```
Hercules's true strength was sothing Arthur couldn't ascertain.
But he did know of Hercules's magic.
The "Hand of Void," which was completed and altered by Hercules, was now Arthur's most convenient and practical secret technique, and he wondered what sort of form the "Stone Bullet Technique," also invented by Hercules, would take?
Indeed!
It was an invention!
Based on the records in Glyphic Language in the diary, Arthur confird this.
Upon seeing the "Stone Bullet Technique" that required only 1XP to learn, Arthur imdiately chose to learn it.
["Stone Bullet Technique Lv1: While serving as the administrator of the Imperial Library, besides reading, Hercules's favorite pasti was playing stone bullets with the neighborhood kids to relax his mind and exercise his wrists. But as he remained unbeaten, no one wanted to play stone bullets with Hercules anymore. Thus, the young master began to entertain himself, Effect: Based on spirituality, consus physical strength, manipulates stone bullets the size of a fingertip within a radius of one ter with Glyphic Language Pa, flying towards any target within 10 ters of your sight—The crisp sound when the first stone bullet is caught up by the second always pleases ."]
(Note 1: The Stone Bullet Technique doesn't require chanting Glyphic Language, and it can be executed silently.)
(Note 2: When the first stone bullet is fired, the second can be chosen imdiately.)
(Note 3: The power of the stone bullets is equivalent to the throwing strength of an ordinary adult.)
…
Arthur wasn't disappointed with the general effect of "Stone Bullet Technique" Lv1.
For 1XP, he thought the effect was quite good.
Moreover, when he saw that upgrading to "Stone Bullet Technique" Lv2 required 100XP, Arthur knew his guess was right—there was potential in the "Stone Bullet Technique."
'Could that secret technique used by the "Mystery Man" nad "Rock" to shatter carriages and kill horses with stones be the Lv2 "Stone Bullet Technique?"'
Arthur speculated in his heart.
However, he didn't imdiately upgrade the "Stone Bullet Technique."
It wasn't that he didn't have enough XP, but rather, Arthur wanted to verify another hypothesis after sunrise—whether stacking ordinary secret techniques would increase spirituality.
What about the "Abdel's Pyrokinesis" acquired from trading with Marinda?
Similar considerations applied.
But more importantly, learning this secret technique required not just 50XP, but also sothing called a "Fire Lizard's Pouch."
Arthur had heard about this object from "Detective" Alberts, who ntioned that "Fire Lizards" lived in the desert, especially near volcanoes. They are creatures from the Mystic Side, capable of spewing flas, with agility and trendous power, thick skin, and a bloodthirsty and fierce nature, which required a large hunting team to possibly capture. Their price was also extrely high.
The constantly valuable "Fire Lizard's Pouch" typically sold for around 1200-1300 gold notes, and its price could rise above 1500 gold notes during special tis, or even higher.
'Perhaps I could ask Marinda or Harris to keep an eye out.'
Arthur thought to himself, as he packed away the last inco of the day into "Atos's Box," then used his coat as a blanket on the floor of the Spirit dium Parlor, where he lay down to sleep.
It wasn't that he didn't want to sleep in a bed.
It was that the night's events seed to have concluded.
But there was a follow-up that needed wrapping up—
Dawn had just broken.
And the door of No. 2 Cork Street was knocked upon.
Dressed in dark-colored hunting apparel, Marinda stood outside the door holding breakfast, and as Arthur opened the door, she imdiately revealed a slightly cloying smile.
"Morning, Arthur."
"Morning, Marinda."
Arthur replied wearily.
While observing Arthur's fatigued appearance, Marinda placed the food on the table—the leftovers from the dinner purchased the night before from Grandma Andor.
However, neither Marinda nor Arthur mind.
The two heated up last night's food and arranged it on the dining table alongside breakfast.
"I heard soone got backlash from a secret technique last night?"
Marinda asked, holding a glass of milk.
"I heard soone didn't catch the person they wanted to catch?"
Arthur countered with a piece of white bread in his hand.
Then, after glaring at each other, Marinda quickly offered her defence.
"If it weren't for wanting to take him alive, he'd be dead a long ti ago!
But now, he's probably living a fate worse than death!
Plus, with my curse on him, I'll be able to find him soon!"
Marinda spoke with full confidence.
In response, Arthur expressed his belief.
He had, after all, observed the battle between this lady and that old-fashioned mber of the "Death Poetry Society" through Fujin's eyes. If she had really wanted to kill her opponent, the lady would have had more than enough chances.
'Undead, Curse, and if you added a bone spear to the mix, you'd practically be a Necromancer!'
```
Arthur couldn't help but criticize his collaborator's secret technique.
But the next mont, the young 'Spirit dium' suddenly thought of sothing.
Setting aside the Curse, Marinda's secret technique leans towards the Undead, and the 'Death Poetry Society' is just short of claiming to speak on behalf of Death itself.
Both are so close to death.
Could this be why the old-school 'Death Poetry Society' mbers targeted Marinda's salon? Not just because it was a place with many people and therefore easier to choose targets?
Arthur thought to himself, but what he said aloud was different.
"I was duped by two con artists, I thought I had truly encountered 'Dark Serpent' Ciudik."
Marinda had shared a piece of information.
He naturally had to share one in return.
Their collaboration was predicated on fairness.
As for the truthfulness of what was said?
It was all up to their own judgnt.
"'Spirit dium' encountering con artists... Haha, sorry, I just couldn't help myself."
Looking at Arthur, who remained calm, Marinda suddenly burst into laughter.
"What an odd sense of humor."
Arthur continued to maintain his composure, but Marinda could tell that his breathing had beco a bit rapid.
Imdiately, the lady pulled out a pipe.
However, she didn't light it. After so many days of acquaintance, the lady had learned so of Arthur's habits—for instance: he didn't mind her smoking a pipe, but it was best not to do so at the dining table, as the smoke could affect the taste of the food itself.
Catching a glimpse of the pipe on the table, Arthur didn't say much.
He knew this was Marinda's way of using respect to soothe his 'cheated heart'.
Now was the ti to follow up with a question.
In fact, that's exactly what she did.
After finishing the milk in her cup, the lady spoke again—
"Arthur, what exactly is your relationship with the 'Blood Descendants'?"
Clearly, after replaying last night's events, the lady still sensed sothing was amiss.
For example: The 'Blood Descendants' appeared just when Freeman had humiliated Arthur.
Arthur, on the other hand, was well-prepared for this.
He put a piece of fried at into his mouth and spoke.
The fried at tasted very good, far surpassing Arthur's expectations of Marinda's cook, Mary.
"We've t once, had a conversation, and made so promises to each other," he said.
He didn't deny it, but his response was still vague.
Even if Marinda did Divination, she would likely co up with a similar story.
Divination is not all-powerful, and its results are often unclear.
There are too many factors that could interfere with divination.
"Really?
Then you'd better warn your friend to be careful—the title of 'Child of Chaos' has already spread in the Dark World.
He might encounter 'Hunters' any day now."
Marinda said with a smile.
Hunters, an ancient profession existing since the Empire days, were once part of the Religious Tribunal during the Holy Empire Era, and then beca independent in the Silver Era. Most of the ti, they operate as families, using various occupations as a front, while secretly hunting evil for a living.
Their strength varies significantly, and they are subject to highly divergent opinions.
In short, they are a troubleso bunch of people.
"Don't worry, he is far more cautious than I am."
Arthur did not deny the word 'friend' used by Marinda.
Similarly, Marinda did not press further.
Clearly, this topic was closed.
Then, it was Arthur's turn to begin the next question.
With a charred piece of white bread in hand and a faint smile on his lips, the young 'Spirit dium's' gaze grew increasingly icy—
"Who are you?"
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