superficial injuries.

This performance naturally enhanced the "provocation" effect, causing the demon cat, fully intent on tearing out Helene's internal organs, to completely miss Fors on the other side holding a head-only puppet towards it…

It was only when its thoughts became sluggish and its movements stuttered that it realized the problem… Unfortunately, it was already a bit late!

The moment the demon cat was initially brought under control, three mechanical puppets, wielding a total of twelve high-pressure steam rifles, unleashed a storm of ammunition. "Demon-hunting bullets" imbued with "Holy Light" effects continuously struck it.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft…

As puffs of sulfur-scented blood mist exploded on its body, the demon cat's mouth slowly opened, letting out stuttering, intermittent screams.

Fanny herself extended her right hand, aiming the "Ring of Light" at the monster not far away. Immediately after, golden, illusory flames ignited out of thin air, one after another.

These flames emitted a solar aura, merging into an ocean due to their density, and continuously surged into the demon's body along its wounds.

This was "Flame of Light" from the "Sun" domain!

Speaking of which, each of the three "mechanical puppets" also sealed a "Flame of Light," but their power was far inferior to the Sequence 5 level "Ring of Light." Furthermore, Fanny had learned her lesson from the underground castle of Baron Conval, saving them for unforeseen needs.

Meanwhile, "Lion" Leon, hidden in the shadows, also plucked a mane hair at the opportune moment and solemnly declared, "I announce that the Flame of Light is effective against demons!"

This was a power belonging to the "Notary" of the "Sun" pathway, which could temporarily boost the effectiveness of a "notarized" ability!

On the other side, the demon cat, whose mind was still in a sluggish state, for the first time perceived the malice from the "Orange Cat" that should have been dead…

It… it's actually… that powerful?!

Although it realized this, it was too late. The "Sun Fire," amplified by a demigod's "notarization," raged within its body. Even its powerful physique after "demonization" could no longer resist, and it eventually turned into a pile of dust amidst the golden flames.

Its Beyonder characteristic didn't have time to precipitate; it simply merged into the dust, forming an "ash"-type Sealed Artifact with it.

Seeing their attack succeed, Fanny and Fors quickly rushed to Helene, who was covered in blood, to tend to her wounds.

"It only looks a bit scary. With the potion Leon provided and a 'Hunter's' recovery ability, I'll be fully recovered in a few days," Helene wasn't too concerned about her injuries. Before being captured by "Ailment Maiden" Tracy, she had fought other pirates and even sustained injuries several times more severe than this.

"I didn't expect you to be so strong; you actually managed to contend with such a terrifying monster head-on…" Fors, seeing that Helene was indeed fine, spoke with a mix of envy and admiration.

"That's because of Leon's help," Helene shook her head. She knew her own limits. Without the "buffs" Leon had placed on her, let alone fighting, she probably would have been disemboweled by the demon's initial pounce.

Fanny, who was on alert nearby, interjected, "The sounds of battle outside seem to be getting softer… Should we go help Ebner?"

But before Helene and Fors could answer, "Lion" Leon revealed himself and sneered, "You just make sure you don't get into trouble yourselves! As for that kid… he won't get into trouble!"

If he really got into trouble, wouldn't this place immediately turn into an angelic battlefield? At that point, you wouldn't have to worry, because no one would survive! Of course, he didn't voice these latter thoughts.

Just then, "Lion" Leon sensed the "Mirror Apostle's" mental communication, and after a malicious chuckle, he transmitted his concocted "image" through the connection.

—From the very start of the battle, "Lion" had "stolen" the connection between the demon cat and its owner.

"Who would have thought that the so-called 'Mirror Apostle's' true, unique mutated ability was actually to communicate with and control Beyonder animals?"

"The 'mirror' abilities he 'promotes' to the public must rely entirely on a certain Sealed Artifact… Tsk tsk, what a treacherous and cunning demon. I wonder how that kid is going to deal with him."

.....

In "Alvin Abraham's Quiz Labyrinth," within the classroom located in the mirror world.

Ebner completely ignored "Mirror Apostle" Herta's threat, letting the other party display a scene on the classroom window glass of the demonic cat tearing open "Fanny's" chest and devouring her heart, while still having the blackboard display the ninth question.

"Too fake… The image Leon provided is too perfunctory! How could Fanny's chest be so 'flat'…"

Ebner muttered to himself, then focused on the question:

"In the Type-Moon world, what is the name of the Heroic Spirit Medusa's Mystic Eyes?"

This is both a myth from my previous life and game knowledge… The Old Ones of this world might be able to answer it, but people after the civilization's collapse wouldn't even have a place to guess! No wonder Herta initially completely disbelieved that anyone could actually answer ten questions.

Moreover, this question is very obscure. If I hadn't played that game, I probably would have stopped here too.

"Cybele." Ebner, drawing from the memories of his previous life unearthed by his "Reader" abilities, spoke the answer.

"Answer correct!

"Issuing reward…"

The eighth question's reward was worth around ten thousand pounds. This time, it should be a hundred thousand, right? Tsk tsk, this is a test of wealth, Mr. Herta, put in some effort!

Ebner waited for a few minutes with a "rejoicing in others' misfortune" attitude, then saw a pile of documents land on the podium.

He picked them up and found that they included bank deposits, certificates for land, real estate, mines, and stocks, as well as corresponding property transfer deeds.

Roughly 100,000 acres of Intis countryside land, two wine estates, a luxury villa in Trier, a copper mine in West Balam Colony, shares in Ritter Port Shipping Company and Soussi Bank…

All together, these items were worth over one hundred and fifty thousand pounds! Hmm, stock prices and land values fluctuate greatly, so saying it's a hundred thousand pounds isn't a problem.

Tsk, he's really rich! He's a financial capitalist, a big landowner, and a mine owner… As expected of an old geezer who has lived for nearly a hundred years, far stronger than Jason Beria in Backlund, whose entire fortune was only 50,000 pounds!

After putting away these documents, Ebner heard no more from the "Mirror Apostle." Perhaps his mind broke after signing those transfer deeds?

Of course, it's also possible he realized threats and intimidation were useless against me, and he's plotting some other nasty trick!

Just as Ebner was pondering and asking the blackboard for the 10th question, the voice of the "Mirror Apostle," which shouldn't have appeared at this time, suddenly rang out:

"Hahaha! You're finished!

"It turns out the tenth question requires me, the 'master,' to choose the question! Because of you, I learned this rule for the first time…

"It seems1 my things will ultimately still be mine! And yours will be mine too!

"Hmm, let me think… You seem very good at those obscure questions… Then I'll choose a normal question for you that you absolutely cannot know!

"I need to search! I need to search carefully! Huh?

"Got it… This… to think there would be a question of this level!

"This question perfectly meets my requirements!

"You're truly finished! Hahaha!"

Amidst the "Mirror Apostle's" slightly fearful yet wildly arrogant laughter, Ebner, with furrowed brows, saw the question displayed on the blackboard:

"What is the true name of the Evernight Goddess?"

(End of chapter)