"Oh? Now this is my kind of party, three lovely ladies and a single, lonely man? Are we about to make some memories together?" A playful, sultry voice echoed in the private room as Abel and his companions entered.
Their gazes fell upon the woman who claimed to be selling the Sequence 9 Monster ingredient.
She lounged lazily against her seat, a hooded cloak draped over her shoulders, concealing most of her features, but strands of wavy, crimson hair slipped free. Her lips, painted a deep shade of wine, curved into an amused smile as she took a slow sip from her from a half-filled wine bottle.
"Don't be shy now," She purred, caressing a red furred cat that jumped onto her lap from beside her seat.
That cat…Vanessa? Abel furrowed his brows beneath his mask, Loremasterallowing him to recall where he saw the cat, thereby recognising the sense of familiarity with the woman.
Vanessa Enoteca, a character from Black Clover, And not the first I've encountered, if my memory is anything to go by. He mused thoughtfully, idly wondering if the current world and system is from a game or novel, maybe even a manga or WEBTOON he's not read.
[Rouge & Vanessa Enoteca]
Dominique took a seat before the woman, eyes narrowing as she looked at the cat, A Beyonder creature?
As a former Beast Tamer, it was easy to notice, given her abilities to sense its emotion and intent. So, how could she miss the way it jumped in fear to its owner. But it's appearance and the feeling it's giving off are too strange…
"Your cat is beautiful." The vampiress started with a knowing smile, watching as the possible Monster pathway Beyonder slowly sipped her wine, unbothered.
Vanessa chuckled, her lips parting just enough to reveal a glimpse of pearly white teeth. "That's one way to put it. Skittish little thing, though, she has a habit of sensing trouble before it arrives." She straightforwardly said, having seen through Dominique's probing.
Dominique's eyes narrowed at her words, A Monster pathway creature?
She lifted the bottle to her lips, taking another slow sip before setting it down with a soft clink. "Now, I doubt you came here just to compliment my little darling."
With a flick of her wrist, she produced a small, see through reinforced case and placed it on the table.
From where he was standing, Abel could see the pulsating flesh-like mercury mass with shifting textures, constantly morphing between different organic and metallic shapes. At times, it takes on the appearance of an eye, a mouth, or a claw, as if struggling to find a stable form.
"Beyonder Characteristic of a Sequence 9 Monster." As Vanessa said so, she slid the case to Dominique. "Here, it's all yours, just give me the cash." Her tone remained nonchalant all the way through, seemingly uninterested.
Dominique didn't make a move, as she remembered what her brother said before they'd entered the room, "It's convenient, don't you think?" With one leg over the other, and hands on top of them, she started.
The crimson-haired woman didn't say anything, taking another swig of her drink as she waited.
"That just a couple of hours ago, a friend of mine mentioned wanting to acquire the main ingredient for the Monster Potion," The vampiress lied easily, "And now, a few hours later, a substitute pops up…" Her lips curled up, inquiring, "Is this the whims of fate?"
Xio and Fors who had taken a bodyguard role suddenly tensed, before recalling that this was a gathering held by Mr. A, who was most definitely a Mid-Sequence Beyonder, no one could sneak in without his awareness!
Smart. Abel inwardly praised his sister's eloquence, watching as Vanessa paused mid-sip, the bottle hovering before her lips.
For a brief moment, her body language shifted, subtle, but noticeable to someone as Observant as Abel. The lazy indifference in her posture stilled, as if she were considering whether to bother with an answer at all. Then, just as quickly, she grinned.
"Oh, darling," she purred, "you give me far too much credit. If I had the ability to weave fate so perfectly, do you think I'd be here peddling body parts for pocket change?"
That's one way to consider Beyonder Characteristic, Fors who had been observing everything play out couldn't help but grimace at the thought, her eyes catching Xio's clenched fist. She's most likely realised that the Sheriff Beyonder ingredient is the characteristic of a former Sheriff.
Dominique's expression didn't change even as she produced a thick envelope from within her coat and slid it across the table.
The crimson haired Beyonder barely glanced at it before tucking it away into her cloak. "Pleasure doing business," she said breezily, giving them a playful smile, before standing up, her cat leaping gracefully onto her shoulder.
As she reached the door, she suddenly paused, raising the hand with the wine bottle, "Oh, and a bit of friendly advice, Monster isn't a pathway you want to fumble with. If you're not lucky, well…" She waved her now-empty bottle in a vague gesture. "Let's just say there's no difference between consuming it raw or downing it."
And just like that, without waiting for a response, Vanessa disappeared into the dimly lit corridors of the gathering.
….
….
….
"Smug bitch." Such profound words left Dominique's lips as they stepped back into the carriage after the gathering ended.
Xio and Fors who entered along with them looked at her with surprise, not expecting such a vulgar remark from someone who had been refined since their first meeting.
Abel, no longer needing to play his role, chuckled. He wasn't surprised at her sudden burst of annoyance, rather, he was impressed that she held herself together despite the similarity between Vanessa and their elder sister, Veronica.
The Summoner's gaze drifted to the see-through case in his hand, watching the mass of mercury flesh change every few seconds. The longer he stared, the more he felt a crawling sensation beneath their skin, as if something unseen was watching him.
Abel knew that wasn't the case, or rather, his Sixth Sense didn't signal that he was being scryed on…
"Will you consume the characteristic raw?" The vampiress gave him her full attention as the clicking open of the case sounded.
Do you actually believe that whores last words? Was how the white-haired young man translated her words.
"I believe her." He nodded easily, continuing without giving her a chance to respond, "As you probably guessed, someone deliberately brought the characteristic, and as absurd as it sounds, I'm inclined to believe that it was fated."
"If someone purposely brought it, how is that fate?" Fors blurted, confused at the contradictory nature of his statement.
"That woman, or whoever is behind her received a revelation of sorts, from a divinatio, dream or fate, right, Abel?" Dominique, who had a solid grasp of mysticism, asked, a frown marring her face.
"Indeed." Abel nodded with a smile.
"You're not worried that they can track us through divination?" At the noble woman's words, Xio and Fors tensed, eyes darting around.
With Roberta and you around, we have nothing to worry about. The young man mused, recalling the strong scent of death on his maid. He wasn't sure what her sequence was, but at the very least, a sequence 7 of the Death pathway.
"Would you believe me if I said I was Fate's Blessed." As he asked, the Monster Characteristic that returned to its base form of mercury mass of flesh entered his mouth, and he swallowed it without hesitation.
Abel looked at them, smiling, he said, "I guess I'm luck—"
His mind suddenly blanked, the world around him going silent. It was as if every sound, every heartbeat, every thought had been swallowed by an overwhelming void. Then, as if in response to the emptiness, a barrage of images, sounds, and sensations flooded his senses.
The world twisted into shapes and sounds that didn't belong. He could hear whispers not meant for human ears, their voices overlapping and coming from all directions. Echoes of laughter, screams, fragments of far-off conversations, all distorted and broken.
Abel saw glimpses of what what is and what could be, as though his eyes were capturing glimpses of potential futures or even alternate timelines.
He saw an older looking Fors, giving a boy with black hair and bright blue eyes the Seven of Wands card.
Xio, who was in the sky of Trier, fighting a woman whose face was blurred.
Two gigantic silver snakes that seemed to be trying to eat each other's tail, glancing in his direction.
The last glimpse was of a blonde man in priest robes, he seemed blind in one eye, and held an ordinary looking quill in his hand.
The visions vanished as quickly as they came, the barrage of chaotic images and voices retreating like a receding tide.
From the perspective of Dominique, Xio, and Fors, Abel had gone still the moment he swallowed the Monster Beyonder Characteristic. His expression remained impassive, but his eyes—his pupils—dilated unnaturally, as though seeing something beyond their understanding.
Then, just as abruptly, he swayed.
Dominique was the first to react, reaching out to steady him. "Abel?" She called out, worried.
The Summoner blinked, disoriented. "Give me a moment." He replied, focusing his gaze on the two women opposite of him.
Xio and Fors traded uneasy glances, the latter hesitantly asking, "Uh, is there something wrong?"
Abel gave the Apprentice all his attention, inquiring thoughtfully, "Are you cursed?"
Fors, who was feeling nervous under Abel's scrutinising gaze was taken aback, blurting, "H-how do you know?"
It was obvious to my Sixth Sense from the first time I met you today…Isn't something I can say, given I wasn't a Beyonder…
"I can see and hear it." The Monster answered, eyes narrowing as he added, "Talk to him too if I try…I think." Abel wisely kept the fact they both have awareness of each other to himself, Communionmade it possible.
"Him?" Dominique interrupted with a frown, "Isn't it dangerous to see and hear such stuff? Are you alright?" She sized her brother up, watching for any signs that might show he was losing control.
"I'm fine," he reassured her, continuing, "As for the curse…If I had to compare it, it's similar to how a Mystery Pryer receives knowledge infusions from the Hidden Sage." He tapped his temple. "Except instead of information, the curse bearer hears ravings. And from what I heard when I focused on the tether linking Miss Fors, it was pleas.
Given her pathway, it should be a higher sequence being of the Apprentice pathway, a demigod at the minimum, Angel or Evil God at most."
Fors' eyes widened in disbelief. Abel's words are exactly like Mr. Fool's! She couldn't help but quickly ask, "Can you tell me what he's saying? Uh, I'll pay you for the information."
Can you pay with information about The Fool? Abel resisted the urge to ask aloud, a faint chuckle escaping him instead. Shaking his head, he said, "No need to pay me. Think of it as compensation for serving as my bodyguard at the gathering."
Bodyguard? What bodyguard? If a fight happens all I can do is run. Fors swallowed the words she wanted to say, she couldn't miss out on this important information that even Mr. Fool might not know.
Dominique and Xio also gave him curious looks.
The Monster paused briefly, an idea appearing in his mind.
Suddenly, the air grew colder, and the dim light within the carriage seemed to wane, as though reality itself recoiled in response. A crushing sense of insignificance settled over Dominique, Xio, and Fors, rooting them in place.
Then, Abel Spoke.
"Save me…Don't save me…Don't save me…Save me..."
Perhaps it was the chilling monotony of his tone, the way each word slipped out with unnatural detachment.
Perhaps it was the way the darkness itself seemed to constrict, wrapping around them like unseen coils.
Or perhaps it was the sheer contradiction of the plea.
At that moment, Abel seemed to be a Monster.
But then, as quickly as it had come, the sensation was gone, like a cold, oppressive fog dissipating with the first rays of sunlight.
The Summoner raised an eyebrow at Dominique and the others, "Are you alright?" He questioned, "You ladies look like you've seen a ghost."
Dominique, who was the first to gather herself together, fixed him with a grim expression, "What was that? Did you not feel that? Do you remember what you said? Are you hearing voices?" She barraged him with one question after another.
That, my dear sister, was me Acting like a Monster. Abel knew he would be in a world of pain—read pleasure— if he said that.
Additionally, it didn't fit a Monster's abilities of high spirituality, spiritual perception and intuition, danger premonition and foresight.
The previous performance was from his perks—Aura Signature—which he couldn't exactly explain. Though, he was not without a plan.
Abel furrowed his brows slightly, a contemplative expression on his face as he answered after a few moments of silence. "Other than a feeling of detachment from the situation, I didn't notice any abnormalities…"
"But?" Dominique pressed him for an answer.
"I didn't cogitate after consuming the characteristic. I might have been influenced by the ravings which caused the inexplicable effects you three experienced." The Monster supplied, closing his eyes and projecting the image that he was cogitating.
There's no difference between cogitation and the activation of magic circuits in Fate. Both need a certain image, one for focusing thoughts, and the other to open their circuits. Abel idly thought.
Fors and Xio exchanged uneasy looks, but kept their silence.
Dominique observed her brother carefully, and after a few moments, she relented, sighing as she leaned back into her seat. "If I wasn't afraid of Father Utravsky mistaking me for a burglar and accidentally purifying me, I would have dragged you to Harvest Church."
Abel chuckled, opening his eyes and meeting her gaze with a slight smirk. "The Earth Mother welcomes all Her children back with open arms. I'd think She would be delighted to have such a devoted daughter back early," He mused, leaning back lazily. "Maybe She would even plant you somewhere nice. A wheat field, perhaps? Or would you prefer a flower bed?"
Fors coughed into her fist, while Xio merely shook her head, though the corner of her lips twitched.
"Very funny." Dominique merely rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to expose her brother's impiety.
Abel smiled, shifting his attention back to the pair of friends. Fortunately they didn't ask anymore questions about what happened and bought my very reasonable explanation.
With the combination of Presentation, Making Connections, Good Rapport, and Charming, making a good impression and building up trust is not too difficult.
The Summoner's hand reached into his pocket, taking out an envelope, and passing it to Xio who subconsciously outstretched her hand to take it.
The Arbiter's confused expression made way for realisation as she took a look inside and saw dozens of five and ten pound notes.
"The money for the commission I provided. You can use it for paying informants and your own needs." Abel reminded.
Fors, who was seated next to Xio, couldn't help but feel slightly envious. Maybe I should trade my pen for a gun and start chasing bounties too. The royalties from her books were not low, but they weren't absurdly high either. Sometimes she earned one hundred pounds to upwards of two hundred pounds.
Xio's line of work, while dangerous, seemed far more lucrative—one mission, and the Arbiter made more than Fors did in months of writing.The idea was tempting for a fleeting moment, but she quickly shook the thought off. No amount of gold was worth trading her quiet, stable, life for constant danger.
The former noblewoman's expression turned serious as she professionally inquired, "Do you have any information about the Demoness Sect and the Aurora Order, Lord Abel? My knowledge is limited to knowing that the former is an all-female organisation, and the latter, terrorists."
"I like your work ethic—diligence." Abel nodded in admiration, "That's the right attitude for someone in your line of work. Knowing too little is as dangerous as knowing too much."
He leaned back in his seat as he explained, "Let's start with the Aurora Order. Simply put, they are fanatics who worship the True Creator."
"True Creator?" Fors blurted in shock. If the Aurora Order worships the most powerful ancient and powerful gods that created everything, why are they evil? No, if I remember, Sun called him Fallen Creator…and Mr. Fool didn't correct him. So…is He now an Evil God?
Dominique continued, "Aurora Order believes that the True Creator is the inheritor of the Omnipotent and Omniscient Creator. He appears as either a Hanged Giant or Eye behind the Shadow Curtains."
Hanged Man…Is this where Roselle got his inspiration, the True Creator? Fors wondered.
Xio didn't interrupt the Vampire, listening with rapt attention.
"The Aurora Order has seven Saints and twenty-two Oracles. These Oracles use the alphabet as their code names. They are all Beyonders, with the weakest Oracle being Sequence 7 and the strongest Sequence 5." The gold-eyed woman described, stunning the sequence nine duo.
"Then, Mr. A…" The Arbiter murmured, trailing off.
"A sequence six or five," Abel picked up where she left off, "I'm inclined to believe it's the latter."
"Why?" Curious, Fors asked.
"Because Backlund is the capital of the Loen of Kingdom, the Land of Hope, and the City of Cities. It makes sense to have someone who can keep the position stationed here."
The Apprentice stared at her friend, taken aback.
Xio frowned at Fors, "What? Do you think I don't know how to think?" She huffed, crossing her arms. "The only reason I'm prone to violent methods of persuasion is due to individuals not owning up to their mistakes."
Fors quickly shook her head. "It's just... you don't usually explain things like that."
The Arbiter's expression softened as she said, "Just because I don't say it doesn't mean I don't know it."
Abel chuckled. "She has a point."
Fors scratched her cheek, deciding not to argue. Instead, she turned back to Abel and Dominique. "Why don't the Official Beyonders do anything about the Aurora Order?" She asked with a frown.
"It's not that they don't do anything," Dominique began. "The Aurora Order…for a newly founded secret organisation - only three centuries old - they have a foundation comparable to organisations that trace back to the Fourth Epoch. So, even if they seem like a gathering of lunatics, it's far from being the case."
They're also useful scapegoats. Abel inwardly finished Dominique's unsaid words.
"I see…" Fors nodded slowly.
"And the Demoness Sect?" Xio questioned.
Dominique's expression turned strange, as if she were waging an internal battle.
Fors and Xio naturally noticed.
"…Is there something wrong with the Demoness Sect?" The author asked carefully.
"Calling it wrong is an understatement." Abel clarified.
"…What do you mean?" Xio's brows furrowed as she glanced between the siblings. Could they be worse than the Aurora Order?
Abel glanced at his sister, urging her to answer with a look. You won't make me open this can of worms right after becoming a Beyonder, right? Do you want me to lose control?
Dominique rolled her eyes in response, exhaling softly before she explained. "The sect originates from the Fourth Epoch, originally a single bloodline of the Primordial Demoness. Over time they expanded, absorbing others of the Demoness Pathway into their ranks, thereby becoming a Sect instead of the Family they used to be."
"The members believe that the Primordial Demoness is the true inheritor of the Creator. They believe that 'She' was born out of the Chaos and was the earliest to be born from the Creator's body. 'She' is also the ultimate Ender that ends everything."
"Demoness Pathway?" Fors questioned with clear interest. Can this pathway only be used by women?
"This pathway is also known as the Assassin Pathway, and those who follow it are infamous for spreading catastrophe. Sequence 9 is called 'Assassin,' granting the Beyonder the ability to drastically reduce their weight, becoming light as a feather. Their vision and hearing are significantly enhanced, and they can conceal themselves within shadows. Additionally, their overall physique is improved to better suit the demands of assassination."
"Sequence 8 is called 'Instigator.' Beyonders at this stage are adept at sensing the emotions of those around them and triggering their hidden dark desires. They can influence thoughts, planting suggestions and steering others' minds in specific directions." Dominique concluded the explanation of the Low Sequences.
This…isn't this unfair? Fors couldn't help but complain about the stark difference in Sequence 9 abilities. I can only walk through walls and open locks, while this evil pathway gets proper supernatural powers.
"Is there a reason why there's something wrong with the Demoness Sect other than their pathway?" Xio spoke up, brows furrowed in confusion.
"Hm?" Dominique gave the Arbiter a deep look, It seems she's unaware of the Acting Method…
Noticing that his sister was distracted, Abel responded in her stead. "The Sequence 7 of the Demoness Pathway is called 'Witch', if a man advances to this sequence, he will become a woman." He explained simply, as though he were stating the color of the sky.
"…Eh?" Xio's serious expression instantly collapsed.
Fors, by contrast, made no sound at all. Her mouth opened slightly, then closed. Her eyes glazed over, an enlightened expression on her face. A man becomes a woman at Sequence 7…
What if he has a wife? A family? What if he falls in love again after becoming a woman? Do the feelings change? Stay the same? What if they forget who they were—wait, wait, could I write a tragic romance where he unknowingly falls in love with his own son who doesn't recognize her? No, that's too dark…
Abel raised an eyebrow at the author, with how Observant and broad his Perspective was, how he could not know her thought process.
And it seemed he wasn't the only one who could guess her thoughts.
"It seems one of them was able to realise how messy the Demoness Sect is." Dominique too, stared at Fors, "Even Intisians are not that crazy."
"…What do you mean?" Xio was completely flummoxed.
With all eyes on her, the Apprentice snapped out of her enlightened state and turned to Xio, having heard her question.
Rather than explaining, she posed multiple questions for her friend, "What if a man already had a child before taking the Witch potion? Would he be called Father or Mother? What if he falls in love again after becoming a woman? If he gives birth as a woman, is he still the father—or now the mother? And what if the father-turned-mother brings a man home—do you call one Father and the other Dad?"
Silence filled the carriage.
I didn't even consider all those scenarios…Abel blinked, slightly astonished. Is this the mind of an author? Turning something as simple as gender into a philosophical riddle with emotional subplots?
After a minute, the young blonde woman returned to reality. "Is there anything else I should know that might help with my mission? What about the Demigod you mentioned earlier?"
Fors blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Xio's complete shift in focus, but quickly recovered, nodding in agreement with the sudden change of topic. It's a Xio thing to do, focusing on more important matters.
Inwardly commending the short woman's mental flexibility, Abel stroked his chin thoughtfully and smiled. "Forget about them," he said.
"Impossible." The Apprentice blurted instinctively.
The Jumper didn't respond, merely gazing at Xio who stared into his gold eyes.
After a few seconds, she nodded. "…Okay."
"Eh?" A strangled sound left the author's lips. Yet no one paid her any mind.
"How should I pass the information to you?" Xio followed up.
That's a good question. I should have a basic summon or five…Basic Summons was a free option in the Items section from Jump. And yet he had no knowledge infused in his mind about them, nor did it appear in the Items section of his status page…The Containment Room, perhaps? The Book of Shadows may also have a section about them.
Abel only skimmed the grimoire-like artifact, focusing more on the status page and sorting his perks. He'd never fully explored its content.
He shook the thoughts off for now and returned to the present. "The Harvest Church. Every four days." Abel replied with a natural smile.
The carriage once again grew silent.
Dominique gave him a flat look. "…You're being serious, aren't you?"
Abel gave a casual nod, "Of course. We could even use the confessional for extra privacy." It was only natural to take advantage of the church's leniency toward their most generous patro—donators.
"That's clever…the average person wouldn't even think of secrets and deals being shared in a church." Fors muttered.
"Don't encourage him." The Vampiress sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose as she looked away, as if doing so would spare her from absorbing the blasphemy-by-association.
"I'm just saying," the author shrugged sheepishly, "if it were in a novel, it would be a good idea."
At that moment, Dominique and Xio locked eyes, and in that fleeting instant, an unspoken understanding passed between them. A strange camaraderie blossomed, born not of shared background or belief, but of mutual exasperation.
The Arbiter returned her attention to Abel, nodding she said, "The Harvest Church is fine."
"Pleasure doing business with you." Abel said, stretching out his gloved hand.
Xio accepted the handshake naturally, only for her eyes to widen in surprise as he suddenly smirked and leaned in, pressing a light kiss to the back of her hand.
Surprise made way for embarrassment, as a flush bloomed across the Arbiter's face. No doubt, her thoughts would be taken up by a white haired young noble tonight….and perhaps, the foreseeable future.
++++
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this long chapter.
And, no one expected Vanessa from Black Clover as a crossover/expy did they? Can anyone guess her pathway? It isn't hard to guess if you remember her magic.