"Whether you believe it or not, I do. That's why I invited you here. So, what will it take for you to hand over the King Soul? I am wealthy and possess many items that might interest you. I'm even willing to trade my knowledge of alchemy. Think about it, Williatte. I've looked into your life, and I know you have no interest in becoming a king, so... why not consider trading it to ?"
Carl remarked, leaning against the counter.
"You really want to trade?"
Jenkins probed.
"Of course. I'm a rchant, not an assassin. If a problem can be solved with a transaction, then a transaction is the way to go."
Carl stated this as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Jenkins considered it for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Alright, then. Just tell how you were resurrected, and I can agree to the trade."
He then added:
"Naturally, we can sign a contract beforehand to ensure neither party goes back on the deal. Since you deal in so many wondrous items, I assu you have sothing of the sort?"
A delighted expression spread across Carl's face. He nodded eagerly as he rummaged behind the counter. The two of them discussed the terms of the contract before signing their nas. Of course, Jenkins still wrote "Jenkins R. Williatte."
"I was able to resurrect thanks to A-12-1-2909, the Flesh and Blood Factory. It's an exceptionally rare item. I only figured out how to use it correctly through my ancestors' research."
Carl spoke imdiately after they signed, as if he were afraid Jenkins would have second thoughts.
"I see. I never thought soone could actually make use of a Gizmo."
Jenkins replied nonchalantly, ntally noting the serial number before placing his right hand on Carl's shoulder.
"Then, as per our contract, I will now transfer one of the four souls I possess, the Tree Soul, to you."
According to Carl, transferring a King Soul only required both parties to be aware of the truth, make physical contact (even through clothing), and verbally agree to the transfer.
But after Jenkins spoke those words, nothing happened, save for the cat on his shoulder letting out a bored yawn.
"This... how is this possible? Is the King Soul still with the Queen?"
Carl stamred, his words tumbling out as he stared at Jenkins in disbelief.
"I told you, I don't have any King Soul. And there's one other thing you might not have noticed. You're standing a little too close..."
At these words, Carl lunged backward. But it was too late. Verdant vines descended from above like a curtain, striking like serpents at Carl's head.
Like most people before him, he couldn't see the writhing vines, but as a demigod-level Enchanter, he sensed the imminent danger. While trying to wrench himself free from Jenkins's grip, he blasted a ball of brilliant red energy into the air.
But it was useless. The vines passed straight through the energy and plunged into Carl's head. With a series of wet gulps, Carl's body went limp, left to hang in the air, suspended by the tendrils.
Jenkins, however, didn't let down his guard. He glanced behind him and, sure enough, a deathly pale Carl was standing at the top of the stairs to the second floor, steadying himself against the railing.
This was the first mortal Jenkins had ever encountered who had survived a direct hit from Blasphemous Creation. But considering he had just appeared hale and hearty after having his soul shredded by a Gizmo bullet, the power of Blasphemous Creation was still formidable.
"What was that?"
Carl demanded, pointing at his own dangling "corpse," his tone forceful and interrogating.
"Why don't you see for yourself?"
As he spoke, Jenkins targeted him with Blasphemous Creation again. A second spatial tear opened beside Carl, and even more green vines surged forth. This ti, however, Carl was prepared, even though he couldn't see them.
He quickly shrugged off his black suit jacket and flung it into the air. The small garnt expanded in an instant, spreading to cover the entire ceiling.
Like a giant wrapping cloth, it enveloped the shop's interior, enclosing everything except for the two n and the cat. The space within the shop warped, and the phantom vines Jenkins had summoned from so unknown dinsion flickered a few tis before vanishing completely, not even having the chance to spit out the digested Sin Coins for Jenkins.
"B-11-3-2808, the Black Magician's Human Skin Coat. A rare spatial item. Not only does it help move house, but it can also temporarily create a pocket dinsion to block most spatial summoning abilities. It seems my guess was correct. The truth of your power is that you summon unknown, malevolent entities from beyond the material world... Williatte, who in the world are you? The Orthodox Church would never permit an Enchanter to possess such an ability!"
Carl's questioning was sharp, which should have been intimidating. But combined with his sallow, utterly spent appearance, it just seed absurd.
"Does it matter who I am?"
A black shadow materialized behind Jenkins, then shot toward Carl at the top of the stairs with a manic laugh. A massive explosion followed, spewing black demonic flas everywhere and completely blasting apart the junk shop's staircase. Fortunately, the shop itself was protected by the coat and didn't collapse.
After the explosion, a sowhat disheveled Carl erged from the rubble, coughing.
"A Believer of Lies! You're the Twin Demons!"
With his jacket gone, Carl was now in a white shirt, though the recent explosion had turned it a mottled black and white. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a filtered cigarette.
He quickly lit it using the lingering demonic flas, then took a deep drag. When he exhaled, it wasn't smoke that billowed from his lips, but a far more violent torrent of black demonic fire.
Even Jenkins didn't dare to face these soul-searing flas head-on. He leaped to the side, dodging the fan-shaped blast, then pulled a tal talisman from his pocket and tossed it into the fire.
The mont they made contact, the tal talisman vaporized. But the runes etched upon it lingered in the air like threads of burning tal. Steam billowed out as the talisman took effect, gradually filling the entire space. In an instant, both n had lost sight of each other.
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