Before anyone could refuse, Hathaway added in a rapid-fire voice:
"But don't worry, it's not dangerous, even though its hazard level is 1... Please, let explain. I've researched this type of supernatural event in a book. The reason for its hazard level isn't because the event itself is dangerous, but because its appearance signifies that the end of the Epoch will certainly occur within three hundred years. That's why the Church designated it a hazard level of 1... I can't show you the ancient book I read; it's not mine. But you can use your own channels to look up this number and verify that what I'm saying is true."
Seeing that the others were no longer on the verge of imdiate refusal, she continued:
"This event is a Series B, not a Series A, so there are extensive, detailed descriptions of it. According to the book, 'Story within a Story' manifests by transforming a lightless room, smaller than 20 by 20 feet, into a quiet chamber with nothing but a wooden round table.
Once this transformation occurs, no ordinary person can perceive the room anymore. They can't see it, can't touch it, and can't even recall it.
After the room is transford, the event will trigger whenever three to ten Enchanters are inside with the door closed. During this ti, no one can enter or leave. The Enchanters must play a role-playing ga by rolling dice.
The specific rules of the ga are only available inside the room and can only be read aloud there. The ga itself isn't dangerous, but any Enchanter who doesn't see it through to the end will have one of their abilities forcibly stripped away. However, those who finish the ga will be rewarded with at least two extra empty ability bubbles and a brand-new ability. That's just the basic reward."
Jenkins was starting to waver. He had originally planned to persuade Hathaway to abandon such a risky ga, but if her description was accurate, this was an opportunity well worth taking.
"I've found one of these ga rooms and confird that it is indeed B-11-1-0299, 'Story within a Story.' After the ga ends, the room returns to normal, so this is a one-ti chance. The ga is cooperative, not competitive, which is why I want to find trustworthy friends to join . So, are you interested?"
The event, designated B-11-1-0299, sounded fascinating, and the rewards seed substantial. But just the sa, no one was willing to commit until they could confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the designation.
Although Jenkins wanted to agree imdiately, doing so rashly would only make Hathaway more wary of him as Candle Mr. So, he kept his mouth shut and listened as she provided a thod of contact. Once she gathered enough participants, she would initiate 'Story within a Story.'
"I won't wait too long. Keeping a Series B supernatural event in my possession is risky in itself."
Everyone murmured their understanding, but each had their own plans.
Next should have been the trading session, but Mr. Hood didn't announce its start imdiately. Instead, he turned to Jenkins and asked:
"Candle Mr., do you have anything you need to recruit us for? If so, now would be the ti to bring it up."
The question was clearly a jab at the others.
Jenkins quickly shook his head.
"No. Although the rest of you have made similar requests, my life has been quite peaceful lately. Besides feeding my cat on ti, I have nothing important going on."
He wasn't even in Nolan at the mont.
Hearing those words, Hathaway once again thought of Jenkins.
"That's good."
Mr. Hood nodded.
"In that case, let's begin the trading session. Oh, but before we do, I must add sothing. Our information exchange is absolutely not for you to recruit people for your adventures. Next ti, please do not use such calls to action as your information to trade. I'll emphasize this again: the purpose of our gathering is to share information, not to act as a quest board!"
"Weren't you just trying to get us to join your operation?"
More than one person had the sa thought, but out of respect for Mr. Hood, no one voiced it.
The item trading session that followed also had so unusual developnts. First up was Magic Miss. This ti, she directly produced a thin book with a blank, hardcover cardboard binding instead of a proper cover. The book was actually a catalog, listing all the rituals she had available for trade.
"I'm short on gold pounds lately. All this knowledge is for sale."
she announced.
Jenkins, intrigued, took a look as well and was surprised to find that Magic Miss's collection was quite extensive. Like the others, he picked out a few rituals that interested him. The most lavish spender, however, was Hathaway, who spent 78 pounds in one go.
"Why would she carry so much cash with her? That's so dangerous."
Jenkins thought anxiously, wishing he could just shout and tell Hathaway how incredibly careless that was.
During the trading session, Mr. Hood brought out a golden egg—a pure gold chicken egg. This didn't an it was cast from gold, but rather that the shell of this living egg was actual gold.
"Don't ask where I got it. I'd love to share the story, but I have to protect my friend's secret. Is anyone interested? This egg can hatch a chick, and if that chick is a hen, there's a chance it will also lay golden eggs... Of course, my price is very high. After all, the pure gold shell alone is worth a considerable sum. War is coming, and the price of gold has been rising fast."
Jenkins was very interested and even considered buying it to see what would happen. But the thought of his cat, Chocolate, quickly dissuaded him. Chocolate would absolutely never tolerate a second pet in the house, even if that pet's only purpose was to lay eggs.
In the end, Mr. White Cat bought it. He didn't have enough cash on hand, however, so he proposed another thod of paynt. The two of them walked down a nearby branching path into another mining tunnel, murmuring to each other for a while before returning. No one knew what Mr. White Cat had said.
After that, Hathaway announced that she wanted to buy so 'Witch's Kiss.'
At the beginning of last winter, right around the ti Alexia left Nolan, Jenkins had sold off a large batch of the stuff. By now, that stock, if not completely used up, should be nearing its expiration date. That's why there was even a bounty for it on the black market—a fact Jenkins was aware of, having left Nolan only a week ago.
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