Mr. Gaston's Beyonder Gathering

This Dream Labyrinth tested challengers' reasoning and analytical abilities on its first three floors, while the abilities it displayed when generating scenarios were varied and diverse. One could not help but suspect that this tower was likely connected to the Omnipotent and Omniscient Five Pathways.

And no matter which Card of Blasphemy from the Omnipotent and Omniscient Five Pathways this possible card was, it was something Abner needed.

"Besides, the Card of the White Tower is the most likely to be hidden here! After all, this Dream Labyrinth already exists in the form of a tower, and it so deliberately tests reasoning. That can't just be a coincidence..."

Only after taking several deep breaths did Abner suppress the restless desire in his heart. He understood that, as he was now, there was no way he could reach the first floor. Even if he somehow made it up there, he definitely would not be able to keep whatever he obtained. After all, the very top was likely some multiplayer online battle mode specially devised by the Emperor!

Over the next few days, Abner spent his time doing volunteer work, substitute teaching at the school, and helping the islanders find lost items. At night, he studied Ailnos's Occult Records, which he had obtained from the tower. His days were exceptionally fulfilling.

Xio also left early and returned late, asking around everywhere for clues about the main ingredient of the Sheriff Potion. A day earlier, she seemed to have received news of a Fear Parasite and was currently verifying it.

As for Mr. Gaston, he spent twelve hours every day immersed in the Dream Labyrinth Tower. Seeing how he neglected food and sleep, Abner could not help thinking of those internet-addicted teenagers from his previous life who had dropped dead in internet cafés.

Busy days always passed quickly, and before he knew it, Thursday evening had arrived.

Because he was hosting a Beyonder gathering, Mr. Gaston unusually did not enter the Dream Labyrinth Tower. Instead, he arrived early at the Sword and Fire bar and prepared the venue.

Abner and Xio did not go with him. Instead, they disguised themselves separately and entered the bar's secret room using the code phrase Mr. Gaston had told them in advance.

Since this was a small island town, formal attire would have drawn too much attention. Abner had therefore deliberately changed into a relatively clean sailor's outfit, painted his face with the kind of greasepaint sailors favored, and messed up his hair. Looking in the mirror, he found that he could barely recognize himself and nodded in satisfaction.

But when Abner saw Xio in the back street behind the bar, the corners of his mouth twitched awkwardly. She was dressed exactly like him! The same slightly worn sailor's clothes, the same greasepaint, and hair even messier than before. The only difference was that Xio was a head shorter than him, and that was after she had padded herself taller.

"If one person dressed like this, they wouldn't stand out. But if the two of us stand together, I feel like we'll look even more conspicuous... And I don't know if it's just an illusion, but Xio's outfit looks fairly nice and appropriate, while I look several degrees more ridiculous in the exact same clothes?" At that thought, Abner sighed inwardly.

"What are you looking at?" Xio found Abner's gaze somewhat strange. She lowered her head to inspect her outfit but found nothing wrong.

"Uh, I think there's no need for us to go in separately... Everyone will definitely think we're together." It was too late to change disguises now, so Abner could only resign himself to it. As the saying went, matching outfits were not the scary part...

Xio did not think this was a problem. No one knew either of them anyway. As long as their faces were not remembered by undercover agents from the authorities or the pirates, nothing else mattered.

At 7:55, carrying all his savings and several talismans he had just made, Abner entered the secret room where Mr. Gaston was holding the gathering, his feelings exceedingly complicated.

In the end, he had still draped a black robe over his sailor's outfit, using the shadow of its hood to conceal his greasepaint-covered face.

"845 pounds in cash, along with five low-level talismans. That's my entire fortune. I wonder how much will be left after this gathering..." Thoughts swirling through his mind, Abner found a seat and looked around by the light of the candles in the secret room.

Almost all men... There were not many women. Excluding Xio, there were only two. Which one of them was Miss Gwen?

A few minutes later, Mr. Gaston, wearing a specially made mask, lightly clapped his hands.

"Let's begin."

The moment his words fell, someone spoke impatiently. It was a lady over 1.8 meters tall, wrapped up tightly from head to toe, though the curve of her chest could vaguely be seen. She was one of the two women Abner had noticed earlier.

She lowered her voice and said, "Has the friend who wanted to buy Crown Jellyfish venom crystals come?"

"I'm here." A man sitting in the corner answered succinctly.

The tall lady visibly relaxed. Taking out a box, she said urgently, "I need a weapon that can restrain giant snake-type creatures. Anything will do. I don't care if it has severe negative effects or even if it only remains effective for one or two months! If you have one, this is yours!"

"I don't have such a weapon. Can I pay in cash? I'm willing to offer 150 pounds!" The man in the corner thought for a moment before asking.

The lady frowned. Just as she was about to answer, she heard Mr. Gaston laugh from the seat of honor. "I have such a weapon. I can sell it to that gentleman for 150 pounds, then have him exchange it with you."

The tall lady was overjoyed, but she still asked cautiously, "What kind of weapon?"

Mr. Gaston organized his thoughts before answering:

"Beyonder creatures such as snakes and pythons that live in dark caves generally fear light!"

"This is an arrow made from the feather of a Sacred Sunbird. I recall that you are skilled with a bow, ma'am, so you should be able to use it."

"When it hits a target, it ignites a pure flame of Holy Light inside the target's organs. It is very powerful, but unfortunately, it can only be activated one more time. Otherwise, it would not be so cheap."

"It will remain effective for three months."

"If you are willing, you can make the exchange now."

The tall lady and the man in the corner exchanged glances, understanding that the arrow was not actually worth that much money and carried quite a markup. Based on the description, it was merely a one-use item. But who could blame them when they needed it?

The lady looked around, hoping someone else would join the bidding. Unfortunately, no one responded. In the end, she could only grit her teeth and nod. "I'll trade!"

After witnessing this transaction, Abner was almost certain that this tall lady was the Gwen he was looking for. First, the Crown Jellyfish had also appeared in Cave Adventure Notes, as one of the monsters Gwen and her team had besieged and killed. Second, according to the account in those adventure notes, her team had been wiped out by a Dragon-Eyed Giant Python, leaving only her to escape alone and seek a means of revenge. That also matched the lady's earlier attempt to purchase a weapon that could restrain giant pythons...

But how was he supposed to strike up a conversation with this lady?

As Abner lowered his head in thought, the trading at the gathering continued. Someone bought a mystical item called the Boots of the Ocean for 600 pounds. It allowed its wearer to move freely underwater for more than half an hour and cast certain water-related spells to a limited extent. Meanwhile, a Beyonder material called Fruit of the Elder Tree sold for the staggering price of 750 pounds.

Based on the occult knowledge he had mastered and the contents of the original work, Abner knew that this Beyonder material should be one of the main ingredients for the Sequence 7 Psychiatrist Potion.

Could the person who bought it be a member of the Psychology Alchemists? Abner silently glanced at the lady who had taken the Fruit of the Elder Tree. Yes, she was the last woman at this gathering besides Xio and the tall lady.

"Average height, a little taller than Xio after her padding. I can't see her face, but the hair showing outside is red... That's quite distinctive! Of course, she might have dyed it deliberately to mislead people." After analyzing the matter, Abner turned his attention back to the gathering. He was merely habitually wary of Spectators and had no intention of approaching her.

Some of the following transactions succeeded, while others failed. There were fewer of the former and more of the latter. After all, most Beyonders attending the gathering had clear objectives and would not casually waste money or resources.

Only when Abner saw that no one else was proposing new transactions did he finally speak.

"I need reliable information on the Dragon-Eyed Giant Python. 200 pounds!"

The moment his words fell, he felt the tall lady's gaze settle on him.

(End of Chapter)