Chapter 2 Meeting
Yes, the White Eye could even analyze the source of a Beyonder characteristic. In just a few seconds, it had derived the main ingredient for a Sequence 9 Reader potion from the blue gem that represented Sequence 8!
I feel that if I activate the Eye of Pure White two or three more times like before, I should be able to completely analyze the Reader formula… However, I can't rush it. I'll wait until tonight. I don't want to be forced into another half-day coma.
While cursing inwardly, Liu Bo used the candle to burn the two sheets of paper on which he had written the analysis results and the White Eye's functions, reducing them to ashes. Although it was in simplified Chinese, this world had Roselle as a precedent. Even if others didn't understand the meaning, it would still be troublesome if someone found it.
After burning the notes, Liu Bo stood up and stretched. Then he put on his shoes, intending to go out to eat something and also confirm the exact date. Before the original Ebner's death, because of the erosion from the Beyonder characteristic and the upheaval in his family, he had lived in a daze. Many of Liu Bo's plans could only begin after he confirmed when he had arrived.
By this time the sky was already bright, and the streets bustled with pedestrians, shouts, and greetings. Liu Bo looked at the vivid, lively scene and sighed inwardly: Looks like I can't go back… From now on, I am Ebner Bryan.
Confirming the date wasn't difficult. After buying a copy of the Backlund Post, Ebner quickly solved the problem.
Seeing the words "May 29th, 1349, Tuesday" on the front page, Ebner breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he teased himself: I came a month earlier than Mr. Fool. That's not too bad. It would've been terrible if I had arrived after he fell asleep. After all, by then not only would he lose the advantage of knowing the plot, he would also be closer to the apocalypse!
While thinking, Ebner strolled into a small restaurant at the roadside. There were hardly any customers. Most East Borough residents were too poor to eat out—many couldn't even afford full meals daily. And at this hour, most of the regulars had already gone off to work in the factories.
Because of this, the slightly relaxed Ebner stood out, drawing several curious glances from the waitress at the counter.
Ebner couldn't help but sigh. He and the body's original owner were completely out of place here.
He didn't even need to mention it himself—the original Ebner had once been the only son of a wealthy grain merchant. His father had run a prosperous grain business, while his mother loved hosting parties with friends and neighbors. They had owned a terrace house in Cherwood Borough and even a mansion with a garden near the Church of St. Hierland in St. George Borough.
Ebner himself had been enrolled in public school to prepare for college entrance.
But half a month ago, the Kingdom's Grain Act had been abolished, causing grain prices to plummet. His father, who had hoarded large stores of grain, went bankrupt overnight. All their assets had been auctioned off, barely covering their debts. His mother, unable to withstand the sudden fall in living conditions, suffered a mental breakdown and was tricked away by a merchant from Midseashire—her fate unknown. His father, crushed by the double blow, committed suicide.
When the news reached Ebner, who was then boarding at school and preparing for his graduation exams, he was struck as if by lightning and spent the following days in a muddle.
Thankfully, some good friends and classmates had pooled together their pocket money to help him bury his father and rent a small apartment in East Borough.
As he recalled all this, Ebner touched the hidden pocket sewn inside his clothes. There were about three pounds left—though not much, in East Borough it was still a considerable sum!
He took out ten pence to buy breakfast, eating as he thought about what he had not dared to write down at home.
Blocking knowledge of Outer Deities and preventing me from remembering formulas above demigod level is clearly a protective feature of my cheat! The former keeps me from being corrupted by "understanding," while the latter prevents me from being discovered by high-Sequences too early. After all, it's fine if I know Low- or Mid-Sequence formulas, but High-Sequence formulas are tightly controlled. If I suddenly knew them, it would draw suspicion immediately. Some deities are called omniscient, after all!
Heh, maybe the White Eye's abilities aren't limited to that. Perhaps its main role is to hide me from deities and Outer Gods? If so, joining the Tarot Club and using Sefirah Castle as a shield could let me unlock more of its potential…
As Ebner daydreamed, the door opened and a middle-aged man in a blue uniform entered. His face was clouded with worry. After scanning the room, he sat down in a conspicuous spot and ordered coffee.
With one glance, Ebner deduced from the man's movements and attire that he was likely a skilled worker with a decent income—an easy observation thanks to his improved insight.
The door opened again, and a petite girl, barely 1.5 meters tall, walked in with steady steps. Her cheeks were slightly round, her features delicate and gentle. Her messy, shoulder-length blonde hair framed her face, and though she wore a traditional knight's training uniform, she exuded an indescribable dignity and charm.
Ebner's gaze was instantly drawn to her—not because of her appearance, but because the extraordinary aura she radiated nearly triggered his White Eye, threatening to knock him unconscious on the spot.
He rubbed his temples and forced himself to look away, inwardly clicking his tongue. As expected of Backlund… I can even run into Beyonders in a shabby restaurant like this! I need to learn from Klein's example—always keep a trace of my White Eye active to prevent accidents like this.
The girl glanced curiously at Ebner, as if sensing something unusual in his gaze, but said nothing. She walked straight to the man in work clothes and spoke solemnly:
"Mr. Rian Hardy?"
The man jumped up nervously and replied respectfully, "That's me! Are you the famous Arbiter, Miss Xio?"
The girl, Xio, nodded. "That's right. Don't be nervous. Sit. Why did you seek me out? Please explain clearly." With that, she sat across from him.
Rian quickly sat as well, calling the waitress to bring coffee for Xio.
Ebner had just finished his breakfast and was about to leave when he caught the names "Xio" and "Arbiter." His eyes narrowed, and he lingered.
This girl must be the future Miss Judgment of the Tarot Club… Her name fits, her appearance matches the description, especially her height. And that dignified aura—it must be the lingering effect of the Arbiter potion she hasn't fully digested yet!
As he speculated, Rian explained his predicament: once a steam mechanic with stable income, he had been forced to borrow from an East Borough gang leader when his son fell ill. But the contract had been a trap, the interest several times higher than expected. Even bankruptcy wouldn't cover the debt. Desperate, he had sought Xio Derecha's help, hoping she would convince the gang to cancel the unreasonable portion.
This should be the case where Xio first tries persuasion, fails, and ends up jailed… Ebner thought. He had originally wanted to approach her and build rapport, but realized he had no proper opening—and lacked the ability to truly help her.
I could approach her by offering the Arbiter's Sequence 8 formula… But without a reliable Arbiter to verify it, she'd never risk buying. In the end, another reason to join the Tarot Club—there's no safer or more convenient trading platform than Sefirah Castle. Even in Backlund's few trustworthy Beyonder gatherings, selling too many formulas would only invite greed and danger.
While Ebner sighed inwardly, Xio finished speaking with Rian, telling him she would investigate and report back within two or three days. Then she stood decisively, giving Ebner one last serious look—memorizing his face—before leaving.
Miss Judgment's intuition is sharp… Even though my White Eye only stirred a little, she still sensed it! Ebner wasn't nervous. He knew her character: upright and kind. She wouldn't harm him.
…
Elsewhere, Xio returned to her rented apartment and found a certain famous author sprawled on the sofa like salted fish. She pursed her lips and said, "Fors, I just received a commission. I'll need your help."
(End of the chapter)