Information Trade with the Hanged Man

Besides Klein the Fool, Alger the Hanged Man was also surprised by the Hermit's mention of "maintenance."

Generally speaking, Beyonder Weapons were weapons crafted by Artisans using Spiritual Material. Their defining feature was that they possessed Beyonder Abilities of a relatively low level. Take the Arrow of Flames, for example: the bullets it fired did not even qualify as Fireball; they could only be considered clumps of flame.

Because they used Spiritual Material, there was the issue of spiritual leakage. Thus, they generally only lasted a year and a half, or even less.

Their final characteristic was that they basically had no negative effects. This was because they did not use Beyonder Characteristics, while Spiritual Material did not produce negative effects, allowing even ordinary people to use them.

Sealed Artifacts basically all contained Beyonder Characteristics, and under the Distortion of those characteristics, they carried negative effects. The only difference lay in how dangerous those negative effects were.

The concepts of Sealed Artifacts and Magical Items were fairly similar. However, most Sealed Artifacts were items formed after the deaths of Beyonders or Beyonder creatures, or items formed in specific environments.

Magical Items had two meanings. One was the term wild Beyonders used for Sealed Artifacts; the other referred to Beyonder items crafted by Artisans using Beyonder Characteristics.

Whether they were Sealed Artifacts, Magical Items, or Beyonder Weapons, none had any concept of "maintenance." The Hermit's description left Klein and Alger somewhat surprised and puzzled, and the usable lifespan also seemed a little too long.

Alger could not help asking, "Beyonder Weapons can undergo maintenance?"

Justice Audrey and the Magician Fors only knew the relevant concepts. They had not had much contact with Beyonder Weapons and did not understand what was so surprising about this.

Sun Derrick possessed the relevant knowledge, but he did not like arguing. He merely intended to listen quietly and did not ask any questions.

Hermit Odys smiled. "That is a trade secret, so I cannot disclose it."

After a pause, he added, "The service life I mentioned is a very cautious estimate. It should last even longer, and even if it gets damaged, it can be extensively overhauled.

"The prerequisite is that such overhauls require a certain fee, and it must also be maintained on schedule."

Alger frowned, but did not continue questioning him. The new member is not simple!

Klein recalled what the Hermit had said before: his research into Beyonder Weapons had attracted the attention of that powerful, mysterious lady.

Now, he realized that it was definitely groundbreaking research in mysticism.

Next, he began considering whether to buy this Beyonder Weapon. Theoretically speaking, the Hermit's price was very fair.

Generally speaking, if a weapon possessed a Sequence 7-level Beyonder Ability, it would be worth at least 600 to 800 pounds.

It could also create "holy water" and had a passive ability. Twelve hundred pounds was not expensive; one could even say there was practically no markup.

However, the follow-up maintenance would cost 150 pounds a year! Over five years, that would be 750 pounds. In that case, it would be better to buy a Magical Item. Though it would certainly be more expensive, there would be no subsequent costs.

Then again, this Beyonder Weapon had already surpassed the standards of ordinary Beyonder Weapons. Calling it a Magical Item would not be excessive, and it did not even have negative effects.

The key was that at this price, Klein could afford it right now.

After hesitating a little, Klein had the World say, "I'll think about it."

Odys gave a soft "Mm."

Alger smiled as he probed, "Mr. Hermit, if I have a need for Beyonder Weapons or Magical Items, can I initiate a trade with you directly?"

Odys displayed a smile similar to Alger's, looking exceedingly polite. "That depends on what I have on hand."

He knew very well that the Hanged Man was testing him with Beyonder Weapons and Magical Items. If he could craft both kinds of items, then he would undoubtedly be an Artisan. Therefore, Odys gave a misleading answer.

Alger frowned slightly. The Hermit's answer did not help him make any further judgment.

Behind the Gray Fog, Klein thought, Another old hand has joined the group.

Cough, cough.

Alger cleared his throat and started a new topic. "I recently accepted an investigation assignment. I wonder whether any of you have relevant clues.

"Over the past two or three years, quite a few native tribes in the Southern Continent have been completely plundered, with everyone taken away. On plantations and island chains at sea, some slaves have also strangely fled.

"After the countries of the Northern Continent abolished the slave trade, such things have not happened for a long time. Have any of you heard anything relevant?"

Audrey, Fors, and the World successively said that they had not heard of anything similar.

Derrick was trapped in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, so it was impossible for him to know about matters in the outside world.

Odys, however, recalled the remarks made by Lion, an attendee at the Mysticism Research Society, two days earlier.

After considering it briefly, he felt that this was information that could be traded. After all, the Hanged Man had received the assignment from a Church.

The commissions received by Lion and the others had most likely been issued by forces secretly supported in Backlund by other major countries. The two did not conflict.

Thus, Odys said, "I may have news you need."

The other members were all slightly stunned. Klein thought, Does the Hermit have such extensive channels?

Seeing that the Hermit did not continue, Alger immediately understood. "If it is information I need, it is worth between 30 and 60 pounds."

Odys said, "Fifty pounds!"

If they had not agreed on it beforehand, it would definitely only be 30 pounds, not 60.

Alger sensed the new member's shrewdness. "Fine, but I may not get it until next week."

He would claim this money from the Church, so he did not haggle.

Then he added, "With Mr. Fool as witness, I will not default on the debt."

Odys gave a soft "Mm." "I trust Mr. Fool."

After a pause, he added, "I only received the news two days ago. In Backlund's East District, many homeless people have disappeared for no apparent reason."

Without giving the others a chance to ask questions, Odys immediately continued, "It can be confirmed that the homeless people did not disappear normally.

"Because someone issued tasks to find traces of those homeless people, and four people I know received such tasks."

Finally, he said seriously, "Their occupations are vastly different."

Some were private Detectives, some were wild Beyonders who made a living through Beyonder powers, and some were cultists.

Alger understood what the Hermit meant. The search task in Backlund was highly unusual. Then he thought, Why did I also happen to receive such an assignment at this time? What connection does my task have with the disappearances in Backlund?

At that thought, he said to the Hermit, "This information is worth 50 pounds!"

Listening to their discussion, Fors also understood. "Someone is carrying out large-scale kidnappings? What do they want with those natives, homeless people, and slaves?"