Mechanical Alchemist

The battle in front of the Unicorn Inn suddenly came to an end.

The fight from Storm Manor ignited the underground world, turning the entire camp into chaos in an instant.

The clash of super-tier spells exploded around the manor, creating terrifying noises reminiscent of landslides and earthquakes.

From afar, one could immediately see the residence of Princess Teresa manifested four towering phantom knights, each two or three dozen meters in height.

It seemed as if someone was fiercely battling those knightly phantoms, the clanging sounds of weapons echoing throughout the camp.

The shockwaves surged higher with each wave, battering the camp like an unrelenting tide.

With the protection of phantom knights at the manor, the methods of the assailants were no less formidable.

Fourth-tier Fire System Technique "Meteor Burn City", with meteors coalescing within the Seven-Pointed Star Formation in the sky and raining down like droplets...

Wide-range fourth-tier Thunder Technique "City-Destroying Thundercloud", with lightning crackling and thunder dragons rampaging from above...

Third-tier Secret Technique "Earth Splitting Technique", causing the earth to quake and the camp to fracture into countless chasms around the manor...

Upon seeing these multi-element super-tier spells, Su Lun instantly knew Mr. Hei was the one behind them.

That Scholar really had a profound understanding of various elemental alchemies, and even though he wasn't fifth-tier, his spells could be more troublesome than those of a fifth-tier when he took action.

How many in the camp had ever witnessed super-tier spells?

Facing this apocalypse-like turmoil, everyone was horrified.

For a moment, near Storm Manor, ice, frost, thunder, fire... all sorts of elemental spells collided like festival fireworks, exploding across the sky.

Though dangerous, it was a time to show valor.

"Assassins are attacking Princess Teresa, we must go support her!"

"We cannot let the culprits escape!"

"..."

Shouts of excitement never ceased, as one after another was eager to lead troops to the rescue.

The major families in the camp, together with their personal armies, rushed towards Storm Manor in droves, thousands converging upon the scene.

And as fate would have it, as the crowd surged forward, a Seven-Pointed Star Formation suddenly lit up under the feet of someone mingled within them. Before the crowd could react, another super-tier spell blasted over, forcing several fourth-tier guards who were trying to seal the manor to hurriedly dodge. Although it wasn't necessarily fatal, it made clear that there were still assassins among the group.

Immediately following, a thunderous shout erupted!

"All are forbidden to approach the manor, or you will be killed without mercy!"

But this command not only failed to stabilize the situation, but it also made it even more chaotic.

Before those at the top could retreat, more people from the lower city districts incessantly tried to push forward, hoping to perform a heroic deed before the Princess.

The camp was filled with various hunting groups, mercenaries, family guards, city guards, peacekeepers... Dozens and hundreds of factions, unfamiliar with each other, didn't know who fired the shot, and it quickly descended into a melee.

"Dammit! Who's firing the rockets..."

"Fuck, stop shooting randomly. We're mercenaries from the David family!"

"We're targeting you because I just saw one of you shooting the rockets. You're with the assassins!"

"Go to hell, you're the ones with the assassins."

Some fanned the flames, some took pot shots, and those who came out to mediate were bound to get hit.

Bang! Bang! Bang...

Pop! Pop! Pop...

The sound of gunfire was chaotic.

Suddenly, someone shouted loudly.

"Not good! The assassin has broken through!"

"..."

The chaotic situation provided the "assassins" with convenience for their attack and retreat.

The battle started quickly and ended just as swiftly.

Several cloaked figures caused some sort of disturbance in the manor; it seemed they had achieved their goal and had no wish to linger in battle, making a beeline for the city outskirts to escape.

Perhaps it was the lesson learned from the last time they lured and killed a fifth-tier professional; a precedent had been set.

The high-level guards in the manor did not dare to give chase for fear of falling into the same trap or being led away from a decoy.

The lower-tier professionals were no match to stop them, and the cloaked assassins encountered little resistance, breaking out of the encirclement, vaulting over the city wall, and disappearing beyond the city gates.

....

Outside the Unicorn Inn.

A few guards had died, and "Qian Tiao" had also sustained some injuries.

Su Lun watched as the "Rakshasa Woman" and others successfully fled into the distance and let out a slight sigh of relief.

Now, there was absolutely no connection between Qian Tiao and Rakshasa Woman.

Though it appeared coincidental, it didn't matter anymore.

As long as Qian Tiao wasn't the "Rakshasa Woman," merely a gang member, no matter what, the danger level had dropped by innumerable degrees.

Even such ordinary gang records would never again enter the perspective of top-level officials like the leaders of the Umbrella Organization.

The Umbrella Organization would probably stay quiet for a while too.

On the other hand, Reina stood there, dumbfounded.

This young lady, who had never experienced major setbacks, witnessed her best friend's head being presented to her this night. She witnessed an attack without reason. The intense emotions of helplessness and being at the mercy of others surged like tides, repeatedly eroding some of her perceptions. Her eyes, once clear and bright, trembled with indescribable ripples...

The old butler was injured in the fray with the "forensic doctor" Servis, a patch of bright red blood on his chest.

He tidied himself up, concealed the stain with his jacket, and approached. Seeing his young mistress in a daze, he sighed and said, "Miss, you should go upstairs and rest. Leave everything here to me. We will leave the city tomorrow morning."

They recognized that it was the people from the Umbrella Organization who led the attack.

So they had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.

Even if the Reis family was once a top-tier inner-city financial tycoon, that organization was not to be trifled with.

Reina vaguely returned to her room and sat blankly on the bed.

"Qian Tiao" glanced at her and then turned to Su Lun, "Let her be by herself for a while, it might be good for her."

Su Lun nodded, "Hmm."

The cruelty of this world far surpassed what Reina had seen.

The act must go on; Mr. Jing and Su Lun entered another room.

....

The door closed, and a soundproof formation was set up.

Although Su Lun knew that Mr. Jing daring to take action meant he had a comprehensive plan, he was still curious and said, "Mr. Jing, won't revealing the movements of so many people alert the Black Tower?"

"It won't have much of an impact," Mr. Jing said, his expression calm as if everything was proceeding according to plan. "After this relic expedition, preparations are almost complete."

As he spoke, a miraculous scene unfolded before Su Lun's eyes.

"Qian Tiao," who had only the strength of a second-tier, had also been gravely injured in the previous fight, her body marked with numerous wounds.

Yet in the moment she entered the room, Su Lun suddenly saw those wounds on her body visibly healing—without any potions, without any spells—relying solely on her exaggerated self-healing ability, she was instantly as good as new.

Su Lun felt a trace of astonishment: Had Mr. Jing also undergone some sort of bloodline modification?

This efficiency of self-healing was almost comparable to that of an "Abomination."

He was much stronger than he looked.

But considering that this expert was most likely a fourth-order, or even higher, it was normal for him to have some methods beyond Su Lun's understanding.

Instead, Su Lun paid more attention to Mr. Jing's words, "Everything is almost ready."

It sounded like the big shots were confident about making a move on the Dark Tower?

But Mr. Jing didn't seem inclined to continue on this topic. She looked at Su Lun and reminded him, "Although tonight's trouble has been muddled through, the 'forensic doctor' Severus's methods are not that simple. The Umbrella organization will definitely probe again. Be careful in the future."

After a pause, she continued, "I will follow the team for the next few days, but once we get to the ruins, I have other matters to attend to. When the time comes, take extra care of this team, don't let them be wiped out. And especially take care of Lena for me."

Su Lun nodded, "Hmm."

Lena had helped him several times, so naturally, within his capabilities, Su Lun would also want to save her life.

His expression didn't change, but upon hearing this, a slightly odd thought emerged in his mind.

Mr. Jing actually cared so much about Lena—could it be... they had some special relationship?

Like, a secret daughter?

Although Su Lun didn't ask, Mr. Jing seemed to guess what he was thinking.

She glanced at Su Lun, and her expression seemed a bit helpless as she added another explanation, "The Reyes family was established with my help. Lena's mother died for me. That girl has good talent and learning, she just lacks experience. I plan to groom her to be the successor of the Reyes family."

"Oh..."

Upon hearing this, Su Lun suddenly understood.

But with that explanation, his thoughts became even more active.

Established with her help?

That was quite a bit of information.

The Reyes family had been a well-known household name for decades. If she established them, just how old was Mr. Jing?

Su Lun thought of her unusually rapid wound healing earlier—very high cellular activity could indeed make a person appear young, but... could she actually be an elderly woman?

However, as this thought crossed Su Lun's mind, he clearly saw "Qian Tiao" hold her forehead and shake her head, giving him a strange look as though a bit exasperated.

"I... never mind..."

She seemed as if she had more to say but decided against further explanation.

Not sure whether it was because she was in the guise of "Qian Tiao," Su Lun found this "Mr. Jing" quite approachable and lacking in any aloof coldness that kept others at a distance.

Considering that Mr. Hei's teacher was right in front of him, Su Lun naturally asked directly, "Mr. Jing, I saw a mask appear on the face of that Umbrella organization leader earlier. It seemed like an artifact related to spiritual power, a curse?"

"Qian Tiao" placed her sword on the table and started to tidy up her battle-torn clothes, nodding as she said, "Yes. Over the years, the Dark Tower has uncovered quite a few good things. That is the 'Life Usurper's Three-Colored Mask,' a very decent ancient cursed artifact. Severus encountered a snag in his professional cultivation, leading to an aberration in his spiritual power. The mask is used to suppress his uncontrollable split personas..."

Upon hearing this, Su Lun thought it made sense.

Also, considering the functionality, it seemed to suit his own "symptoms," didn't it?

He asked directly, "Mr. Jing, that mask... could it be suitable for me?"

"Qian Tiao" glanced at him and said, "I've heard about your situation from Emmerich, and indeed, the mask would be beneficial for you. But it's a temporary solution, not a cure. The essence of the mask's effect is suppression, the same as you suppressing it with willpower, and it will eventually backlash."

(Emmerich, Mr. Hei's real name)

Su Lun initially thought the artifact might be redundant, but then he heard "Qian Tiao" seem to recall something, the conversation taking a turn, "But if you can master a top-tier spiritual secret technique, it would be an excellent advancement material for your 'Puppeteer' lineage and help you break through the limitations of 'Distracted Operation.' Normally, the 'Life Usurper's Three-Colored Mask' is an advancement material that only a fourth-order spiritual profession practitioner can withstand. But you... you're a bit special. You should be able to handle it at the third-order."

"Advancement material?"

At these words, Su Lun perked up immediately.

He understood what she probably meant by his "special" trait—likely referring to the extraordinary spiritual power caused by his "Reaper" talent.

If someone like her said it was suitable, it must be a material with an extremely high compatibility rating.

Moreover, she went straight to the point that after advancing, it could break the limits of 'Distracted Operation'?

"Qian Tiao" looked at Su Lun, her eyebrows curving, and asked, "Do you want to kill him?"

Su Lun nodded: "Mhm."

Not to mention the curse materials, when he had previously signed a master-servant contract with Sabrina, they had agreed that once he had the strength, he would help her kill that guy.

"Killing that guy won't be easy."

"Qian Tiao" joked with a remark but didn't say much else, then added, "Just a reminder. Remember, if you ever encounter him, be extremely careful if his mask is 'Red Face', but if you see the mask turn to 'Black Face', he has strength not inferior to a fourth-order..."

"Mhm."

Su Lun didn't expect to be able to kill the 'forensic doctor' Servis in a short time on his own.

However, didn't he have strong reinforcements at hand?

And now that he had a target, his thoughts were focused on achieving that goal.

In an instant, he came up with some ideas.

A plan quietly took shape.

"Qian Tiao" smiled and didn't respond much.

Since he had the opportunity, Su Lun simply asked another question he was curious about, "Mr. Jing, do you know about the underground altar in Storm Manor? Mr. Hei said before that you could help me solve puzzles, including the symbol that represents 'Destiny'..."

"Qian Tiao", true to what Mr. Hei had initially said, seemed quite willing to clarify his doubts, explaining, "The underground altar in Storm Manor is a relic from a prehistoric civilization of the 'Dawn Era', the time of Akkavia. Those five statues represent the most mysterious alchemy organization of that age, the 'Rose Cross,' its five elders, real divine-order alchemists. That was the most authentic and recent period of alchemy's brilliance that mankind can access today. Sir Isaac named this city with the intention of restoring alchemy to its glory during the Dawn Era..."

Having said this, she seemed to feel that since she had already spoken, she might as well share a bit more, "This represents a prehistoric interrupted civilization that is nearly unrecorded in the current historical materials of Old Lington. Legend has it that the alchemists of the Dawn Era fought across various fragmented planes, with top magicians even capable of hunting gods. They created a very powerful alchemy civilization..."

"I see..."

After hearing her words, Su Lun's eyes trembled, deeply shocked for a long time.

Well, it seemed that this bigshot knew everything.

Moreover, from her words, one could see that her understanding of Dawn City reached an unthinkable level.

She not only knew about the altar but also was clear about its origin.

This world was not only fascinating now; the history buried in dust was equally amazing.

....

Mr. Jing, although not Qian Tiao, seemed to share the same habit of enjoying baths as the gambling-addicted lady.

The battle had left her with blood stains all over, which made her frown deeply.

While talking, she also began to remove her robe and said without looking at Su Lun, "Alright, I'm going to take a bath. We'll talk later."

Su Lun naturally understood and averted his gaze.

The gambling-addicted lady wouldn't avoid him, but this bigshot still minded.

Soon, the sound of running water could be heard from the bathroom.

The noise from outside the window never ceased, as the operation to hunt down the assassin continued into the late night.

After bathing, "Qian Tiao" laid down on the bed to rest.

Su Lun sat cross-legged on the sofa nearby, meditating.

It must have been around two or three in the morning when,

suddenly, "Qian Tiao", who appeared to be fast asleep, noticed something and let out a quiet shout: "Someone's coming!"

Upon hearing this, Su Lun immediately understood her meaning.

Zorro was Qian Tiao's male companion; they had to play out the whole act.

They had to make it look like nothing was amiss to anyone peering into the room at their current state.

Su Lun quickly changed into pajamas and hopped onto the bed, while "Qian Tiao" also cozily lay in his arms, as indicated.

The bigshot had given the signal, so he did not show any reluctance—he held her as he should. "Qian Tiao" was now dressed in a light nightgown, her touch distinct. Their significant skin contact allowed both of them to clearly feel each other's warmth.

Despite this, there were no romantic emotions.

Although the touch of her firm skin was just like the gambling-addicted lady's, thinking Mr. Jing was probably not young, something about it felt odd to Su Lun.

Su Lun didn't detect any movement suggesting someone's arrival, so the visitor must be a master of at least the third order.

He wondered if it was the Umbrella Organization coming back to check?

The persona of "Qian Tiao" was that of a second-order professional, naturally, she shouldn't have detected the other person.

The two of them were snuggled up in bed, lying there for a long time, as though already deep asleep.

However, things didn't seem to be entirely as Su Lun thought.

Because before long, the supposedly sleeping Su Lun heard someone calling his name by his ear.

"Mr. Su Lun, long time no see..."

There hadn't been any noise, had there? No doors were open, no one had climbed through the windows, and there weren't even sounds of footsteps.

Yet oddly enough, the calls seemed to be right next to his ear.

"Heehee... I know you're not asleep..."

Su Lun thought he might be hearing things, but he lifted his eyelids a crack nonetheless.

In an instant, a face glowing with a pale blue light appeared right before his eyes.

Just ten centimeters from his own face, a semi-transparent little girl was staring at him, face to face, with a pair of watery big eyes filled with a mischievous smile.

If it weren't for Su Lun's strong mentality, a normal person seeing this scene in the dead of night would probably have leaped up like a startled cat with its fur on end.

....

"Pestoya?"

Su Lun tentatively asked.

The little girl in front of him, dressed in a prim and cute princess dress, was deeply impressed in his memory; naturally, she was the "ghost kind" little girl he had met on his first day after crossing over.

Looking at "Qian Tiao" beside him, her breathing was even, seeming to be fast asleep.

Whether she was truly asleep or feigning it, Su Lun knew today's situation seemed to be going south...

Pestoya, seeing Su Lun had recognized her, revealed a joyous expression on her little face.

She floated in midair, twirling around, "Oops, I thought you had forgotten me~"

Listening to this lively female voice, Su Lun recalled their first meeting.

Although this ghost kind little girl was occasionally a bit unruly, the two had a kind of instant "resonance."

He smiled and said, "How could I forget?"

As he spoke, Su Lun got out of bed, tucked "Qian Tiao" in properly, and then asked, "Pestoya, what brings you here?"

If he hadn't seen that "butterfly brooch," he might have been quite happy to catch up with the ghost kind whom he had once felt quite an affinity for.

But now, her presence here complicated matters.

"I don't know. I felt you close by, so I came over to see you~"

Pestoya tilted her head, pondering, as though she was missing a part of her memory.

But she didn't mind; in this thousand years, she had forgotten many things.

But upon seeing an old friend, she was genuinely happy: "I can't believe it's really you, Mr. Su Lun."

Su Lun kept his composure and walked over to the coffee table in the suite, pouring himself a glass of water.

Though he wasn't sure if the ghost kind could drink tea, he still poured a cup for Pestoya, who was seated beside him.

While pouring the tea, Su Lun joked, "I've become so handsome, how did you recognize me?"

Pestoya sniffed the tea cup, took a sip, and said, "Of course I could recognize you. I recognize your soul~"

Blinking, she added, "But your soul has grown much stronger than before, I almost didn't recognize it~"

It was like the reunion of old friends, the atmosphere very harmonious.

```

The two struck up a somewhat intermittent conversation.

...

After beating around the bush with a few questions, Su Lun discovered that Pestoya didn't remember what had happened after he left.

It was as if upon waking up, she felt his presence nearby, which is why she came again.

But... the cursed space of the storm manor had clearly disappeared before.

Moreover, were the ghosts from the cursed space actually running around outside?

All of this was bizarre.

After chatting about a few light topics, Su Lun was certain that this girl before him was the same one he had seen before.

He ventured another question, "Pestoya, where are you living now?"

"I live in the manor~"

As Pestoya spoke, she floated up in a little bear hug, giving Su Lun an enthusiastic embrace, "I thought I'd never see Mr. Su Lun again. I'm really so happy~"

Her physical state was strange, clearly a spiritual body, but when she wanted to touch something, it became solid.

"Yeah, I'm happy to see you too."

Su Lun smiled.

Listening to that cheerful tone, he could feel that her happiness was coming from the heart.

After all, he was the first "friend" this girl had made in a thousand years.

The two chatted for a while.

Su Lun's extensive knowledge of flirting techniques also came in handy.

He was able to make various jokes and share little stories effortlessly.

Even the young girl enjoyed them.

Pestoya was so amused that she laughed heartily, her laughter ringing through the room like silver bells.

Su Lun just treated her as an old friend catching up, discussing only light topics.

But there were two questions he deliberately avoided and dared not bring up.

One was the question she had entrusted him to ask.

The other was about the brooch.

However, just as Su Lun tried to avoid it, Pestoya, floating in front of him, suddenly remembered something and asked, "Eh... Mr. Su Lun, why don't I see you wearing the butterfly brooch I gave you?"

"..."

Su Lun felt a sudden clench in his heart.

He had purposely avoided it, yet it was brought up.

That girl seemed extremely sensitive to emotions. Before Su Lun could find the right words, her expression suddenly darkened, "You... don't like the gift I gave you?"

Her crystalline eyes began to shimmer with waves of light, taking on a look of hurt, "But... it was my favorite, my most precious thing."

As she spoke, the glimmer in her eyes slowly turned red.

It wasn't the red of feeling hurt but rather a shift towards a sinister, fierce crimson.

Pestoya gazed at Su Lun, tears uncontrollably falling from her face, drop by drop of pale blue tear light that vanished before touching the ground.

With a sobbing voice, a surge of extreme sadness burst forth, "Mr. Su Lun, I don't know why, but I feel so sad right now..."

Even though I gave you my most precious gift, you lost it.

It was like a thousand years ago, recalling the heart-wrenching pain in that great fire...

Those were my beloved parents, the most cherished beings in my life...

```

That was the pain of losing the most precious thing in one's heart...

It was like having one's heart gouged out.

Su Lun watched the scene and knew she was showing signs of a violent and dark transformation.

The first time they had met, she was in the same state when she slaughtered "Ironhead" Ivan's group.

He wanted to explain something, but indeed he couldn't produce the brooch.

After all, he had no ill will toward the little girl.

He could feel Pestoya's indescribable emotions, loneliness, sadness...

He sighed, reached out his hand and touched her head, and said truthfully, "I liked the gift you gave me. But I'm sorry, it seems I've lost it..."

His words seemed to console the aggrieved Pestoya, the red glow in her eyes dimmed slightly, but it still didn't fade away.

Su Lun then rubbed her face with both hands and said seriously, "However, I will definitely find it."

Though she was a millennium-old ghost, she still had the heart of a ten-year-old girl.

She was easily consoled.

Hearing this, the red glow in the girl's eyes finally stopped.

Emotions can't deceive people, and Pestoya clearly felt Su Lun's sincerity.

But still with a face full of grievance, she looked at Su Lun and said with a resentment, "Mr. Su Lun, if you don't find the brooch I gave you, I will eat you up!"

That tone sounded so aggrieved, very aggrieved indeed.

While speaking, Pestoya even bared her little fangs and bit down fiercely on the hand Su Lun had used to touch her head.

A bite, firm and solid.

"..."

Su Lun didn't mind, smiled, and didn't pull back his hand.

However, he was also curious, how come his current body actually felt pain from a bite?

....

With the bite over, she probably let out her anger.

Pestoya lifted her head, and at that moment, her gaze was attracted to a necklace on Su Lun's hand, "Huh... Mr. Su Lun, how did you get this necklace?"

With that, she waved her hand, and the crystal pendant fell into her grasp.

She seemed to recognize something, and her mood suddenly changed again.

Su Lun caught the abnormality in Pestoya's emotional eyes and his mind stirred.

The clues in his brain connected like lightning.

This was the [Sereya's Crystal Pendant] he had obtained by slaying the fortuneteller of the Umbrella Organization on the way to the ruins.

He had been wearing it because this alchemical item had a property that evaded divination.

When he first saw the name on this necklace, Su Lun thought it sounded very familiar.

Now, hearing Pestoya's tone, he immediately confirmed something.

The name "Sereya" was quite common among women,

But unfortunately,

this necklace just happened to have a significant background.

The very Puppeteer who entrusted Su Lun to meet a certain Curse Space Master, the founder of the Puppeteers, was also called "Sereya."

Even more coincidentally, Su Lun's Puppeteer inauguration materials were obtained from Pestoya herself.

Some special professions are carried down in succession.

The source of the coincidence was because Su Lun, when he had crossed over, had seen this name in the family portrait in the library of the Manor of the Storms.

She was the mother of the little girl before him, Sereya Isaac (married and changed surname).

....

Pestoya's just-settled emotions suddenly became violently agitated, "You... saw her... my mother?"

Su Lun, afraid that she would remember something and get upset again, said directly, "Didn't you entrust me to ask them a question? I've learned some clues, and I plan to help you ask."

Pestoya remained silent.

After a while, she gave a tiny sound, "Oh."

Su Lun could feel the conflict in her heart.

There was love, yet it was mingled with hysterical resentment.

The atmosphere suddenly went cold.

Seeing the necklace, Pestoya seemed to be reminded of someone, and, upon reflection, was unable to part with it.

"Can you give me the necklace?"

"Sure."

But she had lost the interest to stay any longer and said to Su Lun, "Mr. Su Lun, I'm sleepy, I'm going back to sleep, I'll come find you another time."

"Yeah. See you next time." Continue reading on empire

Su Lun nodded and waved to her.

He watched her sadly drift out the window and then slowly disappear from view.

In the end, Su Lun did not tell her about the brooch being with Teresa.

He felt that matters were a bit too complicated.

Pestoya seemed to have some memory loss.

Intuition told Su Lun that before things were clear, it would be best not to trigger any other obviously strange plots.

....

And just after Pestoya's departure, "Qiantiao" on the bed suddenly opened her eyes.

Su Lun didn't see it, but a teardrop flashed through her deep eyes.

Now that Pestoya was gone, Su Lun sat on the sofa, frowning deeply.

Many doubts in his mind were connected together, but without the key information, he couldn't untangle any of them.

He felt it necessary to discuss the situation with the boss, so he glanced at "Qiantiao" on the bed and cleared his throat gently.

"Ahem! Ahem!"

He immediately got a response.

Without turning around, Qiantiao said indifferently, "Go to sleep. It's alright now."

Obviously, she had been awake all the while.

"Then..."

Su Lun thought she was unaware of the situation and wanted to say more.

At that moment, "Qiantiao" cut him off directly, "Can't talk about it."

Upon hearing these three words, Su Lun's gaze faintly hardened.

Can't talk about it?

Which means...

Did Pestoya also somehow involve that indescribable entity?