Clown (bonus chapter for donations)

With the Magician's Ring's Intuition Enhancement, Sifa foresaw the danger that would strike in the next second. He kept moving, but he already had a countermeasure ready.

He planned to use Paper Figurine Substitute to evade the cards that would fly at him like throwing knives, then close in on the man crouched atop the door and shoot him!

But after Sifa stepped through the doorway, the man above it did not attack. Instead, he darted down as though startled, landing on Melissa's bed.

The two stared at each other.

What was this supposed to be?

You anticipated my anticipation?

Sifa found it rather absurd, but he still gave a composed smile. "Trampling all over a young lady's bed isn't very gentlemanly."

The man pulled his top hat lower and snorted. Suddenly, he flicked his hands in rapid succession, flinging card after card at Sifa like throwing knives.

Sifa raised his cane and used it to block the cards, keeping them from damaging Melissa's bedroom.

The man in the tailcoat seized the opportunity to roll off the bed with extraordinary agility, spring back up, and escape through the window.

By the time Sifa reached the window, the man was nowhere to be seen.

He hurried downstairs and shouted when he saw Melissa, "Call the police."

With no time to say goodbye, Sifa rushed onto the street and sniffed hard. He faintly detected an unusual fragrance that still lingered in the air.

Sifa immediately followed it.

As he ducked into an alley, he quickly took a half mask from his pocket and put it on, then stuck a false mustache and beard above his lip and on his chin.

By the time he emerged from the alley, he had become Duke.

The pursuit went smoothly. The man seemed to be an