The light emitted by the lamp wick was exceptionally viscous, like streams of water mixed with something thicker. It surged upward, coalescing into a twisted and blurry pale golden figure.
The figure instantly occupied the entire deep red star representing "The Hermit," causing Klein to momentarily lose his connection with
Klein, seated at the head of the bronze long table, widened his eyes. The thought instinctively flashed through his mind:
*Sealed artefact "0-05"!*
Although the numbering of Grade 0 sealed artefacts was often based on the order in which the orthodox churches discovered or understood them, one had to know that this naming system was only formally established after the seven major churches truly ruled this world—that is, at the end of the Fourth Epoch and the beginning of the Fifth.
At that time, the vast majority of Grade 0 sealed artefacts had already appeared and were known or acquired by the orthodox churches!
This led to a situation where, during the initial sorting, the more powerful, more terrifying, and more unimaginable Grade 0 sealed artefacts were placed in the front, and then numbered within their level according to the chronological order of their discovery.
Furthermore, while there was no rule that the older an item was, the stronger it was, an item that had survived from the First Epoch, a time even the
Thus, to a certain extent, the lower the number of a Grade 0 sealed artefact, the more terrifying it was.
Of course, based on this rule, the artefacts at the end of the Grade 0 sequence were not necessarily weaker than the top 10. It might simply be because they were discovered late or acquired by the church late, with no available numbers left in the front, forcing them to be arranged in normal sequential order.
Just as that thought crossed Klein's mind, the gaze of the golden figure pierced through the deep red star representing "The Hermit" and fixed on the ancient palace above the
Immediately, His voice echoed with extraordinary resonance:
"Long time no see."
*Long time no see? Long time no see! He... he knows the previous owner of the "Sefirah Castle," the "
Klein's thoughts raced, and his spirit suddenly tensed.
Based on his years of experience, relying on the "Clown"'s abilities, he forced his body to relax, leaning back casually in his chair.
Then, Klein opened his mouth and responded:
"Heh."
He did not confirm anything, nor did he argue that he was an impostor. He merely maintained a disdainful, natural, and condescending attitude.
The twisted, blurry golden figure "hummed."
"You've actually become this weak," He said. "No wonder I haven't heard your honorable name being circulated in these past few thousand years."
*Honorable name... Weak... He really does know the previous owner of the "Sefirah Castle"... An existence active in the First Epoch?*
Amidst these thoughts, Klein smiled and said:
"What you see may not be the truth."
"Haha." The twisted, blurry golden figure laughed twice. "You still love to deceive. But the state of the 'Sefirah Castle' can't fool me. Under normal circumstances, I couldn't penetrate its outer layer of protection to speak with you like this."
"How do you know this isn't what I intentionally showed you?" Klein retorted, his expression relaxed.
"Deceiving me is completely meaningless," the twisted, blurry golden "Genie" immediately replied.
*...This feels like a fraud victim saying, 'I have nothing left, I even sold my kidney...' What exactly did the previous owner of the 'Sefirah Castle,' the suspected 'Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth for Blessings,' do to the 'Genie' back then? Hmm, part of the characteristics that make up this 'Wish-Granting Lamp' belong to the 'Miracle Invoker'...*
Klein relieved his mental pressure with a bit of internal mockery, then laughed.
"Whether it's meaningful or not isn't for you to define."
The golden, blurry figure of the "Genie" flickered slightly.
"From the current state of the 'Sefirah Castle,' it seems you have a need for a 'Miracle Invoker' Beyonder characteristic."
He didn't dwell on the previous topic, instead getting straight to what he had observed.
*...This guy can actually see that... His status is truly high... Can he spontaneously separate the 'Miracle Invoker' Beyonder characteristic from within the 'Wish-Granting Lamp'?*
Klein's gaze was fixed, and he almost lost his composure.
He then controlled his movements and expression, responding with a smile:
"If you think so, then it must be."
The blurred and twisted golden figure once again let its grand and lofty voice echo over the Gray Fog.
"We can make a deal. "You break my seal and set me free. I will leave you the Beyonder characteristic of the 'Miracle Invoker,' taking only the part that belongs to me. "As for a witness, we shall use our own 'Sefirah.' Although both you and I have ways to resist the backlash and reduce the damage from breaking the contract, it won't be without cost. You need to consider the consequences. "I swear I will not linger here any longer."