Although Ebner could not see through the gray fog covering Klein's face, he could still guess what the other was thinking at this moment. However, he had never intended to make anyone play "Nezha." After all, a Nezha with a Westerner's face was just far too strange. This wasn't a world where two flowers bloomed.
The only reason he gave the extraordinary items he had crafted such names was to satisfy his own mischievous tastes.
It had to be said, ever since advancing to "Prophet" and realizing he had so many "past selves" laying out plans, Ebner's cautious, repressed nature had gradually begun to surface more openly.
But he didn't see this as a bad thing. In his opinion, the deeper and more profound parts of one's personality were the hardest to erase.
"'Wind-Fire Wheels' are forged from the extraordinary characteristics of a 'Favored by the Wind' and an 'Arsonist.' They can be ridden for flight and also commanded to strike enemies with violent gusts and blazing flames.
"As for this 'Fire-Tipped Spear,' it is a paired item to the 'Wind-Fire Wheels.' Without them, it is merely an unusually sharp, exceptionally tough spear…
"But once empowered by the 'Wind-Fire Wheels,' the spear's tip can condense a special 'flame.' The effect of this flame is similar to my developed secret art, 'Disintegration.' It can bring absolute destruction to whatever it pierces. Even items formed from extraordinary characteristics can have their structure broken and their functions disabled temporarily.
"Its negative effect, however, is that it throws both the wielder and nearby enemies into extreme rage and fury, making them prone to losing their reason altogether. Without some ability like 'Mechanical Mind' to neutralize it, the wielder and those nearby will fall into meaningless slaughter until one side collapses."
At this point, Ebner swept his eyes around and said with a smile, "The set is priced at 10,000 pounds. No bargaining."
The "Favored by the Wind" characteristic had come from the sea monster "Sagust," while the "Arsonist" had been separated out step by step from the "Conspirer" trait Ebner obtained from "Mirror Apostle" Hertha.
As for the materials of the "Fire-Tipped Spear" and "Wind-Fire Wheels," they were derived from the "Hell Admiral's" "Harris Rapier," which Ebner later turned into a wand for spellcasting. After advancing to Prophet, he no longer needed the corresponding item to cast secret arts, so this was a matter of recycling wasted resources.
In truth, the negative effect of this set was already considered heavy, but Ebner had done his best. After all, stacking the "Hunter's" provocation with the "Sailor's" fury, the outcome of "both friend and foe falling into rage" was only natural.
"10,000 pounds. I'll take that 'Phoenix' revolver. Can you accept payment with extraordinary characteristics?" At that moment, under Klein's control, "The World" was the first to rasp out in a hoarse voice.
Although he felt some strange familiarity with the "Wind-Fire Wheels" and "Fire-Tipped Spear" combination, if it meant he had to actually go into battle with that appearance… unless forced, Klein refused.
What's more, the negative effect of the set clashed badly with his combat style.
By contrast, after having exhausted the crystal of the "Funeral Blade" and unable to replenish it for the time being, Klein was in desperate need of a powerful offensive weapon. The "Phoenix" revolver was exactly the kind of weapon he needed.
Hearing "The World" speak, the "Hermit" Cattleya, who had been about to bid, suddenly fell silent. From all the clues so far, "The World" and Mr. Fool were closely connected—very likely even one of His chosen.
And I've already revealed parts of the Tarot Club's information behind Mr. Fool's back… if I now compete with The World, won't that only invite greater displeasure from Him?
Hesitant for a long while, Cattleya finally chose to give up.
Besides, the style of the "Fire-Tipped Spear" and "Wind-Fire Wheels" didn't match her at all, so she had no reason to ask further.
What about the other members of the Tarot Club? "The Sun" felt he couldn't use such things yet. "The Hanged Man" and "The Magician" once again realized their own poverty. "The Judgment" lady had just spent a huge sum recently to buy a "Disciplinary Paladin" characteristic from Jane, and so she wasn't wealthy either.
The only one who could afford it, "Justice," said frankly that she had no need for such a weapon. Moreover, as a future "Dragon," she faintly felt repelled by the "Wind-Fire Wheels" and "Fire-Tipped Spear."
So her eyes fell instead upon the ring that was both beautiful and could "blink" her away in danger. After some deliberation, she said, "I'll take that 'Blink' Ring…"
After speaking, she turned to "The Magician" and smiled. "Miss Magician, you don't mind, do you?"
"Ah? Oh… it's fine, I don't mind, Miss Justice." Fors came back to her senses at Audrey's words.
In truth, she had liked the "Blink" Ring as well. She hadn't bought it earlier because she wanted to save money for an extraordinary weapon. Who would have thought the weapon prices would skyrocket straight into five digits? That instantly killed her desire and deflated her earlier inflated mood. At this point, how could she dare compete with Miss Justice?
—In fact, the reason Ebner brought out such expensive weapons afterward was precisely so Forsi could keep a bit of pocket money. Watching her fluster was one thing, but he couldn't really bleed her dry.
After closing a few deals, Ebner saw that no one had asked about his little joke creation. Without caring, he dismissed the manifestation.
While he was unconcerned about whether it sold or not, he quietly thought, Maybe I should sell the set to Miss "Plant." As an incarnation of vegetation, she would probably be more compatible with them…
After that, since no further trades came up, the Tarot Club automatically shifted into free discussion.
Miss Justice first applied to Mr. Fool for a private talk with Ebner. After reporting on her progress investigating the "Queen of Calamities," she asked with some anticipation, "Mr. Tower, that newly released film 'Searching for the Laurel,' was it your promotion ritual?"
"Yes." Ebner didn't conceal it. He briefly explained the requirements of the Prophet ritual to Audrey before asking, "The clue you mentioned just now, in the northern town of East Chester County—how reliable is it?"
Audrey, who had been marveling at the difficulty of demigod rituals, immediately grew serious and shook her head. "I'm not sure… but I've already used this information to pique the 'Psychological Alchemy Society's' interest. That not only earned me contributions but will also let them scout the place first."
Ebner nodded thoughtfully. He didn't think a bunch of mid-to-low Sequence "Spectators" could achieve much, but at least they could probe the truth.
Thinking this, he said solemnly, "Notify me before they set out."
"Alright." Audrey didn't ask why and agreed directly.
After that private exchange, the Tarot Club members shared some of their experiences, and then the gathering reached its end.
The members stood, saluted the head of the bronze table, and took their leave.
As the crimson light faded, the figure of the Fool vanished under the respectful gazes of "The Tower" and "The World."
Only then did Ebner turn his gaze to Klein, who had secretly swapped his body with the "All-Black Eye." With a faint smile, he looked him up and down.
Klein felt uncomfortable under his gaze, frowned, and asked in Chinese, "What's wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I just think you really can act!" After a long pause, Ebner finally retracted his gaze and sighed.
Act? Does he actually know I am the Fool? Klein's heart gave a violent jolt, and his nerves went taut, thinking his identity as the Fool was about to be exposed. He was about to say something, but then Ebner's voice, tinged with some grievance, reached his ears:
"You knew early on, didn't you? About the Calamity Seal, Alvin, Dennett, Rhine, Vicente—all of them being 'Liu Bo'?"
So that's what it is? Scared me to death! I thought my identity was about to be socially ruined! Klein instantly let out a long breath of relief.
(End of Chapter)