Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

Scanning the question on the blackboard and hearing the hysterical laughter of the "Mirror Apostle," Ebner's lips gradually curled into a smirk.

"It seems that over a hundred thousand pounds in assets is probably Herta's limit… Even if he has some cash or scattered items, it's certainly impossible for him to gather items worth a million pounds."

"In the original work, Count Wolfe, a great noble and landowner, only received 290,000 gold pounds after selling 840,000 acres of land in the countryside."

"Miss 'Justice,' the wealthiest woman in 'Lord of the Mysteries,' had an initial 'dowry' of only 300,000 pounds."

"In the original work, the only people explicitly capable of producing such a large sum of 1,000,000 pounds, besides the Loen Royal Family, were Count Hall, a great banker, Duke Negan, Loen's largest landowner whose annual income from land alone was around 1,000,000 pounds, and Baron Sindras, who spent 1,000,000 pounds to 'buy' a hereditary baronetcy."

"It's impossible for 'Mirror Apostle' Herta to reach their level of wealth before stepping into the demigod realm."

"Furthermore, if he can't pay the full 'reward,' his fate will likely be extremely miserable, which is why his emotions became so agitated after knowing he could choose the question himself, to the point where I even think he was close to losing control…"

"After all, as the most prone to losing control among Beyonder pathways, the inability to control emotions and desires is often a precursor to 'losing control.'"

While these thoughts raced through his mind, Ebner unhesitatingly gave the answer, which was a no-brainer for a Transmigrator: **"Amanises!"**

As for whether reciting the true name would invoke divine power? Ebner thought it unlikely. After all, this wasn't the Forsaken Land of the Gods or the Twilight House in Port Indu, places shrouded in dark divine power. Moreover, he was using English, a language without mystical power.

—Although names are largely similar across different languages, the pronunciation would still differ slightly.

Additionally, in the original work, the elf Shatas from *Grohsel's Travels* directly spoke the name "Goddess of Misfortune" Amanises, and there was no particular reaction.

Of course, most importantly, when Ebner pondered alone, he would sometimes unintentionally murmur "Amanises" or "Lilith" to test the two goddesses' reactions. The conclusion he drew was that They would not "punish" him for such minor matters.

Therefore, he had few qualms about speaking the goddess's true name.

As Ebner gave his answer, "Mirror Apostle" Herta's laughter abruptly ceased. He shrieked in an exasperated tone:

"Impossible!

"Absolutely impossible!

"Why did the 'Labyrinth' deem your answer correct when you clearly didn't give any answer?!"

"You cheated!"

But as soon as he said this, he let out a shriek, followed by frantic pleas for mercy:

"Give me some time… please give me some time!

"I promise to gather items worth 1,000,000 gold pounds within a month… no, a week…

"No! You can't take my spirit…"

The voice abruptly vanished at this point, but a book and a Beyonder characteristic that resembled black mist appeared on the podium in the classroom.

The book recorded the entire life experiences of the "Mirror Apostle" and all the knowledge he possessed. The characteristic was his own Beyonder characteristic… It was unknown what method this labyrinth used to extract it in such a short time.

At this moment, lines of text reappeared on the blackboard:

"Herta's life experience and all knowledge valued at 150,000 pounds, Beyonder characteristic valued at 10,000 pounds, totaling 160,000… Current debt of 840,000, with a daily interest of one millieme."

"It is recommended that the clear-thinking individual use the outstanding debt to exchange for the usage rights of 'Alvin Abraham's Quiz Labyrinth,' directly becoming a Level 4 holder of the 'Labyrinth.'"

"If the clear-thinking individual gives up the opportunity to become a holder, the 'Labyrinth' will select a Level 0 permission holder. Should the clear-thinking individual re-enter the 'Labyrinth' in the future, they can directly exchange the 'debt' and accrued 'interest' for quiz answers. Note that a holder can also spend an equivalent amount to offset the clear-thinking individual's 'exchange.'"

Good heavens, this "Labyrinth" has a very familiar pattern! As expected of something built by a Transmigrator senior, this "flavor" is quite pungent!

However, it feels like the "Labyrinth" is hiding a lot of important information… Hmm, this thing is probably "alive"!

After secretly grumbling, Ebner thought for a moment and then asked, "What is the highest level of authority in this labyrinth?"

The blackboard quickly displayed the answer: "Level 5."

"How much value is needed to possess Level 5 authority?" Ebner pressed.

"Level 5 authority requires 1,000,000 gold pounds… but gold pounds are only one condition. The prerequisite you currently lack is 'the Creator's consent.'"

The Creator's consent? Does that mean I have to resurrect that "Wanderer"? No… perhaps it will be enough when I improve the "Manipulation" secret art, allowing me to truly "perfectly fuse" with him, turning him into something akin to a "clone"…

Did the "Wanderer" senior build this "Labyrinth" with the additional purpose of urging me, a latercomer, to improve? What exactly did he gain from it?

As his thoughts spun, Ebner asked again, "What does Level 5 authority include?"

"Sorry, please become a Level 5 holder before inquiring." The text on the blackboard changed instantly.

"Then, what is the minimum 'recharge' for a Level 4 holder… no, what is the minimum requirement in gold pounds?" Ebner thought for a moment, then rephrased his question.

"500,000 pounds…" The blackboard was silent for a while before a new line of text appeared.

Judging by its reaction, this "Labyrinth" was indeed "alive"! Having confirmed his earlier guess, Ebner narrowed his eyes and said, "So, there's no need to use all 840,000 you owe me to 'exchange' for authority right now… I can just pay 500,000, and let the other 300,000-plus debt accrue interest daily?"

"Yes…" The text that reappeared on the blackboard was more loosely written, seeming somewhat weak.

"What can these excess debts be used for?" Ebner asked again.

"They can be used to offset the reward you owe when others answer questions…

"They can be used to adjust the 'Labyrinth's' modes and facilities…

"They can be exchanged for one-time attacks of different values."

Money for attacks? That's interesting… Thinking this, Ebner tentatively asked, "What type, what pathway of attacks?"

"Money itself is power; no external seeking is needed!" The text on the blackboard read.

"The power of money?" Ebner was somewhat confused, as to his knowledge, there had been no "money" Beyonder authority or symbol in the world of mysteries.

After a brief thought, Ebner still spent 500,000 pounds to exchange for the so-called Level 4 authority of this "Labyrinth."

Soon, the knowledge corresponding to various authorities was displayed before him.

The other information was nothing much, just related to the item's usage… But the last paragraph, introducing the "Labyrinth's" origin, caught Ebner's attention.

"The 'Labyrinth's' main material is a semi-divine characteristic from an unknown pathway that the 'Wanderer' obtained on an alien planet during his cosmic travels?"

"Is it suspected to be the pathway wielded by the Goddess of Wealth on that planet?"

"The Goddess of Wealth's authority involves 'travel,' 'knowledge,' 'wealth,' 'protection,' and 'trade' in various domains…"