Negotiation

The moonlight was hazy.

Even the most joyous feast must eventually come to an end.

Not to mention the current situation of the Dougwell Family.

Sulu sat in the carriage, his mind racing with thoughts:

Judging from Dogwell's actions tonight, they only want to complete the "Time Loop" recorded in the diary, allowing Owen to smoothly return to the past and activate the family's bloodline inheritance; they have no malicious intent...

After all, half of Lori City belongs to them, and causing damage would be of no benefit or meaning whatsoever.

'However... those who engage in voyeurism will inevitably be investigated.'

His clone left early without an alibi, so he could also be suspected, or rather, highly suspected.

'But it's alright... Owen is dead and can't testify, so what the Dougwell Family needs to do now is suppress the impact... Besides, they also have trouble with the Bureau 11 Inspectorate.'

He took the initiative to save Sean not only because of friendship, but also to get the Federation to cause trouble for the Dougwell Family.

After all, compared to herself, the other party was a bigger headache for Nailin!

'But... does the curse of time really exist? Can Demon manipulate the entire world? Or is it just a cosmic wonder?'

He didn't want to ponder the chicken-or-egg dilemma, believing that existence itself implies reason, and forced himself to calm down: 'It might not be Demon; it could just be pure coincidence.'

While pondering, the carriage arrived at Black Rose Road and stopped in front of Apartment 13.

Sulu alighted from the carriage, paid the fare, and went to the gate, where he grasped the doorknob.

Just then, his Inspiration was sparked and spread rapidly.

In Sulu's mind, the villa seemed to become semi-transparent, quickly outlining a figure in the living room.

'Hmm? I didn't expect... I just handed the notes to Margaret today, and someone's already here?'

Sulu, his face grave, pushed open the apartment door.

A strong smell of blood filled the air.

He frowned and went to the center of the living room.

Tick-tock! Tick-tock!

Harlock was pinned to the wall, his eyes vacant, drops of blood falling from his skin.

A man dressed in black sat at the head of the table, with two bloody heads placed in front of him.

He saw Sulu, looked up, and revealed a sinister smile, "Sean Beta?"

"People from the Ancient Serpent Society?"

Sulu glanced around. "Don't you think what you're doing is going too far?"

"The world will eventually perish... everything will return to the Abyss, I am helping them to end their suffering sooner."

The man in black licked his lips. He had emerald green eyes, deep-set features, and an unnaturally pale complexion. He wore a black overcoat and a silk top hat. "Let me introduce myself... My name is Guy Mocam!"

"No... I mean, as a guest, you lied to the host on your very first visit! Don't you think that's going too far?"

Sulu sighed, and a pale chain appeared on his right hand, wrapped around his wrist. He gently twisted it.

Wave!

The void seemed to have become a curtain, torn open with a huge gash.

Countless lines reshaped the surrounding scene; the bloodstains on the ground vanished, and Harlock on the wall and the corpse on the dining table disappeared as well.

The candle shone brightly, emitting a warm glow.

Harlock lay sprawled by the fireplace, yawning boredly.

Everything that just happened was an illusion!

No! It's less of an illusion and more of a magic trick of light and shadow!

"[Medium] The path!?"

Guy's eyes lit up slightly.

"[Light and Shadow Expert]?"

Sulu retaliated.

He recognized it; it was a third-tier [Light and Shadow Expert] ability.

I'm very familiar with the first stage of this career path; it was the [Shadow Binder] who first left a deep impression on me!

[Shadow Binder] -- [Shadow Man] -- [Light and Shadow Expert] -- [Phantom Master]!

This is one of the professional paths mastered by the Ancient Serpent Society, specializing in using shadows to cast various illusion magics and manipulate the power of light and shadow. Its fifth-tier legendary form Sulu, is also very familiar with it; it is the [Phantom Demon]!

He was the fifth-tier [Phantom Demon] who, along with Moran, perpetrated the Nia City massacre and attacked Hexus within the Inner Circle of Green Tree Castle!

"I knew it... someone with extensive knowledge of occultism wouldn't be that simple!"

Guy picked up his teacup. "I like Sidi Black Tea... Also, Miss Margaret asked me to convey her thanks to you."

"Was that scene just now a gesture of gratitude?"

Sulu gave a cold laugh.

As expected, most of the followers of the Demon are madmen.

Dealing with a madman like that must be quite stressful for him.

"It was just a little joke..."

Guy put down his teacup, his gaze playful. "And... this is just a preview... In the future, anything can happen! All things are illusions, only death is eternal... The Ancient Great Serpent will surely rule everything."

"..."

Sulu remained silent, beginning to consider the possibility of capturing this person.

"You're a smart guy, you know to stand on the side of history," Guy continued. "Join us...you'll gain power, wealth, glory...and everything you want!"

'As expected... every cult desires to recruit more members.'

"I just hope to reach the pinnacle of my career... like... [the Dream Master]!"

Sulu said calmly.

"[Dream Master]? Could it be... you've actually chosen the [Thaumaturge] path?" For the first time, surprise appeared in Guy's eyes. "I thought you were just a [Occultist], at most a [Mystic Expert]..."

Is there a problem?

"Of course there are problems... The path of the [Thaumaturge] is difficult. The exploration of the Spirit World alone is enough to drive many [Occultist] mad... They don't have enough talent to access the deeper levels of the Spirit World... This leads more and more newcomers to believe that we only have the legacy of [Mystic Expert]."

Guy said, "I can tell you that no matter where your [Thaumaturge] profession information comes from—whether it's inherited from a family, traded, or obtained from ruins—its source is the Ancient Serpent Society! It's all the Great Serpent that ruled everything in ancient times!"

He stared at Sulu with Frenzy eyes. "You... were born to be a member of our organization."

'It seems... having high talent in the Spirit World, or rather, a constitution with spiritual affinity, Ancient Serpent Society?'

Sulu's eyes darted around. "The Ancient Serpent Society's reputation isn't great in the Federation... I really don't want to become a wanted criminal in the Federation. I just want to know how I can trade for information about the [Dream Master] profession?"

As for the other party using counterfeit goods to commit fraud, he wasn't worried at all, since the Attribute Panel automatically identifies counterfeit goods and they simply can't be included.

"Prejudice! That's the folly of mortals!"

Guy's aura turned somewhat dangerous. "You shouldn't let worldly prejudices interfere with your choices... You know very well the value of a master-level professional legacy, enough to become the core of a family."