Both yesterday's and today's newspapers devoted extensive coverage to the serial killings...
First, journalists helped readers piece together the entire case... over the past few months, several streetwalkers had been brutally murdered, and their bodies gutted.
Recently, the frequency of the killings had escalated, sparking widespread panic.
According to reports, a detective noticed piles of stray dog and cat corpses in garbage dumps, all similarly mutilated. He theorized that the killer must have practiced on animals before moving on to humans, explaining the surgical precision of the eviscerations.
This clue ultimately led investigators to the perpetrator, who was shot dead during arrest after violent resistance.
Those present at the gathering had already received accurate intelligence during the last meeting... That being this was a Beyonder related case.
When it came to supernatural crimes, one couldn't expect truthful newspaper reports...
After Odis dropped his bombshell at the gathering, it took several seconds before Peacock asked, "If not human, then what was it?"
"A supernatural creature," Odis stated firmly.
Hound, who also knew this information, sounded disappointed, "I was planning to sell this tidbit for a good price..."
This was insider knowledge typically limited to official Beyonders. Knowing the 'Leader'sʼ backer was the Church of Steam, Hound wasn't surprised he was privy to it.
His comment further validated the Leader's revelation...
The other members fell silent again, their imaginations thoroughly outpaced.
Even through their masks, Odis could discern their shock from their body language.
After another pause, Peacock continued, her tone markedly different, "H-how could a supernatural creature hide its tracks in Backlund?"
Wolverine, his voice a low rumble, interjected, "You remember the task I posted earlier about locating a friend who vanished in the sewers? He was a Beyonder, and we never even found his body..."
At that, the group stiffened...
Hound added belatedly, "The sewers would indeed be an ideal hiding spot for a supernatural being..."
Even official Beyonders had been baffled by how the 'demon dog' had evaded repeated sweeps.
This exchange also clarified the case's trajectory... months ago, a supernatural creature arrived in Backlund and butchered over a dozen streetwalkers. Being misled into assuming the perpetrator was human, the official Beyonders hit dead ends.
It was only recently that clues led them to the creature, which they subsequently eliminated.
With a husky voice, Leopard posed the next question, "Can supernatural creatures advance?"
In his understanding, such beings served one purpose... providing Mystical materials for Beyonders. The idea that they could progress as well was startling.
Odis sidestepped a direct answer, "Due to their unique Pathways, some supernatural creatures possess intelligence comparable, some even superior to humans..."
Leopard marveled, "The Mystical world never ceases to amaze."
Odis then declared, "That intelligence wasn't free."
At that, all eyes turned to the 'Leader'. They knew such secrets came at a price.
"Someone is offering top coin for relics of Emperor Roselle," Odis said, "If you have any or know where to acquire them, I'll ensure that you're handsomely compensated."
With the Church of Steam footing the bill, generosity was effortless.
Giraffe slowly shook his head, "This must be the 'Roselle Commemorative Exhibition' effect. Fans are scrambling for his memorabilia."
Odis added, "No counterfeits."
Giraffe, who once claimed to be an antique appraisal expert, nodded vigorously, "Wouldn't dream of it."
The gathering then shifted to trading high-tier Spiritual materials... most, as usual, were snapped up by Odis.
Focused primarily on intelligence exchange, the 'Mysticism Research Society' rarely dealt in Potion formulas or Mystical ingredients...
After bartering a few inconsequential tidbits, the meeting adjourned...
Odis watched attendees depart before heading to the basement. There, he placed a crystal key against the wall where the illusory passage had appeared earlier.
Channeling his Spirituality, a shimmering Octagram magic array activated... though this one lacked gemstones or the priceless 'Ahornak Crystal'...
This was merely a 'subsidiary array', which required Odis's crystal key to link with the 'primary array' and open a temporary passage.
Stepping through, he instantly materialized in a basement several districts away.
Once he left, the subsidiary array vanished, leaving an ordinary wall...
.....
Back at the residence's basement, Odis removed his cloak and mask, donned his overcoat, and (through attire and demeanor) became unrecognizable as the 'Leader'...
With this array in place, only a demigod could expose him.
After a public carriage ride to the herbal shop, Odis had some lunch, then he rested briefly before the woman sent by the 'Queen Mystic' arrived as promised...
She had switched to a different color palette today, but still retained her refined air.
Surveying Odis's cluttered lab, she frowned slightly before reluctantly taking a seat by the desk...
Odis produced pen and paper, "How familiar are you with magic arrays?"
"I can draft common ones and replicate uncommon ones after a single glance," she replied, "If this is a tutorial, we can skip the basics."
Ignoring her, Odis pressed on, "Do you know the six applications of the flame sigils?"
She clenched her jaw, "Extensively!"
His third question, "How do you control the flame's direction and intensity in an array?"
"Direction... and intensity?" She faltered, then smirked, "What's the point of such trivial details?"
Odis deadpanned, "Your Mysticism fundamentals are lacking. This will be exhaustive... So please pay attention, and ask if lost."
The woman stiffened. As an accomplished 'Scrolls Professor', this was the first time anyone had deemed her "lacking in fundamentals"...
Odis disassembled his revolver into tiny components and explained the magic array embedded within.
Flame direction and intensity were critical here. Each maintenance session essentially redrew the array... So if the intensity was too strong, the gun would backfire... If it was too weak, then it would function like a normal revolver...
Misaligned flames also risked detonating the bullets mid-barrel...
Soon, the woman realized the herbalist was unveiling revolutionary applications... Revolutionary enough to shock the entire Beyonder world!
With this array, even ordinary individuals versed in Mysticism could craft such supernatural firearms!
...
{T/N: In case some of you may have forgotten, 'Scrolls Professor' is the Sequence 6 of the 'Mystery Pryer' Pathway...
From here on out, I'm gonna start adding these little reminders for all new Sequences that are mentioned...}