In a small town on the outskirts of Backlund.
Klein, now in clean, dry clothes, laid the damp banknotes one by one on the table, waiting for them to dry naturally in the warmth of the room.
During this process, he was extremely careful and gentle, even forcibly suppressing the sneezes and coughs brought on by his cold and fever.
To ensure he didn't make a mistake, he did not use fire to dry them.
After finishing this, he walked to the corner of the hotel room, where a full-length mirror stood.
The Klein in the mirror had his black hair neatly combed to the side, dark brown eyes, a rather thin and angular face.
He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and had no beard, looking both young and experienced.
This was a modified Zhou Mingrui appearance based on the racial characteristics of the Northern Continent, specifically his look from college, full of vitality before society had made him gain weight.
He planned to return to Backlund once things had calmed down a bit, and in the process, get a legal identity for his current appearance. Compared to when he left Tingen, he now lacked no means for this—Ian from the Bravehearts Bar, Miss Sharon's circle, or the great detective Isengard Stanton.
How nostalgic... Klein murmured. In the room with the curtains already drawn, he began preparing a ritual to take "Creeping Hunger" above the Grey Fog for a foolproof study.
In the silent, empty ancient palace, he materialized at the head of the bronze long table, holding the thin glove that looked like it was made of human skin, and leaned back into his chair.
Then, he closed his eyes and extended his spirituality into this item that required sealing.
He immediately felt the glove's hunger; it seemed to have a stomach that could never be filled. Up on the Grey Fog, however, it was so docile that it dared not even let a shred of malice leak out, like a hunting dog lying down, too scared to move.
Then, Klein heard resentful screams and pained groans.
Distorted, ferocious, wailing transparent faces immediately emerged in his spiritual perception, filled with a sorrow and madness that was unbearable to witness.
These "faces" were deeply fused with Beyonder characteristics of different colors, states, and manifestations. Wherever Klein's spirituality reached, it could combine with the corresponding "face" and use its ability.
Is this how it's used? Klein tried again and again, combining this with divination, and roughly figured out the five souls "Creeping Hunger" was currently "grazing."
First was the "Faceless," but only possessing the ability to change appearance and body shape.
Second was the "Psychiatrist," who could put a target into a state of madness, perform psychological cues, simulate a dragon's might to intimidate individuals or groups, and create chaos.
Third was the "Interrogator," who could make the glove's wearer proficient in the use of various weapons, become an explosives expert, and possess the ability to condense spirit and pierce the spirit body of a target.
Fourth was the "Nightmare," with only one ability, which was to silently drag people into dreams. However, unlike the corresponding Beyonder, this relied mainly on "Creeping Hunger" to accomplish, so the wearer could still move their own body while in the Nightmare state.
Fifth was the "Light Priest," who could create a halo-like effect, purifying undead and filthy creatures within a certain range. At the same time, it also possessed the "Singer"'s song that enhanced itself and allies, and could summon a "Holy Light" weaker than the "Sunfire."
The limit was five souls, and the abilities available were fixed upon the first "grazing"... This was not something one could decide; it purely depended on luck. Maybe there were three, maybe only one... Klein nodded thoughtfully, sighed, and said to those suffering souls:
"No matter what kind of people you were before, I will gradually free you from your imprisonment and give you complete release.
"As for the souls I graze in the future, they will only come from those who are deeply sinful and unforgivable. Every time I kill such a Beyonder, I will replace one of you, allowing them to be released, regardless of whether I need their ability."
His solemn but gentle voice echoed in the ancient palace. The wailing, suffering souls quieted down and were no longer so twisted and ferocious.
Phew... Klein exhaled, opened his eyes, and lightly tapped the edge of the ancient long table. He muttered silently to himself:
"That 'Faceless' ability overlaps with my own, making it completely worthless. Once I have a replacement, I'll free him first. Hmm, then I can try a seance, talk to him. Maybe I can get information on the high sequences of the Seer pathway, and clues about where mermaids are lurking... No, I don't need to wait for a replacement. In a few days, when my cold is gone and my condition is back to normal, I can try it...
"The 'Light Priest' corresponding soul should be able to complete the formula I got before, and it will leave behind the corresponding Beyonder characteristic. That way, little 'Sun' won't have to worry about future advancement. Hmm, he will be the second to gain release..."
"As for the matter of having to feed 'Creeping Hunger' with a human soul and flesh every time I use it, I don't need to worry about that. Normally, I definitely won't use it. When I do need it, I'll definitely be facing a terrifying enemy. In such a battle, there will surely be no shortage of lives to reap. Even if there aren't, I can throw 'Creeping Hunger' onto the Grey Fog. I don't have to worry about it backlashing, and thus I won't harm any innocents. The worst outcome is just that I can't use it anymore..."
Putting his thoughts aside, Klein tried to use the mystical item "Creeping Hunger" to divine the "Shepherd" potion formula, but only achieved failure.
He didn't divine the origin of "Creeping Hunger," worried he would attract some nasty existence.
Although the Grey Fog could block it, and he wasn't afraid of it endangering himself, doing so might damage "Creeping Hunger."
He would only try this when he no longer needed it... Klein leaned forward, supporting his elbows on the table.
He quickly recalled the previous event and keenly noticed a detail:
"After the 'Master Key' was destroyed, the Beyonder characteristic didn't disappear but turned into light particles, struggling to converge...
"It can be predicted that the final formed 'Apprentice' characteristic no longer has the screech of Mr. Door.
"In other words, this method can remove the spiritual pollution within a Beyonder characteristic!
"The problem is that, under normal circumstances, there is simply no way to destroy a Beyonder characteristic solidified as an item. At that time, it relied on a ritual that could allow a true god to descend, and the prerequisites included a large number of innocent lives...
"Furthermore, once the 'All-Black Eye' is shattered, the spiritual pollution of the 'True Creator' hidden deep inside will definitely erupt. At that time, who can withstand it? Do it on top of the Grey Fog?"
Amidst these thoughts, Klein remembered the possible situation in the East Borough and quickly manifested paper and pen to perform a related divination.
After receiving the revelation, his expression went blank as he slowly, very slowly, leaned back against the back of his chair.
Beneath him, the endless Grey Fog floated silently for eternity.