An Abyss Artefact trading market established in Japan?
The moment Luo Shu heard this, he immediately understood their intentions. He let out a soft "heh" and chuckled:
"Because Abyss Artefacts can bestow abilities?"
"Indeed, just as you've said, Abyss Artefacts can indeed grant abilities to others."
At this point, Sharon hesitated momentarily before explaining:
"Although there have been natural awakenings since the Abyss Descent, the majority of ability users ultimately gained their powers from Abyss Artefacts."
"Within certain secret organisations, these ability-granting Abyss Artefacts are often referred to as Gift Items, believed to be divine blessings."
"However, official circles seem to prefer calling them Legacy Items to distinguish them from other dangerous Abyss Artefacts."
Here, Sharon also mentioned the characteristics of Legacy Items:
"Generally speaking, Grade 1 Legacy Items can only be used a few times before becoming unstable. Only Grade 2 or above Abyss Artefacts can maintain a stable existence, with a few being Grade 3. There are rumours about extremely dangerous Grade 4 items also possessing inheritance capabilities, but such claims remain legendary."
'Grade 1 is a safe level that can be effectively utilised. Grade 2 is hazardous, partially usable, but prone to causing mass casualties. Grade 3 is prohibited items, theoretically usable... As for Grade 4, even investigation is forbidden...'
Luo Shu recalled these classification definitions before chuckling softly:
"It seems your secret organisations contributed significantly when categorising Abyss Artefact grades."
Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain why secret organisations would adopt the official rating system.
Hearing Luo Shu's remark, Sharon's lips curled into a slightly mocking smile: "You might not be aware, but in Europe, the only difference between secret organisations and official bodies lies in which name we choose to use."
Luo Shu's eyebrows twitched at this. Then, he heard Sharon continue:
"As a Demon Hunter executive, I simultaneously hold the rank of colonel in Italy's military intelligence agency SIM."
"Similarly, various branches of Golden Dawn maintain certain connections with different nations. Even organisations like Truth Astronomy receive substantial research funding from numerous conglomerates."
After saying this, Sharon looked at Luo Shu with a subtle expression and explained:
"According to the information I obtained, a certain Executive Yakushiji from the police equipment company JACES is one of the financial backers of Truth Astronomy."
"This might be why Ryōko Yakushiji was so eager to silence me after discovering my presence."
Luo Shu wasn't surprised by this, as Mika had previously shared similar suspicions with him.
"So the Truth Astronomy member collaborating with Executive Yakushiji is the person you've been pursuing?"
"Yes." Sharon nodded slightly and said in a doubtful tone: "Based on my intel, that Truth Astronomy executive apparently learned through certain channels in Japan that a sealed live demon had been discovered within the country's territory. That's why they urgently stole an important Abyss Artefact from Truth Astronomy and rushed to Japan to meet with their channel provider."
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but frown.
A live demon?
At this moment, his intuition connected this information with the items carried by that Demon Warlock.
The Demon Heart that hypnotises women, and the Demon Contract for body swapping. Between these two, the Demon Contract was clearly the more advanced item. Could that paper contract be the important artefact the Demon Warlock stole from Truth Astronomy?
And within Truth Astronomy, there were reportedly factions that sought to possess demon bodies to gain greater power and extended lifespans. If that was the case...
"It seems the sealed demon is female." Luo Shu stated this as a certainty.
Because it was a female demon, they needed to bring the Demon Heart - a tool for hypnotising women - while also preparing an exchange contract. The goal would be to use the Demon Heart to control the female demon, then use the prepared exchange contract to steal her body.
This explanation made everything fit.
'The reason for stealing the important artefact from Truth Astronomy rather than borrowing it normally was either because normal borrowing wasn't possible, or because they feared that borrowing it would reveal information about the female demon, leading to too many competitors?'
'From this perspective, Truth Astronomy's internal structure might be closer to what I imagined - like the demonic sects in novels... advocating survival of the fittest and the law of the jungle?'
As Luo Shu's thoughts wandered...
Sharon, who couldn't quite understand how Luo Shu had deduced this information, hesitated before attributing it to his identity.
'Perhaps it came from intelligence within Japan... or even divine prophecy?'
Thinking this, she lowered her head and stopped pondering the matter, instead speaking in a humble tone:
"My apologies, the information I possess cannot provide you with a definitive answer."
"No matter."
Luo Shu didn't mind Sharon's speculation. His expression merely shifted slightly as he said with some resignation:
"Time's almost up..."
Just as Sharon was wondering why Luo Shu would say this, six playing card-sized cards appeared before her.
Each card centre featured abstract representations of major celestial bodies in the solar system.
Without further explanation, Luo Shu said calmly: "Choose one as your codename going forward."
Hearing this, Sharon looked down at the cards on the table, scanned them briefly, and selected the Venus card.
"I choose the Venus card."
'Venus... symbolising harmony and balance...' Seeing this, Luo Shu remained silent, merely tapping the table lightly with his index finger.
The previously empty room was suddenly filled with ancient wooden doors, each engraved with the meaning it represented.
At the same time, a silver bracelet appeared before Sharon.
"This is the Astronomy Club's token. Using the pre-loaded points inside, you can use the bracelet to teleport urgently to this space."
"As for this space's detailed functions and how the points work, you can check them by logging into the internal network through the bracelet."
"I've pre-loaded two thousand points into your bracelet. This will be your fixed monthly salary from now on."
After saying this, Luo Shu glanced at Sharon and stated calmly:
"When I have need of you, I'll contact you through the internal network."
"Aside from mandatory missions, I won't prohibit your other activities, including continuing to serve your previous organisation."
Hearing this, Sharon's expression seemed to shift slightly, as if she'd grasped Luo Shu's implication, before replying respectfully:
"If I obtain intelligence about secret organisations, how should I report it to you?"
"Just send it directly to me through the internal network."
After saying this, Luo Shu lightly tapped the table with his index finger and said:
"That concludes our meeting for today."
With those words, Luo Shu's figure vanished from the space.
When his vision returned to reality, the first thing Luo Shu saw was a cup of sake placed before him.
"Hora hora~~ Luo Shu-kun, we agreed one cup each! You can't back out now~"
Faced with the slightly tipsy Mizuki Nakahara blocking his path, reeking of alcohol while clutching a bottle and cup, Luo Shu's mouth twitched.