New Identity

"Forceful Spirit Channeling? Someone from the Numinous Episcopate? Which one of my scams had anything to do with them? That illegal fundraising scheme in Winter County? Or that hollowing-out operation in Southville County..." Lanevus fell into deep thought.

Having pulled off too many similar schemes, he could not immediately figure out which one had provoked someone from the Numinous Episcopate.

"It seems my scam has not been exposed yet, but Gracis and the others must have become suspicious!"

After thinking for a few seconds, Lanevus had already made his decision.

"No matter what, I absolutely cannot return to Tingen City anytime soon." As he hurried into the house, Lanevus rubbed his fingers together and used spiritual flames to burn the letter.

"I have to consider the worst-case scenario: the scam in Tingen City has been completely exposed, and people may already be on their way to Sivellas County to arrest me... No, do they think that will make me back down?

"Hmph, my cooperation with the Aurora Order has already come to an end. I have planted the True Creator's child within Megose... The main course is ready. How could I let those foolish trackers leave disappointed..."

Madness and cunning flickered in his eyes as Lanevus revealed a mocking smile. "Come, ignorant hounds. Let us see whether I complete my scheme and escape first, or whether you capture me first!"

That afternoon, Aster dragged a new suitcase into Room 201 of the Rose Hotel.

He sat on the bed and quickly tore open the envelope he had brought back from the front desk, taking out three pale-yellow identity documents.

One bore the name Melvin, an identity he would not be using again anytime soon. The other two were entirely new identities.

"Claude Chapman..." Upon seeing the name on the second identity document, Aster could not help but laugh. "Unfortunately, in this world, aside from Emperor Roselle, who has long since gone cold, probably no one can understand this joke..."

Aster stood and walked to the mirror, removing his messy black wig to reveal neat, short brown hair.

He had worn the black wig from the beginning to interfere with the transmission of information by those observing him.

Everyone who had seen Melvin would take his long black hair and Silver Eyes as their primary identifying features. Once that fixed impression had formed, no one would deliberately describe his appearance in intelligence reports. Even if someone did, those receiving the intelligence would be predisposed to first investigate the eye color and appearance of long-haired men. Under such circumstances, short-haired Aster would be easily overlooked by the target!

"However, I still have to use Melvin's identity when going to Sivellas County." Aster put the wig back on. "After all..."

"Lanevus already knows I am looking for him."

"Lanevus already knows I am looking for him."

After silently reciting the words seven times, Aster opened his eyes and watched the pendant in his hand remain completely still.

The pendulum divination had failed.

Although I am not proficient in divination, the prerequisites were sufficient. How could a divination enhanced by Phoenix's Gaze and the status of this Death God relic pendant fail?

Aster playfully put the pendant back around his neck. "A failed divination is also a result. It seems Lanevus already knows of my existence, and he has used Anti-Divination...

"Who leaked it? Gracis? Or a member of the Aurora Order who worked with him in Tingen City?"

"Hm, before I leave, I should remind Swain to keep an eye on the Aurora Order's movements in Tingen City." Aster stretched, looked at the newly bought suitcase, and finally fell silent.

The clothes matching the third identity document have also been bought... Aster slowly crouched down, opened the suitcase, and adopted a solemn, dignified expression.

On the third identity document lying on the table, the name field read: Rachel Jones.

"Captain, that was what happened." Standing before Dunn Smith, Klein reported on yesterday's negotiations with Melvin. He truthfully recounted most of the information Melvin had mentioned, only concealing the parts concerning himself. Likewise, Klein did not mention Dream Divination at all.

Dunn, who had been busy for several days in a row, could not conceal his exhaustion. Old Neil's loss of control had not only increased his workload, but also left him mentally drained. The terrifying attack by cultists, the disappearance of the Antigonus Notebook, a teammate losing control... all these burdens had piled onto Dunn at once, leaving him no room to breathe.

Even as a Sequence 7 Nightmare of the Sleepless Pathway, he found it difficult to bear such an intense workload.

After listening to Klein's report, Dunn thought for a few seconds before giving his instructions. "Ignore him for now. At present, Melvin has not displayed enough danger for the Nighthawks to prioritize arresting him. You will handle future negotiations with him... No. Judging by the abilities Melvin has displayed, he is very likely, like Daly, a Sequence 7 Spirit Medium of the Grave Digger Pathway. Sending you alone would be too dangerous. If he has ulterior motives, you would be completely unable to resist. Hm, the next few times you visit the Divination Club, it would be best to bring either me or Leonard along. We will then take over the exchange of information with Melvin."

Dunn directly ruled out the possibility that Melvin was Sequence 6. If he were a Sequence 6 Spirit Guide, he would not need to forcibly channel Gracis at all. He could have passed information to Klein without even appearing before him.

A Spirit Guide already possessed the ability to let the undead under his control carry his consciousness. In other words, he could have communicated with Klein through borrowed spirit bodies, so there was no need for his actual body to appear.

"No, Captain, I do not think Melvin bears me any hostility. I hope to exchange information with him alone." Klein's response caught Dunn somewhat by surprise.

"Why?" Dunn showed no impatience, merely asking for his reason.

Klein's hand resting on the desk tightened twice before he answered as if nothing had happened. "The former Mandated Punisher, Swain, the owner of the Evil Dragon Bar, claimed that Melvin is his informant and vouched for him with his reputation. I believe Melvin can be trusted for the time being."

"That reason is not enough for me to allow my team member to face dangers they cannot handle." Dunn rejected Klein's excuse with almost no pause. He had never believed that Melvin was Swain's informant. He had not pursued the matter only because of Swain's guarantee and because Melvin had indeed saved Old Neil's life.

"And because of some... insignificant reasons of my own." After two seconds of silence, Klein finally forced out the words. After learning through Dream Divination that Melvin might save his life, he had begun to place greater importance on exchanging information with Melvin.

Moreover, Melvin clearly knew something about the disharmony in Klein's fate. Under such circumstances, Klein could not possibly let this clue go.

Dunn Smith looked up at him in slight surprise, rubbed his temples, and replied, "If you insist, then fine. But I hope you will watch your safety."

"Thank you, Captain." Klein saluted and turned to leave, adding silently in his heart: Not only for myself, but for you as well, Captain... You have been too exhausted these past few days.

"Wait." Klein had only taken two steps when Dunn called him back.

He turned around as expected. "What is it, Captain?"

"Someone from the Holy Cathedral will arrive today." Dunn lifted his coffee and took a large gulp. "He will inspect Old Neil's condition and may ask you some questions... Hm, he should arrive in the afternoon. After he finishes inspecting Old Neil, go with him to find Daly."

Huh? Klein was somewhat surprised.

"Captain, who is coming?" he asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

"One of the Nighthawks' nine senior deacons, Goddess's Sword, Creastet Cecimir. There is no need to be nervous. He is not a high-Sequence powerhouse, only Sequence 5." Dunn's gaze drifted slightly. "He should actually have come some time later."

One of the nine senior deacons... I have heard that there are quite a few high-Sequence powerhouses among them... How enviable... Klein suppressed the turmoil in his heart and asked in confusion, "Why should he have come later?"

"Daly has submitted a promotion request to the Holy Cathedral." Dunn sighed softly, a faint smile on his face. "She said she has completely mastered the power of a Spirit Medium and hopes to advance to become a Spirit Guide."

This... Miss Daly is actually going to advance to Sequence 6? This is Sequence 6... She will definitely be stronger than that Melvin... Klein judged that Melvin and Daly were both likely Spirit Mediums, and he could not help comparing them.

After that face-to-face exchange at the Divination Club, Klein had finally realized the true power of Sequence 7. Melvin had merely sat there, yet the oppressive feeling he gave Klein far surpassed Miss Daly and the Captain!

Of course, that might be because Miss Daly and the Captain had never shown hostility toward me. It cannot serve as a standard for measuring their strength... But Miss Daly is about to advance to Sequence 6, a rank even more powerful than Melvin...

The strongest Beyonders Klein had encountered since transmigrating were Sequence 7, and among the Sequence 7 Beyonders he had seen, Melvin gave him the strongest sense of danger.

And now, Miss Daly was about to gain power beyond Melvin's and become Sequence 6. This afternoon, a senior deacon from the Holy Cathedral would arrive, a Sequence 5!

I am finally beginning to come into contact with a higher level of the Beyonder world... Klein clenched his fist, suppressed his excitement, and seriously asked, "Captain, then why am I to accompany this senior deacon to find Miss Daly?"

"It concerns your mysticism lessons." Dunn took out his pipe and held it in his hand. "Regardless of the inspection results, Old Neil can no longer teach you ritual magic. Daly is not especially skilled in ritual magic, but teaching a Sequence 9 like you should not be a problem."