Chapter 31: Jane's Choice
Detective Isengard narrowed his eyes, considering Enber's request for a moment before replying, "I won't ask why you want to borrow '2-081,' but I'll caution you — in this world, it's essential to proceed step by step. You can't be impatient or reckless, or you'll only invite disaster."
Enber was touched by his teacher's caring, and non-intrusive attitude. He straightened up and nodded seriously. "I understand. Thank you for the advice, Teacher."
"My Beyonder item is stored in the supply room every night. I'll allow you access to it from ten to eleven each night. For now, focus on today's reading and the reports that need reviewing," Detective Isengard said, retreating to his office.
Enber clenched his fists, feeling he was one step closer to Sequence 7.
---
Near the Bravehearts Bar, in the same apartment Enber had once used to prepare his Sequence 9 Reader potion, Jane sat motionless, her face blank as she stared at her father's body. She looked like a statue, devoid of tears — but somehow even sadder than if she had been crying.
Silent grief cuts far deeper than tears.
Opposite her sat Miss Sharron, and the somber, pale-faced youth, Maric. "We've explained everything that happened. Both Sharron and I are grateful for your father's sacrifice — it allowed us to escape. Though… he didn't mean to help us…" Maric paused, frowning as he looked at the girl, who hadn't reacted. Raising his voice slightly, he continued, "As for repayment, I'll offer you two choices. The first is a considerable sum of money, along with a new identity, so you can move to another city and start fresh…"
"What's the second choice? Can I gain extraordinary powers like yours? I want revenge!" Jane's cold voice cut him off.
"That's what I was about to explain. We'll help you become a Beyonder, and you have two options. The first is to wait until Sharron and I can gather materials for a 'Prisoner' potion. The second is to directly consume your father's Beyonder characteristic and become a 'Corpse Collector.' But I have to warn you, that could be dangerous since we don't know the potion's supplementary ingredients," Maric said evenly.
"So… my father was a 'Corpse Collector'? No wonder he kept going out at night… Even Enber told me he was out volunteering…" Jane mumbled to herself. Then her voice turned resolute: "I'll take my father's path! I want to follow in his footsteps down this road and keep him with me, always!"
"Are you sure about this? Directly consuming a Sequence 9 Beyonder characteristic has a much higher risk of causing you to lose control than taking a complete potion," Maric reminded her.
Jane didn't answer, only meeting his gaze with quiet determination. "Maric, grant her wish," Sharron said coolly. "Her resolve is unwavering."
After a moment of silence, Maric nodded. He took out a preparation flask, blended the Beyonder characteristic left by Mr. Grant with harmless common ingredients, stirred thoroughly, and handed it to Jane.
Without hesitation, Jane raised the flask and drank it down in one gulp.
---
That evening, Enber was reviewing one of Detective Isengard's past cases when the butler entered and handed him a telegram.
"A telegram from the Bravehearts Bar? From Kaspars, asking me to meet him there…" Enber read the note and considered for a moment. Then he left his room and knocked on the door to his teacher's office.
"Don't worry. Kaspars is trustworthy; he wouldn't cause you trouble…" Detective Isengard said, understanding his intentions immediately as he smiled.
Enber nodded, mulling over the response.
"Honestly, I was planning to visit him anyway… I didn't expect him to contact me first. Given the situation over there, I assumed they'd be laying low?"
"So, you know a little about what happened with that girl's family…" Detective Isengard's expression shifted as he pieced things together. "Don't worry about me. I have enough influence to keep them from acting out here."
Enber breathed a sigh of relief. He had a good idea of who was looking for him. Though Maric and Sharron were not malicious characters in the original novel, it was still wise to be cautious. He had to make sure he left himself a backup plan.
Detective Isengard thought for a moment, then took a hat from his desk and handed it to Enber, "Here, take this with you. It'll give you an edge if you find yourself in danger."
"This is…" Enber's mind immediately jumped to a passage in the novel describing his teacher's prized Sealed Artifacts, one of which rivaled Klein's Sun brooch.
"This is a sealed Artefact of sailor pathway. Wearing it will allow you to move freely underwater for up to half an hour and use some water and wind-based spells. The downside is that you'll crave water, and you'll weaken if you stay on dry land too long. But a short visit to the bar won't trigger these effects seriously," Detective Isengard explained.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Enber gratefully accepted the hat, estimating its value to be at least 2,000 pounds, and then headed for the Bravehearts Bar.
When Enber arrived, Kaspars was in his usual spot, leaning against a pool table. He watched Enber enter the game room with a hint of surprise.
"You've changed a lot since I last saw you! If not for your face, I might not have recognized you," Kaspars remarked, eyeing him curiously.
Enber sighed, feeling a wave of nostalgia.
"A lot's happened lately. I suppose I've grown up a bit."
"Well, let's not dwell on it. Someone's waiting to see you. I'll take you to them," Kaspars said, setting down his cue stick and hobbling toward the door.
"Who's waiting for me? Mr. Maric?" Enber asked casually as he followed.
"Why would you think it's him? No, he wouldn't risk showing his face right now. It's a young lady who wants to see you," Kaspars replied with a chuckle.
'A young lady? Could it be Jane?' Enber looked surprised. Since his arrival in this world, he had only met a handful of women — Xio and Fors among them — but neither would need Kaspars's help to arrange a meeting.
They soon arrived at a familiar building. This was the same location where Enber brewed his sequence 9 Reader potion.
Kaspars opened the door and gestured for Enber to enter. Enber, a little nervous took a deep breath and stepped into the lounge.
(End of Chapter)