a new beg

by thejarl7166

beg new a

9. Mystery: Path of the Abyss

When Vilkar woke up he found himself in an unfamiliar room, as he opened his eyes his vision was flooded by a red light whose source was coming from a window beyond in which he saw the moon shining in its crimson brilliance into the room that he currently occupied.

Vilkar rubbed his eyes as to cast away this magnificent illusion in which he found himself as if it was all just a dream. But to his surprise, everything remained the same, unchanged like the picture on the wall beloved for its wonderment and ability to bring to one's imagination of strangeness and unknown.

To his right, Vilkar saw what looked like an engraved work desk made from dark-brown wood. Its intricacies made him think of old Victorian furniture that he saw from time to time on the internet. On it, he could see various objects lying, from pens of a multitude of sizes, inks of different kinds, empty papers prepared to be used, and one closed envelope sealed by wax.

From the middle of the ceiling, all the way to a wall on his left side pipes of copper color with golden patterns were connected to lights, lamps, and heating. The way it walls all connected together made look like a flood of snakes intermingling with each other.

In one of the corners of the room Vilkar could see a full-body mirror with a frame made out of metal with a silver-like color, the frame was also engraved all around with triangular patterns depicting some kind of symbols.

Vilkar himself was lying in a kingsize bed made out of the same dark-brown wood as was desk. His legs were covered with silk sheets with black patterns on their edges. Behind his head was a pillow made of the same material filled with what felt like feathers, which was different from his blanket which felt like sheep's wool.

After momentary bewilderment, Vilkar took a few deep breaths to calm down, "This seems strangely familiar, not experienced before familiar or seen familiar but still familiar..." Vilkar said to himself as it all came to him.

Two distinct floods of memories assaulted his brain bringing excruciating pain, the first and stronger one was his 'own' memories. From his childhood, his friends, family, his growing up until his demise which he could not recall for some reason, not to mention of world in which he found himself right now.

The second wave was memories of the body that he inhabited right now. Those were more tattered in comparison, some were partial others were wholly missing. Thankfully most were still there as was knowledge of Leonies, Intis, and Hermes languages.

"That's good learning three languages would be too much of a headache." Vilkar sighed to himself as the pain started to subside. Leaving him with one of the most important information that he could get, his name.

Hector... Hector Carnivil son of Goerge Carnivil and Aghata Carnivil.

His parents owned a midsize bank which generated good income for them

"Let's see...

His parents died in an accident two years back. Hector was an only child in time of their death so he inherited Bank at the age of twenty. Looking at it now it seems their deaths were somewhat sketchy.

His father was a banker who was hard working and with the help of a few clever investments, he had enough capital to start his own business. He later sold and with the money that he made started his bank. Good for him...

His mother and his father were believers in the god of steam and machinery. That's good their presence in Backlund isn't strongest compared to Godes of Night and Lord of Storms. But still, If I want to become beyonder I have to be careful especially because of Arrodes.

The bank is currently managed by Hector's godfather Victor who is in his late sixties and is preparing to retire. But he postponed his retirement after Hector's parent's accident.

Hector is currently 22 years old. He celebrated his last birthday two months ago. Who knew that they would be his last?

He lives in Vila in West Borough. As an owner of a bank, he has an annual income of around 2500 pounds. This will be useful as Beyonder materials and formulas are costly"

As he tried to stand up from the bed he felt mild discomfort in his chest. When he looked down his breath stopped for a moment as his mind went blank. A gaping hole welcomed his sight where his heart should be.

Vilkar hurriedly ran to the mirror, so fast were his movements that his body with which he was still unfamiliar stumbled and he fell on his knees. But that did nothing to stop him from getting to the mirror even if he was to move on all four.

As he got close he could see how the previously gaping hole started to shrink as the flesh started to connect. It shouldn't surprise him that much as something similar did happen in the story but seeing it with his own eyes was something on a whole other level.

Vilkar could swear that he saw a heart made of chains just beneath yet thin layer of flesh. After it was all but healed Vilkar started to look at his body. Vilkar saw that he was wearing old-style pajamas. He wore an ornate shirt with white and gray stripes and a big hole in his chest area and his pants were pure gray color.

When he saw his new face in the mirror which was comprised of pale skin, pitch black hair, grey pupils, mildly handsome face with somewhat deep features. He smiled and marveled at the feeling of such unfamiliarity.

"So that's Hector, new body, new name..." Vilkar caressed his face inspecting every detail. When he was done he started to look around, looking for any signs of damage. Something that would explain what had happened to the previous owner of the body that he is now residing in.

After looking around the room he found nothing out of the ordinary or anything that was broken which could indicate a struggle.

"It's not like someone just gets their heart ripped out without blood splatter or something..." Vilkar tried to remember but there was just blank emptiness. Even in his memory, everything was the same as before. "Everything except... that letter..."

Vilkar looked at his desk and slowly, more carefully walked towards it. As he was standing over his desk staring at the letter he pondered as to what to do. In the memory he had there was no letter on his desk, so it must hold some significant value.

Of course, he could be wrong and simply not remembering but let's be honest. You will wake up in a different world in a room inside the body of someone else, still having most of their memories but not remembering a letter with your name, your true name which I forgot to mention before 'To Vilkar now Hector from a friend.'

Finally, he raised his hand and reached for it. While holding it in his hands he felt nothing out of the ordinary so he pullet at the wax seal to reveal its content. Glowing symbols of unknown origin and foreign design silently stared at him. As he watched them and tried to read them information started to enter his mind.

"Dear friend, it is our pride and joy that your journey was successful and without any trepidation or interference from local more unsavory vermins.

It is the nature of our protection that your memory has already been affected by our help to shield you from things that would corrupt your being.

Per agreement made by thy own free and unforced will. The journey of thy own choice begins with thy own choices. From the beginning to the end, all of thy choices are 'your' own.

Please go to the basement of the house in which you are currently located.

There you will find more information and requested gift.

Your never existing friend."

Vilkar stopped speaking aloud and his body as if having its string cut dropped down. "What was that..." He said to himself breathing heavily and slightly shaking from losing control of his body.

Only after a few moments of calming down did he stand up at thought about the content of the letter which had disintegrated after being wholly read aloud. In place of what was now a brass key, it looked ancient as if forgotten by the world itself.

Soon after Vilkar started to laugh and walked out of his room. Outside of his room, he saw a dark hallway leading from his room further in. His room was at the end of the hall, the master bedroom he guessed. The floor was decorated with red and gold carpets and on the sides were tables with flowers on top of them.

The walls were painted brown-red color and paintings were hung from them. Some depict people, family portraits Vilkar thought. Others were paintings of forests, gardens, and some even with fruits.

On the ceiling, he saw pipes that led to his room. They traveled to every room. They were everpresent like mold growing on a dead animal.

Vilkar walked silently until he got to the stairs leading down. Then he tried to remember how to get into the basement.

When he entered the basement he felt the temperature dropping. Right before him, he saw the beginning of a wine cellar. And remembered that his father was an avid collector of red wine.

Vilkar felt a stinging pain in his heart as he remembered his father. Those memories weren't his but the original owner of the body. So he shook his head and cast away any residual emotions, and then he moved forward.

After he passed more wine he saw barrels of different types of alcohol. Beer, ale even mead could be found here. Vilkar smiled and decided that he would need to taste-test them, as he liked mead much more than the wine.

Vilkar looked for any signs of a door which he could open with the key he got but found nothing only more alcohol and some spices.

Then he saw an iron door at the end of the basement. Vilkar walked towards it and as he was getting closer he could feel the brass key started to warm up.

When he put the key in the keyhole he heard a clicking sound from the door and the door opened inward on its own.

Behind now opened door Vilkar saw a dimly lit room, the ground and walls were made from pitch black bricks with pale blue symbols carved in them. The ceiling was fully covered by roots or it was made out of roots, Vilkar couldn't tell which one was true.

On the walls he could see moss from which glowing pale white flowers sprouted. Every flower in the room was turned at him as if he was the sun from which they gained nourishment.

In the middle of the room stood a wooden table whose legs were shaped like limbs growing from the ground and on its corners carved eyes stared upward.

On top of the table he could see a small ornate cauldron with nails holding it in place, next to it he could see a pate with dark oily feathers and some kind of liver with purple spots. On the opposite side of the cauldron, he saw a smaller plate with 6 leaves from a tree, and 3 vials filled with various substances. The first was of darker copper color, the second dark red, and the last was filled with blood. Then there was also a small pipette next to the vials.

The last thing that he saw on the table was a sheet of paper right before the cauldron.

As he walked closer to the table flowers followed always staring right at him. When he stood before the table and reached for the papers door leading here shut with a loud bang.

For a moment he thought of running to them but then decided against it, it's not like this would be a trap, not as soon as he came to this world.

And based on the letter that he read before he was meant to come here so he thought that closing the door was meant to give him some privacy. So he started to read the first paper.

"Hello again my friend.

It's good that you made it this far at such short notice. I was slightly worried that you would decide to go to sleep or explore the house and not go here first thing. And there was about a 30 percent chance that certain individuals would feel your presence and well...

No matter all is well so back to the point. As you may have already seen there on the table are ingredients necessary for potion making and to be precise potion sequence 9 criminal. The potion is of your own choice I assure you.

You should already know how to make it and if not well you know what they say, you only live once... even if with beyonders it is not always so.

Lastly when you are finished please leave everything here and exit the room as it will start to fall upon itself and disintegrate

Sequence 9:

main ingredients

1 liver of goat-horned frog

1 feather from oily rooster

supplementary ingredients

70 milliliters of apple juice

6 drops of red wine

6 drops of snake blood

6 leaves of the walnut tree"

"Path of the Abyss..." Vilkar stared at the paper and started to chuckle. Then he sighs and put away the papers.

"Firstly 70 ml of apple juice" Vilkar took the most lag vial and poured its content into the cauldron, careful to not spill anything.

"6 drops of red wine." Then he took a pipette and counted one by one.

"6 drops of snake blood" Vilkar repeated the process as he did with wine. When the liquids combined their combination created murky color.

"Lastly 6 leaves of walnut tree." Vilkar took exactly 6 leaves and dropped them at the same time. As they dropped into the liquid they floated at the top.

While supplementary ingredients at the early stage were ordinary ingredients and there was an acceptable margin of mistake he didn't want to risk it.

"Now the main ingredients. One liver of a goat-horned frog" Vilkar carefully took the spotted liver from the plate and carefully dropped it into the cauldron. When the liver touched the liquid in the cauldron it liquified itself and the leaves, while turning the content of the cauldron black

"Lastly one feather from the oily rooster" As he took the feather he could see black liquid oozing from it staining his fingers. But as quickly as a blink, stains disappeared as if nothing had happened.

After putting the feather into the cauldron it too turned into a liquid. The content of the cauldron started to bubble but released on no heat. Strong rotten stench assaulted his senses.

"Oh... That smells wrong.

No matter let's see, one liver of a goat-horned frog, one feather from an oily rooster, 70 milliliters of apple juice, 6 drops of red wine, 6 drops of snake blood, 6 leaves of the walnut tree.

Good everything is correct." After double-checking that everything was correct Vilkar took the potion to his lips and started to drink.

ADVERTISEMENTAs he raised the cauldron to his lips Vilkar hesitated for a moment. While he fully expected to advance without any problems there was still a small spark of uncertainty.

Vilkar thought of what it would be like if he failed, would he turn into a monster breaking out of the room and killing his staff which he hasn't met yet? Would he fall to one of the official beyonders?

What a sad story it would be, but still it would be worth the risk. Vilkar remembered how in the story old Niel said to Klein to drink a cup of wine, smoke a cigar, whistle a relaxing tune, dance an upbeat court dance, and lastly play a round of Gwent.

Vilkar remembered the first time that he read Lord of the Mysteries. Truth be told first time that he read it first few chapters were captivating as it was the first novel of that genre. It was unique and special, and ever since other creations of a similar type just could not compare.

"I can't wait..." Vilkar said to himself as he thought of the future that awaits him. Of all the possibilities that can he experience, all the adventure, the pleasures, and of course mysteries to explore.

"Books..." Vilkar did not remember the last time that he looked forward to reading educational literature but now the idea of reading books about mysticism excites him to no end.

'First thing first.' Vilkar thought as he started to drink the concoction. At first, his nostrils were assaulted by the stench of it, then the liquid touched his taste buds.

A warm, and sickly sweet feeling filled his mouth, as a sirup-like substance passed through his neck and into his stomach he could feel his insides start to twist in opposition.

His whole body started to feel like buckets of cold water were being continuously spilled on him, which interestingly was the opposite of what he felt inside. There he felt molten glass passing through his veins and skin.

Vilkar's muscles convulsed and hardened with each heartbeat which resonated like a drum throughout his whole body. Then his brain opened letting a wave of knowledge about a variety of criminal skills and abilities enter.

He was now able to pick a lock, and pickpocket without being conspicuous about it. Vilkar was now able to use a variety of weapons regardless of type be it a sword, a dagger, a longbow, a pistol, a rifle, or even a machine gun all would be highly deadly in his hands.

But that was not all as Vilkar felt a sudden release as if shackles were taken from him. Free to move to revel in his desires, in all kinds of pleasures of life.

Just as he was at a high of his freedom he felt cold shackles slithering around his arm, up to his chest burrowing into his flesh right into his heart. Vilkar looked down in his still mind-numbed state but he saw nothing out of ordinary.

But on inside he felt as those desires that promised freedom latched themselves around his heart around his being and started to wail a hymn of desire.

"revertere ad nos... revertere ad nos... domine peccati"

"revertere ad nos... revertere ad nos... domine peccati"

"revertere ad nos... revertere ad nos... domine peccati"

He felt a sinking feeling, a pulsing force dragging one's mind and soul to a place smelling of sulfur and fire, and yet it felt empty, hollow. As if everything that was supposed to be there was drowned away by the corrupting presence. As vertigo started to pass away Vilkar looked up to see his body being disconnected from him, and the only thing keeping them together were twisted dark chains.

Not even a moment passed and he was being dragged back into the body of Hector. Into its proper place made just for him. Vilkar started to breathe heavily while he tried to calm down. Changes started to subside and he could breathe a sigh of relief

"That was... something. Hahaha," Vilkar laughed without any worry in the world. He did it, he became beyonder the world of not of his own, in the story of Lord of the Mysteries.

Soon he fully calmed down and started to inspect his body, while there were no physical changes his muscles felt so much stronger. He felt like he could do anything that he put his mind and body into.

Don't like someone he could tear them in half, rip their heads, and beat them to death with their own limbs. "Magnificent," he said excitedly.

While not that great of a change he felt slightly more flexible, he wouldn't become a gymnast or acrobat but still, it would be a great help while scaling buildings or in the middle of a barfight.

While he examined his body he thought about his vision which changed somewhat.

His smile widened even more as he remembered what he should do next, "Cogitation! Yes, let's see how it went again?" Vilkar tried to remamber.

"First imagine an object to divert your attention to turn the energy seepage inwards... Let's try glove." He closed his eyes and imagined a white glove. While thinking his stray thoughts started to subside and his mind became more clear.

"The next step is to exchange the object in my mind with something that doesn't exist in the world." When he said those words to himself Vilkar lost his image of the glove.

Vilkar never was especially good at thinking of nothing and instructing himself on what to do next hehe.

"So the next thing is to transcend the concept of 'I'. And connect with the universe to see the truth, it should be called a mystic experience if I remember correctly.

Vilkar wondered what type of object he should imagine. Something that doesn't exist in the world. He remembered that objects from his home wouldn't work, so the next best thing was to go into the realm of absurdity.

For start, he thought of spherical rings of light onto which he imagined translucent blood-weeping eyes adding more eyes into the rings of light. Unfortunately his stray thoughts of 'Is it working?' had invaded his mind making him lose the image.

And so he repeated the process until he was able to go through the process until his mind calmed down. Then he extended his spirituality little by little until he looked at the rings. After he was able to wholly sense them Vilkar started to take them in.

As he continued he felt an old memory that he forgot to resurrect, it was the name of his home city Presborg. How could he forget such a thing, up until now he did not even realize that he was missing such a crucial memory. It made him wonder what else he had forgotten.

While he thought about it he heard a noise coming from the table. Vilkar hurriedly looked over and saw how the cauldron which he previously used started to disappear. Followed by plates and papers, then the rest of the objects.

Soon after the whole table started to break apart. Vilkar didn't wait for the rest of the room to break so he turned around taking the formula with him as it seemed to remain whole.

When he got to the door bricks in the room started to crack but thankfully Vilkar was able to open the door easily. A moment after he got out he could hear something breaking behind him as the room which he just stood in collapsed on itself.

After he turned around to see what exactly happened he was shocked to see or more precisely to not see anything. No room or door was present, just an empty brick wall at the end of the basement.

Vilkar then took out the key from his pocket which for some reason remained but lost its warmth, and yet it felt like there is more to it still.

Soon after Vilkar decided to return to his room, if someone saw him in the basement in the middle of the night it could create rumors. Such explanations could contain that he is sleepwalking or has the desire to drink some alcohol. Neither was exactly something he was interested in saying so he hurriedly left the basement and returned to his room.

After walking up the stairs to the ground floor he could see that night would be coming to an end soon. Vilkar wondered how much time he had as he still wanted to learn spirit vision before facing his staff.

Vilkar then walked towards the window to close the blinds so light in the room would darken.

Then he raised his hands before his eyes with index fingers facing each other. Next, he focused his gaze on the spot behind his hands and started to move his index fingers while still keeping them in his vision.

Soon he started to see color between his fingers which should be his aura. Once he stabilized himself Vilkar shifted his gaze somewhere else. Vilkar's spirit vision wasn't the best as he was of the criminal pathway but better than nothing.

Once he was done attuning to it he started to look around. While nonliving objects had no spirituality and there were no beyonder materials with remnant spirituality he saw not much of a difference.

Soon he started to feel mild discomfort and decided that it was enough for now, then Vilkar entered a cogitation state.

"With enough practice, I should be able to use it for longer periods," Vilkar said to himself while sitting behind his desk. There he started to practice activating his spirit vision with a simple tapping on the side of his right ear.

While it wasn't a complicated exercise it still drained him not mentioning his previous consumption of potion and recent transmigration. Vilkar decided that he should rest for a little bit.

But before that, he still wanted to look through the desk. After opening drawers, he found pens, a stack of papers, a few pounds, and a golden pocket watch.

"I remember, Hector's father gave it to him for his birthday when he was younger. They celebrated together with a small party, just three of them Hector and his parents, which is not that common in Backlund, especially for a banker like his father.

"What was it that he says, ah yes 'Here my son, on this day you have grown to be a man, from this day forth you bear the name of our family to the future. Through you, our ancestors will be remembered and feared.'

"Looking at it through my own eyes I must say it is something weird to say. Especially that pocket watch has a big letter 'A' at the front and on the inside is carved 'Hector A. Carnivil'

"Which once again in Vilkar's eyes looks like one big family secret that Hector was too dumb to notice over the years." After thinking about it a little more Vilkar remembered another memory from his childhood.

"It was when Hector was about 6 to 7 years old. His father had just opened his bank and became somewhat successful when certain businessmen whose name Hector did catch at the time, stated his desire to buy shares in the bank.

"At the beginning, it was just a normal business offer but his father wanted to keep it all in the family with very few silent business partners. In retrospect, if he agreed to have shareholders he could have more capital for the bank but for his father what was important wasn't the size of the bank but that his family would retain full control of it.

"Vilkar could remember a few times when he was told that it wasn't the best decision his eyes changed they became darker and... Hector did not know how to describe them but it was the only time that he ever feared his father.

"But back to reminiscing, said businessmen after being unsuccessful at persuading Hector's father to sell some shares became not violent but threatening.

"He could remember how his mother used to worry about it, and how his father comforted her saying that everything would be alright.

"It all ended on one of the nights when Hector used to watch Moonrise. On that day he recalled that his father called the family butler to his office, his name was Alberth, still is as he now works for Hector. Alberth served his father before he ever moved to Backlund.

"In the corner of his eyes, he saw Alberth leaving their family estate. At that time Hector didn't think much of it but now, Vilkar realized that it is aligning with no more propositions about selling shares from said businessmen. Actually, Hector never saw or heard about him ever again.

"After that, everything returned to normal, everything except that for about a week Alberth was uncharacteristic smiling and chewing something.

"When Hector asked what he was eating Alberth said some long pork from Leon colonies, after that Hector no longer thought about it"

After this long monologue where he realizes that there are secrets in his family that he will get to figure out. For Vilkar it was reading the synopsis of an interesting book, primed to be read.

But for now, Vilkar's main goal is to become stronger to revel in his desire. "So how do we start, burning some criminal's hideout to the ground or nailing thief's hands to the wall? Oh, I'm excited."

"But the first thing is to digest criminal potion, then to advance." Vilkar thought about it and beyonder gatherings would be the best course of action.

"In the long term Tarot club would be the best option, but to get there will be either super easy or very hard, whenever I think about it I get a strange sensation from the key so who knows? And it's not like I know when Klein stops being Klein and gets replaced.

"Other options would include a gathering led by Eye of Wisdom, to that I will need to pay a visit to Bravehearts Bar. Kaspars would be the one introducing me if everything would go as I want it to. But what would I tell him? Maybe some other member introduced me... I don't know if he would believe it.

"Then there is one which was mentioned in the letter not that far from here. For this one, he knew all the information. When it will happen, where it will happen, and what the code to enter is." After thinking about it he stood up and went to his bed so he could get at least some rest.

But his thoughts weren't without worry as there was still the problem of acting as Hector. Fortunately for him at the time of death, Hector didn't have many servants who knew him for long.

Most were relatively new, and strangely enough, he had no personal manservant, nor did his father have one. Hector's father always said that they were just a set of eyes that spread rumors behind their master's back.

The only one who could potentially be a problem would be his butler Alberth, but that is something that he will deal with later.

"How to act as a criminal without breaking my convictions and moral compass. I would prefer to not harm innocents as much as possible, only when they would stand in a way that would make them no longer innocent. Such a dilemma.

"At the end of the day, I don't want to lose my humanity as that would lead to a much greater possibility of losing control. So anti-hero path it is...

"But...

"I don't know at heart I see myself as a good person so I should eviscerate only those that I don't like, and torment only those that I deem deserving to. What exquisite screams they will sing, and how beautiful their eyes filled with terror will be." The next morning Vilkar was woken up by rays of light, still groggy as he slept only for a few hours and his body wasn't accustomed to it, while sequence 9 helped dramatically it will take some to time get used to.

Not wanting to stand up Vilkar recalled his recent memories, learning spirit vision, cogitating for the first time, drinking the potion, reading the letter, and waking up in Hector's body.

What had happened before was cloudy, Vilkar couldn't recall how or why he got sent here. Whoever the so-called "friend" was didn't elaborate about that particular subject.

Presumably, something had happened to him to transmigrate here. One possibility was picking up a strange object, another would be being picked up by a "friend" and sent here for some reason.

Vilkar didn't presume that he could understand anything about it at this time. What he got from the letter wasn't the most informative.

Truth be told Vilkar didn't much care about the reason he got here, and as long as said reason won't affect him too much in the future he will be contented not knowing.

"Hector, Hec-tor, He-ct-or, H-e-c-t-o-r..." Vilkar repeated his new name, carving it into his memory. Being called by his name and not responding would be troublesome to some extent.

Finishing his mind exercise Hector raised his hand and took the pocketwatch from the nightstand. When it showed 8 in the morning he stood up and went to his wardrobe and picked appropriate clothes for the day.

Black trousers, white shirt with black vest. While standing before a mirror Hector inspected his body more closely, looking for changes after drinking the potion.

While there were no significant ones he felt that his muscles and bones became tougher.

When he was done, Hector opened the door just as one of the maids came to wake him up.

"Ah... Good morning sir," She was surprised by the sudden opening of the door but was able to calm down immediately "Breakfast will be ready soon."

After thanking her and exchanging a few pleasantries Hector walked downstairs into the main dining hall. His father was always adamant about eating here as a family, and so Hector continued doing the same.

Thanks to Hector's memories of the house and its layout being intact he was able to arrive without any problems. While walking Hector saw that most of the walls in the house were covered in all kinds of paintings and heraldry. Some were Leon made while others his father bought from merchants who traveled through Leon's colonies.

As he was getting closer to his destination he could already smell delicacies that awaited him. When he entered the dining hall he saw that maids were already preparing the table.

When they saw him enter each gave him a small bow and one of them informed him that breakfast would be brought shortly.

After sitting down servants put a glass of water and a glass of apple juice before him, then they brought a cart with his plate. For breakfast, he was served two eggs cooked sunny side up, sausage, some type of sauce, and freshly baked buns.

Hector savored his meal as he had ample time today, while he planned to visit some hooligans in Easten Borough but first, he wanted to get used to his new body and fighting capabilities so he planned to visit Quelaag Club.

Hector's father became its member when he opened his bank all those years back, and from then on his father used to go there to socialize, "He always said middle class are bread and butter of any business as some poor didn't have enough money to feed themself, and rich would use their power, influence or some outright lawyers to pay as little as possible on interest. Especially those that were falling behind."

It is only in recent times that the highest tiers of the social ladder are opening to people without family trees to tie them to nobility in Leon.

"In Quelaag Club they also have a shooting range, some practice will be beneficial. While criminal potion does give me the knowledge and the ability to use weapons that doesn't mean that I'm truly exceptional with any of them, only that I can use them effectively.

"I also need to buy a gun, the best option would be Breavehearts Bar as I don't know any other black-market arms dealer."

While finishing his breakfast Hector spotted a figure standing in his peripheral vision. After turning his head he saw his butler Alberth standing in the corner of the dining hall.

He wore a black suit with a white handkerchief in his left breast pocket, a golden chain right under it. His hands were covered with white cotton gloves with stitched engravings on top.

His eyes were sunken with a bright grey color showing no emotion but resonating uncomfortable feelings in those that looked into them, his raised cheekbone, and sharp features with a slightly bigger jaw and scar going from the middle of his lips to his neck. Short black hair adorned his head.

Hector didn't pay much attention to him, as him appearing from nowhere was a common occurrence.

'After breakfast, I have to check the family vault to know the extent of my funds. While most of the expenditure was handled by Alberth, after my parent's death I received keys to the family reserves

'It is surprising that Father didn't trust banks much, even if he himself was a bank owner.' Hector thought as he finished eating.

After drinking the last of apple juice he stood up and left the dining hall. When he retrieved the keys from his room Hector then went through the same path he did at night. After arriving in the cellar he went the opposite way.

There he saw the metallic door more than two meters tall with imagery engraved into it, in each corner of the door he could see a rune of some kind.

Then he took out the key and put it into the keyhole. After turning it in a clockwise direction he could hear gears turning as the door unlocked. Once opened he saw that the door was nearly half a meter thick with metallic rods connecting the frame and door when locked.

After a closer look, he could see that the door was made of multiple layers of different metals.

Beyonder World was not cheap especially beyonder characteristics, ingredients and not to mention weapons. Hector hoped that there would be enough money to cover it all.

While he could make money from the bank it would take time as he got paid in quarterly intervals same as his father was before, allegedly it was because he could change it depending on how well the bank was doing at the time.

Even now he had many expenditures that were taken from that pay, celebrations, balls, food, stocked wine cellar, payments to staff like maids, groundskeepers, carriage drivers, chef, and his staff, and much more.

Hector planned to continue paying them as what he was experiencing, the house he was living in was just not something he would want to lose any time soon. His previous life was much different while he never was poor he wasn't rich either.

"Magnificent..." was all that he could utter as he saw the contents of the vault.

Gold bars, gold coins, stacks of banknotes, jewelry, and precious stones, "That makes it certain, this family holds secrets."

With his family owning a bank he had rudimentary knowledge of the value of items present. While not most precise he calculated that there were around fifty thousand pounds in coins, another fifty in gold bars, twenty thousand pounds in stacks of banknotes, and who knows how much in stones and jewelry as that he wasn't sure.

"More than one hundred and twenty thousand pounds! Oh thank you Hector's father even if you stole and fled from a secret organization only to get killed by them later it would be worth it!

"Shame that even your son died but worry not for I will avenge you if! If there will be a time..." Hector felt like dancing as he hit the jackpot, there was no need to worry about money for some time.

Once the time comes when characteristics will cost tens of thousands of pounds he hopefully will have ways to make more money or take them from others like pirates, criminals, and secret organizations.

As he was calming down Hector saw a stone pedestal with a ring on top. What caught his attention the most was a letter next to it, "Another from that 'friend'?"

After he took the letter and opened it he realized that it wasn't from the 'friend' but from Hector's father.

"Son, If you are reading this letter that means that I have perished, hopefully with your mother at my side."

"That's cold." Hector thought.

"Ruin has come to our family, do you see our venerable house? Gazing proudly at the rest of the city, one of the few marbles among the filth that is Backlund. For many of my years, I lived in that structure and made it our home.

"In the past, my family lived in far more opulent and imperial palaces. But time bought decadence and luxury, and yet we began to tire of conventional extravagance. With power and influence, we bent every effort toward our desires. Exhausting what remained of a once proud family blessed by the divine.

"And we transformed ourselves into vile antediluvian evil. Our every act unsettled the very earth upon which we stood until we stood in the realm of death and madness.

"In the end, we became subservient to another family in desperation and hope of survival. Our blackened souls hated the world for it and desired retribution but were unable to have any.

"Until I had enough, while my ancestors remained still clinging with their pride to old ways I had fled to new beginnings.

"Remember our new house opulent and imperial it is the new hope of the new day and age. I implore you to claim your birthright and deliver our family to our rightful place. For the glory of Andariel." after reading the letter Hector stood silently rooted in place.

"That explains..." Hector did not know what to say, while it explained his questions about his father's family and their past, he still didn't know why they died.

If they were killed by one of their families he wouldn't be spared, so there had to be another reason behind their demise.

After thinking about it for some time Hector didn't come to any conclusion so he put them aside for the time being. After putting the letter back in its place he looked at the ring.

It was made out of gold with red gemstone in which three vertical lines were crossed by one horizontal. While the middle one was straight ones on the side were aimed at the middle one.

Hector thought about taking it, but then he decided to leave it there for now. After taking a thousand pounds from the vault Hector decided to visit Backlund Bridge, while he could obtain a revolver legitimately it would take time. If he were forced to discard it there would be questions that he would need to deal with.

But before he went he planned to remind himself of the layout of his property so he just walked around his new home. Thankfully he hadn't anything planned for the day, so he had plenty of time to kill.

When he thought it was the right time he went to the entrance. There he saw Alberth already standing next to the door looking at him.

After Hector walked towards him Alberth didn't say anything and handed him a top hat and cane which Hector took.

While leaving through the door Hector could hear Alberth speak, "Good day, sir."

"Thanks," Hector said back.

Hector thought about the option of transportation he should take. While he could go with his carriage he would lose seeing Backlund first hand.

As Hector walked through the streets of Backlund, he found himself immersed in a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and smells. The bustling city was alive with activity, its streets teeming with people going about their daily lives. Only its ever-present clouds and smog clouding the sun brought the otherwise idyllic part of the city to what would once expect it to be.

After walking for a few minutes he no longer was accompanied by Vilas and grandiose houses and entered the commerce district.

Tall buildings lined the streets, their facades a mix of architectural styles ranging from sleek modern designs to ornate historical structures. The sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone pavement, creating a play of light and shadow that danced along the walls.

When he walked a considerable distance he could see how scenery started to change once more. Hector passed by street vendors selling an array of goods, from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade crafts and trinkets. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of sizzling street food, as vendors grilled skewers of meat and fried savory snacks in hot oil.

When he was entertained enough he looked around looking for a carriage to rent. Once he boarded and was on his way he continued to watch as he passed throughout the city.

As he was getting closer to the Backlund bridge he could see how buildings, roads, people, and one could say that wery weather became colder and rundown.

Once he was at the Backlund Bridge Hector paid his fare and emerged from the carriage. Hector looked around himself taking in his surroundings and its denizens.

After a little looking and asking for a few pointers, Hector found his target. When he walked towards the bar, Hector saw a big brawny man standing before the heavy black wooden door.

As he saw Hector getting closer to the bar he looked him over but did not comment.

While being observed Hector realized his mistake and cursed himself for not wearing cheaper clothing, "I have to be more careful in the future."

Then he put down his top hat and walked inside. A strong aroma of sweat, cigarettes, and alcohol mixed together assaulted his nostrils. He put his hand in his inner pocket where he put his money for safekeeping and walked towards the bar.

There he sat behind the counter and looked at the bartender gaining his passing attention. "What it will be mister?" the bartender asked after which he returned most of his attention to polishing the cup in his hands.

"One Southville beer," Hector said in response as he remembered that it was supposed to be the best beer in Backlund. While he had no memory of tasting any beer in Backlund he wasn't sure of the validity of the statement and had nothing to compare.

After a moment of silence bartender took now clean cup and poured Southville beer into it, "Five pence."

Hector handed him the money for which the bartender put the cup before him.

ADVERTISEMENTWhile drinking the beer Hector tried to remember what the code was for Kaspars.

Hector remembered many things from the story but not every detail. Later he will have to make a ritual to recall those memories. While he did remember that Klein as Mr. Fool could help with that, Hector wanted to keep it secret from him at all costs.

Should anyone find out about him and his knowledge? it could affect the world around him to extreme proportions. The good thing is there shouldn't be any beings that know about you if you know about them. Right? Well, at least Hector doesn't remember any such creature at this time.

'Maybe...' The more he thought about it more his mind became blurry not able to concentrate on it, 'there should be memories that I can't currently recall. But I know that I will know it later. Was it a suggestion how spectators can do at later sequences or something else altogether?'

'No matter, one step after another.' Hector then looked up at the bartender and asked, "Where can I find Kaspar?"

After the bartender looked at Hector for a few moments he spoke with a noticeably lower voice, "Second door" Then he pointed in the direction of a wooden door.

When Hector drank the last gulp of beer he stood up and walked towards the door the bartender pointed at. Once there Hector knocked on the door and entered.

Four people were sitting behind a circular table holding cards. After entering the room people inside stopped playing and all of their eyes were set on him.

"I'm looking for Kaspars," Hector said patiently looking them over.

"And what would you need from him boy?" One of the men spoke, Hector presumed that he was Kaspars and so he answered in the most polite and carefree way possible while holding eye contact, "Old Geezer introduced me."

"Pity I had a good set of cards for once," Kaspars said after he snickered and looked at the men to his right. To that, his poker buddies started to chuckle.

When Kaspars shot them stare he stood up and turned to Hector, "Come with me." Hector said nothing as he started to follow Kaspars after he left the room.

After exiting the poker room Kaspars turned to the left and entered the empty room with a table in the middle.

"So what do you require of me?" Kaspars said in a low voice.

"Revolver, holster for said revolver, and fifty bullets," Hector said afterward.

Kaspars stared him in the eyes for a moment and then he spoke at last, "4 pounds 2 soli"

For less than a moment, Hector thought of haggling about the price but then decided against it. From what he knew it was a reasonable price.

While he did plan to take possession of weapons that would be donated from his victims Hector didn't want to be unprepared for his first one.

"Deal," Hector said to Kaspars, after which he took out four one-pound notes and two soli.

Kaspars then checked each one of the notes before nodding and saying "Give me five minutes". Then he put the notes into his pocket and limped to the door.

After a short wait, Kaspars returned carrying a package wrapped in brown paper which he put on the table next to Hector.

Hector then took the package and unwrapped its contents, there he saw the silvery barrel of a revolver. The grip was made from what seemed to be a darker shade of oak.

Next to it was a laying gun holster and neatly stacked rounds of which by looks of it were indeed fifty. Hector then took down his jacket and set it on the table next to the package. Then Hector put a holster on his left side and tried to hold the revolver in his hand, firstly without the bullets and when he was satisfied he put six bullets in and holstered his new weapon.

When he was done he put his jacket back on and looked at Kaspars who was intensely looking at him.

"I heard, you know of a place where I could buy more rare objects, ones that exceed human expectations and break norms set by presumptions of normal people," Hector said keeping his voice neutral while he watched Kaspars's every movement in case he would do something stupid.

Kaspar's eyes turned cold as looked straight into Hector's. For a few moments, he was silent as the pressure in the room grew heavier from Hector realizing his spirituality.

After about a minute of Kaspar examining Hector, he spoke shattering the silence that overtook the room.

"There is, but not today." Kaspars then stopped talking once again but continued in a few seconds, "Return in four days at noon."

"Thank you," Hector said while he stopped realizing his spirituality and courteously bowed. Then he turned around and exited the room which soon followed by him leaving Bravehearts Bar.

'I should start acting so I can digest the potion as soon as possible.' Hector thought to himself as he walked through the streets

'While I could visit some unsavory people in the middle of the night I think that going into the gun range in Quelaag Club to familiarize myself with the revolver that I bought would be a better idea at the moment.' as he decided Hector he inhaled the cold breeze into his lungs and walked towards park carriage at side of the road.

After he said to the driver where he wanted to go he rested in his seat, 'Tomorrow, I will visit Quelaag Club, and on the day after East borough to hurt and steal from some people.'

Once he arrived relatively close to his home Hector walked the rest of the way. Time walking helped him organize his thoughts about the criminal potion.

'What does it mean to be a criminal? There is no one way to act.

'Some are driven to it by circumstances for they are unable to pay rent, food, and medicine. Others simply want more than they already have, and then some simply want to see others suffer.

'Even how they go about it is very individual. Some prey on those weaker than them. Underhanded tactics or power of numbers against those that are stronger or just to be careful.

'Not to mention what is deemed to be a crime can be highly diverse depending on where you are located.

'Because of those reasons, I don't think that digesting the potion is so much about committing crimes but intentions behind them.

'The first rule should be as is with the whole Abyss pathway to follow one's desires. What difference between those sequences is that criminal desires triumph over that of society, unwinged angels triumph over one's conscience and limitations, and serial killers show them and make them real through their victims.

'In devil, they come together in qualitative change and apostle of desires cultivates them and spreads them among others.

'But back to the criminal, their desires should triumph over that of society, above the norm set by fellow people. To free oneself from constrain set by others.

'Yes, firstly follow your desires, secondly do not be constrained by the rules of society.' After thinking about the nature of the criminal Hector felt a slight change in himself as he started to digest the potion.

While there was progress he still needed to act on it. To follow his desires and free himself from society's chains, he also needs to remember that he only acts and does not fully fall to those desires but to be in control of them.

If he fails and starts to become controlled by them his humanity will quickly follow, Hector knew from the novel that humanity is extremely important on the path of beyonders.

As he returned home Hector rested in his home office while reading newspapers and drinking tea. When it was time Hector went to the dining hall to have dinner which was followed by him going to sleep early that day.

The next day morning Hector woke up well-rested and refreshed, prepared to face the challenges of the day, even thou he wasn't expecting any.

When Hector ate his breakfast he enjoyed a cup of tea with newspapers that were brought to him by Alberth.

After a few hours of leisure, Hector walked out of his home and boarded a carriage that took him to Quelaag Club.

As he entered the building Hector saw a brightly lit hall. Chandeliers washed the interior in golden light. Servants in red vests and maids wearing beautiful dresses came and went as they worked.

Hector took out his proof of membership and after showing it to the receptionist he was allowed to enter.

His father was the one who would visit the Quelaag Club more often than he, in truth Hector participated only a few times and all of those visits could be counted on one hand.

'Where to go now.' In comparison to the previous Hector Vilkar was much more eager to explore its provided options.

'Buffet, cafeteria, bar, library, squash room, conference room, and card room, then there are also 16 lounge rooms and two small conference rooms. Not to forget my main goal of coming here shooting ranges that are located underground.

'Later I could order food from the chefs.

'Yes let's start with buffet, even if I had breakfast why not indulge oneself if it's free.' After thinking for a moment Hector walked to the second floor where the buffet was located.

Once there Hector saw different kinds of pastries, sandwiches, and drinks. After selecting a few he sat down at the nerby table and started to enjoy himself.

After his fifth serving, he started to feel full but Hector didn't stop as he was wondering if he could digest the potion this way. Even if he wasn't breaking any law he was following his desires and over-indulgence could be frowned upon by so-called gentlemen.

When he was satisfied with his cravings Hector went to the bar to taste some of its vines, and a harder variety of alcohol. When he felt that he was slightly intoxicated Hector went down to the shooting range.

Once there he paid for the rental fee as he didn't want to disclose that he owns a revolver, and if someone asked he couldn't show a permit.

After standing at preset positions Hector started to fire at the target, while his slight intoxication hindered his accuracy Hector was surprised at his competence.

Of course, he knew that he gained those skills from the potion but still, he wanted to test them before being in life or death situation. Once he was satisfied, Hector left and went back home satisfied with how the day went.

The next day Hector decided to pay a visit to East borough as he felt confident about himself. While Hector wasn't fully sure from where such confidence stemmed. Either his newly acquired power from the potion, his view of the world from the eyes of a stranger, or its combination.

"No matter, it's time to break some bones," Hector said to himself as he left his home at noon. Taking carriage to East borough from few streets further in.

While sitting inside the carriage Hector would get a side-glance look from the driver. Probably wondering why he was going there at this time of the day.

Hector understood his bewilderment as the clothes that Hector was wearing while not showy were still much better than those commonly found in East borough. Truth be told Hector picked the worst ones he could find that still looked somewhat decent.

While he could take worker clothes as those could be found in his house his pride and desires were against it. As he was listening to his emotions for quick digestion of the potion he took the worse option.

Thankfully carriage driver remained professional and said nothing. When he dropped Hector at the East borough he simply drove away.

As Hector stood at the side of the road he was feeling excited at the prospect of robbing and beating someone. Those dark emotions whisper in the back of one's mind asking to indulge in blood and torment.

Looking around Hector could see people looking at him strangely, some with curiosity, others with envy, while some had darker thoughts hidden in their eyes.

Most of them were beggars, tramps, and other destitute people desperate for some money to live another day.

With excitement in his heart, Hector hurriedly walked towards the closest dark alley and looked for some prey.

'It is time to fully act as a criminal. Other criminals and gangsters should prove to be good practice targets.' Hector thought as he looked around.

Thankfully for him in the East borough, there are always more than enough gangsters to torment.

And sure enough, it didn't take long before Hector spotted what could be his first prey.

Hector heard a commotion in the next street so he went to the corner to see better and to keep himself covered.

A man in his thirties wearing stained dirty clothes and short brown hair was kicking an older person who Hector guessed to be a tramp in the stomach.

Seeing it brought forth two distinct feelings from Hector. The first one was the excitement of finding his first victim and the pleasure he got from seeing pain and fear enveloping the tramp's face.

Second was disgust at himself for feeling such emotion and rage at that man inflicting pain on someone whom Hector did not deem as wicked or evil and as such was innocent.

Paradoxical emotions were common in Vilkar's life as oftentimes he hated and loved the same things. He hated to see people inflicting pain on others without any valid reasoning but deep down for some reason he loved to see it nonetheless.

After a few breaths, Hector smiled and started to walk towards them.

Joyce was an associate of a gang named Street Rats, he joined their preliminary ranks after emigrating from one-off colonial islands. In the past, he was a low-tier pirate but gave up on that path after he and his crew met their end at the hands of their greed getting the better of them.

His current goal was to become a full-flagged member of Street Rats, so he could start to make real money.

Best way to join any gang?

Impress your superiors. So Joyce worked hard at extorting what little money from tramps he could find. But after a year of hard work, he still wasn't promoted. Sometimes he wondered if he made the right choice of abandoning his career as being pirate.

Life in the East borough is hard and unforgiving, but Joyce even when he was a child was taller than others. Even now he towered over his peers and supposed bosses.

While he was young he could get away from trouble by bullying other kids and so in time, he developed a strong superiority complex. Might make right, that was his motto.

Once challenged he would attack with his fists and only later he would think, should he not come to the top he would retaliate with threats of violence against those who in his eyes weren't humiliated enough.

But as years passed his peers started to catch up to him. While still tallest they would ambush him with numbers at their side.

As he grew to adulthood he no longer felt as strong as before. Joyce hated to feel weak and so he responded only way he knew how to, with violence.

Often Joyce seethed with anger for all that he supposedly lost. But he could not escape reality and so all that remained for him was to bully those weaker than him.

"You think you can sleep here and not pay?!" Joyce yelled at the tramp as he started to kick him in the stomach, then he punched him in the face knocking teeth out and loosening others.

Tramp curled in a ball with tears in his eyes didn't have much strength to resist. He was exhausted from a day of hard work in the docks.

As Joyce was reliving his stress and grasping at the feeling of importance and power he suddenly heard someone speak from behind him. After breakfast, Vilkar went with Hilbert to see the bank. When they left the villa they took a family carriage "To Hillston borough" Hilbert said to the carriage driver.

When the carriage stopped Vilkar saw a three-story tall building made of white stone. In front was a big wooden double door that was opened. Before the entrance stood two men watching people entering and leaving.

Hilbert and Hector went to the front door and as they passed two men guarding spoke at the same time "Good morning sir."

Hilbert greeted them back and then he and Hector entered.

Inside he saw that bank was busy even in the morning. He heard someone asking for a loan for a bakery.

While there were many people he saw clear paths. Thanks to them people wouldn't bump into each other.

Hilbert took Hector back and then they passed through a door and into a staircase. He saw mirrors hung on walls making the whole place feel much bigger.

Stairs were decorated with red and gold rugs leading to the next floor.

They went to the third floor of Hilbert's office. Hector saw stacks of papers sitting on the wooden desk. Next to them stood candles which Hector felt were dangerous being so close to the paper. Behind the desk stood a wooden chair with carved motifs on the back. In the corner, he saw more comfortable chairs put in half circles with a table in the middle. For resting and smoking probably. Vilkar thought as he looked around.

Hilbert started by introducing the bank's department and management. After that, he started to talk about his work.

"What do you say about going to eat something?" Hilbert asked him. Hector himself started to feel a little peckish so he agreed. After deciding on a restaurant that was close to the bank they boarded the carriage and left.

When they entered he could smell food. Hector was getting hungry so his mouth started to salivate slightly. When they sat at the table waiter came to them. They ordered the chef's choice for 10 pounds each.

At the end when they were leaving Hilbert suddenly stopped and walked toward a middle-aged man who just came in.

"Jason. It was some time that I saw you" Hilbert said in a friendly tone. Men looked at him and smiled.

"Hilbert, it is unusual to see you here." the men said back. Hector wondered who it was as he had no memory of him.

"I came with my godson Hector," Hilbert said happily but then he remembered.

"Oh right, Hector this is Patrick Jason. He too owns a bank but for the competition, he is a good company."

As he felt a strange stare from Jason he just politely nodded at him but otherwise, he remained silent. They chatted only for a little as they were on their way to leave, and he was just coming in.

After saying farewell they left the restaurant.

"It was good to see you, Hector," Hilbert said with a smile.

They parted ways as Hilbert still had some work to do at the bank and he thought that it was enough for Hector for one day.

When Hector boarded the carriage he thought about Patrick Jason's name. He remembered it from somewhere.

Then it hit him. Jason Beria! He was a devil of sequence five Desire Apostle.

Hector felt a chill run down his neck. Did he realize that he too is of Abyss pathway?

His thoughts became chaotic as he looked around himself. When he found nothing out of the ordinary he started to calm down.

No, I need to keep my mind calm! He said to himself. Hopefully, he won't be a problem. He doesn't have any reason to come after me. And if he would it would only put him at the risk. So I should be all right.

I really need to relieve some of my stress. Maybe I should go to the East borough. While he thought his mood started to improve.

But I will need to make some preparations. Information about gangs their locations and much more.

So he decided to talk with residents of the East borough. And for that, he needs different clothing.

When he finally arrived at the villa. Hector took some old clothes from the cellar and went into the garden.

There he trowed them into the dirt and started to tear them a little. After that, he soaked them in puddled water and hung them to dry behind a tree. Hector tried to be as sneaky as he could so his servants wouldn't see anything.

Hector then waited for the night. When he thought that it was safe he went outside to take his clothes. Good, they dried up. Hector took them and then looked for the suitcase.

He then took the holster and put it on himself with the revolver. Then he took a cane and suitcase into his hands and left.

When he arrived at the East borough he went to his previous spot. There he looked for an alley with trash bins and changed his clothes to dirty ones. Then he hid his suitcase behind the trash bin and started to look for tramps.

"Jackpot!" Hector said as he saw multiple tramps being harassed by some individual. His mouth turned into a big smile as his heart started to yearn for violence.

But then he put stop to his thoughts and reminded himself why he is here. He needs information about gangs.

Hector decided to make it quick and slowly walked to the gangster from behind. He raised his cane and struck the gangster on his head.

When tramps heard the sickening sound of a cracking skull, they tried to run away.

"STOP!" Hector said sternly as he looked at them. And they stopped not daring to move.

Hector then asked questions about gangs in the vicinity.

He found out that the gangster harassing them was part of the Street rats gang that operated there. They were different from other gangs as they primarily targeted the poor who lived on the streets. They would demand payment for crossing or sleeping in the street that they controlled.

If they could not pay then they would beat them up and sometimes worse. But with children and women, they were most cruel.

When they told Hector all that they would do he seethed with rage. But he continued to listen.

Street rats also ran dog-fighting pits for the enjoyment of richer people. Even by East borough gang standards, they were looked down on for their backstabbing and lowly tactics.

Where Zmanger gang was run by a bunch of aggressive barbarians and the Proscrito gang was run with a night pleasure business with connections Street rats relied on backstabbing as they were untrustworthy and could not make any alliance with other gangs.

Only lately they started to run dog-fighting arenas which brought them some respect.

Hector then went through the gangster's pocket and threw tramps his money.

He then dragged the gangster to the alley and started to stomp at the gangster's head until there was only a puddle of blood and white matter.

"It's decided. I'm going to burn street rats to the ground!" Hector said and started to look for more gangsters. "Silent Night, Blasphemous Night,

People quake at the sight

Monsters rising from Deep R'lyeh

People screaming 'please go away'

Great Cthulhu has come

Great Cthulhu has come

Silent Night, Blasphemous Night,

Great Ones reign, Death's in sight

Horrid beasties enslaving mankind

Cosmic terror destroying your mind

We're all going to die

We are all going to die" Hector sang silently as he walked the streets of East borough in search of more criminals.

When he spoke of Great Ones he felt chill but as fast as it came it left to be forgotten.

While he walked into the alley it started to rain. Hector thought if he should come another day when he heard a scream.

He hurriedly followed in anticipation. Then he saw a trio of people. The one who presumably screamed was getting up with help of another.

Hector became disappointed and started to leave when he heard them speak.

"Pull yourself together. We need to get to the boss. Don't know about you but I want to get away from this rain." After he spoke he started to walk away from the other two.

A boss he said? Hector thought and decided to trail after them.

Following them was hard for Hector. He didn't want to get caught by them. But he also didn't want to lose them. The sound of rain would make it much harder.

He became relieved when they entered the building after taking a few turns.

They entered a two-story structure made of wood. He could see patches where they repaired parts of the walls.

He thought that this building could be their headquarters or gathering post.

Hector wasn't foolish enough to follow them in without more information. He was stronger than ordinary people but bullets could seriously harm him or outright kill him if they hit him in the head or heart.

With rain like this buildings would burn. He was deciding on his next steps. He could come in another day and try it but he doesn't want to just end them.

Hector wants to see them suffer. He needs them to lose everything they have.

He never was a person that would be obsessed about something but after taking the criminal potion his desires were strengthened.

It looks like the potion had a greater influence on me than I originally thought. Even my heart beats fast. Little too fast.

He decided to stay for a while and wait for someone to leave the building.

After twenty minutes he saw a big man leave the building. It wasn't one of the three men that he followed.

He waited until the men turned into an alley and only then he started to follow him.

He saw that man was walking in the direction of the sea. Hector got an idea. He could drown him. But first, he needed confession from him.

While he saw that the man was walking in the direction of the sea he kept his distance. But then he saw men jumping into the alley.

Then he saw a pair of a policeman. They were walking down the street and were cursing the weather and their captain for sending them out for patrol.

Hector hurriedly followed the men in hopes that he wouldn't lose him. When he turned the corner he didn't see him so he ran to the end of the alley.

When he exited he saw a run-down mud road. Then in the corner of his vision, he saw a somewhat thin object coming he was.

Hector instinctively ducked and heard swooshing sound going over his head. He then saw a person standing next to him already raising his hands with what looked like a metal rod.

He jumped and roled to his right as rod hit the ground splashing mud around and making a hole in the ground.

He is strong! Hector concluded and raised his cane in case he needed to defend himself

He saw a man quickly closing in on him at high speed. It took him only a blink of an eye to close the gap between them. Then he shifted his weight and kicked out from the right side.

Hector saw that he was too close so he disregarded avoiding and used his cane to block the attack.

From a strong force, he felt his hands go numb, and his body took a few steps back.

"You are a big boy, aren't you?" Hector said teasingly. But he got only a cold stare in response.

As he was getting his stability back he faced the follow-up attack.

Men were much faster than Hector expected aiming to punch right into his face.

Hector ducked away from the punch which was a mistake. Right after punching the man lowered his body and swung his arm and striking Hector in the chest. Sending him through the window of some home.

"Sh*t! I will feel that in the morning" Hector cursed and started to stand up.

Luckily no one was inside. Hector then walked towards the door leading back to the street.

He didn't want to be caught by surprise so he directly kicked the door open and hit the men who stood behind trying to open the door.

When he saw the men laying on the ground Hector took out his revolver and started to shoot him.

Men started to stand up when Hector shot the men three times in the chest. Then he walked closer and once more to the head. Just to be sure.

Hector sighed in relief. He must have realized that I was following him. He shouldn't be part of the Street rats they aren't a big gang. They also shouldn't have backing.

Then he wondered if he was making any deal with them. If yes then his death could bring Street rats big problems. Hector chuckled at the thought.

Then he started to drag the body to the ocean. He didn't feel safe there after firing the revolver.

When he came to the edge and saw water under him he looked through the man's pockets and found 4 pounds and an iron cigarette box. He found no more weapons or beyonder objects. To show that he had good intentions for the Street rats? Lucky me.

Then he saw congealing clump on men's head.

Boyender characteristic? I will need to determine what pathway it originates from. Hector disregarded cigarettes and after carefully collecting characteristics he put them in. Then he tried to envelop it in his spirituality. When he was satisfied he threw the body over the edge and into the water.

Hector saw an image in corner of his sight. But when he turned nothing was there. He felt a strange feeling in his body.

He realized that he was feeling early symptoms of losing control. I need to calm down. Hector started to breathe heavily and decided to return home. Staying here was becoming exceedingly dangerous for him.

I should not underestimate the pathway's corruptive influence. While on his way home he stopped to pick up his suitcase.

After coming home he was completely drenched. When he changed his clothes he wondered what should he do with the ones he used. If he would go outside he would just drencher another pair.

He didn't want to leave them inside for somebody to find them. So he found a shovel, took his clothes off and went into the garden where he buried the suitcase behind trees.

When he returned home he cleaned his wet prints and entered his room.

While in the room he entered a cogitation state and started to rest. Hector decided that he would take a day off. He also had planned to participate in the beyonder gathering with Eye of Wisdom.

He also needs to buy an approximate map of the East borough so he could map the location of Street rat's hideouts and points of interest.

After calming his mind Hector lay down and slept.

ADVERTISEMENTHector woke up as he felt the rays of the sun in his eyes. He felt refreshed from yesterday only a small headache remained as remainder.

Then he remembered that today was a beyonder gathering led by Eye of Wisdom.

But first, he needed to rest some more. So he called for one of the servants and told them to postpone breakfast for a little bit.

In a few hours, he started to feel even better thanks to cogitation. And so he went with his day as usual.

"Good morning sir." Hector heard someone speak when he entered the dining room. When he turned to face the person he saw a man of older age.

A man standing before him head graying short hair that was combed back. His cheekbones were high with deep sunken eyes on which silver-trimmed glasses stood.

His figure was on the thin side and his posture was impeccable as always. He wore a black butler uniform with white gloves.

His name was Albert. He served in their family as a butler for more than a decade. After his father had bought this villa he hired Albert and he remained with them ever since.

When Hector's parents died in the accident he and the head maid were a great help to Hector with managing Villa and assisting him with any trouble he had.

Whenever Albert looked at Hector he felt a strange sensation as if he was being stared at by some monster.

"I'm sorry for my absence lately but there were some problems that needed to be get rid of in the household" Albert spoke with a small smile.

"Good morning to you too Albert. It's good to know that all problems were solved" Hector replied not understanding completely but he didn't have all memories so he didn't worry too much.

He remembered Albert to be reliable and Hector trusted him so it should be alright.

"Ah, and it is good that you are on the correct path. It is usually the first step that is the hardest. Scars of the past are important to healing." Albert spoke kindly but then became more serious.

"And I must also remind you that tomorrow is a banquet held by the Thomson family. I have already prepared a gift for them." When Hector heard about the banquet he became nervous as he never participates in a gathering like this. Luckily the original owner of the body had some memories that he would follow. What a good butler he already prepared the gift.

After finishing his breakfast he went to the family safe to prepare some money for the gathering.

He took two thousand pounds from the safe. When he was leaving his heart skipped a beat and he felt some spirituality from the safe.

He reaches in and finds a golden ring with a red gem. When he took the ring for closer inspection he no longer felt any spirituality from it.

Then he tried to put some of his spirituality into the ring. He felt a resisting force from the ring.

"Is it sealed?" Hector thought and tried to put it on. When he wore the ring on his left middle finger he realized the stupidity of his actions.

Sh*t! What m am I doing? He saw as his hand started to blacken. NO NO NO NO!

His emotions started to spike and he felt like losing control but then it stopped. His hand returned to normal and his mind calmed down. He felt like he was falling down the cliff to his death but then he suddenly stopped.

"Never again." Hector sighed and spoke.

When he looked at the ring once more he felt nothing from it. It looked like an ordinary golden ring.

He thought if he should put it away but then why should he? It was special. The ring had beyonder properties but it was sealed. And most importantly he felt connected to it.

When he decided to keep the ring he could swear that the gem on the ring glowed for a second.

Then he went to his room to further study the ring.

When it was time to leave he went to the door where he meet Albert.

Albert saw the ring that Hector wore"You have found the master's ring."

Hector saw that Albert was smiling broadly as he was staring at the ring. "Uh... Yes, it was in the safe. And I thought that it looked nice." He said nervously. "So it was Father's ring? I don't remember him ever wearing it."

"It was your father's treasure. His memento from his family." Albert said strangely and then continued "It is good that it is in your hands now." Albert spoke and then suddenly turned to leave.

Hector saw him scratching his chest as he walked away. Yeah, something is wrong with him. Great more things to worry about. But it is not like he was the one that killed original Hector's parents. That would be a letdown.

He thought and then turned around and left the villa.

When he arrived at the Bravehearts bar he nodded to the security guard and entered. He went directly to the bar and ordered a glass of beer, then he found Kaspars in the billiard room, playing with two more people present.

From his proud smile, it looked like he was winning. When he saw Hector standing at the door and realized his intentions he cursed and told one of them to take his place.

He then walked to the door and said in a low voice. "So you have come. I'll take you to a place where the people with strange powers gather. As for whether or not you can find what you are looking for it has nothing to do with me.

However I have to warn you to not anger them, or you might not like the consequences.

Kaspars then remained silent as he was looking at Hector. After a second or two Hector realized what he wanted.

He smiled and said, "Do I need to pay you?"

Kaspars nodded, pleased. "Two pounds"

Hector just smiled and paid him two one-pound notes.

Kaspars turned his head to his fellow players to inform them that he was leaving. Hobbling along, he led Hector towards the bar's kitchen, and from there, entered the back alley and circled around a darkened house.

Kaspars then took out an iron mask that could only cover half a face and handed it to Hector.

When he saw that Hector was ready Kaspars knocked on the door rhythmically. And after seven or eight seconds later, a small wooden board on the door was suddenly pulled open, revealing a pair of brown eyes behind it.

After some moments of scrutiny, he saw the door open behind him.

A man wearing an iron mask stood there and handed Hector a hooded robe. Then he closed the door and turned to Hector. He then led him through the darkened living room into the activity room on the first floor.

Hector saw a dimly lit room with an only candle burning on the coffee table.

About twelve people were sitting on the sofas and chairs around the coffee table. All of them were wearing the same hooded robes and wearing the same iron masks as Hector.

Hector looked for an empty chair and sat down in a corner. "It looks like no more people will come. So we can officially start."

ADVERTISEMENT"Does anyone have matured Manhal Fish's eyeball?" One of the people sitting spoke.

After a few moments of silence, he heard "200 pounds"

Probably sequence nine ingredient. If I remember correctly then sequence nine should be around 150 pounds for ingredients for sequence eight 300 each, for sequence seven 600 each, and for sequence six it's 2000 pounds each. Beyond that, he could not remember.

Hector then heard a few more transactions of similar nature. He didn't dare to ask for the Unwinged angel formula. Eye of Wisdom would know which pathway it belongs and it would create unnecessary problems for him.

There is a great stigma about the abyss pathway because of churches and their propaganda and brainwashing of their people. So what that you lose your conscience. Guilt is not one's moral compass.

It is an inhibitor of doing what needs to be done. To punish guilt and educate those who walk the path that Hector judges incorrect.

While churches would keep people in blissful ignorance Hector would rather spread dreadful truths. Of course, he would not spread the knowledge that would corrupt people but he would inform the masses just how cruel and mad the world is.

There would be chaos, yes but only from chaos do progress and innovation come.

It may not seems like it but Hector loves people, all of them. Be it a sinner or innocent. He loves the innocent for they can fall so deep into depravity and corruption. He loves sinners because they fell so much and their suffering brings him so much joy.

Innocent are like fruits that grow in the garden. For proper growth, they need care and purpose.

And sinners are like weeds. Killing your garden, robbing them of nutrients. Their very existence is sinful. But getting rid of them is calming, and joyful. Taking them by their neck and tearing them from the ground can calm the soul.

Hector understood that others may not agree with the truth. But is the world. People come together with ideas and views coming together. In time they evolve and change, and if they are lucky they come to the correct truth. His truth.

"I want to sell three weapons" Hector heard someone speak. When he looked over he saw a woman with her face completely covered by a hood.

"First weapon is an engraved rapier. Holders of the weapon will have an authority aura around them causing others to be more likely to believe and obey them. The effect will last for another three years. It's originally a stabbing weapon but it's sharpness is also enough to kill."

The woman stopped talking for a second to let the information that she just said sink in. After which she continued"500 pounds."

Hector was known for prices for weapons with beyonder powers and when he thought about the money he found on the gangsters in East borough he realize that they could not buy it even at the end of their life. No matter how much they would save.

The effects of the weapon sounded good but Hector decided against buying it as carrying a hidden rapier would be troublesome.

"Second weapon is the ceremonial hammer. It was smithed by the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun. It comes with purifying and evil warding effects. It's a strong opponent against Ghosts, Wraiths, Zombies, and other undead creatures. It can also be put in the water for two hours to create holy water, but it will shorten how long the effects on the weapon will last. It will last for another three and a half years." Hector was interested in buying the hammer as he had no means to deal with them yet."600 pounds" She said.

"Third weapon is a silver revolver with oak wood handle and exquisite mechanical structure. It can be easily carried hidden in a holster. It is a hot weapon, made by an outstanding craftsman. It is a rare object and will cost you 10 pounds."

The last item was in comparison to the rest much cheap. But he remembered he had already brought a revolver that was cheaper. It was not as nice but Hector believed that quality should not be that different between them.

"750 pounds for the hammer." Hector hurriedly spoke. He then heard from one of the people present"800 pounds".

"900 pounds" Hector spoke back dead set on the hammer. When the seller heard no more propositions she spoke"Sold."

Then Hector paid the attendant the sum of 900 pounds and received the hammer.

After which bids continued for remaining weapons. But Hector no longer paid attention.

Then there were successes and failures in a few deals that followed. But Hector wasn't tempted to buy any of them.

When transactions started to wane he spoke. "Does anyone have books on mysticism for beginners?"

Hector looked around for anyone to speak. But no one did. Until The Eye of Wisdom spoke"I have few books in my collection. If you will wait for a little bit I will be back."

He then stood up and went through the door to another room. After a few minutes, he returned with four books and put them on the table.

"These books should be what you are looking for. I can sell them to you for 300 pounds."

"Agreed," Hector spoke and paid the attendant another 300 pounds.

When he received them he did not start to look through them but put them next to himself.

Then he listened to the remaining transactions until someone spoke"I heard there is trouble in East borough. Some gang members were found dead. Which on its own would be nothing special but they were found in different gang territories and some people started to speak about gang wars."

Gang wars, Is it because of me? Where did I had left Street rats gangster body? Hopefully, it is unrelated to me. I haven't prepared enough to destroy the Street rats yet. I should ask Kaspars he is also a broker of information so he should know something.

"Gang wars will only bring misery to the people living in the East borough." Eye of Wisdom spoke while shaking his head.

When the gathering came to a conclusion people started to leave, one by one separated by three minutes. When Hector received the signal he stood up and guided by the attendant, left the activity room, and went to the door.

When he exited through the kitchen he saw Kaspars standing there. "So you made it in one piece."

Hector looked him over he could swear that he saw Kaspars slightly tremble.

"I would like to buy a custom-made holster," Hector spoke, ignoring Kaspar's statement.

"Did you already break the last one?" Kaspars asked expectantly as he sold him one only recently.

"No, I need one that can hold more weapons. To be more specific one revolver is on the left side. Hammer on right. And on the back another hammer and dagger. Ideally, holders on the back could be locked and unlocked for easy access to take weapons out. I have brought a useful item." Hector spoke in length so there would be no mistakes. And at the end gave him an explanation to not seams to weird.

"It can be arranged but it will take a few days. Come back in three and if it will be done you can take it and if not I should know more precisely when it will be finished. Of course, you need to pay in advance for some of it as custom-made holsters are harder to make. One pound now and rest we will negotiate later."

When they finished Hector left Braveheart's bar and boarded a carriage and went home.

When he was sitting in the carriage he was playing with his ring and found out that there is a crack in it. But when he passed his finger on it he felt no damage on it.

Interesting. He thought as he waited until he arrived at the villa.

ADVERTISEMENTWhen Hector entered his room he started to inspect his new weapon.

Hammer's head was golden in color while its hilt was wooden in core and wrapped in black leather for better grip.

Hector swung the hammer a few times to feel its potential and thanks to its lightness he could swing the hammer effortlessly.

When he was satisfied he put the hammer on the desk and started to read the books he bought.

The books spoke of the spirit body and its outside Astral Projection. And how it means for the Spirit Body to communicate with the spirit world and with stellar space. And how it is considered an external manifestation of the Spirit Body.

And how the Spirit Body is directly linked to your ambitions and your prevailing emotions. "That can be dangerous as those who can see your spirit body may glean your intentions. I should learn it after reading some more."

Then it spoke about the Spirit world. When your Astral Projection sees the spirit world you can see that world does not obey the laws of the physical world. Because it involves exceeding the concept of 'I', the limitless 'I', and the Universe's 'I.' The past, present, and future might be stacked upon one another and that is the source of divination.

Pity that I can't use divination. They would be usefull in tracing and ferreting the secrets. But The Abyss pathway can interfere with divination later so it's not all bad.

One of the dangers of the Spirit World is what you see is just imagery, a symbol. You have to interpret it to understand its actual meaning. And many magic spells are cast through the Astral Projection. He also read to not mistake its relationship and differences with a Spirit Body.

Further out will be the Body of Heart and Mind. From here it will combine with the physical body. It involves one's brain and is an overall manifestation of inferential abilities, analytical abilities, observational abilities, and identification abilities. Some potions will mainly raise this. Quite a number of magic spells target it as well. Yes in sequence 8 I should get some magical powers.

The outermost layer is the Ether Body and it is a manifestation of your vital energies and physical form.

Then he read about aura color and it external phenomenon of Ether Body. He also read about ghosts, specters, and some more about spiritual bodies. And that he can see the Ether Bodies of others or their auras and for their thickness, brightness, and color, he can determine their health and emotional state.

Hector decided that he should learn spirit vision and that it was stupid to not learn until now.

He followed instructions in the books. Then he raised his hands and placed them in front of his eyes. His index fingers faced each other, but they did not touch.

Then he opened his eyes and kept them open until his eyes get accustomed to the darkness.

He focused his gaze on a spot behind his hands. Then he slowly moved his fingers and maintained the same pose without touching them. And also he did not pull them out of his sight.

Hector did as it was written slowly to not make any mistakes.

Then he started to see color and he knew that he achieved the initial step to Spirit Vision. What he saw was his aura.

He then repeated the process a few more times to stabilize the process and then he would look elsewhere.

Then he stopped and returned to the books and looked for meaning behind the colors.

He found that your limbs and parts that are required in motion will appear red. Your head and brain's surface will appear purple. Spots that create waste will appear orange. The digestion system will appear as yellow. The heart and other regulatory systems will appear green. Your throat and other parts of the nervous system will appear blue. An entirely balanced body will make a body cloaked in white as that is a symbol of health.

And if it turns dark or the thickness thins the color will change indicating that the corresponding spot has turned problematic. It means that it is in a state of exhaustion or illness.

And the inner layer of the Astral Projection represents prevailing emotions. Red means passion and excitement. Orange means warmth and satisfaction. Yellow means happiness and extroversion. Green means calm and peace. Blue means coldness and stillness when one is in thought. White means brightness, an eagerness to improve. Dark colors mean worry, sorrow, and silence. Purple means that spirituality is taking control of the lead, coldness, and estrangement.

Hector tried to remember all of it but he knew that he will need to go through it a few more times.

Then he started to look at objects around him. His new hammer was excluded aura. When he saw it he thought about his ring. So he put it on the table and looked at it with the Spirit Vision but he saw nothing.

When he touched it he saw a red gem transformed into an eye and looked at him. But the next moment it turned normal.

Hector got spooked but decided to look at it one more time but now he was still touching it.

When he activated his Spirit Vision he saw that ring changed itself into a rusted iron ring with a red goat eye looking at him.

After a few seconds, he started to hear whispers.

"devour us... absorb us... devour us... absorb us..."

"to advance you must... then we shall give you us..."

"Blessed be our master... blessed be you... may you be one"

Hector got a splitting headache but then he saw the world with no hills covered in black sludge. There was no light but also no darkness. From the lakes of black liquid, he could see hands rising but then dispersing into the mist. And in the middle of it, he saw an obsidian throne with a figure sitting on top of it.

That being had hooved legs with scales running up to his stomach. His skin was deathly pale and his hands were covered with the same black sludge that covered the world. His fingers ended in claws.

On his chest, he saw mouths with jagged teeth. Two pairs on the left and right whisper words of foulness.

On his back, he could see pair of bat wings. His head adorned two wicked goat horns. His mouth was filled with jagged teeth, his goat eyes were glowing red with yellow whites.

But when he saw the face of the being he realized that it was his face. Not Hector's but one belonging to Vilkar. It was changed but still, he could recognize it.

Then the image was forcefully broken and his Spirit Vision was canceled.

Hector looked around himself in fright and calmed his breaths.

"What are you?" He spoke as he looked at the ring that transformed back to its original form.

On the other side of the villa, Albert woke up and was looking in direction of the master's room.

"Good work master. They shall pay for casting us out from Andariel's family." Albert said as he started to laugh maniacally and scratched his chest where his heart was.

"How long has it been my lord? Your grandson may yet achieve your dream." He spoke wistfully.

ADVERTISEMENTThe next morning when Hector woke up and went to have breakfast he saw Albert coming over.

"Good morning master Hector. Today is a banquet hosted by the Thomson family," he said politely

"I see. And you said that you already prepared the gift?" Hector remembered their previous conversation.

"Bottle of Southville red wine sir."Albert replayed without hesitation

"What can you tell me about the Thomson family?" Hector wanted to be prepared for the banquet

"Thomson family-run trading business. They operate their ships on trading routes to the Intis republic. Their most profiting commodities are alcohol and exotic spices." Albert stopped for a second to not overwhelm Hector with information and then continued.

"William Thomson is the patriarch of the family. He is a strict and proud man, but from what I have heard he has a kind heart, especially towards the children. He often donates to charities that aim at impoverished children and orphans. He is also a supporter of the New party.

The name of his late wife was Mary but she passed a few years back.

As his age is catching up to him he is preparing to transfer control to his son James Thomson. He is an ambitious man. I have heard that his goal is to raise his family to noble status." Albert spoke of leading members of the family and then he moved to rest.

"Anna Thomson is the wife of James and is in charge of accounting of the family business. She is a stout believer in the God of Steam and Machinery. They together have two children boy named George and a girl name Alice.

"William Thomson has one more son Henry Thomson. He is the younger brother of James Thomson and is the black sheep of family. While James continued in the family business he decided to leave his family and become an adventurer at the sea."

Then Albert spoke about how mentioning Henry Thomson wouldn't be the wisest thing to do.

When Albert finished introducing the Thomson family he went on to have breakfast and started to prepare for the banquet which was held in the afternoon.

When it was time to leave he rode his carriage and arrived at the Thomson residence.

When he left the carriage he saw a magnificently lit fountain that was sloshing with water, he buttoned his tailcoat and walked down the carriage before strolling to the house's main entrance.

Albert went with him as Hector didn't have valet. Hector didn't want one as it would make it only harder for him to hide certain facts from him.

And so Albert walked behind Hector while holding red wine that was meant as a gift for the host of the banquet.

When Hector passed the main door he saw James Thomson and his wife Anna Thomson walk over to welcome him.

The former was wearing a dark grey suit with a white shirt underneath. The latter was wearing a red long dress with golden lace.

"I'm sorry for my late arrival," Hector said politely even thou though it was the norm. This was because the masters of the house might still be busy with the final preparations for the ball. As it would be the worst time for them to entertain guests, of course one should not be late by more than ten minutes.

Hector thought that if they need to make final preparation at the last minute they should have started sooner. And let's be honest, how much can they do in ten minutes? But he couldn't criticize them too much as he never planned a banquet before so he doesn't know exactly what it entails.

Good thing that he had those memories from the original Hector. He would come early as a sign of respect.

"It's fine, the ball hasn't officially begun," Jason spoke and looked at the bottle of wine that Albert handed to him. Then he gave it to his valet before he smiled and nodded.

Hector had brought a gift for the host in Loen's high society engagements when they attended their first ball. Alcohol is universally most welcomed, 9 out of 10 times it is the right option. Going to the ball? Alcohol. Meeting pirates? Alcohol. Making business with gangsters? Of course alcohol. Trying to kill someone? Poisoned alcohol. Celebrating a sober person's anniversary of abstinence? Alcohol, but this may be the one in ten that is wrong.

After greeting Jason, Hector looked toward Ma'am Anna and saw that she had raised her hand slightly. And so, he took one step forward and lifted her palm and bent his back to kiss it.

Loen's hand-kissing etiquette required the lady to gesture that it was possible before a gentleman could do the kiss.

Hector felt few emotions in his heart but he followed none of them. First was to look into her eyes and spit on the floor, as a sign of disrespect but he easily disregarded such thoughts. The second one was slightly harder at that because it was ruled by his lust. But still, he wanted to be seen as a gentleman and so he remained polite. And last he felt only for a split second but still, he felt a strong desire to slice and rip someone's throat.

It came to his attention that after consuming the potion all of his desires were enhanced. Be it any carnal desire for money, food, drink, or woman.

He knew that he can't fully give himself to his desires because that will lead to corruption. But he can't disregard them because that too can be harmful to him. And so he needs to find a balance. To indulge but not be controlled by those desires. He found out that inflicting pain on others was the easiest fix but he will need to make more tests later. Now he needs to focus on the banquet.

After necessary compliments that were necessary for Loen's social events. Pompous 'unkind word'. Hector was led by them through the corridor and into the main hall where a pleasant tune was echoing.

Hector enjoyed this style of music, it was calming for him.

There he was introduced to their children and then he started to mingle among the guests.

Hopefully, it will end soon. I'm not one for social gatherings. Is it possible that I'm an introvert? Hector thought as he made small talk with other guests.

He then saw an older gentleman enter. Hector saw as other people stopped talking and he realized that he must be William. He wore an olive-green army officer uniform with an orange-red sash around his waist and medals hanging from his chest.

Then he saw William walk to the staircase. On the second floor, he raised a cup of red wine and said, "Thank you everyone for coming to our ball. First. let us toast the deities. They are the source of everything beautiful."

He made a triangle shape on his chest and softly praised his God. Rest his family followed in a similar manner and guests also praised the deities they believed in via their means.

Hector wasn't a religious type but followed suit to not look weird.

William continued "Secondly a toast to the kingdom. It is a stable bedrock for us all. Cheers!"

All the guests echoed in a spirited burst as they finished the drinks in their hands.

Right on the heels of that, the opening dance started.

All the gentlemen present began finding their first partners to dance. Hector finished his glass and sized up the guests.

While he was looking at the guests he was trying to find out if he remembers any of them.

ADVERTISEMENTHe looked at the people gathered if he could remember someone from original Hector memories. Then he saw Grace. She was an acquaintance from his youth.

Hector decided to walk to he to start a conversation and invite her to dance.

While walking towards her he felt a droplet fall on his neck.

When he checked it he saw that it was blood, and on the ceiling were hunged multiple flayed people.

When he looked into their eyes his mind went blank

Hector felt a splitting headache as he lay down on his bed.

"I should not have drunk so much."He spoke as he tend to his head.

Then he abruptly stood up and looked around as he could not remember what happened.

He was just at the ball and was looking for a dance partner when all went blank. Next, think he remembered that he was laying in his bed.

Then he looked at the time and realized that beyonder gathering from the letter would start soon.

Hector had already forgotten about the ball. As if something used powers on him.

After he checked the time he hurriedly went to change his clothes to something less formal. He left through the main entrance and boarded the carriage and give the directions for the gathering.

When he arrived Hector exited the carriage and then looked at the coordinates that were written on the note.

He looked at the buildings before him and circled a darkened alley which at the end led to the garden.

There he saw multiple doors, each leading to a different building.

He went to one in the far left corner and knocked on the door rhythmically. And after a few moments, he saw the door slightly open. Revealing a pair of dark brown eyes behind it looking at him.

The person behind the door remained silent Hector recalled that he needs to say code"I'm looking for people selling Southville honey."

Then he saw a door on his right open and a man wearing a mask stood there and handed Hector a robe and a same-looking mask.

Hector put in on himself and then he started to follow the hooded man.

When Hector entered hooded man closed the door behind him and led him through the darkened living room into the hall where they took stairs into the basement.

There Hector saw a dimly lit room with a board standing on the right side of the room.

In the middle of the room, he saw chairs and sofas standing in a circular pattern. Hector saw about ten people present not counting attendants standing at the side.

After he entered the room he could smell a damp metallic scent in the air.

Blood? Well, this is different than one led by Eye of Wisdom. Hector thought as he sat down at the empty chair.

After a few moments, he saw two more people enter and sat down to his left.

"We can start. As it looks like no more people will come today." A man spoke after nodding at the person standing at the door. Who then closed said door and left.

Then Hector saw as attendants pass a piece of paper and a pen to the people "Write what you need and how much you are willing to pay. And on the second paper write what you want to sell." The same man spoke.

When Hector got the piece of paper and the pen he thought about what should he write down.

The location of this gathering was written in the list that he found when he transmigrated so he guessed that this gathering should have some channels with which he could acquire the potion formula for Unwinged angel.

So he wrote it down and as the price, he wrote 500 pounds. The original price is less but when Abyss pathway would be rare than other ones he was willing to pay extra.

When the rest of the people also finished attendants collected the papers and then wrote their content on the board.

Then people stood up and went to the board. Then those who had what was written on the board went to the attendants and whispered it to them.

After that, they were assigned a room where they could conclude the deal under the supervision of one of them.

Hector saw one of the attendants walk over to him. "Please come with me." He heard him speak.

The attendant lead him to the person who previously informed them what to do. When Hector got closer to him and looked him over he seemed to be familiar to him.

"I have the formula that you are looking for." He spoke slowly and then took out a piece of paper and gave it to the attendant

He was looking into Hector's eyes as he chuckled and leaned back into his chair and stopped paying attention to him.

When the man turned away from him attendant walked to him and raised his hand awaiting payment.

After Hector paid the sum of 500 pounds he received the potion formula. He thought if he should believe that the formula is correct but then he realized where he saw the man before.

Then he remembered when he was in the restaurant with his godfather. They met when they were leaving. He was Jason Beria.

Hector no longer doubted if the formula is real and turned around and went back to his seat. His heart was beating hurriedly as he wondered if he was recognized.

He chuckled. Did he chuckle because he wanted to be creepy or because he recognized me?

Hector wasn't sure as he looked around and while waiting for others to finish he looked at the formula.

'Main ingredients:

-twin feathers of weeping hound

-20 ml of demon worms blood

Supplementary ingredients:

-7 drops of white wine

-90 ml of distilled water

-4 ml of honey'

Getting supplementary ingredients will be easy. But getting the main ingredients will be harder

He thought if he should ask for them here or wait for a gathering with Eye of Wisdom

I don't know when the next gathering will be held by Eye of Wisdom so it's better to ask here.

When everyone was seated again and the second turn began he wrote both main ingredients on the paper.

After they went to the board he was asked by the attendees to come with them. But now they went into one of the rooms on the left side of the room.

There he saw two people standing. The first was another attendant and the second was one of the participants of the gathering.

He had the twin feathers of a weeping hound and Hector bought them for 350 pounds.

Hector received a small metal box from the attendant, and when he opened it he saw a white feather that was splitting into two at the end. It was so white it looked like little plastic, but when he looked closer he could see the end of the feather was smoldering.

Hector went back to his seat at realized that he has only 650 pounds on himself. While it is a lot of money but beyonder materials and objects are not cheap.

Unfortunately, no one came to him about demon worm blood, and as there was nothing that he was looking for he put nothing on the paper for the third round.

While he didn't write anything he still went to take a look at the objects that were being sold which he previously ignored.

Unfortunately, he found nothing that caught his eye and he already had the hammer so he simply took his seat and waited for the end of the gathering.

After the third round gathering came to the end and one by one people were led out.

When Hector left the building he started to walk in the direction of the main street. And returned home.

Hector decided to stay at home this night and took out the rusted key he carried with him.

He would sometimes look at it expecting something to happen. In the letter was written that he should keep it at him at all times so he did.

But no matter what it looked like a normal key only its durability showed that it was special.

ADVERTISEMENTNext morning and then the rest of the day resting and trying to remember yesterday.

When I had breakfast Albert came to remind me about the banquet. When it was time he and I used our carriage to get to Thomson's family house. There we meet Jason and his wife Anna. After introductions, we entered the hall where I had socialized with other people before William came to make the speech. After then it was time for dance, and I was looking for someone whom Hector knew from the past.

Grace! Yes, she was Hector's old acquaintance. Then I started to walk to her, but then... I... felt a droplet? Yes, that was it. A droplet of blood.

"BODIES!" Hector exclaimed in realization.

"But then all went blank." He tried to remember what happened next. Then as lightning, he could recall some images.

Musicians with their heads ripped out and levitating over them but still attached to them by their spines. They were still playing music but now much faster.

People danced in unison as he could hear an ethereal voice sing in the background.

People on the dance floor started to turn into monsters but they did not stop to dance.

Hector could see a man standing on the second floor he was holding the stick and everyone who was gathered obeyed its rhythm. He was like a conductor in an orchestra.

When He saw his face he remembered who it was. He was the one who send him into this world. After they locked their eyes everything around him stopped.

And with that Hector got an unbearable headache and could not remember anything else.

For rest of the day, he remained home resting and trying to cure his headache with sleep.

He no longer paid attention to the banquet as he somehow knew that he would remember when the time will be right. Same as with memories of how he got here in the first place.

The next day Hector visited the Bravehearts bar where he bought a beer and then entered the room with Kaspars.

Hector stood at the door and watched the Kaspars play poker with three men.

When Kaspars saw him he sighted and folded his cards. Then he walked to him and together they went to another room.

"You are in luck. I already acquired what you ordered. As it is custom made price is greater than normal. 2 pounds." Kaspars said unhurriedly.

Hector thought that compare to his other expenses this is cheap. But when he compares it to the wages of factory workers than it cost a lot.

"Agreed." There weren't many places where he could get a holster like this without being questioned.

After giving Kaspars two one-pound notes he went out of the room. Hector looked around the room and sat down on the chair as he waited for Kaspars to return.

After a few minutes, he saw Kaspars return holding a brown bag. Which He then put on the table.

Hector walked over and opened the bag. He saw a leather holster that looked more like a harness.

After taking down his old holster and replacing it with the new one he started to put his two hammers and revolver in. Then he tried to take them out in a hurried manner.

"Good. It is finely made." He spoke with a satisfied expression.

After a quick chat with the Kaspars Hector went home. Where he replaced one of the hammers. He went to the safe where he stored the hammer that he bought from beyonder gathering with Eye of Wisdom.

He went to the study room and took a rough map of the Backlund. He wanted to mark the places that Street rats use. Then he holstered a dagger and left for East borough.

When he got to the East Borough he started to look for the Street gang but now he was on the hunt to find more about their business and places of importance.

He thought that the best way to find them would be to look for places where tramps gathered.

One of those places was a railway station. Residual heat from the building kept them warmer than in the middle of the street.

There he hid in an alley with a view of them. After about two hours of waiting he was starting to feel chilly. But luckily he saw pair of four people walking toward them.

He could hear them yelling at them and demanding money for protection and warmth.

Hector got angry but decided to do nothing as he wanted to see where they would go after. He hopped to find their other meeting places as he already knew about their headquarters.

After they left the tramps alone he started to follow them. When he saw them split up he decided to continue following the one with money.

After about ten minutes he entered a run-down two-story building.

Probably one of their offices. Hector didn't dare to enter but marked the building on the map.

Then he turned back and started to look for more gangsters. After a few hours, he found a bar where they gathered. There he waited for a drunk one to leave so he could get more information from him.

After fifteen minutes he saw a man leave the bar sweating and nearly tripping on his legs.

That will do. Hector thought as he started to follow him and they were reasonably far from the bar. When he saw the man stop before the building Hector thought that he should get him before he would enter the building. He did not know if there is more people inside.

He started to feel the desire to inflict pain on his heart. Hector thought about the rules of acting as a criminal

The first one is 'don't be constrained by the rules of others'. He agreed to it but he still constrained himself, not by the rules of others but by his own desire. Somehow he felt lighter at the realization of hypocrisy.

He was to be free of what others wanted of him but he was also bound by his own desires.

It was his desires that were to control him. He remembered that the core of the Abyss pathway is 'Desire'.

After realization, he felt something click in him. He felt as if he become more. Something greater than before.

He felt some of the links in the chains on his heart crumble and fused with it.

Splendid. I had digested the potion. Now I only need to gather the ingredients for sequence 8. Luckily I already have the formula and one of the ingredients.

When he was about to walk to him so he could subdue him he saw a figure jump from behind a drunk gangster. He took him by the shoulder and dragged him to the floor. Then he started to smash his head with a mace.

What the! Hector thought fully surprised as he hid deeper into shadows in the alley. I did not see him! Thankfully it looks like he doesn't know about me.

When he looked at him he saw that the man was wearing a Black hooded robe. The mace was a silver handle that was about an arm long. Its head was a metallic ball with spikes. Morning star! Hector realized and was amazed to see one here.

What is happening in the East borough? One beyond leaving Street Rats headquarters and now one smashing one of their members to a pulp. Wait! Do they think that the Street Rats killed one of their own and now they are getting revenge?

It is possible as the previous one was unarmed, by my guess to show goodwill. Did they not find him afterward and now they blame Street Rats? That's rich. Hector started to smile and nearly laugh.

He watched the strange man beat the gangster into the puddle. His ruthlessness and brutality surprised him. He did not think that he would continue to break every bone in the gangster's body.

Personally, I would nail him to the wall, maybe skin his face and cut his fingers which then I would make into a crown and put it on his head. That would be enough but to each their own I guess.

Multiple beyonders so they can't be ordinarily organized. And from the looks of it, he is strong. He also uses a mace. From how bulky he is and the metallic armament he wears under his robe I guess that he is from the warrior pathway.

Spies from the church of God of War? He gives off a much stronger pressure than the last one. Is he sequence 8? If I would kill him would they open a full-scale investigation?

Hector felt the desire to strike and use the hammers, to satisfy the bloodlust that was denied by him. But should he or should he resist?

Should I try? It is quite tempting as I have an element of surprise, a revolver, and a light hammer. Unfortunately, if he is not undead, then the hammer would be much more effective.

ADVERTISEMENTAfter a few moments of thinking, Hector decided that he would kill him and take his beyonder characteristics.

His target was nearly done with his victim and so Hector needed to decide how to kill him quickly.

He has the advantage of surprise and as he should be in sequence 8 only then his revolver would be still effective. Thankfully sequence 9 of the Abyss pathway gives a person the ability to use weapons regardless of type equally well.

So his decision wasn't if he could or could not kill him quickly, but if he should. Killing him will bring unknown consequences and he doesn't know what will change in the East borough after. Would they retaliate in full force?

Hector didn't think that they would dare, or they would bring the eye of the churches on them.

Masquerade it as gang wars? If that was what would happen then all be better. Then I could pick at them without them noticing.

He smiled at such a thought and took out a revolver in one hand and hammer in another. Then he aimed at the man's head and took a few short breaths.

When he was confident that he would not miss he pulled the trigger.

BANG!

After pulling the trigger he saw as the bullet left the revolver and flew at the man. While the man was able to hear the sound of a shooting revolver he was not able to dodge the bullet itself.

Hector saw the man try to dodge but it was too late as the bullet entered his cheek and was pushed to the left by the force of the bullet.

Through the cheek? He was able to slightly dodge!? Hector was surprised at the man's ability to react so fast.

Now it's not time to be surprised! Hector thought as he started to shoot at the man. He didn't have time to aim at the head and so he decided to shoot at the body.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

But when bullets had hit the target he heard the bullets had hit the metal.

They should have passed through the armor, but I don't think they did much damage.

With the shots, Hector was able to keep the man from standing up and attacking. And so to keep advantage Hector jumped at the man and swung with his hammer at the head.

When the hammer had hit the head of the man Hector heard a cracking sound and hurriedly raised the hammer for a second swing.

But then he felt pain in his left leg as the man had hit him with the mace, spikes tearing into his flesh.

"Ah..." He yelled painfully as he felt blood-curling, gut-wrenching pain in his knee.

If his body wasn't strengthened by the potion he wasn't sure he would fall to the ground in pain.

While the pain was great, in the next moment all of his pain started to change into anger that drove him into a murderous frenzy.

His vision turned red as he repeatedly struck the man's head. When he felt the mace falling from his knee to the ground he let go of his hammer and took out a dagger. Then he started to stab the man in the neck.

Hector didn't stop until the man's head detached from his body. Only then did he let himself calm down.

He felt a strong desire to just lay down and rest for a minute but he knows that he need to leave as the shot from the revolver had not gone unnoticed.

After gathering his belongings he dragged the body and head of the man with him. He hurriedly enters the alley through which he plans to go to the shore.

And then he hears someone yelling from behind him. Hector doesn't even turn around and just starts to run forward.

What a sight to behold. A blood-covered person holding a decapitated head and dragging a headless corpse. Hector laughed at the thought as he needed to get rid of the corpse without being found anytime soon.

Only at sequence 7 can the devil effectively interfere with divination and spirit channeling.

After running a few more blocks he decided that he will throw the body into a trash bin and jumped in after it.

There he waited for 15 minutes and looked out. When he thought that no one followed him he climbed out and took out the body of the man and started to move.

When he get to the shore he looked at the body expecting beyonder characteristics being already formed. He saw them at the base of the neck.

In comparison to previous ones, these were grey and when he looked at them he felt a much greater amount of spirituality.

If he would compare the first one to a dagger this would be a sword.

The difference between sequences isn't that great between sequence 9 and sequence 8, but only when compared to later sequences. If sequences 8 and 9 would fight each other sequence 8 would win any time. But with help of weapons and especially guns, they could turn the tide and win.

After storing beyonder characteristics in an iron cigarette box he stripped the body of its clothes. Then he started to cut the body into the pieces. Then he threw them into the water in hopes fishes would start to feed on the body.

Then he looked through the man's belongings and put them before himself there he saw 20 pounds in cash, morningstar, and a suit of armor that was damaged from being shot by a revolver.

I have no use for armor, and taking it with me would be pointless and could be hard to explain. But the morningstar is special. When I hold it my strength is enhanced and hits from this weapon would be much stronger. Not exactly my type and I can't hold it without others noticing. But I could sell it at the next beyonder gathering.

After returning home Hector buried his clothes as they were covered in blood and getting new ones would be easier than cleaning them.

Then he went to his room and decided to sleep for a few hours that he has left.

The next day Hilbert visited for the breakfast and wanted to visit Hector's bank so he could get to know it some more.

Hector's days continued in repetition as in the day he would go with his godfather to the bank and in the night he would explore East borough and would mark Street Rats' safehouses and offices.

He was overjoyed when he heard that many of their infrastructures were hit by other 'gangs'.

While his days were mainly filled with repeating mind-nubling work he still participated in a few beyonder gatherings. He even sold the morningstar in a gathering led by Eye of Wisdom for 500 pounds. But unfortunately, he had no luck with the demon worm's blood. But he was able to show them his goodwill and he was informed how to find out when the next gatherings would be by reading a newspaper. He was even able to buy warrior potion formula from other gathering.

He even found about a dog fighting arena that was run by Street Rats. Hector thought if he should get a dog and trained it. Later he could make it into a beyonder animal.

Maybe the arena has some strong breeds. He could take a puppy from there before burning it down. Hector even have sequence 9 and 8 of warrior characteristics. But he wasn't sure if it was the best idea or if he should look for a different pathway.

Hector's carefree days came to the end when one day he felt heat coming from the rusty key. He always kept it on him as he didn't know when it will come into use.

When he saw a flash of red light come from the key he realized its use.

ADVERTISEMENTWhen he saw the flesh of red light he knew that he would be part of the tarot club. Hector sometimes thought if he would be brought there or if he should initiate a connection later.

He even thought if he should bother to begin with but the connections that later can come from it were too good to pass.

"What's with this situation?" Klein Moretti or more precisely Zhou Mingrui suddenly looked around him and then lowered his head down to discover that he was floating at the edge of an endless fog.

The fog was flowing like water and was dotted with a lot of crimson 'stars.' Some of them were enormous while others were tiny. There was a sense of them being hidden in the deep depths, while others floated over the surface of this water-like fog.

Looking at the seemingly holographic sight, Klein Moretti reached out his right hand in a half-confused, half-exploring manner to try to touch the crimson 'star' that was seemingly floating on the surface. He was trying to find a way to leave this place.

When his hand touched the surface of that star, a watermark suddenly appeared from within his body and agitated the stars into a "crimson" burst. It looked like a dreamlike burning of flames. Klein Moretti got a fright from it. He retracted his right hand in a panic but accidentally touched two more crimson stars.

As a result, three stars burst with splendid light as well. In turn, Klein Moretti felt his mind empty and his spirit dissipated.

In the Loen Kingdom's capital, Backlund. Inside a luxurious-looking villa in the royal district.

"Mirror, mirror, awaken…

"In the name of the Hall family, I command you to awaken!"

After more than 10 minutes, she finally chose to give up and pouted her lips in a grievance. She said in a soft murmur, "Father was indeed lying to me. He always tells me that this mirror was the treasure of the Roman Empire's Dark Emperor, and that it is an extraordinary item…"

Her voice trailed off. The bronze mirror which rested on the dresser suddenly glowed with a crimson light that shrouded her completely.

In the Sonia Sea, a three-masted sailboat that looked like an obvious relic was navigating through a storm.

"We're still short on the Ghost Shark's blood…" Alger murmured.

Then at this moment, a crimson burst appeared in the space between the glass bottle and the surface of his palm. In an instant, it enveloped the surroundings as well.

In the fog of gray mist, Audrey Hall regained her sight. She started reckoning the situation in a state of horror and confusion when she noticed the blurry image of people on the opposite side of her doing the same as well.

Hector looked at the people before him and felt joy at the thought that he doesn't need to try to contact The Fool later on. But on the surface, he remained stoic but left his amazement to be shown.

And amazed he was. To see endless Grey fog was different than to read about it.

Then he heard a woman shrouded by the fog who Hector remembered was Audrey Hall speak "Sir, Where is this?" She spoke with a slightly trembling tone

Alger too was dumbfounded but spoke at the same time "What do you want to do?"

Hector wanted to yell 'He wants to probe you!' like Klein was some kind of alien but he held his tongue as acting weird wouldn't be best, but still funny.

Unfortunately because of the grey fog, he couldn't see his confused state.

There was a brief silence above the gray fog for a few seconds then Hector heard Klein speak "An attempt."

Hector was thinking about how should he act here. He didn't want to create some major butterfly effects. At the same time, he can't remain silent the whole time.

Audrey took a deep breath, revealing an impeccable, courteous smile while trying to hide her emotions. She asked in a somewhat perturbed way, "Sir, is the attempt over? Might you permit our return?"

Then Hector heard Kleins respond with a chuckle and spoke. "Of course, if you make a formal request, you can return this very moment."

When I think about it then doesn't The Fool chuckle often when he speaks?

Hector could swear that Audry is even slightly shaking, but then she spoke in a tempted and anticipative manner "This is such a wonderful experience… Yes, I have always been hoping that something like this would happen. I mean—I like mysteries and supernatural miracles. No, my point is—what I mean is that, Sir, what can I do to become a Beyonder?"

When she spoke Hector could hear her voice getting more excited. And were filled with hope and expectations.

Then Hector saw a number of towering stone pillars had risen around them. Above them was a vast dome that encapsulated them.

This entire edifice looked magnificent, grand, and lofty, just like a legendary palace for giants. Directly under the dome where the gray fog gathered, a long, bronze table appeared with ten high-back chairs on either side in a symmetrical arrangement. The back of each chair dazzled and shone faintly with crimson red, drawing the outlines of weird constellations that differed from reality.

Audrey and Alger sat face-to-face, sitting next to the Seat of Honor, while Hector sat on Alger's right.

"Fascinating," Hector said while he was touching the table. To see it in person is so much better than reading about it.

"You are from Loen, right?" Hector heard Alger speak while looking at Audrey. "If you want to become a Beyonder, join the Churches of either the Evernight Goddess, the Lord of Storms, or the God of Steam and Machinery.

"The majority of us will not meet a Beyonder our entire lives. This has caused churches, and even some clergies within some of the biggest churches, to suspect the same. While this is the case, I am certain to tell you that Beyonders still exist in courts, tribunals, and executive agencies. They are still fighting against the dangers that grow in the dark, only that their numbers are much fewer as compared to before and during the early days of the Iron Age."

If only you knew the truth about the world. Hector thought as he imagined how Earth looked in its golden age. He was from a different... reality... universe? He wasn't sure but from what he knew then when Zhou was still only Zhou Earth looked similar to his own.

Hector could see Audrey's disappointment as he sighted and spoke. "Mister, I know all about what you just said; I even know more than that, including the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punisher, and the Machinery Hivemind, but I don't want to lose my freedom."

Hector thought it was time to say something and hoped to not mess it up "There is nothing precious that you can get without sacrifices."

Alger looked at him and gave low-sounding laugh, "Yes that is correct. If you don't consider joining churches and accepting their given challenges, you can only seek the royal families and the few nobles with family histories of more than a thousand years. If not, you can rely on your luck to search for clandestine evil organizations."

While there were some movements by Audrey Hector could not see them because of the gray fog and only hear "Are there no other solutions?"

ADVERTISEMENT"You can try your luck in beyonder gathering if you know about any. But be careful because those formulas can be fake." Hector spoke and at the end chuckled at the thought of taking the fake formula and dying.

Alger sank into silence and looked at Vilkar. About half a minute later, he turned around to look at the Mysterious Man who was watching the three of them in silence.

"I have two sets of Sequence 9 Potion formulas," Alger spoke when he realized that the Mysterious person had no plans to speak

"Really? Which two sets?" Audrey spoke happily.

Then Hector saw Alger leaning back slightly like a teacher explaining basic math to a student.

"As you know, humanity can only depend on potions to become real Beyonders, while the names of potions come from the 'Blasphemy Slate.' After constant translations into Jotun, Elvish, ancient and modern Hermes, and ancient Feysac, they have changed to match the day and age of that era. The essence is not in their names, but in whether they portray the 'core characteristics of the potions.

"I have a Sequence 9 Potion named 'Sailor.' It enables you to have excellent balancing capabilities. Even if you were on a boat in a rainstorm, you will be able to walk about freely as though you were on land. You will also gain immense strength and illusory scales under your skin. They will enable you to swim like a fish and be difficult to catch. You will move agilely underwater just like marine animals. Even without any equipment, you will be able to easily submerge underwater for at least ten minutes."

"Sounds great… the 'Keepers of the Seas' from the Lord of Storms?"

"It was called by that name in the past." Alger did not pause and continued. "The second set of Sequence 9 Potions is called 'Spectator,' although I am not sure what it was called in the past. This set of potions enables you to have an exceptionally sharp mind with acute observational abilities. I believe you can understand what 'spectator' means from watching operas and plays. Just like an audience, spectators judge the 'actors' in the secular world, catching a glimpse of their real thoughts of them through their emotions, conduct, and mantras."

The Alger emphasized, "You must remember, regardless of whether you are at an extravagant banquet or a crowded street, spectators can only be spectators forever."

That is acting while not knowing that you act. Hector thought.

Then he saw her turning her gaze on him "I have warrior pathway. You will have supernatural strength and agility that exceed normal individuals. However, if the physical foundation is inadequate, you will lack the strength of superhuman feats.

"It will also make you proficient with all kinds of weaponry and armor. And not to forget mastery of close-quarter combat and various martial arts."

He then stopped talking so it would sink in and then continued "Then I have also a Criminal pathway. Criminals have a strong body, keen perception, and a variety of criminal abilities. And the ability to use all kinds of weapons."

He could see she was disappointed when she heard him. And then looked back at Alger. "I-I think I have fallen in love with this feeling—of being a 'spectator.' How can I get this potion's formula? What can I use to trade with you for it?"

Alger looked like he was already prepared as he said in a deep voice, "The blood of Ghost Sharks, at least 100 milliliters of it."

Audrey nodded her head excitedly, but subsequently asked worriedly, "If I can get it—and I'm saying if—how do I hand it to you? How can you promise me that you can give the potion's formula to me in return for the Ghost Shark's blood, as well as the authenticity of the formula?"

Alger said calmly, "I'll give you an address. I'll mail the formula to you, or tell you directly here, once I receive the blood of the Ghost Shark."

"As for promises, I think that both you and I can feel rest assured under the witness of the mysterious sir."

As he said this, he swept his eyes towards the Mysterious Man who was sitting up straight at the Seat of Honor.

"Sir, the fact that you brought... "

Hector then stopped paying much attention and simply stared at the Mysterious Man.

When he heard "Sir, how should we address you?" Hector started to pay attention again.

"You can address me as…The Fool."

After a few seconds of silence, Hector saw Audrey stand up and held up her skirt slightly, and bent her knees.

"Honorable Mr. Fool, would you please permit me to take the liberty of requesting you to be the witness of our trade?"

"It's nothing." The Fool answered

Then Audrey thought for a moment and spoke with a smile. "I will choose the more secure method. Let's do it here, although it's a test of my memory."

Since Mr. Fool had agreed to bear witness to the trade, it also represented that there would be a similar 'Gathering' the next time.

With this in mind, she suddenly turned her head as she looked at Zhou Mingrui with sparkling eyes. With a tone of interest, she suggested, "Mr. Fool, would you mind making a few more 'attempts' like this?"

Alger listened to her suggestion calmly; he was tempted by the suggestion as well. He hurriedly echoed, "Mr. Fool, don't you find such 'Gatherings' interesting? Although your powers exceed our imaginations, there have to be certain domains that you don't understand or excel in. The person across me is a young lady of lofty stature. A man here to have his experiences, and channels. I also have my unique set of experiences, insights, mediums, and resources. Perhaps there will come a day when we can help you complete something trivial that might be inconvenient for you."

"Mr. Fool, I think it's a very good suggestion. As long as this Gathering becomes regular, you can totally leave certain things that are inconvenient for you to us. Of course, it has to be something within our capacities."

From his point of view, the fact that he had been pulled into this space without any warning or any means to resist meant that the mysterious Mr. Fool was in control. Participating in the 'Gatherings' was not necessarily something he could refuse. Therefore, it was better to reap the benefits of this encounter as much as he could to make up for his passive and disadvantaged state.

"I'm a person who likes a fair and equal exchange.

"Your help will not go unrewarded.

"Every Monday at three in the afternoon, try your best to be alone. After I make a few more attempts and figure out certain things, perhaps you can apply for a leave of absence ahead of time. You will no longer need to worry about being in inappropriate situations."

Hector heard Audrey speak in excitement, her eyes glowing "Then, shall we give ourselves call signs? After all, we can't use our real names for conversation."

"Good idea," answered Fool

"You are Mr. Fool which is derived from tarot cards. Then, as a fixed, long-term, and secretive 'Gathering,' we should be uniform in our designations. Yes, I'll also choose one from the tarot cards."

Then she spoke joyously "I've decided. My designation shall be 'Justice!'"

"What about you, Mister?" Audrey cheekily smiled at her 'partner' sitting across from her.

"The Hanged Man." He spoke after he frowned

"And you mister." Audrey then turned to Hector expecting him to choose another one of the major Arcana cards.

"Devil," Hector spoke enjoying the reactions he received from them.

"A..Alright, then we can be considered as the founding members of the Tarot Club!" Audrey blurted out happily. "Mr. Hanged Man, can you repeat the address again once more? I'm afraid that my memories will fail me"

"No problem." Alger was very pleased with Audrey's seriousness as he repeated the address once more.

After which Justice spoke about tarot cards but Hector lost interest and his mind wandered.

"Alright, that will be all for today's gathering," The Fool spoke in a deep voice.

"By your will." Alger bowed his head respectfully.

"By your will." Audrey mimicked The Hanged Man.

"By your will." Hector bowed right after them.

As The Fool severed the connection, he said with a smile, "Let us look forward to the next gathering."

Resting in his room after he returned back he found himself in his room, the crimson glow in Hector's eyes fading.

In the next moment, the rusted metal key that he held in his hand shattered and the fragments from the key evaporated completely. In a few seconds, there were no longer any traces left that suggested the existence of the key.

"So that was the reason why the rusted key remained all this time. It is a good thing that it was not misplaced or lost."

Then he saw a key emerge on Hector's palm as a tattoo. Next moment it faded rapidly until it was seemingly absorbed by the flesh, and vanished completely in the process leaving nothing behind. Hector marveled at the situation as he didn't remember it.

Hector then decided to go downstairs and ordered some late lunch for himself from his chef. He had cravings for something meaty.

The chef had prepared him a steak with baked potatoes. Hector ordered it rare as he enjoyed it more on the bloodier side.

After lunch, Hector waited for a few hours and left for East borough to see a dog fighting arena run by Street Rats.

When he left the carriage he saw a now familiar scene. Decrepit buildings patched by pieces of wood and cloth, people drained of their vitality, joy, and drive.

But the difference from other times was that he could also see people with better clothes on them. Even some rich people that he saw in a few charities that the late Hector participated in.

People liked to show themself as merciful, kind, and benevolent people and some were but even they have that darker corner in their hearts.

What is more enjoyable than seeing others, be they human or animal fight to the death?

From what Hector saw authorities in East borough knew about these dog fights as he spotted one hiding in the alley.

They would not care if only the people of East borough would participate but when richer people came from other districts they at least bothered to send one officer.

They of course didn't shut it down, and why would they when they themselves will get the cut from the profit? And why not let people scratch that cruel and wicked itch by watching animals suffer rather than seeking it somewhere else?

Many sons and daughters of rich businessmen could be found here, and even a few of older generations.

Hector tried to stay away from those people that he knew and entered the building where the people congregated.

When he entered he saw a much nicer room than he imagined. Red carpets were laid on the ground while windows from the outside were boarded with wooden planks from the inside he could see crimson curtains with golden embroidery.

At the end of the room, he could see reception. There he saw three women that wore black and white uniforms smiling kindly.

People would come to them and from what Hector saw and then pay entrance fees and exchange money for some type of chips.

Then Hector took his place in the line and waited for his turn. After paying and exchanging five pounds for the chips he was let in through the door on his right. Hector walked through the hall and at the end he saw an arena where fights would happen.

The arena was just a big circle with wooden planks serving as walls, around which he saw a wooden makeshift stadium. When he took his seat he saw people with trays of food and alcoholic drinks passed between the seats offering to the people.

When he saw that most of the seats were taken two bulky men entered the arena. Each of them holding a leash with a dog at the end barking and growling wildly. Hector could see scars on them and they did not look like they were inflicted by biting but from whip slashes.

The first one has brown fur while the second one had equally brown fur but with darker spots. Their bodies were muscular and with every move, Hector could see their whole body tense up.

"Bets! Please say your bets!" Hector heard a man yell while holding trays that were strapped to him with cloth and on them were pieces of paper and some coins. He then walked by the people and took their bets and write them on the paper which he then return.

The man wearing more colorful clothes entered and went on the stage that Hector only saw now which was on the other side of the room.

"Good day ladies and gentlemen. Today we have prepared for you a show of action, thrill, and most importantly Blood!" When he finished he gave a signal to two men holding dogs who in response released the leash from the dogs at the same time.

Hector saw those two dogs run at each other and slam one another in full force. Without waiting for any second they started to bite and tear at each other.

The crowd started to cheer up the dog which they betted on. Hector himself put his bet on the one without spots.

He then heard a yelp from people around him when one of the dogs lost an ear when it was bitten by the other one. Hector looked around himself and he could see people's faces filled with excitement and joy when they saw the blood gushing.

Hector thought that he would feel more when he saw them fight. In his eyes, there was no meaning to this. He felt no excitement nor anger, not even disgust.

They fought in the arena just for the entertainment of people. What do they feel when they survive? Do they feel triumph, the excitement of defeating a stronger foe?

No. They are just contented to live, unbeknown to them that their victory is meaningless and shortlived.

If they would send a person with nothing but a dagger to fight to the death then he would feel something, but this was not it.

Hector then stood up and with the excuse of needing to go to the toilet started to explore the building.

He was looking for some hidden way in and out that he could use when he would later return with fire. There were a few windows that could be easily accessed if needed.

"Come here, you stupid runt!" Hector could hear from one of the rooms.

"ruff, ruff" Small barking was the answer that was said back.

When he walked closer he saw a man standing over a small black dog who now lay on the ground shakingly trying to stand up.

Whimpering could be heard from the other puppy next to it.

"Good day sir. I just came from the bathroom and heard a commotion." Hector spoke as kindly as he could. "It seems those dogs are giving you trouble?"

When the man heard him Hector saw him straighten up in surprise. Then he looked at Hector angrily and spoke "And how's that your business?"

"Just curious." Hector said as he looked straight into his eyes spooking the man once more. "huh... Just teaching these runts some lessons for disobedience. They are spawns from our best fighters and yet they act like wimps. This way they will be worthless."

"Worthless you say?" When he saw their eyes he could not disagree more. They just hate you. He thought as he started to speak. "If they are so worthless why won't you sell them?"

"Sell them? Who would by whimpers without any bloodline and training." He retorted and Hector had already decided.

"I would buy them for you," Hector spoke as he was still looking at the puppies struggling to stand up, but still not giving up.

Goody good shoe. But if he has money... The man thought and then he spoke. "They are not best but they are still from our best breed. So 100 pounds for them both would be fair."

100 pounds? Hector thought but in the end, decided to pay and took it. When he went and put his hands close to them the bigger one started to growl.

Hector then stopped moving and let them sniff his hand. When they calmed down and even licked his fingers he took them into his hands and started to leave the building.

When he was leaving some people would give him a strange look but he just ignored them. After calling for a carriage he went home and thought about how should he explain these two dogs to Albert.

ADVERTISEMENTWhen he stood before his home Hector decided to just enter. Why should he need to give any explanation? He is the master of the house.

After entering the villa he saw Albert walking downstairs and looking at the puppies. He wore a perplexed look when he shifted his eyes from the puppies to Hector.

"If I may ask, what are you holding?"

Now it was Hector's time to be perplexed, then he simply answered "Puppy dogs."

"Yes I get that sir but why? If they are stray dogs then they need to be checked by a veterinarian. Especially because they can carry flies and all the manner of diseases." When Albert spoke his reasoning Hector realized his mistake but it was too late now.

"They should be alright, prepare some food and water for them. Tomorrow morning I will take them to the veterinarian." When he finished Albert simply nodded and left informing in house and ordering servants to bring bowls for the dogs.

"And bring a big cushion to my room," Hector spoke as he walked away.

When he entered his room he set the puppies on the ground. He saw them grow curious about their surroundings and one of them even started to explore while the other stood by his side looking around.

Explorer and guard. Hector thought as he made his decision. He thought about making Beyonder animals out of them. "You who is more curious about the world I will give you a potion of apprentice formula. Traveling and ability of divination will be invaluable."

"And you who stood strong before your brother protecting him from that gangster in the arena what pathway should I choose for you? I already have characteristics for warrior 9 and 8. But is it the best option? Should I rather look for a mutant pathway or something else?

"Right now it is not that important you need to grow bigger, stronger, and more obedient to me. And when the time will be right you shall help me achieve my goals, if you will survive."

Then he heard knocking on his door, Albert stood behind them holding a tray with two bowls and a cushion under his arm.

Hector went to him and took the tray and put it before the puppies and then he put a cushion next to his bed. Then he dismissed Albert and watched the puppies eat their food.

When they finished with the food he started to play with them. His goal was to create a bond with them. Then he picked them up and laid them on the cushion. After a few minutes, he could see that they went to sleep, exhausted from the day.

He himself went to sleep shortly after them.

He woke up as he felt light shine on his head. And when he opened his eyes he saw the familiar sight of his ceiling.

Hector then looked next to his bed and saw that the puppies had already woken up and started to play with each other. While looking at them he realized that they are still puppies and hurriedly took them out of the villa to go to the bathroom. He felt lucky that they did not do their business on the carpet.

He was just able to get to the garden when they started. After which he returned to his room to change his clothes.

After breakfast, he went to the veterinary to have them checked. When he was informed that they are both healthy with only bruises he bought dog food and told Albert to order a dog trainer for the afternoon.

Hector realized that he still didn't pick the names for them.

Gorm is a cool name. Hector chose the name for the bigger one who protected his brother. As the name originated from the hellhound guarding Hel's gate in Norse mythology Garm. Of course he slightly changed it so if someone heard it they wouldn't be suspicious, especially Klein

And you will be Simar. From the name Simargl from east Slavic mythology.

Then he tried to imprint those names on them by taking them into his hands and he would call them and when they would respond he would give them a treat.

When the trainer came he looked them over and asked how should be trained. To be guard dogs or hunting dogs.

Hector decided that both would be trained in guarding but Simar would be trained mainly in hunting with little guarding.

While there were only puppies they would be taking it from the basics. And puppies are the easiest to train. When they grow older it would usually becomes harder.

"It is important to start training your dogs is important as even basic obedience such as sit, wait, and coming back when called gives freedom to do things they like to do, like running off the lead and coming with you to meet friends and family, while being safe and under control.

"What's more, dogs are intelligent animals, and most love to learn, so training can be a great way of stopping them from getting bored." The trainer spoke to Hector.

"And how will they be trained?" Hector wasn't experienced in this field.

"All training should be reward based. Giving your dog something they really like such as food, toys, or praise when they show a particular behavior means that they're more likely to do it again.

"It's important to find out what your dog really likes and what their favorite things are. Favorite treats are often small pieces of meat or cheese. The better the reward, the more your dog will enjoy training and learning." He finished talking for a few breaths and continued

"Few tips for training are to minimize distraction. Start the lessons for new tricks in a quiet room in your house or environment, away from any distractions.

"Break training up into short but regular sessions so your dogs aren't overwhelmed.

Be patient and always end with something your dog knows so the end of the session is finished positively.

You have two dogs so be sure to not make them jealous of each other."

Then the trainer with help from Hector started to train the puppies.

Hector found out that Gorm preferred treats made from meat, while Simar liked chees more.

Gorm was also more obedient and he paid attention when Hector. While Simar would run around playing with grass and flowers.

Hector could not wait for them to grow and become powerful weapons at his disposal.

Having Simar become an apprentice will be a great help to him in areas in which he himself is weak.

But he still needs to decide which to choose for Gorm.

Warrior would not be the worst choice for him but warrior uses weapons. He could give him metal claws and teeth as weapons but he still wasn't sure.

Maybe a mutant pathway would be better, but he would need to be careful of the curses that accompanied them.

He didn't want to make him of Abyss pathway as they are prone to corruption and Hector isn't strong enough to control or influence them yet.

"Who knows what would be the right choice?"

After a few hours trainer said it was enough for the day and Albert showed him out.

It would be a nice way to end the day but Albert came to Hector and informed him that it is time for them to host a banquet.

Oh, hell no. Hector thought at the idea.

And how could he after his last one? And now he is supposed to host it.

But then he relented after a few moments, but he was resolute to prepare few things in precaution.

I will need about 10kg of sacred salt, a few gallons of holy water, at least a bishop, and one holy nuclear weapon.

He laughed at the thought as he continued with his day. "So I'm supposed to prepare a banquet." Hector chuckled while deciding on what date he should choose.

In the end, he chose to put it on the weekend so he would have enough time to prepare all necessities.

So he told Albert to start with preparations and to send invitations.

Right now he had more important things to do. He still hasn't found beyonder material for advancement. He hoped that it would be available as soon as possible.

And so at noon, he left for the Beyonder gathering led by Eye of Wisdom. He donned an iron mask and hooded robe when he entered.

He witnessed few beyonder weapons being sold. The bastard sword was forged by a person from the sun pathway that had similar properties to his own hammer. Whip with slowing properties and lastly mechanical meat cleaver.

"Does anyone have sequence 9 apprentice potion formula?" Hector asked after a few transactions had been concluded successfully.

And luckily he got a response and was able to purchase it for 250 pounds. Thanks to Eye of Wisdom he was sure that the formula wasn't fake and looked it over.

He didn't ask for the ingredients and as nothing else that was offered interested him he simply remained silent.

After the gathering, he returned to Braveheart's bar and ordered a few pints of a bear to wash his disappointment away.

'What should I do now? I'm not prepared to strike at the Street Rats yet. That will need to wait till I will become sequence 8, so for now, I should lay low... but I'm so bored right now. Maybe I could burn down one of the Street Rats gangsters' homes? No that could make them be more guarded later. You know what? Abyss pathway is about indulging in desires. So I should indulge a little bit." Hector thought as he left Braveheart's bar smiling to look for some company for the night.

The next morning he woke up in an unfamiliar room with a painful headache. Laying next to him he saw an unfamiliar but pretty woman. Hector smiled as he thought that he had a good night but then he could not recall what happened.

'F*ck, F*CK! How many times will I just forget what happened the day before!' He thought as he become irritated at the now familiar occurrence.

But then he heard a commotion next to him and saw that basked was laying next to the bed, in which the baby was sleeping. Then he smelled something familiar, it had a metallic odor. It was coming from under the bed.

He slowly untangled himself from the woman and looked under the bed. Hector nearly jumped when he saw a human head. Normally he would not have that strong reaction but this head was different. It had a horse leg sticking out of its mouth and teeth stabbed into its forehead.

When he saw the head flood of memories overcame him.

Hector was holding a bottle of alcohol as he danced in the street, but then he saw a person that in his eyes looked like a gangster entering some building.

"Well, I guess you are going to die." He said as a matter of fact and went after him, and at that moment he saw a stable with a horse on his right. That made him remember of movie godfather. There was a scene where they put the head of the horse in someone's bed.

"I got an idea" Hector started to chuckle uncontrollably and walked to the horse.

'Ok, but why is there that gangster head with horse leg?' Hector wondered as he tried to stand up and look for his clothes.

"Good morning handsome." He heard and as he turned around he saw that the woman had woken up.

"Ha, Good morning to you too beautiful," Hector spoke with a charming smile, at least he tried to. Not knowing what to do so he continued to look for his clothes.

"I must say it is not often that my clients let me sleep at their home afterward."

'My home?' He became panicked but let no emotions be shown on his face. "There is all type of people."

"Oh, it looks like Johny is still sleeping." When he saw her looking at the baby he felt a heavy weight fall from him. 'Good I didn't steal some child from someone.'

After an awkward conversation, Hector saw her as she left the room with the child. He then could sight with relive as he tried to look for clues to what happened.

Asking her would be an option but he didn't want to make her suspect him especially when he didn't know what had happened.

Fortunately, he was able to find clothes and a revolver but he could not find his hammers and knife.

When he went to the hall and looked around he saw that room next door had a broken handle. And so he went to take a look. There he saw the headless body of a man with a horse head next to it.

And then more memories came to him

When hector walked into the building he followed the man and saw him entering one of the rooms on the second floor. When he confirmed his location Hector went outside to take the head of the horse and when he stood before the gangster room door he thought about how should he enter.

So he put down the head and use a lockpick to unlock the door. There he saw the man laying already in the bed. Hector thought about how long it took him to get the horse head up to the second floor.

But then he stopped thinking and walked to the man and started to bead him with the horse's head as if it was a weapon.

When the gangster was no longer moving he put the head next to him, but then "Wfait now shouldf there be two heads. Where are there two heads? Ah... No matter I just need to get rid of one." Hector drank some more of alcohol as realized and started to beat the gangster's chest with his hammer. When it didn't work he took another hammer and tried again.

"Of course, I need something sharper." And so he went outside and cut a leg from the horse. When he returned he stabbed it in the gangster's mouth and tried to break off his head.

"M I doing somfing frong?" He spoke drunkenly and then he took his knife and started to stab at the gangster's head until it detached from the body.

He was then tired and walked next door to lie down for a little bit. So he put the head under the bed as he lay down.

"Wait! My revolver." He stood up and kicked the door open even when they were already unlocked.

After taking the revolver he realized what he was missing "The prostitute! Of course, how could I forget." And then he left the building to look for one.

After recalling what had happened Hector hurriedly took his belonging and left the building. When he stood outside he saw a big puddle of blood in the stable but no horse.

When he looked back he saw a horse's body hanging from the roof of the next building.

"Y... You know what? I don't even want to know." He said and started to hurriedly walk away.

Hector was able to enter his home silently. But when he entered his room the dogs were wagging their tails when they saw him. When he changed his clothes he decided to lie down for some more.

"I think I will need to take a short rest from East borough for a little bit."

ADVERTISEMENTAfter he thought about the previous day he still wasn't sure how it all started. Did he drink too much?

When he felt better he stood up and decided to eat something, so he went down for breakfast.

"Good morning sir. Did you have a pleasant night?" Albert spoke and Hector thought that he could hear a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Then Albert informed him that he send letters of invitation.

The next few days went in a blur as Hector was preoccupied with the banquet and teaching his dogs. On the day of the banquet, he stood in the hall and watched servants busily running around making sure that nothing was out of order.

Holding the banquet was a complicated ordeal. Firstly he needed to decide on the purpose of the event. He chose the celebration of his taking over the bank.

While he needs to make it memorable he also shouldn't be too extravagant. It could bring more trouble if others would think of him as some spoiled young man incapable of managing his finances.

Choosing a venue was simple as he used his home. The dance hall was big enough and later others can participate in the game room for a game of poker or a smoke.

Thanks to Albert time and date were chosen and invitations were already sent. He also personally chose the menu for the night. From grilled steaks, grilled chicken, fish, Dixie oysters, stewed lamb, and creamy soups to ice creams of various flavors.

He also chose wines from the cellar, red and white wines like Souhtvile reds, Almir, champagnes, and even teas and fruit juices.

While some decorations were brought dance room itself was already beautiful.

At seven in the evening, Hector wore starched clothes as he stood in the foyer with Albert prepared to welcome the guests at his ball.

Soon the people started to come. This was his first bouquet that he held people came bearing gifts.

They were mostly wines and Hector would politely take them and then give them to Albert.

"Good evening, Arthur. How may I address your lovely companion?" A polite gentleman spoke as he looked at the Arthur company.

"My wife, Martha Kinley" Arthur introduced her and after a few words of pleasantries, Albert lead them into the hall.

After that, he welcomed many more people, and thankfully he was able to memorize all of their names.

When it was almost time he didn't wait by the door anymore and instead walked to the second floor. Standing behind the railing that faced the people he gestured for the music to stop.

Holding a cup of champagne Hector surveyed the surroundings. With all the guests looking at him, he loudly proclaimed, "I'm very happy that all of you were able to grace this ball with your presence... "

Hector stood there delivering his speech to the people. As for the content of the speech, he wasn't too concerned as Albert helped him to prepare it beforehand.

Firstly he thanked the gods, then the nation, and lastly to health. He then apologized for his previous neglect of communication with his neighbors and friends. He spoke of tragedies but then about brighter days that are ahead.

After his speech, it was the turn of his godfather to speak. His eyes were red as he smiled at Hector.

After that, the banquet could officially start.

Then Hector walked down the stairs to the first floor, in preparation to invite a lady to dance the opening dance.

As he wasn't married or had any relative of the opposite sex nor anyone in his eye he hired a socialite of higher society.

"Ma'am, may I have the pleasure of dancing with you?" Hector spoke as he posed before the woman.

"You are a gentleman that cannot be rejected." She returned and took his hand.

"You dance well." She leaned closer as she spoke.

After the first dance, he went to the long table. His target was glasses of wine to help him with the rest of the night.

His gaze passed from the wines to champagnes and other beverages.

Then he took the glass of red wine and drank it in one swing.

As the host, he couldn't skip any of the first three dances, therefore he looked over to the people and chose one of his female acquaintances

to dance with.

But then in the middle of the dance, he saw two people talking in the corner of the room. If his memory was correct they were Marhta Kinley wife of Arthur and Henry Conor.

He found it strong after he could not find Arthur anywhere, but then he thought that he is probably in the toilet.

After three dances Hector went to the tables holding various types of food. When he smelled them he gulped his saliva slightly and took a plate and started to indulge in the food that was present before him.

As a gentleman, he should be careful how he acts but while he was still young it was expected of him to slip up from time to time. So he enjoyed the food to his heart's content.

Then Albert came to him and informed him that Arthur and now even Mary Conor and Samuel cant be found.

He remembered that Mary was Henry Conor's wife and Samuel was Arthur's butler.

Hector started to worry as he looked at the ceiling.

Thankfully nothing was out of the ordinary and he sighted in relive. But then Albert shattered his confidence when he continued to speak.

Even Martha and Henry were gone. And the final blow came when even Frank who was Arthur's business partner was gone.

"Six people just disappeared! How could that happen?" Hector became worried as he told Albert to look for them in different parts of the house.

Hector lost their appetite to eat anymore and went to look for them himself. Firstly he went outside to ask the guards if they saw anyone leaving or anything out of ordinary. To his luck, it even started to rain.

When they informed him that they saw nothing he went into the kitchen and toilets.

"This is the last banquet that I will host or participate in!" He spoke and started to curse silently.

Then he heard a scream from another side of the house. He hurriedly went there.

The scream came from the second floor where the guest room was located.

There he saw Martha, Frank, Henry, and Samuel standing before the door of one of the guest rooms.

'At least they are not dead but where is Arthur?' Realization come over him and so he walked past them and saw why someone screamed.

Albert lay on the ground in a puddle of blood. A knife was sticking out of his neck and blood was still flowing from the wound.

'Oh hell no. Now, police will be involved.' He thought as he saw the body.

As he is beyonder he needs to be careful when dealing with authorities. He hoped that they were just drunk or participated in some immoral act so he could just have them thrown out of the house but this?

Murder in his home without his blessing? 'Now that's just rude. They even ruined by carpet.'

'Wait!? A dead body, the rain outside, five people who were missing? Is this a murder mystery?

His mood started to improve at the thought and he started to inspect the people around him.

"Someone killed him. And as no one left the hose and everyone else was in the hall dancing or eating... murderer is one of YOU!" He spoke now smiling as he raised his hand and pointed at the group.

"We should call the police before accusing others, sir." Hector heard a voice from the back and when he looked over he saw Albert standing in the corner. Hector looked at Albert and smiled "Ah... Yes, you are right."

"But still we can get their preliminary statements so police will have an easier job of investigating. And as the host of this event, I'm curious who would dare to kill her?

"So first thing first. Who found Mr. Arthur's body?" Hector asked the people who were present.

Unfortunately, Hector did not have the means to channel Arthur's spirit, as that would be very helpful in the situations like this.

"I... It would be me sir." the woman spoke with a still shaking voice. He knew her as Mary Conor wife of Henry Conor.

And if he remembered correctly he saw her talking with Arthur before.

"If I may ask what were you doing in this part of the house?" He asked what was an obvious question as they were located on another side of the villa, far from the place where the ball was located.

"I got lost when I saw Arthur's body and..."She spoke solemnly and at the end, no more than a whisper came from her.

"And If I may ask the rest of you how did you all gather here?" Hector asked when Albert came to his field of vision. Behind him, he saw an older police officer.

"Sir, leave the questioning to the police please..." He spoke to Hector and then he turned to the rest of the people and raised his voice.

"The first thing first. If I may have your attention, please. Come with me to the room so we can leave the police to investigate without hindrance on our part.

"And sir, you too come with me. Police have some questions."

After he saw people enter one of the rooms police officers came to Hector and started to ask questions.

The police officer was polite as he questioned him. His questions ranged from where he was been, where his guards were, and if someone else was missing.

Hector didn't think that the police officer was beyonder but he knew that they can get involved so he will need to be careful.

After he spoke to the police officer he went downstairs and formally informed the people gathered of what had inspired him and asked them to continue with a ball without him.

It may have sounded strange but Hector didn't care as his mind was preoccupied with who was killed and ways to deal with any official beyonder interference.

Luckily he and Arthur were both believers of the God of Steam and Machinery and so nighthawks would come with their dream visits, which could pose him great danger as he didn't know how much he would be in control of his dream. If he would be lucid like Klein or more like other people.

Machinery Hivemind could use Arodes mirror but as this was not a big case in his opinion, the scale of investigation should remain low.

'But it is important to not underestimate Machinery Hivemind. They are still beyonders and they could pose a threat if the truth about themselves would come to light.

'I will need to act as an ordinary person who was stuck in the middle of this. But I also can't forget that overplaying can be equally dangerous.

'Thankfully as the host of the event it was only normal that he would want to know what happened. Hopefully, this will not create more trouble down the line.'

And that leaves the murder itself. In Hector's opinion, it was either Mary, Hanry, or Martha. Mary was strangely close to him and Hector suspected that they may be lovers.

It was possible that Hanry found out and decided to confront Arthur in one of the guest rooms so they would be far from spying eyes, but then he snapped and killed him.

Martha also could not be disregarded as she too could find out the truth and strike at him.

Then he remembered that he saw Martha and Henry talking to each other at the ball. And from their interaction, they should be close.

'Is it possible that they are accomplices?' Hector thought as he returned to them and went to Albert.

"What can you tell me about Arthur," Hector asked as he wanted to know if there were some hidden secrets.

"Arthur was a philanthropist that was loved by many. His wisdom and determination lead him to success. His devotion to his family and his values made him a true gentleman. At least that is what people think, and they can't be more wrong." Albert spoke slowly and at the end, he started to smile.

"You see, the truth is Arthur is a gambler that recently got into big dept. From what I have heard he is trying to sell the factory that he owned with Frank, who is also present here. But problem is that his half is not enough and rumors are that he is trying to discredit Frank from the company so he could keep all the money.

"There is some talk of Arthur getting involved with gangs to force Frank from the business.

"Henry is his friend from childhood, they even grow together as best friends. Henry later joined the army and thanks to his actions in battle he was awarded quite a high rank. But when Henry joined the army Arthur became very friendly with his wife Mary. He would often visit her at home and even took her to a social gathering."

Albert gave Hector a look and he understood the meaning behind his words.

"It is my belief that Matha, his wife, already knows about his relationship as she started to visit Henry more often."

Hector agreed as he saw them together at the ball, but he did not know the precise relationship they had together.

"You see Martha may seem like an as proper lady but in past, she was a bounty hunter and was known for her ruthless behavior. But after marrying Arthur she mellowed down, and if she found out about Arthur who knows what she would be able to do?

"He had some trouble with his butler Samuel who too is present here."

"What type of trouble?" Hector was interested as Arthur was becoming more and more evil in his eyes and so he had already branded him a sinner.

"Samuel's son became ill and his medical treatment wasn't cheap. They did not have enough money, so Samuel went to his employer for help.

"At the beginning, all seemed fine as Arthur was sympathetic to his struggle and gave him a loan of money.

"But after some time he went to Samuel's wife to inform her that he may soon be forced to fire Samuel and even demand money that he owed to him.

"Of course, if she was willing to come to an agreement with him he may forget Samuel dept and keep him as his butler."

"You got to be kidding me," Hector spoke bewildered

"But unfortunately for him, she went to her husband and informed him what had happened."

"How do you know so much about them?" Hector asked

"It is butlers need to be informed about the guests that were invited to the ball." He spoke while smiling.

"So everyone present has some enmity with Arthur?"

"Yes, that would be correct sir." Albert gave an affirmative response and Hector decided to speak with them personally. Hector decided that he would first talk with Samuel.

"What an interesting turn of events is it not," Hector spoke as he sat down on the chair close to Samuel.

"Hah... Yes, it is." Samuel chuckled and said. Hector did not miss his enjoyment of the situation.

"I see that you are quite happy at his death, if it was someone other than me then you could be suspect of murder mister Samuel," Hector said genuinely, and as Arthur wasn't a good man he had no problem with him being murdered even if it was in his home. Only the investigation will be an unfortunate turn of events.

"You see I have heard about some unkind practices of our dear Arthur."

"It is not my place to speak ill about the dead." He spoke trying to look professional but Hector could see the facade cracking.

"Oh... If not you then who? It is indeed rude to gossip behind people's backs. But after their deaths? See it as remembering those who are no longer with us."

"It may be so but he was my employer and gentleman," Samuel spoke while gritting his teeth.

"Realy? A Gentleman? Please, don't make me laugh. I have heard about certain advances he may try on your loved ones." He could not stop himself from chuckling.

"You see some people could come to the conclusion that you could have something to do with this... unfortunate turn of events."

He saw Butler's face twisted in contempt "Bastard deserved to die but it wasn't me, and if it was me then he would suffer much more."

Hector then looked at his face closer and spoke "You know. When others speak about what they would do to others they often exaggerate, but when I look into your eyes I see that you speak the truth. There I see hatred and disappointment. Is it because you could not do it yourself?

"You know what? I like you, hopefully, you will be alright." He smiled as he spoke. Hector then stood up and left Samuel alone.

His interest in the killer wasn't to bring him to justice but to simply satisfy his curiosity, so he wasn't interested to play a game of secrets. Speaking bluntly was much easier. Of course, he couldn't just ask them if they are murderers, as that would make them more guarded.

When he started to look for another person to talk to he saw Mary entering the room.

"How are you, Mrs. Mary? It must have been a harrowing experience." He spoke trying to sound friendly.

"Yes... I... It was the first time I saw such a gruesome scene." She spoke still shaking and he could see that her makeup was smudged around her eyes.

"You cared for Arthur, didn't you? He was there when your husband was gone fighting in battles for our nation. And remained home waiting for him. You are a strong and loyal wife." Hector spoke trying to get any reaction.

After he finished speaking he saw as her eyes watered and even traces of shame started to appear. But what made him surprised most was that she started to rub her stomach. She was pregnant but as it was early it wasn't that visible.

'You got to be kidding me. Oh, lady that's cold.' He thought after realization.

"Th... Thank you." She spoke barely whispering.

Hector excused himself as he hurriedly looked for Henry

When he found him he gave him his condolences for his friend, but when he spoke he saw Henry's eyes burning with hatred for Arthur.

'He knows about his wife and Arthur.'

Hector congratulated Henry about his wife being pregnant, as he wanted to see how he will react.

As he predicted Henry was not pleased. Hector could even see veins popping from the anger.

When he saw his reaction he took Henry to the corner of the room and became much more blunt.

"So you know about your wife's infidelity with Arthur?" When he spoke he could see that Henry visibly shifted his posture.

"Was it so clear?" He spoke in a self-deprecating tone.

"Do you know how it felt? To come home from war only to find out that your wife is cheating on you with your best friend?" Henry's tone was becoming sharper with every second.

"I wanted to kill him so much, but I didn't. When I went to confront him he wasn't home and so I met his wife with whom I started to talk. She already knew, and so together we started to plan. She would divorce him and use evidence that we would gather to use at the court and then destroy his image.

"Why would I simply kill him when He could lose everything that he has, and I could see him suffer for years to come?

"And truth to be told after I and Martha started to talk we found out that we have much in common." In the end, Hector could even see him smile.

"Ah, I see you started to be more intimate with his wife in return," Hector spoke amused. "What about the child?"

"He is not my son let Mary deal with him," Henry spoke coldly.

After a few more words Hector stopped their conversation as he believed he too wasn't a killer. And from what he heard not even Martha was a killer. But still, he was interested in her story so he looked for her.

"So here is the deal. I already spoke with Henry and I know about you and him, and I also know that you or he are innocent. So let's get to the juicy part of the ordeal."

She was understandingly stunned but after a few more words she spoke about the whole ordeal. But as he already heard the story from Henry what he got was the same thing but with few colorful words.

"...and recently I found out that I'm pregnant."

Hector started to laugh so strongly that he nearly lost his breath. After calming himself down he continued with the conversation.

"Ah... it is indeed a pity that he died" Hector was amused at the whole ordeal.

After that he finished talking with her he knew for sure that she wasn't a killer. His death actually stopped her from getting her own revenge.

Frank was the last person to talk to and form conversations from before he should be a killer. But he wasn't going to judge it before talking to him.

But before he went to him he talked to Albert.

"Police already questioned everyone present and they will be sending a specialist to look at the scene, sir."

'So they are sending beyonder...' Hector thought and hurriedly went to his room and collected all of his stuff that connected him with his previous activities and stored them in a safe. As the safe was built from metal it should keep spirituality from leaking out, he knew they wouldn't go to every room in the house but still he wanted to be sure.

While others couldn't exactly leave from police sight he wasn't suspect and the ball was still going on he could leave without anyone asking questions.

When he returned he decided to talk to Frank before any beyonder would come and stop his fun.

"Tell me, did you kill Arthur? Mary, Samuel, Henry, and Martha are innocent so it should be you. And so you know I'm aware of Arthur trying to get rid of you."

"... ""Excuse me? What are you talking about?" Frank spoke in surprise at the accusations

"Who do you think you are?" He was clearly getting annoyed so Hector changed tactics.

"Well you see I already talked to Samuel Arthurs butler and from our conversation he is innocent. Then I talked to Mary, Henry, and Martha, and from our talks, I could judge that they too are innocent. So you are the last one." Hector spoke slowly as if he spoke to the child.

"BUT! Before you get any more irritated or feel impulsed to do something stupid like running because it was you. DO. NOT. RUN. You know, I don't have running shoes." He spoke hurriedly to finish their conversation as fast as possible, before any official beyonder would come.

Hector could not understand why people would just not confess to him. It would be the correct thing to do, he reckoned. But he understood that people are stupid. Even though he knew if people would just obey to his every word then everything would be better.

'It's good to be a hypocrite.' He smiled at the thought and continued questioning Frank.

"So Frank, how did it feel to find out that your business partner is trying to get rid of you with some underhanded tactics?

"It must be infuriating to build something from scratch with your friend only to have everything taken away by the same person.

"To face danger from gangs that could strike any time any day because of Arthur's dept, and not to mention the damage that your image can receive from the rumors that he started to spread.

"Why would you let him? When you could make it all go away, and keep the whole company. Gangsters are no longer being paid, and rumors still at the beginning stage will die out. All that needed to happen is for him to die." Hector spoke with certainty as if he had it all figured it out.

"So tell me m I right?"

"...A-Ah, No?" Frank spoke dumbfounded

"He hired gangsters? And what rumors!? What are you talking about? I know he had recently some financing problems I had even lent him some money but he wouldn't do something like that... surely he wouldn't do something like that.

"Wait! Recently some people were hanging out in the street where I live!

"That bastard, that Intis donkey sh*t how dare he after everything that I did for our company! How dare he!" Frank was seething with anger and started to swear at Arthur.

'Alright, He didn't know about it. Wish that I would know sooner, my bad.' Hector thought as he started to back away from him.

After a few minutes, he could see that two more people entered the room. Both were wearing police uniforms but He could tell that they were not ordinary people.

When they came one introduced himself and asked witnesses to come with him to a different room to repeat their statement. The second one went to the room with the corps of Arthur and closed the door behind him.

'Is he going to channel his spirit or some other ritual?' Hector thought as he didn't remember exact information about the savant pathway, of course, he could be from another pathway too.

Hector waited for his turn so he slowly walked over to the rocking chair and sat down comfortably. He allowed his body to rock back and forth rhythmically.

He visualizes spherical phantasmal lights to calm his mind. He then entered a state of cogitation as to prepare for questioning by beyonder.

When his mind stabilized, he opened his eyes and looked into the darkness, and went to drink some alcohol.

Then he heard Albert speaking to him. He said that it was his time, so he stood up and entered the room opposite the one he was in now.

It was one of the guest rooms and he could see a man sitting behind the table looking at him and observing his every move.

"Please sit master Hector." The man spoke as he invited him to sit opposite to him.

'Inviting me to sit in my one house.' Hector nearly snickered but otherwise, he remained silent as he sat down.

The interrogation went smoothly but Hector felt something was off from the man, but he thought that should be some beyonder effect.

He didn't know if the man was wearing some item or had the ability to see if he was lying. He shouldn't be justicial as he didn't feel any oppressive pressure but otherwise, he could tell.

When he was done he left the room and returned to the ball letting the people leave.

Hector then started to eat from the food that remained as to be prepared for whatever comes next. He wasn't worried much but one can't be too sure.

With a plate full of food he went to the Albert

"Who do you think killed Arthur, was it Samuel whose family he tried to blackmail, Mary who had a secret relationship with him, Hanry who found out about his wife's betrayal, Martha his wife on whom he cheated, or lastly Frank who he tried to get rid of.

"Personally, I don't think any of them are guilty. But then who is? Guards saw no one leave the building, if they did then they would need to be truly excellent assassins." He spoke while wondering how they could have escaped, only someone with beyonder powers would be able to do so.

"Yes indeed," Albert spoke in thought but then he smiled as he said.

"At least we don't need to guess, death was accidental."

"WHAT! What do you mean by accidental, and how do you know?" Hector spoke bewildered

"Oh, I actually saw the whole ordeal, sir. Mister Arthur was drunk and went with Mrs. Mary to one of the guest rooms, terribly rude if you ask me.

"But then Mary needed to leave for a second to prepare herself. And then Arthur found the knife in the drawer. Because he was drunk he slipped and fell stabbing himself with the knife in the process." Albert said calmly as if he was reading a newspaper in the morning.

"W-What? How? Wh..." Hector became speechless and then he started to laugh.

"Hahaha... I LOVE IT!" Only then he realized Hector's persona would not laugh at it and so he hurriedly stopped.

"Ah, sorry for my behavior, that was rude of me. But still what a strange coincidence that everyone that was there had some problems with him." He thought at the chance of it happening.

"Well Mary was there because of Arthur, Samuel and Hanry came to kill him actually, at least from what I saw that is the case. Martha was looking for Arthur as was Frank.

"Not that much of a coincidence as bad luck."

"Well ok by why had you told nothing until now?" Hector asked.

"Sir, you didn't ask and I thought that you could enjoy finding out yourself," Albert said and smiled innocently, then he bowed and continued. "We should return to the police, they should be ending the investigation soon."

Hector just stared at him but then shook his head and followed him.

And strangely enough, when they came to the police they informed them that they are done. It was indeed an accident.

"What a weird day"Hector then dealt with the remaining tasks of the day. He oversaw the police taking the body, and informing Samuel, Mary, Martha, Hanry, and Frank. Samuel and Frank left right after the police while Hanry and Martha left together right after them. Mary left last and Hector could see he crying as she left.

'What a messed up situation. She cheated on her husband with his best friend and even had a child with him. But now he is dead and Hanry knows the truth.' Hector shook his head indifferently as he looked at the crimson moon.

Tomorrow at the noon is gathering by Eye of Wisdom, but at this point, Hector is starting to lose hope about finding the ingredients he is looking for.

Hector entered Braveheart's bar and sat before the bartender. Then he ordered a beer while waiting for the gathering to begin. He came early so he decided to spend his time at the bar rather than waiting in the alley before they start to let people in.

When he got the beer he took a swing. "Gulp. So good bartender heard any rumors in East borough?" He said as he put some money for beer and any information he may know.

While Kaspars would be better informed He wasn't looking for any special information only some general happening there. He took a break from going there until he would become sequence 8 but he still was interested.

The bartender smiled as he saw the money and took them.

"As a matter of fact, there were some things. Street rats are in uproar as someone storms one of their safe-house. Fortunately for them, they lost only one man. There are some questions as to what exactly the message was as they cut the head of the man and left the head of a horse. There is a whisper of a new gang trying to take control of their territory.

"Street rats believe it as they took a closer look at their business. Someone was targeting their collectors, and as you surely know that means they are on edge and becoming paranoid. So much so that even tramps are not spared from the suspicion of helping them."

'Yeah, sorry about that. Did not think that my drunken night would develop a situation in the East borough to such an extent. But a new gang? I could use it later.' Hector thought as he thanked the bartender for the beer and walked out of the bar and around the corner. There he entered the gathering.

The entrance was the same as last time. After knocking a certain number of times wooden board had been moved to the side and a man was staring at him.

Hector already wore an iron mask, so the man would not know who it is. Then the door was opened by the man and he started to follow the man. When he entered the room where people were gathered he took a seat and waited for the rest to come.

After a few minutes, he could hear the Eye of Wisdom speak "It should be all that will come, so we can officially begin."

After he finished speaking Hector could hear one of the present speak. "I was able to find an entrance to a tomb and from preliminary examination, I'm sure it contains some beyonder treasure, and so I'm looking to hire help from some of you, of course, you will be generously rewarded and we will evenly split the loot."

After he spoke Hector could hear the Eye of Wisdom speak.

"I would advise against it, as any tomb that has any beyonder treasure must have been sealed until recently as no official beyonder organization found it yet. And any such places will be filled with danger that you can't even imagine."

Hector agreed and wanted to disregard the proposition but then he felt chains around his heart had shifted in anticipation.

'What? That never happened before. Is there any connection between the tomb and the chains around my heart?' Hector knew that the chains were not just a connection between him and the tenebrous world, because he could feel desires from them. They weren't sentient but more like his desires were taken and then blended with part of the Tenebrous world which in turn were connected back to him.

When he digested sequence 9 he could clearly feel the connection deepen as few of the links were absorbed by him. He hypothesized that he would fully absorb the chains at a certain sequence. He guessed that it should probably happen at sequence 0 when he would become a god but he wasn't sure.

He was filed with determination at the prospect and decided to join the man. After him, a few others had also confirmed their desire to join. Eye of Wisdom only shook his head and sighed.

He then gets a piece of paper from the attendant. On it was coordination and time to explore the tomb. Hector put a piece of paper in his pocket after reading it and redirected his attention back to the gathering.

After that others started to put in their request and offers, but he wasn't interested in any of them. He also was unsuccessful in obtaining an apprentice formula. He didn't ask for mutant pathway formula as he wasn't interested to come in contact with Maric and Sharron yet. Gorm still needs to grow and as a mutant will not give him that much knowledge compares to the apprentice he decided to wait.

He would still ask for the formula from other gatherings but he was in no hurry. Simar on the other hand would become beyonder animal much sooner. The abilities of the Door pathway will be invaluable to him and intelligence from sequence 9 will make training him much easier.

"Does anyone have 20ml of demon worm blood?" Hector asked hoping but not expecting the answer.

After a few seconds he sighted but then he heard someone speak.

"Yes, I do. But I'm selling 60ml of demon worms blood." Hector became overjoyed at the prospect of acquiring the blood, and getting 60ml in one go is not that bad. He will just keep it, and maybe even sell or use it on someone else.

Hector paid 400 pounds for the blood and then he waited for the end of the gathering so he could go home to make the potion. He tried to remain calm but his eyes were fidgeting around.

When he returned home he hurriedly entered the family safe where he had prepared all the ingredients for the potion. He had set up a table with a cauldron, test tube, pipets, and various other objects that he could need.

Hector then looked at the formula and started to read it again.

Main ingredient:

Twin feather of weeping hound,

20 ml of demon worm blood.

Supplementary ingredient:

7 drops of white wine

90 ml of distilled water

4 ml of honey

Hector then took a glass tube with distilled water and poured it out into the cauldron. He took a pipet and dropped 7 drops of white wine into the water. Then he took 4 ml of honey, he had some trouble putting it in because of its consistency, but he knew that he could put in a little bit less. It should have no consequences as there are only supplementary ingredients. After a few moments, the honey started to melt and was blending with other ingredients

After checking it over he took a twin feather of weeping hound and dropped it into the cauldron. When it touched the liquid inside color of it turned pitch black.

Then he took 20 ml of demon worm blood and poured it in. After that, he could see that liquid turned pure white and started to boil.

ADVERTISEMENTWhen Hector finished making the potion he took a few breaths before taking the cauldron into his hands.

Then he started to drink it in big gulps.

He felt as a lukewarm liquid that was boiling flowed through his mount to his stomach leaving a sweet aftertaste. When the potion entered his stomach he could feel it starting to infuse through his stomach lining to the rest of his body.

Then he felt his blood slowing down and a cold sensation overtook his mind. As if he poured a bucket of ice water on himself.

His body started to shake as he could feel his arms and legs elongated, his nails prolonging into the claws, and his mouth splitting open. But then it stopped and he felt a new sensation.

Feeling of freedom overtook him, as he no longer was held back by the weight of conscience. He was free to follow his desires and impulses no matter how deprived, cruel, or evil, but then he remembered his convictions and his chosen purpose. He was able to focus his mind and he saw his body being on verge of transforming into that of a monster.

He saw as his body was returning to its normal state, and his face flushed red.

Then he felt like his spirit and mind were extracted while the potion was fusing with himself drop by drop as it stabbed into his cells and psyche.

Hector's eyes started to return to normal color and after some time had passed, his mind reflected his figure.

He grew taller and his nails became harder and sharper but still looked normal. The color of his eyes became deeper and his teeth became slightly sharper.

At that moment he knew that his advancement was successful. He became Sequence 8 Unwinged Angel.

Hector started to familiarize himself with changes in his body, and to find the core powers that were given by the potion.

When he moved he felt stronger, after he punched forward he heard the crisp sound of his fist breaking the air.

After a few more attempts he felt that his body went through a change, becoming stronger and more durable. From what he remembered his body should also become more inhuman. But there were only minor changes his teeth still looked normal even if sharper, and his nails were harder but by the look there were normal, and his height was the biggest indication of the change. Now he was around 182cm.

But there were other changes, and those were much more important as they influence his mind.

His thinking was clearer unburdened by guilt. He still felt happiness, sadness, and anger so he was content.

"Who needs guilt when they have so much to achieve? It is only a burden that can cloud our judgment in important moments of our lives."

And it was not all, he also felt a wave of knowledge entering his mind. He knew how what they were and how to use them. He was overjoyed that finally he has some special powers, strength and knowledge are cool but special powers are just so much more.

He then raised his hand and an explosion of poisonous flames came from his palm.

"So I can conjure poisonous flames, pity that I can not launch a poisonous fireball yet, but still this will come in use in close combat. And I can also use a weaker corruptive curse with the touch of my hand. Ordinary humans should not be able to resist the curse."

Hector could not stay at home and try them in secret. He needed to experience them in combat, for battle is the best teacher.

When he prepared his weapons and clothes he left for the East borough.

While he walked he thought about how he wanted to take a break from there. But now he is returning not even weak later. He did plan to return after becoming sequence 8 but still, he thought it would take longer.

When he came to the East borough he had hidden his suitcase with his ordinary clothes in one of the alleys and put clothes that were more appropriate for fighting, there was looser so they didn't hinder his movement. Then he took a black leather coat on himself. After then he had hidden suitcase and walked out of the alley

"So where should I start?" He thought as he walked the street in Street rat's territory. He knew that they are on edge from his previous actions, so there should be no problem finding someone to break.

"You need to pay a fare for using this street boy. There are many unsavory people here, and because I'm a generous person it will be only one soli." Hector could hear a man's voice from the street on his right. He became curious so he followed its source.

"One soli!? That's too much, I don't have much money." Then Hector could hear a different voice belonging to someone much younger.

When he entered the street he could see middle age man standing in the middle talking to a boy who was by Hector's guess around 16 or 17.

"Well then, you will not pass this street. Do you think our protection is free? Do you think that we don't need to eat and sleep?" The man smirked with a crooked smile.

"B-But one soli is too much?" The boy looked upset at the man.

'Let's test my strength first.' Hector decided and started to walk towards the man.

When he got closer the boy saw him and when their eyes meet the boy automatically took a step back. He saw something in his eyes that made him experience a feeling of dread.

After that, the man too saw Hector coming closer, and started to speak "Ah, good day sir. Fare for passing this street is only... " Man could not finish before Hector punched him in the face, the boy could hear the cracking sound of breaking bone.

When the man fell to the ground he looked at the boy "Do not move!"

Hector didn't feel like chasing him as he had a few questions for him. Then he smiled and continued "Now you can pass for free."

The boy felt terrified and even more so when Hector took him by the shoulder and dragged him to the alley. He thought he will get killed, but then he heard questions.

The man before him asked about the Street rats gang and their recent actions.

He didn't dare to lie so he told him everything he knew. How there are rumors of new gangs attacking their people, and Street rats started to be more violent and take their frustration on the people. Barging to their homes with the reason of looking for any clues.

"What is your name boy." Man asked him

"Conor sir, my name is Conor." He answered still shaking as he didn't know what will happen next.

"Let's go Conor I will take you home." He heard man speak. Conor felt a chill run down his spine and was overwhelmed by a strong desire to run away but then he felt a raising force on his shoulder, the man before him was still holding him.

After a few moments of deliberation, Conor started to walk in the direction of his home while the man stood at his side.

He thought about guiding him to a false place but when he looked into the man's eyes he didn't dare to try.

When he finally stood before his home he took out the key and unlocked the door.

"Now that will be enough, you see I have a proposition for you." Conor heard man speak.

"I want you to gather information on the comings and goings of Street rats and people's opinions on them. And if you will do a good job I will compensate you quite handsomely." He saw the mand take out 10 soli and put them in his hand.

Conor became speechless, he never saw so much money in his life. But then his logic kicked in and he wanted to say no, but then he thought about what happened not too long ago to that gangster.

After finishing the final detail of their deal Hector left Conor alone. He was satisfied that he now has an informant in the East borough, and hopefully he will do a good job. He will meet him next week and speak about all that he found out.

"Now it is time to test my abilities. I wonder how much it will take to cook someone's head with poisonous flames before they turn to charcoal.

"It is time to test my barbecue skills on gangsters." Hector said with a smile. "So. What now I wonder, where should I strike at them?" Hector was thinking about the direction he should take.

"Let's take down one of their houses."

When he had decided what he will do he took out the map of the East borough that he made and walked in the direction of the closest house. Hector then took out the iron mask and put it on himself.

knock

knock

knock

Hector knocked at the door three times and then waited for a response. After advancing to sequence 8 he didn't need to be afraid of ordinary people if they didn't have hot weapons, and as he is planning a surprise attack he tried to act like Unwinged Angel.

He thought about acting as Unwinged Angel and what it would take. Angel is someone divine, a few steps from gods themselves, and so to act like them he should be detached from little problems of people and guide the on the correct path.

But he did not think it was the core of sequence, it is more likely that Unwinged is its core. As in legends angels lost their wings when they fell, they become corrupt because of their desires. And desire is the core of the Abyss pathway in Hector's opinion.

Hector has an easier time with digesting potions than others, as he already knows about his pathway. Others tend to get those information step by step, only at a later stage do they understand what their pathway represents. And so with the knowledge of the path and its core he should be able to advance quicker than ordinary people.

And so he needs to act like an "Unwinged" Angel. One whose desires lead astray, be it desire to stand above others or rule them as gods themselves.

He should disregard the morality of others and follow only his desires as they alone are correct.

Hector was naturally able to follow it as he fully and heartily knew that it was the truth.

'Wait! You need to act but still, you are just acting.' Hector started to recite those words as fully believing in one's actions can bring a loss of control.

He then spoke his head as he felt movement in himself as he partly digested the potion.

"That was fast, but I'm still missing something. No matter I will figure it out in time." Hector then got impatient but luckily for him, he heard the door screaking and then they started to be opened.

He saw an unshaven scarred man standing behind the door looking at him. "Who are you and what do you want."

Hector smiled and pointed a finger at himself. "Me, I'm just bringing jolly old Christmas joy."

"What..." The man spoke clearly confused but then he was interrupted by a strong force hitting him in the neck.

Hector then watched the man fall to the ground, when he fell he jumped at him at held his face. "Ho, ho, ho Krampus is coming for you. You hoes." then he let poisonous flames consume the man's face.

"Aaaah!"

He could hear the man screaming for a moment, but then the sound started to get raspy as his mouth, chin, cheek, and nose started to turn into charcoal.

"Thank you for the screams." Hector smiled and patted the man on his head. Then he stood up, took out his hammers, and looked for more people.

When he looked around himself he saw a head peaking from the room on his left, immediately he threw one of his hammers at it.

Hammer had hit its target and so he sprinted at him slamming his second hammer into him in repeating motions, breaking his nose, and a few teeth. He stopped when he saw that man's eyes and brain start to spill out.

"Hahaha! Come out to play." Hector yelled at whoever may be in other rooms.

Then two more men exited the room which was opposite the one he was in right now. He then hurriedly threw the hammer to the stomach of one of them.

Hector took out the dagger that was holstered on his back and started to run at them. In the corner of his eyes, he could see a woman holding a gun leaving another room.

And so he stabbed the first man in his stomach, he was interested in the power of his curse so he touched the man's head to inflict it on him. Then he took the other man as a shield.

Then he stabbed the man in his spine severing his nerves. He could feel the man losing strength in his legs, so he held him up and ran at the woman crashing into her.

Hector then slashed with the knife still in the man's spine, cutting to the side, taking the knife out, and severing his kidney in the process. He hurriedly punched the woman in her stomach so he would have time to look back at the gangster who was afflicted with the curse.

He saw as his victim lay on the ground convulsing, his veins turned black and were clearly visible.

"Nice," Hector said as he returned his attention to the woman.

"You know, I believe in equal rights so goodnight," Hector spoke as he started to stab her in her chest with the knife.

Before she died he could see the terror in her eyes, if it would happen in the past he would feel horrible but now he felt nothing.

"Unwinged Angel or in ancient times Coldblooded is liberating."

When he looked around himself witnessing the carnage that he brought and felt no guilt he knew that he made the right choice.

"So... let's look at the presents." Hector then went to every person individually and went through their pockets.

In the end, he was able to collect about 13 soli, one revolver, and 20 bullets. Hector decided that he would keep the revolver and the bullets. Spare bullets will be always useful and the revolver could come in handy in the future.

When he was about done he looked through the building and looked for something to feed a fire. He found alcohol, wooden furniture, and a few papers.

He stacked the bodies in the middle of the hall and put furniture around them, then he cut one of the gangster's heads and put it on the side. Then he spilled alcohol on them.

Hector was then finished with preparations so he went outside and nailed the head to the door of the building.

When he returned he could see that the man he used the curse on was still alive. Unresponsive, bleeding black liquid from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, being on verge of death but still living.

"What a champ. Still kicking around?" He said and lightly kicked the man in the stomach. When he didn't get any response he sighted and took out matches.

He lit one and threw it at the bodies, when the alcohol started to burn he left the building and simply walked away.

"I wonder if buildings next to it will start to burn as well. But no matter even if they would, people from the church of storms would be able to put it out." Hector said to himself as he turned around to look at the building. He was able to see flames through the windows, so he smiled and left home for a good night's sleep. Hector walked home and decided to not take a carriage as it was a rare sight when fog did not block the view of the stars.

He thought about his next steps ' Tomorrow is a tarot gathering, it is still one of the preliminary ones so there are not that important. Only when the sun joins will there be a stream of beyonder ingredients.

'Then there is an exploration of an unknown tomb with people from gathering led by Eye of Wisdom. I wonder what treasures there are and what dangers will we face. And if I will need to kill them afterward to keep it all for myself.

'I mustn't forget to visit the Thomson family for tea, smoke, and poker night. After my last visit to their ball where I have lost some memories, I don't feel safe going there, but I somehow know it should be all right.

'No matter. I should call myself afterward with goodnight of hunting and terrorizing gangsters, that can get one's heart pumping.

'And it is about time to visit Hilbert, it was a few days from his last visit. Bank business is not for me but it brings good money so as the owner I should at least hire someone to manage it for me.'

When he finally came to his home he entered without being seen by his servants and then he sneaked to his room.

It was a long day so Hector changed his clothes for a nightgown and went to his bed for some hard-deserved sleep. While looking at the ceiling he was observing pipes that reminded him of spiderwebs that were encompassing the whole ceiling and left wall. When they build it there was at least some effort to hide it in the walls but the ceilings were laid bare.

Hector or more precisely Vilkar came from a world without steam, his world had oil and so industrial evolution changed the direction that development took.

As he watched the connections between pipes his mind started to wander as he fell asleep.

In his dream, Hector could see a tall twelve-story white building with many more around it. He saw parks and lakes that he traveled to in his childhood. Then he saw a river that was running through the city, he remembered from his parents that in the coldest of winters it used to freeze and people could walk through it.

Hector then thought about his parents, his ever-loving mother, and his father. His siblings whom he was often angry at but still loved. His older sister whom he loved the most when they explored mysteries of forests and old ruins, even if sometimes he felt like hitting her with something heavy when she get on his nerves. His older brother was there when he was in any kind of trouble with others. They must be beyond themself with worry or sorrow.

But then he realized 'Wait, will they? When did I transmigrate exactly, and how old was I? Was I old, or was I young? I have memories of childhood, youth, and old age, but somehow few of them feel like they did not happen but could have if fate would have been kinder.'

Hector could feel that he misses them but he knew that now things are better, he has a new future before him. It reminded him of a song. As he thought about it he started to hear it all around himself

"Follow the path

To where no one's ever been

Don't turn around

Until you reach the end

Across the sea

And beyond the distant lands

The world awaits

So don't make any plans

There you go

There you go..."

Hector marveled at the world around him and realization had hit him, he is sleeping. This is his dream, and that's why it is responding to his will.

"So I'm lucid dreaming? Usually, you need help from beyonder of audience pathway to achieve it without trying.

"Is it possible that those memories had awakened me and made me more perceptive, or was it chains that are somehow more and more pronounced? I don't know, and now it doesn't matter, right now I need to digest those memories of my past."

Hector tried to calm his mind of any thoughts and then started to cogitate.

When he fully entered cogitation state he could feel more memories enter his mind, he remembered how he played with toys in kindergarten, how he felt when he got Bloodborne and tried to defeat Father Gascoigne only with Threaded Cane as he thought at the time how cool weapon was.

How he died again and again, until finally, he won, even now he could feel those emotions of victory. And after DLC came he always played arcane build. Ps. for early weapons go to the dungeon with a chalice which you get after the blood-starved beast. Which you can defeat with a flame thrower and a few pungent blood cocktails. On the second floor of the chalice dungeon, you can find two enemies who hold flaming weapons, and they drop gems that transform the scaling of your weapons to that of arcane and will deal fire damage. I just love Bloodborne.

And then memory with strong emotions started to flood his mind. He remembers screams, despair, and helplessness. He remembers his death.

Vilkar was traveling in the bus when a few people jumped in with a gun yelling at the passengers to stay seated at giving their belongings to them.

One of them went to the bus driver to not stop and continue driving based on his directions.

But then something went wrong as the man who was with the bus driver shot him and his body fell and his leg stomped on the accelerator, his body moving wheel to the side. Buss started to speed up and violently turned to the side until the whole bus started to tilt until it fell on its left side.

Vilkar was thrown to his right but when the bus flipped he started to fall on the glass that shattered under which concrete was moving at a fast speed. Luckily he was able to hold himself thanks to the metallic wall, only his face was right before the ground. But then he could feel others fall on him, pushing him down. Pieces of glass were buried into his palms as he tried to hold himself up.

He tried to hold his body from falling to the ground which was passing with great speed thanks to still moving bus.

Hector could feel his cheek touch the ground. His skin had torn away, layer by layer. Until his bone screeched as it too was being ground away.

Hector screamed as tears flowed from his eyes. He was able to see the source of his suffering from where he was. He could see the man who shot the bus driver and he cursed him from bottom of his heart.

But then he lost vision in his left eye as nearly half of his face was gone. For Vilkar it felt like an eternity but in reality, it was only a few seconds, his struggle meaningless, his power insufficient.

He felt his mind slipping as concrete started to get to his brain, but how could he die, how could he permit it? Was he to die here squished by others and grounded by the concrete?

'Why... what did I do? NO. It is their fault... it is their doing... those disgusting beings... unworthy of existence... they must pay... those filthy sinners..." Vilkar thought as his mind started to shut off as darkness was enveloping him, he was falling into The Last Dream, his Destined Death.

"Well we can't have that..." at the end he could hear an aetherial voice echoing in his ears. Hector woke up shaking and cold sweat on his back.

When he looked around himself he saw that he was in his room. Golden streams of sunlight were warming him. It was already morning and only after a few moments did he realize that he had woken up.

"What... was... that..." he put his hands on his head as he felt a headache after experiencing his memories.

"I see. Who knew that I had forgotten so much from my life? My from my birth to my death, but now it is returning so it could be worse."

Hector stood up from his bed and started to prepare for the day, as it is Monday so soon he will participate in tarot club.

"But before let's eat something." He said to himself and went downstairs for breakfast. While walking downstairs he was still slightly light-headed and so he used the handrail to steady himself as he walked down the stairs. As he walked down he saw the maid already up and cleaning the house.

Villa was big and so the need for dusting came often and in great amounts. Luckily for him, he had diligent staff that took care of it.

"Albert had an eye for picking people for the job we looked for."

Hector then went to the kitchen and told the chef what he wanted for breakfast and went to sit behind the table.

When he finished eating he went to the common room to read newspapers as he had time before the tarot club will start.

While reading the newspapers he saw as Albert entered the room and walked towards him. He could see that Albert wore a serious expression and so he put down the newspapers and sat more straight.

"What happened?" Hector asked as he will be busy later with the tarot club and hopes that nothing will happen at the same time, as he can't pray to Klein for leave for the meeting yet.

"Nothing happened sir. I just came to talk to you about your successful transition from ordinary human to beyonder, and already sequence 8." When Albert spoke about advancement Hector felt surprised but held himself back from reacting as Albert didn't stop talking yet.

"Please don't worry about me finding out, contrary it is a good thing as now it is time for you to know the truth about your family. It's beginning, rising, and inevitably falling. And most importantly our banishment from the rest of the family."

"What do you mean?" Hector didn't know what to say as the original owner of the body had no knowledge of this matter.

"You see, I have originally served your grandfather who was a descendant of the Andariel family, one of three great devil families that were founded in the 4th epoch.

"Three great families were bestowed powers from the abyss by our God Dark Side of the Univers. To whom we devoted our lives and in return, we gained power and prestige. At least that was written in chronicles in our libraries and stories that were past down.

"And yet, the truth is much different. Our powers did not originate from our god. Yes, he could bestow great power but if we wanted to advance we could rely only upon ourselves. For you see, your grandfather found the truth.

"Our so-called God is bound in the Abyss corrupted by some unknown force, Abyss itself has become a place where even devils can't live anymore. He saw as members of our families were corrupted through our worship of the Dark Side of the Universe. While all pathways can bring corruption it is us that are most susceptible to it. As in sequence 8, we lose our conscience we no longer have guilt to hold us back, and at 5 we revel in our desires and the desires of others. And so with time and power members of families fell to corruption.

"And so you grandfather propose more temperament approach to our desires. We would still follow them, and let them guide our path but not so much be controlled by them.

"He desired others to control themselves more and as you can guess others weren't wise enough to heed his warning. They wanted to kill him for his blasphemous ideas but they didn't dare as he was a saint of sequence 7.

"And so they banished him from the family. Some followed him, a few who believed in his words, and others who could not betray him as they were bound to his will." When Albert stopped talking Hector was excited at the prospect of this information. If it was old Hector then he would be horrified and lost at what to do. But now when Vilkar inhabited his body he saw new paths open to him, old glories that need be brought back, new ways he can get what he needs for advancing, and old debts to settle.

"I have many questions but first, what could possibly corrupt the god?"

"Unfortunately your grandfather wasn't able to find out, and after banishment, he was not interested in finding out. His mind became focused on making a new devil family that would become his source of vengeance, but unfortunately, he failed when churches found out about one of his cultists, who then unknowingly led them to rest. He was able to escape and hide his identity but he died soon afterward.

"But he had a child your father and from him, you were born. Powers of abyss run deeply in the Andariel family banished or not your grandfather wished for his legacy to continue but unfortunately, your father perished after becoming a sequence 7 serial killer. I do not know the cause of his death but I'm guessing it had something to do with the rest of Andariel's family.

"Originally I thought of giving you sequence 9 potions on your 23 birthday as you were already half sequence because of your father. But to see that you were able to achieve it on your own, and then even advance to sequence 8... It warms my rotten heart to see you grow so fast.

"And to see that you instinctively took that ring I believe that fate has great plans for you."

"This ring? Yes, I was able to feel something from it but I still don't know what is so special about it." Hector asked barely containing his excitement.

"Look at the ring more closely master. You will able to see two cracks as you advanced to sequence 8. The more you advance more cracks will appear until the whole ring will break and the gem in the ring will transform into a beyonder characteristic of your grandfather.

"With his last strength he started to make this ring and with his final breath he ordered me to take his characteristics and seal them as the gem in the ring."

"I see..." Hector didn't know what to say but to marvel at the characteristic of sequence 3 that resided in his ring."

Hector had many more questions that he wanted to know and Albert was more than willing to answer them all. At least he knows that he has more enemies than he thought.

'I will need to be careful when interacting with other devils. Especially with Jason, I don't know if he knows about me or only sees me as some random person who stumbled at abyss pathway.

'But I can't do anything with that so I can only wait and see how will things develop. Not to forget grandfather's desire to start his own devil family.

'To have one's own devils to call upon would be the worst thing. Maybe I should start one myself, only finding members can be complicated as they cant be killing indiscreetly, and they need a guide... It is decided I shall write the book of rules of conduct for devils which I will teach any prospects that could potentially join.

'I shall call it "Book of Sin"'

ADWhile he had time before the meeting of the tarot club would begin Hector went to his room to start writing the Book of Sin.

He understood that the book wouldn't be written in one day he still needs to start somewhere. So he took a pen, ink, and a few papers.

"Do not harm innocent"

'Obius but still needed to be said, but the question is what makes one innocent.'

"Who is innocent:

Those who are pure of sin, and those who do not stand in a way of our path."

'Sure for now that definition should be enough, now then...'

"To punish sinners is our purpose, to break them is our joy, to educate them is our duty."

'Basic way to see the world.'

"Do not see your enemies as people, but see the true truth of our master. They are nothing but an object that needs to be educated in ways of suffering and fear."

'They will need to be able to do what needs to be done, no matter rules or convictions of others

"For you are spears of pain and misery. Each evolution of wrong to correct."

'To make them feel important but still keep them obedient to me.'

"You shall map every scream, harness every aggression until you understand every method by which to ravage the hearts, minds, and flesh of wicked."

'So they would understand that everyone begins somewhere.'

"And in doing so we feed our desires, our lust, our greed, our fear until we become an instrument of vengeance."

'It sounds cool.'

"But take heed of your own heart, for only our master is perfect, only he sees the truth. And so we must follow his will, so one day we may be part of his great vision."

'It is somewhat embarrassing to write in the third person.'

"Blessed be the Fanatics, for their minds are pure.

Blessed be the Murderous, or they see the beauty in our truth.

Blessed be the Heartless, for they have the strength to do what must be done.

Blessed be the Wicked, their suffering makes us stronger.

Blessed is our lord, who sees the truth and whose will is our will. So do not doubt and follow us to the truth."

Hector thne stoped and looked over what he already wrote. When he was satisfied he stoped and looked at the pocketwatch.

He saw that soon it will be 3:00pm he went to lay at the bed and awaited the pull.

While he laid on the bed he watched the ceiling awaiting for needle on his pocket watch turn to three.

When time came he saw burst of red light came from his body drowning him in it.

In the city of Tingen Klein stood in the room and walked four steps in a counter-clockwise manner in squarish shape. Murmuring incantations.

Soon his body turned light as he floated up. He saw the grayish-white and blurry fog. There he saw three red "starts." each of then had minuscule connection with him, and he could feel abnormal sense of familiarity from them.

After few moments fog around had again transformed into the opulent divine palace with the tall bronze table under the domed ceiling, as well as the twenty-two high-back chairs that corresponded to the different constellations.

When he sat behind seat of honor he extended his right hand and tapped three red starts and created a miraculous connection.

In a basement without any window, Alger Wilson sat behind long table upon which various apparatuses and goatskin parchments were laid.

Alger's hair was disheveled like seaweed with a deep blue color that resembled black. He wore a robe with lightning patterns embroidered on it.

When needle striked three in the closk hanging on the wall he pressed down on his temple as his eyes turned dark.

Then Deep-red light appear like a tidal wave from nowhere, drowning him instantly.

In Backlund, Empress Borough after dismissing her dance teacher, Audrey locked the door and sat straight up in front of her dressing table.

The sun outside was bright and gorgeous. Before her laid light-brown notebook made of exquisite goat skin, which pages were black. She prepared a fountain pen with golden tip and embedded rubies so she could write down teh formula the moent she left the gathering.

Then she looked at the mirror however, she did not see herself reflected. Instead, a dark red and illusory beam burst out from her body.

Above the gray fog stood a majestic divine hall that looked like a giant's residence.

Dark red colors bloomed on both sides of the bronze table. They surged upwards like a fountain before pattering down. It 'carved' three blurry figures who sat in the same spots as before.

Audrey, with her soft blond hair and tall, slim build, instinctively looked towards the Seat of Honor. She saw the figure immersed in thick gray fog sitting back. One hand was flat, touching the table's side while the other hand was stroking his chin.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool!" Audrey shouted in cheery voice.

Following that, she turned her head and looked at the person opposite her. With the same tone, she said, "Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man!". Then she turned to the last mamber who sat next to Alger and once again spoke with cheery voice, "Good afternoon, Mr. Devil!"

When Hector heard he and rest returned her greeting "Good, afternoon, Miss Justice."

Then he was able to see that Klein lowered his head slightly and move his left hand and tapped his glabella twice.

'Ah, yes. He became beyonder and so he is using spirit wision on us.

'If I remamber correctly than when he lookes at the Justice's aura, he should see that it perfectly matches the colors of healtly non-beyonder. With her emotions being of... REd and yellow. It was joy and excitment.

'While color of Hanged Man's emotions should be similiar but their are calm, thoughtful, careful and as he got beyondre ingredient from Justice already he should be pleased.

'Diference from Justice And Hanged Man was innermost layer. hanged Man'đ was nearly of the same color. It should represent deep blue akin to the sea.'

Reason was that he was beyonder of sequence 8 from sailor pathway.

'And lastly or in midle or at begining he should look at me. From what I feel my emotions should be calm, but still there should be colors of being happy and pleased.'

Then Hector could hear Audry speak, "Mr. Hanged Man, did you recieve the box of Ghost Shark blood?"

Alger looked at Klein and then back at Audry, "Thank you very much. It perfectly met my expectations. I never expected you to send it to me so quickly. The Ghost Shark blood is not the typical extraordinary creature,"

Audrey smiled humbly and said, "I'm very happy to see this outcome."

Alger looked deeply at The Fool who was enveloped in fog before turning his head back with a smile.

"According to our agreement, I will tell you the formula to the potion, Spectator. But..." He spoke as he looked at the Hector.

Hector could gues he didnt want to say the formula before him as he paid nothing for it.

'Well this suckess what now? Klein will learn how to block sounds only, so what should I do?' Hector thought. When Hector thought about what should he do he looked at the Klein who was covered in the gray fog.

He frowned as he thought about the problem. After a few seconds, he saw him taping on the table and speaking.

"Mr. Hanged Man, You can try to recall the content of the potion formula, give it the desire to express it, and write the formula with the paper and pen in front of you."

Before he even finished speaking, a yellow-brown parchment and pen appeared on the table in front of the Hanged Man.

Alger directly picked up the pen and recalled the contents of the audience potion formula in his mind, and gave the idea of writing it down.

Klein felt this and so he used the pen as a medium to guide him. As soon as Alger took the pen, he saw lines of word on the parchment.

The audience, Sequence 9:

Main ingredients:

Matured Manhal Fish's eyeball,

35 milliliters of goat-horned black fish blood.

Supplementary Ingredients:

80 milliliters of pure water,

5 drops of autumn crocus essence,

13 grams of cow teeth,

7 petals of elf flowers.

Then Klein guided Alger to write the formula.

Alger was not surprised when he saw that the content on the parchment was consistent with the formula in his mind. He then nodded to the Fool.

'And now I will be the only one that doesn't know the formula. Justice paid for it, Hanged Man already knew about it, and as it was written here Fool would automatically know the content. Somehow I feel left out.' Hector smiled at thoughts.

Then Hanged Man spoke, "Low-Sequence potions are very easy to concoct. Just follow the order that I provide you. Do remember that there can be smaller quantities of the ingredients but not more. It would cause major problems. You should have heard about the news of Beyonders losing control. I believe there's no need for me to repeat it?" Alger first mentioned things to take note of.

Audrey nodded gently and said, "I understand completely."

While she spoke, she turned her head to look at Mr. Fool. She wished to know if the mystery expert had anything to add; unfortunately, The Fool was sitting silently there like a statue.

Alger thought for a moment before saying, "Having smaller quantities does not mean it should deviate by too much… If you do not have an assistant, I suggest you spend some time familiarizing yourself with chemistry experiments."

"I have a family tutor for such matters," answered Audrey without feeling the burden.

Then Hector saw as Fool send the piece of parchment to Justice. She then took it and read the content of the formula and started to memorize the content.

Hector wanted to show off his own knowledge so he spoke before Hanged Man.

"Do you know about Cogitation?" Hector then saw Justice nod, but he still continued, "I do not know how much you know about Cogitation. So let me describe it. After consuming the potion, try to enter Cogitation to control and stabilize your spirituality and energy. You will get knowledge of any powers of sequence from the potion but it is still important to practice the powers of the potion so you can truly grasp it. So you can avoid the danger of losing control.

"And the name of the potion is more than you think." Hector did not speak about acting as he wanted to leave it to Klein so he could start to gather Roselle's diary.

Hanged Man watched Devil speak and then he nodded, but he also wondered what he meant when he spoke about the name of the potion.

Justice listened to the Devil's explanation attentively, and just as she was to inquire about more details, she suddenly heard the tapping sound of the table.

Justice, Hanged Man, and Devil turned their heads and looked at The Fool. They heard that the mysterious and mighty figure was tapping gently with his fingers. He said in a deep voice, "It's about digesting it, about acting.

"The name of a potion is not only symbolic, but it's also imagery. It is the key to digesting."

Audrey was dazed and confused from hearing that. She was not very clear on what Mr. Fool was trying to express.

She subconsciously eyed The Hanged Man for a reaction from the corner of her eyes. She was surprised to see him jolt and freeze. It was as though an ordinary person had heard a loud and sudden clap of thunder.

When she looked at the Devil she saw that he remained calm which was different in contrast to Hanged Man.

"Digesting, acting… Digesting, acting… Digesting, acting, key…" Alger repeated it again and again softly as though he had grasped a key concept or had succumbed to a strange curse.

'Well, I presume for those who are walking on the path of beyonders for some time and then they found out about acting it would be an earth-shattering revelation.' Hector thought. He also felt that Fool was looking at him, 'He probably didn't expect that calmness of my emotions.'

After a while, he raised his head and said with a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Mr. Fool. Your hint is as valuable as my life. You have enlightened me greatly. Of course, I believe I have yet to fully understand or comprehend it."

Fool maintained his mysterious image by saying with a smile, "That was an advance payment."

'Advanced payment' Justice thought as she looked at the Hanged Man's reaction and knew that hint was precious, but when she looked at the Devil who was unsurprised she became calmer as she thought that payment wouldn't be something unreachable. "Mr. Fool, what do you wish for us to do?"

The Fool then leaned back slightly as he glanced at people before him and said in a soft voice, "Collect Roselle Gustav's secret diary on my behalf, even if it's just one page of it."

'Roselle Gustav's secret diary? Emperor Roselle?

'Indeed, only such matters are worth the concern of a mighty figure like Mr. Fool' Audrey was taken aback before she realized that she found it not surprising.

Hector thought, 'Yes in those diaries is the knowledge that is invaluable to any beyonder. Pity that I don't know Chinese.'

"Diary? That's a diary?" Alger frowned slightly as he keenly noticed this tidbit.

'The item which Roselle Gustav had left behind had been described by Mr. Fool as a diary! How did he know? Could he know the way to decipher Roselle's cryptic text?' Faced with the Hanged Man's question Fool leaned back into his chair and interlocked his hands and answered in a relaxed manner, "Let us first view it as a diary for now."

Audrey had heard the children of other nobles mention the matter. However, she had never really learned much of it. With her curiosity piqued, she asked, "It's said that Emperor Roselle's, well, the diary was written in a cryptic language or symbols he invented."

"Yes," answered Alger simply. "Some people believe that it is a unique set of symbols from mysticism. Others believe that it is a hieroglyph. But up to today, no one has found the correct way of deciphering it. At the very least, that's all I know."

"Actually there were few that were able to decipher the meaning behind certain parts but not the language itself. Those parts should be dates and so it actually fits that it would be a diary." Hector spoke as he remembered that Old Niel was able to find out that much so it would be in reasoning that someone else could do the same.

Hanged Man looked at the Devil in surprise as his thoughts became chaotic.

But then they could hear Justice speak. "We can't understand the symbols or the words… Then, how are we to pass the information to you, Mr. Fool? Or are we to mail it somewhere?"

They could hear the Fool speaking softly "The same way Mr. Hanged Man wrote potion formula."

With that said, she looked toward the Seat of Honor.

"Mr. Fool, I will work hard to complete your mission. I will do my best to gather more of Emperor Roselle's secret diary."

"I mentioned before that I'm a person who likes a fair and equal exchange. The advanced payment I gave is only equivalent to two pages of the diary for each person. If there are more, I will give additional in return," Klein said calmly like he was an adult who did not take advantage of children.

"You are truly a generous gentleman." Alger fell silent for a few seconds before bowing slightly with his hand by his chest.

After the bow, he turned to Justice and said, "Let me emphasize once more. A Spectator will forever be a spectator

"I know that many Spectators enjoy imagining themselves to be the protagonist or some other character. As a result, they invest a lot of feelings into it, to the point of crying, laughing, raging, and turning sorrowful because of the drama. However, that is not what a Spectator should do..."

Hector then heard Hanged man speak about spectator some more but he lost interest to listen.

Just as Klein was immersing himself in thought, Alger finished explaining the demands he knew of a Spectator. He sighed before saying, "It seems like there's nothing else.

"Perhaps we can have a casual chat. We can talk about things happening around us. Perhaps it is something very normal to you, but in the ears of others, it might be a very important clue."

"Sure." Klein snapped back and nodded slightly.

"Shall we begin with you, Mr. Hanged Man?" Audrey agreed in excitement.

Alger thought for a moment before saying, "The infamous pirate who calls himself Lieutenant General Deweyville has begun his voyage to explore the eastern end of the Sonia Sea again."

"Oh? The owner of the Black Tulip?" returned Audrey with a question after some thought.

"Yes," Alger replied with a nod.

Hector did not know about it, and from the looks of others conversation would get nowhere, so he spoke.

"There is conflict in Backlund's East borough as few beyonders from warrior pathway were killed. And from what I know they are blaming one of the gangs, Street Rats."

"Gang fights are nothing uncommon, but multiple Beyonders of warrior pathway? They could be from the church of God of War, and as they don't have influence in Leon they can only hide among gangs." Hanged Man spoke.

Justice knew about gangs in the East borough but as she lived a sheltered life, all her knowledge came from newspapers and talk from other nobles, and so she didn't know about the details. She found it interesting as it concerned beyonders.

After a few moments of silence, The Fool decided to speak, to maintain the unfathomable image he caressed the side of the bronze table with his fingers.

"According to what I know, the Secret Order has lost an Antigonus family notebook."

This news was not only known by the Nighthawks from Tingen City. The Secret Order as well as Beyonders with close ties with them similarly knew.

"An Antigonus family notebook?" Alger repeated before smiling with a shake of his head. "I'm really curious as to what reaction the Church of the Evernight Goddess will have if they learn of it."

At that moment, Audrey asked out of curiosity, "Why are you curious? What sort of special reaction would the Goddess's church have?"

Alger smiled and said, "The Antigonus family was destroyed by the Church of the Evernight Goddess."

"I'm not really sure if it happened at the end of the Fourth Epoch or the early stages of the present epoch."

"They were destroyed in the war of four emperors. After Blood Emperor fell there was a conflict between Antigonus's family and the Evernight Godesses church. Which led to the eventual destruction of Antigonus at the Hornacis Mountain Range. From then on that mountain range is guarded by the church of Evernight." Hector spoke flexing his knowledge.

After hearing the explanation, Audrey said with deep interest, "I never imagined that such a thing would happen…

"Alright, my turn. Let me think of what I have to share."

She cocked her head and held her head up with her hand before chuckling.

"Yesterday, my etiquette teacher taught me how to faint, how to faint elegantly without any faux paus. It's a practical skill used at social events to avoid awkward situations or nasty guys… Heh heh. I was just organizing my thoughts. What I really wanted to say is that ever since the failure of the battle on Balam's eastern shore, the king, premier, and gentlemen are under immense stress. They eagerly wish to change."

When she recalled the conversation that she had she spoke some more, "They believe that the government's structure is too chaotic. Every election, if there is a change of the ruling party, there will be a change of personnel from top to bottom. It makes things a mess and lowers efficiency tremendously. Not only does it cause the battle loss, but it also brings great inconvenience to the civilians."

When the Hanged Man, Alger, heard that he interjected with a soft chuckle.

"They believe? Then their beliefs are a little slow. Perhaps they will only feel the itch a year after they get bitten by black mosquitoes."

Audrey extended her palm and covered her mouth. Ignoring the Hanged Man's mockery, she expressed the core information of what she said, "Unfortunately, they are temporarily unable to find a good solution to replace this system."

The Fool listened carefully and decided to speak. He smiled faintly and said, "This is a simple problem."

"Simple?" Audrey returned with a question in puzzlement.

Although her education did not include politics, she often heard from the discussions of her father, brother, and people around her. She had a sufficient understanding of similar matters.

Fool looked at the Justice and spoke while smiling, "An examination, just like an entrance examination for college. Hold an exam that is open to the public. It can be split into two rounds or three rounds. Use the most objective method to select the elite."

"But…" Audrey knew what sort of objection this would entail.

Before she could retort Fool continued, "After which, use these elites to fill the positions of the Cabinet, the county government, the city government, and the various towns. Yes, the positions that are directly handling matters, such as the Secretary of the Cabinet.

"Different positions should be given different requirements. The second or third rounds can be tested based on locale and region. Professional matters should be left to the professionals.

"As for political positions such as ministers, governors, or mayors, they will be left to the parties that win the election. That is a slice of the pie they deserve."

Alger, who lacked interest in such matters, unknowingly turned his head and listened carefully. Audrey frowned slightly as she fell into deep thought. Only Hector lost interest as politics for some reason made his blood boil, and his mind was filled with the desire to punch someone.

...

While considering the suggestion, Audrey asked doubtfully, "Are you implying that even if those ministers become monkeys, the effects would be insignificant?"

"Please, it is not nice to degrade monkeys, monkeys only eat, sleep and mate. Their minds are not filled with foolish ideas so much that others are questioning if they even have any brains or dancing squirrels.

Hector knew that this is a different world than his but it is in human nature to be stupid.

Audrey ruminated over the suggestion Mr. Fool had offered and after a while, said in surprise, "It sounds like it actually might work…

"It's a very simple but effective solution!"

She looked at Klein and sincerely marveled, "Mr. Fool, you must be an elderly person with outstanding intelligence who is very experienced in life!"

'When counting all the time he was in the cocoon then yes, you could say so.' Hector thought smiling.

"Let us end today's gathering here." The Fool spoke.

"By your will." Audrey, Hector, and Alger stood up together.

Hector saw Klein leaning back slightly as the vision before him became blurry.

When his surroundings became visible once more he saw that he was back in his room.

"So, what now?" Hector spoke as he leaned back in his chair. He sighed and decided to stay at home this night.

"I need to prepare for exploration of the tomb... And I mustn't forget to visit the bank... And to train the dogs... Like I know it is not a lot when you have weak but somehow it is draining. I will need to make some me-time visiting gangsters in East borough.

"Wait! Jason and a few other devils had human skin suits. I should look into that, maybe Albert knows how to make one. Maybe drying, or ritual. No matter what it could come in handy when dealing with others and someone would see me.

But then I could simply kill them too... NO! NO! No killing of innocent. Humanity important, humanity good." In the end, Hector started to speak to himself as if he was talking to the child. Keeping his humanity is the most important thing that he needs to do. In the long run that is.

"I should go to the opera or something, some kind of social gathering. Maybe invite the Thomson family to tea, who knows what happened to them after that ball." he felt chills when he tried to remember that night. The blood and flesh on the ceiling and the strange man walking down the stairs while all around him mutated.

Hector enjoyed the rest of the day in relative calmness as he waited for the sun to pass.

When he saw the crimson rays of the moon he changed his clothes and walked out of his room.

He planned on asking Albert a few questions about human skin suits.

"Albert, as you said that our family was originally part of the devil family then you should know about certain beyonder secrets," Hector asked him after finding him and entering a room so they would be alone.

Albert raised his eyebrow and then smiled, "Of course master, ask all you want to know and I will answer to the best of my abilities."

"At the gathering, I heard that there was something called human skin suit which was used by devils. And so I was interested about them, how they were created, and how could you tell if others were using them." He wanted to know as such knowledge could be useful in the future.

Albert was surprised as the knowledge of such suits was not well known but still answered, "Process of creating a Human skin suit is a complicated and prolonged process.

"First of all you would need to catch another person who would fit your proportions, and you would need it to be light bigger than you so it would properly fit. You wouldn't want to have stretched face. But as it involves Beyonder powers there is some freedom.

"Then you need to harvest the skin without making any mistakes as it could ruin it. after that, there is the process of drying and soaking it in special concoctions and using certain rituals.

"Whole process usually takes about a month, as at the end it needs some time to rest, so it could fully absorb its properties.

"At the end of the process, you have a suit that you can use to hide your identity. It is actually a very valuable item as not everyone knows the exact steps of its making. And as detecting the wearer is highly complicated when you don't know what you are looking for.

"Other devils would be much better at spotting users especially when they are lower sequence."

After a few more questions Hector left the villa and took a carriage to the east borough. When he exited the carriage he looked around himself and inhaled local air.

Hector then walked the streets of East borough looking for the victim of his rage, his desire to bring his will and his ideology upon this world.

As he looked around him he could see a few people walking up and down the streets, but none of them looked like gangsters. A few of them could be gangsters but wearing different clothing to hide because of his recent attacks.

Of course, he could not disregard the possibility that they can be innocent. But then he could hear commotion through the window of the house on his right.

Sounds of something breaking and yelling ...peeked... his interest, and so he went closer to take a better look.

Through the window, he could see a woman and child being assaulted by a man, while two more people were sitting in the corner trying to ignore the whole situation.

Hector then looked for the door that would lead him inside. When he thought he found the correct one he tried to open them.

When he pushed them open he could hear the screeching sound of rusted hinges on the door. While entering he took a look at the hall that he entered.

He saw run-down wooden walls, a floor that once was made out of wood but broke long ago, now compressed dirt served in its place.

While following the sound he could see more people sitting in the corners, lying under thin blankets and trying to sleep. When he entered the room with the people he was looking for, the woman was lying on the ground holding her face with her hand and holding a child with another one.

Hector walked toward the man and took hold of his neck from behind, then he pulled him up with ease and tossed him into the ground.

He could hear screams resonating in the room. Some originated from the man and others from people around him.

Then he raised his leg and stomped at the man's knee, breaking it, "Blessed be you, for today I shall show you wrongness of your way." Hector spoke while taking the man's arm and twisting it until his joints started to pop.

The lying man screamed at top of his lungs and so Hector raised his head pulling his tongue out and tearing it with his bare hands. Then he used his flames to sear his mouth so he wouldn't bleed out.

Hector, then started to tear at the men's lips and cheeks until all of his teeth were visible. He also didn't forget to use his flames on any exposed flesh.

He pitied the man as he could not judge him properly, only at sequence 7 will he be able to see into the hearts of people and see their corruption, and so when he thought that the man suffered enough he looked for any elevated surface and when he found one, one of the steps leading to a higher floor, he dragged the man there, opening his mouth and putting his teeth on it. Then he raised his leg and kicked the back of the man's head breaking his teeth.

Hector then walked toward the woman to ask what it all was about and to see if she herself needed punishment, but when he got close he could hear him cry out, "Monster... please don't get any closer!"

When he heard her his mind was filled with rage, so he took her by the neck, "You call me a monster!? You insolent lesser creature!" But then he hurriedly let go of her as he realized what he was doing.

'NO! Calm down.' He said to himself in his head and started to walk away.

Then he went into one of the alleys that were relatively far away and sat down entering a cogitation state. He needed to calm his mind.

"I should have used cogitation sooner. I didn't use it after advancement, which in hindsight was a mistake."

His emotion was getting out of control even though he tried to calm himself down. His vision got blurry as his eyes filled with tears.

When he started to cry he saw as droplets of black liquid fell down from his eyes staining his shirt. He was sad and happy. He felt despair and euphoria at the same time. He was filled with overwhelming desires.

He then looked at the sky and felt something staring at him from beyond the clouds that hindered any view of the sky.

While looking up he could feel so much, something invading his mind and body. His body was rooted in place his flesh tore spilling blood on the ground and from the blood-stained ground, thorned wains with roses started to grow to envelop him in their embrace.

He did not understand what was happening, his mind knew something but it could not recollect what.

When the wines started to drill themselves into his flesh he felt as if he was no longer himself, his mind shutting off, embracing the darkness of the afterlife.

But then he felt a warm feeling from the chains in his heart. Hector felt despair as his emotion and desires had become uncontrolled, his will weakened, and his mind invaded.

"No, this is not how it is supposed to end! There is so much left to do." Hector could not just give up, he could not give in to some unknown force.

And how could he? His ego would not allow it in thousand years, no matter what. If he would was to be killed that he would take whoever was doing it with him. And as he could not he needed to resist, so he could fight another day.

He disregarded his emotions or desires as he focused his mind on surviving.

His chains started to hum, or was it him? He could not tell. Only that his whole body started to feel warm and chains started to move, chain rings started to break leaving his body through his wounds. They took the form of thorny vines which started to envelop rose vines.

Roses started to wither, to subside as ones from his chains started to sprout flowers of their own. Black and gold roses with bloodshot human eyeballs in the middle of each rose. And from the eyes, a sweet scent was released. It was enhancing his emotions and desires to the limit.

Hector's body started to shake uncontrollably as he felt disconnected from the body as if he was thorns that were cutting invaders as if he was black and gold roses blooming from consuming corruption as if he was the eyes spreading their influence and will.

Vilkar's roots buried deep into Hector's body, how could he abandon that which was his now? The body was his from the moment he poses it not so long ago.

Something dared to take it away, something tried to corrupt him. HIM!

"I'm corruption itself!" He yelled even though he didn't use his mount to speak. He did not know from where that thought came from but it felt right.

He was... He was... What was he?

His mind started to change, to expand. His memories started to unlock, and his meaning and purpose were becoming perfect. He was becoming perfect desire and corruption manifested.

But then he could hear a voice speak, " No... it is not time yet."

Vilkar felt something in him strengthening and his memories stopped unlocking. He regained a sense of self and started to put himself back into the body of Hector.

As if a parasite or more precisely a seed of corruption that rooted himself in the heart of Hector. Regaining control and sense of body, wounds on his flesh started to close and the blood that was spilled on the ground started to disappear as if it never existed.

Black and gold vines fully retracted into the heart and became dormant.

Hector was sighted in relief as he tried to move his limbs as they were no longer constricted by some unknown force.

"What was that?" He spoke but he recalled his locked memories.

"There is something in the sky or maybe the cosmos that is trying to corrupt me. Mere knowledge of it is being to bring corruption. But what was it that tried to corrupt me?"

Hector then felt as if some of his memories were unlocked and he came to a realization.

"Mother Tree of Desire 'She' is an Evil Goddess that corrupted Chained God and controlled the Rose School of Thought. Who was the king of Angels of Chained pathway? 'He' held two sequences 1 characteristic and even obtained Uniqueness.

"In the fifth epoch 'he' was worshiped as a god by the Rose School of Thought. When 'he' was captured and corrupted by the Mother Tree of Desire one of 'his' sequence 1 characteristics was peeled and gave birth to Suah.

" 'She' was also able to corrupt the Dark Side of the Universe but to the same effect as Chained God.

"That is the reason why Abyss had fallen into a state where most devils were unable to live in.

"It is because of 'her' that Rose School of Thought fell to the corruption and depravity, as they turned into an evil organization that believes in releasing desires and indiscriminately commit rapes, murders, and sacrifices. 'She' is deserving of punishment.

"Her goal is to get Tenebrour World, but it is sealed in the western continent she must wait until it will be unlocked. But as I hold a special connection with it despite the seal I'm the best option to get it.

"So 'she' is more than a God." Hector felt a warning in his mind as if he would try to understand her origin more there would be dire consequences. He was not strong enough to withstand such knowledge, he would need to be at least sequence 2.

"I-I see now why it was locked." He spoke as he thought about what it would mean and what exactly happened.

"Those vines with red roses were 'her' trying to corrupt me in my weakened state.

"So she already knows about me. I will need to be more careful about my mental state.

"And what if she sends someone after me... As long as I'm in Backlund they should not dare to come... hopefully. And now I don't know if she can corrupt me the same way after my chains transformed into thorny vines as they were able to consume 'her' corruption.

"But how was I able to resist? What were those vines with Black and gold roses, and those eyes... They felt as if they were me. But how could it be?

"Those chains are gone, or more precisely they broke themself creating my own thorny vines, which felt more like me than my own body." Hector then thought about the possibility...

"Was I those chains all along? Was my soul transformed into chains that bound this body and Tenebrous Word together? That would mean when I digested the potion of sequence 9 and a few of those chain rings had broken and got absorbed by the heart... this body got polluted by my will, fully taking over.

"What even mI, what was I made into? And who changed me, who was that man in my dreams and in that accursed ball?" Too many unanswered questions.

"I need to advance to higher sequences as fast as possible. Who knows what dangers lie ahead, and being unprepared could mean doom for me." Hector then stood up and went looking for more gangsters, he need to digest the potion as fast as possible, and a human skin suit could be useful if others would come to look for him.

When he saw a gangster in one of the alleys who had relatively the same height as Hector he walked to him and spoke, "Be not afraid. For your time has come. Your existence shall finally have any meaning. Know that your suffering will bring me joy, and your body shall be an instrument with which I will use for many purposes.

"So weep not as I will skin you, weep not for your future, as you have none." After he spoke Hector jumped at him and started to choke him. He raised his whole body with ease and then he broke his neck.

Then he stripped him of his clothes and took out his dagger and started skinning.

Hector started at the man's back, making one long cut and then continuing from there.

ADVERTISEMENTHector wasn't professional at the skinning but with the knowledge he got from the sequence 9 criminal he was able to use a dagger proficiently so he did not make any major mistake. Only problem was when he got to the fingers but with few maneuvers, he was able to get it without any cuts to the skin.

While he was skinning the body he thought about the knowledge that got stuck in his mind. He realized that he gain not only knowledge about the Mother Tree of Desire but also about chained pathway.

Sequence 9 Prisoner

Sequence 8 Lunatic

Sequence 7 Werewolf

He already knew their names but he was able to gain corresponding potions formula.

"It was unpleasant but I gained something precious so it is not so bad anymore." He chuckled

"Now I only need to find the Apprentice potion formula. It will be available when Fors will join Tarot Club, but that will take some time and I wanted to make Simar beyonder animal sooner so as to develop his intelligence and gain someone who can pass through solid walls and later be able to use divination.

"And Gorm must wait at least a few months until he became an adult. While Prisoner doesn't get any curse, but he also has no beyonder powers. So I will first train him to the best of my abilities and only then will I give him the potion."

He also thought about possible candidates for his devil family but he realized that he doesn't know anyone who could fit what he is looking for. Maybe Conor but he is too young and Hector didn't speak to him properly, but he thought about the possibility of grooming him to be one. But that is to be seen later, right now he needs to get to know him better.

When he had finished skinning the body he safely stored it in his suitcase. Then he cut the body into six pieces and threw them into the window of the Street Rats gang safe-house.

After he threw them he started to run away, while running he could hear could hear glass shattering behind him. When he was a safe distance away he slowed down with his steps and casually walked home.

Since he walked all the way from the East borough his return took much longer than if he used the carriage. While he could use one he didn't want them to see him entering and leaving East borough so often, if someone would investigate him they could find out about his less savoring activities.

From what he saw this night would be less foggy than usual. Usually because of Buckland factories weather was mostly foggy with a lot of rain. Clouds and fogs were great companions for serial killers and thieves in Hector's opinion, as they would hide approaching people until they were close enough to their target, and even escape was easier, thanks to low visibility. Knowing that he would be able to use it to his advantage at sequence 7 filled his heart with joy, as he could play Jack the Reaper in real life.

Yells of victims begging for mercy only to be denied until the very end, and there they would see the light of hope as he would let them run away. Only to be extinguished as he would start to run at them. Under such conditions, he should be able to digest the potion in a relatively quick time.

But that is in the future, now he needs to digest sequence 8 and then advance, and for that, he will need to acquire a potion formula.

From what he remembers Hanged Man will be sequence 7 in the next gathering. While he would be stuck in that sequence for some time Hector still felt as if he was behind. His pride was becoming stronger as time passed.

"Well, it would be best if I started to look for formula already. But it is quite unfortunate that I can't get it in the gathering run by Klein, as none of them have channels with which they would appear. Justice will only start her channels with Fors and Xio. Hanged Man is part of the church of storms, he is also a participant in pirate gatherings but doubts he would find any.

"His use would be more about finding ingredients for now. And Klein will have no interaction with anything devil related in Tingen. Only in Buckland when he kills Jason... Maybe I should kill him when he tries to escape from the church of Evernight. Well, we will see what sequence I will be in at the time.

"Gathering led by Eye of Wisdom is also a go, as he would then look for me with help of the church of steam. Which is ironic as he is a secret worshiper of the God of Knowledge.

"Jason's gathering is the best bet, as he is beyonder of sequence 5 he should know the formula. But I should be careful with my spending, while there is still a lot of money but they are not endless...

"F*ck, I'm STUPID! How could I forget that Albert is also from devil pathway? I can just ask him about the potion formula. Sometimes I'm questioning my own intelligence.

"When I will get home I shall ask him, so I can start to look for ingredients. But still, I will need to completely digest my current potion."

When he got to the villa it was already deep into the night. But still, he went to Albert's room. When he stood before the door he knocked at them and waited for some kind of response.

Hector saw the door opening and Albert who stood behind them, "Good night master how can I help you at this time of day?" Hector realized that Albert started to call him master and no longer sir after he told him about the family secret. He didn't complain as he kind of liked how it sounded.

"So here is skin that you could make into a human skin suit." Hector opened his suitcase and took out the skin that he acquired not so long ago. It was getting colder but its surface was still warm to the touch.

Albert looked at the skin, looking for any blemish or cut, but when he found none he smiled and said, "I will start as soon as possible, but it will take some time as the process is not easiest and I will need to gather some materials. Is that all master?"

"One more thing, do you know the potion formula for sequence 7? While I still haven't digested sequence 8 I would like to gather ingredients in advance." Hector said to Albert and expected a positive reply.

"Of course master." He spoke as he bowed slightly, joy could be clearly seen in his eyes. He then entered the room and went to the drawer from which he took out a piece of parchment. He also took pen and ink, then he started to write.

After finishing he blew a few times at the paper as to dry out the ink and then walked towards Hector. Then he gave him the paper and spoke, "It is with great joy I must say to see your progress so fast. You should already know about the acting method, I thought about talking about it but when you became sequence 8 so fast I thought that you already know about it."

Hector only nodded and then looked at the paper.

Sequence 7 Serial Killer

main ingredient:

-the middle eye of the hornless three-eyed goat

-a tongue of spirit viper

supplementary ingredient:

65 milliliters of purified water

8 drops of vanilla essential oil

3 drops of rooster blood

5 scales of night viper

When he saw the content he was relieved as supplementary ingredients were still easy to find. And he could start to ask about the main ingredients at various gatherings.

"So the middle eye of the hornless three-eyed goat and tongue of spirit viper. How common are they?" He asked as he didn't know about them from the novel.

"As beyonder ingredients go They are not rare, but still neither lives around Buckland or any city so finding them on your own would be very hard. The best bet would be to try beyonder gatherings. There should be some in gathering led by Patrick Jason or more precisely Jason Beria." Albert casually spoke about Jason which surprised Hector but as Albert was also from the devil family it wasn't that strange.

"So you know about him. I did join his gathering recently, there I was able to acquire the Unwinged Angel potion formula." Hector admitted.

"I know, I was surprised myself when you went there. As I did not know where you got the information. But it doesn't matter how but that you did master." Albert spoke and Hector could see his eyes sparkle with fanatical light.

Hector decided it was enough for the day and went to his room.

As he was leaving he turned around and asked Albert a question, "I wonder, what sequence are you, Albert?" Hector was curious.

"Me? I'm sequence 5 Desire Apostle master." Albert said with a smile. 'Sequence 5! Albert is sequence 5!' Hector was genuinely surprised as he thought that he would be in sequence 7 or 6 but 5...

'What an interesting piece of information, with a subordinate of sequence 5 I will be able to achieve things that now would be impossible. Getting beyonder the characteristic of Desire Apostle from Jason will be easy because he will be wounded and Albert could take care of him easily as both are in the same sequence.

'And dealing with Street Rats will be so much easier... But will it be as satisfying?' He started to think about how it would feel if he would be the one doing punishing or someone else.

'No, he doesn't care about the suffering they inflicted so he would just kill them. For them, to experience justice they need to suffer much more.'

The next morning Hector prepared himself to experience some joys of simple life to make sure he wouldn't lose too much of humanity.

He sometimes wondered if it would be possible to just take the humanity of others. Maybe to cut it out, or steal it with Error ability. But then he realized the unfeasibility of such things as humanity is unique to each one. Humanity makes us who we are.

And so Hector walked out of his home and as he strolled towards the square where the circus troupe started their performances.

On his way, he stopped at a certain store as he smelled fragments of freshly baked pastries.

And so he entered the store to buy some of them. When he opened the door smell intensified and his mouth started to salivate slightly.

He walked to the counter and spoke, "Good morning." Upon which he same respond.

Hector ordered a few cakes, teas, and different kinds of bread. While taking his order he realized that he may look silly ordering so much, but he did not care.

After he sat down on a chair that was present in the store, he started to eat one cake after another trying them and savoring their taste. He purposely skipped breakfast in his home so he could try out more of them without getting stuffed.

When he finished eating he walked out of the store and walked to the circus. Where after paying a ticked fee he entered a big tent in which he saw a stage and next to it rows of seats. He found an empty one and watched the show.

Firstly he saw a man who walked on the stage with a pole. The man had put the pole in middle and started to climb it until he stood at the top balancing himself. Then he put one of his feet on the pole and Hector could see another person walking toward him throwing him knifes. Which performer started to juggle while still balancing on the pole.

Next, he saw a woman enter the stage dancing with some kind of disk-like object and chair.

She then started to spin them on her finger while still dancing. After a few moments, she took another spinning them in both hands. Then she played down on the chair and put them on her feet not stopping to spin them.

Hector became somewhat impressed when she took two more, she used every limb to spin one. And he became very surprised when she stopped spinning them with her feet and a man from before had brought a table and put it on her feet. She then spun the table while still spinning with her hands.

'What the...' Was all that he could think.

Another performer came, and he was accompanied by a tiger. The performer had taken out a ring and whip making the tiger jump through.

Hector understood that circus animals didn't have the best life but he just could not enjoy it without them.

In the next performance, he saw people using monkeys, bears, and even something that looked like a penguin for the performance.

Overall he enjoyed the show and when he was leaving he even bought a souvenir. Carved wooden monkey.

When he walked the streets looking at the people he thought about the differences between East borough people from and other districts.

Their hopes and dreams were taken, replaced by only despair and pain. He knew that this world was filled with pain and sorrow.

He sometimes thought about the possibility of ending all of their pain, he thought about taking the path of complete annihilation of life.

He understood that the core of all things is madness and cruelty. And so he could understand the allure of killing all life so there would be no more suffering for the innocent. To kill all life so no more sins would be committed upon them

And yet he also knew that life is at the bottom of things, despite all the changes of appearances, indestructibly powerful and pleasurable. This can be seen in the eternal cycle of the perpetual creation of art.

For humans in their suffering would use their pain to create marvels that would remain, end, and then be born anew. There would change their pain into a brush with which they cope with their existence.

But now no comfort avails anymore, the longing of those that suffer transcends a world after death, even the gods. Existence is negated along with its glittering reflection in the gods or in an immortal beyond.

Conscious of the truth he has now seen and understod, he now sees everywhere only the horror or absurdity of existence. Beings able to corrupt others and whose knowledge could bring your doom. Now he understands what must be done.

For suffering brought upon humanity, they must suffer. It is not people who cover in cold, or children starving after a long day of work who should be sufering for the wrongness of the world. But the gods and people that brought the madness to us. Be it gods that desire our worship and offer only suffering in return, be it gods that desire our sacrifices so your life has meaning in their so-called plan.

This world is mired in torment and despair, and for that, they must be punished.

For the pain that Mother Tree of Desire brought through her corruption, she must be punished.

And she was not only one, he did not understand the whole truth but as of now he knew, "Who else but me to punish them. They are my subjects to rule and judge ower."

Now his purpose and meaning were strengthened Hector could walk his path clearly and freely, unbothered by the morality of his actions. For he knows the truth, for he saw the truth, his only truth that he will accept.

And yet he understood his own hypocrisy, he wants to punish others for the pain they inflicted on others, and he understands to make things right one must fully embrace the hypocrisy of his own ways.

And at that moment he felt a warm feeling of wholeness. He felt as if he digested his potion. Now he understood the tenants of Unwinged Angel.

-Disregard the morality of others and follow only your will and desires

-No one is greater than you, and no one is above you.

As angels who went against their God lost their wings in their pride, their lost part of themselves. But they did not become wrong, they somehow became more.

They found freedom in banishment, their warm blood turned cold as they embraced the truth, that all is evil, and that all must suffer.

But Hector also understood the important part of acting. And that is that you are only acting. He knew that he must spread pain and feed his desires as any evil being would, but keep his mind clear for he is more than his desires. Hector occupied the rest of his day resting and enjoying himself with little things. And when night came he decided that today he would remain home so he could get a good night's sleep.

Before he lay to sleep he took his light hammer and put it in the bowl of clear water. So it would become holy water overnight.

When he woke up the next day he had breakfast prepared by a home chef and then he started to prepare himself for tomb exploration that would start today in the afternoon.

He thought about all the things that he may need and so he used the rest of the morning with the preparations.

Hector took his hammers and put them on the table. Next to them, he put a revolver and thirty bullets.

"Unfortunately I have no demon-hunting bullets, but I do have the light hammer so at least that is something." He then thought about asking them at the gathering led by Eye of Wisdom.

Then he put a dagger on the left of hammers and he also prepared a metal vail into which he poured holy water. He put it in a metal vail so if he would encounter something to use it on and it would remain safe from breaking if he would fall on the side where he would keep it.

Hector then played with his ring as he thought about what else he should take. Then he took a cane and rest it against the desk.

He thought about inviting Albert but as he knew that exploring any type of tomb that had some beyonder properties, be it the tomb itself or something inside it was always extremely dangerous. But he had a feeling in his chains that guided him to enter the tomb.

But now the chains transformed into thorn vines with black and gold roses with eyes in middle.

Hector tried to feel them and as he put his mind to sense their presence he felt a stir in his heart and then they started to exit his heart to spread to his whole body.

Physically he felt that nothing had changed in his body, but he could sense them with his spirituality.

Then he prepared a pocket watch so he could look at the time, who knows what will await him down there. He also took some dried meats as provisions and some water. He was afraid of time deviations or of the possibility that they would be there for a longer period of time.

He also put the iron mask on the desk, but he thought about replacing it later as he did not want for someone to recognize the mask when he was somewhere else than beyonder gathering with Eye of Wisdom. It could bring suspicion and trouble if someone from the gathering would see him.

When he thought that he had everything that he need he chained his clothes and put his custom-made holster on himself. Then he put the hammers, revolver, and dagger in their corresponding places. He also took spare bullets so he wouldn't run out of ammo too soon. After this, he took the remaining items that he prepared and put them into different pockets. Then he put a heavy leather coat and half-top hat on himself. After taking his cane he started to leave the villa.

Boarding carriage that would take him to their designated area. He would arrive a little bit sooner than agreed upon so he could look at others as they would come. But he also didn't want to come too early as he would have nothing to do but wait for a long period of time.

When the carriage arrived at its destination he exited and looked around himself. He saw an older style of the building than was usual in Buckland but he also saw that they were still kept in good condition. There were no allies as all the buildings were homes with gardens on all sides and the paths between them were not hidden.

From the address that was written on the paper, he found the meeting place with relative ease. While it still wasn't night there were people coming and going on the street so he hid himself among the people, but as they dispersed he would need to find another crowd.

When he thought that plan like that would be pointless he decided that he would simply wait at a nearby bench. Originally he wanted to hide himself in some ally or among the people as benches would be the first place where he would look for them.

Hector didn't want to be seen at first but later he gave up at the thought. And observed the people sitting on other benches, and sure enough, he saw some sketchy people. The way they sat, moved and looked around them he could tell that there was something out of ordinary.

For a few moments, he thought about the possibility that someone was cathed by an official beyonder force and this meeting became a trap. But he could observe traces of fear and worry in the eyes of people so he came to the conclusion that they are just nervous.

He then waited until most of the people left as the sun started to set and the moon had risen. Hector stood up and left the street, when he was beyond the sight of people he put the mask on himself and hid himself in the alley. The setting sun created ideal shadows to hide in, and from his place, he watched the last of departing people and those who remained sitting on the benches.

After some time only a few of them remained. Then he saw a man wearing an iron mask standing at the designated place for their meeting.

When a few moments passed he could see that people sitting on the benches stood up and put iron masks on themselves.

'When you think about it those iron masks are pointless as I saw them sitting on those benches so I know what their faces look like. But I presume it does create a unique atmosphere.' He thought as he walked to the group.

With Hector five people were present. He could see that two of them were women and two were a man.

The first man, who Hector presumed to be the leader, from the build he judged him to be the man who requested them to come to the gathering. He was waiting for them, he had a slim build and was quite tall, even taller than Hector. He didn't see any indications that the man was armed beyond a cane which he held in his left arm, and as he was beyonder he could have other means of fighting.

The woman on his left was not as tall as him but still, her height was of above average. Hector could tell that she had a revolver on herself and he was able to see and handle of a sword or machete. He could not see her hair or face as she wore a hood and saw nothing that would indicate that they met before.

Another man who stood before the leader was of a smaller height with a bigger build. Hector saw the man holding a rifle and strangely enough a bow. He could be holding a knife or dagger under his coat.

Lastly, the woman who stood at the corner of the group was the tallest among them, she towered above Hector quite significantly. She carried a revolver and some weapon but he could not tell as she had it under her coat. When he get close to the group they all looked at him. Hector then spoke, "Good evening."

After he spoke the man who Hector judged to be the leader returned the greeting and then continued, "It looks like everyone had gathered and so we can start with introductions.

"I understand that we want to remain anonymous but we are entering into the tomb that holds beyonder objects inside, so even if you don't tell your true name we still need to know how to call each other when something could go wrong.

"As a show of trust, I will start. My name is Edwin, and I'm at sequence 7. Unfortunately, my sequence isn't the best fighter so I have gathered you to help me with this mission for which you will be generously compensated with money and we will also split whatever we will find down there." He spoke softly and clearly without showing any trace of worry. When he said that he is sequence 7 Hector saw as others shifted in their position. After he spoke he started to shift his eyes among them awaiting them to speak.

'Sequence 7 and has not strong fighting abilities... He should be a spectator. But strangely enough, I don't see any weapons. Is he using charms?' Hector thought as he heard another speak.

"Well it is for the best so I will be introducing myself next." The shorter man spoke.

"My name is Walter, and I'm sequence 9 with good tracking and observing abilities, and if I would say myself I'm also quite strong physically. As you can see I use a rifle, bow, or even blowdart."

'Good tracker and strength... He should be from the Red Priest pathway. So Edwin should be Psychiatrist and Walter should be Hunter.' Hector spoke in his mind after hearing him speak.

"Good evening everyone. My name is Bella, I'm also sequence 9, I can pass through solid objects and obstacles and I'm also good at Spirit Vision." After she spoke about passing through obstacles Hector realized she must be from Door pathway the Apprentice.

'Well look at that, I may even collect beyonder characteristics of Apprentice here if she will have an accident.' Hector started to look forward to any dangers that may lurk there.

Hector then decides to speak, "My name is Vilkar. I'm sequence 8, and my sequence has a strong body and keen perception, and ability to use a variety of weapons."

Hector decided to tell them his original name as he doesn't use and they will think it is fake so it didn't matter.

He also remained silent about his flame and curse abilities as if someone from them would try something shifted he would have some kind of surprise.

After that last person spoke, "Anna. Sequence 9, good balance, and strength."

'Not much of a talker... From her description, she could be a variety of pathways. But good balance could be from a sailor.

'Woman who is from Tyrant pathway is an interesting combination and out of everyone here has the lowest chance of being a spy from the church. Church of God of Storms doesn't let a woman join their beyonder ranks.'

"Good, now that we all know how to call each other and also something about our abilities we can talk strategy.

"Bella should be first to use her spirit vision and her abilities to make sure nothing will surprise us. I believe Anna and Vilkar should be next as they both have great strengths. Next will be me so I can use charms to help you. And last should be Walter so he can help us with long-range attacks."

Hector wasn't a fan of his plan as it left Walter unprotected if someone would sneak at him. And this is a beyonder tomb so he did not know if it was the best choice.

Normally he would not enter the unknown tomb but he disregarded common knowledge because he felt something pulling him there.

Then they spoke some more about strategies and ways they can communicate in a hurry if something would happen.

After Edwin finished he lead them to one of the buildings. It was a three-story building with a garden in front and back. They went around to the back garden where Hector saw a broken wall through which they could enter.

Once inside he could see the garden that was overgrown with weeds and grass that was high enough to touch his knees.

"Entrance to the tomb is inside the building. We can enter through back door, it is some time anyone came here so there is no need to worry about someone seeing us.

"I was able to unlock the door the last time I had visited. After I confirmed that there is an entrance to the tomb I had decided to employ your help." Edwin spoke as he led them to the back door, and then through the building to the basement.

When they arrived in the basement Hector saw that the ground started to gather some water. 'Surprising that no one had claimed the building.' Hector thought while observing his vicinity.

After arriving before a brick wall they stopped and Edwin spoke, "Here we are." Then he walked to the wall and pulled at the candle holder at the side of the wall.

Then he took a few steps back and after a few moments there was rumbling as part of the wall started to glow with symbols.

Edwin then took out a dagger and infused it with his spirituality. Then he walked to the wall and started to chant while he stabbed the wall with the dagger.

The dagger started to get infused to the wall and where he stabbed cracks showed themself, extending up and down until they created a form of the door.

When the door had fully formed Edwin pushed at them and Hector could hear the creaking of metal as they started to open.

Beyond them, he could see stairs made of dark stone that led further down. Walls were made of the same dark stone with roots extending from them. There was no source and so they could not see beyond a few steps that were lit by light from the candles in the basement.

Edwin then took five lamps that were already prepared at the side. He then lit them up and gave one to each. Then he took a bag that was resting at the side of the room, taking out a revolver which he put under his coat.

"As you can see there is no light but later parts are clearly lit so be not afraid. I do not know what is after the stairs so be prepared for anything." Edwin spoke as he started to walk down the stairs.

"Did any of you ever encounter anything like this before?" Walter asked in a hushed voice.

"No..." company spoke as well as Hector but he was mainly preoccupied with studying the walls. At the first moment, he thought that they were the same as the ones that were in his basement when he was concocting the sequence 9 potions. But at a closer look, they were different so he calmed down.

Group was descending down the stairs for ten minutes when they started to see the change in their environment. There was no longer pure darkness around them but the blue light that came from pale white flowers that grew from the roots above their heads.

"What beautifully strange flowers," Bella commented while trying to touch them.

"Stop." Anna spoke while taking her hand away from them, "We do not know what they are."

When she saw that Bella understood she let go of her hand and continued to walk down the stairs.

After a few more minutes they saw the end of the stairs. There was a small hall that led for a few meters after which a metallic door stood engraved with strange symbols and writings. At the bottom was a metallic handle with which it could be raised.

"This is where I had stopped last time. Those doors can be opened without any ritual but they need great strength and I was able to only partly open them. Vilkar could you try it?" Edwin spoke and then looked at Hector.

Hector nodded and walked to the door, then he took hold of the handle and raised the door. When they were nearly all inside the wall he could hear a clicking sound as the door locked itself letting them pass without needing to hold them up.

Then all five of them went through them.

ADVERTISEMENTThey could see that the walls were covered by the same roots and thanks to the flowers rooms were well-lit.

They saw a long hall with the same type of door at the end, but now they had statues at each side holding lanterns. Their light made the vicinity show their colors more. Which was different when all was painted a pale white from the light of flowers.

Walls were covered with carvings of people, animals, and symbols.

The group did not enter the hall immediately as they worried about any traps or hidden dangers.

Bella and in secret Hector used their spiritual vision and saw that there was no problem.

But Hector knows that even if there was they would not necessarily see it. They still walked through the hall observing wall carvings and deducing their meaning.

Edwin then spoke, "When you look closely at the carvings you can see that at the start of the hall human and animal, imagery are quite normal. Ordinary-looking people..."

Edwin stopped talking for a moment so others could look at them Then he continued, "But further down the hall, their shape is starting to change. Look closely at their faces, their eyes, and hands."

When others heard him they came closer to the walls and saw that he was right, "What would that mean?" Walter asked.

"Well, it could mean many things. One of them would be that the deeper you go stronger corruption will lie ahead. Or it represents a history of people and their fall to corruption.

"But truth to be told. It could be something else entirely."

Then they continued to the end of the hallway and Hector once again raised the door. But this time when he opened he smelled the strong, wet, and damp stench of mold and even the metallic smell of blood.

He disregarded the thought of holding his nose as the sooner he would adapt the better.

"What a smell," Bella spoke covering her nose with her sleeve.

After passing through the door they saw that they stood at the balcony overlooking the great hall, which ground was covered with mud and water.

They could also see pale sickly thin bodies which lay on the ground, some of them were in pieces and others had their arm or leg covered with fur.

They could not see where the hall started and ended because the ground was covered with white fog.

"What is that..." Walter spoke dumbstruck, but then he went to the edge of the balcony and took a closer look. Then he hurriedly took a step back and said, "Some of them are alive"

"Well that is a problem, how do we deal with them then?" Edwin spoke.

"There... at the other side, there is another balcony leading further in." Anna pointed to their left. When they all turned they could roughly see the shape of another balcony through the fog.

When they looked for any way to get down they could see a ladder on the right side of the balcony that led down.

"So we have a way down but how we will get there? Should we simply go down and fight or shot them from here? Using revolvers and guns could be effective but also loud, and could make all of them aware of our presence. We also do not know if there is anything bigger that is hiding.

"So I propose that use of my bow, they are much silent so I can use it to shoot an arrow at their heads hopefully killing them.

"Then we will sneak through them without making our presence known to others." Walter then proposes a plan.

After consideration, others agreed and looked for the best path to get there.

When they decided on the path that would lead them through mostly already dead creatures Walter took out a bow and quivered with arrows.

Then he took out an arrow and aimed at the one of bodies on the ground.

When he let go of the arrow Hector could hear it tear through the air. Arrow then hit and penetrated the head of one of the creatures, which shook but then sunk back.

The group was relieved when other creatures did not react to the sound or death of their kin.

And so Walter started to shoot more arrows at them, killing them instantly. Only when they were farther away he could no longer tell if they are alive or dead and so he shoot them all.

Unfortunately, he did not have an infinite number of arrows, if he did he could take care of all of them and they could explore this place more carefully.

"Good work Walter. Now we can descend and get to the second balcony. But be careful with your steps." Edwin spoke and then looked at Anna and Hector, "You two should go first as you should be our best fighters, and should be most experienced, at least that's what I have judged based on your calmness."

'Spectators...' Hector thought as he went to the ladder and descended down. After him, Anna went next. Together they walked through the previously chosen path. But after a few steps, he could hear a disturbance in his surrounding. He could hear the splattering of water as the creatures are getting up.

Hector then cursed under his breath and yelled, "They are getting up, prepare yourself!"

Then he took out a revolver in his left hand and a light hammer in his right. As a righthanded person, he would take a revolver to his right for better aim but after consuming the criminal potion he can use weapons in both hands equally well.

Anna who stood next to him took out and revolver and cutlass. Hector could even see illusory scales appearing on her hands.

'I was right, she is of tyrant pathway.' Hector was pleased that he was correct, but then he returned his attention to the creatures as they started to walk toward them.

At first, they slowly walked but then they speed up until they started to run at them.

Bang!

Hector heard the loud noise of the gun firing, and the creature closest to him was thrown back.

When he looked where the sound came he saw Walter holding a rifle and smoke came out of its end.

Bella was frozen for a second but then she hurriedly went down the ladder and took out her machete and prepared herself.

Even Edwin who with Walter remained on the balcony took out some charms said something and threw it at the group of creatures who were running at them.

When it hit the ground Hector could see a blinding explosion of light. When the light dissipated he could see that creatures that were hit turned to burned coal.

'Charm light granade?' Hector chuckled amused as he raised his revolver and started to shoot.

He aimed at the head of the nearby creature as it ran at him, when he hit it in its head it fell to the ground dead.

Then he aimed at another one but now he shoot them in the chest. After three shots they too fell down dead.

"They are not that strong, but that mutated limbs look more dangerous." He said as he holstered his revolver and took out his second hammer.

He then waited for them to get closer and slammed their heads with his hammers.

He enjoyed hitting them and hearing the sound of breaking bone, so he let himself go and started to smash at them in quick succession.

Anna cut at their necks and faces cutting them off or gravely injuring them. Her revolver did not remain forgotten as she cut at them she also shoot those who were farther away.

ADVERTISEMENTHector truly enjoyed crushing their bones with his hammers, but he knew that being careless would be very dangerous.

So he still paid attention to his surroundings, and thanks to it he was able to see one of the creatures wasn't approaching them but just walking in circles around them. He hoped that killing him would take care of others, something akin to a hive mind.

And so he pointed at him and yelled, "Walter! Shot at that one."

Walter was able to understand who he was meant to shoot and so he took aim and hit his mark.

But what happened next was different than he expected. The creature did not fall to the ground like the rest of them, but held his wounded head in his hand and started to trash around.

After a few moments, it started to scream and howl. Its body twisted, its bones broke and realigned themselves.

'So not a hive mind, good to know.' Hector said.

The creature's skin and flesh started to mutate to that of bestial shape. Like those mutated libs that they have, but now it was changing his whole body.

Hector did not wait for it to fully transform and started to shoot at the creature repetitively.

Unfortunately, he was not able to take it down with his revolver and so he run at it and smashed it with his light hammer.

'Light hammer is much more effective.' He concluded as the creature fell to the ground dead halfway through its transformation.

Hector then heard hurried steps behind him, and as he was turning he could see one of the creatures running at him in his peripheral vision.

He saw that he wouldn't be able to block it in time or counterattack, and so he jumped to the side, barely avoiding the creature.

After jumping to the side Hector stabilized himself and smashed the creature in the back of its head with his full force. He felt his hammer enter the creature's head and tear part of its skull.

When the body fell to the ground he could see the brain of the creature. What caught his attention wasn't the gore of the situation but what was there.

On the inside of the creature's head was something that looked like an overgrown baby head with hair growing out of its mouth. The hair was attached to the inside of the skull, and something like an umbilical cord went through the baby's head and eye to the spine of the creature.

For some reason it makes him think of some twisted version of ascension through a rebirth of one being.

Hector knew that he had no time to think about it and that he needs to act fast as others were approaching them.

Hector enjoyed slaughter as any other but now he was getting slightly tired. Thankfully about two-thirds of them are already dead so only a few remain.

When the last of the creatures fell he sighed with relief as he walked to the rest of the group. He saw that Anna was equally exhausted while Bella was hunched breathing heavily.

After that, he saw as Edwin and Walter joined them from the balcony, "Is everyone all right?" Edwin asked looking at each of them individually.

"Yes, just exhausted," Bella answered still panting and Hector gave an affirmative response.

As Edwin was about to speak they could hear rumbling and bestial hands had risen from the corpses of dead creatures. When it stood up its height was about two meters. It was a fully transformed creature. Its body was covered with white fur, its build was thin which only made its head look more grotesque as its mouth was the size of a watermelon.

The beast howled and started to run at them on all fours of its limbs. As it was charging them it opened its mouth trying to bite them. Hector and the rest of the group were able to jump to the side avoiding it'đ bite.

The creature did not stop and run farther until it hit the wall with its head. The group took out their guns and started to shoot the creature. Bullets were able to harm the creature but from the wounds, its skin is much harder than before.

Thankfully Walter had a rifle as that was much more effective than revolvers. Hector then thought about what to do and then he took out water that he purified with his light hammer the night before. He then took aim and threw it at the beast, spilling its content on its hide.

The beast started to howl in pain as the water was akin to acid to the creature. Then he runs at it and slams the hammer at the beast's eye, jamming his other hand into the beast's second eye. When he touched the back of the best eye he summoned poisonous flames so it would burn from inside.

As the best howled from the pain it trashed with its head and as Hector was wedged in its eye socked he flew from side to side as he lost his footing.

Even when his feet no longer touched the ground he was still using his flames to burn the beast, "Why won't you just die already!" He yelled as he regain his footing and with full strength, he pulled back trying not to be bitten by the beast.

After a few more moments of fighting beast had fallen to the ground no longer moving.

When he took a few breaths he took out his hands and hammer and tried to clean them with beast fur as they were covered with gore.

He could hear hurried steps of the group running toward him, and when they came they started to check if he is alright. When he told them that there was no problem they saw as the fog that was present in the room started to dissipate and another balcony with a door leading farther into the tomb

When they saw it Edwin spoke, "Well that was interesting." As they were contemplating what to do next Walter saw light coming from the corpse of the beast, "Hey, look at that."

They saw as worms crawled from the eye socket of the beast. And when they fell to the ground they started to withe. After which phantasmal slug slithered out.

"What is that thing?" one of them said.

Hector wasn't sure but from his experiences, with video games, he was guessing that it was their reward.

"Probably our spoils after the fight." He said but did not attempt to take it into his hands, he would prefer if others would try it first.

"Spoils?" Edwin asked as he went to it and started to study it.

"I propose that you should take it and at the end, we will split it based on what we will find next," Hector said as he did not know what it was, but it looked interesting and so he wanted it if it won't be too dangerous.

"And I also propose that we should return to the balcony and rest for a little bit. After which we can continue with our exploration." Others agreed and so the group climbed the ladder and sit on the balcony.

Hector took out his provisions and saw that others did the same. Walter took out a metallic object with some liquid inside.

"For cooking," Walter spoke as he took out matches and started a fire. Then to everyone's amazement, he put a small frying pan on it. After laying a few sausages on it they could smell a fragrance that made them salivate.

ADVERTISEMENT"Well, that's something..." Hector spoke as he watched Walter cook.

Others could only nod in agreement. While They also took provisions with them they were not that prepared.

'Hunters...' Hector thought continuing to eat his food. While resting to alleviate their exhaustion.

"What type of creatures were they?" Bella asked.

"They were some kind of humanoid creatures if they were originally humans only to be transformed because of some kind of corruptive force, or they were monsters, to begin with, I can't tell.

"But their bestial limbs were something else. As you could see only those that were alive had them and those that were dead had only halfway transformed limbs.

"And from the last one, we can tell that there is a possibility of full transformation. I don't know if there is some kind of mechanism or if it was our luck that he transformed when he did.

"From the carvings on the walls, we can tell that there is some kind of precedent to it. One could hope that farther down we will no longer meet them but as we are still at the beginning of the tomb... Anything can happen."

When Walter finished speaking he took out his pan from the fire and started to eat his food.

"Do you know to whom this tomb belongs or who originally owned the house?" Walter then asked Edwin, as he was the one that gathered them to explore the tomb.

"House belonged to Daniels family who lived here for two generations but after financial troubles, they had to move.

"Before them, Edna's family owned this property, and they lived here for decades. And there were families before them.

"You see, the house is relatively new as a few decades it had burned down. It is downstairs that remained. I don't know when it was built as the style is different than what was usually built in this or previous era.

"Of course, it could have been that the one who build it had his own taste in buildings and did not follow the norm."

After short rest, Hector and the rest of the group decided to continue on their journey to explore the rest of the tomb.

They once again descended down the ladder, and now they walked to the second balcony unbothered by the strange creatures or transformed beasts.

While walking to the balcony they did not stop watching their surrounding for any signs of danger or some loot.

Fortunately, they meet no danger while walking to the second balcony, but unfortunately, they also found no more loot.

When they got to the balcony they saw a same-looking ladder going to the top.

Hector went first while Anna was second, Bella third, Edwin fourth, And lastly Walter fifth.

When they got up their surroundings looked the same as before. Hector got a weird feeling and looked around himself. Then he walked to the doors that should have led deeper to the tomb, but what he saw was the path that they took at the beginning.

"How... We are back at the first balcony." He said to others.

Then Edwin looked to confirm his statement and then nodded.

"Yes, you are right..." Hector could see that Edwin started to think about what to do next.

'Of course, why there should not be space f*ck*ry.' Hector sighed and tried to think about what to do.

'Well there can be another path somewhere under us or we need to dispel whatever this is.

'Wait!

'Because of feeling from my chains I took this mission, to begin with, maybe they could help. And now that they are transformed into thorny vines I have better control of them.'

Hector closed his eyes and concentrated on the vines in his heart. He felt as if they stirred and with them, his whole self had shifted. He could feel a pull in a certain direction, and so he opened his eyes and spoke, "I know where to go, follow me."

He then walked down the ladder with only one glance at the rest of the group. Anna was the first who started to walk, rest followed after her.

He could hear them speak some words but he concentrated on the way forward that was shown to him by the vines.

When he got down the ladder he did not walk to the balcony but to the right.

Others followed him as they did not know where to go.

After some time he abruptly stopped, when he looked around himself he saw no door or path that led anywhere.

Before him, he saw only the wall, but he could feel that this was the path.

'Illusory wall? Huh... if this tomb would have a proper designer then they would know that you should put them only before some treasure, not continuing of the main path.'

"Well, it looks like it is a dead end. Now we should return back and I will..." Edwin was speaking but stopped when Hector took out his hammer and swung at the wall.

The swing on itself was not that surprising, but it did not hit the wall. Hammer passed the wall without any problems. Then part of the wall started to disperse until the new path was visible in its place.

"So it was an Illusion," Anna spoke.

Hector then walked through the new path to the other side and the rest of the group followed.

While walking through some corridors they could see different carvings on the walls.

These showed hunched people being transformed into creatures with three arms and mouths split from which tentacles grew. Their skin had no fur and their whole design was different than those on previous parts of the tomb.

In the end, Hector and the rest of the group saw a great carving of something that to Hector looked like Amigdala from Bloodborne had a baby with a hairless monkey.

When they got to the end of the corridor he could see a hall with a multitude of doors.

At the first, he wanted to just open them all to see what is behind them. But when he get close to one of them he was flooded by a feeling of dread and so he hurriedly backed away.

"...We should not open any door recklessly," he said while turning to the rest of the group.

"What a strange puzzle," Edwin spoke as he walked to each of the doors individually.

"I don't think it is meant to be a puzzle," Anna spoke also observing the doors.

'When you don't know an answer go with your feelings.' Hector thought as he once again concentrated on the veins which showed him the path.

And once again they had guided him to the specific door on the left side of the room.

"This should be the door" Edwin spoke as he stood before the wooden door with the marking of the dragon.

"I don't think so," Hector spoke as he let himself be guided by the vines but Edwin dismissed his comment and opened the door.

When the door was fully opened the group could hear a loud roar and a giant stream of fire, which directly hit Edwin. Leaving only charred legs behind.

"Edwin!" Walter and Bella yelled in unison.

Hector was surprised and prepared himself for another attack when the door that Edwin opened shut itself.

After a few moments of looking for any possible danger, he turned back at the remains of Edwin and chuckled.

'Of all things that could happen, this I did not expect. Jumping monster or hidden trap but this was interesting to watch.' Hector thought as he felt nothing from the death of Edwin and went to the remains to see if anything valuable survived.

Luckily phantasmal creature survived, not even a speck of harm could be seen on it.

"We should take what remained and move on." What he said was cold but others knew that now is not the time to be sentimental.

"Maybe we should go back, it is becoming too dangerous," Bella spoke and Walter agreed.

But when they looked back they saw that path through which they entered was no longer there.

"What happened? Where is the exit?" Walter spoke as he went to see if it just become illusory. But no matter where he struck no path showed itself.

'Sh*t' Was all that Hector thought as he spoke, "Well it looks like our only option is to go forward." Hector waited for Edwin's beyonder characteristics to converge so he could store them in the iron cigar box. As he could sell them to the Justice at Tarot Club gathering when she will advance

'I will be able to make some money and finally participate in some deal. It would be weird to just sit there and offer nothing. Hanged Man will participate in a pirate gathering he could look for beyonder ingredients for my potion of sequence 7... But when was it that he went there? I will just ask in advance and hopefully, it will be sooner than looking for them on my own. And getting them twice is not that bad especially when I plan on making more devils for the devil family.

'But how much of it can I keep? The original proposition was to split whatever we find here, but now Edwin is dead so what is stopping me from taking it all? And as sequence 8 I'm technically strongest here. And I also need door characteristics, hunter characteristics could be sold or made into beyonder items same as a sailor.' Hector saw that Anna was observing him as he took Edwin's characteristics and put them into the box.

Hector smiled at her and spoke, "We should not let them go to waste at the end we will split them"

After he spoke she was staring into his eyes as if she looked for any signs of deceit. Hector did not know if she had any item that could discern truth or if she was simply adept at finding lies. He knew that he needs to be prepared for such possibilities, and his belief was to speak the truth as much as possible but twist its content to suit his goals. Because the best lies are those that people create for themselves because of misunderstandings. They will split them, but if the portions are equal that's for later to decide.

"Now we should mourn his loss later because we need to get out of this tomb, and as we can see exit is no more. And so we need to go further into the tomb as that is our best bet." He said as matter of fact. Hector did not feel the desire to discuss as he would simply follow feelings from thorny vines.

"And I don't think it is the best idea to take what remained of his body with us as it could hinder our progress. It is unfortunate but we must move on." He then said that in truth he wanted them to have room for any loot they could find. Carrying a dead body would be pointless and most of him is gone so he would not transform into a zombie without a proper burial.

After the rest of the group had shown their willingness he nodded and turned to the doors. Then he stopped to feel which way to go and walked towards the door that was engraved with imagery of a puppet wearing a black crown.

When he stood before the door and put his hand on the handle he could hear Anna speak, "Are you sure those are the correct door?"

He then turned towards her and answered, "As sure as I will ever be." Then he started to open the door, and when they were fully opened nothing happened.

"Bella, come here and use your spiritual vision," Hector said and Bella nodded and walked towards him.

When she stood before the entrance she tapped her thumb and pinky two times. After a few moments she spoke, "Only empty corridor, there should be no danger."

"Good," Hector said as he started to walk forward.

When he walked the corridor he saw another engraving on the walls.

'So they show what we can face in the rooms ahead. Good thing we only opened one incorrect door, especially one with the monster that was depicted on previous walls.

These walls depicted more humans but now they were transformed into a puppet. Firstly they were put on the altar and some kind of crown was put on their heads. Their bodies were drained until one hollow vessel remained which was remained into puppets.

When they got to the end of the corridor they could see a door that Hector raised and walked through with the rest of the group. In this room they could see embroideries on the walls, carpets decorated the ground, and even lit candles hung from the ceiling.

At the end of the room stood an altar upon which a black crown was lay and before it, a man was prostrating. When they entered Walter immediately pointed his rifle at the man, followed by the rest of the group.

They did not know if he was friendly or enemy, but if they should make a bet then they would guess that he was the enemy. As they were in an unknown tomb it was much safer to treat anything that they find they would treat as dangerous.

Hector did not feel that his vines led to him and so he did not walk toward him.

"Wellcome, Wellcome our dear guests." The man spoke as he stood up and turned to them.

"It is always a pleasure when someone visits us... " Walter did not wait for the man to speak anymore and started to shoot at him.

Hector was surprised at the sudden aggression but he could not fault him and he too aimed and shoot at the man. Anna and Bella too did not wait and joined.

"Ah... what a rude guest you are." He spoke teasingly then they could hear a piercing shriek coming from the crown. They experienced overwhelming pain as all of them fell to their knees. Then the man snapped his fingers and they could feel their bodies become locked in place.

"Fear not. The process is not long... And you will join our familyyyy." As he spoke hundreds of puppets appeared on the walls.

The man then took the crown from the altar and walked towards them then he spoke, "What good specimens, all beyonders you will be much better than other people."

Then the man walked to Bella and held the crown before her, "Rejoice for you will no longer be alone." Hector could see the terror in her eyes as the man put the crown on her head. He tried to move, to take a revolver and shoot or take a hammer and smash him to pieces but he was unable to move.

Bella became multiple shades paler after the crown was put at her head, tears started to fall from her eyes and her whole body became drained and withered until her eyes became hollow.

The man then laughed and walked towards Walter and put the crown upon his head. After which he experienced the same process as Bella.

Hector could hear him cursing through his closed mouth, but when the process was done he became silent as if his soul was eaten.

Then the man walked to Hector and put the crown on him.

"You... filthy... piece... of... sh*t... "Hector was cursing him through his clenched teeth as he felt a cold feeling of metal around his head.

The black crown was put on him and he could feel a force pulling on his inside.

ADVERTISEMENTHe thought of things that he has yet to achieve, of all things that still need to be done. How could he die in some tomb when he was able to live through corruption brought upon by Mother Tree of Desire?

He expected the last moments of lucidity as his soul would be taken. But nothing happened.

While Hector could feel some force trying to consume his soul nothing happened. What he felt was like trying to take air from the vacuum of space, there is nothing to take.

He was surprised and relieved at the current situation and from the shock on the face of the man he could see that he equally did not know what is happening. It brought him joy to see that the man failed, but he had no time to think about what his not getting his soul eaten meant and thought about what to do to get out of this situation.

While the crown was still trying to consume his soul he could feel that thorny vines started to respond. They responded to his emotions and desires. He could feel his heart stop beating while vines started to move from his heart to his lungs then neck, mouth, and eyes, and then the vines started to exit from the head and started to envelop the crown in its entirety.

He felt as if parts of himself were invading into the crown, shaping, changing, and corrupting its existence so it would better suit his desires.

"Noooo!"

The man screamed as vines started to fuse themself into the crown. He tried to jump at Hector so he could take the crown away from him but was stopped when his legs started to wither and vines started to grow from them. They enveloped his legs making him fall to the ground. It did not stop there as when his legs were fully trapped the thorny vines started to move up the body, burying into his flesh and enveloping his bones from the inside.

The man now paralyzed from the waist down tried to crawl to him, but soon even his hands were bound leaving only his head.

"How... " Those were his last words as thorny vines spread from his eyes spilling eye juice on the ground. When the body was fully trapped he became withered as if all nutrients and life energy were sucked up. Vines started to bloom as black and gold flowers grew on them. When they fully opened in each flower bloodshot eyeballs stared at the world around them. From then sweet mist spread to their vicinity. When Hector breathed in some of it he could feel rejuvenated.

Hector could feel as his perception grew greater, he could perceive all around him as if those eyeballs belonged to him. As if they were part of his body... No. They were so much more. They were not part of him they were him, his true self.

But then he realized that Anna was still there and so he hurriedly turned to her if she is alright. When he looked at her all the eyeballs that grew on the vines did the same. He could see that she was no longer bound in place but was shaking on the ground sweet mist entered her lungs. She was smiling and crying at the same time.

Her eyes became blood red and were filled with desires and emotions of all types. Hector realized that the mist was some type of corruption that influenced the desires of all that got close.

After a few moments of uncontrollable shaking, she looked at him and started to crawl toward him at great speed. But then she stopped herself and Hector could see the spark of lucidity in her eyes.

He started to think of how to stop her corruption, 'Mist originates from the eye, which originates from the thorny vines, which are part of me. And as that sweet mist isn't influencing me there should be a way to control it.'

Hector tried to control the corruptive influence of the mist but lacked something, after a few tries, he realized that it is beyond his ability for now. And so he thought about another way to stop the mist.

Then he tried to close the flowers to lock the eyes inside. He closed his eyes and imagined that his expanded perception did the same. After less than a second, he feels them closing, his perception returning to normal.

He sighed in relief when he saw that Anna lay down no longer influenced by the mist. Hector too calmed down from the emotional roller coaster that this room had brought him.

"So... How do you feel?" Hector asked.

"...Could have been better. There are some things that we need to talk about, but for now, let's leave it for later as we need to get out of the tomb. And after Bella and Walter's deaths, I don't like our chances of getting out." She told him and Hector was relieved as he didn't need to explain to her what happened yet, as he himself had only a few guesses. Waiting until they would get out will get him some time to think about what happened in greater detail.

After some time of rest, Hector stood up and went to the bodies of Bella and Walter. Then he laid them next to each other and closed their eyes.

He felt no guilt of any kind for his inability of saving them and for that he was grateful as he knew that if it would happen before he became sequence 8 he would be filled with sorrow.

Hector did not carry for Edwin as he naturally has a low opinion of people of the Audience pathway. But Walter was an interesting person, he did not think he would meet someone who would bring a frying pan into the tomb exploration.

Bella wasn't a bad person so he was not planning to kill her, but to ask her for an apprentice potion formula. But now that she is dead he will happily take her beyonder her characteristics.

He then stored apprentice and hunter characteristics in his iron box. He also took Walter's bullets and rifle. Then he took their revolvers and gave one to Anna as they no longer needed them.

"We should move forward." He said to Anna

She nodded but then she looked at top of his head and spoke, "What about that."

Hector understood what she meant. Black crown now with engravings of thorny vines still rested upon his head.

When the vines fused with the crown he was able to gain knowledge about it.

Black Crown was a sealed artifact that was born from a wraith that went out of control, and upon his death, the crown was formed.

Its powers are that the user can transform into a wraith with its original abilities, but they were weaker than normal sequence 5.

As a wraith he could use Wrait shriek, an attack that directly affects the opponent's spiritual body, it can affect a huge area.

Wraith possession is when he gains the ability to forcefully invade and take control of the enemy's body using the reflection of the opponent's eyes.

And mirror jumping, he would be able to hide in the mirror for a surprise attack.

It is a great artifact with amazing abilities but it has side effects.

-user is filled with overwhelming guilt after performing any actions, leading to despair, and degradation of emotions. After continuous use user's mind can become a hollow shell of the previous self.

-when used under the light of the blood moon user's mind is filled with a desire to consume human souls or become weaker, and for every soul consumed they become more corrupted

-After putting the crown on one head their soul will be forcefully consumed by the crown only demigods can resist pulling for some time.

Its side effects are for normal beyonders under sequence 4 where they become demigods unusable without being sealed. While the first two effects can be managed with spare use and avoiding the light of the moon, the third side effect makes it unusable.

'It was actually what killed Bella and Walter. But it looks like it can't take my soul... It seems like I don't have one...

'It is a perfect item for me as the first side effect is negated by me being an Unwinged Angel. I only need to be careful about the blood moon. But it is only when used under blood moon so with selective use there should be problems.' He thought before answering Anna.

"Yes, while I wear it there should be no problem. That man was actually formed from the crown, he was part of it as it tried to consume more souls and desired to create puppets as to be closer to the higher sequence.

"That is my guess at least." He knew for sure that what he told her was true but he preferred to say it this was at to not make himself more suspicious.

ADVERTISEMENTAfter some time of deliberating, she nodded and walked with him out of the room. When they saw another corridor they become disheartened at the thought of what could be in the next room.

But now they saw no carvings on the walls, they were blank with only the occasional lantern.

And so they walked expecting the end to the corridor, but none came. After an hour of walking, they stopped and looked back and forth, they only saw a long corridor with no beginning or end.

"So another trap?" Anna asked.

Hector tried to use his vines to guide him and he thankfully got a response, which led him back.

"It looks like it, we should turn around and go back. If it is what I think that moving forward would be pointless." What he felt from his vines was that space itself was split and walking back would actually mean walking forward, and walking forward would mean walking nowhere.

Normally he would not be able to tell the difference but he could feel the location of those thorny vines that grew from the man's body.

And so after five minutes of walking back, they saw an unfamiliar metallic door. Hector could feel that behind them is what was calling him here.

So he hurriedly walked to the door and started to open them.

When he completely opened the door he could see a decrepit room with an altar in middle and with black gem levitating in middle. The altar was decorated with a crimson red cloth that looked too clean for the room in which it was kept. Under it lay chests filled with golden coins and golden ingots. Walls were overgrown with roots but no glowing flowers grew from them.

When Hector saw the gem he felt as if he would jump from body to it and claim it as his own. Hector was able to stop himself and calm down his emotions.

"Be careful, there could be traps." He heard Anna spoke.

After looking around the room to see if there are any signs of traps or ambush he slowly walked towards the altar. When he stood right before the altar he sighed in relief and stretched his arm towards the gem.

"I don't think you should touch it," Anna warned him as she stood next to him.

Hector fought his desire to take the gem and put his hand back to his side. The next moment they could a clicking sound and then part of the wall started to lower.

The lowering wall created a passage on which end they saw the cellar from which they entered the tomb.

"Finally, we can get out!" Anna yelled and started to run out but then stopped and looked at the gold that littered the ground. Hector could see her eyes glinting from the excitement of freedom and desire for the gold.

He could only smile as he said, "Now that we can get out we can divide our loot. As we don't know if once we get out we can return here."

She smiled as she walked towards the altar. Hector took out beyonder the characteristics of psychiatrist, hunter, and apprentice. Next to them, he put the phantasmal creature that they got from the first room. He also laid down the crown from his head.

She observed him for a little bit and then spoke, "You saved me in the previous room so you should pick two of them first then we can go one by one."

"Well, thank you." He said and took the crown and apprentice characteristics. He was sure she would not take the black gem as she looked at it fearfully.

"Then I will take..." She started to speak but Hector then proposes an idea, "Leave psychiatrist characteristics to me and you can take an equivalent amount from the gold that we will split."

"Ok, I don't know any beyonder gatherings in Buckland so you should also take hunter characteristics." Hector was joyful that he would get them all but then he wondered how is it that she doesn't know any gathering, and how did she get to know about this mission.

"It was proposed by Edwin that I should join you. He approached me in a bar and somehow was able to see that I'm beyonder. When I found out that he was sequence 7 it made sense." She spoke as she knew what he thought.

He nodded in understanding and looked back at the items. She then took the phantasmal creature, Hector had no problem with that as he had no idea what he would do with it, or what it was in the first place.

When they counted the coins and gold Hector could guess that the proximal value of all of it was around 9 000 pounds. Thanks to the previous owner's knowledge he was able to calculate their worth.

He thought about the future and what awaits him. He knew that for the sequence 4 ritual, he will need to create some kind of legend that will lead to people's death. And creating something like that in Buckland would be extremely hard, and so he knew that sooner or later he would go to the sea.

He already planned his future. Once he would achieve sequence 6 Devil he would leave for Gargas Archipelago where he would start a trading company which in truth would be the start of his cult. And for that, he would need ships. And ships need a crew, he thought that Anna would make a good first mate.

He thought of splitting it equally while she would take her half-plus worth of beyonder characteristics, but then he decided that he want to make friendly connections with her as she is from the tyrant pathway so she can be useful in his plans.

Then he split the gold into two parts one with seven thousand pounds and another with two thousand pounds. So she got added bonus of 500 pounds. This is not a lot overall but for ordinary people, it is about the yearly salary of a higher middle-class family. Or one trained dog for nobility.

He gave her a bigger pile and he saw a sparkle in her eye as she took it. Then he looked at the black gem, "Now what we will do with this?"

"I don't want it, whenever I look at it I get weird feelings." She said.

"Well, then I will take it as well." He took a piece of cloth and wrapped the gem with it, he was careful as to not touch it with his bare skin. Even now he felt an overwhelming desire to take it. Then he put it in an iron box and he could feel relief.

Then Anna looked at Hector and spoke, "Now that all other things are dealt with tell me what exactly happened in the previous room."

Hector thought about what to say if he should lie or tell the truth, a more precise version of the truth.

"Firstly you must understand that it is hard for me to talk about it as I too don't exactly know what happened. As you know that man was an extension of the crown. The crown developed living properties and he was the result of it.

"It is a sealed artifact and a strong one at that. It has multiple side effects, however, and one of them is that the crown consumes the soul of the wearer. As you could see with Bella and Walter.

"Same thing would happen to us but I was able to intercept it with those vines you saw and those vines then started to corrupt the crown effectively killing its living properties.

"But it was surprising to me that I was able to resist the crown from consuming my soul. But what happened to that man was unexpected as I have never thought that something like that would happen." It was actually not entirely true as he remembered that when he was being corrupted by Mother Tree of Desires her vines started to grow on him in a similar fashion but he did not know that it would happen so he was speaking the truth.

She was looking into his eyes as he said, "You saved my life and so I now own you one, from where I'm from it means something and so I believe you. And you don't need to tell me why or how you can use those vines."

Sometimes amidst conversation, she took down her mask and so he did the same. Her hair was blue and reached her upper back while being put in a ponytail. Her skin was tanned from long periods under the ocean sky. Her eyes were white and over her left eye, she had a noticeable scar.

When they walked out of the tomb they could hear the wall closing behind them leaving no traces of the tomb's existence.

While the entrance closed Hector could still feel the existence of those vines inside. So he knew that it was still there.

While they walked out she said to him, "By the way my actual name is not Anna but Aldith." Hector was not surprised as even he gave a fake name, "My name is Hector. You know, you said that you don't know any beyonder gathering her?"

"Yes, that's right," she said.

"Well, then it is your lucky day." Hector then said her about the gathering led by Eye of Wisdom and how she can get there.

She was overjoyed as it would take a burden of finding one on her own.

"If I may ask, what are your plans here in Buckland?" He asked as he was genuinely curious. He was planning a way to make her his subordinate. When he looked at her he could still feel traces of that mist that tried to corrupt her, and so he could use it if not to control her but to make her more open to service and obedience.

"Ah... it is a long story, but the short version would be that originally I was part of an adventuring group. Well more like treasure hunters. We called ourselves adventures because we would take even missions that had nothing to do with treasure hunting.

"Seas are filled with stories of hidden treasures and they are not wrong, there is much to gain from ancient tombs of nobles, hidden cities that fell to history. But there are many that look for them and so the number of treasures had dwindled after years.

"Now you can find mostly beyonder secrets which are filled with danger far beyond most people. And so we took missions from questionable sources. I could see as our captain was becoming more prone to violence and cruelty. Until there was no difference between us and pirates.

"And so I panned on leaving them but before I could do anything we were hit by real pirates. And as you can guess we sunk. Thanks to me being from the sailor pathway I was able to escape as I have felt no loyalty to those bastards. But they were still my crew, and so one day I plan to return to make them pay.

"I thought about what to do next and in the end decided that it would be good to go to Buckland, the capital of capitals. There should be many beyonder gatherings in which I could raise my sequence before returning to the sea.

"So now here I'm looking for opportunities." When she finished speaking Hector got an idea.

ADVERTISEMENTHector thought about offering her the job of being his bodyguard and he thought that there was a chance that she would take it. But he realized that she may not be ready yet.

And so he thought about another position that she would be fit for. He thought of acquiring ships and she would serve there but that would take time, and he is not strong enough yet to face the dangers that would bring starting his own cult.

When he turned to look around him he could feel her presence, as if that mist created a beacon with which he would be able to locate her.

'Well, that will certainly come in use. When I think about it gods do something similar, albeit somewhat differently.'

"I would have a job for you if you are interested," Hector said casually

"Is that so, and what it would be?" Aldith said excitedly as it would solve her problem.

"It is a multilayered job actually. You would work for me if needed as a bodyguard if I would go out for some business meetings, as an enforcer if times would demand it. And House guard if someone would come looking for problems." Hector wanted her to take his offer.

'Building beyonder an organization like the devil family is not easy and making another devil will take a lot of time as their mind must be able to keep my moral code even when they will lose their sense of guilt.' He thought as he waited for her answer.

"Me, so pretty much underling in like in those criminal organizations?" She asked surprised, she thought of doing legal work but she was comfortable doing even some less savory jobs. Even when she was an adventurer they would make choices that to others would seem as morally wrong.

"I would not call it that as I do not lead a criminal organization, and the wage is good, four pounds a week." Hector made wages based on Klein's weekly wage in nighthawks after he became beyonder and then added some more so it would be more tempting.

Hector could see that as she started to think about the offer. After a few moments, she smiled as she said, "You know what? Why not, pay is good and I'm indebted to the employer."

Hector was delighted that she took the job, and both of them started to walk out of the house. When they exited through the hole in the wall they parted ways.

But before they went their separate ways they talked about the finer details of her job and about her coming the next day with her stuff so she could be allocated a room.

After Hector watched her leave he himself decided to go home after all he was tired from the exploration of the tomb. He would need to tell her about his own sequence and he hoped that combination of her trust from being saved, small traces of corruption, proper explanation of the pathway, differentiation from other devil families, and already working for him would make her understand and continue to serve.

While he walked home he thought about those vines and how the crown was unable to take his soul. Or more precisely it could but there was nothing to take. He did realize that he was those vines, even when it sounded so bizarre he had no choice other than acknowledge its truthfulness.

He wanted to do a few experiments and tests on others but that would need to wait for the next day, as he did not feel like hunting some gangsters tonight.

While walking he was touching a black gem that was wrapped in cloth. He waited until he would get home to experiment on it as he thought that if he would get exhausted or wounded it would be better if it would happen in his house than on the street.

When he got home he sneaked in and walked to the safe so he could store his loot from the tomb.

While he walked through the halls he observed his surroundings, 'Painting depicting night sky, a vase of some kind, another painting, another vase, another painting, flower, Albert standing in the corner, another painting, Wait... Albert standing in the corner?'

When he turned around he could see Albert watching him and when their eyes meet he simply bowed slightly then he returned to his previous position and continue to stand.

After Hector put beyonder characteristics and the crown in the safe he went to his room holding a wrapped black gem. When he entered his room he sat on the bed and started to unwrap the gem.

When he finished he looked at it and found that nothing changed with it, so he raised his right arm and then he touched the gem with his bare hand.

At first, he only felt a warm sensation from the gem, but then he felt a stirring inside himself. His perception started to shift as the vines started to expand from the heart through his hand into the gem.

He felt a melding sensation as it was being absorbed by him. His mind was flooded with memories.

"Be not afraid... It is unfortunate but you died in that botched bus robbery. But don't feel bad, it was entertaining to watch." A man standing before him chuckled.

Hector wanted to retort but he realized that he can't move or speak. When he tried to look around himself he realized that he has no eyes or body.

"So you have realized it already. Yes, you have no body, and no soul too.

"You see when you died your soul would leave the body and move on into the afterlife but I have a proposition for you. As I have said already you have no soul, and yet here you are.

"What you are now is actually called Ego. I have extracted the Ego from your soul and given it a few more properties so we could converse.

"But back to the choices. First is to take my offer and be transported into another world, the world from Lord of the Mysteries. I know that given chance you would choose that world and I also know that you would choose to walk the devil's pathway.

"And how do I know it o creation mine? I know everything that is to know as I'm everything here. But I'm not there and so you will be there so partly I will be there. For I'm all that was, is, could be, and should not be." As he spoke he raised his arms and looked up.

"And to show you how generous I'm you will get sefirot of tenebrous world. Well... to be more precise tenebrous world will awaken you as its ego." When he finished Vilkar wanted to ask what was the second option he heard him, "I see... you want to know the second option.

"Well, that is by my estimation the worse option. I will send you back to your gurney to the afterlife, but as you no longer have a soul only ego you will dissipate to nothingness. And mind you it will not be a pleasant process..." at the end his voice became solemn as he continued, "You know what, if you would choose the second option... Look straight into my eyes, so you can witness the truth of reality and you can simply zero-sum. It will be less painful and the end result will be pretty much the same."

When all the knowledge got absorbed Hector woke up panting as he thought of all things that he remembered. He thought about what he had learned from those memories. He thought about how to find more of those black gems to open more of his memories, 'If there is one there could be more.' was what he thought.

ADVERTISEMENT"How many more there could be? Are there any more of them to begin with?

"I don't remember them from the novel. They could have been there but not been mentioned, but I don't think that's correct. It should have something to do with me...

"Sefiroth, or more precisely Tenebrous World," Hector spoke as he was inspecting his body.

For some time he was experimenting with his vines and their perception. When he thought that it was enough he sat up and decided that he would try to connect to Tenebrous World.

In the letter, it was written that he should not try it until he would be in sequence 7 but now that he found out that only his ego remained and was awakened in the sefiroth he disregarded the warning and decided to try it now.

But he did not know how to begin, "Klein got there with ritual but I don't know any. On the other hand, he was a visitor and I'm supposed to be its ego so it should be part of me.

"It should be as easy as moving with one's leg...Wait!

"Those vines are my actual self, not this body." Hector then closed his eyes and concentrated on the vines in his hearth. After a few moments, his perception shifted and he could feel himself differently than before. He tries to perceive any connection with something that was him but somewhere else.

He could feel a few vines that were somehow less real and more aetherial that weren't connected to the body but somewhere else.

He followed the connection by willing his mind to expand into an unknown place. His mind was overcome with painful headaches as he could hear screams in an unknown language echoing in his mind.

He felt as if his whole mind would be turned into thousands of pieces. His self was obliterated by some kind of force that wished him nothing but harm.

For some reason he saw white fog blocking his path but few vines were passing through it and so he continued through them, 'Western continent' He thought but when he passed he saw nothing but the starry sky above him and an empty void under him.

'Some kind of seal?' He wasn't sure what he was seeing but soon his perception shifted one more time as his mind stopped.

He found himself in empty surroundings, on the horizon, he could see mountains making the place in which he found himself look like a crucible.

Crucible burning with desires and emotions prepared to spread and corrupt all that was is, and could be.

While he tried to move he realized that he had nobody. He could not move by normal means, so he tried to move by shifting his perception.

When he succeed he started to observe his surrounding more closely. The ground was oily black, it's surface was smooth without any blemishes. Air was filled with black smog that would limit any visibility, not even a lantern would be able to help to see beyond a few steps.

The sky was pitch black and at the end, he could see the ceiling. he could not guess at what height the ceiling was located, not because he couldn't not make a guess, but when he perceived it as a whole he could see the ground, ceiling, and the space between but when he looked more closely he could not see it.

From his perception, he came to understand that the ceiling was infinitely high, and only by perceiving all of it he could see it. His mind was still unable to observe only one part of infinity, he was originally human and his ego was awakened in Tenebrous World but it was still him and so it would take time until his mind will stretch and expanded until it will become the same as those among the stars.

Hector did not understand all of secrets of himself but he inherently understood that he will find out at the right time.

And so he let himself to drift in the darkness... no not the darkness but desires that condensed until they become tangible. He could feel them, but not like the feeling of wind on one's skin, more like the sense of oneself being finally whole.

But then he violently shook as he realized that he was molding with his surrounding. He thought about fighting but then he realized that there is another way.

Hector focused his mind on envisioning a vessel that would represent his ego here.

He thought of the shape the vessel should take, he remembered that dream with a devil with a mouth on its body, but then he found it lacking.

He is not just one thing here. He is the ground upon which one can walk, he is the smog that surrounds the world, he is all of it.

And so he started to pull at the ground, the smog, and the sky. Then he merged them together creating a mass of matter that was not a solid nor liquid or gas, not even plasma. And yet when he observed it more closely it was all four at the same time.

Hector then started to mold it into different shapes, he found it very tangible only with his thoughts he could change it into anything he wanted. He could even split it into two, three, four, thousand, million, quintillion.

No matter how many he made their overall mass did not change until he desired it so.

Then he put them all back together into a perfect sphere. When he was done he willed himself into the mass and willed for the vines to create themself and spread into the sphere, binding it more closely to his will and perception.

The sphere then started to get smaller and smaller, and when it became just two meters long its form started to change until it looked like Hector's body.

When he opened his eyes he could see only black smog, but thanks to his perception outside of his body he could perceive every piece of space here.

He observed his body and found it equal to the one in his bed. Then he started to change his form into that less human. Different types of devils and demons from history and folktales.

In the end, he tried to take the form of his original body and when he did he looked it over and started to change a few details.

He made its height about three meters, teeth longer and jagged, irises became those of a goat, and horns sprouted from the head. Skin became deathly pale and from elbow to the end of fingers became pitch black as if dipped in some oily black substance. His feet sprouted hooves and black scales grew on the rest of his legs. His body became more muscular while on his shoulders spikes grew making them look like shoulder plates.

On his back vines grew and intertwine themself into pair of dark bat wings with a multitude of eyes. On the chest mouths opened, they too had jagged teeth and forked tongues.

Then Hector started to move in his new form and found it most pleasing, "This isn't bad, and somehow it feels more like my body than the one in the outside world. The ability to change it on a whim is also interesting

"When I think about it later down the path devils get authority over mutations, but that is at sequence 0. But then again sefiroth is a combination of pathways and when one gets them all he becomes..." He spoke as he started to morph into different forms, but then a splitting headache hits him as very earth shakes in response to his pain.

"Ah, it is one of dangerous information... But why? I'm clearly no longer human...

"Is it possible that it is not me that is in danger but the body that I was occupying?"

ADVERTISEMENTHector thought about the consequences of this information and the possibilities that could be made from it.

"If I could somehow disconnect that information and only keep them here without influencing my body I could unlock all of my memories without any fear."

After a few moments, Hector gave up on the idea as he had no means to accomplish a such feat.

"And even if I could accomplish it without any problems it could backfire on me at later times, there is just too much unknown at this time. Not to mention I will get those memories when I will be lower sequence so it is not that bad."

Fuelled by a desire to advance as soon as possible Hector was invigorated and decided to experiment with his surrounding some more. He thought about how Klein was able to manifest castle in his sefiroth, and Tenebrous World has 'mutations' among its authority. And so he concentrated on the crucible and desired it to flatten.

Then he once again makes the middle part to sink but now with a different meaning, it was no longer a crucible where desires were forged, but a pit where all could be trapped, bound in the perpetual circle of corruption and mutation. Once entered all would be bound unable to escape.

Hector made it so as to purify his Tenebrous World side of foreign influence. While he was Tenebrous World it had a previous owner and ego. It was 'Her' Mother Tree of Desire, and even still 'she' could call to it as his ego wasn't strong enough to withstand direct encounter. So Hector desired to be as disconnected from 'her' as possible.

With his current strength, he would be absorbed and his mind would be broken from 'her' influence and would become part of 'her'. Hector did not fancy such a fate and so he is prepared to make sure it will never happen. One of the options would be to get rid of 'her' but for now, he doesn't have the power to do so. But maybe in the future, and with help of a certain Mr. Fool.

But he must forget that to get such power there are many steps that need to be taken first.

And not to forget 'him', God of the Abyss pathway. Who has no connection with Tenebrous World but his mere existence had slightly shifted this place to be closer to 'him', preparing to be conceited to 'him' when the barrier that blocks the Western continent would collapse. This process only stopped when Hector took sequence 9 criminal.

"I will need to find a way to get rid of him without planning to get rid of him. I could wait for Klain to become a pillar and then request but I don't know what the price would be. It would be if I could do it myself. But that is for later."

He thought about more changes for the pit and so Hector desired himself to be in the deepest part of the Tenebrous World and Formed a tower upon which he made his throne where he sit overlooking his creation. Then he willed for thorny vines to spread from his body enveloping the tower and even absorbing into the walls. Then the vines started to spread through the whole pit only when all was connected it stopped.

"This should be enough for now. After becoming sequence 7 I will make more changes." He spoke to himself and thought

This would be his seat of power, his court from which all that is corrupt, and bound would be his to rule over, as he is corruption and mutation, he is Tenebrous World itself.

Then he thought about how rituals are a big part of the abyss pathway. he remembered how in the original novel Klein was informed of devil cults that tried to summon devils from the abyss.

"Klein could use his sefiroth to help him with rituals then could I do the same?" Hector thought of rituals that he would be able to do after becoming sequence 7.

He knew that now he wouldn't be able to do anything too extravagant but he wanted to know if in the future it would be possible.

He thought of a way to get information from Tenebrous World. "I'm the ego of the sefiroth so I should be able to get knowledge directly but I mustn't forget that my mind was originally that of the human and so is limited for now."

From the information that he was able to get from the books that he brought from Eye of Wisdom, and some ideas from the previous world he devised a ritual that would bestow him knowledge from Tenebrous World.

He stood up from his throne and walked a few steps so he would have empty space around him. Then he got on his knees and scratched a circle around himself. Then he put his palm into the circle and willed for a symbol of the Tenebrous world to appear in the middle.

Then he took a few steps back and started to put the essence of sefiroth into the circle. Hector put his desires and will into the circle and imagined there to be a fountain to appear.

He took inspiration from the Norse mythology of Mimir well which had all the knowledge and wisdom. And also from Font of Madness from all the madness of shivering isle originate.

Hector named it 'Chernobog Wisdom'. He took the name from the Slavic God of Misfortune.

Hector then willed it to move behind the throne where he erected great thorny wines that were as thick as human torsos. He let some of the roots to submerge into the waters and even made a few streams that flowed from the well down the tower into the pit, creating rivers.

Then he made a golden cup decorated with rubies and sapphires and took some of the water into the cup.

After he desired what knowledge he wanted he drank all the water that was inside the cup. His mind was filled with new information and knowledge, and as he felt overwhelmed he stood up and went to his throne to sit and fully digest the information.

When he felt that he knew that he had comprehended all the knowledge he felt extremely tired but also overjoyed. He knew that he could use Tenebrous World for rituals and events to create artificial devils from any excessive beyonder characteristics, and with the sacrificial ritual he could summon them into the world for some time.

He could drink another cup for specific rituals but he decided against that as it already drained him and he did not know what consequences it would bring when he become sequence 7 and would gain the same knowledge.

But the most important piece of knowledge that he gained was that he could create a new Abyss with the power of the Tenebrous World. But there are a few things that he will need to do for the original Abyss to become more unstable. Thanks to Mother Tree of Depravity first steps were already taken as fewer devils live in there as 'her' corruption is making it inhospitable without getting corrupted.

But he mustn't get ahead of himself as he needs to get stronger and become lower sequence first and only after becoming sequence 6 devil will he leave for the sees where he will start his own cult.

After a few more moments of deliberation, Hector decided to leave the Tenebrous World and return to his own body.

He willed his body to dissipate and connect with the rest of sefiroth and then he simply followed the thorny vine that was connecting his body and sefiroth.

Hector opened his eyes as he regained sensation in his body after his return from the sefiroth.

ADVERTISEMENTHector stood up from his bed and walked towards the window from which he overlooked his property, he could see green grass and colorful flowers that were maintained by the gardener, then there were stone paths leading to the gate beyond which he could see streets of Buckland. Upon which he could see pedestrians walking, some to work or on a simple walk. Carriges were pulled by the horses driving people of higher status.

He thought about all that he experienced in the short time that he was in this world, and then he laughed about how often he was reminiscent of his journey which started not so long ago. One could say he achieved too much in a such short time, but then did he? Or were others simply slow in comparison?

Hector knew that he mustn't forget that others may not get the opportunity or have knowledge about the world that he has. He liked to be special, he liked to have an unfear advantage over others, as when he knew that all will go according to his will he could relax and try other things.

The revelation of him becoming the awakened ego of sefiroth had already sunken in and was accepted by him as a great gift from that unknown being. He still did not know who that was, which bothered him only slightly, thanks to the knowledge that that information will come after he will be become a lower sequence.

He was filled with excitement whenever he thought about powers that he would get at lower sequences. Be it mortal danger premonition or power to corrupt or transform into the literal devil.

Hector wondered what it all meant for his humanity. Did he still have it or he should just let go of all pretense and embrace the abyss pathway and its temptations?

"No. That's not who I'm." Hector sighted he disregarded such thoughts.

"In the end, it does not matter. I'm who I'm. And so I always 'm me." Hector then walked down the stairs so he could enjoy his breakfast and small talk with his staff.

"Good morning sir." One of the maids stopped cleaning and spoke as he walked down the stairs. Hector smiled and returned the greeting, after which he entered the dining room where he sat behind the table and picked up a newspaper that Albert brought.

Hector did not enjoy reading newspapers in his previous life as Vilkar but her come to enjoy it as it gave him information about the world that was not in the novel.

He read about political movements in the Buckland which did not interest him much as politics are for those who are either stupid or extremely bored.

He became somewhat interested in ship sales and auctions that will happen at the docks. He could see himself as captain of the ship faring through seas, hunting pirates, and exploring islands for hidden treasure.

Hector thought about starting his own trading company in the future when he will start to create his own cult as every beyonder should do to be prepared for divinity.

While eating he thought of a possible island that could become his powerbase and he remembered the ideal place. While on his adventure Klein as Gerhman Sparrow visited.

'What was the name... Ah yes, it was Gargas Archipelago. It is on the eastern front of the Sonia Sea also known as a pirate's playground, ideal for corruption.

'The capital if I remember correctly is Nas port city also known as the City of White. Thanks to the Church of the God of Combat being the only legal church when God of Combat will fall they should be an easy target for taking. Not to forget archbishop is only sequence 5. While they have at least one sequence 1 Sealed Artifact with the fall of their god and surprise attack conquering the city and the whole archipelago should be relatively easy.

'Of course, firstly there needs to be a cult created, and said cult needs to spread among locals and citizens of the Archipelago so there could be a chance of keeping it after the war.

'If I would be able to become sequence 2 or at least 3 I should be with help of my dogs and cultist to hold the Archipelago as an independent nation. Mainly because Feysac would be weakened because of war unable to fully retaliate and the Church of God of Combat would be finished by that time so the only problem would be the Church of Evernight Godess. But being that far from Leon they too should not pose that much of a threat. ' Hector chuckled as he continued to eat.

He thought about how should he use his time today as there was no plan for any beyonder gathering. He could simply enjoy himself until Aldith would come to start her employment but then Hector thought that Albert will do just fine without him, as he is the experienced butler.

After talking with Albert about Aldith's employment some more Hector walked out of his home and decided to bring torment and misery upon sinners.

Hector chuckled as he walked through the streets he stopped only when passersby started to give him weird looks. Which in actuality made him want to laugh even more. He felt free as if all doubts melted away.

When he entered the east borough Hector started to look for a certain bar in which he hoped to find a specific bounty hunter. While he walked he thought about how much should he mess with the original storyline.

He did not want to mess things up too much because if it will go according to the novel it will be much easier to take advantage at specific times. Hector understood that his existence already changes things and not to mention his presence in Fool's gathering.

But still, he was willing to risk it so he could get information about the location of Street Rats' leadership, as it was time to burn Street Rats' properties.

When he entered the bar he went to the bartender and ordered cheap beer and observed his surroundings looking for the bounty hunter. Unfortunately, he did not find the person he was looking for and as his mood was good today he did not feel the desire to wait until they would show up, so after he drinks his beer he left the bar and went to one of the gambling dens of Street Rats.

While it was still the middle of the day there should not be that many people and it would be a surprise for them. Who would expect an attack on their money-making business in the middle of the day?

When he arrived at the location he saw a wooden two-story building with windows closed with wooden planks. Hector walked around the building to look for the back door, and when he entered the backyard through the neighbor's garden he found the unguarded door.

Hector smiled as he casually walked towards them and entered the building where he saw himself standing in the hall that on one side lead to what looked like a kitchen and on the other side rooms with poker tables and even roulette.

In front of him was a hall that lead to the front entrance and stairs upstairs to the second floor. Hector saw no one inside but he only saw halls and as such he could not judge how many people were in the building, but he decided to check them one by one and he would start with the kitchen.

While he walked in the kitchen direction he could hear talking from the rooms with poker tables and so he knew there are at least some people. While he wasn't crouched down he was still trying to walk silently with his hammers in his hands as the gun would make too much noise.

ADVERTISEMENTAfter Hector walked behind the kitchen door he peeked inside to see if there was anyone present and if someone was there, and where exactly they are located.

In the kitchen, he saw a tall, bald man with tattoos that covered his whole head. By the state of his clothes, he judged him to be a gangster as they were much cleaner than those people outside who woke up every day early in it morning and went to work in back-breaking jobs that would pay them nearly nothing, and not to mention his gun that was sticking from behind his trousers.

Hector saw no one else in the kitchen and so he decided to put away his hammers for now in exchange for the dagger as with it he could be more silent.

While entering the kitchen Hector crouched down so he would be more inconspicuous. When he was in he turned around and thought of closing the kitchen door, but then he wondered if they would make a sound as they looked quite old. Hector decided against the idea as he would simply get rid of the gangster quickly there should be no problem with letting the doors open.

After getting closer to the gangster he could smell something cooking and Hector could not stop himself from congratulating him on being a somewhat competent cook, "Well it looks like you are not the complete waist," But before the gangster could respond Hector's arm had wrapped itself around gangster's mouth, and with his dagger, he stabbed into the gangster's neck severing trachea making him unable to scream for help.

For his ability to cook Hector decided to grant him the mercy of quick death and pulled the gangster's head back and twisted it in a clockwise direction by a hundred and eighty degrees. Breaking his neck in sickening crunching noise which to Hector wasn't unpleasant.

Then he quietly caught the body as it was falling to the ground. After that, he took the body and stashed it behind some furniture and before he exited the kitchen he found a bottle of somewhat decent red wine and took a sip.

When he was about to leave the kitchen he cursed himself for not bringing the crown with him as this was a spur-of-moment situation he left it in the family vault.

"No matter I will just have to do with what I have," Hector whispered to himself as he kneeled down before one of the doors and listened to what was happening inside.

When he heard a snoring noise he quietly opened the door, which to his surprise made no sound. After entering the room Hector looked around himself and saw some kind of shabby sleeping room.

On the left, he could see a desk with basic utilities, from a pen and paper to a toothbrush. 'Quite a space saver.' He thought as he looked at the left side of the room where the bed with a sleeping person was located and next to it stood a big cabinet for clothes Hector thought.

Hector crept to the sleeping man "Rise and shine my dear victim." When he spoke he once again put his hand over the man's mouth, but this time Hector decided to stab the man in the eye giving him a free lobotomy. But then out of his kindness, he twisted the knife and started to scramble his brain.

It was fascinating to see the man's body react even after he was dead, a few of the nerves still firing which made some of his muscles to twitch, "Well, aren't brains and nerves a wonder of nature." He spoke to the now-dead man as he stood up and looked into the cabinet if he could find something long and waterproof, so he could wrap the body and bring it into the kitchen.

Unfortunately, he was unable to find anything that was waterproof, and so he just took the body into his hands and carried it to the kitchen as it was. If someone would see him or the blood that was flowing on the ground he would deal with it at that time.

Hector put the body of the second man next to the body of the first one, when he overlooked them he thought of how many he would pile here or if he even should do it. His idea was to bring them here and then disembowel them, after which he would put their limbs and pieces of the chest into cupboards and shelves so that when they would be found it would be an interesting scene.

Hector then continued to check the rest of the rooms, but all of them were empty until in one he could hear some scribbling sounds, he did not want that man to scream in surprise when he would see him alarming the rest of the people. So Hector decided to return to the kitchen and change into the cook's clothes if he would be able to find any.

Thankfully he was able to find one set of such clothes on the shelf right next to the door. When he changed his clothes he put his original on the table so they would remain relatively clean, except for the blood of course.

Then he went to one of the bodies and cut a piece of meat from their thigh and decided to cook it like a stake. Searing outside and basting it with the butter which he was able to find in the pantry. Unfortunately, there was no black pepper only salt but he was able to find a few rosemary so he was satisfied.

While he waited for the meat to slightly cool off he walked towards the bodies once again cutting off the heart from the one which was previously sleeping.

Hector took a big bite wondering how it would taste now that he was in sequence 8, "Not that good, hopefully, the taste will get better at sequence 6, especially for the ritual." Hector then took the steak and put it on the plate and hid his dagger behind it, then he went to the door in where he could hear scrabbling noise. Hector knocked on the door and when he heard a voice calling him in he opened the door, "Who are you, and what do you want?" a man in his mid-thirties spoke in rugged Leones.

"Good day sir. I'm a new cook and so I have prepared food for you." Hector spoke as pleasantly as he could while smiling at the man.

"New cook? I don't know anything about it" Man spoke slightly apprehensive but as he could smell the food his suspicion had melted visibly.

"Well whatever, they never tell me anything either way." When he finally relented he took the plate into his hands and put it on his desk.

"What do you want?" he spoke when Hector remained standing where he was.

"Nothing much sir, only what do you think of the taste of food," Hector spoke while his smile grew bigger.

The man then took a fork and knife and cut into the meat, when he finally put the piece of steak into his mouth Hector could see him smile as he enjoyed the taste.

Hector thought of killing him now but then he decided that he would let the man finish his food first.

When he was done he went to pick up the plate, but at the last second, he stabbed the man on the side of the head making him unable to react. Hector then chuckled as he dragged the man's body into the kitchen. When he had three bodies in the kitchen he sighed as carrying them one by one would be very time inefficient, so he decide to finish them and then he would take them into the kitchen.

Hector then walked out of the kitchen and walked towards the intersection of halls, "So where to now? Second floor or gaming rooms." Hector whispered to himself as he took a coin out of his pocket and decided that the Second floor is head and the gaming rooms are tail.

When he flipped the coin he could hear and see as it flew into the air and when the coin fell to his palm he could see that it was tail.

"Gaming rooms it then," Hector said as he walked in their direction. As he got closer he could hear laughter, it seemed that some people are having fun even at this time of the day.

"Fortunately I don't need to differentiate between gangsters and innocent as at this time of day in East Borough when everyone is looking for work it is certain that those people are no good. And if by any chance they are innocent that... well would they be innocent?

"They are not threatened or beaten up, they are willingly giving their money to the Street Rats so it could be said that they are financing their activities and helping them commit more sins." After realizing and confirming his personal truth Hector crept to the door and looked inside.

Three people were sitting behind the poker table while two more stood at the bar drinking. Hector looked at every one of them individually to see if he would be able to find out if they are carrying weapons.

'At least one of them has a gun and two of them have knives. That leaves two unknowns.' He thought as he planned how to take them. He was certain that he would be unable to finish them all off without being spotted and so he decided to directly attack them and use the element of surprise.

'So from my point of view, I can see a poker table which is in the middle of the room with three people sitting in a triangular position with two people showing me their backs. Thankfully bar is at the end of the room with one man also showing me his back, but the man next to him is standing at the bar sideways and so when I will enter the room he and one playing the cards would see me.

'Man who is sitting in a way of the door is carrying the gun so he is my main priority after which those two that are sitting opposite to him. The ones at the bar are far enough to give me a few seconds to take attack even if they would see me.

'So first one dagger to the face, two opposite hammers to the side of their head. The man standing sideways at the bar should be first to come at me so... poisonous flame to the face. And lastly man next to him... I can just throw the hammer, with my strength it should be enough.

'Luckily those two unknowns are closest to me so they should be no problem.' After Hector made his plan he held two hammers in one hand and a dagger with his other.

Hector jumped into the room and after getting a clear view of the gangster at the head of the poker table he threw the dagger. Gangster wasn't able to react until thrown dagger had hit him in the eye with such force that the handle was fully embedded in his head.

After the throw, Hector took a hammer to his now empty hand and ran at the two men still in shock at what happened.

When he arrived right behind them he raised his hands and slammed their heads with his full force. He could hear as their skull broke and chunks of bone and brain matter flew to each side of the room.

Then he turned to look at the men at the bar and could see that one was about two meters away, so he raised his right hand as the man got even closer and summoned an explosion of poisonous flames that hit the gangster in the face. But it was not all as Hector followed with a hit from the hammer in his left hand.

Gangster did not have time to scream as his head was nearly crushed to pieces. The last gangster made one step but then froze as his eyes were filled with horror and dread. He did not run or screamed as he was frozen in place from shock.

Hector could hear hurried steps from the floor above so he jumped at the last gangster in the room and slammed both hammers at each side of his skull, making his head explode. Hector could hear as heads of his hammers meet in the middle of where his head previously was.

When he was finished with the gangster in the room he hurriedly went to the body with his dagger in it. Hector put his hammer at the poker table and slammed his fingers into bodies eye sockets. Then he applied force cracking it open like a freshly cooked crab.

After retrieving his dagger he wiped it over gangster trousers and holstered it back, when he took his hammers into his hands he jumped next to the door frame and waited for someone to come in.

He didn't need to wait for long as in a few moments short man holding a revolver entered the room, after he made one step in Hector introduced him to his hammer and took hold of his shirt, and used him as a shield while he charged out of the room slamming into a woman holding a machete.

When he saw her he pushed even harder cracking her head on the wall with the body of another and the slight help of his fist when the gangster's body failed to do a proper job.

After looking around he no longer saw or heard any movement but still, he went to look if he missed someone. When he confirmed that no one else was alive in the building he patted himself on the shoulder for a job well done and started to carry the bodies to the kitchen.

Hector wondered if he should also pick up chunks of bones and brain from the floor and walls but then he decided against that as it would take too much time.

When he was finally done carrying the bodies he started to disembowel them and he also cut their limbs and torso to pieces, Hector also cut a large piece of skin to leave a message. When he was done he started to stuff their pieces bodies onto the shelves, tables, and pots.

When he was done he took the skin and walked to the room of his third victim, one that he cooked for. There he took a pen and started to write,

"Sin is a disease that destroys from

The darkness where it lingers

Always taunting us in the shadows

Of bitterness and dread, sinister

And haunting, calling out to the soul

For just a little more of its hope

Until all hope has been lost

And even faith and love are gone

Sin is ugly and angry and hateful

It prides itself on taking away

All the light that caresses a life

And stealing even the memories

Of laughter and joy, fulfillment

Found in colors of love breathing

Through a heart, whispering gently

Truth, inspiration and contentment"Later he was able to buy the tongue of a spirit viper for 600 pounds and 5 scales of a night viper for 10 pounds each together for 50 pounds. As he dealt with only the attendant he realized that those items must have come from Jason himself.

And Hector did not feel the desire to spit a gifted horse in the eye and so he accepted it and move on.

After those transactions, his wallet felt much emptier, but he was happy that he took so much with him. When the gathering ended he stood up and was led outside from where he walked the slight distance on foot and then he boarded a carriage into the shopping district where he brought supplementary ingredients and then he went home.

In East borough, Roy leader of Street Rats was sitting on the sofa as he enjoyed his wine while two men were dragging a red-haired woman by the chain, "Look at that those Feysac barbarians are feisty, what do you say boss?" One of the men dragging the woman said while others joined, "And look at those yellow eyes. It is not every day you can find someone like that. Boss, for how much do you think we will get for her?"

Roy looked at them and then he looked at the woman, "Depending on the buyer we will find. When we will find the right noble then we can make even a fortune." Roy could not stop himself from chuckling at the thought of money, all that he carried was how much they would make and how much he could make his own portion bigger.

"Boss but will anyone take her if she is so... willful?" Roy understood what he meant as there were not many that brought slaves that were properly "trained". For that reason, he called Wixon his right hand and the man in charge of the dog arena.

"Don't worry Wixon will take her and make sure that her fighting spirit is gone." Roy waved with his hand and two gangsters dragged the woman away.

Just as he returned to his wine he saw how someone opened the door in hurry, it was a boy around 19 with a thin figure and below-average height. Roy became irritated that anyone dared to just charge into the room uninvited, especially when he is enjoying himself on good wine.

"State your name and why have you come!" Roy bellowed at the man.

"Will, my name is Will boss." Boy hurriedly spoke.

"So Will why have you interrupted my free time?!" Roy was thinking about how should he deal with the boy after he would finish with whatever he had to say.

"B-Boss there is a problem at the gambling den. Someone had b-butchered the men that were inside." Will said while shaking.

"What?!" That was all that Roy was able to say. Without any more words, he stood up and left the room. There he called for others to follow him.

While he waited for others to prepare he asked one of his lieutenants, "What happened?"

"Boss someone attacked the gambling den this morning and butchered everyone inside, they even left some kind of massage." One of his men spoke.

"Butchered? What do you mean by butchered and what kind of massage?" Roy asked bewildered.

"Boss... It will be better to show than say." His lieutenant spoke and they departed.

When they arrived Roy saw that the building looked unharmed expect some damage that was already there. After he entered he could smell heavy air pregnant with a metallic tone.

'Blood, lot of blood' He thought as he walked through the hall and was led to gambling rooms first.

When he entered he became speechless, "..." only after a few moments he was able to collect himself.

"What happened here." Was all that Roy was able to say as he looked at walls that were covered by blood and some gray stains that only after a few seconds he realized were pieces of brain.

Not even the ceiling was spared carnage, "Monster... this could be the only monster..." Roy said but then he hurriedly turned towards his man, "Where are the bodies." Somehow he did not want to hear the answer.

"Boss... they are in the kitchen..." When he heard where they were he wished that he did not ask but he gritted his teeth and started to walk towards the kitchen.

When he stood before the door he felt as if his legs were nailed to the wall as he saw a large piece of skin nailed to the door upon which the poem was written.

Roy felt sick to his stomach, "Boss... that's not worst yet." When his men spoke he shook with fear and ordered them to open the door.

When he saw what was behind them he felt weak in his legs, and only after a second, he realized that his man was holding him. He felt horror as he looked at the scene before him, his sense of smell was assaulted by the pungent smell of bodily fluids and digested matter, plus piss and shit that bodies relied upon after their death.

Every table, cupboard, shelf, and pan was littered with parts of the body and covered with blood... Hell... This Was Hell. Only a monster would be able to do something like that.

Roy hurriedly left the building and started heavily breathing. "What... did... all... that?" He asked his men.

"W-Well boss, we don't know what did all that but we think it was targeting us for some time now." One of his men spoke.

"What do you mean targeting us for some time?!" Roy asked equally angry because he was not informed of it before and scared as he did not want to meet whatever it was.

"We did not think it merited your attention boss as there were a few of lower ranking members disappearing only to be found dead but never to such extend." When Roy heard what the man had to say he nearly exploded in rage.

"NOT MERITED! You incompetent waste of life!" Roy yelled

"..."

"at least tell me that you investigated somehow, or hired someone to do it." Roy waited for some good news.

"..."

when he got no answer he felt strangely calm. "...YOU IDIOT." Roy took out his revolver and shoot the man that was talking to him for his incompetence.

"I DO NOT CARE WHO IT WILL BE BUT PUT THE BOUNTY ON IT AND REWARD FOR ANY INFORMATION!" Roy yelled at others who started to go to do their task.

Roy then went back to his headquarters with a few of his men and started to drink. "We need to take care of this problem as soon as possible, and if not..." Roy felt fear, he did not know how long has it been that he was filled with such emotion.

"But boss we do not know what killed those men and..." He was not able to finish when Roy looked him in the eye which made him stop talking.

While there was chaos in the East borough Hector enjoyed himself to some good food.

When Hector arrived home went to the basement to prepare a potion for the Simar so he could become sequence 9 apprentice.

ADVERTISEMENTHector then nailed the skin of the kitchen door and when he was done he changed his clothes from that of cook to the one with which he came in, then he walked away taking the main exit. When he breathed Buckland's air he started to walk in direction of his home as he was wandering what he wanted for lunch he started to hum under his breath.

When he exited East borough he thought about the ship auction that would be happening at the docks, he really wanted to buy a ship and sail the sea but he knew that he have neither money nor power to do so.

"I hope beyonder the gathering will be soon, I need to buy ingredients for the serial killer and apprentice formula, wait maybe... but how would I... It will be a long time before Fors will join the Fools gathering so my best bet would be to find it on my own.

"After becoming sequence 7 I will need to get the formula for sequence 6 devil, fortunately, Albert knows it which will help me dramatically. Then sequence 5 which once again Albert should know and beyonder characteristics will actually come to me as I will be able to send Albert to Jason when he will get wounded. And I can simply repeat what would Klain find to him if he would kill and channel his spirit, so there is no reason to be sad for stealing kills." Hector chuckled at the end.

"And then my advantage at sea will begin. As for sequences after I have no idea but that I will leave for later.

"So plan for power is made, but now I need the plan to get either money for the ships or ships themselves. I could just go to the sea and collect pirate ships for my own but that would take more time for me to start the trading company. I need at least one at the beginning. But I will not be satisfied with anything less that galleon." Hector's pride would not allow otherwise.

"I don't want to use all of my funds and I'm also unwilling to take any investments as I have no intention of sharing what is mine!" Hector felt a slight wave of rage at the thought of sharing ownership of his ships or trading company even if he did not have either, yet.

"Well, I can someone else give it to me be it willingly or in their will after their death. But how to make it inconspicuous I wonder. And from whom should I get it?" Hector had too many questions and not enough answers so he decided to put Albert on the task next time he would see him.

When he returned to his home he was welcomed by Albert, "Welcome home sir," Hector returned his greeting and walked in the direction of the dining room.

"I must say sir that unexpected comings could become suspicious if it would happen too often, as of now there is no problem but I thought it was worth mentioning," Albert spoke in his usual tone and he walked right behind Hector.

"Understood, and if there would be problems I will leave it to you. But now I feel famished, ask the chef to prepare a rare steak. Then I have something for you to do." Hector said and already savored the taste.

"Of course sir," Albert answered as he walked towards the kitchens.

While he ate Aldith came to visit him and they spoke about her new employment and her duties as he did not need a personal guard at this time she would mainly remain at the vila as house guard.

When he finished eating he and Albert went into his study, "What would you have of me, my lord" Albert said as he bowed and his whole demeanor changed dramatically.

"Matter is not that urgent but more of a long-term assignment as there is still time," Hector said and took a breath after which he continued.

"I need you to find a galleon class ship that we would be able to either purchase, but without taking any loans, or investments and draining our vault of all money, or you can find someone who would transfer their own ship or ships to us as some kind of deal so it would be inconspicuous to the police and churches.

"Those ships or ships, but one is enough is important for us to start a trading company which we will be able to use to spread influence and in the end start a cult in Gargas Archipelago which is a colony of Feysac.

"For in coming years, chaos will spread over the world and we will take that chaos to achieve greatness!" When he finished Hector could see that Albert's eyes became red as if he was about to cry, and then he smiled with madness shining in his eyes, "YES MY LORD! None shall stand in thy way, all that oppose thee shall be extinguished."

When he finished with Albert he went to the living room and picked up a newspaper and continued to read them as he had nothing to do for rest of the day.

On the next day, he once again did not see that gathering with Eye of Wisdom would be, but he found that one with Jason would start in the late afternoon.

And so after finishing breakfast, Hector spend the time he had with his godfather in his bank still learning ropes and looking for someone that would do everything that he is learning in his place.

For lunch, he went out with his godfather, where he enjoyed beautifully cooked chicken with herbs from Intis Republick.

When it was time for him to leave for beyonder gathering he said goodbye to his godfather and boarded a carriage that brought him to the vicinity of the gathering, from where he would go by foot.

When he entered the building he was led into the basement where the took a seat on one of the empty chairs. Hector really hoped that someone here would know the apprentice formula, even then he only needed supplementary, but having a sequence formula is not bad.

Hector also hoped for any interesting beyonder items or sealed artifacts but to his disappointment, nothing piqued his interest.

When it was time to put their own requests Hector wrote "Sequence 9 Apprentice potion formula", "Sequence 9 Prisoner potion formula", "tongue of spirit viper", "middle eye of the hornless three-eyed goat", and "5 scales of night viper". His order was a lot bigger than last time and he did not care if someone would be able to guess his pathway and sequence.

After he waited for a few minutes he walked towards the board and saw that someone had accepted his request for apprentice formula. Hector hurriedly looked over the number of the room and walked behind the attendant who lead him there.

After he pulled aside the curtain he could see a tall man draped in a black hood wearing a white bone mask, "So you are the one that wants to buy the formula?" He asked to which Hector only slightly nodded.

"Then it will be 300 pounds." When Hector heard the price he thought few unkind words but then he counted the money and gave them to the attendant. When he received the formula he looked it over and then hid it in his robe. After which he went back and sat on his chair.

Training Simar would become one of Hector's priorities as successfully raising beyonder animal of door pathway would be of great benefit to him. And not to mention Grom who will be on the prisoner pathway.

When he entered the basement he went to the corner where he opened a box, inside it lay a cauldron, vials, and different types of pipes and other objects for potion making.

When he prepared what he needed on the table he went to the vault where he took out beyonder characteristics of the apprentice. Then he called for Albert to bring Simar to the basement.

After returning to the basement Hector walked to the table with the cauldron and put beyonder characteristics inside. Then he added supplementary ingredients. When he was finished beyonder characteristic had melted into strange luminescent gue which parts fazed into transparent substance from time to time. Hector took out a scoop and put the cauldron content into a dog bowl.

After Albert finally arrived with Simar he saw the bowl and understood, when he put the Simar before the bowl he took a few steps back and watched the dog's every movement if it failed he would need to act fast.

When Simar saw a dog bowl full of strange liquid he looked at Hector who said a confirmation word that was being learned at practice he went to the bowl and started to drink.

Hector watched how Simar drank the whole content of the bowl, then he too started to prepare for the worst but thankfully it did not come to it as Simar started to shake for a moment and then he calmed down, wagging his tail he run to Hector who pated his behind his ear.

"Finally, now true training may begin," Hector said as he took Simar and told Albert to clean after him.

For the next few days, Hector used all his time with his dogs training and educating them, especially Simar whom he read books so he could gather information, it was a slight shock when he heard Simar talk for the first time but after initial surprise passed away he calmed down, but he informed that he may speak only if he is with him, Albert, or Grom and not in presence of strangers.

Thankfully Simar was obedient as ever and followed Hector's orders to the letter. Hector took many books from the library and put them on the ground so Simar could read them one by one. But the main one which he was to read and remember was basic information on mysticism, of course, Hector taught him all that he could.

Training Simar became much more fascinating to Hector especially when they get to the part where Simar would run through walls. Thankfully he always make sure that the staff was not present.

Hector hoped that Simar would be able to digest the potion as soon as possible as that would make his condition more stable.

"My poor funds will not be able to withstand such drain if I will need to buy even dog materials. Yeah, the best way would be to hunt people with the sequence so I could spare the cost of main materials, but where would I find Trickmaster... Well at this level they are not that costly so for now I should be able to bear it.

"Wait I know Trickmaster formula or more precisely I had read it in the novel. I only need to recall its content...

"There should be a ritual for that after I get to sequence 7 or could prey on the Fool when Klein will make those "attempts".

After making a plan for acquiring the formula of sequence 8 he continued with Simar training until it was time for Fool's gathering.

On Monday morning Hector woke up refreshed and envigorated for the gathering.

After he stood up from the bed he played a little with his dogs and then he went downstairs for breakfast. He was joined by Albert and Aldith.

While Aldith sit at the table getting her own portion from the maid Albert stood at the door waiting for any orders from Hector.

Truth to be told Hector very rarely saw Albert eat, usually, he cooked for himself as he said for his taste it is best if he himself cooks. Even his favorite meat was liver pate made from "long pork" as he called it, spread on lightly toasted bread.

While eating Hector chatted with Aldith and even read a newspaper seeing that a gathering led by Eye of Wisdom would happen in a few days.

In Tingen Klein who was in his room entered grey fog where he extended his right hand and formed an invisible connection, connecting him to the three familiar crimson stars.

When it was time Hector walked into his study and sat behind his desk.

When he looked at the clock which showed time he saw an explosion of crimson light that enveloped Hector

On the roaring blue waves of the Sonia Sea, an ancient sailboat was sailing with the wind.

He opened the pocket watch before him and laid it next to the brass sextant. The clock was ticking without joy as it exuded nervousness.

When the hour hand, minute hand, and second hand aligned, there was an explosion of crimson before Alger Wilson.

In Backlund, Empress Borough. Audrey Hall lay against a down-feather pillow and glanced at the yellow paper in her hand.

Her gaze was calm and cool as if she were waiting for a play to begin. As the crimson red erupted, she looked at herself being swallowed with complete detachment.

Above the gray fog, in the magnificent palace, on the ancient and mottled long bronze table.

Hector looked around himself and saw three shapes around him. Next to him was Hanged man, on the opposite side to him was Justice, and at the seat of honor sat Fool.

He could not confirm it as the grey fog was restricting his vision but he remembered that Justice had already become beyonder, 'Spectator, I will need to be careful with my movements.' Hector thought as he observed her.

Klein, who had already activated his Spiritual Vision, looked over when Audrey Hall's figure began to form. He was not surprised to see that the colors deep in her aura had blended together.

'She really did become a beyonder...' Klein was just about to move his gaze away when he suddenly saw the chair belonging to Miss Justice change.

The bright stars on the back of the chair moved swiftly, forming an illusory constellation. It was a symbol that represented the "Giant Dragon".

'Spectator… Giant Dragon…' Klein restrained himself from shaking his head and looked over at the back of The Hanged Man's chair.

Typically speaking, he couldn't see the back of the chair from his angle, but this was where he was in control.

He could recognize that it was the symbol of "Windstorm."

'Sailor… Keeper of the Sea… Windstorm… That's reasonable. The color deep in The Hanged Man's aura is much purer than it was… Has he leveled up?' Then he looked at the chair belonging to The Devil.

There he could see a symbol of "Goat skull"

'Criminal... Devil...Goat... Well, there is a conversation I will need to have. And his aura is also purer than before, but not as much as the aura of Hanged Man. He should be in sequence 8. Oh yeah, what about the symbol behind my chair?'

Klein suppressed his impulse to look, rapped the edge of the long table thrice just like before, and smiled as he said, "Congratulations, Miss Justice, you are a Beyonder now."

'He can tell straight away?' Audrey was stunned and smiled faintly.

"thank you, Mr. Fool, and thank you, Mr. Hanged Man."

Hector felt strange as he was not mentioned but then he did not help so it was understandable.

ADVERTISEMENTKlein tapped his glabella and said with a smile, "Lady, Sirs, have either of you found Roselle's diary?"

Upon hearing The Fool's question, Justice did not immediately answer like in the past. Instead, she widened her crystalline eyes and glanced at The Hanged Man and The Devil with a scrutinous attitude.

Hanged Man subconsciously subdued his body motions. After a few seconds of silence, he said, "I found two pages of the Emperor Roselle's diary and have memorized their contents."

Hector tried to ignore Justice stare and said, "I have found one page."

"I have one page," Audrey, whose vision was obscured by the fog, said as though she was removed from the conversation.

"Pretty good," Fool said

"Should we 'express' them now?" Audrey inquired with a calm tone.

"Yes." Klein simply nodded.

When Fool held goat skins with Chinese symbols on them Hector waited for him to finish his reading time.

When he put the pages down he looked at the members present and said, "My apologies, I was too absorbed in reading them."

Audrey calmed the envy in her heart and smiled faintly. "I can understand. I hope to one day be able to exchange information about the diary's contents."

"That will require a price." Klein smiled and glanced at Justice.

Audrey put her palms together and placed them in front of her. "Mr. Fool, Mr. Hanged Man, Mr. Devil I have three questions to ask. If you think that the answers warrant a high price, tell me what you want, I will try my best to seek it."

Fool and rest gave their individual confirmation signs after which Justice thought for a few seconds and said, "The first question is, what does 'acting' really mean? I realize that the remnant psyche in the potion has minute effects on me; is that because I've been acting as a Spectator all this while?"

Alger did not speak; instead, he looked at The Fool, as though waiting for him to give an answer. But Hector cut before he could say anything, "Think of your core powers of potion as a castle or fortress, and remnants of the psyche reside within said structure.

"Your goal is to get rid of the master and replace him. You could just use brute force but that is not guaranteed to work for a multitude of reasons be it defensive which may bring you to harm unless you are strong enough to obliterate them.

"In my opinion, the better and safer option is to get an invitation into the castle, with it you could pass through the enemies without fighting, and then it is good old assassination. But problem is that invitation specifies the features and characteristics of the guest. And so you need to disguise yourself as the guest which is in the name of the sequence."

Audrey froze for a moment, having the sudden feeling that she completely understood what 'acting' meant.

She immediately exited her Spectator state due to her excitement. "Thank you, Mr. Devil. Luckily, I have been acting as a Spectator the past few days."

She paused for a moment before saying, "I think that this is a very valuable answer, what do you need in exchange?"

"What about the information on Backlund merchants and traders who make their business at the sea."

Justice was surprised at Devil's request and hurriedly entered her spectator state and observed him.

"I will look into it and I will bring what I have found next time." When he got a positive response Hector smiled and nodded.

Hector thought about how he threw a slight stick before Klein's legs as he would use this information to get to know about the Antigonus family from Hanged man, but Hector believed that Klein would be able to manage. To somehow meditate he thought of how he could bring it up at the end of the gathering.

"Then, I shall ask the second question: what is the name of the subsequent potion for Spectator? Where can I find the clues?" Justice said after a few moments of silence.

This time Hector decided to remain silent and let the Hanged man to answer.

Alger remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "I'll answer the question for free because I led you on this pathway.

"The subsequent Sequence for Spectator is Sequence 8 Telepathic. The ancient name of Sequence 7 is Psyche Analyst but is called Psychiatrist now..." Hector stopped listening after that.

But he started to pay attention when she mentioned beyonder animal.

"The third question. If—and I'm saying if—a normal animal were to drink a Sequence 9 potion, what would happen?"

'What kind of a question is that?' Klein tapped his glabella unnoticeably with his finger that was supporting his forehead.

Very quickly, he saw the changes in color and noticed that Audrey's emotions had turned frantic, nervous, and a little ashamed.

The Hanged Man, Alger, was obviously dumbfounded as well. He took a while to reply.

"Normal animals do not have the brains of humans. They wouldn't be able to learn Cogitation in a timely manner. Therefore, it would most likely lead to immediate death or a breakdown into a monster. However, if they survived the initial ingestion of the potion, they should become extraordinary creatures. If the potion has the ability to enhance their intelligence, they can even become smarter."

"It is not so bad." Hector spoke at last, "you see, depending on animal and potion pathway you get a higher and lower probability of success. Those that enhance the intelligence of the animal are ideal in my opinion as they will be able to order much better and they will be better prepared for understanding mystical knowledge.

"And as many people will mistake them for ordinary animals they will be very useful in surprise attacks or defense.

"If you would... let's just say use spectator potion then they could be sent to spy on others."

"Alright." Audrey breathed out a silent sigh and nodded while saying with a relaxed tone. "I have no other questions."

"Nor do I." The hanged man also said.

Hector simply shook his head.

He had yet to turn off his Spirit Vision, and he immediately saw that The Hanged Man was showing signs of nervousness, while Miss Justice was too simple-minded to show fear or carefulness. And strangely Devil showed no emotion.

Before they could reply, Fool comforted them, "Don't worry. It's trivial. If it succeeds, it will be beneficial to you, so I wouldn't be paying extra remuneration."

"Go ahead." Audrey instinctively entered the Spectator state, but she couldn't see through the thick gray fog engulfing The Fool.

"As you will," Hanged man replied, steadying himself.

Fool moved his fingers and smiled when he said, "Previously, I said that we would do some experiments to enable you to ask for a leave of absence. That way, you do not have to worry if you have to be somewhere inappropriate on a Monday afternoon."

"That's our wish." Justice loosened her tightly knitted eyebrows.

The hanged man thought and said, "What do you need us to do?"

The fool then explained his modified version of the luck enhancement ritual

"What about the incantation? Mr. Fool, what's the corresponding incantation?" Justice asked

"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era, you are the mysterious ruler above the gray fog; you are the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck…"

Audrey Hall recited the three descriptions to herself silently. She suddenly felt a tumultuous wave of emotion go through her, preventing her from maintaining her Spectator state.

Alger Wilson, who knew and understood much more than Audrey, shivered from the bottom of his heart.

'If the ritualistic magic which Mr. Fool designed truly points to him to allow him to accept our requests, w-we would have to be addressing him with Him. He is to be addressed in the third person, which is reserved for gods…'

Hector also showed his surprise but on inside he thought that he too should make his own incantation.

"I pray for your help.

"I pray for your loving grace.

"I pray for you to give me a good dream.

"Moon flower, an herb that belongs to the red moon, please bestow your powers to my incantation!

"Fingered citron, an herb that belongs to the sun, please bestow your powers to my incantation."

"If this test is successful, then we shall modify the ritual next time to achieve what we want to do.

"I hope that you will have the time to complete the ritual no later than Wednesday. " Fool said.

"By your will." Hanged man, Justice, and Devil replied respectfully, collecting themselves.

"According to The Hanged Man's suggestion last week, we shall have a time for casual conversation after all official issues have been discussed. Who shall begin?" Klein gave a hand gesture signaling for someone to start.

In a casual conversation, Hector waited for Justice to finish her story about the suggestion from Fool, and then he talked about an interesting rumor about Antigonus.

When he finished he heard Fool speak about An ancient power waking when at last they finished and Justice and Hanged man disappeared.

"I do have a question for you, Mr. Devil. Why did you choose the path of the Devil."

"Well if we would believe if fate then it was not much of a choice. But there was also my overwhelming desire to punish the guilty and who better than one who can see into the hearts of others and be able to know who is truly deprived?

"And who better to hunt damned than damned themselves."

Hector was looking at the Fool as he knew that this moment is extremely important for his future plans.

After a few moments he heard Klein as Fool answer, "Wery well then, I will see you next week."

Hector felt as his surroundings got blurry and he could feel his chair from his study. And the light from his desk lamp.

ADVERTISEMENTAfter his return from the grey fog, Hector stood up and left the study. He felt as if a weight had fallen from his shoulder.

He knew that he would have that conversation with Klein but he thought that it would be longer, he did not expect that he would ask only one question.

Hector sometimes wondered what he would do if Klein would cut him off from gathering. While at this time it was not that special when Sun will join his opportunity to get beyonder ingredients would skyrocket.

But if it would come to it he could attempt to still get there through one of the members. Audrey, Alger wouldn't be good candidates as they could find out as he already met them. In the end, it would boil to Fors or Xio. But Hector thought that even then he would be found out.

The only way he could think of was to kill Klein and make someone else to take Sefirot Castle. There were still seven more candidates.

Fortunately, his staying in the gathering was ideal for him and everyone else as he was not forced to go on a killing spree, innocent people like Audrey and Alger would live as they would question the sudden disappearance of Fool, maybe even investigate him. Even if there was nothing to find he could still not risk them accidentally informing someone who would know about it.

But now all was well so he went to drink some red wine that he brought from Street Rats' gambling den.

While drinking he thought of the ritual that the Fool wanted them to perform and so he went to prepare the ingredients. When he was done he prayed and spoke about how he is performing the ritual. Understandably he got no response as of now he went with his business.

When the sun fell behind the horizon and the crimson moon had taken its place as a dominant celestial body in the sky Hector went to his room so he could take a proper night of sleep, While being beyonder does give a person more strength and willpower it still does not make them immune to humans basic needs for food and rest.

Well until they would be far enough in their sequence that is. When he slept he was woken up as he felt a shift in his room. When he opened his eyes he could see illusory grey fog descending all around him, then he saw the shape of Fool and heard him acknowledge his success at ritual after which he and the grey fog disappeared.

When everything returned to normal he went back to sleep as if nothing happened. The next morning after eating his breakfast he went into the study room and locked the door behind him as he had something on his mind.

He thought of an honorific name for himself. He thought about how him being ego of sefirot would influence it.

Should he just try the name that would represent sefirot or make a new one?

"Lord of Abyss... No, I have no dominion over Abyss yet. Why not take inspiration from Kleins then, Devil from beyond? Well it is not incorrect and I don't know that there would be many people from the different universes who are on the Abyss pathway, but it lacks something.

"Devil from beyond the void. He did travel from one universe to another...no that's not it.

"Father of Devils... that feels right. And it is also true, it's weird to be sefirot.

"Strangeness from beyond the void... better but... wait for a second I infected the sefirot and became its ego, it is similar to when divinity infects people after advancing and they call it madness, so why not?

"Madness from beyond the Void. ha ha ha

"Source of Corruption and Desires... yes as of now my body does not have powers from the adjacent pathway. It's strange as he needs to make it true for his true being and also for the body for him to have full use of sefirot wherever he was."

While he could take full sefirot name he wasn't sure if his human body would be able to withstand it. And even then he is not complete as even if he is sefirot he could not just use the Law of Beyonder Characteristics Convergence and simply tear or infect the Dark side of the Universe... or could he?

That is for much later, even if he could do it his mind would not be able to withstand it. So he needs to take a slow but much safer path.

"So how was it... Oh yeah

"Father of Devils;

Madness from beyond the Void;

Source of Corruption and Desires."

"Yes, that shall be my honorific name, and f*ck the consequences.

"Now all that remains is to confirm that such a name will be effective."

Hector started to prepare a slightly changed version of one that he made yesterday to the Fool, which was in actually a slightly changed version of another ritual.

A certain image of three people reading of each other test and copying the answers came to mind which made him chuckle. Then Hector started the ritual.

"Father of Devils;

you are Madness from beyond the Void;

you are a Source of Corruption and Desires.

"I pray for your help.

"I pray for your loving grace.

"I pray for you to cleanse me of sin.

"Moon flower, an herb that belongs to the red moon, please bestow your powers to my incantation!

"Fingered citron, an herb that belongs to the sun, please bestow your powers to my incantation." Hector used the same herbs as he used previously for Fool's ritual and right now hadn't any other at hand. He thought of changing them depending on the location of his believers would be, for example when he will start his cult in Gargas Archipelago he would use herbs that commonly grew there so his cultist wouldn't have that much of a hard time performing rituals in his name.

After finishing the ritual Hector waited for something to happen, after a few moments he felt something in his thorny vines. It was as if a breeze had passed between them.

When he concentrated on his vines his perception started to shift and he found himself standing in Tenebrous World. It is always a such strange feeling to stand inside oneself, even if one is not human.

Hector then looked around until he found light in Chernobog Wisdom, so he walked to his throne and willed it to move so he could overlook the well.

Then he willed for the well to extend while he looked at the light in the water. When he willed for those waters to show the content of the light he could see as the water had risen and Hector could see a 3D image of what happened.

He could see himself praying, "So it worked... When I will be sequence 7 its usefulness will be great as I will get much of knowledge about Devil rituals.

Hector could not wait but he also knew that he needs to be careful as to not overestimate himself too much, which could lead to disaster.

After a few more tests he thought if he should try to bring someone here but then he realized that to do that he would need some connection as he saw no red stars that Klein had.

"Maybe if I would corrupt them with my flowers from thorny vines I could bring them here."

ADVERTISEMENTAfter returning to his body Hector went and collected a few sheets of paper from the cupboard in the office and sit behind the desk where he continued to write his Book of Sin. He thought of with what chapter he should begin, he could start with punishments or defining sin and sinners. Both were important parts of basic education for any starting devil, so Hector wanted to be as clearly understood as possible.

Still, he wanted for readers to understand that they will make mistakes in their judgment as only he himself is infallible in his view of the world and the people that exist there.

So he wrote into the book that he will surpass that of the book or anything else. Hector thought of ways to sell his point until he just decided that he would use his corruptive abilities on the book when he will be a lower sequence.

That way any reader would be shown and educated in a correct manner in no time. Hector's energy got received by that notion and so he started to write.

But he knew that he must also write how they are to punish those that commit those sins. Hector was a believer in fair punishment and so he thought that ideally crimes committed on others should be experienced back, but he also understood that this was not an ideal world, and unless their punishments wouldn't be so horrific that sinner's blood would run cold they may not learn properly.

Then it hit him, what about those that hide it inside their dark hearts? It should also be the Devil's job to test others if they are worthy of being innocent. There may be a sinner in even the purest of hearts.

"Who knows, maybe even innocent are in actuality sinners deserving punishment... No, let's not go there for now." Hector shook his head and continued to write for the rest of his afternoon.

On the next day, he thought of taking a stroll in East Borough so he could take a walk that would hopefully end with bloodshed. So when he woke up he decided to skip breakfast and took his tattered and dirty clothes in his suitcase.

After playing with the puppies Hector sneaked out of his home evading the staff. After taking a few alleys he boarded the carriage that took him into East Borough.

When he changed his clothes he hid the suitcase and started to walk through the streets. He thought of visiting Conor, "I forgot about him..." Hector chuckled as he walked to his home where he knocked on the door.

After what sounded like moving furniture the door before he opened and there stood a sickly thin woman with scars on her face. She sized him up and said, "Who are you and what do you want." She spoke with a strange accent that Hector could not pinpoint but he heard before.

"I'm looking for a boy named Conor," Hector said smiling, but then he realized that his actions were weird as people in East Borough wouldn't smile unless they were up to something.

Thankfully she thought nothing of it as she turned and yelled, "Conor, someone is here to see you!" While she yelled Hector looked into the building and as he did he could see a floor full of beds next to each other, 'Oh they all have beds. For East Borough that is pretty good.

'That should have been that sound of moving furniture, not very safe if there would be fire.' Hector thought as he waited for Conor.

When he saw him Hector told him to follow. Together they walked into something that looked like a diner. There he told Conor to order what he wants. While they waited he asked what he found on Street Rats.

While Hector gave him the assignment to gather the information he did not expect to get anything valuable, he wanted to see what type of person Conor was.

After he was satisfied with Conor's answers he gave him fifteen pence and told him he would be back later.

While walking through the street he could hear weeping from one of the allies. It piqued his interest so he walked closer until he saw a middle-aged man crying on the ground, while he held his head.

Hector felt slightly disappointed so he turned around and started to walk away. But then he heard the man mumble something that stopped his legs, "They took everything..."

'Everything you say?' Hector thought as he smiled and hurriedly walked to the man.

When he got closer he could see that the man was missing his left eye and his clothes were of higher quality but were torn and dirty, not to mention sunburn which meant they were either very old or he is from far away.

While looking at him Hector could also see scars on the man's hands, among them some that looked like bullet wounds. His physique was thinner from malnourishment but he was still quite muscular.

'Former soldier?' Hector guessed.

"Good day to you sir," Hector spoke as he stood over him.

The man continued to weep while ignoring him, "You see, I could not help it but overhear that someone had committed a great sin against you."

Finally, Hector saw that the man reacted to him. He continued to cry but now he made nearly no sound. After a few more moments he raised his head and looked at Hector.

"What... do... you... want..." The man spoke like a broken machine.

"I just want to know what happened to you, sir." Hector was genuinely interested in why he was crying in the alley and not seeking vengeance on those that wronged him.

Hector was forced to speak a few comforting words to the man until finally, he started to talk.

"My name is Alfred... I was L-Leon soldier..." Alfred sobbed for while until he started to talk once again.

"I was married you know, but when at deployment my child passed away from the sickness..." Hector watched as Alfred's sobbing had intensified, "...my dear wife took loans so she would be able to pay for her treatment she even sold our belongings but even that was not enough.

"Banks would not loan her more as she had no collateral except our house which she already used...

"But nothing helped, and soon our dearest and most precious child died..." Hector listened to what the man had to say attentively.

"W-When our child died she tried to pay the debt that accumulated, and slowly she was able to manage, but then William local businessman brought her dept and called for immediate repayment of the dept or ownership of the house.

"A-And my dearest wife was forced out of our house becoming homeless without any money to buy food or rent a roof over her head. And worse still they demanded that she would pay even more money...

"She d-died soon after of cold and overworking... When I was able to finally come back and return home they threw me out of my own home saying to come with the money that we own them.

"When I was finally able to find her she was but a shell of her former self. Her clothes were dirty from all kinds of filth, her hands bloody and scraped. Her beautiful hair was torn and dirty. Her skin burned in some places and her eyes were hollow of any life.

"She died soon after, I-I held her as she passed away. They came to for me to pay them or work my dept directly..."

ADVERTISEMENT"I see...

"Then why are you here crying and doing something about it?" Hector asked as he was genuinely curious.

Hector could see Alfred getting angry but then he deflated like a balloon and went back to his weeping. He had no will or desire that would drive him forward.

"Desire... maybe if I would use those flowers?" Hector got an idea. So he got closer to Alfred and willed those vines to pass from his heart through his muscles and around his bones to his right shoulder, from there into his palm where it grew out creating a branch from a singular flower grew. When it opened intoxicating mist was released from the eye.

While the mist was being inhaled by Alfred, Hector started to talk, "You sacrificed so much for this nation, you went to war for them so others could stay here continuing their carefree lives.

"While you were suffering in battles they lived lavishly spending money on luxuries and exquisite foods that you could only dream about.

"When you were gone your family suffered hardship and tragedy, your own child had fallen ill dragging your mother into depts that she could not repay back. But make no mistake, it is not your child's fault for falling ill, or your wife for taking loans so she would be able to pay for treatment.

"When tragedy had struck and your child was gone your wife thought of you as she only hope. But where were you?" While he spoke Hector could see as Alfred's body was tense with raising rage.

"You were fighting for the people that bought her dept and forced her out of your home where you and your family lived lives filled with joy and happiness.

"But when you returned you were able to find your wife weren't you? And what did you find?

"Broken shell of what once was, the desecrated body of innocent... And yet here you are crying like a child. Do you not desire vengeance on those that took your home? On those that drove your wife to a painful death?"

When he was done talking Hector let those thorny vines envelope Alfred while the mist from the flower continued to be absorbed by him.

After a few moments, those vines started to get absorbed into Alfred's body. Hector was slightly surprised but then he let it happen as he wanted to know what would happen next.

When even the flower got absorbed he could feel a certain connection to Alfred. It was like a beacon that showed him his location. And he could still feel that flower, not to mention that his ability to open the flower so mist could spread was still present.

'Now that is useful, with it I will be able to infuse him with strong emotions and desires whenever I want. If only I could control what type of desires would be released in the body.

'It is possible that with this I will be able to bring them into Tenebrous World? Or at least see them in the well.' While he was thinking his eyes were watching Alfred's every move.

After a few moments, Alfred's sobbing turned to heavy breathing as he started to punch the ground underneath him. His mind was filled with rage and hatred.

"How dare they take everything from me!" Alfred suddenly yelled.

When he stood up and was about to run to his former home to release his anger at them he was stopped. Hector watched him and spoke, "While your anger is understandable and even natural you must be smart about what you will do next.

"You could just barge there but you would be stopped by the guards before you would be able to get to the one who robbed you of joy.

"If you really want to do it then you should wait for the night so you could sneak in much easier, but be prepared to die trying as there will be guards.

"And so you should just observe them until the perfect opportunity to strike." Hector let him go only when he saw that Alfred understood and stopped resisting.

"Well, then happy hunting," Hector said at last and left him in the alley.

While on his way home Hector did not feel disappointed that he found no one to punish, but envigorated as he had experiments to run.

The First was to make sequence 9 criminal potions of Abyss pathway and absorb it with his vines so he could bring it into Tenebrous World for storing. The Second was to attempt to bring Alfred into Tenebrous World or at least communicate with him somehow.

After returning home Hector went to Albert, "I need you to prepare sequence 9 criminal potions for me."

Albert looked at Hector with excitement in his eyes, "As you wish, my lord. But if I may ask, do you have someone specific that you want to give the potion to?"

"Maybe, maybe not we will see. But prepare those ingredients as they will come in handy either way." Hector spoke as he turned around and brought his suitcase into his safe.

When he was done Hector went to his study where he sit behind his desk. Hector closed his eyes and concentrated on the vines in his heart, when he opened them he saw that he was located at the top of the tower in Tenebrous World.

While he sat at the throne he overlooked Chernobog Wisdom, there he saw faint light on the bottom of the well. When he concentrated on the light he saw Alfred's translucent image.

Hector could feel that if he wanted to he could pull at him but he wasn't sure what would happen as Tenebrous World was beyond the barrier, while he was part of Sefirot he could come and go easily as his mind went through vines and Alfred would be pulled.

So he decided to postpone such tests for later and returned back to his body. Hector stood up from his chair and went on with the rest of his day.

While eating his breakfast the next morning Albert went to see him, "My lord, I was able to gather materials for the potion, they are in the basement." After finishing his breakfast Hector went straight to the basement so he could make the potion.

When he put all ingredients into the caldron and confirmed that the potion looks the same as the last time he raised his hand over the cauldron.

Then he willed for Thorny vines to move through his heart into his hand. There they exited through his fingertips. Five branches had descended into the caldron where they started to absorb its content.

After a few moments, there was nothing left and Hector could feel a warm feeling passing through his vines. Then it stopped as fast as it started.

Hector knew that it went to Tenebrous World and so he concentrated on following.

When he opened his eyes he saw the same tower, the same throne, and the same well that stood before it. The only difference was that he could also see a small mass of liquid levitating to his right, "That should be the potion." Hector said.

While observing it he got the idea, "This place is mine and those are characteristics of Abyss pathway, so I should be able to be able to somewhat influence them while they are here..."

Hector then willed for thorny vines that were behind his throne to grow bigger and envelope each other until they created something that looked like a tree.

Then he willed for a potion of sequence 9 to be absorbed by the tree and be transformed into a golden apple that grew on one of its branches, "There should not be any problem as it is the same thing only a different form..." Hector thought as he observed the tree that he could use as a depository for potions. While looking at the tree he wondered what it would look like if it would be full of golden apples each corresponding to different sequences of the Devil. Later he could more fruits as some would belong to the Chained pathway.

"It does look like the perfect depository, but will I be able to give the to others? While keeping them here for safety is not a bad option. I will also need to be able to bring them out to the world.

"Maybe ritual of bestowment would do the trick. Praying to myself and blessing myself, just as Klein did. On the other hand, I could try to bring it to the outside directly through my vines and give them to one of my future followers.

"Something like potion infusion..."

After some moments of deliberation, Hector decided to return to his body outside of Tenebrous World. When he found himself back in his room he thought about what he should do next.

He could go after Street Rats gangsters or after one of their communal houses, "They should still be on high alert after their gambling den massacre. So it could be fun going after them once again. But I think that should be left for the night."

Hector could also follow Alfred to see how he is doing. He thought that locating him should be no problem as Hector could feel the vines that he left with him.

But he wasn't sure how productive it would be. All he could do was to follow. Hector or Alfred wasn't strong enough to do anything to the businessman for now.

He needed to advance as soon as possible so more possibilities would be opened for him. Only problem was that he was still missing one of the main beyonder ingredients, there wasn't any beyonder gathering today.

There would be one with Eye of Wisdom but that is in a few days. Hector wasn't even sure that beyonder ingredients would show up in the gathering.

On the other hand, he could go to the bank for a few more lessons, so he could get more familiar with the management. Hector knew that it just wasn't in him to sit in the office and overlook a bank.

He was in a world full of adventure, madness, and entertainment. How could he just accept doing nothing for a long period of time? He needed to feel the rush of crushing someone's bones, the thrill of slashing the flesh of his enemies. He could not give up all that so he needed to find a proper candidate to do his job while he would keep the money that the bank would make.

Hector's plan would take him to the seas where he would find bloodshed and fortune in equal measure. Sea was full of sinners deserving punishment and innocent to guide into the correct path. Not to forget all the bounties to collect and gold to find.

"If Albert will not be able to 'persuade' someone to give us their ship or sell it at a very low price I will need to go through proper channels and ships are costly." Hector then went to his safe so he could count exactly how much money he had.

"Thankfully my family was from Andariel devil family and grandfather and father were able to collect some gold." When looking at all the gold bars it was hard to guess the exact number, but when he took some time he guessed that the price should be around 40 000 pounds. Finally, those classes with his godfather came in handy.

Plus warrior characteristics 9 and 8 with the price of about 350 and 650 if sold slightly above average. Hunter characteristics of sequence 9 are also 350, and psychiatrist sequence 7 about 1200... well maybe if sold correctly 1300. Plus cash that was in the safe minus what I have already used, thankfully payday from the bank helped so there are about 7000 pounds.

That would make about 49 650 pounds. While there was a variety of ships from 10 000 pounds up to 200 000 pounds were most common and not to mention ones that were even more expensive.

Hector wanted a galleon with 400 to 500 tons of cargo weight so the price would be about 40 000 at the lowest up to 100 000 pounds.

"Hah hah, I can't wait to have my own fleet of ships. While beginnings are always the hardest, getting more ships will be much easier when you can take them from someone else.

"Of course, I could do it even now but I have no crew that would sail and to create the trading company I will need to keep the appearance of a proper gentleman doing legal business."

Hector decided that he would go to the bank so he could be done with classes about the bank from his godfather so he could retire as soon as possible.

After Hector stood up he went to prepare himself for a boring day.

Days could pass so slowly when one was doing something that one did not like. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to hours, and hours turned to days. While he was thankful for all that his godfather did for him he could not help to feel a slight desire to shut him up when he spoke nonstop for who knows how long.

When it finally came to an end Hector went home so he could drink some alcohol in silence but even that was interrupted by knocking on his door, "Come in." Hector said afterward.

"I apologize for interrupting your rest sir but you were invited for next week's dinner gathering by Harrisons," Albert said after entering the room.

'Harrisons?' Hector thought as he tried to put a name to some information, 'Ah yes, they are my neighbors on left. They should be an ordinary family that owned few bathhouses.'

"Is it for a special occasion?" Hector asked.

"No, there is nothing that I know of." After Albert spoke Hector sighed, "Sure, I will be there."

When Albert left the room Hector once again sighed, "Thankfully I have nothing to do at that time.

"I have completely forgotten how many social events there were in Leon and how often there were being held. While I understand if it was a special occasion but there is not a week when someone is not inviting others. Luckily I'm not that popular nor interested in climbing the social ladder to go to every one of them.

"Their obsession with acting just like nobles do is quite sad. They see them as something great, something to strive for but in reality, there are just ordinary people with more money than the rest.

"But even there it is not always true as there are already merchants and businessmen that have more money and fortune than some nobles. Many of barons were doing nothing but spending their family fortunes on clothes, exquisite foods, animals, and entertainment. Not to mention on servants and parties so they could show themselves as if nothing was wrong.

"While there is nothing wrong with lavishness they continued even when they were in dept. It is their life so their choice, but then they are surprised when they find themselves on the street cursing people around them as if it was not their own fault."

From time to time it could be seen in East Borough, unfortunately for them, they did not last for long as either cold or other trams would end their life.

ADVERTISEMENTWhile eating eggs and toast for breakfast Hector drank freshly squeezed fruit juice and black tea. He enjoyed his breakfast as had time before beyonder gathering lead Eye of Wisdom.

Until then he would have free time to enjoy, so he took his time with his breakfast and even chatted with Aldith.

"It has been a few days, how do you like your new job?"Hector asked her.

"Not so bad. Pay is good, but it tends to get boring."Aldith said back.

"Well, it won't be when there will be the next social event. Last time there was a murder investigation, fortunately, it was only an accident but quite a few secrets got reviled." Hector smiled as he remembered his banquet.

"Is that so, then I'm looking forward to seeing it myself. Good murder mystery disappeared guest, or proper duel between two gentlemen over a lady in which both die."Aldith laughed at such possibilities.

After breakfast, he went to the tailor to have a few of his suits refitted as is bigger than before. Hector also bought a few of new ones for all kinds of events.

When he was done he paid for them to be delivered to his house. Hector went outside alone, and carrying all of them would inconvenience him.

Afterward, he went to a bakery where he bought a few pastries. Some he would eat now and the rest he save for later.

Strawberry pastries were his favorite while he wasn't a fan of chocolate ones. While he watched as his pastries were packed he wondered if the person before him is a sinner or innocent.

Little before it was time Hector went to the Braveheart bar and sat before the bartender.

There he ordered a pint of beer and waited for the gathering to start.

When it was time Hector stood up and left Braveheart bar, then he went around and went to the gathering.

Before he entered Hector put on himself an iron mask and black robe. When he entered the living room he scanned it with help of the candle's flickering lights that were present in the room.

After taking his seat Hector wait for a few minutes before the Eye of Wisdom spoke, "Well it seems that no more will come today. Let's begin."

Hector saw that quite a number of people showed up. It gave him hope that someone would have what he needed.

"I have two beyonder weapons." Hector heard a person on the left side of the room speak.

"First one is Graverobers shovel. It looks like an ordinary shovel but when held you can feel a cold chill entering your body.

"When used, it will be covered with pale smog. Any undead monster that is hit by it will suffer greater damage. It can harm even ghosts and wraiths.

"If you leave the shovel in the body for a day it will rise a zombie under the command of the holder of the shovel. But that would reduce the spirituality's durability. Every use will decrease its durability by a month. Be careful as only one zombie at a time can be controlled.

"If you create another previous one will start attacking everyone in the vicinity until it is either destroyed or it will lose its spirituality.

"Right now, it has fifteen months of effective durability.

"Current price is 600 pounds." When she stopped talking Hector could already hear bids being offered.

"650 pounds." the person on left spoke hurriedly.

"700pounds... " They started to bid and the final price ended at 800 pounds.

'Nice weapon but too big to carry around, but that zombie ability is interesting.' Hector thought as he watched the biding.

"Second is a trick weapon. It is a cane that by twisting the handle will elongate making it a spear.

"While in cane form it looks like black mahogany wood with silver handles with wolf imagery. The handle becomes the foot of the spear while the blade exits from the bottom part. The cane is on the heavier side so it can be used in a direct fight.

"In spear form, it retains its black and silver colors while the blade is silver of color it is steel and so its durability is exceptional. Its length is two meters long.

"Price is 50 pounds." This time the price was much lower as it had no spirituality, but Hector was interested in the weapon.

'It is not every day that I see not sword cane but spear cane.' As he was thinking he heard someone offer their bid, "55 pounds... 60 pounds... 65..."

This time Hecto wanted the weapon so he too bid at the item, "100 pounds" he thought that such a price would shut other's bids, unfortunately, he was wrong.

"110 pounds." Man of taller statue offered.

'Too bad I want that weapon.', "150 pounds." Hector finally offered the amount that made others submit.

When the attendant came for the money, Hector gave him the amount that was requested and in turn, he got the cane.

'Beautiful.' Hector thought as he was inspecting the silver handle and its wolf engravings.

When he was done Hector looked around himself and asked, "I need the middle eye of the hornless three-eyed goat." after he spoke he intently looked for anyone reacting to his request.

Every second felt like hours for Hector and when he was about to lose hope of buying that beyonder ingredient here he heard a voice that sounds that made his heart beat quicker. It felt like warm sunlight on his skin, the pleasant aroma of freshly baked bread.

"I have it, I will take 700 pounds or something of the same value." Hector looked at the person that form the sound of voice Hector judged as female.

Hector hurriedly spoke, "I will pay in cash." When he gave the money to the attendant he hurriedly looked at the woman awaiting the promised beyonder ingredient.

She then took out a glass bottle in which he could see a pure black eyeball with a green iris that looked like that of a toad.

When he received the item he was overcome with a desire to just stood up and leave so he could make the potion as soon as possible, but he reined his impulses and calmed himself down.

Hector then waited for the gathering to end as items and requests that were offered or asked did not interest him. But right before he thought that the gathering would end he heard someone speak, "Does anyone know what happened to people that went exploring the tomb form last time?"

When he heard it he thought if it was Edwin's associate or someone from the same organization wanting to gather some pieces of information. Unfortunately for him, Hector did not feel any desire to inform him of his participation or knowledge about it. Hector wanted to avoid requests of beyonder characteristics of sequence 7 psychiatrists that Edwin dropped when he died.

And so he remained silent and waited. When the man that asked the question got no response Eye of Wisdom ended the gathering and people were led outside at different intervals. Hector was one of the first and so when he was out he went directly home.

It was weird to walk while holding two canes but he took one under his arm while he used the other. 'It's not bad.' He thought as he held a spear cane.

When he got home he went directly to his safe where he took out the necessary ingredients for the potion and entered the basement.

ADVERTISEMENTWhen Hector entered the basement he put the items on the table and then he went for the Caldon that was in the box on one of the shelves.

When he had everything prepared Hector took out a measuring cup and poured 65 milliliters of purified water.

Then he took a pipet and dropped 8 drops of vanilla essential oil. When he combined essential oil and water it gained a nice scent. After which he cleaned it pipet and took the rooster that was brought earlier and ripped its head. Then he let the blood to flow into a bowl.

After a few moments, he took the pipet and took some of the blood. Then he added 3 drops of rooster blood which slightly darkened the color of the content in the cauldron.

Hector, then took out a small pouch from which he put 5 scales of night viper. When all of the supplementary ingredients were in the caldron he repeated the ingredients.

"65 milliliters of purified water, 8 drops of vanilla essential oil, 3 drops of rooster blood, and 5 scales of Night Viper." When he confirmed that he made no mistake Hector looked at the main ingredients.

He took a Tongue of Spirit Viper, and when he put it into the caldron he could see how the tongue melted into silvery sludge and started to realize a small layer of dense smoke.

After adding the Middle Eye of the Hornless Three-Eyed Goat he could see how the liquid turned grey and smoke gave filing of mist in which one could hide.

When it was done Hector looked at the caldron once again before taking it into his hands and started to drink its content. He didn't have any way to divine danger as Klein could so he just went with his gut.

When he started to drink he could feel the taste of something rotten. He breathed the dense smoke which assaulted his sense of smell with the deep pungent stench of wet filthy carcasses of half-rotten animals on which mold started to grow.

After he drank the whole content of the caldron he felt a warm sensation in his stomach, unfortunately, it did not last as it transformed into thousand needles that pierced through his stomach into the rest of his body.

It felt as if his skin was being cut in thousand times in thousand different places. Hector then could feel as if a shroud was setting in his skin, enveloping and hiding him from prying eyes.

When the sensations in his body started to weaken he felt as vines in his heart grew out and small vines started to replace his nervous system.

When it all stopped Hector felt his body shift. When he looked at his hands he saw as his fingers became long and boney and his nails blackened. In a few moments, all of his body changes returned to normal and he could sigh in relief. Hector breathed heavily as he sat on the floor entering a cogitation state so he could calm his spirituality.

While he rested he felt a flood of knowledge entering his mind, he gained information on how to perform all kinds of rituals related to devil worship, and he also knew how to summon projections of devils from within the Abyss if proper serial killing sprees were created.

While he had all of that information he had no intention to do any such ritual as that would only put him in danger. Hector did not know what type of reaction it would create with Tenebrous World while he is only sequence 7 and any devil is at least sequence 6.

Of course, he planned to use said knowledge to create new rituals that would be directed to himself or to specifically Tenebrous World.

He also felt the new sensation of protection which would effectively interfere with the Divination of others if it would be directed at him. And he also knew how to cut at the spirit of his victim so others could not perform Spirit Channeling. Until now if someone with the ability to channel spirits like a spirit medium of Death pathway they could interrogate victims for information. Luckily he only killed on impulse or people that did not know him.

Now he would be able to target even those people which would bring official beyonder organizations to investigate, "Of course, it would still not be a full proof plan as the church of steam could use Arrodes mirror which was and from my point of view will be able to locate Jason when asked correct question.

"Not sure how it would react to the presence of Tenebrous World but it would be better to not gamble. So for any of the people of the higher station, it would be wise to wait until Albert will finish the human skin suit.

And his favorite was the new sense that he developed. It was a strange combination of ones that he previously had, but somehow it was different. He could smell the corruption in the hearts of others, he could see how twisted their hearts had become, he could hear the whispers of their sinful souls, and he could taste on his tongue how deprived they had been.

"Hah haha!" Hector laughed as he felt his energy rejuvenated and his powers strengthened. He was ecstatic at his advancement, even if he did not gain any flashy powers he had gotten some truly important for long-term survival.

With the new knowledge about rituals of devil worship, he was able to devise ideas that he could use to bless others and himself with blessings that he would normally wasn't able to do or to create Abyssal Charms.

One of them would be the charm that he could use to block certain areas from divination and so cut the information about what happened there. It was similar to the burning paper that Klein used, another charm would explode like a grenade but instead of destructive force, it would spread corruption to the vicinity. Another charm would be able to summon an explosion of blue flames. Similar to the ones that he could use in sequence 8 but stronger and he did not need to be close as he could throw the charm.

Unfortunately, most of the charms that he could make were one-time use. But it was a fair price as he could always make more. He only needed a medium, which is an object that would become the charm and make a ritual to himself using the Honorofic name of Father of Devils.

Only his spirituality would dictate how many he would be able to make at one time, which after becoming sequence 7 had risen greatly. He could not wait as sequence 6 would bring him qualitative change and he could shed his human form for that of the devil. Still, he was joyous that he advanced to sequence 7.

"Finally." Hector said, "I finally became mid-sequence beyonder.

"Now that I'm Serial Killer it is time to do my job of serial killing." As he thought of killing he felt obsession grow in his heart. He knew his preferred type of victim. It did not surprise him when he felt the desire to find scoundrels, gangsters, thieves, and sinners.

"Hide little lambs for The Butcher is coming for you."

ADVERTISEMENTWhen he finished cleaning the table with potion-making items he thought of going to East borough to find find a victim. He could also change it slightly by going into different districts.

Until now he always preyed on the gangsters in East borough, thanks to that he was able to be off the radar for official beyonder organizations like Nighthawks of Evernight Goddess, Machinery Hivemind of God of Steam and Machinery, and Mandated Punishers of Lord of Storms.

Hector knew that sinners could be found in every social position, from the lowest of beggars to the highest of emperors. While he would go to other districts until his skin suit will be completed his only targets would be gangsters in the East borough and even that is getting more dangerous as my recent excursions into gangster territory did not go unnoticed.

"Especially after the gambling den 'incident' in hindsight I was acting slightly foolishly... but it was done so I can't take it back, and it's not like I would if I could. It was still a lot of fun, hah hah." Hector chuckled at the memories of that day.

"That reminds me, how far in making skin suit Albert is?" After cleaning up Hector decided to visit Albert to see his progress.

After leaving the basements Hector went to look for Albert. When he found him he told him to follow him into his study there he asked his question, "Albert how far are you in making skin suit?"

"My lord, I just need to perform a ritual to bless the skin suit and it will be done. But it may take a few attempts to succeed as it needs the high-rank devil to bless or repeated the process of the lower one.

"Devil families usually just pray to the Dark Side of the Universe for blessing, they also use sacrifices to enhance the chance of success. As your grandfather said I don't think praying to the God of Abyss is wise and so the process will take slightly longer." When Albert finished speaking Hector got an idea.

"What type of ritual you are performing?" Hector asked

"Firstly it serves the purpose of interfering with divinations and redirecting it into the skin suit so they wouldn't be able to know that it is only a mask. Secondly, if someone would look at the person wearing a such suit they would be unable to see it as a mask even with spirit vision or other eye powers.

"It is concealment achieved not through hiding but through the change and mutation."

Hector then decided that he would bless the skin suit himself. With the powers of Tenebrous World, it should be no problem. The only thing that bothered him was if such energy would leave any traces of said sefirot.

'But if I would use ritual and then be careful while granting it...'

"So be it, bring me the skin suit and I will perform the ritual myself," Hector said while he looked into Albert's eyes as he had no intention of explaining himself.

Albert could see as such and agreed, "As you wish my lord." Then he left the room and went to bring the skin suit.

Once he returned he put it on Hector's desk. Hector saw carefully wrapped skin as if it was freshly cleaned laundry. He took it into his hands and went to the basement once again, now to perform the ritual.

Skin suit was warm to the touch and unnervingly dry. Hector touched it with interest as he never felt a similar sensation, "That's interesting." He said as he entered the basement.

There he put the skin on the table and prepared three candles, a bowl of water, and a silver dagger.

Hector then put candles before him in a triangular position with one being closer to him and two farther away.

Then he needed to create a clean and undisturbed ritual environment. Hector entered a cogitation state to calm his emotion and focus his mind, then he builds a wall of spiritual energy around the altar. He was able to succeed without using incense as he was already in sequence 7.

Then he put a skin suit on the altar and used his spirituality to light the candles on the altar. He lit them from left to right starting with one representing 'god' and then one representing 'me'...

Hector then sanctified the silver dagger in his name as he did not want to jump from Tenebrous World for every little thing. After which he continued with the ritual.

He drew the symbol on the paper and spoke.

"Father of Devils;

"you are Madness from beyond the Void;

"you are a Source of Corruption and Desires.

"I pray for your help.

"I pray for your loving grace.

"I pray for you to bless this skin.

Hector did not do the fourth part to strengthen the chance of success as he would be answering to himself.

After he recited the incantation he burned the piece of paper that was used to draw the symbol. After the paper was burned Hector thanked the being which he preyed to and extinguished the candles. Then he dispelled the wall of spirituality.

When he was done he did not leave the altar but concentrated his mind and entered Tenebrous World. There he overlooked his throne, tree, well, and the tower.

Then he sat on the throne that was located before the tree which held one golden apple. As he sit he looked into Chernobog Wisdom and saw a light representing himself doing a ritual.

He felt some kind of connection that he could use to spread his influence into the real world. Hector concentrated on the light and willed for energies of Tenebrous World to enter the skin suit and bless it.

When he was done he returned to his body and looked at the human skin suit. After looking at it for a few moments Hector extended his hand and touched it.

Somehow it was even warmer than before and it has also gained a color as if it was still alive. Human skin suit was no different that the skin of living humans.

Hector hurriedly stripped his clothes and put on a skin suit on himself.

It had a strange dry feeling while he had it on. When he looked into a mirror he was pleasantly surprised to see that it looked as if it was his own and not a mask.

"Good." He said as he observed his face that wore the face of someone else. It was not his first time as when he came to this world he experienced something similar.

Compared to Hector's face this one made his eyes look slightly more sunken and his lips were much thinner. His hands were slightly scarred with already healed wounds and the connection between his fingers and fingernails looked so natural that if he did not know he would think that skin suit came with nails too.

"Now I can go out and kill sinners without fear of being seen and reported. Even if they would saw me it wouldn't be my face. But I think it would be wise to test it in the East borough on a few gangsters. Maybe to show my face to some passerby to build up a reputation, haha haha." Hector started to full out laugh.

ADVERTISEMENTBefore leaving the basement, Hector took off the skin suit and went to his room to prepare the necessary items for the night.

After entering his room Hector put his skin suit in his suitcase, then he prepared his usual items like two hammers one ordinarily another light hammer, he did not forget his dagger and revolver, but he also added a meat cleaver for easier cutting.

When he prepared all the items he thought he will need Hector went to his dogs for last minute session of training. Especially Gorm as Simar thanks to the potion of Apprentice was a much faster learner.

"You just need to train and grow, when you will be bigger I may even take you with me," Hector said while he patted Simar and Gorm on their heads.

"I should take you out on a walk so you can get familiar with the city." He said as he looked outside, "It looks like it will be foggy night." Fogs in Backlund were much more intense and thick than in other cities and so it will be of great help in his visit to East Borough.

Hector thought of taking a chef's cloaths and leather apron so it would fit a butcher's style but then he disregard such thoughts as it alarm his victims beforehand and they could scream which in turn could inform commotion.

He understood that he needed to be careful as to not tip off anyone that he is beyonder, only the killings are just ordinary murders done by twisted individuals.

While he waited for the night he took out the map of East Borough, he wanted to visit a place in which he wasn't before as the Street Rats would be looking for any traces of him. So he would strike on the other side of their territory.

After waiting for the sun to set he left his home and went to East Borough to find sinners. But now he no longer needs to make sure that they are gangsters, he can just sense their corruption and depravity, and he will know if their hearts had became tainted with darkness.

Soon Hector walked through the streets of East borough looking for someplace to hide his suitcase. When he did he changed his clothes and put on his skin suit.

Because of the fog visibility was not very good and to see people's faces one would need to stand relatively close, which also meant that there were fewer people outside. But Hector was still able to find them as there were many homeless on the streets. Unfortunately for him, they weren't the type of people he was looking for.

While some of them had corruption in their hearts it was not to the extent of committing crimes greater than petty theft of food which Hector did not consider sin. Of course, there were those that committed even greater crimes against others but he had no luck finding them.

Then he went through the alleys looking for his victim. He saw a few younger individuals which started their journey to the damnation, "Not yet, but soon..." Hector said quietly and walked in a different direction.

His next encounter was with a woman standing on the corner of a street, 'Prostitute by looks of her cloaths and her deprived heart, but should not be an evil person as corruption is minimal and... how should I say it... yes, it is not sharp enough, it was blunt as if it was receiving misery from the world.' Hector thought as he walked past her into another alley.

But soon his luck turned in his favor as he saw a man smoking behind the dumpster. Hector could smell the stench of his wickedness of him, his corruption was sharp and jagged from inflicting misery on others, "Fresh meat!" Hector said as he hurriedly walked towards the man.

The man soon saw him and became alarmed at the sudden appearance of an unknown man walking up to him.

Hector smiled as he continued to walk in hope of alleviating man's worries.

"What do you want?" The man said in a guarded tone.

"Hehe hehe..." Hector chuckled as he continued to walk in his direction. In turn, the man put his right hand in his pocket and took out a knife, "If I were you I would leave while you have a chance." The man spoke threateningly.

"Haha haha..." Hector started to laugh maniacally as he took out a meat cleaver and in one quick sequence he slashed at the man's wrist cutting it from the rest of his arm.

Man let's call him Peter had no time to react, and as he looked at where his hand should be Hector punched him in the neck. Peter was thrown back and he hit the wall that was behind him. When he fell on his bottom he started to violently cough.

He could not scream from the pain of having his hand cut off as he had problems breathing after being hit in the neck.

Hector chuckled as he hurriedly took the man's leg and slammed his meat cleaver at the foot. Right after that, he slammed his fist into Peter's face breaking his cheek and shattering the teeth on the right side of his face.

"There is no need for screams, haha haha..." Hector spoke as he took out his hammer and showed it into Peter's mouth until he heard the cracking of bone. He used the handle of his hammer to block his vocal cords from making any loud noises.

"You don't have much time before you suffocate or bleed to death so let's get started," Hector said as he started to cut at Peter's arms cutting them into pieces.

Then he went to his legs and used a meat cleaver on the joints between the bones. Unfortunately, when he was done with Peter's legs he was no longer moving or whimpering, "Are you dead?" Hector asked as he gently slapped Peter on his cheeks.

"That's unfortunate. If you would be beyonder you could take more damage before dying. Oh well." After which Hector continued to cut him into pieces. He did not forget to cut Peter's chest from his abdomen. Then he took a hammer to break a few of thicket bones and pulled his ribs apart.

He thought of deboning Peter but then he decided against the idea as it would be too much of meaningless work as he is already dead. But he still cut him into individual pieces of similar sizes.

Then he started to stack them into a pyramid shape and on top, he put Peter's head. When he took a few steps back and looked it over he did not like it and so he just threw individual pieces around with his head in the middle.

When he was done he concentrated on the body and cut one last cut into Peter's flesh, Hector put his spirituality into his meat cleaver and cut at Peter's remaining spirit. With that, no one would be able to channel it for any information.

Hector packed a few of Peter's organs, not for him as that would come later but for his dogs as they can enjoy it even now and it is also healthy for them to eat proper food.

He wasn't sure how good the dog food tasted so he wanted to treat them to something fresher, "Hehe hehe..."

ADVERTISEMENTOnce Hector returned home and put away his weapons and cloths he put the organs into his dog's bowls and went to take a few hours of sleep.

The next morning he woke up refreshed and prepared for the day ahead. He planned to create a few abyssal charms so he would be prepared if something happened.

He planned to make at least two charms for blocking divinations, and depending on his remaining spirituality he would make a corruption charm and an explosion charm.

They could be used in tricky situations which could happen as he planned to broaden his targets beyond East Borough to other districts.

Hector thought about it for some time and decided that he would visit Cherwood Borough the middle-class citizen lived. It was also where Klein goes to rent a house under the name of Sherlock Moriarty.

After breakfast, he went to prepare items necessary for the creation of those charms. When he was done he went to the basement and started to prepare a ritual.

When he repeated the necessary steps from the day before and chanted his honorific name he felt a stir in his vines, thanks to it he knew that the ritual was successful.

When he entered Tenebrous World he sit on his throne and looked into Chernobogs Wisdom. There he saw light representing himself and his ritual. When he concentrated on he saw as the light got closer to him.

Then he sends the energies of the Tenebrous World into the light creating four charms. After he returned to his body he looked at the altar and picked up the charms that he just created.

After putting them in his pockets each type in a different pocket he started to clean up the altar and break off the spiritual wall that he build around it. Candles, bowls, and other items were each stored separately so if someone would come to the basement they wouldn't get suspicious.

When he was finally done with the cleaning he left the basement and decided to rest for a few hours. He felt that his spiritual energy was drained, so he entered a cogitation state to speed up the process of getting better.

While resting he thought of a way to find his target in Cherwood borough, he did not think that walking aimlessly and looking into alleys would be very helpful in finding sinners. Not to mention the police that were much more present there.

While the police and most of the city did not care for East borough in Cherwood it was something else completely.

He would need to be careful and take more precautions. For example, he would also need to use the Black Crown that he got in the tomb he visited.

Up to this point, it always remained in his safe. The crown was eye-catching and if someone saw him from the window and they would report it to the police officials so beyonders could look into it.

As he did not wear it and if he was seen even if they would report it, there would be nothing extraordinary about it. Just another murder was done by a madman.

"I could go and strike at Street Rats, that dog arena would burn beautifully..." Hector said, "After taking care of one more sinner I will start preparing for that. Now I should go to the safe for the crown as it would be helpful in both options."

After he went to his safe he retrieved the crown and went back to his room. There he put the crown on the bed. Next to it, he put his dagger which glinted in the light. Then he put his light hammer and normal hammer on the other side of the crown, he also put the meat cleaver and revolver on the bed.

Then he laid down his new spear cane and he also put folded Skin Suit next to each other. When he looked at it all he thought about what else he should take with him.

After this, he also laid the charms that he made previously as this hunt could not be hidden as normal murder. Hector did not forget to prepare some nice clothes as he would walk among the middle class.

When he had everything prepared he took off his clothes and put on the skin suit. Then he went to dress up the clothes that he prepared for himself.

He also put his custom-made holster on himself into which he put his dagger, hammers, and revolver. Then he put a coat on himself and took the charms from his bed, each type into a different pocket.

After pocketing the charms he took the crown into his hands and put it on himself, 'thankfully tonight is not blood moon.'

When he put the crown on himself he felt a spiritual force pulling in him trying to consume his soul, "Heh heh, too bad I don't have a soul to take... Well, I do but it is more like an extension of sefirot."

Lastly, he took the cane into his hand and he was finally prepared for his next hunt.

Hector waited until the sun had fallen and was replaced by the crimson moon. Then he was ready to leave.

Before he left he patted his dogs goodbye and turned around. Then he used wraith form. He saw how his hands became translucent and felt as if he became weightless.

He showered about ten centimeters over the floor. After a little bit, he was able to move naturally and so he descended through the floors and walls until he was outside of his home.

When he got past the gate at the end of his property he shifted back into his normal form and walked in the direction of Cherwood borough. As it was already night not many people could be found outside.

Most would be home either already sleeping or preparing to sleep. Of course, it did not apply to everyone as few people could always be found outside. Some of them were out because of honest reasons, be it coming home late from work or being outside hunting sinners as he did. But others were hiding in shadows thinking that darkness will hide their stench of crimes and sins.

Unfortunately for Hector, he did not find anyone like that, he only found pair of police officers walking in his direction. Thankfully he was able to spot them sooner than they did and so he shifted into wraith form and hid in the window of a nearby house.

It was a strange feeling to be inside the window for Hector, 'strangely spacious.' He said while inspecting two police officers.

They had some darkness in their hearts but only slightly and so Hector let them pass unbothered. Just as he was about to leave the window as the police had walked away he heard someone walking behind him.

When he turned around so he could see into the building he saw a man walking down the stairs. After he looked at him he could feel just how corrupted his heart was. He could see how deprived that person was, that man rivaled even Albert in his darkness.

When he looked at him with his spiritual vision he came to the conclusion that he was ordinarily a person, 'Who are you, o victim of mine.' Hector thought joyfully.

ADVERTISEMENTHector observed a man walking down the stairs. He was a true and proper sinner, and yet Hector did not know what wrong he had committed.

After a moment of deliberation between killing him now or following him for more information he decided on the latter.

Hector was interested in what he was doing at this hour. While his first thought was somewhat ordinary and it was that he was going to the toilet but when he saw him opening doors to the basement he rethink his idea.

The man before him took out a silver key with which he opened the door, 'So it was locked.' Hector thought as he exited the window that he used as shelter before police officers.

Hector in his wraith form floated down into the ground until only his eyes and up were sticking out. He watched the man from the shadows and was wondering what could be downstairs.

'Slaves bought from colonies? Kidnaped man and woman that he torments? Drug lab which he then sold to others? Plans to make a bomb to spread chaos and misery? The altar where he brings people to sacrifice to evil god? Who knows... Now let's find out.' He thought as he held back his chuckle. This whole situation had brought him a feeling of Christmas.

Those moments when you see your presents but before you open them. Those memories of childhood and wonders had brought a smile to Hector and for that, he was thankful to the man.

He was so thankful that he would first cut man's ears and nose before continuing to disassemble him. Maybe Hector would even cook for him, a nice juicy piece of his own brain, 'Depends what is down there.' Hector thought as he levitated after the man.

Beyond the door, Hector saw wooden stairs leading down. He observed the man as he took a lantern to light up the space around him. With every step that the man took Hector could hear the creaking of wood, thankfully Hector was in wraith form and as such he made no sound, 'Good thing that I brought the crown, without it I would not be able to go down the stairs unnoticed.

After they finally got down the stairs Hector saw a normal cellar with barrels of presumably alcohol and boxes with personal items. But when Hector saw the man walk to one of the walls his doubts evaporated.

Hector could see how the man walked to the cabinet and stood on the right side. Then he stuck his arm behind the cabinet and Hector could hear a clicking sound. After a moment cabinet moved to reveal a hidden door behind it.

In Cherwood borough lived a man named John. He was a simple man who was able to find joy even in the most ordinary of things.

He worked in a normal job, entertaining himself in normal ways... but all that came to the end when he in the spur of the moment bought the mechanical device in form of a duck.

When its head was turned around a few times its legs would start to move in a circular motion. When he observed such objects he became obsessed with the intricate inner workings of mechanical devices.

John became fascinated by the intricate machinery that made up the city. From the massive gears, that powered the factories to the delicate cogs that powered the clocks, he saw beauty in the intricate systems that kept everything running smoothly.

However, his fascination soon turned to obsession, and he began to tinker with the machines in ways that were not meant to be tampered with. He would take apart clocks and reassemble them with different parts, creating strange and unpredictable timepieces. He would sneak into factories at night and sabotage the machinery, causing chaos and destruction.

As his obsession grew, so did his desire to take human lives. He began to see people as nothing more than complex machines, with organs and bones as their inner workings. He believed that by taking them apart and examining their inner workings, he could gain a greater understanding of the human machine.

He named himself The Mechanic. And so, The Mechanic began his killing spree. He targeted those he deemed to be imperfect, those whose internal machinery was flawed in some way. He saw himself as a surgeon, removing the defective parts and replacing them with better ones.

The city was not in a state of panic as The Mechanic continued to elude the authorities by targeting only those that would not be missed, homeless with no families.

But one day a young serial killer had found him by accident.

Behind the hidden door, Hector could see tied-up bodies with pieces of their bodies replaced by cogs and all kinds of machinery.

Hector thought of watching further but when he saw a child of no more than two tied up on the wall with its skull opened and half of its brain replaced he spoke aloud, "I saw enough."

When John heard someone speak behind him he jumped slightly and turned around to see who it was.

"Who are you..." He said angrily but when turned around he saw a man pointing a revolver at him his words lost their edge.

"Who knew that I would find such a monstrous killer on the first day in Cherwood borough," Hector said amused.

"M-Me a killer?" The Mechanic merely laughed. "You don't understand," he said. "I'm not a killer. I'm a repairman. I fix what's broken. And these people were broken. They needed me to fix them."

Hector was taken aback by his words, he was beyond salvation and repentance. He had no intention to reason with him, to convince him that what he was doing was wrong, as he would not listen even if he did.

And so what would happen next would bring great joy to Hector. More corrupt, and twisted sinners were more joy and happiness he got from punishing them.

Hector did not want to be forced to take a shot as that would be too loud. So he holstered it giving John a sense of misunderstanding about his intentions, "You understand?" John spoke with excitement in his voice but was cut short as Hector took out his dagger and jumped at him.

"All that I understand is that you are undeserving of life and all comforts it contains. You who had brought nothing but pain and misery to the world are hereby sentenced to agonizing death brought by me The Butcher.

"And so I hereby pronounce that you a sinner of vilest order are going to experience devil's justice."

And so Hector started to punish John with all technics he knew about. Firstly he started with the degloving of his hands with which he brought pain to others.

Then he deboned his legs with which he traveled this world. After which he cut at his stomach and pulled his intestines and hunged them on the wall with his victims.

Hector then pulled his teeth one by one using his dagger. Then he plucked one of his eyes and crushed it over his opened mouth.

John tried to vomit after he swallowed liquids from his eyeball but was stopped from opening his mouth by Hector.

ADVERTISEMENTLet's not waste sacrifices that your eyes made and enjoy the sensation of depravity, in the end, you had already fallen to corruption before I came along," Hector said as he sat beside John.

"My dear friend, I understand that you may be tempted to take the easier path in life, to indulge in the pleasures that seem to be at arm's reach. But let me tell you, the path of morality and righteousness, even though it may be harder, is the one that will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling and happy life.

"You see when you choose to take the easier path, you may gain some temporary pleasures and meaning to your pitiful existence, but in the long run, you would be left feeling empty and unsatisfied. You may feel like you're getting away with something, but the guilt and shame that will inevitably come with your actions will weigh heavily on your conscience.

"Only a few are blessed to be free of such burdens, and they are obligated to make the world a better place. But many chose otherwise and it is my duty to bring my will upon this world to punish those that deserve it.

"On the other hand, if you had chosen to walk the path of morality and take the harder road, you may face more challenges and difficulties, but you would be building character and developing a sense of self-worth that you could not achieve otherwise.

"But make no mistake you could still walk the path of machines, replacing their parts in the hope to make them perfect.

"Living a life of morality means being true to ourselves and our values, even when it's not the most popular or convenient choice. It does not mean treating others with kindness and respect. It means taking responsibility for our actions and striving to make a positive impact on the world around us.

"There are many that are underserving of kindness and mercy that you could experiment with until your heart would be full.

"But it is too late for you..." Hector said as he got an idea to punish him even further.

'What if I would sacrifice him and take his soul into Tenebrous World? There I could construct a cauldron to hold souls and let them experience the sensation of being burned alive indefinitely.'

Hector made a makeshift altar upon which he placed still living John. then he lit fires around the altar and started to prey.

"Father of Devils;

"you are Madness from beyond the Void;

"you are a Source of Corruption and Desires.

"I pray for your help.

"I pray for your loving grace.

"I pray for you to receive this sacrifice."

While he chanted his voice grew louder, and he could feel a slight sensation in his thorny vines.

Hector then closed his eyes in a kneeling position and entered Tenebrous World. There while sitting on his throne he overlooked Chernobogs Wisdom and focused on the light in the well.

Then with the energy of Tenebrous World, he opened the gate which sucked John in. When the gate closed he looked at John's body with his spiritual vision and saw that he had only a few seconds of life remaining in him.

Hector watched as he breathed out his last breath and his chest sank. When John died Hector watched how his soul left the body and tried to leave but was stopped by Tenebrous World.

John's soul was stuck here until it would be realized by Hector or it would dissipate into nothingness.

"Don't worry, while you will be here you will not disappear. Energies of Tenebrous World will keep you existing."

Hector then Walked down from the top of the tower and willed Caldron into existence. Then he put John's soul into it and lit the fire underneath the cauldron.

It was not ordinarily flame but one fueled by energies of Tenebrous World, and because of it the heat that it radiated made caldron scorching hot. Soon John's soul started to shake and squirm.

While concentrating on the soul Hector could see its agony of being scorched by hot metal. Then he put a lid on the caldron closing it shut, "See you one year my friend, then we will see how you fared."

When he was done Hector left Tenebrous World and returned to his body. Hector opened his eyes and after he stood up he started to clean the altar that he made.

After he finished he took out one of his charms which would disrupt any attempted divination, he did not need to worry about spirit channeling as there was none to the channel.

Only possible attempts could be made on the bodies that John killed but they would not point to him.

Hector then left the basement he started to explore the house to see if he would find something interesting.

Hector stepped into the entrance hall and looked around. The walls were lined with dark wood paneling, and a staircase swept up to the second floor, its banister carved with intricate patterns and adorned with a plush red velvet runner.

As he explored further, Hector found himself in a sitting room, where plush armchairs and sofas were arranged around a large fireplace. The mantelpiece was adorned with vases of flowers and candlesticks, and a large oil painting hung above it.

In the dining room, Hector saw a large wooden table set with fine china and crystal glasses. A chandelier hung above it, casting a warm glow over the room. Hector could almost imagine the sounds of lively conversation and clinking glasses as the family who once lived here enjoyed their meals.

Upstairs, Hector found himself in a hallway lined with doors leading to bedrooms. Each room was uniquely decorated, but all had a sense of old-world charm and elegance. In one room, a four-poster bed with a canopy of lace curtains stood against the wall, while in another, a vanity table with a large mirror was adorned with jars of perfumes and powders.

In the attic, Hector found a treasure trove of old trunks and boxes filled with all manner of objects - clothes, books, photographs, and even a few toys. He imagined the children who had once played with these toys and read these books and wondered what their lives had been like.

Throughout the house, Hector could see signs of the family who had once lived here - photographs on the walls, books on the shelves, and even a few personal items left behind. He felt a sense of nostalgia for a time and a way of life that was long gone.

"What a beautiful house you had John but soon the truth will be revealed to the public and it will be tainted with your darkness. I believe even official beyonders will get involved to look for you as no one knows where you are... well except me, hehe." Hector chuckled as spoke to John even if he could not hear.

"No matter, it is time to go." Hector went to the front door and left. Soon he found himself on the main road where he transformed into wraith form and started to float home.

When he finally entered his house he put the crown with his charms and light hammer into his safe and silently went to his room.

ADVERTISEMENTThe next day after Hector woke up he thought about what he should do today. He realized that most of his days were focused on killing, sitting in the bank, or training his dogs.

He had a good life full of hope and entertainment. Who wouldn't enjoy ending their day of killing and butchering sinners by playing with their dogs?

"Come here..." As soon as they saw him, they bounded over excitedly, tails wagging and tongues lolling out of their mouths.

Hector couldn't help but laugh as Gorm and Simar jumped up to greet him, their paws landing on his chest and their wet noses nuzzling against his face. He knelt down to hug them both, ruffling their fur and giving them each a scratch behind the ears.

"Let's play..." Simar spoke which would spook others if they would hear it.

"Sure we can but before I do have a question... did you like the food that I brought to you a few days back?" Hector said smiling wickedly.

"Yup, it was tasty. Do you have another?" Simar said while Gorm was slightly salivating.

"Soon." Hector then took them outside to give them a little exercise and playtime.

Outside Hector threw a ball across the yard. Gorm and Simar chased after it eagerly, their tails streaming behind them as they ran. Hector laughed as he watched them, marveling at their speed and energy.

When they returned with the ball, Hector took it and threw it again, this time aiming it toward a tree. Gorm and Simar raced towards it, but this time they had to work a little harder to find it, as it had landed behind the tree trunk. They sniffed around, wagging their tails in excitement, until Simar finally found it and brought it back to Hector.

Hector repeated the game a few more times, each time throwing the ball a little further or hiding it in a different spot. Gorm and Simar seemed to be having the time of their lives, leaping and bounding across the yard with reckless abandon.

As he headed back inside with his two furry companions, Hector couldn't help but feel grateful for the joy and companionship they brought into his life. He knew that no matter how tough his day had been, he could always count on Gorm and Simar to greet him with wagging tails and unconditional love.

He would need to question or test their loyalty to him, with little help from his corruptive powers they will be a proper instrument of his will upon this world.

While he lost any sense of guilt and his conscience free to pursue and achieve all that he desires, Hector still felt something akin to love for his dogs. He wasn't sure from where it came or if it was as strong as the love people have for their pets but he just adored their blind loyalty and brutality born from innocents.

When he decided that they had had enough fun he went back inside to eat something and later he would explore a little bit of Backlund City.

After he ate Hector boarded the carriage and went to see a house that Klein rented when he assumed the identity of Sherlock Moriarty.

What he saw before him was a two-story building made of red bricks and a small garden at the front. The ground floor of the house includes a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The living room has a large window that provides a view of the garden.

From what he remembered the second floor had three bedrooms, one he used as a bedroom, while the other two were used as a study and a storage room.

After a few minutes, he decided to visit notable places so he could familiarize himself with their location if he ever wanted or needed to visit them.

His next stop was Klein's future vila, then he went to see the cathedral of Evernight Goddess, Hector even went to see the home of Miss Justice but he kept his distance because he did not want to be seen as a suspicious person.

After looking for a home for Duke Negan but as he did not remember where his mistress lived and her description wasn't ideal for looking for her he gave up.

Hector planned to send Albert after him so he could bring him his beyonder characteristics.

"So let's put it on one path... Firstly I still need to acquire ingredients for the Devil sequence. Thankfully Albert knows its formula, then Jason will give his characteristics to Albert after a little bit of 'Chat'.

"For sequence 4 well that is for me to find out when the time will come, maybe dismantling Death Announcer would do a trick. But I'm not sure if it is sequence 4 or 3.

"And sequence 3 well..." While he spoke he looked at his finger on which he wore a golden ring with a crimson red gem.

"Sequences after that are... well that is for my future self to look for."

When he looked at the sky he realized that it is time for lunch and so he went to look at the nearby bakery as he had the desire to eat something sweet.

Hector's mouth watered as he approached the bakery. The smell of freshly baked bread and sweet pastries wafted out of the open door, inviting him inside. He stepped over the threshold, his eyes scanning the glass display cases filled with an array of colorful treats.

"Could I please have a few pastries?" Hector asked, his eyes still wandering over the tempting display.

"Of course! Which ones would you like?" the woman replied, her voice warm and welcoming.

Hector pointed to a few that piqued his interest - a flaky croissant, a buttery almond pastry, and a fruit tart with fresh berries nestled in a creamy custard. The woman deftly placed each pastry on a small plate, wrapping them up in a paper bag for Hector to take with him.

As he paid for his treats, Hector couldn't resist glancing around the bakery. The walls were lined with shelves filled with bags of flour and sugar, and the air was filled with the sound of ovens humming and the clanging of metal baking sheets, 'few severed heads would make this bakery feel more homely.'

Hector took his bag of pastries and found a small table near the window, where he sat down and unwrapped his treats. The croissant was warm and flaky, its buttery layers melting in his mouth. The almond pastry was sweet and nutty, with a delicate crumbly texture that made it impossible to resist. And the fruit tart was a perfect balance of tangy and sweet, with the creamy custard providing a smooth backdrop to the bright burst of fresh berries.

As he ate, Hector couldn't help but savor the flavors and textures of each pastry, feeling a sense of satisfaction and pleasure wash over him. He savored the moment, watching the people outside rushing by in their busy lives, while he took a moment to indulge in the simple pleasure of enjoying delicious food.

As he finished the last crumbs of his treats, Hector felt a sense of contentment and gratitude. The bakery had provided him with not only a delicious snack, but a moment of respite and enjoyment in the midst of his hectic day, the only thing missing was a sinner to butcher afterward.

ADVERTISEMENTHector stood up from the small table near the window, his stomach feeling pleasantly full from the delicious food he had just enjoyed. He crumpled up the paper bag that had once held the treats, tossing it into a nearby trash can.

As he turned to leave, the friendly woman behind the counter called out to him. "Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!"

Hector smiled and waved. He made his way towards the door, the bell above it tinkling as he pushed it open and stepped out onto the busy street.

The sun was shining brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over the hustle and bustle of the city. People rushed past him on the sidewalk, their arms laden with shopping bags and their faces intent on their own tasks.

Hector paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and feeling a sense of peace wash over him. He closed his eyes and let himself simply exist at the moment, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the sound of the city around him.

"Let's burn something to the ground," Hector said at the possibilities that flashed through his mind. After a few moments, he decided that it is time to strike at Street Rats arena.

After entering the carriage Hector went home to collect money for explosives which he will buy from Kaspars

Hector took about 700 pounds as he wasn't sure how much explosives would cost and how much he would need to pay for them to be delivered to the vicinity of Street Rats arena.

While he stood before his safe he counted and then stuffed 500 pounds into his suitcase.

After boarding the carriage, Hector went to Braveheart Bar. There he entered the building and went to the bar. Hector ordered a drink for which he paid and spoke, "Where is Kaspars," Hector asked the bartender, and when he got a response he stood up and walked into the billiard room where he saw Kaspars playing a game with another man.

When Kaspars saw Hector standing at the door he excused himself and went to a different room with him.

"What do you want," Kaspars asked while observing Hector.

"Ten Explosives, enough to blow up the whole street," Hector said for which he received a hard stare from Kaspars.

"Don't worry I need it for one wooden building." He said calmly.

"Well, then you wouldn't need so much," Kaspars said in turn.

"Yes but I also want to prove a point," Hector said already getting bored with the conversation. Then he put his hand in his pocket and took out a piece of paper on which the address was written.

"Bring them to this address in two days. For your troubles, I will pay you 300 pounds half now and half later.

"I need someone to deliver them to that address without being spotted by trams, gangsters, or police.

"In two days I will come to that address for those explosives and pay the remaining sum of money." After that, they talked about finer details and came to an agreement.

It was a great opportunity for Kaspars as payment of 300 pounds was very generous even if it was on such short notice.

Hector stepped out of the Braveheart Bar, the sounds of lively conversation and clinking glasses fading away behind him. He took a deep breath of the cool night air, feeling a sense of contentment and relaxation wash over him.

As he turned to head home, a carriage pulled up to the curb, its driver beckoning him over. Hector recognized the man as one of the regular carriage drivers in the area, and he nodded in agreement as the driver offered to take him home.

Hector climbed into the carriage, settling back into the plush velvet seats as the driver clucked to his horses and they began to move. The clip-clop of the horses' hooves echoed through the deserted streets, and Hector watched as the buildings and shops passed by in a blur.

As the carriage approached his house, Hector reached into his pocket to retrieve the fare for the driver.

When he stepped out he walked to the gate of his property. After opening the gate Hector walked on the stone paved road and entered his home. Hector rested in the living room while enjoying tea and reading a newspaper. When it was time for dinner he stood up and left the room.

Hector walked into his dining room, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm and inviting atmosphere over the space. He took a seat at the head of the table, admiring the beautifully set table and the sumptuous spread of food that had been laid out before him.

His personal chef, a tall and imposing man named Pierre, emerged from the kitchen, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Bon appétit, Monsieur," he said, gesturing toward the dishes on the table.

Pierre originated from Intis and was the family chef for 12 years now.

Hector smiled back, feeling grateful for the talent and dedication of his chef. He picked up his fork and knife, admiring the intricate designs of the silverware as he prepared to enjoy the meal.

The first dish was a roasted chicken, its skin crisp and golden and the meat succulent and flavorful. Hector cut into it with a sense of satisfaction, enjoying the tender texture and the subtle blend of spices that had been used to season it.

Next came a creamy potato gratin, the layers of thinly sliced potatoes melting together with cream and cheese to create a rich and decadent side dish. Hector savored the complex flavors, feeling his taste buds come alive with each bite.

Finally, Pierre brought out a dessert of fresh fruit, its colors and flavors bursting with sweetness and freshness. Hector took a few bites, admiring the way the juicy fruits paired with the light and fluffy whipped cream.

As he ate, Hector savored not just the flavors of the food, but the overall experience of dining in his elegant dining room. The soft candlelight and the impeccable service from his chef made the meal feel like a true indulgence, a moment of luxury and relaxation in his busy life.

With a final sip of wine, Hector pushed back from the table, feeling satisfied and content.

Hector thought about his plans to attack Street Rats arena, 'Tomorrow I should check how many people are guarding it and maybe gather some information from gangsters that live close.

'While I could have given myself more time for preparation and planning it would be constantly on my mind, whispering 'Kill them already, eviscerate them all...' and it could bring restlessness to my sleep. Not to mention it is more fun this way.

'To just break in and start killing, then plant explosives, and kill some more. Not to mention a big explosion at the end of the day. It would be like celebrations of a new year just shifting the location of explosions.'

When he was done Hector excused himself into his chambers and changed his clothes to his clothes for sleeping. "I miss television, no wonder people of this age are so corrupt. There is nothing else to do but s*x, drugs, plotting schemes, and occasional evil god worship.

ADVERTISEMENTThe next day Hector woke up rejuvenated and went to his bathroom to wash his face. Upon entering his bathroom, he watch its interior and was once again reminded of this world's difference. The walls are adorned with rich, dark wood paneling, intricately carved with gears, cogs, and other steampunk motifs. Brass pipes run along the ceiling, giving the room an industrial and mechanical vibe.

The centerpiece of the bathroom is a large, claw-foot bathtub, featuring an impressive arrangement of exposed copper pipes that feed into a series of antique-style faucets. The bathtub sits atop a raised platform with steps leading up to it, creating a sense of grandeur and luxury.

Above the bathtub, a large, ornate mirror hangs on the wall, framed with brass and gears, reflecting the elements in the room. Brass sconces with Edison-style light bulbs provide warm and dim lighting, adding to the overall ambiance.

Next to the bathtub, a vintage vanity with a marble countertop stands tall. The vanity is adorned with brass fixtures and elaborate engravings, and a large, circular mirror with a magnifying lens tilts on its side. Antique perfume bottles and other trinkets are displayed neatly on the vanity, adding to the Victorian charm.

After taking a quick shower Hector changed his clothes and went downstairs. As the first rays of sunlight filter through the curtains, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, signaling the beginning of a new day. The soft clinking of plates and utensils in the kitchen is a comforting sound, a prelude to the delicious meal that awaits.

Heading to the dining area, the table is set with care, adorned with a simple vase of fresh flowers, a burst of color, and freshness that adds to the ambiance. The morning light streams in through the windows, casting a warm glow over the scene.

Sitting down at the table with Albert standing in the corner of the room, Hector is greeted with an array of choices, each more inviting than the last. A plate of golden-brown pancakes, topped with a drizzle of maple syrup and a dollop of creamy butter, tempts the taste buds. The pancakes are fluffy and light, a delightful treat that melts in the mouth.

Next to the pancakes, a bowl of fresh fruits awaits, a colorful assortment of ripe berries, and cut apples. Slight aroma of freshly made tea, the warmth of the drink spreading through the hands and heart.

At the side of the plate, a buttery croissant calls, its flaky layers inviting a moment of indulgence and desire. The sound of the first bite, the crunch of the delicate crust, is music to the ears, and soul even if one lacks such a thing.

As the breakfast comes to an end, the feeling of satisfaction and contentment settles in. The meal has not only provided nourishment for the body but also a sense of tranquility and joy that lingers long after the last bite. Then he spoke to Albert about his request to the chef to prepare lunch for him as he would eat outside.

Hector wouldn't come back for lunch as he would be in the middle of enhanced interrogation of his yet unknown informants for their penance.

"Should I take Simar and Gorm with me?" Hector mumbled to himself after which he shook his head and decided against the idea.

"Gorm is not yet beyonder animal and Simar's introduction to such activities should be with easier tasks. But on the other hand trial by fire could be just what he needs..."

After finishing his breakfast Hector went upstairs to prepare objects that he could possibly need. "Should I take gardening scissors or a bottle of cooking oil?" Hector said to himself as he was packing, taking too much would be burdening and not to mention suspicious to people around him. Taking too little would bring different challenges as looking for those items on the spot could prove to be difficult and for some tools impossible.

"It's better to be prepared..." Hector said at last and put both things into his suitcase that was packed with items. Among them were a skinning knife, butcher knife, scissors of various shapes and sizes, scalpels, small flat and pointy wooden sticks, sandpaper, hand saw, a few metal and wooden nails, pliers, already mentioned cooking oil and gardening scissors, cloths, and a few other items.

Most of it he would be able to pack into his suitcase but others he would need to have on himself.

"Simar come hear," Hector spoke in a slightly raised voice so Simar could hear him.

The next moment Hector could see a shape in the form of a dog running at him while its tail was shaking from side to side. "Yes! Do you want to play?" Simar said hopefully.

"In the manner of speaking yes," Hector said smiling but then he spoke more seriously. "It is a game of highest importance, we are going to gather information about your previous home." After he finished speaking he could see Simar's tail drop and spark of fear in his eyes.

"..." Simar did not speak but Hector could guess what he was thinking about. To reassure him he continued talking, "We need that information so we can destroy that building and all those that are inside." While speaking Hector was scratching Simar behind his ears to show him comfort.

"...Ok," Simar said after a moment of silence and Hector could see that his eyes became more spirited.

It was important for Hector to raise his dogs to the proper standard to not invite any problems late on. He will need them to be merciless when it came to his enemies, thankfully with animals it was always easier than with people as they didn't feel bad for harming those that weren't close to them.

It was what made them similar to him as both could not feel guilt for their actions. Their submissive behaviors, like a meek expression and a bowed head, look a lot like how humans display guilt. But in truth, those are only learned actions in anticipation of negative emotions.

Hector then called for Gorm and put them both on the leash, after which he went to the kitchen and took his lunch for which he made space in his suitcase. Unfortunately, that forced him to keep a few of his scissors in his pockets.

Albert had stood at the door as Hector exited his home and entered the carriage that took him closer to the East borough.

As Hector's carriage rode through the cobbled streets, the scenery outside the window began to shift. Leaving the opulent and pristine avenues of his neighborhood behind, the carriage entered a less adorned part of the city-a district that whispered of humble beginnings and faded elegance.

The buildings here displayed signs of age and wear, with peeling paint and weathered facades. The grandeur of the architecture was exchanged for a simpler, more functional style. The streets seemed too narrow, and the air became tinged with a mix of bustling life and a hint of struggle.

Farther he went greater signs of disrepair were showing. Once he was close enough to the East Borough he exited the carriage and walked the rest of the way.

"Which one should I choose." Hector said to himself as he observed buildings around himAfter entering East Borough Hector took off leash from Simar but kept one on Gorm. After which he said to Simar to stay close. It would test Simar on how good he is at following his orders and exploring new environments.

Then in one of the alleys, Hector opened his suitcase and took out a human skin suit, which he then put on himself. With this disguise, he could be more careless.

After some time he arrived at his destination. The building's weathered facade bore the scars of time and neglect. Patches of paint here and there had faded to a muted shade of gray, and the wooden beams supporting the roof displayed signs of decay. Cracked windows allowed brief glimpses of the interior, hidden in dimly lit shadows.

When he got to the entrance Hector pulled at the door opening them without any hindrance. "No lock?" Hector said to himself and entered the building.

Upon entering, Hector's senses were assaulted by a mixture of scents, some familiar and comforting, while others hinted at a life of struggle. The air was tinged with the stench of sweat and piss. Still holding Gorm's leash he ordered Simar to stay and gave the leash to him.

The room was sparsely furnished, with mismatched chairs and tables arranged around a central hearth. A threadbare rug covered the wooden floor, adding a touch of warmth and color to the otherwise pitiful surroundings.

Further up he found a few small rooms. Sleeping quarters were simple, with blankets and makeshift curtains offering privacy. Faded family photographs adorned the walls, reminders of happier times and cherished memories.

"He is not here it seems, well no one is lucky every time," Hector said as he took out cooking oil and looked for the pot. When he found one he poured all of the cooking oil in and put it on fire. "When I am back it should be nicely boiling." Hector then started a fire in the stove and added enough wood for it to last.

Then he turned around and took Gorm's leash as he left the building.

Once he was outside he looked around and walked to a destination where he would hopefully be able to acquire his whereabouts.

"So it is information gathering," Hector said to himself as he started to walk in the direction of the building with a sign that said House of Night.

As he walked Hector looked at the sky which was filled with dark clouds and descending fog, 'What nice weather.' He thought smiling, 'What could be better than the rain that would wash filth from the streets and silence whimpering of locals elderly, and children.'

While he was getting closer to the building Hector walked near the East borough harbor. Its desolate form was a stark contrast to those in different parts of Backlund.

There he could see a few women tearing feathers from chickens, using feathers for pillows, and selling meat. Next to them stood a small blacksmith stall where a big muscular man hammering at metal and forming nails for ship repairs.

There were even a few ships having their cargo offloaded. Hector could see barrels of various sizes being hammered shut with suspicious content.

Some places were filled with people either walking around stalls or shivering in corners of various buildings.

"Behold the witness." Suddenly Hector heard someone yell from his left.

When he looked he could see five people dressed in black. Four of them were carrying a coffin and one in front was holding the pole with a black cloak on top of it.

'Funeral service?' Hector thought, 'Quiet extravagant for East Borough'. But then he saw a symbol on the cloak. It was the same one that could be seen in a factory that he passed around recently.

'If it was factory owner then that makes more sense.'

"Behold! A good man!" a man with a pole yelled, "Behold a man of his calling!"

"Behold the faithful to Goddeses's deep love for us all." As they were passing Hector saw what he presumed to be a family of descendants walking behind the coffin.

Two children not even ten, woman now widow, and one adolescent teen holding her hand. All wearing black clothes and the widow also wore a black veil.

In a few moments all but a few had passed to different alleys and Hector continued to observe them as they left, after which he continued on his way but not before asking one of the passersby about who that was.

"Them be old Petersons mister." One of the bumbs said for which Hector rewarded him with few pence.

After finally arriving at his destination he saw a big wooden door that had seen better days. When he opened them his sense of smell was assaulted with various tips of incense, combined with sweat, perfumes, and different bodily fluids.

It was one big room that was with the help of curtains divided into many smaller rooms.

As he started to walk forward looking for someone in charge he heard someone yell at him, "Oi! Who are you?,

"If you want a bush, you come through me." When he looked at the source of the voice he saw a woman in her thirties with heavy makeup on her face and a colorful dress with red stripes.

"I'm not looking for company but information about the whereabouts of certain individuals," Hector said indifferently, he understood her offer as this is a brothel. But what he was after right now was a different type of pleasure.

"Are you sure darling we have many options. Do you want a fuck, suck. And you can choose boys or girls, young, old." She spoke with a half smile.

"No just information," Hector said for which he got a sigh from her. "Unfortunate. Who do you look for?"

"A man in his early thirties, he is called Tomy,..."After giving his description Hector waited for her to speak. Hopefully, he was regular at this establishment as many from Street Rats were. While many simply stood at corners of buildings you never know what diseases they carry so brothels are much safer.

"One pound," she said before Hector could object to the price being too much she continued, "I not only know about him but I also know his current location." After she finished her smile grew slightly sinister.

Hector thought about it for a second and then agreed "You have a deal." While it was nothing for him in East Borough one pound was a lot of money. Then he took one pound of paper out of his pocket and gave it to her.

She smiled and spoke "He is here actually. I can take you there if you want, but I must warn you he may be busy." Then her smile faded as she continued, "Whatever business you have with him do it outside and unless you want fun do not bother my staff."

"I shall be most respectful to your employees," Hector said to her as he had no intention of dragging innocent into it. Unless he would be forced to do it and that make them not so innocent any longer so there would be no breaking of promise.

"Just keep to it and we will have no problems," she said with slight sharpness to her words. Hector found her interesting as a person running a brothel who would show protection for her people. While he understood the need to show that she couldn't be pushed there were raw emotions hidden in her eyes that he found surprising.

Hector finally smiled flashing his slightly jagged teeth as spoke, "My word is my oath."

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