Regular Customers

For the next few days, Ivy was completely absorbed in investigating the case of the successive murders of former investigators at the Containment Bureau. She confined herself to her apartment all day, not going out. Ethan, meanwhile, maintained his routine of going from home to work and back. During the day, he and Captain Haig posted notices everywhere and persuaded Hunters in the Guild not to leave the town easily. At night, he explored Fireplace Bay.

The layout of Fireplace Bay was basically as he had imagined. The merchant ships docked at the pier were all legal businesses, mainly facilitating trade between different civilizations. The goods related to Occultism were generally of the lowest grade.

"If you want to buy something a bit more impressive, you'll have to find a way to check out the town."

Holding a glass of beer, the young man talking animatedly was a waiter at the bar. His stage name was Shepherd. He was as thin as a monkey and came to Fireplace Bay to work to support his family. His father, who was a worker at the Imperial Military Industry, had lost his life in an explosion a few years ago. The compensation had been delayed, and his mother had remarried. Now, he had to support three younger siblings on his own.

So, when Ethan gave Shepherd a share of 3 Gold Lions for every business transaction, they almost immediately became best friends.

With motivation, Shepherd worked even harder. Not only did he help promote the business, but he also personally made small cards with Heisenberg's name and Magic Scroll Shop information on them.

In his words, his younger siblings couldn't go to school anyway and had nothing to do at home, so they might as well help make some small cards.

Although Ethan was grateful to Shepherd, he couldn't help but fall into thought when he saw the beautiful and sexy women on the cards.

If it weren't for the words "Old Sen's Magic Scroll Shop" on the cards, he would have thought he had acquired some unsavory businesses.

Shepherd patted his chest and assured Ethan that these cards were very popular in their city, and almost everyone had one. They couldn't afford to print them themselves, so they would go to the back alley of the Pink Lady Club to pick them up. After picking them up, they would cover the original information and write the Magic Scroll Shop's details on them.

On the evening he received his share, Shepherd took his siblings to a restaurant in the city for a steak dinner. His siblings were now also full of energy.

Seeing that Shepherd had explained everything so thoroughly, Ethan no longer raised any objections.

And tonight, he treated Shepherd to a beer and a slice of smoked meat on bread, and they talked about the town.

He might be able to find the Teleportation Magic textbook he needed there.

"How can I get permission to enter the town?"

"A savings card of Black Gold level or above issued by the Imperial Union Bank, which indicates you have at least 5,000 Gold Lions in savings."

The answer was as expected. 5,000 Gold Lions was an unimaginable amount for the lower class of the Empire. However, for Nobles, it was merely an entrance ticket to a party. Ethan had heard that Nobles in the town might spend that much in a single night.

Their wealth was so immense that it couldn't be contained in sacks. The Lofik Consortium had specifically provided them with channels for card payments.

"Anything else?"

"I heard through the grapevine that if you are a certified Occultism master from various associations, you should also be able to receive an invitation from the conglomerate."

The status of a high-level transcendent could get you favors anywhere, but the title of "master" was mostly a license of third-tier or above, certified. Someone like him, a "Black Household," wouldn't be taken seriously.

Shepherd noticed Ethan's gaze and said regretfully, "Then there's only the third way: an introduction from an acquaintance. Aren't you providing high-end custom services? If you encounter some distinguished guests, you might be able to get a letter of recommendation from them."

Ethan's eyes lit up. This was the most likely path to achieve in the short term.

But, it wasn't good enough.

Ethan never believed in things falling from the sky. Rather than waiting by the Black Sea, he preferred to take the initiative to seek opportunities. "Give me a few small cards. If it works out, I'll give you a 5 Gold Lion bonus."

"5 Gold Lions!? It's a deal, don't go back on your word!"

Shepherd was startled by the amount. Among all the customers he had met, Ethan was the most generous. He quickly took out a thick stack of advertising cards from his jacket pocket and gave a third of them to Ethan.

His heart pounded. With these 5 Gold Lions, he could hire someone to fix his leaky roof and buy some warm clothes and thick blankets, as winter was approaching.

"Am I that kind of person? We're partners now, aren't we?"

"Partners? What's that?"

"It means making money together."

Ethan patted his chest and promised, "If I make a lot of money in the future, you'll definitely get your share."

With that, he took the cards and headed straight for the entrance of the town. He didn't go too close, just waited by the side of the path. This was the only way into the town. Everyone who came out of the town was, without exception, a prominent figure in various countries. He needed to find a suitable moment and encounter someone who looked like they needed help.

He waited for more than half the night.

When he saw a young girl in a white lace dress and high heels storming out of the town, Ethan knew his chance had come.

This young girl, barely over ten years old, clearly needed some magical assistance.

As she ran, she cursed, "What kind of magic expert, can't even handle this little thing! A bunch of scoundrels, liars!"

A butler in a black tailcoat hurried after her, a look of embarrassment on his face.

The young girl, tired from running, stomped her feet in anger.

Ethan, holding an advertising card, seized the opportunity and appeared before the girl, smiling as he recited his rehearsed line, "Miss, are you encountering any difficulties?"

The old butler immediately stepped protectively between the girl and Ethan, his eyes glancing at the Guards standing guard at the town entrance.

"I heard you mention a magic expert just now. I happen to know a little about Elemental Shaping Magic and can offer you personalized services. Here is my business card."

The butler, vigilant, took the business card first. He glanced at it and made his decision.

"Guard, there's a pimp here!"

The Guards' stern gazes, as if looking at someone luring underage girls, completely ruined Ethan's carefully crafted encounter.

"Shh! Don't shout. Look carefully before you speak. I run a Magic Scroll Shop, I make magic scrolls!"

"Magic scrolls?"

The old butler raised his eyebrows with a cold laugh and turned to the young girl, "Miss, this is the con artist I told you about. They'll use sweet talk to lower your guard, and then lure you to those dirty, filthy places!"

Several Guards agreed. They only glanced at the sexy women on the card and understood everything.

They surrounded Ethan.

"This is outright slander! We don't know each other at all, how can you assume my profession?"

Ethan loudly defended himself.

"Slander?"

The old butler sneered, "Just one look at the card and it's obvious. Do you still intend to deny it now that it's come to this?"

He didn't even need to read the lengthy description that followed; he knew everything.

Ethan questioned him, "What exactly have you figured out?"

"Is that even a question?" The old butler's eyes narrowed. He clenched the card in his hand and suddenly raised his voice, "I'm a regular customer at this establishment!"

This bold declaration plunged the scene into silence. Even Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief, and he momentarily forgot to retort.

The guards were the first to react.

Before the old butler could launch into a further speech, they grabbed his shoulders.

"Take this old man away too."