"How about a high-pressure steam rifle?" Aleric smiled as he studied Williams' iron-cold expression.
"...What exactly are you planning?" If this request had come from an ordinary person, Williams would have thrown them out long ago.
The high-pressure steam rifle was a unique weapon design of the Machinery Church, boasting excellent structural stability and armor-piercing capabilities. Its drawbacks were the need to carry compressed air canisters at all times and its excessive length, which could hinder mobility.
For Williams, however, obtaining such a weapon wasn't the issue—the problem lay in its traceability. If anything went wrong, it could easily be traced back to him.
Aleric, on the other hand, didn't care. He hadn't come for the steam rifle in the first place; it was merely a test to gauge the other party's attitude. Arms trade had always been a crucial business for such gray organizations—how could they not get their hands on a high-pressure steam rifle?
If things went well, Aleric estimated he could acquire a sufficiently excellent long rifle—preparation for an upcoming operation.
"Don't be so tense, old friend. I was just throwing it out there." Aleric chuckled, leaning back slightly to create distance between himself and Williams.
"I just need a reliable weapon for self-defense when I travel abroad. Believe me, I'm not buying a rifle to assassinate George III."
"How about... a Joffender lever-action rifle? I saw one in action on the Eastern Balam battlefield."
Williams didn't answer immediately. Beneath his slightly aged eyes flickered suspicion and speculation... but it was futile. He had no crucial information about the other party, and Aleric's knowledge of firearms didn't seem like that of a novice or a fraud.
Still, a high-pressure steam rifle was absolutely out of the question. The risks of trading such an item were too great—the slightest misstep could bring disaster. Even if the buyer truly intended to use it abroad, the danger remained.
At that moment, however, he suddenly recalled another weapon in his warehouse... That troublesome item would be perfect for testing this fellow.
"Alright... but if it's for self-defense... I might have a better recommendation."
Aleric narrowed his eyes, surprised.
This wasn't part of his plan. He had initially come for a 10-gold-pound lever-action rifle and hadn't brought much budget beyond that.
Still, he decided to hear it out. If it really was some treasure suited for him, acquiring it might not necessarily require money.
"In my possession... there's an illegal mystical item. Since you're a friend of the 'Captain,' you should know what that means."
Seemingly regaining control of the conversation, Williams appeared much more relaxed. He clapped his hands, signaling a servant to fetch something.
Soon, an exquisitely crafted long rifle was presented before Aleric.
From its appearance, it was a lever-action rifle measuring 1061mm in length, the kind where you cycle the action by moving the forearm. The metal barrel and components were all brass-plated, adorned with intricate engravings. The forearm and receiver were painted in a dark red hue, giving the firearm an imposing aura of luxury.
Beside it lay what appeared to be some sort of gas canister... Could this also be a steam rifle?
A piece of paper rested nearby. Aleric glanced up at Williams, who gestured that he would wait for Aleric to finish reading.
Thus, Aleric picked up the paper and began to read:
"This firearm is named 'Killing Spree.' It possesses superior penetration and muzzle velocity compared to high-pressure steam rifles and can be enhanced by the beyonder characteristics contained within the gas canister to strengthen both the weapon and its ammunition."
"The canister can hold one portion of beyonder characteristics, but only one ability can be drawn from it, which can be chosen by the wielder."
At this point, Aleric felt a surge of astonishment. He hadn't expected the weapon to have such remarkable capabilities!
However, when he turned his attention to the side effects, he couldn't help but frown.
"Warning: If you kill one enemy and then a second with this weapon, you must kill another person at the same interval thereafter."
"Otherwise, this artifact will continuously flood the wielder's soul with intense pleasure... a sensation far more overwhelming and exhilarating than any drug or the joys of love."
"If you wish to avoid complete loss of control under the throes of severe withdrawal, either refrain from using it altogether or continue your spree of slaughter!"
As Aleric read, Williams continued to observe him.
Having presented such a deadly weapon yet seeing no visible reaction from Aleric, Williams felt a twinge of disappointment. Yet, at the same time, he mentally awarded Aleric higher marks—composure and resistance to temptation.
Finally, after an uncomfortably prolonged silence, Aleric spoke.
"I don't need this weapon. In fact, I haven't brought enough money with me."
Williams smiled.
"No, I don't want your money. In truth, I could give this rifle to you if you desire it."
"But..." Williams paused, his murky eyes flashing with a sharp glint.
"I need you to do me a favor."
"Oh?" Aleric tilted his head slightly, appearing indifferent. "Go on."
"A dangerous sealed artifact from the Church of Machinery... You should know what that implies."
Seeing Aleric nod, Williams handed him a photograph:
The photo depicted a woman—or more accurately, a 1.8-meter-tall bionic doll with a flawless figure, exquisitely beautiful, like a sorceress.
The only oddity was a keyhole on her neck, into which a rather large brass winding key was inserted.
"Its designation is 2-073. We call it the 'Malleable Puppet.' It can bear up to four beyonder characteristics of Sequence 5 or below, mastering some of their powers while gradually erasing their spiritual imprints."
"Moreover, with the winding key and proper guidance, this puppet can develop a semblance of personality... But that's precisely where the problem lies."
Williams sighed, then scratched his neck as if uncomfortable.
"Once the winding key is lost, the puppet's personality will spiral completely out of control, and at that point..."
"For instance, a Machinery Hivemind team member attempted to use this sealed artifact during an incident but seemed to suffer from some unknown mental influence. Not only did he lose the winding key, but he also tried to engage in relations with the puppet that went beyond friendship... However, at that time, this puppet contained at least the Sequence 6 Hypnotist and Sequence 8 Instigator Beyonder characteristics..."
"In other words, she possesses the power to manipulate minds."
"In the end, this Machinery Hivemind squad nearly wiped itself out due to internal strife caused by some influence. Apart from massive losses of beyonder items, they also lost this puppet, which is believed to still be active around Tingen City in the Loen Kingdom."
Aleric narrowed his eyes—Tingen City? What a coincidence that it's precisely there?
With his special origin, he could guarantee this wasn't some clumsy playwright's work... Could it really just be a coincidence?
"And I want you to find her, but you don't need to capture her—just provide the clues."
"Though if you can catch her, that would naturally be even better."
After listening, Aleric closed his eyes, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, or perhaps considering the truth behind Williams' words.
This deal was clearly unequal—just providing clues in exchange for a mystical item? Who'd believe that?
But soon, he made his decision.
"Alright, I accept."
His reply also startled Williams, who had been prepared for some back-and-forth—this kid didn't play by the rules at all!
Yet for Aleric, no matter what schemes the other party had, he feared nothing.
His confidence stemmed from his familiarity with the original story—Klein was about to transmigrate to Tingen, and the Evernight Goddess was also watching over this place.
For him, this was originally a constraint, but viewed another way, Tingen wouldn't experience any major incidents during this period—at least nothing that could disrupt the Evernight Goddess's plans.
Klein's beginner village could also become his beginner village. As long as his mindset didn't falter, solutions would always outnumber difficulties.
Besides, he wouldn't stay in Tingen for long. Once Klein "died," he'd find a way to slip away to Backlund... If the other party tried to track him, with his knowledge of the script and the protection of non-existence, let them try divination if they dared.
Klein, being gentle, righteous, and highly moral, might not retaliate against others' divination and tracking, but Aleric wasn't the type to sit quietly while others pried into his affairs.
"Then, happy cooperation." Williams shakily lit a cigarette, forcing a strained smile, while Aleric, with no time for further pleasantries, turned and left.
"..."
Watching Aleric disappear through the bar's entrance, Williams finally couldn't hold back and began gasping for air.
"Boss, since that troublesome gun has been discarded, do you still need..." The attendant who had brought the gun earlier now stood guard beside Williams.
"No need... Dispose of all the bodies in the room..."
"And the old man... Give him some money to treat his hand."
Williams barely managed to regain his senses from the withdrawal symptoms of the Killing Spree when he immediately issued an order—as the ownership of the Killing Spree transferred, the pain and ecstasy rapidly faded from his body.
Soon, he burst into unrestrained laughter.
"Hahaha... Perfect! Not only did I get rid of that damned thing, but I also cleared up the mess with the Machinery Hivemind... That fool has no idea what kind of trouble he's gotten himself into!"
"Oh, and remember to remind me not to tell anyone about this—not even the 'Captain'."
...
Thanks to Emperor Roselle's efforts, Aleric managed to catch the last steam train bound for Tingen.
The moment he obtained the Killing Spree, Aleric immediately felt that intoxicating sensation. For a Beyonder, this was a deadly threat, one that could easily lead to loss of control.
However, just as the "Creeping Hunger" became the "Hunger that dares not crawl" upon reaching the Sefirah Castle, so too did the "Killing Spree" turn into "No Killing, No Frenzy" when placed inside the nonexistent black coffin, lying quietly and obediently within the darkness that alternately healed and fractured.
Storing beyonder items within the nonexistent was incredibly convenient, and there was no need to worry about others divining them.
Thus, he boarded the train quietly, sitting beside an elegant, beautiful, and unfamiliar lady like any ordinary passenger.
By the time they reached Tingen, he and the lady rose together, disembarking and standing on the platform.
It was already late at night, and rain had begun to fall, leaving the streets nearly deserted.
With the preliminary preparations of his plan complete, he exhaled deeply, feeling considerably more at ease.
With a faint smile, he turned to the perfect girl beside him—dressed in an exquisite gown, wrapped in a scarf, and standing at about 1.8 meters tall.
"My dear Margaret, where should we go next?"