Beauty and the Scent of Degenerate

"Indeed, what you said seems to make some sense."

Luther pretended as if he were hearing such a theory for the first time, thought for a few seconds, and said, "Then I'll study it and give it a try after I go back."

"Alright, remember to tell me if it's effective."

Klein nodded and continued walking forward. In his heart, however, Klein was calculating.

This could be considered early groundwork; when I share the Acting Method with everyone later, it won't seem so abrupt. Hmm, I feel like my potion is almost fully digested; I'll be able to submit a special application by then...

Luther, of course, did not know what his colleague was thinking; he simply followed behind him toward the Dragon's Lair Bar across the street.

It was afternoon, yet the bar was already faintly noisy. Even through the heavy doors, one could hear the fanatical shouting from within. A burly man stood guard in front of the door with his arms crossed, a blue anchor tattooed on his bare, muscular arm.

"Good afternoon, sir."

Klein greeted the man politely.

The burly man nodded at him, and the two pushed open the doors to enter the bar.

The moment the door panels were pushed open, a wave of heat mixed with the smell of body odor and alcohol rushed toward them, and Luther almost couldn't catch his breath.

Scanning the bar, he roughly understood the reason for the loud shouting. In the center of the bar stood a boxing ring where two shirtless men were brawling fiercely. The patrons below were gathered in a circle, cheering for the person they had bet on or hurling crude insults at the opponent.

Klein led Luther around the boxing ring to a billiard room in the back. The people inside were playing, and upon seeing them enter, they all cast their gazes over.

"Mr. Sven."

Klein tipped his hat in salute to one of the burly old men.

"Hmm, you're here."

This old man had the temperament of a soldier, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a tattered naval officer's uniform draped over him. He first greeted Klein, then looked Luther up and down before waving his hand to shoo the others out of the billiard room.

Once everyone else had left, Sven turned to ask Klein, "I heard that Old Neil was taken away because he almost lost control?"

"That's right. In fact, if it weren't for this new colleague of mine beside me, Old Neil would have already turned into an unsalvageable monster."

Klein replied truthfully.

"Him?"

Sven was surprised upon hearing this and cast his gaze toward Luther once again.

"My name is Luther Rondal, Mr. Sven."

Luther introduced himself.

"I am Sven, the boss of this bar, and formerly the captain of the Tingen City Mandated Punishers squad," Sven said. "Looking at you, you must be support staff as well. How did you save Old Neil? Could it be that you are also an Attendant of Mysteries of the same pathway as him?"

"More or less, I am a Black Knight."

As soon as Luther's words left his mouth, he saw Sven subconsciously lean back a few inches.

"Aurora Society?"

He frowned and asked.

What a huge reaction.

"I have nothing to do with the Aurora Society; becoming a Black Knight was just an accident."

Luther hurriedly explained.

Perhaps Luther's explanation was effective, as Sven seemed less vigilant. After chatting for a few more sentences, he took the initiative to step aside, revealing a hidden door. "Go in, don't cause trouble inside... Also, if you see something you like but don't have enough money, you can borrow from me; I will charge a reasonable interest."

Behind the door were room after room. After passing through several, the world before them suddenly opened up, revealing a small plaza with stairs. On each level, people were setting up stalls, with herbs, jars and cans, ancient books and manuscripts, or strange antique-like objects on display. More people were walking among them, picking out items they liked or haggling with the stall owners.

"Let's just wander around first. Is there anything you want to buy?"

Klein asked.

"I need a ritual dagger, a carving knife, and some candles."

Luther replied.

As a Black Knight, he didn't need that many ritual materials; flesh and blood were enough.

"Right, you should buy a dagger and a carving knife; they are useful whether for carving patterns on charms or creating a Spiritual Wall."

Klein nodded. "Then let's go over there and take a look."

He led Luther toward the stairs in the middle. This level mainly consisted of stalls selling metal materials and amulets. These amulets were mostly made of gold, silver, copper, and other substances, combined with artistic designs and occult carvings; they were quite good-looking. However, to Luther's eyes as a Black Knight, they were all mundane objects with basically no spirituality.

Ah, right, after I learn how to make amulets in a while, I must make one for Cecilia first.

Luther thought to himself.

"Do you have silver daggers and carving knives?"

Klein picked through a stall selling gold and silver materials and knives for a while before asking.

"I do."

The stall owner was a balding middle-aged man. He took a cloth bundle from behind him, and upon untying it, it was filled with rows of silver daggers of various lengths and styles.

"How much for this one?"

Luther looked for a while and picked out a simple dagger of moderate length with no extra decorations.

"13 Sule."

The stall owner replied.

"Fine."

Luther picked up the dagger and made a few simple gestures to check that there were no issues with the overall build, then nodded and pulled paper currency from his wallet to hand over. The stall owner stared at the money, stunned, as if he hadn't expected Luther to pay so readily.

"You're just... giving it to him like that?"

Klein asked from the side, surprised.

"Yeah."

Luther had always been too lazy to haggle; as long as he felt the price was reasonable, he would pay. If the other party was the type to take advantage and ask for more, he wouldn't argue either, but would simply turn around and leave.

"Oh right, I forgot you aren't short on money right now."

Klein smiled, then began purchasing some silver flakes from the stall owner, haggling quite naturally. Luther didn't have any opinion on his bargaining; everyone had their own way of living. He put the silver dagger away and stood up, intending to stroll over to other stalls, but he bumped into someone behind him because he wasn't paying attention.

"Ah!"

The person let out a soft cry, a delicate sound that couldn't help but stir one's heart.

"Sorry, are you alright?"

Luther apologized.

He looked closely and saw that the person opposite him was a sweet-looking lady with a round face. Her features weren't particularly striking, but the more one looked, the more charming she became. No, if he really had to say, she could even be called a beauty; since Luther had transmigrated, she was likely the second most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Who was the most beautiful? That would naturally be his sister, Cecilia.

This wasn't just some doting brother filter; his sister's appearance was truly outstanding.

"I'm fine."

The lady said in a low voice, her slender eyes sweeping across Luther's face.

Hm?

Luther suddenly felt that something was wrong.

There seemed to be a faint aura of the Degenerate on this woman. It wasn't the evil and insane feeling of the True Creator, but it wasn't a good inclination either; it was a suffocating sensation that made one slowly sink into a quagmire to die in despair...

Seeing his expression change, the woman lowered her head immediately as if frightened, and that faint aura vanished. She hurriedly bypassed Luther and walked toward the other side.

That aura was gone again...

Luther blinked, staring at the lady's slender back, but he still couldn't see anything strange. He couldn't help but wonder if he had seen wrong.

"Ah, Mr. Azik."

Just as Luther was beginning to doubt his own eyes, he suddenly heard Klein greeting someone nearby, and he turned his head toward the sound.

A pale color, as if symbolizing the obscure and terrifying nature of death, suddenly filled Luther's vision without any warning.

Boom!

He felt a loud explosion in his brain, and immediately after, he lost consciousness.