Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

This scene, this wording, this tone—it was exactly like the "scalpers" at train stations in his previous life before the real-name system was enforced. For a brief moment, Ebner felt a wave of nostalgia and disorientation wash over him.

Snapping back to reality, Ebner activated his Pure White Eye with a mix of curiosity and familiarity, wanting to see what exactly this man was trying to sell and why it was priced so steeply.

But moments later, Ebner's mouth twitched slightly as he realized the truth. Do I look like a weakling? Although his face appeared a bit pale from an entire afternoon of crafting mystical items, it was clearly not the pallor of frailty.

Moreover, the so-called potion wasn't just diluted—it was far inferior to the Health Potion Karen specially prepared for Russell. On top of that, it contained addictive substances.

Was this aimed at me? Or did Helene give herself away somehow?

Ebner glanced at Helene. She was wearing a hat that concealed her hair color and hairstyle, a veil that covered most of her face, and her demeanor was slightly altered after spending an entire day boiling water.

No… it's unlikely someone from the "Admiral of Ailment" could recognize her this quickly. In other words, this man is targeting me. But why?

Adjusting his glasses, Ebner smiled calmly and asked, "This medicine—it's from the pharmacist across the alley from the Red Theater, isn't it?"

The man's eyes widened in surprise. "You knew?"

He quickly masked his reaction, replacing it with a greasy smile. "Sir, since you know about this, you must also know that the master only produces a limited amount each day… But lucky for you, I have special access to extra stock."

Really? Darkwill, you've stayed true to your roots, haven't you? And your so-called 'special access' is just diluting the potion tenfold, isn't it?

Ebner suppressed a sigh and said plainly, "Ten pounds is far too steep. Eight pounds per bottle—how many do you have? I'll take them all."

The vendor was visibly taken aback by Ebner's generosity but quickly composed himself, eyes gleaming with greed. "It's always a pleasure to do business with someone decisive! Alright, I'll take a loss here—ten bottles, all yours. Think of it as the start of a good friendship."

So, diluted ten times over, huh? I wonder if the 'special additives' were also multiplied tenfold…

Feigning satisfaction, Ebner nodded. "Alright… but I don't have that much cash on hand. Follow me to my carriage, and I'll get the money."

As he spoke, he cast a glance at Helene.

Though she didn't fully grasp Ebner's plan, Helene was sharp enough to follow his lead. With a faint pout, she clung to Ebner's arm and complained in a coquettish tone about her wasted shopping time. Ebner comforted her with soft words, and she eventually relented, though her glare at the vendor carried a hint of hostility.

—Before heading out, Helene had changed from her maid attire and agreed with Ebner to play the role of a "lover" while they were outside.

The vendor chuckled, attempting to smooth over the tension. "Madam, you'll be the one who benefits most from your husband's purchase."

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Helene—a mix of lust, regret, and thinly veiled anticipation.

Helene's brows furrowed in disgust. She had seen these kinds of lecherous stares before—in Trier, in Intis, and on the open seas. She thought she had grown numb to them, yet each time, they still made her skin crawl.

What kind of potion was that? How would it benefit me? And why did Detective Brian ask me to play along with this act?

While these questions spun in her mind, the trio arrived at the carriage parked on the next street. Ebner nodded to the driver, a manor servant who had stayed behind with the vehicle.

Without hesitation, Ebner grabbed the vendor by the arm, his grip iron-tight, and said in a tone that brooked no refusal, "Come inside to collect your payment."

It was only then that the vendor realized something was wrong. He hesitated, but the aura emanating from Ebner—the weight of authority and cold decisiveness—reminded him of his own terrifying boss. Fear gripped him, and his fleeting thoughts of escape dissolved into reluctant compliance.

He followed Ebner into the carriage obediently, his earlier bravado completely extinguished.

Just now, in the downtown area, it had been inconvenient for Ebner to use his abilities, wary of being detected by any high-level Beyonders who might be lurking nearby. However, now that he had reached this secluded "parking spot," such concerns no longer restrained him.

Combining "Majesty," "Bribery-Charm," and "Guidance" in the spiritual realm, Ebner easily bent the man's will to his own.

Although Helene, walking alongside him, had no idea what kind of abilities Ebner had used, she was deeply grateful to have witnessed the transformation in the man. She felt relieved that she had wisely signed the "contract" under fair terms. If she had recklessly pushed Detective Brian to use his powers back then, she might have unknowingly signed away her freedom entirely!

With that thought lingering, Helene silently followed Ebner into the carriage. After all, she was technically his "captive." Staying close and avoiding any misunderstandings seemed the safest course of action.

Inside the carriage, after Helene stepped in, Ebner sealed off the space using his spiritual power. He then simulated the "Whip of Pain", letting it hang menacingly in the man's mind as he whispered:

"Who are you?

Why did you approach me?

Who gave you these instructions?"

...

Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Fragrant Leaf Bar, a middle-aged man with the distinct look of a Bayam native knocked on the office door before entering. Inside sat the bar's hidden mastermind, "Giant Warrior" Ozil.

The man respectfully reported, "'Sea Serpent' has made contact with the target and successfully sold the item to him."

Ozil, a tall and broad-shouldered older man, swirled the wine glass in his hand and chuckled. "So the so-called 'Hero Detective' is overrated after all.

"But it's to be expected. He rose to fame at such a young age, and he's clearly a romantic soul. Even coming to Bayam on vacation, he brought his lover along... Naturally, a man like that would need that kind of medicine to keep up appearances."

He smirked, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Looks like we'll soon have the 'Fragrant Manor' in our grasp."

The subordinate hesitated briefly before mustering the courage to ask, "Boss, if you want that manor so badly, why don't we just capture him outright and deal with it directly? Why go through all this trouble?"

Ozil raised an eyebrow and let out a long sigh. "I've had my eyes on that manor for quite some time, but its previous owner holds significant influence. Even the people above me warned me not to act recklessly, despite its long period of abandonment.

"Now it has a new owner... but who knows what relationship this 'Hero Detective' has with the previous master of the Aroma Manor? It's too risky to move openly. Instead, we'll make him dependent—hook him on the potion, drain his finances slowly, and finally, leave him with no choice but to sell the manor to us willingly."

After explaining his reasoning, Ozil shifted his tone, issuing a stern command: "Don't rush this operation. If he starts suspecting something and gets someone to cleanse his body of the potion's effects, all our efforts will be wasted. Tell 'Sea Serpent' not to administer doses too frequently or in quick succession. We want the addiction to creep in subtly so he doesn't notice until it's too late."

"Understood, Boss!"

...

Above the gray fog, after confirming the safety of Daisy and Miss Judgment through divination, Klein shifted his gaze to the three Beyonder Characteristics that radiated intense spiritual light, as well as an iron-black metal glove.

"This time, we've truly gained a lot," he mused with satisfaction.

...

Meanwhile, at MI9 Headquarters, Her Highness Vera sat across from Xio and sighed as she shook her head.

"I originally hadn't planned to bring you along on the mission to the Southern Continent...

"But for now, it's better if you stay out of the spotlight."

(End of Chapter)